Embossed Absorbent Article Adhesive Transfer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing absorbent articles with deep channel embossments face challenges in preventing damage to the backsheet during the embossing process and ensuring proper adhesive transfer to the release paper, leading to poor adhesive effectiveness and user experience issues.

Innovation Solution

An absorbent article with a topsheet, absorbent core, and backsheet, where the body-facing side has embossment regions and the garment-facing side has depression regions, along with an adhesive pattern that covers at least 80% of the surface area, applied using a non-contact die means to prevent adhesive stringing and ensure effective release paper attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If deep channel embossments are formed in the absorbent article, then improved fit and protection performance are achieved, but the backsheet may be damaged during the embossment process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection performanceVSAvoidbacksheet damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The backsheet is attached to the absorbent core before the embossment process. This preliminary attachment ensures the backsheet is securely in place and can withstand the embossment forces without being damaged, while still allowing deep channel embossments to be formed for improved fit and protection performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If adhesive is applied to the release paper first and then contacted with the backsheet, then the adhesive holds the release paper to the backsheet, but the adhesive bridges the valleys in the backsheet and does not come into direct contact with the backsheet surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive bonding strengthVSAvoidadhesive transfer uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying adhesive to the release paper first and then contacting it with the backsheet, the invention applies adhesive directly to the backsheet surface. This inversion of the adhesive application sequence ensures the adhesive contacts the backsheet valleys directly, achieving uniform adhesive transfer and preventing adhesive bridging issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Shape

If the backsheet conforms to the embossments in the absorbent core, then an uneven surface is created in the backsheet, but this uneven surface causes problems with adhesive transfer and release paper attachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacksheet surface conformityVSAvoidadhesive application difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The backsheet is attached to the absorbent core before the embossment process. This preliminary attachment allows the backsheet to conform to the embossed surface, creating the desired shape and fit, while the subsequent direct adhesive application to the backsheet ensures proper adhesive transfer despite the uneven surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2485696B1Embossed absorbent article

Publication Date: 2014.03.12 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

An embossed article having one or more adhesive patterns serving to operatively attach a release paper. A method for attaching a release paper to a backsheet having depressed regions.