Absorbent Core Side Slits for Crotch Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles fail to sufficiently shorten the length of the absorbent core in the width direction, leading to discomfort during wear, especially in sitting postures where the crotch width is narrowed.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article features a pair of side slits extending in the longitudinal direction with a wide portion that can enter inward in the width direction, a central region sandwiched by the side slits, and a constricted portion in the crotch region, along with a leakage-preventing gather and leg elastic members to facilitate contraction and deformation, allowing the absorbent core to be accommodated more effectively within the crotch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the side portion is bonded to the lower layer, then the bonding strength is improved, but the side portion cannot move inward in the width direction sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The side portion is divided into a front side portion and a rear side portion with different bonding configurations. The front side portion is not bonded to the lower layer, allowing it to move inward freely, while the rear side portion is bonded to the lower layer, providing anchoring strength. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing different regions to serve different functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the side portion are given different bonding properties. The front side portion has no bonding to the lower layer, enabling movement, while the rear side portion has bonding to the lower layer, providing stability. This local differentiation allows the side portion to both move when needed and remain anchored when required.
2Ease of operation
If the absorbent core length in width direction is shortened, then the comfort is improved, but the absorbent core cannot be sufficiently accommodated in the crotch
Solution Approach 1:
The side portion is designed to be movable relative to the lower layer, particularly the front side portion which can move inward in the width direction. This dynamic capability allows the absorbent core to adapt its shape and be properly accommodated in the crotch region, resolving the contradiction between shortening the width and ensuring proper accommodation.
3Length of stationary object
If the side portion moves inward in the width direction, then the absorbent core length is shortened, but the local thickness increases causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The side portion is segmented into bonded and non-bonded regions, allowing controlled movement only in specific areas. This prevents excessive inward movement that would cause thickness accumulation and discomfort, while still achieving sufficient shortening of the absorbent core length in the width direction.
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 effectively shortens the absorbent core's width, enhancing comfort by accommodating it better within the crotch, reducing leakage, and maintaining a stable sitting posture by ensuring the absorbent core remains in place without increasing local thickness.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic member is contractible in the longitudinal direction and is disposed outside the central portion in the width direction. Due to the contraction of the elastic member, the outside in the width direction is raised from the central portion, and the side portion moves inward in the width direction.
Implementation Method 2
the side slit includes a wide portion having a length in the width direction equal to or greater than a length in the width direction of the side region in the crotch region
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problems] Provided is an absorbent article which can sufficiently shorten the length of the absorbent core in the width direction and can further improve the comfort at the time of wearing. [Solution] The absorbent article (10) includes a crotch region (S3) including a center in the longitudinal direction, a front side region (S1) positioned on a front side of the crotch region, a rear side region (S2) positioned on a rear side of the crotch region, and an absorbent core (50) disposed at least in the crotch region. The absorbent core has a pair of side slits (52) formed extending in the longitudinal direction. The absorbent core includes a central region (RC) sandwiched by side slits and a side region (RS) positioned between the side slit and an outer edge of the absorbent core. The side slit includes a wide portion (53) having a length in the width direction equal to or greater than a length in the width direction of the side region in the crotch region. A center (53CL) of the wide portion in the longitudinal direction is positioned on the front side from a center (10CL) of the absorbent article in the longitudinal direction.