Embedded Lateral Topsheets for Absorbent Article Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles face challenges in preventing side leakage of body fluids due to deformation during user motion, despite the use of hydrophobic side sheets, which are not effective in containing fluids when spread across the topsheet.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a hydrophilic topsheet with embedded zones on the lateral sides, where the lateral topsheet is compressed into the topsheet and absorbent core, enhancing fluid suction and directionality to prevent lateral diffusion and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrophobic side sheets are used to prevent side leakage, then lateral fluid containment is improved, but fluid absorption effectiveness deteriorates when fluid is placed directly on the side sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The side sheet is divided into a first side sheet portion (hydrophobic) and a second side sheet portion (hydrophilic), allowing different regions to perform different functions: the hydrophobic portion prevents lateral leakage while the hydrophilic portion absorbs fluid that reaches the side edges
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the side sheet have different material properties - the first portion is hydrophobic for leakage prevention while the second portion is hydrophilic for fluid absorption, optimizing local functionality to resolve the contradiction between leakage prevention and absorption effectiveness
2Ease of manufacture
If the lateral topsheet is spaced apart from the topsheet (folded configuration), then manufacturing ease is improved, but fluid containment effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The side sheet is configured to extend in multiple dimensions - it has a first portion extending from the topsheet and a second portion that reaches the side edge of the absorbent core, creating a three-dimensional structure that both facilitates manufacturing and ensures effective fluid containment at the critical side edge region
3Adaptability or versatility
If the absorbent article is made flexible to accommodate user motion, then comfort and adaptability are improved, but side leakage increases due to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The side sheet structure is designed to be dynamic and adaptable - it can deform with user motion while maintaining its functional configuration, with the hydrophobic and hydrophilic portions working together to prevent leakage regardless of the article's deformation state during wear
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 embedded zones effectively direct fluids into the absorbent article, reducing side leakage and improving the overall containment of body fluids, even when the article is subjected to motion.
Implementation Method 1
an embedded zone along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article comprising a plurality of compressed areas where the lateral topsheet and the topsheet are jointly compressed so that the lateral topsheet is embedded into the topsheet
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophilic topsheet
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a body-facing surface and a transverse centerline, comprising; a hydrophilic topsheet, a backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a lateral topsheet on each longitudinal side of the body-facing surface of the absorbent article so that at least a part thereof covers the topsheet where the topsheet covers the absorbent core, wherein the lateral topsheet comprises an embedded zone along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article comprising a plurality of compressed areas where the lateral topsheet and the topsheet are jointly compressed so that the lateral topsheet is embedded into the topsheet, and wherein the lateral topsheet in the compressed areas is one layer.