Polyethylene Nonwoven Absorbent Articles for Softness and Air Permeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent articles using composite short fibers have low drapability and air permeability due to high thermal fusion points, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article uses flexible non-woven fabrics formed of polyethylene fibers with a fiber diameter of 14 to 22 µm and a variation coefficient of 2% to 6% in friction coefficient, providing improved flexibility and air permeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If composite short fibers are used to form non-woven fabric with low friction coefficient, then soft texture is improved, but drapability deteriorates due to excessive thermal fusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fiber type parameter from composite short fibers to polyethylene continuous fibers, and controls fiber diameter within 14-22 μm range. This parameter change reduces excessive thermal fusion while maintaining soft texture, thereby improving drapability without sacrificing tactile comfort.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If composite short fibers with low reflectance are used, then adhesive exudation is suppressed, but air permeability deteriorates due to reduced air passages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fiber material parameter to polyethylene continuous fibers with controlled diameter of 14-22 μm. This creates an optimal balance where fiber packing is sufficient to suppress adhesive exudation, yet fiber arrangement maintains adequate air passages for breathable performance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If composite short fibers are used requiring defibration process, then fiber distribution is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the defibration process from the manufacturing sequence by using polyethylene continuous fibers instead of composite short fibers. This removal of the defibration step reduces manufacturing complexity, lowers costs, and improves productivity while maintaining uniform fiber distribution through the continuous fiber structure.
4Ease of operation
If polyethylene continuous fibers with optimized diameter are used, then flexibility and air permeability are improved, but fiber strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the fiber diameter parameter within the specific range of 14-22 μm for polyethylene continuous fibers. This parameter optimization achieves a balance where fibers are thin enough to provide flexibility and air permeability, yet maintain sufficient strength for structural integrity of the absorbent article.
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 flexible non-woven fabrics offer a soft tactile feel, enhanced air permeability, and reduced manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for defibration processes, while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
MMD/MIU*100 (%) of a variation coefficient to a friction coefficient obtained by a KES method is 2% to 6%
Implementation Method 2
a good air permeability can suppress an evaporation in the absorbent article
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an absorbent article using a flexible non-woven fabric having good texture feeling and appropriate air permeability. The absorbent article includes an absorbent body interposed between the inner and outer surface side sheets, and at least one of the inner and outer surface side sheets is formed of a flexible non-woven fabric. The flexible non-woven fabric is mainly formed of a polyethylene fiber having a fiber diameter of 14 to 22 µm, and MMD/MIU∗100 (%) of a variation coefficient to a friction coefficient obtained by a KES method is 2% to 6%.