Absorbent Article Secondary Fastening System for Secure Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional absorbent articles face issues with leakage and secure attachment due to loose fastening systems, particularly during wearer movement, and suffer from packaging and manufacturing drawbacks such as delamination and discomfort, along with inefficiencies in processing and converting raw materials.

Innovation Solution

An absorbent article with a secondary fastening system that provides improved pliability and secure attachment, featuring secondary first fastening components positioned to avoid engagement with other diapers during packaging and unfolding, and constructed to reduce irritation and enhance processing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a secondary fastening system is added to improve attachment security, then reliability of attachment is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidfastening system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is divided into two distinct systems: a primary fastening system with first fastening components and a secondary fastening system with second fastening components. This segmentation allows each system to perform its specific function independently, with the primary system providing initial attachment and the secondary system providing additional security during wearer movement, thereby resolving the contradiction between attachment reliability and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If secondary first fastening components are positioned near the center line to improve attachment, then attachment security is improved, but manufacturing and packaging become difficult due to engagement with other diapers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidpackaging and manufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The second fastening components are positioned at specific locations on the front portion of the diaper that are optimized for their function. By carefully selecting the position of these components, the patent achieves both secure attachment during wear and non-interference during packaging and manufacturing processes, resolving the contradiction between attachment security and manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If fastening components are made stiffer to improve attachment security, then attachment reliability is improved, but wearer comfort deteriorates due to irritation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidwearer irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes elastic portions in the fastening components that can stretch and flex. This parameter change in material properties allows the fastening system to maintain secure attachment through elastic forces while simultaneously adapting to wearer movement and reducing irritation, resolving the contradiction between attachment reliability and wearer comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution ensures secure attachment and reduced leakage, prevents delamination and discomfort, and streamlines the packaging and manufacturing processes by minimizing engagement with other diapers and improving material processing.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the elastomeric portions 150 includes an arcuate third segment 166 interconnecting the second segments 164 to the respective distal edge 156... capable of being elongated by at least about 50 percent... and upon relaxation to return to within at least about 50 percent of its original length

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The primary fastening system comprises a primary first fastening component 124... and a primary second fastening component 176... adapted for refastenable engagement to the primary first fastening components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3027160B1Absorbent article having a fastening system
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC
  • EP3027160B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3027160B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3027160B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An absorbent article can include a fastening system configured to attach the rear waist region to the front waist region to define a wear configuration of the absorbent article. The fastening system can include a primary fastening system and a secondary fastening system. The primary fastening system can include at least one primary first fastening component and a primary second fastening component. The secondary fastening system can include at least one secondary first fastening component and at least one secondary second fastening component. The absorbent article can further include a strip coupled to the outer cover. The strip can include the primary secondary fastening component. The at least one secondary first fastening component can be coupled to a first carrier.