Superabsorbent Foam Composite for Hygiene Articles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Feminine hygiene absorbent articles with superabsorbent foams face challenges in achieving good absorbing, retaining, and conducting properties for aqueous fluids while maintaining stability, especially in the wet state, and require improved production efficiency and non-shrinkage upon drying.
Innovation Solution
A feminine hygiene absorbent article comprising a superabsorbent foam layer and a synthetic fiber web layer, where the foam is created by foaming an aqueous mixture of monoethylenically unsaturated monomers with acid groups, crosslinkers, and surfactants, and polymerized in the presence of the web, resulting in a composite that swells one-dimensionally and does not shrink upon drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If superabsorbent foams are used to absorb body fluids, then absorption and retention capabilities are improved, but mechanical stability and handling properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines superabsorbent polymer foam with a synthetic fiber web to create a composite structure. The foam provides absorption capacity while the web provides mechanical stability and handling properties, resolving the contradiction between absorption performance and mechanical reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The superabsorbent foam layer utilizes a porous structure to enable high fluid absorption capacity. The controlled porosity allows rapid fluid uptake while the foam matrix maintains structural integrity when combined with the supporting web
2Productivity
If foam is produced by foaming aqueous mixtures and polymerizing, then production efficiency is improved, but dimensional stability during drying deteriorates (shrinkage occurs)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the polymerization parameters and foam composition to control the crosslinking density and cell structure. By adjusting these parameters, the foam maintains dimensional stability during drying while preserving production efficiency through the continuous foaming-polymerization process
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of foam embedded in a synthetic web prevents shrinkage during drying. The web acts as a structural framework that constrains the foam cells, maintaining dimensional stability while allowing the foam to retain its absorption functionality
3Strength
If crosslinking is increased to enhance wet strength, then strength in wet state is improved, but processing complexity and production difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies crosslinking locally at the interface between the foam and the synthetic web, rather than throughout the entire foam structure. This localized crosslinking enhances wet strength at the critical bonding region while keeping the bulk foam processable and reducing overall processing complexity
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 solution provides absorbent articles with enhanced absorption and retention capabilities for body fluids, maintaining mechanical stability and ease of production, with improved handling and environmental compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
They are produced for example by foaming a polymerizable aqueous mixture comprising not less than 50 mol % neutralized acid-functional monoethylenically unsaturated monomers, crosslinkers and at least one surfactant
Implementation Method 2
The foams are used for example in hygiene articles to acquire, distribute and store body fluids
Implementation Method 3
polymerizing the foamed mixture
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a feminine hygiene absorbent article comprising water-absorbing composites obtainable by foaming an aqueous mixture comprising at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monomer bearing acid groups, at least one crosslinker, at least one initiator and at least one surfactant, contacting the foam obtained with at least one web of synthetic fibers and polymerizing, to the composites themselves and to their use for absorbing aqueous fluids.