Radial Rod Welded Top Sheet for Absorbent Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles with heat-embossed top sheets suffer from body fluids being retained in close proximity to embossed portions, leading to inadequate fluid diffusion and unsatisfactory design aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article features a top sheet with radially arranged rod-shaped welded portions, spaced to prevent fluid retention and enhance design, where the distance between units exceeds the diameter of the smallest virtual circle inscribed within the rod portions, allowing for directional fluid flow and improved aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If heat-embossed portions are arranged in a staggered pattern with long sides parallel to transverse direction, then the top sheet structure is formed, but body fluids are held in regions between heat-embossed portions and remain in the top sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging heat-embossed portions such that their short sides face each other and are parallel to the longitudinal direction, while long sides are parallel to the transverse direction. This asymmetric orientation creates directional channels that guide body fluids toward the absorbent body rather than allowing them to be trapped between embossed portions, thereby resolving the fluid retention problem while maintaining structural integrity.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If heat-embossed portions are arranged with short sides parallel to longitudinal direction, then fluid diffusion is improved, but the appearance and design requirements of users are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the functional orientation from the visual presentation. The heat-embossed portions are oriented with short sides facing each other to optimize fluid diffusion channels locally, while the overall pattern and spacing are designed to satisfy aesthetic requirements. This allows different regions of the top sheet to serve different functions - fluid guidance and visual appeal - simultaneously.
3Area of stationary object
If distance between adjacent heat-embossed portions is small, then top sheet structure is compact, but body fluids are readily held in regions between portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing the heat-embossed portions with rounded corners and smooth contours rather than sharp angles. This curved geometry creates continuous flow paths for body fluids, preventing them from being trapped in corners or sharp edges between embossed portions. The curved design maintains compact spacing while ensuring fluids are directed toward the absorbent body through smooth channels.
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 configuration effectively prevents body fluid retention in the top sheet while offering an enhanced design, ensuring efficient fluid diffusion and improved user satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
the top sheet is subjected to a shaping process by heat, pressure, and the like
Implementation Method 2
the top sheet is subjected to a shaping process by heat, pressure, and the like
Implementation Method 3
an absorbent body interposed between the top sheet and the back sheet
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(e)
AI summary
An absorbent article includes a top sheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body interposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. Welded portions are formed on at least a part of the top sheet. The welded portions constitute a plurality of units, and each of the units includes rod portions that are arranged radially in planar view. The distance between adjacent units is greater than the diameter of a smallest virtual circle inscribed in the rod portions included in each of the units.