Sanitary Napkin Side Nonwoven Fabric Zone Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent articles with solid gathers on the skin side experience end portion rising due to elastic stretchable members, leading to bending, twisting, and reduced leakage prevention effectiveness, as the contraction force acts as a concentrated load, narrowing the absorption width and leakage prevention effect.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a non-fixed zone between the fixed and standing zones in the side nonwoven fabric, where the elastic stretchable member is not joined, distributing the contraction force as a distributed load and allowing the solid gather to deform freely, thereby increasing the absorption width and enhancing leakage prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elastic stretchable member is joined continuously from the standing zone to the fixed zone, then the solid gather can rise effectively on the skin side, but the contraction force acts as a concentrated load causing the end portion to rise, bend, and twist
Solution Approach 1:
The side nonwoven fabric is divided into three distinct zones: fixed zone, standing zone, and non-fixed zone. The elastic stretchable member is joined only in the standing zone and both end portions of the fixed zone, while intentionally left unjoined in the intermediate non-fixed zone. This segmentation allows the contraction force to be distributed rather than concentrated, preventing end portion rising and twisting while maintaining solid gather effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-fixed zone acts as an intermediary buffer between the fixed zone and standing zone. This intermediate region allows gradual transition and distribution of the contraction force from the elastic stretchable member, preventing the concentrated load that would otherwise cause the end portion to rise and deform.
2Reliability
If the elastic stretchable member is joined to maximize solid gather formation, then leakage prevention is improved, but the absorption width is narrowed due to end portion rising
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the joining regions and leaving the non-fixed zone unjoined, the solid gather can form properly in the standing zone without causing end portion rising. This maintains the leakage prevention effect while preserving the full absorption width, as the end portions remain stable and do not bend or twist inward.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the side nonwoven fabric is fixed continuously along the longitudinal direction, then structural stability is improved, but the solid gather cannot deform freely reducing absorption performance
Solution Approach 1:
The side nonwoven fabric is segmented into fixed zone, standing zone, and non-fixed zone. The fixed zone provides structural stability through joining, while the non-fixed zone allows free deformation of the solid gather. This segmented approach simultaneously achieves both structural stability and deformation freedom for optimal absorption performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the side nonwoven fabric are given different properties: the fixed zone has high stability due to joining, the standing zone allows controlled deformation for solid gather formation, and the non-fixed zone provides maximum deformation freedom. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between overall stability and local adaptability.
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 reduces the end portion rising, improves absorption performance, and enhances lateral leakage prevention by distributing the contraction force and allowing greater separation between solid gather apexes, resulting in a wider effective absorption area.
Implementation Method 1
solid gathers that rise on a skin side by a contraction force due to an elastic stretchable member
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
[Problem] To relieve end parts in the longitudinal direction of an absorbent article from rising up due to the shrinkage force of an elastic stretchable member, and to improve the absorption performance of the absorbent article and an effect of preventing sideways leakage thereof. [Solution] A sanitary napkin (1) wherein an absorbent (4) is interposed between a liquid-permeable front surface sheet (3) and a liquid-impermeable back surface sheet (2) and, at each of both side parts of the skin side, a side nonwoven fabric (7) is disposed, said side nonwoven fabrics (7) forming three-dimensional gathers (BS) that are erected in the skin side due to the shrinkage force of an elastic stretchable member (14). The side nonwoven fabric (7) comprises fixed areas (20) which are folded at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the napkin and joined to the side of the absorbent (4), an erected area (21) which is erected in the skin side when the elastic stretchable member (14) is joined at an intermediate part in the longitudinal direction of the napkin, and non-fixed areas (22), said non-fixed areas (22) being disposed between the fixed areas (20) and the erected area (21), to which the elastic stretchable member (14) is not joined and which are not joined to the side of the absorbent (4).