Absorbent Article Capture Layer With Recessed Core for Fecal Leakage Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent articles face challenges in efficiently preventing fecal material leakage, particularly during high flow rates or when the absorbent core is expanded, such as due to viral infections or medical conditions.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article features a capture layer with a centrally oriented zone that is partially recessed and has a lower thickness compared to the surrounding core, forming a pocket to gather fecal material, combined with a transversally extending capture layer and elastic strands to enhance containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional absorbent core design is used, then the article can absorb urine and provide comfort, but it fails to efficiently prevent fecal material leakage during high flow rates or when the core is expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent core is divided into a first region and a second region with different thicknesses. The first region has a greater thickness to accommodate and contain fecal material, while the second region has a lesser thickness for normal urine absorption. This segmentation allows the core to handle different types of exudates effectively without compromising leak prevention during core expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the absorbent core are given different local properties - the first region is designed with greater thickness and capacity specifically for fecal material containment, while the second region maintains standard thickness for urine absorption. This localized differentiation ensures that fecal material is contained in the appropriate region even when the core expands during use.
2Reliability
If the absorbent core is made thicker to handle high flow rates, then fecal material retention improves, but the article becomes bulkier and less comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The core is segmented into regions of different thicknesses, with only the first region having greater thickness for fecal material containment. The second region maintains standard thickness, preventing overall bulkiness while ensuring adequate retention capacity where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Increased thickness is applied locally only in the first region where fecal material containment is critical, rather than uniformly throughout the entire core. This localized approach improves retention without significantly increasing overall article bulkiness.
3Reliability
If a pocket structure is added to prevent leakage, then fecal material containment improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The core is segmented into two functional regions with different thicknesses, creating a natural containment structure without requiring additional pocket components. The first region's greater thickness inherently provides the containment function that pockets would otherwise need to provide, simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment function traditionally provided by separate pocket structures is merged into the absorbent core itself through the first region's greater thickness. This integration eliminates the need for additional pocket components while maintaining effective fecal material containment.
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 design effectively reduces leakage by creating a larger volume for fecal material accumulation, even when the core expands, ensuring better retention and comfort during use.
Implementation Method 1
The recessed zone creates a pocket for gathering fecal material
Implementation Method 2
absorbent core positioned intermediate the liquid permeable topsheet and the liquid impermeable backsheet
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
The present invention relates to an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet and an absorbent core positioned intermediate the liquid permeable topsheet and the liquid impermeable backsheet, each layer having a skin-facing side, said absorbent article being arranged along a longitudinal axis and a transversal axis extending in a perpendicular direction in relation to the longitudinal axis, and said absorbent article defining a front portion having a front edge, a back portion having a back edge and a crotch portion intermediate said front portion and said back portion, wherein said back portion of said absorbent article further comprises a transversally extending capture layer, wherein said capture layer comprises an outboard transversal edge facing said back edge and two longitudinal edges being sealed to any part of said absorbent article, wherein said capture layer further comprises an inboard transversal edge facing said front edge, said inboard transversal edge being unsealed for gathering of feces, wherein said capture layer is positioned to at least partially cover the skin-facing side of the topsheet, wherein said absorbent core comprises at least one thickness, wherein at least said back portion of said absorbent article further comprises at least one centrally oriented zone in said absorbent core, said zone being at least partially recessed, resulting in said zone having a generally lower thickness in relation to the thickness of surrounding parts of the absorbent core.