Absorbent Article Waist Panels With Differential Stretch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manufacturing absorbent articles with front and back waistbands having different stretch characteristics requires different supplies of waistband materials, leading to increased costs and manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

Incorporate a first waist panel with a first structural feature and a second waist panel with a second structural feature into a single source stretch laminate, where the structural features provide different stretch characteristics, allowing for the creation of absorbent articles with distinct front and back waist regions during the assembly process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different supplies of waistband materials with different stretch characteristics are used to create front and back waistbands, then the fit and comfort of the absorbent article is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit and comfortVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single waistband material is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a front waist region with first stretch characteristics and a back waist region with second stretch characteristics. This is achieved by applying different structural features (such as different elastic film compositions, knit structures, or bonding patterns) to different portions of the same continuous waistband material, allowing differentiated performance without requiring separate material supplies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different local regions of the waistband are given different structural properties to meet specific functional requirements. The front waist region may have higher elasticity or different stretch direction compared to the back waist region, achieved through localized application of different elastic films, varying bond densities, or different knit patterns in specific zones of the continuous waistband material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If different supplies of waistband materials with different stretch characteristics are used to create front and back waistbands, then the performance of the absorbent article is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveperformanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional requirements (different stretch characteristics for front and back waistbands) are merged into a single waistband material supply. The continuous waistband material undergoes differential processing during assembly to create region-specific properties, eliminating the need to procure and manage multiple separate material supplies with different characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single waistband material supply serves multiple functions by being differentially processed to create regions with different stretch characteristics. The same continuous material performs both the front waistband function and back waistband function with differentiated performance, making the material supply universal for both purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables the production of absorbent articles with tailored fit and comfort by imparting different stretch characteristics to the front and back waist regions without the need for separate waistband materials, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.

Implementation Method 1

a first waist panel comprising an inboard lateral edge, an outboard lateral edge, and two longitudinal edges, the first waist panel comprising a first elastic film bonded to a first nonwoven in a stretched state... a second waist panel comprising an inboard lateral edge, an outboard lateral edge, and two longitudinal edges, the second waist panel comprising a second elastic film bonded to a second nonwoven in a stretched state... wherein the first waist panel comprises a first structural feature that is not included in the second waist panel or is different from a second structural feature included in the second waist panel, wherein the first structural feature or the second structural feature provides different stretch characteristics between the first waist panel and the second waist panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250318964A1Absorbent articles including front and back waist panels with different stretch characteristics

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to absorbent articles with front and back waist panels having different stretch characteristics. A first waist panel may be connected with a chassis and positioned in a first waist region, and a second waist panel may be connected with the chassis and positioned in a second waist region. In some configurations, the first waist panel may comprise a first structural feature that is not included in the second waist panel or may comprise a first structural feature is different from a second structural feature included in the second waist panel. As such, the first structural feature provides different stretch characteristics between the first waist panel and the second waist panel.