Exudate Management Layer with Opening and Fold for Absorbent Articles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent articles often fail to prevent leakage of body exudates, particularly solid and semi-solid fecal material, due to difficulty in penetration through the topsheet layer and inadequate fit to the wearer's body, leading to discomfort and increased leakage.
Innovation Solution
An absorbent article design featuring an exudate management layer with a first component defining an opening for direct passage of exudates into the absorbent core, and a second component connected via a primary fold extending towards the posterior region, enhancing conformity to the body and improving exudate handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional flat absorbent article design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fit to the wearer's body is inadequate leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent article is divided into multiple functional layers including a body-facing surface, garment-facing surface, and intermediate layers with specific structures. The exudate management layer is segmented into different regions (first region, second region, third region) with varying properties to handle different types of exudates and provide directional control toward the absorbent core.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent article incorporates a contoured shape with a first curved surface facing the body and a second curved surface facing the garment, rather than a flat design. This curvature allows the article to conform to the natural contours of the wearer's body, improving fit and preventing leakage while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If the topsheet layer is made impermeable to prevent leakage, then leakage is reduced, but solid and semi-solid fecal material cannot penetrate through leading to spreading and smearing on skin
Solution Approach 1:
The exudate management layer has different properties in different regions: the first region has properties optimized for liquid exudates, the second region for semi-solid exudates, and the third region for solid exudates. This local differentiation allows each region to effectively handle the specific type of exudate it encounters while maintaining overall leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The exudate management layer acts as an intermediary between the body-facing surface and the absorbent core. It pre-processes exudates by breaking down solid and semi-solid material and directing all exudates toward the absorbent core, preventing direct contact with skin and ensuring complete absorption without leakage.
3Ease of manufacture
If the absorbent article is made flat for simplicity, then manufacturing is easier, but it fails to conform to the contoured body leading to gaps and increased leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent article incorporates a contoured shape with a first curved surface facing the body and a second curved surface facing the garment, rather than a flat design. This curvature allows the article to conform to the natural contours of the wearer's body, improving fit and preventing leakage while maintaining structural integrity.
4Device complexity
If conventional absorbent structures are used, then the design is simple, but exudates spread across the surface and migrate toward perimeter increasing leakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent article is divided into multiple functional layers including a body-facing surface, garment-facing surface, and intermediate layers with specific structures. The exudate management layer is segmented into different regions (first region, second region, third region) with varying properties to handle different types of exudates and provide directional control toward the absorbent core.
Solution Approach 2:
The exudate management layer introduces a new functional dimension between the body-facing surface and the absorbent core. This intermediate layer with its multi-region structure and contoured shape adds spatial complexity that redirects exudate flow from lateral spreading toward vertical absorption into the core.
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 significantly reduces leakage and improves the handling of body exudates, minimizing contact with the wearer's skin and enhancing comfort by improving the absorbent article's fit and exudate management capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
solid and semi-solid fecal material, which have difficulty penetrating the topsheet layer of the absorbent article as easily as urine and tend to spread across the surface of the topsheet layer under the influence of gravity, motion, and pressure
Implementation Method 2
a primary function of a personal care absorbent article is to absorb and retain body exudates such as urine and fecal material
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article can have a topsheet layer, a liquid impermeable layer, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet layer and the liquid impermeable layer. The absorbent article can further include an exudate management layer in fluid communication with the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned on a body facing surface of the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned between the topsheet layer and the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a first component which defines an opening for direct passage of body exudates into the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a second component which at least partially overlaps the first component of the exudate management layer and further extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article in a direction towards the posterior region of the absorbent article.