Sanitary Napkins | Properties of Sanitary Napkins | Manufacturing Process Sanitary Napkins

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Sanitary Napkins | Properties of Sanitary Napkins | Manufacturing Process Sanitary Napkins

from vaginal surgery, for lochia (post birth bleeding), abortion, or any other situation where it is necessary to absorb a flow of blood from a woman's vagina.

Sanitary napkin

The menstrual cycle stars for young women between the ages 11-17, frequently around 12-13 years. On average a woman experiences a period every 28th day, 12-13 times in a year. A menstrual period normally lasts 3-7 days. The loss of fluid in a period is on average half a cup or 65-80 ml. The menstrual pattern is influenced by giving birth and contraceptive methods. Menstruation lasts until menopause at the age 45-55. The feminine hygiene products market has evolved over more than 100 years.

Important properties of sanitary napkins:

No Leakage,

No unaesthetic appearance or color,

No odour,

No noise,

Stay in place,

Comfortable to wear,

Hygienic

Types of Sanitary Napkins:
There are 3 major types of products,

(a)Thick sanitary napkins;

(b) Ultra thin sanitary napkins and

The size of each and their content vary from market to market.

Raw Material of Sanitary Napkins:
Materials used in absorbent hygiene products:

Nonwoven

Pulp

Super absorbent

Plastic film

Elastic materials

Fastening devices

Packaging

Specification of the Raw Material of the Sanitary Napkins:

Pulp : fluff pulp ,thickness 1-2mm, width 280-410mm(500gmm2 up)

Tissue: so called tissue 18gm/square meter standard width 180mm

P.E. Film: the thickness 0.0015mm, width 85-105mm

Non-woven fabric: good thermo-bonding 16-18gm/square meter, standard width:175-180mm

Hot melt gum: it is pressure sensitive and endurance ,good stickiness,white solid adhesive.

Release paper: good release, width 19-50mm(standard)

Production Process Sanitary Napkins:
Pulp → grinding → mat formation → tissue spread (up layer, lower layer) → mat section → wrap P.E.Film → hot-melt seal embossing → applying hot melt adhesive → release belt → finished products section → finished products arranged in parallel (sanitary napkin)

Production process of sanitary napkin

Manufacturing Method of Sanitary Napkins:
The absorbent pad is the most important component of napkin. Absorbant pad is made of wood pulp mixed with SAP. Absorbent pad is prepared first. The absorbent pad is first created by using shredded wood pulp and vacuum laid to required shape and size, the weight is automatically controlled. By pressing it is formed to required thickness. Before forming the pad the pulp is mixed with super absorbent polymers (SAP) for enhancing fluid holding capacity.

The super absorbent polymer is basically acrylic based polymer that forms gel after absorbing liquid. By this it can hold water up to 30 times its weight. Sodium acrylate, potassium acrylate, alkyl acrylate. This absorbent pad is attached to permeable top sheet made of nonwoven, mainly spunlace fabric. Then the same is attached to non-permeable bottom sheet made of polyethylene. The three layers/components are glued and sealed to prevent leakage by using heat or ultrasonic vibrations. The content of absorbing pad composite will vary for different types napkins.

The application of accessories like tapes, sealing, etc for comfort of fit to the undergarments is required in some cases. This multi-step manufacturing and folding and packaging is carried out automatically. Precise control on SAP mixing with pulp, pulp weight, size and thickness, quality of seal to ensure leakage prevention, wastage control, etc is an important step in the manufacturing. However, the counting and packaging can be made non-automatic to reduce machine cost. But it may increase recurring cost and wastage.

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Sunday, May 20, 2012