Shaped Nonwoven Fabrics for Softness and Texture Contradiction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles face a contradiction between achieving high softness and high texture in their nonwoven fabrics, as increasing texture often compromises softness, and vice versa.
Innovation Solution
The development of shaped, soft, and textured nonwoven fabrics that are formed directly on a shaped forming belt with continuous spunbond filaments in a single forming process, resolving the contradiction between softness and texture while enhancing fluid handling capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If nonwoven fabric is made more textured to improve fluid handling and aesthetics, then texture and fluid handling are improved, but softness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific textured regions (such as raised patterns, embossed areas, or varied fiber density zones) in targeted locations on the nonwoven fabric while maintaining smooth, soft regions in other areas. This allows the fabric to have texture where needed for fluid handling and aesthetics while preserving softness in wearer-contact areas, thus resolving the contradiction between texture and softness.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If nonwoven fabric is made softer to improve comfort, then softness is improved, but texture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by differentiating fabric properties across different zones - creating soft, comfortable regions for skin contact while incorporating textured regions in areas where fluid handling and aesthetics are priorities. This spatial differentiation allows both softness and texture to coexist in the same fabric structure without compromising either property.
3Productivity
If nonwoven fabric is made more textured to enhance fluid handling, then fluid handling is improved, but skin dryness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning textured regions that enhance fluid handling (such as increased surface area, capillary channels, or absorbent zones) in specific locations away from direct skin contact areas, while maintaining smooth, moisture-retaining regions in wearer-facing zones. This strategic placement allows rapid fluid absorption without compromising skin dryness and comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
Shaped, soft, and textured nonwoven fabrics are provided. Absorbent articles that comprise shaped, soft and textured nonwoven fabrics are provided. The nonwoven fabrics may be a topsheet and an outer cover nonwoven material of the absorbent article. A portion of a wearer-facing surface of the topsheet may have a TS7 in the range of about 1 dB V2 rms of about 1 to about 4.5 dB V2 rms and a TS750 in the range of about 6 dB V2 rms to about 30 dB V2 rms. A portion of a garment-facing surface of the outer cover nonwoven material may have a TS7 in the range of about 1 dB V2 rms of about 1 to about 4.5 dB V2 rms and a TS750 in the range of about 6 dB V2 rms to about 30 dB V2 rms. The nonwoven fabrics of the present disclosure provide soft materials with texture.