Absorbent Article Bond Structure for Secure Disposal Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles fail to maintain a folded or rolled configuration during disposal due to the opening of fastening mechanisms like tape tabs or hooks, leading to potential unfolding or unrolling and odor release.
Innovation Solution
An absorbent article with three panels, including a narrower absorbent panel bonded to body panels with varying bond strengths, allowing separation and inversion to maintain a folded or rolled configuration during disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tape tabs or hooks are used as fastening mechanisms to maintain folded or rolled configuration, then the absorbent article can be kept in a compact form, but the fastening mechanism can open leading to failure to remain folded or rolled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fastening mechanism (tape tabs or hooks) entirely from the absorbent article. Instead of using a fastening mechanism to maintain the folded configuration, the article relies on its own structural design - specifically, the body panels are folded back and secured within the absorbent panel structure itself, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and their associated reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, disposable folding structure that does not require complex or expensive fastening mechanisms. The folded configuration is maintained through the inherent structural design of the disposable article itself, using the body panels and absorbent panel in a way that requires no additional fastening components, aligning with the disposable nature of the product.
2Volume of moving object
If the absorbent article is folded or rolled for disposal, then compact configuration is achieved, but the fastening mechanism may open causing unfolding and odor release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-folding the body panels back and positioning them within the absorbent panel structure before disposal. This pre-configuration ensures that the article maintains its compact folded state during transport and disposal, preventing unfolding that would lead to odor release. The structural design anticipates the disposal need and built-in the folding capability from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the flexible nature of the body panels and absorbent panel to create a self-contained folded structure. The flexible materials allow the panels to be folded back and held in place within the absorbent panel, creating a compact configuration that maintains containment without requiring rigid fastening mechanisms, thus preventing odor release during disposal.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fastening mechanisms like tape tabs or hooks are used, then the article can be secured in folded configuration, but these mechanisms can be opened resulting in failure to remain folded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fastening mechanism (tape tabs or hooks) entirely from the absorbent article. Instead of using a fastening mechanism to maintain the folded configuration, the article relies on its own structural design - specifically, the body panels are folded back and secured within the absorbent panel structure itself, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and their associated reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fastening function into the structural design of the absorbent panel and body panels themselves. The body panels are folded back and integrated into the absorbent panel structure, combining the containment and folding functions into a unified structural solution rather than using separate fastening components.
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
Ensures the absorbent article remains in a compact configuration for hygienic disposal by allowing controlled separation and inversion, preventing unfolding and minimizing odor.
Implementation Method 1
a first region of attachment bonding a first portion of the backsheet layer of the absorbent panel to a first portion of the first body panel, the first region of attachment having a first bond region having a first bond strength; a second region of attachment bonding a second portion of the backsheet layer of the absorbent panel to a first portion of the second body panel
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article (10) can have a first body panel (20), a second body panel (30), and an absorbent panel (40) spanning between connecting the first body panel (20) and the second body panel (30). The absorbent panel (40) is narrower in width than each of the first body panel (20) and the second body panel (30) and is bonded to at least one of the first body panel (20) and/or second body panel (30) with at least one bond region (102,104) having a first bond strength and at least two bond regions (106,108) having a second bond strength greater than the first bond strength. Following use of the absorbent article (10) by a wearer, the portion of the absorbent panel (40) bonded to the body panel (20,30) with weaker bond strength can be separated from the body panel (20,30). The absorbent article (10) can be reconfigured from a wear configuration into a disposal configuration such that the portion of the material forming the body panel (20,30) which has been separated from the absorbent panel (40) can be inverted over the absorbent article (10).