Absorbent Core Capacity Profiles for Adult Incontinence Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adult incontinence absorbent articles fail to adequately address the diverse urine containment needs and fit comfort requirements across a broad range of adult body sizes and shapes, particularly for individuals with varying Body Mass Index (BMI).
Innovation Solution
The development of disposable absorbent articles with absorbent cores having specifically adapted Capacity Profiles that correspond to the anatomical differences and BMI-driven morphological changes of the wearer, ensuring better fit, comfort, and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single absorbent core design is used across all article sizes, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the fit and comfort for diverse body shapes (particularly varying BMI) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent core is designed with varying capacity profiles where different regions have different absorption characteristics. Specifically, the capacity profile is adjusted based on the wearer's BMI to concentrate absorption capacity in appropriate regions, providing localized adaptation to diverse body shapes without requiring completely different core designs for each size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the capacity profile parameter of the absorbent core based on BMI categories. Different capacity profiles (e.g., concentrated in front, concentrated in back, or distributed evenly) are selected according to the wearer's BMI, allowing a single core design framework to adapt to diverse body shapes through parameter adjustment
2Reliability
If absorbent core capacity is increased to meet containment needs, then protection performance is improved, but bulkiness and stiffness of the article increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing absorbent core capacity throughout the entire core, the patent concentrates absorption capacity in specific regions based on BMI-appropriate capacity profiles. This localized approach provides necessary containment performance while minimizing bulkiness in regions where high capacity is not needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing absorbent core capacity that is sufficient for the specific containment needs of each BMI category rather than designing for the maximum possible capacity. This avoids excessive bulkiness while still meeting the containment requirements for each body type
3Ease of operation
If absorbent articles are designed for specific body sizes, then fit and comfort for that size is improved, but the range of consumers that can be served deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal absorbent core design framework that can serve multiple BMI categories through the use of different capacity profiles. A single core design with adjustable capacity profile parameters can accommodate a broad range of adult consumers with varying body shapes, eliminating the need for completely separate designs for each body type
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the capacity profile parameter based on BMI category, the same absorbent core design can be adapted to serve consumers across a wide range of body sizes and shapes, maintaining fit and comfort while expanding the range of consumers served
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 approach enhances the containment and protection of absorbent articles, reduces the likelihood of leakage, and improves overall fit and comfort across a wide range of consumers, regardless of their BMI or body shape.
Implementation Method 1
Adult incontinence ('AI') articles are designed to absorb and contain liquid and other discharges from the human body
Implementation Method 2
The shape of the consumer's crotch on the sagittal plane changes as BMI changes. For adult incontinent articles, this shape influences how fluid flows into and is absorbed by the Absorbent Core
Data Source
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AI summary
An array of packages comprising two or more different sizes of disposable absorbent articles, the disposable absorbent articles comprising absorbent cores having a Maximum Core Bracket. The array of packages comprises a first package and a second package, the first package comprising a first disposable article being a first size and in closed form and the second package comprising a second disposable article being a second size and in closed form, wherein the second size is larger than the first size. The first absorbent article comprises a first absorbent core and the second absorbent article comprises a second absorbent core, wherein the Maximum Core Bracket of the second absorbent core of the second size is equal to or less than the Maximum Core Bracket of the first absorbent core of the first size.