Segmented Secondary Absorbent Tampon for Bypass Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tampon designs with secondary absorbents are inefficient and less effective in capturing menstrual fluid that bypasses the primary absorbent, leading to leakage, and they can cause discomfort due to extended placement near the vaginal opening.
Innovation Solution
The tampon design includes a primary absorbent with specific fiber compositions and expansion widths, combined with a secondary absorbent having controlled length and segment mass distributions, ensuring optimal vaginal cavity coverage without discomfort, and a withdrawal member with controlled drag force for smooth insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the secondary absorbent is extended further down the vaginal cavity to improve bypass leakage protection, then absorption effectiveness is improved, but discomfort and irritation to the vaginal opening increase
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary absorbent is designed with non-uniform mass distribution along its length, with higher mass concentration near the vaginal opening and gradual thinning toward the distal end. This local quality variation allows the absorbent to provide maximum protection where needed while minimizing discomfort and irritation to the vaginal opening tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the secondary absorbent including mean length (30-50mm), mean segment mass (2.5-30mg), and fiber composition ratios. By carefully controlling these parameters, the design achieves optimal balance between leakage protection and wearer comfort.
2Reliability
If the secondary absorbent mass is increased to improve fluid capture capacity, then absorption effectiveness is improved, but applicator drag force increases causing insertion discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary absorbent employs non-uniform mass distribution where material concentration is optimized at different positions along the absorbent length. This allows sufficient total mass for fluid capture while minimizing drag force during insertion by reducing mass in regions that would otherwise increase resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges including mean segment mass (2.5-30mg) and length (30-50mm) to optimize the balance between absorption capacity and insertion comfort. These parameter controls ensure adequate fluid capture while keeping applicator drag force within comfortable limits.
3Ease of operation
If the primary absorbent uses higher cotton fiber content to improve comfort and softness, then wearability is improved, but expansion width and fluid absorption capacity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The primary absorbent uses a composite fiber blend combining cotton fibers (20-80% by weight) with rayon fibers (20-80% by weight). This composite material approach leverages the softness and comfort properties of cotton while incorporating rayon's superior expansion capacity and fluid absorption characteristics, achieving both comfort and performance.
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 design provides superior bypass leakage protection and comfortable wear by maintaining the secondary absorbent within the vaginal cavity while minimizing applicator drag force, ensuring high performance and user comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The secondary absorbent is a material/structure selected and configured to extend downward (or trail, to the rear of) the main pledget or primary absorbent... appropriately configured, the secondary absorbent can engage menstrual fluid flowing along the vaginal cavity past the pledget, capture it, and wick it back to the pledget
Implementation Method 2
the primary absorbent comprises cotton fibers and rayon fibers... the secondary absorbent exhibits a mean length from the primary absorbent of from about 30 mm to about 50 mm, wherein the secondary absorbent exhibits a mean segment mass at a length of 30-40 mm from the primary absorbent of from about 2.5 mg to about 30 mg
Implementation Method 3
the primary absorbent has an expansion width of greater than 20 mm
Data Source
AI summary
A tampon having an insertion end and a withdrawal end. The tampon includes a primary absorbent, disposed toward the insertion end, a secondary absorbent, and a withdrawal member. The secondary absorbent may have a mean length from the primary absorbent and at least three segments each having a mean segment mass. The mean segment mass may be selected such that the secondary absorbent tapers as the secondary absorbent material extends from the primary absorbent. The primary absorbent including at least one of rayon fibers and cotton fibers and having improved fluid handling due to dynamic expansion of the tampon at a relatively reduced dry tampon mass.