Tampon String Positioning via Absorbent Core Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tampons with cylindrical absorbent cores have inconsistent folded shapes, leading to uncomfortable removal due to variable string placement and potential leakage, as the string-shaped member can be exposed, causing friction and uneven pulling forces.
Innovation Solution
A tampon design where the string-shaped member is bound to the absorbent core, with folding portions formed to ensure the string is not exposed, allowing the core to be molded into a stable cylindrical shape with the string positioned centrally for comfortable removal and reduced leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the string-shaped member is disposed on the side face of the cylindrical absorbent core, then the tampon can be easily inserted, but the petals of the applicator contact the string-shaped member and generate friction against the pulling force during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The string-shaped member is extracted from the side face position and repositioned to the closed end of the absorbent core, removing it from the harmful interaction zone with the applicator petals during insertion and removal operations
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the string extend from the side face as in conventional designs, the string is inverted to extend from the closed end of the absorbent core, fundamentally changing the spatial relationship between the string and applicator components
2Ease of operation
If the string-shaped member is exposed on the surface of the absorbent core, then the string can be easily accessed for removal, but liquid such as menstrual blood may leak through the string-shaped member
Solution Approach 1:
The string-shaped member is nested within the absorbent core structure by positioning it at the closed end and passing it through the folded sheet member layers, which contain and cover the string to prevent liquid leakage while maintaining accessibility for removal
Solution Approach 2:
The folded sheet member acts as a flexible covering that encapsulates the string-shaped member, providing a barrier against liquid leakage while allowing the string to extend outward for removal purposes
3Ease of manufacture
If the absorbent core is molded into a cylindrical shape with inconsistent folded shapes, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the string-shaped member is disposed at variable positions causing uncomfortable removal
Solution Approach 1:
The string-shaped member is preliminarily positioned and fixed to the closed end of the absorbent core before the folding and molding operations, ensuring that subsequent manufacturing steps do not displace the string from its intended central position
Solution Approach 2:
The design accepts the asymmetric nature of folded sheet structures while compensating by positioning the string at the closed end where folding variations have minimal impact on string position, rather than requiring perfect symmetry for consistent string placement
Data Source
AI summary
It is intended to provide a tampon wherein a string-shaped member is bonded to a cylindrical absorbent in the state of not being exposed on the absorbent surface. A tampon comprising an absorbent (2), which is obtained by molding a sheet member into a cylindrical shape, and a string-shaped member (4) which is bonded to the absorbent (2) and extends from one end of the absorbent (2). The string-shaped member (4) has a first string part which is bonded along the first direction of one face of the sheet member constituting the absorbent (2) and a second string part which extends from the sheet member. A first folding part is formed in one side of the second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction of the first string member, while a second folding part is formed in the other side of the second direction. Owing to this constitution, the absorbent (2) is deformed by bending respectively from the first folding part and the second folding part and thus molded into a cylindrical shape from which the first string part is not exposed.