Pet Absorbent Core Segmentation and Ridge-Groove Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent articles for pets suffer from urine leakage due to the absorbent core's design, where urine excreted at the ends may spread to the center portion, leading to insufficient absorption and side leakage.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article features a recessed-and-protruded region on the inner layer sheet with alternately arranged ridges and grooves, directing urine excreted at the ends to move in the longitudinal direction, preventing lateral leakage, and an absorbent core positioned closer to the belly facing region with a unique configuration to enhance absorption efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the absorbent core extends to both ends of the absorbent article, then the absorption area is increased, but urine excreted at the ends spreads to the center portion causing side leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent core is segmented into a front portion and a rear portion that are positioned separately closer to the respective ends of the absorbent article, rather than forming a continuous center portion. This segmentation prevents urine from spreading laterally across the center while maintaining absorption area through the distributed front and rear portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner layer sheet acts as an intermediary with its body facing surface having a flat configuration that directs urine flow. The flat surface guides urine excreted at the ends toward the front and rear absorbent core portions without allowing lateral spread to the sides, effectively mediating between the excretion source and absorption zones.
2Shape
If the center portion of the absorbent core is curved inward to conform with hind legs, then the fit to pet body is improved, but urine movement from end to center is insufficient causing side leakage
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the continuous center portion and keeping only front and rear portions, the patent eliminates the problematic curved inward configuration that caused poor urine movement. The segmentation allows the absorbent core to maintain body conformity through strategic positioning while avoiding the lateral spread issue associated with a continuous center portion.
3Ease of manufacture
If the body facing surface is flat, then the manufacturing is simplified, but urine excreted at ends cannot move quickly in longitudinal direction
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation of the absorbent core into front and rear portions positioned closer to the ends creates natural urine flow paths. Urine excreted at the ends is directed by the inner layer sheet toward the nearest absorbent core portion, eliminating the need for complex surface configurations while maintaining fast urine movement through the longitudinal direction via the distributed absorption zones.
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 design effectively prevents side leakage by facilitating urine movement along the ridges and grooves, ensuring higher absorption efficiency and reducing the risk of urine spreading to the sides, while maintaining breathability and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the ridges and the grooves that are alternately arranged side by side in the lateral direction while extending in the longitudinal direction. Thus, urine excreted in an area including the absorbent core moves in the longitudinal direction along the ridges and the grooves
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent core provided between the inner layer sheet and the outer layer sheet
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an absorbent article for pets that can prevent side leakage of urine. In an absorbent article (10) for a pet including a liquid permeable inner layer sheet (22), a liquid impermeable outer layer sheet (23), and an absorbent core (51) provided between the inner layer sheet and the outer layer sheet, the absorbent core is provided only on a region closer to a belly facing region (11) than a cutting line (55) in which the tail of the pet is inserted, the cutting line being positioned in an intermediate region (13), and a body facing surface of the inner layer sheet has an area, at least overlapping the absorbent core in plan view, in which a recessed-and-protruded region (60) is positioned, the recessed-and-protruded region (60) including ridges (61) and grooves (62) that are alternately arranged side by side in a lateral direction (X) while extending in a longitudinal direction (Y).