Drapeable Sanitary Napkin with Thin Composite Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary absorbent napkins lack drapeability, leading to discomfort and inadequate protection, despite advancements in flexibility and absorbency.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary napkin design featuring a cover layer, a barrier layer, and an absorbent system with superabsorbent polymer (SAP) between the layers, achieving an absorbency index of at least 1.5, an average density of 0.14 g/cm3, and a thickness of less than 2.0 mm, ensuring drapeability and enhanced comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the overall thickness of sanitary napkins is reduced to improve comfort and reduce obtrusiveness, then the napkin becomes thinner and more comfortable, but the drapeability and ability to conform to the body deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a flexible outer layer with an inner absorbent layer containing superabsorbent polymer. This composite design allows the napkin to maintain thin overall thickness while the outer layer provides drapeability and body conformity, resolving the contradiction between thickness reduction and drapeability preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different layers: the outer layer is designed for flexibility and drapeability to conform to the body, while the inner layer contains SAP for high absorbency. This local differentiation allows each layer to optimize its function without compromising the other, enabling thin overall thickness with maintained drapeability.
2Quantity of substance
If superabsorbent polymer is added to increase absorbency capacity, then the absorbent capacity improves, but the overall thickness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin flexible outer layer that acts as a shell containing the absorbent layer. This thin film structure allows high absorbency capacity from the SAP while maintaining overall thinness, as the outer layer provides structural integrity without adding significant thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent layer with SAP is nested within the flexible outer layer, creating a compact structure where the absorbent material is contained within a thin protective shell. This nesting arrangement maximizes absorbency capacity while minimizing overall thickness.
3Ease of operation
If the napkin is made more flexible to improve comfort, then the flexibility improves, but the drapeability and ability to conform to body contours deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outer layer is specifically designed with drapeable properties to conform to body contours, while the inner absorbent layer provides flexibility. This local differentiation allows the napkin to simultaneously achieve both flexibility and drapeability, as each layer optimizes its specific function.
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 provides a comfortable, drapeable, and highly absorbent sanitary napkin that conforms to the body, offering improved protection and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent system including superabsorbent polymer (SAP) arranged between the cover layer and the barrier layer
Implementation Method 2
The development of materials having a high liquid absorption capacity per unit volume has allowed the required overall thickness of sanitary napkins to be reduced
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article including a cover layer, a barrier layer and an absorbent system arranged between the cover layer and the barrier layer, the absorbent article being drapeable and possessing the absorbency attributes required of a sanitary napkin.