Breathable Bilaminate Backsheet for Absorbent Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable absorbent articles, such as diapers and briefs, are not breathable, leading to moisture trapping and discomfort for users, as they are designed to prevent leakage but lack ventilation, causing irritation and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A breathable laminate material is used in the absorbent article, comprising a moisture-pervious inner layer, an absorbent layer, and a moisture-impervious outer layer, with a polymeric film layer and nonwoven layers that are ultrasonically bonded to create apertures for breathability, allowing moisture vapor passage while maintaining liquid impermeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable absorbent articles are constructed from materials designed to capture urine and prevent leakage, then liquid containment is improved, but breathability deteriorates causing moisture trapping and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The backsheet is divided into multiple regions with different properties: stretchable regions that provide fit and containment, and non-stretchable breathable regions that allow moisture vapor transmission. This segmentation allows the backsheet to simultaneously achieve liquid containment through the stretchable portions and breathability through the non-stretchable portions, resolving the contradiction between reliability and moisture trapping.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the backsheet are assigned different functional qualities: some areas are made stretchable for liquid barrier performance while other areas are made non-stretchable and breathable for moisture vapor transmission. This local differentiation of material properties enables the single backsheet to fulfill both liquid containment and breathability requirements without compromise.
2Ease of operation
If disposable absorbent articles use stretch elastic laminates to provide fit and discretion, then wearability is improved, but breathability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The backsheet is segmented into stretchable and non-stretchable regions, where the non-stretchable regions provide breathable pathways for moisture vapor while the stretchable regions ensure proper fit and discretion. This segmentation allows the article to maintain wearability through elastic regions while preserving breathability through non-elastic regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The backsheet employs a composite structure combining materials with different properties within a single laminate. The composite includes both stretchable elastic materials for fit and non-stretchable breathable materials for moisture vapor transmission, allowing simultaneous achievement of wearability and breathability in a single integrated component.
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 breathable laminate reduces discomfort by allowing moisture vapor to escape, improving wearability and reducing irritation, while effectively containing liquids and preventing leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric film layer and nonwoven layers that are ultrasonically bonded to create apertures for breathability
Implementation Method 2
allowing moisture vapor passage while maintaining liquid impermeability
Data Source
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AI summary
A disposable absorbent article of a brief or pull-up type incorporates a breathable laminate material composed of two layers. The laminate is an elastic material and may include non-elastic portions created by deactivating the material. The laminate material may be made breathable by the ultrasonic bonding process used to create the laminate. A third layer is adhered or bonded to the laminate and with leg elastics positioned between the laminate that the third layer. The absorbent article includes an absorbent assembly that overlaps with the non-elastic portions of the laminate.