Absorbent Articles with Low Void Volume and Fast Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current absorbent bodies in personal care articles, particularly those with high superabsorbent material content, face challenges in achieving optimal fluid handling and dry feel due to high dry void volumes and limited fluid intake capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The development of absorbent articles with a high proportion of superabsorbent particles, disposed between top and bottom corewrap materials, achieving a basis weight of at least 250 gsm and comprising at least 90% of the absorbent material. This configuration includes adhesive to form absorbent layers, optimizing vortex time, dry void volume, and cradle intake time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high superabsorbent material content is used, then absorbent capacity is improved, but dry void volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the superabsorbent particles by controlling their vortex time (resistance to fluid flow) to be within a specific range of 10-41 seconds. This parameter optimization allows the particles to maintain high absorbent capacity while reducing dry void volume, as the controlled vortex time prevents excessive air entrapment during compression and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite absorbent structure combining superabsorbent particles with a fibrous matrix material. This composite approach allows the superabsorbent particles to provide high liquid absorption capacity while the fibrous matrix structure controls void volume and provides mechanical integrity, resolving the contradiction between high material content and low void volume.
2Quantity of substance
If high superabsorbent material content is used, then absorbent capacity is improved, but fluid intake rate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the vortex time parameter of superabsorbent particles to fall within 10-41 seconds, which directly influences fluid intake rate. This parameter control ensures that particles can rapidly absorb fluid while maintaining high capacity, preventing the bottleneck effect where high material content would otherwise slow down fluid intake.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality variations within the absorbent structure by distributing superabsorbent particles with different vortex times throughout the matrix. This local optimization ensures that regions with higher particle concentration maintain rapid fluid intake capability while overall absorbent capacity is maximized.
3Quantity of substance
If high superabsorbent material content is used, then absorbent capacity is improved, but dry feel is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the vortex time parameter to optimize the balance between absorbent capacity and dry feel. By ensuring vortex time is within 10-41 seconds, the particles maintain efficient fluid absorption while preventing excessive swelling that would compromise the dry feel against the wearer's skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of superabsorbent particles within a fibrous matrix allows the material to absorb fluid effectively while maintaining a dry surface feel. The fibrous matrix provides a structure that prevents particle clumping and maintains surface dryness, resolving the contradiction between high absorption capacity and dry feel.
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 proposed solution significantly reduces dry void volumes, enhances fluid intake rates, and improves the overall dry feel and comfort of absorbent articles, while maintaining or increasing the absorbent capacity.
Implementation Method 1
superabsorbent particles disposed at a basis weight of greater than or equal to 250 gsm and present in an amount greater than or equal to 90% by weight of absorbent material
Implementation Method 2
pulp fluff or other fibrous absorbent material may absorb liquid more quickly than superabsorbent material
Implementation Method 3
adhesive disposed between the top corewrap material and the bottom corewrap material forming one or more absorbent layers
Data Source
AI summary
Absorbent articles with low void volumes and fast fluid intake properties are described. In one embodiment, an absorbent article has a liner, backsheet, and absorbent structure disposed therebetween. The absorbent structure may comprise top and bottom corewrap materials with superabsorbent disposed therebetween with superabsorbent particles disposed at a basis weight of greater than or equal to 250 gsm and present in an amount greater than 90% by weight of absorbent material within the absorbent article. The superabsorbent particles may have a vortex time of less than 41 s, according to the Vortex Time Test Method, the absorbent article may have a dry void volume of less than 0.45 cm3/cm2, as determined by the Dry Void Volume Determination Test Method, and the absorbent article may have a first cradle intake time of less than 20 s, according to the Cradle Intake Test Method