Zonal Topsheet Treatments for Absorbent Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current absorbent articles for personal hygiene, such as diapers and adult incontinence products, lack specific designs and features in their topsheets and liquid management systems to effectively differentiate between urine and bowel movement management, leading to inefficient absorption and potential leakage issues due to differences in rheology and solids content between the two.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent articles incorporate zonal treatments on the topsheet and liquid management system, with distinct geometric, morphological, and chemical treatments in different zones to optimize urine and bowel movement management, including varying aperture sizes, shapes, and chemical compositions to enhance absorption and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform topsheet and LMS design is used throughout, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but urine and BM management effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The topsheet and LMS are divided into multiple zones with distinct treatments. The topsheet includes a front zone with first apertures optimized for urine management and a back zone with second apertures optimized for BM management. The LMS is similarly segmented with different acquisition and distribution characteristics in front and back regions, allowing each zone to handle specific bodily exudates effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the topsheet and LMS are赋予 different properties to match local requirements. The front zone features larger apertures and higher acquisition capability for rapid urine uptake, while the back zone has smaller apertures and different material composition for BM management. The LMS also has zonal variations in adhesive composition and distribution characteristics.
2Productivity
If rapid absorption is implemented throughout, then urine acquisition is improved, but BM leakage increases due to insufficient containment
Solution Approach 1:
The absorption system is segmented into front and back zones with different absorption rates. The front zone incorporates rapid-absorption materials and larger apertures for quick urine uptake, while the back zone uses slower-absorption materials with smaller apertures to contain BM and allow gradual absorption, preventing leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent core and LMS have locally differentiated properties. The front region has higher SAP content and more open structure for rapid urine absorption, while the back region has different material composition and structure optimized for BM containment and controlled absorption rate.
3Device complexity
If single-feature topsheet design is used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but functional differentiation between urine and BM management is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The topsheet is divided into multiple zones with different geometric treatments. The front zone has first apertures with specific size, shape, and distribution patterns for urine management, while the back zone has second apertures with different characteristics for BM management. This segmentation enables functional differentiation while maintaining integration within a single topsheet structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the topsheet are赋予 different geometric features, material compositions, and physical properties. The front zone may include larger apertures, different fiber composition, or surface treatments optimized for urine contact, while the back zone has smaller apertures and different properties for BM management, allowing each region to perform its specific function effectively.
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 zonal treatments improve the articles' ability to manage urine and bowel movements separately, reducing leakage and enhancing absorption efficiency by tailoring the absorption characteristics to the specific needs of each, thereby providing better hygiene and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The absorbent articles incorporate zonal treatments on the topsheet and liquid management system, with distinct geometric, morphological, and chemical treatments in different zones to optimize urine and bowel movement management, including varying aperture sizes, shapes, and chemical compositions to enhance absorption and distribution.
Implementation Method 2
The liquid permeable topsheet may comprise a first zone in the visual front portion that comprises a first geometric treatment and a second zone in the visual back portion that comprises a second geometric treatment
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed, in part, to absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, a lateral axis defining a front region on a first side of the lateral axis and a back region on a second side of the lateral axis, and an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the liquid permeable topsheet and the liquid impermeable backsheet. The liquid permeable topsheet may comprise a first zone situated primarily in the front region and having a substantially transferrable chemical treatment and a second zone situated primarily in the back region and having the substantially transferrable chemical treatment. A basis weight of the substantially transferrable chemical treatment may be greater in the second zone than in the first zone.