Lotioned Nonwoven Topsheet for Fast Fluid Intake and Low Rewet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feminine hygiene pads face challenges in rapidly acquiring menstrual fluid in the z-direction while minimizing rewetting and ensuring a soft, comfortable feel against the skin, with nonwoven topsheets often trapping fluid and non-film topsheets being disliked by consumers.
Innovation Solution
A nonwoven topsheet with discrete lotion drops on individual fibers, having a viscosity of 3.0 cP to 5.0 cP at 80°C, to enhance fluid acquisition and reduce rewetting, combined with a pattern of apertures for faster fluid passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a nonwoven topsheet is used to provide softness and comfort, then the skin contact feel is improved, but fluid acquisition speed deteriorates due to fluid trapping between fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The topsheet is segmented into multiple functional layers: a soft nonwoven layer for comfort and an apertured film layer for rapid fluid acquisition. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specialized function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between softness and fluid speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining nonwoven material and apertured film material in a single topsheet assembly. The nonwoven layer provides tactile comfort while the apertured film layer enables rapid fluid passage, achieving both softness and fast fluid acquisition simultaneously.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a nonwoven topsheet with open structure is used to reduce capillarity, then fluid trapping is reduced, but fluid passage to absorbent core deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The apertured film layer incorporates controlled porosity through systematically distributed apertures that facilitate rapid fluid passage to the absorbent core while the nonwoven layer's controlled capillarity prevents lateral spreading. This combination resolves the contradiction between reducing fluid trapping and maintaining efficient fluid passage.
3Speed
If a polymeric film topsheet with apertures is used to enable rapid fluid passage, then fluid acquisition speed is improved, but skin comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges a polymeric film layer with apertures and a nonwoven layer into a unified topsheet structure. The apertured film provides rapid fluid passage while the nonwoven layer provides soft skin contact, combining the benefits of both materials to resolve the contradiction between speed and comfort.
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 provides rapid fluid acquisition and minimal rewetting, ensuring a clean and dry experience with improved comfort and softness, balancing fluid management and skin contact feel.
Implementation Method 1
a more open nonwoven topsheet structure that can reduce capillarity that can 'trap' menses between fibers
Implementation Method 2
The present invention provides a topsheet lotion that minimizes fluid left in the topsheet
Data Source
AI summary
A feminine hygiene pad, comprising a topsheet lotion composition in discrete drops on individual fibers of the topsheet; wherein the discrete drops are on both the outer surface and between the outer surface and inner surface of the topsheet; wherein each drop is at most about 100 microns; and wherein the lotion composition has a viscosity from about 3.0 cP to about 5.0 cP at 80° C.