Prismatoid Pulp Particles for Fluid Acquisition in Sanitary Products
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent sanitary products face challenges in managing fluids of varying viscosities, such as urine and menses, due to the high cost and complexity of designing effective acquisition/distribution layers that must be both flexible and non-compressible to prevent leakage while maintaining comfort and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of general prismatoid-shaped particles cut from absorbent pulp sheets, which can be surface-treated with chemicals to enhance fluid absorption and distribution properties, providing improved acquisition and distribution of fluids across the absorbent article.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If special designs and equipment are used to create void spaces in the acquisition/distribution layer, then fluid acquisition and distribution performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the pulp material from compressed/dense to uncompressed/fluffy, creating void spaces without special equipment. The pulp is applied in a fluffy state and then compressed only against the backsheet, maintaining void spaces within the acquisition layer while achieving the desired fluid management performance at lower cost
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a simplified structure that copies the essential function of complex void-space designs through a different mechanism - using the natural compressibility of fluffy pulp against a rigid backsheet to create the necessary fluid channels and storage spaces without requiring elaborate pre-formed void structures
2Productivity
If the acquisition/distribution layer is made non-compressible to maintain fluid channels, then fluid distribution efficiency is improved, but wearer comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The acquisition layer is designed to be dynamically compressible rather than statically rigid. The fluffy pulp compresses under the wearer's body weight to conform to body contours for comfort, while the compression against the rigid backsheet maintains the necessary fluid channels for efficient distribution. The layer adapts its properties based on the applied load
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the acquisition layer experience different compression levels - areas under higher body weight compress more for comfort while maintaining fluid channels, while areas with less weight retain more of their fluffy structure. The backsheet provides localized support that maintains channels where needed while allowing comfort elsewhere
3Ease of operation
If the acquisition/distribution layer is made flexible to provide wearer comfort, then comfort is improved, but fluid channel maintenance under load deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid backsheet acts as a counterweight or support structure that opposes the compressive force of the wearer's body weight on the flexible acquisition layer. This backsheet support prevents the flexible pulp from compressing too much, thereby maintaining the necessary fluid channels even though the acquisition layer itself is soft and flexible for comfort
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
These particles enhance the absorbency and comfort of sanitary products by improving fluid acquisition and distribution, reducing leakage risks, and allowing for faster absorption of repeated fluid insults, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
The acquisition/distribution member receives fluid and distributes and transfers the fluid to the storage member
Implementation Method 2
The surrounding structure or material should then have the capability to absorb water from the fluid thereby raising the viscosity of the high viscosity fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A cellulose pulp particle having the shape of a general prismatoid having two parallel bases, the pulp particle comprising pulp fibers in a wet laid pulp sheet form, one of the bases having an area that is equal to or greater than the area of the other base, the area of the larger base being equal to or less than 30 mm2 and equal to or greater than 8 mm2, the height of the particle, the perpendicular distance between the bases, being equal to or greater than 0.9 mm and equal to or less than 5 mm.