Layered Absorbent Body With Embossed SAP Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current absorbent articles face challenges in achieving optimal fit, discretion, and leakage protection, with existing absorbent bodies needing improvement in structure and performance to enhance liquid uptake speed and retention while minimizing leakage.

Innovation Solution

A layered absorbent body structure is formed by combining a top and bottom liquid permeable covering material with a reinforcing material, where superabsorbent particles are applied within the reinforcing material in a pattern of high and low concentration regions, and the laminate structure is embossed to optimize SAM distribution and fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If superabsorbent particles are uniformly distributed throughout the absorbent body, then absorption capacity is improved, but liquid intake speed deteriorates due to gel blocking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorption capacityVSAvoidliquid intake speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform distribution of superabsorbent particles through embossed regions. The embossed areas concentrate SAP particles where they are needed for absorption, while non-embossed areas maintain open channels for rapid liquid intake. This resolves the contradiction by making different regions serve different functions: embossed regions for absorption capacity and non-embossed regions for intake speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent body is segmented into embossed and non-embossed regions, creating distinct zones with different SAP concentrations. This segmentation allows the liquid to flow through open non-embossed channels quickly while being absorbed in embossed regions, thereby maintaining both high intake speed and high absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of stationary object

If absorbent body thickness is reduced to improve fit and discretion, then product thinness is improved, but liquid retention capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct thicknessVSAvoidliquid retention capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The embossed regions concentrate superabsorbent particles in localized zones, maximizing absorption capacity within a thin profile. By concentrating SAP particles in embossed areas rather than uniformly distributing them, the patent achieves high retention capacity in a reduced thickness, resolving the contradiction between thinness and retention capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining embossed and non-embossed regions with different SAP concentrations. This composite approach allows the thin absorbent body to maintain high retention capacity through strategic placement of absorbent materials in embossed zones, rather than requiring uniform thickness throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Speed

If superabsorbent particles are concentrated in specific regions, then liquid intake speed is improved through better flow channels, but absorption capacity deteriorates due to reduced particle distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid intake speedVSAvoidabsorption capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by creating local quality variations through embossed regions. Non-embossed areas provide open channels for rapid liquid intake, while embossed regions concentrate SAP particles for high-capacity absorption. The overall absorption capacity is maintained by ensuring sufficient total SAP content distributed strategically across embossed zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution enhances liquid intake speed and retention capacity, reduces leakage, and improves comfort by localizing superabsorbent particles within the reinforcing material, creating regions for efficient fluid flow and absorption.

Implementation Method 1

superabsorbent particles are applied to the top side of the reinforcing material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

superabsorbent material disposed within the reinforcing material in a pattern of high-SAM concentration regions and low-SAM concentration regions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS20220241119A1Multi-layer absorbent cores and methods of manufacture

Publication Date: 2022.08.04 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC

AI summary

Multi-layered absorbent bodies and methods of manufacture are disclosed. A method of forming an absorbent body may comprise moving a first covering material in a machine direction, moving a reinforcing material in the machine direction and combining the reinforcing material with the first covering material, the reinforcing material having a top side and a bottom side, applying absorbent material comprising superabsorbent particles to the top side of the reinforcing material, moving a second covering material in the machine direction and combining the second covering material with the first covering material and the reinforcing material to form a laminate structure of the first covering material, the reinforcing material, and the second covering material, with the first covering material disposed underneath the reinforcing material and the second covering material disposed on top of the reinforcing material, and embossing the laminate structure.