Absorbent Article Backsheet Laminate with Visible Indicia
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current absorbent articles, such as diapers and sanitary napkins, lack an effective and visible laminate with indicia that facilitates easy handling and reliable fastening, while also being challenging to manufacture cost-effectively and accurately.
Innovation Solution
A three-layer laminate is developed for the backsheet of absorbent articles, where the third layer is translucent and partially covers the second layer, allowing the first layer's indicia to be visible from the garment-facing side, and utilizing an optical placement controller for precise positioning during manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a multi-layer laminate with indicia is used in absorbent articles, then handling ease and fastening reliability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The backsheet is divided into multiple functional layers: a first layer providing liquid impermeability, a second layer providing structural support and transparency, and a third layer providing indicia for handling guidance. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while collectively solving the contradiction between handling ease and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second transparent layer acts as an intermediary between the first layer (with indicia) and the third layer (with additional functional properties). This intermediary layer allows the indicia to be visible from the outer surface while maintaining the functional properties of all layers, thus improving handling ease without requiring complete redesign of the entire laminate structure.
2Loss of information
If a three-layer translucent laminate is used to make indicia visible, then indicia visibility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The indicia are pre-printed on the first layer during the lamination process itself, rather than being added as a separate post-processing step. This preliminary action ensures that the indicia are precisely positioned relative to the functional layers during manufacturing, reducing the need for additional precision requirements while maintaining high visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The second layer is specifically designed with transparent or translucent properties, changing its optical parameters to allow the indicia on the first layer to be visible from the outer surface. This parameter change enables indicia visibility without requiring the indicia to be on the outermost layer, thus reducing positioning precision requirements.
3Reliability
If multiple layers are combined in the backsheet, then functional performance is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional layers are merged into a single integrated laminate structure during the lamination process. The first layer provides liquid impermeability, the second layer provides structural support and transparency, and the third layer provides indicia and additional functionality. By combining these functions into one integrated structure rather than separate components, the overall production cost is reduced despite the increased functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Each layer in the laminate serves multiple functions: the first layer provides both liquid impermeability and indicia display, the second layer provides both structural support and optical transparency, and the third layer provides both additional functionality and integration with the other layers. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate components needed, thereby reducing production cost while maintaining high functional performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the visibility and recognition of indicia, improves handling and fastening reliability, and enables cost-effective, accurate mass production of absorbent articles with improved performance and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The optical placement controller detects a position of the third layer relative to the first and second layers by means of an optical signal reflected from the indicia
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an absorbent article comprising a liquid impervious backsheet formed from a laminate. The liquid impervious backsheet may include at least three layers, a first layer forming the wearer facing side of the backsheet, a second layer forming the garment facing side of the backsheet, and a third layer partially but not fully covering the garment facing surface of the second layer. The first layer may include at least one first indicium on a garment-facing surface thereof and only present on a front half of the backsheet, the at least one first indicium being visible through said second and third layers when looking at the absorbent article from the garment facing side of backsheet.