Detachable Disposable Absorbent Article Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disposable absorbent articles are not effectively designed for sanitary disposal, leading to contamination of landfills and groundwater due to their unitary design, which does not allow for the separation of fecal waste from the absorbent core, and often require complex designs with additional components that increase production costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A disposable absorbent article with a detachable design that allows the top liner to be partially or completely detached from the absorbent core, enabling users to dispose of the core in wastewater treatment facilities, reducing landfill waste and contamination, and incorporating ripping features for easy separation and flushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If disposable absorbent articles are designed as unitary structures for landfill disposal, then manufacturing and disposal are simple, but environmental contamination and groundwater pollution occur due to inability to separate fecal waste
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable absorbent article is divided into separable components: a flushable portion containing the absorbent core and a non-flushable portion containing the backsheet and fastening elements. This segmentation allows the absorbent core to be separated and flushed to wastewater treatment facilities, preventing environmental contamination while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through modular construction methods.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If disposable absorbent articles are made completely flushable, then sanitary disposal is improved, but toilet clogging and sewage system blockages occur
Solution Approach 1:
The article is segmented into a flushable absorbent core portion and a non-flushable backsheet portion. Only the absorbent core, made of water-soluble or biodegradable materials, is flushed to wastewater treatment facilities, while the backsheet with elastic and fastening components is disposed of in landfills or composted. This segmentation enables sanitary disposal without creating toilet clogging risks.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the article have different material properties tailored to their disposal destinations. The absorbent core uses water-soluble polymers and biodegradable materials suitable for flushing, while the backsheet uses non-woven fabrics and elastic materials suitable for landfill or composting. This local quality differentiation optimizes both sanitary disposal and prevents harmful effects.
3Adaptability or versatility
If detachable components are added to enable separation and flushing, then disposal flexibility and environmental sustainability improve, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent core is designed as a separable component with attachment features that connect to the backsheet during use but allow easy detachment for flushing. The segmentation is achieved through simple attachment mechanisms such as adhesive strips or mechanical connectors that integrate into existing manufacturing processes, providing disposal flexibility without excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable attachment system serves multiple functions: securing the absorbent core during wear, enabling easy removal for flushing, and allowing the backsheet to be reused with different absorbent cores. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall structure while providing versatile disposal options.
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 detachable design provides users with flexible disposal options, reduces landfill waste and bacterial contamination, minimizes the risk of toilet clogging, and simplifies production while maintaining sanitary handling and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent core disposed between the top liner and the backsheet. Disposable articles of this type effectively and efficiently absorb and contain urine or other body exudates.
Implementation Method 2
a liquid permeable top liner, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top liner and the backsheet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A~2D
AI summary
A disposable absorbent article utilized for absorption and containment of urine and other body exudates may incorporate components that may be detached from the article after use to provide disposal options based upon the user's preferences and circumstances, such as flushing down a toilet or septic tank, composting, recycling, or disposing in a landfill. Sanitary grips and sanitary gap may provide sanitary placements to detach the article. Ripping features incorporated along the top liner, back liner, or outer liner enclosure may also be used to detach the article. A removable liner may be detached from the top liner or outer liner enclosure. The absorbent core may be released after the article has been detached. To reduce the risk of clogging the toilet, a membrane may be utilized to create a barrier between the absorbent core and high-absorbency material to obstruct high-absorbency material from being released and flushed.