Multilayer Non-Woven Topsheet with Semi-Arcuate Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multilayer materials for absorbent sanitary articles face challenges in providing a soft, permeable, and resilient topsheet that allows rapid fluid passage while maintaining dryness and cushioning, with current solutions being costly and inefficient in production.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer material comprising at least two layers, including a non-woven fabric layer and a perforated layer, produced using a process where layers are unwound at different speeds and passed through rotating rollers with projections to form connection regions with a semi-arcuate pattern, enhancing cushioning and softness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the topsheet is made thicker to provide cushioning and softness, then the comfort and cushioning effect are improved, but the liquid permeation ability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecushioning effectVSAvoidliquid permeation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a non-woven fabric structure with controlled porosity that allows liquid to pass through rapidly while maintaining thickness for cushioning. The fibrous network creates channels for fluid flow without requiring the material to be thin, thus resolving the contradiction between thickness and permeability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The topsheet is designed with varying local properties - certain regions have higher density for softness while other areas maintain higher porosity for liquid flow. This spatial variation in material quality allows simultaneous achievement of cushioning and rapid permeation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional non-woven fabrics are used to reduce cost, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the softness and comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsoftness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite non-woven structures combining different fiber types or configurations to achieve enhanced softness. This allows using cost-effective materials while attaining premium comfort characteristics through intelligent material composition and structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Shape

If ATB technology is used to produce thick materials, then the cushioning effect is improved, but the dryness effect deteriorates and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecushioning effectVSAvoiddryness effect
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes key parameters including fiber diameter distribution, basis weight, and porosity to achieve the desired balance. By carefully controlling these parameters, the material provides adequate cushioning while maintaining rapid liquid transmission for dryness, avoiding the limitations of ATB technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 resulting material achieves an excellent three-dimensional effect, ensuring softness and rapid fluid passage while maintaining dryness, suitable for use as a topsheet in absorbent sanitary articles with improved production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

passed through rotating rollers with projections to form connection regions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a non-woven fabric layer and a perforated layer, produced using a process where layers are unwound at different speeds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

allows rapid fluid passage while maintaining dryness

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP3452281B1Multilayer material comprising at least a layer of non-woven fabric
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 PANTEX INTERNATIONAL SPA
  • EP3452281B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3452281B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A multilayer material (1) is described comprising at least one layer of pre-tensioned non-woven fabric (2) and a second layer connected to the first layer by means of connection regions (3). The connection regions comprise a plurality of primary patterns (4). Each primary pattern consists of at least one central connection region (5) and two non-rectilinear connection regions (6,7) arranged alongside the central region, but without contact between them and with the central region. The central connection region and the non-rectilinear connection regions form overall an arc region (8) comprising a concave region (9).