Adjustable Securement for Absorbent Article Chassis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current absorbent articles for incontinence often fail to provide a proper fit, leading to discomfort, skin irritation, and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for multiple sizes and complex production processes, which also contribute to environmental impact and non-compliance with size-specific regulations.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a chassis with a rectangular shape and adjustable securement portions that accommodate a range of body sizes using a single chassis width and length, with flexible securement configurations that include elastic and non-elastic panels, allowing for efficient production and reduced material usage, while enhancing comfort and absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sizes are produced to accommodate different body proportions, then fit and comfort are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to multiple components and changeovers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single chassis that can serve multiple size functions through adjustable components. The chassis includes adjustable waist securement portions and leg opening portions that can be configured to fit different body proportions, eliminating the need for completely different chassis designs for each size category.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the absorbent article into modular components: a base chassis, adjustable waist securement portions, and adjustable leg opening portions. These segmented components can be independently configured and assembled to create different size variations, simplifying manufacturing compared to producing entirely different sized articles.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple sizes are produced with different components, then size-specific fit is improved, but productivity decreases due to machine changeovers taking 6-12 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the chassis with standardized attachment points and modular components during the design phase. This preliminary structuring allows for rapid assembly of different size configurations without requiring machine changeovers, as all necessary components are already prepared with compatible connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the absorbent article components adjustable and reconfigurable. The waist securement portions and leg opening portions can be dynamically adjusted to different positions and configurations, allowing a single production line to efficiently produce multiple size variations without stopping for changeovers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stretch material is added to accommodate larger waist sizes, then adaptability is improved, but skin irritation increases due to over-stretching and incorrect fit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of stretch and flexibility in different regions of the absorbent article. The waist securement portions use stretch material to accommodate waist size variations, while the crotch chassis and leg opening portions use non-stretch materials to maintain proper fit and prevent skin irritation in sensitive areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies flexible shells by using stretch material specifically in the waist securement portions where flexibility is needed to accommodate different waist sizes. This selective use of flexible materials allows adaptability without compromising the structural integrity and proper fit in other critical areas, preventing over-stretching and skin irritation.
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 provides a better fit and comfort for users, reduces manufacturing costs, minimizes environmental impact, and ensures compliance with size-specific regulations by using a single chassis width and length for multiple sizes, thereby improving user dignity and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
absorbent layer, a portion of the chassis being configured to absorb fluids
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article includes a chassis having a substantially rectangular shape a first portion, a second portion and a crotch portion extending between the first and second portion, a portion of the chassis being configured to absorb fluids. The absorbent article includes a first securement portion operatively coupled to the first portion of the chassis. The absorbent article includes a second securement portion operatively coupled to the second portion of the chassis and configured to releasably attach to the first securement portion. The chassis is configured to include one of a first chassis length or a second chassis length. When the chassis includes the first length, the chassis includes a first width and the first securement portion includes a second width, and when the chassis includes the second length, the chassis includes the first width and the first securement portion includes a third width, greater than the second width.