Dark Absorbent Articles with Matching Color Layers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins and pantiliners, are not discreet when worn with dark-colored undergarments due to the visibility of white absorbent cores through apertured topsheets, compromising discretion and comfort, especially under translucent clothing.
Innovation Solution
The development of absorbent articles with an apertured topsheet and an underlying layer that have a Hunter L value of less than 60, ensuring both components match in color, thereby masking the absorbent core and providing discretion, comfort, and effective odor control using materials like active carbon without affecting comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If white absorbent cores are used in absorbent articles, then hygienic condition is communicated, but the articles become visible through dark colored undergarments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by providing absorbent articles with dark colored topsheets and underlying layers (L Hunter value less than 60) that match dark undergarment colors. This color adaptation allows the articles to remain invisible when worn with dark undergarments, resolving the contradiction between maintaining hygienic appearance and achieving discretion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the color parameter (L Hunter value) of the topsheet and underlying layer to be less than 60, creating a dark colored appearance. This parameter change enables the absorbent article to blend with dark undergarments while maintaining its absorbent function, thus resolving the visibility issue without sacrificing hygienic properties.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If dark colored topsheets and underlying layers are used to mask the absorbent core, then discretion is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing only the topsheet and underlying layer with dark coloration (L Hunter value less than 60), while the absorbent core can remain conventional. This localized application of color change achieves the desired discretion effect without requiring complete dark coloring of the entire absorbent article, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining conventionally colored absorbent cores with dark colored topsheets and underlying layers. This composite approach allows the use of standard white absorbent core materials while achieving dark overall appearance through the colored outer layers, reducing manufacturing complexity compared to producing entirely dark colored absorbent cores.
3Productivity
If the absorbent core is visible through apertures, then fluid absorption function is maintained, but discretion is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by making the underlying layer (visible through apertures) the same dark color as the topsheet (L Hunter value less than 60). This color matching ensures that even when the underlying layer is visible through the apertured topsheet, it blends with the dark undergarment and remains invisible, thus maintaining both aperture function and discretion.
Data Source
AI summary
Dark colored absorbent articles, such as pantiliners or sanitary napkins. More specifically, dark colored absorbent articles are disclosed comprising an apertured topsheet, an underlying layer visible through the apertures of the topsheet and a backsheet, wherein both the topsheet and underlying layer have a L Hunter value of less than 60. Preferably the topsheet, the backsheet and the underlying layer have the same color (e.g., black).