Absorbent Article Side Sheet Lamination for Skin Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing absorbent articles face issues with skin touch deterioration and adhesive failure, particularly at low temperatures, leading to peeling and discomfort due to embossed joining portions and adhesive layers.

Innovation Solution

The absorbent article features a laminated structure where the inner side of the side sheets is folded back in layers, with lower layer embossed portions for joining and skin-side embossed portions for aesthetics, preventing direct skin contact and ensuring sufficient joining strength without compromising comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the area of embossed portions is increased to enhance joining strength, then joining strength is improved, but touch to the skin is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoining strengthVSAvoidtouch to the skin

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The side sheet is divided into multiple layers with distinct embossed portions: lower layer side embossed portions for joining and skin-side embossed portions for aesthetic purposes. This segmentation allows each portion to serve its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between joining strength and skin comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-layer embossed structure to a multi-layer laminated structure. By adding the dimension of layering, the embossed portions are positioned at different depths and locations, allowing the joining function to be separated from the skin-contact surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If adhesive layer is used for joining side sheets, then joining is simplified, but adhesive property deteriorates in low temperature conditions causing peeling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoining processVSAvoidadhesive property at low temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the chemical bonding mechanism of adhesive layers with a mechanical/physical embossing system. The embossed portions create joining strength through mechanical interlocking and compression of the side sheet layers, eliminating the temperature-sensitive adhesive component entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If adhesive layer is used for joining, then joining strength can be achieved, but adhesive penetrates through sheet and floats at skin surface causing sticky feeling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoining strengthVSAvoidsticky feeling at skin surface

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention eliminates the adhesive layer that causes penetration and sticky feelings by using embossed portions to create joining strength through mechanical compression and interlocking of the side sheet layers, thereby removing the harmful effect while maintaining joining strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 maintains strong joining while minimizing skin contact issues, enhancing the wearing experience and preventing peeling, even at low temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a lower layer side embossed portion for joining a bottom layer of the side sheet and the top-surface sheet to each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

embossed portions obtained by pressing from a skin-contact surface side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

a skin-side embossed portion obtained by integrally denting the side sheets of the laminated portion from the skin-contact surface side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3831351B1Absorbent article

Publication Date: 2024.10.09 DAIO PAPER CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5(B)

AI summary

[Problem to be solved] To suppress deterioration of touch to the skin and to obtain good wearing feeling while ensuring sufficient joining strength in a joining portion of side sheets. [Solution] A pair of left and right side sheets 7 are provided over the entire length on both side portions of a skin contact surface side. An inner side in a width direction of each of the side sheets 7 is folded back in the width direction to be laminated in a plurality of layers. A laminated portion 8 of the side sheets 7 includes lower layer side embossed portions 9 for joining the bottom layers of the side sheets 7 and a top-surface sheet 3, and skin-side embossed portions 10 obtained by integrally denting the side sheets 7 of the laminated portion 8 from the skin-contact surface side. The lower-layer-side embossed portions 9 and the skin-side embossed portions 10 are formed in different plane patterns.