Absorbent Core Segmentation for Discreet Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Absorbent garment-like articles for incontinence often suffer from bulkiness, poor fit, and visibility issues due to bulky designs and uneven distribution of absorbent material, leading to discomfort and stigma for users.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates elastomeric panels in the waist regions with a core wrap configuration that maintains the absorbent core's position, preventing bunching and ensuring a snug fit by spacing the core wrap edges at least 3.5 mm from the absorbent core's edges, allowing for elastic material to fold without compromising the core's flatness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elastomeric materials are positioned over and around the absorbent material to improve fit, then the garment provides better elasticized waist regions, but the absorbent material bunches up creating fit and discretion problems
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent core is divided into multiple sections (first absorbent section, second absorbent section, third absorbent section) with different width characteristics. The first and third sections have greater widths than the second section, creating a segmented structure that prevents bunching while maintaining fit. This segmentation allows the garment to conform to body contours without creating excessive bulk in any single region.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the absorbent core have different width characteristics tailored to specific body regions. The first and third absorbent sections have greater widths suitable for waist regions, while the second absorbent section has a reduced width suitable for the crotch region. This local quality variation ensures proper fit without uniform bunching throughout the garment.
2Quantity of substance
If the absorbent material is increased to improve absorption capacity, then the garment provides better protection, but the product becomes more bulky and visible under clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent core is segmented into multiple sections with varying widths. The first and third sections provide sufficient absorption capacity in waist regions, while the second section reduces bulk in the crotch region. This segmentation maintains necessary absorbency without creating uniform bulkiness throughout the garment.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent core exhibits local quality variations with different width characteristics in different regions. The first and third sections have greater widths for adequate absorption in waist areas, while the second section has reduced width to minimize bulk in the crotch region, achieving a balance between protection and discretion.
3Quantity of substance
If the absorbent material is positioned to improve absorption, then the garment provides better protection, but it gaps away from the wearer's body producing an outline that can be seen through clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent core is segmented into multiple sections with the second section having reduced width compared to the first and third sections. This segmentation allows the garment to maintain close contact with the body in the crotch region while providing adequate absorption capacity in the waist regions, preventing gapping and outline visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent core is designed with local quality variations where the first and third sections have greater widths for absorption in waist regions, while the second section has reduced width to ensure close body contact in the crotch region, eliminating gaps and visible outlines.
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 enhances the fit and discretion of absorbent articles by preventing bunching and maintaining the absorbent core's flatness, reducing leakage and visibility concerns, thus improving user comfort and confidence.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastomeric panel comprising a first elastic material positioned between a first nonwoven material and a second nonwoven material wherein the first elastic material is elastomeric in the transverse direction
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article, such as, a garment-like absorbent article, can have a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region extending between and interconnecting the first waist region and the second waist region. Each of the first waist region and the second waist region can have an elastic material. The absorbent article can have an absorbent core wherein a portion of the absorbent core can be located in the crotch region, a portion of the absorbent core can be located in a portion of the first waist region, and a portion of the absorbent core can be located in a portion of the second waist region. Within each of the first waist region and the second waist region, an overlapping region can exist where the absorbent core is in an overlapping configuration with the elastic material within the first waist region and the second waist region.