Absorbent Article Elastic Member Non-Bonding Region Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing absorbent articles with elastic members on the non-skin surface side struggle to fit the human body effectively due to higher rigidity and fewer sheets in the absorbent body region, leading to inadequate fitting.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a body non-bonding region with a higher contraction force in the width direction, where the elastic member overlaps, and strategically arranging elastic portions to enhance flexibility and fit, while minimizing the influence of the absorbent core's rigidity, allowing the absorbent body to contract and fit the human body more easily.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the elastic member is arranged on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent body, then the exterior body can provide a snug fit, but the absorbent body region has higher rigidity and fewer sheets making it difficult to fit the human body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting easeVSAvoidrigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent article is divided into distinct regions: a bonding region where the absorbent body and exterior body are joined, and a non-bonding region where they are separated. This segmentation allows the exterior body to contract independently in the non-bonding region, improving fitting ease while maintaining structural integrity in the bonding region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the absorbent article are given different properties: the bonding region has high strength and rigidity to maintain structural stability, while the non-bonding region has lower rigidity and higher flexibility to conform to the human body. The elastic member is strategically placed in the non-bonding region to enhance local flexibility without compromising overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the absorbent body region has more sheets, then the structural stability is improved, but the rigidity increases making it difficult for the elastic member to contract and fit the body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidfitting adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent article is divided into distinct regions: a bonding region where the absorbent body and exterior body are joined, and a non-bonding region where they are separated. This segmentation allows the exterior body to contract independently in the non-bonding region, improving fitting adaptability while maintaining structural integrity in the bonding region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the absorbent article are given different properties: the bonding region has high strength and rigidity to maintain structural stability, while the non-bonding region has lower rigidity and higher flexibility to conform to the human body. The elastic member is strategically placed in the non-bonding region to enhance local flexibility without compromising overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the elastic member contracts to fit the human body, then the fitting comfort is improved, but the high rigidity of the absorbent body region prevents sufficient contraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting comfortVSAvoidcontraction force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent article is divided into distinct regions: a bonding region where the absorbent body and exterior body are joined, and a non-bonding region where they are separated. This segmentation allows the exterior body to contract independently in the non-bonding region, improving fitting comfort while maintaining structural integrity in the bonding region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the absorbent article are given different properties: the bonding region has high strength and rigidity to maintain structural stability, while the non-bonding region has lower rigidity and higher flexibility to conform to the human body. The elastic member is strategically placed in the non-bonding region to enhance local flexibility without compromising overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 absorbent article achieves better fitting by increasing the contraction force in the body non-bonding region, reducing rigidity, and using multiple elastic portions to distribute force evenly, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit without local adherence issues.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member stretchable in a width direction arranged in the exterior body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

contraction force in the width direction of the body non-bonding region is higher than contraction force in the width direction of a region extending outside in the front-rear direction from an outer end edge of the body non-bonding region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3711733B1Absorbent article
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 UNI CHARM CORP
  • EP3711733B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3711733B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3711733B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An absorbent article in which an absorbent body is easily fitted to the human body by an elastic member arranged on a non-skin surface side of the absorbent body is provided. The absorbent article (10) has the absorbent body (40), an exterior body (15) arranged in a front waistline region, and the elastic member (65) stretchable in a width direction arranged in the exterior body. An outer end part of the absorbent body in a front-rear direction is provided with a body non-bonding region in which the absorbent body and the exterior body are not bonded. The elastic member has a first elastic portion (61) arranged to overlap the body non-bonding region in a thickness direction, and at the outer end part, contraction force in the width direction of the body non-bonding region is higher than contraction force in the width direction of an adjacent region extending outside in the front-rear direction from an outer end edge of the body non-bonding region.