Absorbent Core Concavity and Segmented Leak-Proof Walls

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pull-on disposable diapers face issues where the absorbent core droops due to weight gain from excrement, leading to a space in the crotch area and potential leakage, as the leak-proof walls deviate in position, causing discomfort and inadequate containment.

Innovation Solution

The absorbent article features an absorbent core with a concave portion and stretchable leak-proof walls with joining and non-joining parts, where the leak-proof walls are designed to fit flat against the body, reducing drooping and maintaining position, and include elastic members that provide a stretching force to prevent leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If leak-proof walls are tightened to suppress space formation in crotch part, then leakage prevention is improved, but wearer comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidwearer comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The leak-proof walls have different structural properties in different regions: the first region (near crotch) has joined portions that maintain flat contact to prevent space formation, while the second region (away from crotch) has non-joined portions that provide flexibility and comfort. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve leakage prevention where needed and comfort where tolerable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If absorbent core absorbs excrement increasing weight, then absorption function is improved, but drooping increases causing space formation and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcrement absorption capacityVSAvoidposition stability of absorbent core
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent core includes a concave portion in its cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the wearer's anatomy. This curved configuration allows the core to maintain better contact with the body even when weighted down by absorbed excrement, preventing drooping and space formation while preserving full absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The leak-proof walls function as flexible barriers that adapt to the absorbent core's shape changes. The joined portions in the first region provide structural support to prevent drooping, while the non-joined portions in the second region allow flexibility to accommodate the weighted core without causing discomfort or leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If leak-proof walls are made flat against body, then position stability is improved, but flexibility and comfort are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stability of leak-proof wallsVSAvoidflexibility to body contour
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The leak-proof walls are segmented into different functional regions: a first region with joined portions that provide flat, stable contact near the crotch to prevent leakage, and a second region with non-joined portions that provide flexibility and adaptability away from the crotch. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its performance for its specific location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design effectively suppresses the formation of a space in the crotch area, reduces discomfort, and enhances the fit of the absorbent article by maintaining the position of the leak-proof walls and preventing excessive drooping of the absorbent core.

Implementation Method 1

leak-proof walls in a pair respectively provided on both sides in the lateral direction of the absorbent main body, the leak-proof walls including elastic members that are stretchable in the longitudinal direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3381424B1Absorbent article
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 UNI CHARM CORP
  • EP3381424B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3381424B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3381424B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

Included are: an absorbent main body (10) including an absorbent core (11); and leak-proof walls (50) in a pair that have elastic members (55) stretchable in a longitudinal direction and are provided on both sides in a lateral direction of the absorbent main body (10), the absorbent core (11) including a concave portion (11c) that is concave inward in the lateral direction in the central portion in the longitudinal direction, the leak-proof walls (50) each including a joining part (61) where portions of a surface of each of the leak-proof walls (50) are joined to each other on one side in a thickness direction, in at least a part of a region corresponding to the concave portion (11c) in the longitudinal direction , he leak-proof walls (50) each including a non-joining part (62) in at least one of a region on one end side and a region on the other end side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the joining part (61)), the non-joining part (62) being where portions of a surface of each of the leak-proof walls are not joined to each other on the one side in a thickness direction.