Adjustable Leg Opening Mechanism for Absorbent Articles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Personal care absorbent articles, such as diapers, often fail to maintain a snug fit around the legs due to changes in body shape without corresponding weight changes, leading to leakage issues, as users cannot adjust the elastic leg cuffs and waistbands.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating leg opening adjustment mechanisms with a cover and an adjustment member that allows users to customize the tension around the leg openings, combining with leg elastic members for initial closure and further adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If elastic leg cuffs and waistbands are set with fixed tension, then the absorbent article can maintain a consistent fit for average body types, but users cannot adjust the fit for changing body shapes or sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static elastic leg cuffs and waistbands into dynamic, adjustable components. The elastic members are combined with adjustment mechanisms that allow users to modify the tension and fit of the absorbent article around the legs and waist, enabling adaptation to changing body shapes and sizes while maintaining a relatively simple construction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the absorbent article is sized for the wearer's weight, then the article can be appropriately sized for the wearer, but rapid changes in body shape without weight changes result in poor fit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by providing adjustment mechanisms that enable users to independently modify the fit of the absorbent article. The elastic leg cuffs and waistbands are designed with adjustment features that allow users to tighten or loosen the fit according to their body shape changes, without requiring professional assistance or complex tools.
3Ease of operation
If elastic leg cuffs and waistbands are placed out of reach of the user, then the absorbent article can maintain a secure fit, but the user cannot tighten or loosen the elastic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the segmentation principle by dividing the elastic adjustment system into accessible segments. The adjustment mechanisms are positioned on the outer surface of the absorbent article at locations that are easily accessible to users, allowing them to independently adjust the elastic leg cuffs and waistbands without compromising the security of the fit.
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 solution reduces leakage and provides a customizable fit, ensuring better containment of body exudates and improved comfort by allowing users to adjust the absorbent article to fit changing body shapes.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of leg elastic members; wherein the leg opening adjustment mechanisms can partially overlap the leg elastic members
Implementation Method 2
an adjustment member comprising a bonded end and an unbonded end; wherein the leg opening adjustment mechanisms can allow for independent adjustment of the leg openings
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates. The absorbent article can have a pair of leg opening adjustment mechanisms which a user of the absorbent article can independently adjust to provide a desired tension and/or closure of the absorbent article about the legs of the wearer of the absorbent article.