Non-overlapping Fragrance and Adhesive Patterns in Absorbent Articles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Absorbent articles face issues with fragrance or odor control compositions migrating into the fastening adhesive during storage, leading to degradation of adhesive properties and residue formation on underwear.

Innovation Solution

Applying fragrance or odor control compositions and fastening adhesives in non-overlapping patterns to prevent migration, with the compositions being applied in a controlled manner to minimize contact with the adhesive, and using superabsorbent materials to absorb esters that might migrate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a liquid fragrance or odor control composition is used in an absorbent article, then odor control function is improved, but the composition migrates into the fastening adhesive during storage causing degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalodor controlVSAvoidadhesive effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent article is divided into distinct zones: an application area where the liquid fragrance or odor control composition is applied, and a fastening area where fastening adhesive is applied. These two areas are spatially separated so that they do not overlap, preventing the composition from migrating into the adhesive while maintaining both odor control and adhesion functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the absorbent article are assigned different functional properties. The application area is optimized for odor control with the liquid composition, while the fastening area is optimized for adhesion with the fastening adhesive. This local differentiation ensures each function performs optimally without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a liquid fragrance or odor control composition is used, then odor control is improved, but residues are left on undergarments after product removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalodor controlVSAvoidadhesive residues
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the absorbent article into non-overlapping application and fastening areas, the composition that could cause residues is confined to the application area and prevented from reaching the fastening adhesive, thus eliminating residue formation on undergarments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If solid substrates are used to immobilize the fragrance composition, then migration is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemigration preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The problematic element (the liquid fragrance or odor control composition) is extracted from the area where it causes problems (the fastening adhesive region) by applying it only in a separate application area. This allows the use of simple liquid composition without solid substrates while still preventing migration into the adhesive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Prevents degradation of the fastening adhesive and reduces residue formation, ensuring effective adhesion and extended storage stability without compromising the adhesive's functionality.

Implementation Method 1

using superabsorbent materials to absorb esters that might migrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2793790B1Absorbent article comprising a fragrance or odor control composition
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP2793790B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2793790B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An absorbent article selected from a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad and a pantyliner, comprises a topsheet layer, a backsheet layer, optionally one or more intermediate layers enclosed between the topsheet and the backsheet, a fastening adhesive applied on said backsheet garment facing surface and a liquid fragrance or odor control composition applied on or within a layer of said absorbent article. The fastening adhesive and the liquid fragrance or odor control composition are applied in patterns which do not overlap for more than 3% of the total surface of the backsheet when the absorbent article is in a flattened configuration and said patterns are seen along a direction perpendicular to the body facing and garment facing surfaces of the article. The resulting articles present reduced degradation of the fastening adhesive layer due to the migration of components of the fragrance or odor control composition into the fastening adhesive layer.