Individually Packaged Absorbent Article With Blood-Concealing Color Match
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Solution Overview
Problem
Absorbent articles, such as menstrual napkins, are not adequately concealed when packaged, with menstrual blood being visibly apparent from the outside, and this visibility is undesirable during storage and disposal.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article is designed with a waist portion and crotch portion, having an L* value in the CIE 1976 L*a*b* color space of 40 or less on the non-skin-facing side and a package with an L* value of 50 or less, ensuring the article and package are not visibly distinct when packaged, using dark colors like black or gray to minimize blood visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the absorbent article uses light-colored materials, then comfort and cleanliness perception are improved, but menstrual blood becomes visible from the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using dark-colored (black or gray) materials for the outer body of the absorbent article. This color selection effectively masks menstrual blood visibility while maintaining aesthetic appearance when worn, directly resolving the contradiction between blood concealment and visual brightness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the absorbent article is enclosed in a light-colored package, then package visibility and branding are improved, but the absorbent article and blood become visible from the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the color change principle to the package by using dark-colored (black or gray) packaging materials. This ensures that when the absorbent article is enclosed, both the article and any potential blood stains remain invisible from the outside, maintaining user discretion during storage and disposal.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If dark-colored materials are used for the absorbent article, then blood visibility is reduced, but the article becomes more visible from the outside when packaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by coordinating the color of the absorbent article with the color of the package. Both are designed in dark colors (black or gray), creating a unified appearance that conceals the article within the package. This coordination ensures that the article does not stand out against the package background, resolving the visibility contradiction.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the L* value of the absorbent article is kept low (dark color), then blood visibility is reduced, but the aesthetic appeal and cleanliness perception may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using dark colors specifically in areas where blood visibility is a concern (outer body and visible surfaces), while potentially using lighter colors in areas that contact the skin or are not visible. This localized color application maintains blood concealment while preserving cleanliness perception in appropriate areas.
Data Source
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AI summary
An individually packaged absorbent article in which an absorbent article is enclosed in a package is provided. The absorbent article is configured to form a panty shape by including a waist portion; and a crotch portion in which an absorber is disposed. The absorbent article has an L* value in an CIE 1976 L*a*b* color space of 40 or less when viewed from a non-skin-facing side, the non-skin-facing side being a side opposite to a skin-facing side of the absorbent article that faces a human body. The package has the L* value in the CIE 1976 L*a*b* color space of 50 or less when viewed from an outside.