Foam Fiber Composite Fluid Insertion for Absorbent Dryness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles face challenges in maintaining dryness and efficient liquid distribution, leading to potential leakage and discomfort due to insufficient absorption and migration of body exudates back to the topsheet layer.
Innovation Solution
A foam and fiber composite is created by fluid inserting fibrous material into an open cell foam, forming a hydrophilic pathway that directs body exudates away from the topsheet layer, reducing migration and enhancing liquid distribution within the absorbent article.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If an absorbent core is used to capture body exudates, then absorption capacity is improved, but liquid distribution capability deteriorates leading to migration back to topsheet
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent article is divided into distinct functional layers: a distribution layer with hydrophobic foam and hydrophilic fibers positioned between the topsheet and absorbent core. This segmentation separates the absorption function (core) from the distribution function (distribution layer), preventing the core from directly contacting the topsheet and causing migration issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution layer acts as an intermediary component between the topsheet and absorbent core. The hydrophobic foam matrix combined with hydrophilic fibers creates a mediating structure that receives liquid from the topsheet, distributes it evenly, and transfers it to the core, eliminating direct contact that causes migration back to the topsheet.
2Quantity of substance
If absorbent core captures body exudates efficiently, then absorbency is improved, but dryness deteriorates due to migration back to topsheet
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing the absorbent core to directly contact the topsheet (conventional approach), the invention inverts the arrangement by placing a hydrophobic foam-based distribution layer between them. The hydrophobic nature of the foam invertedly prevents liquid from migrating back to the topsheet while the hydrophilic fibers ensure efficient liquid uptake from the topsheet surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution layer utilizes porous hydrophobic foam material with integrated hydrophilic fibers. The porous structure provides pathways for liquid distribution while the hydrophobic matrix prevents capillary action that would otherwise draw liquid back to the topsheet, maintaining dryness at the wearer interface.
3Quantity of substance
If body exudates are absorbed by absorbent core, then absorption is improved, but leakage risk increases due to insufficient spreading
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution layer performs preliminary action by evenly distributing liquid across the absorbent core surface before the core absorbs it. The hydrophobic foam and hydrophilic fiber combination pre-spreads the liquid uniformly, preventing concentrated saturation points that would lead to leakage at the edges of the absorbent article.
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 foam and fiber composite improves dryness and liquid distribution capabilities, preventing body exudates from migrating back to the topsheet layer, thereby reducing leakage and enhancing user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
providing a fluid insertion device having a pressurized fluid jet capable of emitting a pressurized fluid stream of fluid from the pressurized fluid jet in a direction towards the layered composite; and directing the pressurized fluid stream of fluid in a direction from the pressurized fluid jet of the fluid insertion device towards the fibrous material of the layered composite to cause a portion of the plurality of individual fibers of the fibrous material to be directed into the foam material
Implementation Method 2
providing a fluid treatment device having a pressurized fluid jet capable of emitting a pressurized fluid stream of fluid from the pressurized fluid jet in a direction towards the foam material; providing a fluid insertion device having a pressurized fluid jet capable of emitting a pressurized fluid stream of fluid from the pressurized fluid jet
Data Source
AI summary
The foam and fiber composite can provide an absorbent article with improved dryness and an improved liquid distribution capability. The foam and fiber composite can be formed from at least two materials. The first material is an open cell foam material and the second material is a fibrous material. A plurality of the fibers forming the fibrous material can be fluid inserted into the open cell foam material thereby forming the foam and fiber composite. In various embodiments, the foam and fiber composite can be incorporated into an absorbent article as a component of an absorbent system located between a topsheet layer and a backsheet layer of the absorbent article.