Absorbent Article Barrier Leg Cuff and Core Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Absorbent articles tend to sag, gap, slide, or slip during wear, leading to premature leakage and poor fit, especially due to relative wearer motions, downward forces from body exudates, and material deformation.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article incorporates a barrier leg cuff structure and an absorbent core with superabsorbent material, along with an elasticized waistband and extensible side panels to enhance fit and containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If elastic waist features are used to snugly fit absorbent articles about the waist, then fit is improved, but sagging and gapping still occur during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the waist feature elastically extensible rather than fixed, allowing it to expand and contract with wearer motion. This dynamic adaptation maintains fit throughout the wear period despite changes in body position and movement, resolving the contradiction between initial fit and sustained stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the waist feature by incorporating elastic members that provide contractible force. This parameter change allows the waist feature to actively adjust its dimensions and maintaining fit over time, preventing sagging and gapping while preserving the snug fit.
2Quantity of substance
If the absorbent article is loaded with body exudates, then absorption function is improved, but downward forces cause sliding and slipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight by using elastic members that generate upward contractible force to counteract the downward gravitational force of loaded exudates. This force balance prevents the absorbent article from sliding or slipping down during wear, resolving the contradiction between absorption capacity and positional stability.
3Reliability
If barrier leg cuffs are provided to prevent leakage, then containment is improved, but irritation of genitalia and poor fit may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the barrier leg cuff into multiple functional zones: a containment zone with spaced distal and proximal edges for leakage prevention, and a fit zone with attachment features for secure positioning. This segmentation allows the cuff to provide reliable containment while maintaining comfort and preventing irritation through proper spacing and attachment.
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 provides improved fit, reduced leakage, and enhanced wearer comfort by minimizing sagging, gapping, and sliding of the absorbent article, while maintaining effective containment of body exudates.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent core with superabsorbent material
Implementation Method 2
superabsorbent material
Implementation Method 3
an elasticized waistband consisting of an elastic member contractibly affixed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The elasticized waistband is designed to expand and contract with the wearer's motions
Implementation Method 4
barrier leg cuff structure
Data Source
Figure 1~1B
Figure 1C~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An absorbent article having opposite longitudinally extending sides and opposite laterally extending ends extending between the longitudinally extending sides is provided. The absorbent article includes a chassis including a topsheet and a backsheet joined to the topsheet. The chassis has a front waist region, a back waist region, a crotch region located between the front waist region and the back waist region, a longitudinal axis extending through the front and back waist regions and a lateral axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A barrier cuff strip extends in a longitudinal direction from the front waist region to the back waist region along the topsheet. The barrier cuff strip includes a front end at the front waist region, a back end at the back waist region and proximal and distal edges connecting the front end and the back end. The barrier cuff strip distal edge is attached to the topsheet at a cuff end bond region that has an outer bond edge at one of the front and back waist regions and an inner bond edge spaced longitudinally from the outer bond edge. An absorbent core is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core includes an absorbent layer including an absorbent material comprising a superabsorbent polymer material wherein at least about 60 percent by weight of the absorbent material is the superabsorbent polymer material. A longitudinal distance from the inner bond edge to the laterally extending side at the one of the front and back waist regions is about 1/2 or more of a longitudinal length of the one of the front and back waist regions.