Inlet Material Slit Expansion for Absorbent Product Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incontinence shields face challenges with side leakage due to uneven fluid distribution and insufficient intake capacity, leading to fluid escaping at the side edges before being absorbed, especially when urine is exuded in sudden gushes.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent product features a liquid pervious topsheet and impervious backsheet with an inlet material having slits in the transverse direction that expand longitudinally, creating a central region with lower elasticity and edge regions with higher elasticity, functioning as leg elastics and liquid barriers, which helps in forming a bowl shape and improving urine intake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the product width is increased to improve absorption capacity, then the absorption capacity is improved, but the product cannot fit in the limited crotch space
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet material is segmented into different regions (central region with openings and edge regions without openings) to provide different functions in different areas, allowing the product to maintain both high absorption capacity and proper fit in limited space
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the inlet material have different properties: the central region has openings for high intake capacity while the edge regions remain intact for elasticity and leakage prevention, allowing each part to optimize its local function
2Area of stationary object
If the product width is kept small to fit crotch space, then the fit is improved, but side leakage occurs before full absorption capacity is utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The edge regions of the inlet material are designed without openings to maintain high elasticity and act as liquid barriers, preventing side leakage while the central region with openings ensures rapid fluid intake
Solution Approach 2:
The edge regions with higher elasticity dynamically adapt to the wearer's body contours, maintaining secure fit and preventing leakage during movement
3Productivity
If openings are created by punching/perforating, then the liquid inlet is improved, but material waste increases and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet material is designed with a porous structure created by expanding slits rather than punching holes, allowing liquid infiltration while maintaining material continuity and reducing waste
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet material combines regions with different properties (openings in central region, intact structure in edge regions) to achieve both high liquid intake and material efficiency
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
This design enhances leakage security by allowing faster and more efficient fluid intake and reducing the risk of side leakage, while also eliminating the need for separate leg elastic materials and minimizing material waste in production.
Implementation Method 1
an inlet material having a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings in the inlet material is formed from slits extending in the transversal direction of the absorbent product that have been expanded in the longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 2
The edge regions have a width that is at least 5.0 mm. The openings are located in the central region so that the central region of the material with the plurality of openings has a lesser degree of elasticity than the edge regions. The absorbent product may also obtain a bowl shape in the crotch region as a result of an elastic contraction of the edge regions
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Absorbent product comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent core enclosed between the liquid pervious topsheet and liquid impervious backsheet. The absorbent product has in its longitudinal direction a crotch part and two end parts. The absorbent product comprises at least in its crotch part an inlet material having a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings in the inlet material are formed from a plurality of slits extending in the transversal direction of the absorbent product and that openings have been formed from the slits by expanding the continuous inlet material in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent product. The liquid inlet material has in its transversal direction of the absorbent product a central region and two edge regions. The openings are located in the central region so that the central region of the material with the plurality of openings has a lesser degree of elasticity than the edge regions.