Breathable Nonwoven Backsheet for Liquid-Resistant Underpads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current absorbent articles used with low-air-loss beds lack sufficient breathability, leading to moisture buildup and decreased performance of the beds, while existing microporous films provide inadequate airflow and increase skin temperature.
Innovation Solution
An absorbent article with a non-woven backsheet comprising layers of spunbond and meltblown fibers, treated with alcohol repellent, providing a hydrostatic pressure of 60-190 cm and air permeability of 5-35 cubic feet per minute, ensuring liquid resistance and breathability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a microporous film is used to provide liquid resistance, then hydrostatic pressure is improved, but air permeability deteriorates leading to moisture buildup and increased skin temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a non-woven backsheet with controlled porosity that allows air and moisture vapor to pass through while blocking liquid. The porous structure enables breathability and moisture vapor transmission without compromising liquid resistance, directly resolving the contradiction between hydrostatic pressure and air permeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The backsheet is constructed as a composite non-woven material combining different fiber types and densities to achieve both liquid resistance and breathability. This composite structure allows the material to simultaneously provide hydrostatic pressure resistance and maintain air permeability, eliminating moisture buildup and skin temperature increase.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-woven backsheet with high breathability is used, then air permeability is improved, but liquid resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The non-woven backsheet exhibits local quality variations with different pore sizes and fiber densities in different regions. The structure provides high breathability in certain areas while maintaining liquid resistance in others, allowing simultaneous achievement of both air permeability and hydrostatic pressure resistance through spatial variation in material properties.
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 breathability, reducing patient discomfort, decreasing replacement frequency, managing skin temperature, and preventing pressure ulcers by maintaining effective microclimate management.
Implementation Method 1
The backsheet is configured to prevent liquid absorbed by the absorbent core of the underpad from passing to the second side of the absorbent article and to the surface below. The hydrostatic pressure of the backsheet may be greater than or equal to 60 centimeters based on the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Test Method 127-2008.
Implementation Method 2
The air permeability of the underpad may be greater than 5 cubic feet per minute based on the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D737-18) Standard Test Method for Air Permeability of Textile Fabrics.
Implementation Method 3
At least one or a combination of the non-woven substrate, the topsheet and/or the absorbent core may be treated with an alcohol repellent ('AR') treatment or liquid repellent treatment.
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article including a non-woven substrate of one or more layers of meltblown fibers and a first layer of spunbond fibers and a second layer of spunbond fibers. The absorbent article further includes an absorbent core comprising at least one of fibers or a superabsorbent polymer. At least one of the non-woven substrate or the absorbent may be treated with an alcohol repellency (“AR”) treatment.