Asymmetric Absorbent Article for Reduced Crotch Bulk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles often fail to provide a comfortable and discreet fit, leading to discomfort, irritation, and increased leakage due to ill-fitting designs that cause the absorbent material to protrude away from the body, especially in adults with incontinence.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article features non-linear leg edges and a non-symmetrical design with an absorbent article narrowest width positioned between the waist edge and the transverse axis, combined with transverse-directional elastic materials to maintain the absorbent assembly close to the body, reducing bulk and enhancing fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If stretchable or elastomeric outer layers are positioned over and around the absorbent material, then the garment can be shaped to fit the body, but the absorbent material protrudes away from the wearer's body causing discomfort and indiscretion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the crotch elastic material asymmetrically relative to the absorbent material, placing it closer to the absorbent material than to the outer garment layers. This asymmetric positioning prevents the absorbent material from protruding while maintaining the garment's ability to conform to the body's contours, thereby resolving the contradiction between fit and comfort/discretion
Solution Approach 2:
The crotch elastic material acts as an intermediary element between the absorbent material and the outer garment layers. By positioning this intermediate elastic layer closer to the absorbent material, the patent mediates the conflict between maintaining garment shape and preventing absorbent material protrusion, achieving both fit and comfort
2Device complexity
If crotch elastic materials are positioned too far from the absorbent material, then the garment can be constructed with simpler material arrangement, but the crotch region sags away from the body due to the weight of the absorbent material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the elastic support function specifically at the crotch region where it is most needed, rather than distributing elastic materials uniformly throughout the garment. By placing crotch elastic material locally closer to the absorbent material, the patent provides targeted support to prevent sagging without unnecessarily complicating the overall material arrangement
3Ease of manufacture
If the absorbent article is designed with symmetrical dimensions, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the article cannot conform properly to the body's contours leading to bulk between the legs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetry in the absorbent article's dimensions, specifically making the absorbent article narrowest width extend closer to the front waist edge than to the back waist edge. This asymmetric design enables the garment to conform properly to the body's contours and eliminate bulk between the legs, while the manufacturing complexity introduced is manageable through standardized elastic material application
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 design improves fit and reduces leakage by minimizing bulk between the legs, providing better conformance to the body's contours and maintaining the absorbent material in proximity to the wearer, enhancing comfort and discretion.
Implementation Method 1
a non-linear leg elastic extending from the third longitudinal direction side edge of the back region to the fourth longitudinal direction side edge of the back region and having an apex positioned between the absorbent article narrowest width and the transverse axis
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article has a front region, a back region, and a crotch region extending between and connecting the front region and the back region. The absorbent article can have non-linear leg edges extending between and connecting the front region and the back region. The absorbent article can have an absorbent article narrowest width positioned between the waist edge of the front region and the transverse axis of the absorbent article. A non-linear leg edge can extend between the first and third longitudinal direction side edges and can be formed such that a tangent line to any point on the first non-linear leg edge is not parallel to the transverse axis.