Absorbent Article Leg Opening Elastic Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing disposable pants suffer from poor absorption performance and leakage issues due to the non-overlapping design of the waistline gather and absorption member, which results in a gap between the wearer and the absorption member, leading to dispersed bodily liquids and increased risk of leakage, especially with large liquid discharge.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a disposable diaper with a longitudinal absorber positioned in the crotch region, where the rear end of the absorber is placed to avoid overlapping with the waistline elastic member, and the exterior body's edge forms part of the leg opening unit, with elastic members to pull the absorber closer to the wearer, enhancing fitting and absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the waistline gather and absorption member are disposed to not overlap with each other, then the fitting property around the waistline is improved, but the absorption performance deteriorates and leakage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefitting property around waistlineVSAvoidabsorption performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member is divided into multiple segments: a first elastic member disposed at the waistline region, a second elastic member disposed at the crotch region, and optionally a third elastic member at the leg opening region. This segmentation allows each elastic member to independently function - the first provides waistline fitting while the second ensures absorber contact with the wearer, resolving the contradiction between waistline fitting and absorption performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second elastic member acts as an intermediary between the absorber and the wearer's crotch region. It transmits the contracting force to pull the absorber toward the wearer, ensuring intimate contact for effective absorption while allowing the waistline gather to maintain its fitting function independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the absorption member is disposed to not overlap with the waistline gather, then the waistline gathering is uniform, but the absorption member is not pulled up to the wearer's side causing gaps and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of waistline gatheringVSAvoidgap between wearer and absorption member

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member is divided into multiple segments: a first elastic member disposed at the waistline region, a second elastic member disposed at the crotch region, and optionally a third elastic member at the leg opening region. This segmentation allows each elastic member to independently function - the first provides waistline fitting while the second ensures absorber contact with the wearer, resolving the contradiction between waistline fitting and absorption performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second elastic member acts as an intermediary between the absorber and the wearer's crotch region. It transmits the contracting force to pull the absorber toward the wearer, ensuring intimate contact for effective absorption while allowing the waistline gather to maintain its fitting function independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If the absorption member is small in length in the longitudinal direction, then the material cost is reduced, but the absorption performance is low and leakage occurs with large liquid discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial costVSAvoidabsorption performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The absorber is designed with a dynamic positioning system using elastic members that adapt to the wearer's body movements and liquid discharge volume. The second elastic member dynamically pulls the absorber to maintain contact with the wearer during various activities, ensuring consistent absorption performance without requiring excessive absorber length or material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the positional parameter of the absorber dynamically through the elastic member system, maintaining optimal contact pressure and position regardless of liquid volume or wearer movement, thereby achieving high absorption performance with minimal material

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

This configuration improves absorption performance and fitting around the crotch region, reducing leakage by ensuring intimate contact between the absorber and the wearer, even with large liquid discharge, while minimizing material costs.

Implementation Method 1

a waistline elastic member (3A) to expand and contract in the widthwise direction in the waistline region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a leg-holes elastic member (5F, 5R) to expand and contract along the leg opening unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10098795B2Absorbent article

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 UNI CHARM CORP

AI summary

An absorbent article that has an exterior body. In the exterior body is an edge part which is forming a part of the leg opening unit. A rear end of the absorber is positioned in the crotch region so as not to overlap with a waistline elastic member. In an absorber disposition region in which the absorber is disposed, an end in a widthwise direction of the exterior body is positioned inside in the widthwise direction more significantly than an end in the widthwise direction of the absorber, and a part of a leg-holes elastic member is disposed.