Scoop-Shaped Absorbent Article with Fluid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins and incontinence pads, face issues with side leakage due to limited space in the crotch area, leading to fluid escaping over the edges and making the wearer's clothing soiled, despite efforts to improve leakage security in prior designs.
Innovation Solution
A scoop-shaped absorbent article with a curved front and non-curved back, featuring a first absorbent layer with a longitudinal opening and elastic members along the sides, along with a fluid flow control structure and a second absorbent layer, enhances body fit and leakage security by directing fluid flow internally and reducing side leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the absorbent article is designed to fit in the limited space of the crotch portion, then the article size is reduced, but side leakage occurs before full absorption capacity is utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent article is formed with a double-bowl shape comprising a first bowl and a second bowl, where the curved surfaces better conform to the body contours in the crotch portion. This curvature allows the article to maintain effective contact with the body while reducing side leakage, resolving the contradiction between compact size and leakage security.
Solution Approach 2:
The double-bowl configuration creates an asymmetric three-dimensional structure with different curvature radii for the first and second bowls. This asymmetric design optimizes the fit for specific body geometries, enabling the article to maintain reliability and prevent side leakage while occupying minimal space in the crotch portion.
2Quantity of substance
If fluid flows on the outside of the topsheet to reach the absorbent core, then absorption capacity is utilized, but the topsheet becomes wet making the article unhygienic and unpleasant
Solution Approach 1:
The acquisition/distribution layer is extracted as a separate functional component between the topsheet and the absorbent core. This layer specifically handles fluid acquisition and distribution internally, preventing fluid from traveling on the external topsheet surface. This resolves the contradiction by enabling full absorption capacity utilization while maintaining topsheet dryness and hygiene.
Solution Approach 2:
The acquisition/distribution layer acts as an intermediary between the topsheet and the absorbent core, facilitating internal fluid transport. This intermediary structure ensures that body fluids are directed through the interior pathways rather than flowing on the external topsheet surface, thereby maintaining hygiene and comfort while achieving full absorption.
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 scoop-shaped design improves the fit and leakage security of absorbent articles, reducing side leakage and maintaining hygiene by effectively managing fluid flow and absorption, providing enhanced comfort and performance.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member is arranged along each longitudinal side edge of the absorbent article
Implementation Method 2
the absorbent core must quickly acquire body liquids into the structure from the point of application and subsequently distribute the body liquids within and throughout the absorbent core
Implementation Method 3
a liquid handling layer comprising a resilient material that is moisture insensitive so as to rapidly acquire liquid into itself through the acquisition zone and distribute the liquid throughout the liquid handling layer
Implementation Method 4
A fluid flow control structure is located between the first absorbent layer and the backsheet
Implementation Method 5
a fluid permeable topsheet
Implementation Method 6
a fluid impermeable backsheet
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention concerns an absorbent article (1) in the form of a sanitary napkin or incontinence pad having longitudinal side edges and transversal end edges and comprising a fluid permeable topsheet (8), a fluid impermeable backsheet (9) and an absorbent core (10) located between the topsheet (8) and the backsheet (9). The absorbent core (10) comprises a first absorbent layer (11) having an opening (12) extending there through and a fluid flow control structure (13) located between said first absorbent layer (11) and said backsheet (9). An elastic member (16) is arranged along each longitudinal side edge (2, 3) of the absorbent article (1). The first absorbent layer (11) has a longitudinal front portion (6) and a longitudinal back portion (7) and a narrow transversal transition (14) located between said front portion (6) and said back portion (7). The width of the narrow transversal transition (14) is 50-75% of the widest transversal width of the front portion (6) of the first absorbent layer (11) and 20-50% of the longitudinal length of the opening (12) is located in the front portion (6) of the first absorbent layer (11). The front portion (6) of the first absorbent layer (11) constitutes 20-40% of the total longitudinal length of the first absorbent layer (11). An interspace (17) is located in an area between the elastic member (16) and the first absorbent layer (11) at least in an area laterally outside the narrow transversal transition (14).