Cellulosic Multilayer Absorbent Assembly for Low-Rewet Hygiene Products
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hygiene products face challenges with non-biodegradability, microplastic release, limited recyclability, and performance issues such as insufficient bacterial kill at low washing temperatures and reduced absorption and rewetting capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer absorbent arrangement using at least three layers of cellulose-based fibers, including a first layer as a topsheet, a second layer as a distribution layer with blended yarns of round and multi-armed cross-section fibers, and a third layer as an absorbent core with hollow and round cross-section fibers, optionally with a waterproof fourth layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-layered structures with various synthetic fibers are used, then absorption performance and fluid retention are improved, but biodegradability and recyclability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite cellulosic fibers combining different cross-section geometries (round, multi-armed, hollow) to achieve both high absorption performance and biodegradability. The composite structure leverages the capillary action of round fibers, the distribution efficiency of multi-armed fibers, and the high capacity of hollow fibers while maintaining full biodegradability of all components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the absorbent arrangement use fibers with specifically tailored cross-section geometries optimized for their local function: round fibers in the topsheet for quick wicking, multi-armed fibers in the distribution layer for even spreading, and hollow fibers in the absorbent core for maximum retention capacity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If low washing temperatures are used to preserve material integrity, then biodegradability is maintained, but bacterial killing effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the washing temperature parameter from conventional low temperatures (30-40°C) to higher temperatures (60-95°C), enabling effective bacterial elimination while the biodegradable cellulosic materials maintain their structural integrity and functionality at these elevated temperatures.
3Ease of operation
If conventional cellulosic fibers with round cross-section are used, then softness and comfort are improved, but absorption speed and distribution efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different fiber cross-section qualities to different functional zones: round fibers in the topsheet for comfort and initial wicking, multi-armed fibers in the distribution layer for rapid liquid distribution, and hollow fibers in the absorbent core for high-capacity retention, thereby optimizing both comfort and absorption speed through spatial differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite fiber system combining round, multi-armed, and hollow cellulosic fibers with different cross-section geometries, where each fiber type contributes its unique properties: round fibers provide comfort and capillary action, multi-armed fibers enhance distribution efficiency, and hollow fibers maximize absorption capacity, achieving superior overall performance.
4Reliability
If biocides such as silver chloride are used to kill bacteria at low washing temperatures, then bacterial killing effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates harmful biocides from the hygiene product system entirely, replacing chemical bacterial control with physical thermal control through high-temperature washing, thereby achieving effective sterilization without introducing environmentally harmful substances that would contaminate wastewater.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful combination of low-temperature washing and biocide dependency into a beneficial high-temperature washing process that naturally eliminates bacteria without chemicals, turning the limitation of material heat resistance into an advantage for sterile cleaning.
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 arrangement is biodegradable, recyclable, provides improved absorption and reduced rewetting, and allows for higher comfort and effective fluid retention, while enabling washing at higher temperatures without biocides.
Implementation Method 1
The layer that faces the body, also called the top sheet, absorbs bodily fluids such as blood, urine, and/or secretions and transfers them to the second layer
Implementation Method 2
the absorbent core, which retains the fluid
Implementation Method 3
The third layer, also called the back sheet, is waterproof and prevents the absorbed fluid from passing through
Implementation Method 4
the textile material of the second layer is at least partially composed of a blended yarn of at least one cellulosic fiber with a round cross-section and at least one cellulosic fiber with a multi-armed cross-section
Implementation Method 5
the textile material of the third layer is at least partially composed of a mixed yarn consisting of at least one cellulosic hollow fiber and at least one cellulosic fiber with a round cross-section
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a multilayer absorbent arrangement comprising at least a first, a second, and a third layer, each formed from textile materials, each consisting of fiber materials comprising at least 80 wt.% cellulose fibers. The textile material of the second layer is at least partially composed of a blended yarn of a cellulosic fiber with a round cross-section and a cellulosic fiber with a multi-limbed cross-section, the latter comprising 40 wt.% or more of the blended yarn, wherein the blended yarn has a fineness of NM 70 or less. The textile material of the third layer is at least partially composed of a blended yarn of a cellulosic hollow fiber and a cellulosic fiber with a round cross-section, wherein the proportion of the cellulosic hollow fiber in the blended yarn of the third layer is 30 wt.% or more, and wherein the blended yarn of the third layer has a fineness of NM 85 or less.