Absorbent Article Holding Band Reduces Packaging Waste

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging and transportation methods for absorbent articles, such as diapers and personal hygiene products, generate significant waste and environmental concerns due to the use of plastic materials.

Innovation Solution

The use of a holding band to securely hold one or more absorbent articles together, reducing the need for traditional plastic bags and minimizing packaging materials, while maintaining the articles in a desired condition during transport and sale.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional plastic bags are used to wrap absorbent articles, then the articles are protected during transport, but the amount of packaging material increases and sustainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of articles during transportVSAvoidpackaging material waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential function of packaging (holding articles together) from the traditional plastic bag and implements it through a minimalistic paperboard-based structure with interleaved sheets and external bands, eliminating excessive packaging material while maintaining protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses thin paperboard sheets interleaved between absorbent articles to create a flexible yet protective structure that holds articles together during transport without requiring thick plastic bags, reducing packaging material volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If plastic bags completely wrap absorbent articles, then the articles are secured, but the mass of packaging materials increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring of articlesVSAvoidpackaging material mass
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is segmented into discrete functional elements (interleaved paperboard sheets, external bands, flaps) that work together to secure articles, replacing the monolithic plastic bag structure and reducing overall material mass

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Thin paperboard sheets are used instead of thick plastic material, providing sufficient securing function while dramatically reducing the mass of packaging materials required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Volume of moving object

If articles are folded and compressed for transport, then space efficiency improves, but the risk of packaging rupture increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport space efficiencyVSAvoidpackaging integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Interleaved paperboard sheets are placed between folded articles before compression, providing cushioning and structural support that prevents packaging rupture while maintaining space efficiency during transport

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Loss of substance

If holding bands are used instead of plastic bags, then sustainability improves through reduced material use, but the complexity of packaging structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging material reductionVSAvoidpackaging structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

External bands serve multiple functions simultaneously: holding compressed articles together, providing structural reinforcement, and enabling easy opening by the end user, reducing the need for additional packaging components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging structure merges the functions of multiple components (interleaved sheets for separation, external bands for compression, flaps for closure) into a unified system that achieves sustainability goals without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4541334A1Absorbent article pack with holding band & method for packing absorbent articles
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 DRYLOCK TECHNOLOGIES NV
  • EP4541334A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4541334A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4
  • EP4541334A1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

An absorbent article pack with one or more absorbent articles held by a holding band, the holding band is arranged around the one or more absorbent articles to hold them together. The disclosure further relates to a method for packing one absorbent article or a plurality of absorbent articles, the method comprising arranging at least one holding band around the one or more absorbent articles such that the absorbent article is, or the more absorbent articles are held together by the at least one holding band.