Spacer Fabric Fluid Flow Control in Absorbent Articles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Disposable absorbent hygiene articles face challenges in fluid flow control and pressure resistance, leading to potential leakage and inefficient absorption of body liquids under varying pressures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a novel spacer fabric as a fluid flow control member with a basis weight of 150-300 gsm, comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, and interconnecting pile filaments, which provides enhanced compression resistance and efficient liquid distribution while maintaining a slim profile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a liquid acquisition layer is incorporated to quickly receive large amounts of liquid, then absorption speed is improved, but the article becomes thicker and less comfortable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorption speedVSAvoidarticle thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer fabric is positioned specifically in the crotch region where liquid acquisition is most critical, providing rapid absorption capability only where needed rather than throughout the entire article, thus maintaining thinness in non-critical areas while achieving fast absorption where required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer fabric utilizes its porous three-dimensional structure with interconnected channels to enable rapid liquid penetration and distribution, achieving fast absorption speed through the inherent porosity of the material without requiring thick layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Length of stationary object

If the absorbent article is made thin and comfortable, then comfort is improved, but liquid distribution capacity is reduced leading to potential leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticle thicknessVSAvoidliquid distribution capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer fabric introduces a three-dimensional structure with vertical channels that extend through the thickness of the thin article, creating additional flow paths in the depth dimension that enable effective liquid distribution despite the reduced overall thickness of the article

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer fabric acts as an intermediary layer between the topsheet and absorbent core, facilitating liquid distribution through its channel structure and preventing leakage by ensuring uniform liquid spread across the absorbent core surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional spacer fabric is used for fluid flow control, then fluid distribution is improved, but pressure resistance is insufficient under high compression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow controlVSAvoidpressure resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer fabric is constructed as a composite structure combining different fiber materials with complementary properties, creating a material that simultaneously provides effective fluid distribution channels and sufficient mechanical strength to resist compression pressures during wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If reusable spacer fabric is used for fluid flow control, then fluid distribution is improved, but manufacturing cost increases making it inexpedient for disposable articles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer fabric is manufactured using cost-effective materials and processes suitable for single-use applications, eliminating the need for expensive reusable materials while maintaining adequate fluid distribution performance for the duration of the disposable article's use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 spacer fabric effectively manages fluid flow and absorption, minimizing leakage by maintaining structure and fluid flow control properties under pressure, ensuring effective liquid distribution and absorption within the absorbent core.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid acquisition layer, which layer should be able to quickly receive large amounts of liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

an interconnecting layer of pile filaments between the top layer and the bottom layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

it is desirable that the fluid flow control member can withstand high pressures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression resistance: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS9808382B2Absorbent article having fluid flow control member

Publication Date: 2017.11.07 ESSITY HYGIENE & HEALTH AB

AI summary

An absorbent article, the absorbent article being a personal hygiene article, includes a liquid permeable top sheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet, an absorbent core enclosed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a fluid flow control member arranged between the top sheet and the backsheet. The fluid flow control member is a spacer fabric having a basis weight of 150-300 gsm and including a top layer, a bottom layer and an interconnecting layer of pile filaments between the top layer and the bottom layer. The pile filaments have a fineness of 80-130 dtex and the density of pile filament connections is 50-150/cm2.