Drapeable Sanitary Napkin with Controlled Flexural Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary absorbent napkins lack drapeability, leading to discomfort and inadequate protection, as they do not conform well to the body's shape and may bunch or deform, despite being flexible and having good absorbency.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary napkin design featuring a cover layer, a barrier layer, and an absorbent system with superabsorbent polymer, which maintains a drape angle of less than 80° at x=50 and less than 50° at x=100, ensuring the napkin hangs vertically and conforms to the body, combined with high absorbency attributes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the napkin is made flexible with low flexural resistance, then it becomes easier to deform under external load, but it loses drapeability and ability to conform to body shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical and chemical properties of the napkin materials and structure. Specifically, it controls the basis weight, fiber composition, and bonding characteristics of the top sheet, absorbent core, and backsheet to achieve optimal drapeability while maintaining flexibility. The use of specific fiber types and bonding methods allows the napkin to conform to body contours without excessive deformation under load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining different layers with specific properties: a top sheet made of hydrophilic fibers for fluid acquisition, an absorbent core with superabsorbent polymers for liquid retention, and a backsheet with controlled permeability. This multi-layer composite structure achieves both flexibility and drapeability by optimizing the interaction between layers with different mechanical and absorbent properties.
2Length of stationary object
If the napkin thickness is reduced to provide a thinner profile, then comfort and less obtrusive wear are improved, but absorbency capacity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous materials, particularly in the absorbent core containing superabsorbent polymers with highly porous structures. These materials can absorb and retain large volumes of liquid relative to their small physical dimensions, enabling the napkin to maintain high absorbency capacity despite reduced thickness. The porous structure allows rapid fluid penetration and retention within the compressed profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the density and distribution of absorbent materials within the core. By controlling the basis weight, fiber arrangement, and superabsorbent polymer concentration, the napkin achieves enhanced absorbency per unit thickness. The parameters are tuned to ensure rapid fluid acquisition and retention while maintaining a thin overall profile for comfort.
3Quantity of substance
If the napkin is made highly absorbent with superabsorbent polymer, then liquid absorption capacity is improved, but drapeability and conformability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating superabsorbent polymers specifically within the absorbent core region where they are most needed for liquid retention, while keeping the top sheet and backsheet layers with optimized mechanical properties for drapeability. This localized placement of high-absorbency material ensures that absorbency is enhanced without compromising the overall flexibility and conformability of the napkin structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by integrating superabsorbent polymer particles into a fibrous matrix within the absorbent core. This composite structure combines the high absorbency of SAP with the flexibility and drapeability of the surrounding fibrous materials. The composite design allows the napkin to maintain body conformability while achieving superior liquid absorption and retention capabilities.
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 napkin provides enhanced comfort and protection by being both drapeable and highly absorbent, allowing it to hang vertically and conform to the body's shape effectively, addressing the limitations of previous flexible but non-drapeable absorbent articles.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent system arranged between the cover layer and the barrier layer, the absorbent system including superabsorbent polymer (SAP)
Implementation Method 3
the term 'drapeable' or 'drapeability' as used herein means the tendency of an article to hang in a vertical fashion due to gravity when held in a cantilevered manner from one end of said article
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.