Capillary Acceleration Sheet for Dry Absorbent Article Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles with channels between the topsheet and backsheet suffer from slow dryness at the topsheet surface and significant rewetting, with absorbent material, particularly superabsorbent particles, escaping and contacting the wearer's skin.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a capillary acceleration sheet with a low melt fraction, preferably a single meltblown layer, between the absorbent material and the topsheet, forming channels with minimal absorbent material, and using absorbent particles with a defined particle size distribution to prevent escape, while ensuring fast dryness and reduced rewetting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If absorbent material is placed between the topsheet and backsheet to provide absorption capacity, then the absorbent article can take up liquid, but the absorbent material escapes through the topsheet and contacts the wearer's skin
Solution Approach 1:
A capillary acceleration sheet is introduced as an intermediary layer between the absorbent material and the topsheet. This sheet prevents absorbent particles from escaping through the topsheet while maintaining efficient liquid distribution to the absorbent material, thus resolving the contradiction between absorption capacity and particle containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary acceleration sheet utilizes porous material structure with specific pore size distribution to achieve selective permeability. The pores are sized to allow liquid passage while blocking absorbent particles, enabling the sheet to contain particles within the absorbent article while maintaining absorption functionality.
2Quantity of substance
If a liquid distribution layer is added to improve liquid distribution, then liquid distribution improves, but the topsheet surface dries slowly and rewetting occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary acceleration sheet modifies the capillary pressure parameters and pore size distribution to enhance liquid wicking speed. By optimizing these parameters, the sheet accelerates liquid distribution to the absorbent material while maintaining fast topsheet drying and preventing rewetting.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary acceleration sheet is constructed as a composite material combining different fiber types and pore structures to achieve optimal liquid transport properties. This composite structure enables rapid liquid distribution while maintaining fast drying characteristics at the topsheet surface.
3Loss of time
If channels are formed with minimal absorbent material to improve dryness, then topsheet dryness improves, but liquid distribution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary acceleration sheet serves as a mediator that bridges the channels formed with minimal absorbent material. It ensures efficient liquid distribution to the absorbent material through the channels while maintaining fast topsheet dryness, thus resolving the contradiction between dryness speed and liquid distribution efficiency.
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 capillary acceleration sheet accelerates liquid distribution and maintains absorbent material within the article, providing fast dryness and improved leakage protection by preventing significant absorbent particle escape through the topsheet.
Implementation Method 1
capillary acceleration sheet between the absorbent material and the liquid pervious topsheet
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet (300), a liquid impervious backsheet (200), absorbent material positioned between the liquid pervious topsheet and the liquid impervious backsheet, and a capillary acceleration sheet (400) between the absorbent material and the liquid pervious topsheet, wherein the absorbent material, typically comprising superabsorbent particles, is arranged on a bottom core wrap sheet such that one or more channels are formed, wherein less absorbent material per surface area is present in the one or more channels compared to an area around the one or more channels, wherein preferably substantially no absorbent material is present in the one or more channels, wherein the capillary acceleration sheet (400) comprises at least one meltblown layer, and wherein the at least one meltblown layer represents between 2 and 8 weight % of the weight of the capillary acceleration sheet.