Adjustable Refastenable Closure for Disposable Absorbent Articles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing disposable absorbent products, such as training pants and adult incontinence briefs, often have permanent closures that cannot be refastened, rendering them unusable once opened, and may sag due to rotating fastener tabs, compromising fit and comfort.

Innovation Solution

The development of disposable absorbent articles with adjustable and refastenable closure members, featuring elastic panels and multiple fastener portions that can be pre-fastened for immediate use, allowing for secure attachment and easy adjustment, and are designed to be manufactured on existing diaper manufacturing machines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If permanent closures are used in disposable absorbent articles, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the article becomes unusable once opened and cannot be refastened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidclosure refastenable capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The closure member is divided into multiple functional segments: an elastic panel portion for stretch and comfort, and a fastener portion with multiple fastener elements for adjustable attachment. This segmentation allows the closure to be manufactured simply while providing refastenable capability through the modular fastener elements that can be independently engaged and disengaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure member incorporates an elastic panel that provides dynamic stretch and recovery properties, allowing the closure to adapt to different waist sizes and movements. The elastic material enables the closure to be fastened, unfastened, and refastened multiple times while maintaining functional performance, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and refastenable versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If single fastener tabs are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the article sags and fit is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener structure complexityVSAvoidfit stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener portion is segmented into multiple fastener elements distributed along the closure member, rather than using a single fastener tab. This segmentation provides multiple attachment points that distribute the fastening force, preventing sagging and improving fit stability while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through the use of standard fastener components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple fastener elements are combined along a single closure member structure, integrating several fastening functions into one cohesive component. This merging approach improves reliability by providing distributed support while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate fastener assemblies, as all fastener elements are incorporated into the unified closure member with elastic panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple spaced-apart fastener portions are added to closure members, then adjustability and secure attachment are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure adjustabilityVSAvoidclosure structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure member is segmented into distinct functional zones: the elastic panel portion for stretch and the fastener portion with multiple spaced-apart fastener elements for adjustment. This segmentation enables adaptability through selective fastener engagement while controlling complexity by organizing components into logical functional groups that can be manufactured and assembled efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure member is designed as a multi-functional component that combines elastic stretching, multiple fastening options, and adjustable positioning in a single structure. The multiple fastener portions allow the same closure member to serve different adjustment needs, providing universality that reduces the need for multiple different closure types, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

The solution provides a comfortable, secure, and adjustable fit, allowing for easy refitting and use of disposable absorbent products, enhancing user convenience and comfort by enabling adjustable waist openings and preventing sagging issues.

Implementation Method 1

each of the closure members comprising an elastic panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3509552B9Absorbent article with adjustable closure

Publication Date: 2022.10.05 ASSOCD HYGIENIC PRODS

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AI summary

Disposable absorbent articles, and methods of making such articles that comprise one or more back ears or closure members that are configured to permit the article to be adjusted for a particular user.