Absorbent Article Embossed Grooves Leg Fit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorbent articles with polymer sheets struggle to stably fit around legs during wearing, as the superabsorbent polymer can spill from cut surfaces and the structure does not allow for easy leg fitting.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article features linear embossed grooves on the polymer sheet that protrude inward from the side edges, allowing the sheet to deform and fit around legs like flexible shafts, with the superabsorbent polymer disposed in regions surrounded by these grooves for improved absorption and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If around-leg cut lines are notched on both side portions of the polymer sheet to make it easier to fit around legs, then ease of operation is improved, but the superabsorbent polymer spills from the cut surface
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer sheet is divided into multiple regions by embossed grooves that extend from the side edges toward the center. These grooves create segmented zones that can independently deform during wearing, allowing the side portions to fit around legs while the central region retains the superabsorbent polymer through the bonded nonwoven fabric sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the polymer sheet are given different properties: the side regions with embossed grooves are designed for flexibility and deformation around legs, while the central region maintains structural integrity to prevent polymer spilling. The embossed grooves create localized flexibility without compromising overall polymer retention.
2Ease of operation
If the polymer sheet is made thin by not including pulp fibers to eliminate stiffening feeling and reduce outerwear impact, then comfort and appearance are improved, but it becomes difficult to stably carry the superabsorbent polymer between two sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer sheet is divided into multiple regions by embossed grooves that extend from the side edges toward the center. These grooves create segmented zones that can independently deform during wearing, allowing the side portions to fit around legs while the central region retains the superabsorbent polymer through the bonded nonwoven fabric sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer sheet uses a thin structure without pulp fibers to achieve flexibility and comfort, while embossed grooves are formed to create flexible shafts that enable the sheet to deform along the legs. The thin film structure maintains stability through the embossed groove design rather than through thick material.
3Shape
If linear embossed grooves are formed at positions where the groin contacts during wearing to enable deformation along legs, then fit is improved, but the structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Linear embossed grooves are formed on the polymer sheet to create flexible shafts that enable the sheet to deform and fit around the curved shape of legs. The grooves follow the natural curvature where the groin contacts during wearing, allowing the polymer sheet to conform to the body's anatomy without requiring complex three-dimensional structures.
Data Source
AI summary
To enable an absorbent article to fit easily around the legs when worn and to improve fit. A pad which includes a polymer sheet having a superabsorbent polymer disposed between two nonwoven fabric sheets. Planar-shaped linear embossed grooves that protrude inward in a width direction from each side edge are formed at positions of the polymer sheet on which the groin of a wearer abuts when worn. Standing gathers that rise along a longitudinal direction on a skin side are formed on both side portions on the skin side. Regions that are surrounded by the embossed grooves tend to deform around the legs with the embossed grooves as flexible shafts, so that the polymer sheet fits easily around the legs when worn and fit is improved.