Patterned Active Material Application in Absorbent Article Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Absorbent articles with channelled cores face challenges in maintaining liquid distribution properties and core integrity while incorporating active materials for odor control, often resulting in reduced effectiveness and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

An absorbent article design featuring a core with channels formed by bonding outer layers, where an active composition is applied in a pattern to specific layers within the article, positioned inboard and outboard of the channels to provide odor control and skin care without compromising liquid distribution or core integrity, using a method that involves depositing absorbent material and applying an active composition to specific areas to form channels and attachment zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If active materials are applied to layers of the absorbent article to provide odor control and skin care, then odor control functionality is improved, but core integrity and liquid distribution properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodor control functionalityVSAvoidcore integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The active composition is applied locally to specific zones on the topsheet and/or backsheet layers, rather than uniformly across the entire article. This localized application provides odor control and skin care benefits in specific areas while preserving the integrity of the core structure and liquid distribution channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent article is segmented into functional zones: the core structure maintains its integrity for liquid distribution, while active materials are applied to specific surface zones of the topsheet and/or backsheet. This segmentation allows different parts of the article to perform their specialized functions without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If active materials are applied to layers of the absorbent article to provide odor control and skin care, then odor control functionality is improved, but liquid distribution properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodor control functionalityVSAvoidliquid distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If channels are formed by bonding upper and lower layers to create channel-forming areas free of absorbent material, then liquid distribution properties are improved, but core integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid distributionVSAvoidcore integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding to form channels is applied locally at specific positions rather than uniformly. The channel-forming areas are created where needed for liquid distribution, while other areas maintain full bonding to preserve core integrity. The active composition application further localizes functional modifications to specific zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 liquid transfer performance, maintains core integrity during wetting, and reduces odor seepage while minimizing the risk of contamination, achieving effective odor control and skin care with reduced material usage and costs.

Implementation Method 1

said article comprises an active composition that is applied in a pattern to one or more layers forming said article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

depositing absorbent material onto said first web such that one or more areas of said first web material remain substantially void of absorbent material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Implementation Method 3

joining the first and second webs together, or the folded first web, at the one or more attachment areas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 4

joining the first and second webs together, or the folded first web, at the one or more attachment areas to form an absorbent core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical bonding: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP4279043A1Absorbent article with patterned active material

Publication Date: 2023.11.22 ONTEX BV

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3

AI summary

An absorbent article comprising: a topsheet; a backsheet; and an absorbent core sandwiched between said topsheet and backsheet; said core comprising one or more channels being positioned inboard of an outer perimeter of said core formed by two opposed lateral edges connecting two opposed transversal ends of said core; wherein said article comprises an active composition that is applied in a pattern to one or more layers forming said article within an application zone being inboard of at least a portion of said outer perimeter and wherein said application zone is positioned inboard and/or outboard of said one or more channels such that it substantially does not overlap said one or more channels, said active composition providing skin care and/or odour control.