Asymmetrical Pantiliner Core with Orientation Indicator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercially available pantiliners do not account for varying underwear shapes and lack clear indicators for correct positioning, leading to potential leaks due to asymmetrical absorbent core distribution and lack of user guidance.

Innovation Solution

Design of an absorbent article with a symmetrical topsheet and backsheet, an asymmetrical absorbent core with over 50% capacity in the front region, and an embossed absorbency indicator extending through the topsheet and core to ensure proper orientation and adaptability with different underwear types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If an asymmetrical absorbent core is used to concentrate absorbency in the front region, then absorbency is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to lack of clear orientation indicators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorbent capacityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies visual indicators (color changes or contrasting patterns) on the topsheet to clearly indicate the front and rear orientation of the pantiliner. This allows users to easily distinguish the correct positioning direction, ensuring that the asymmetrical absorbent core is properly oriented with the majority of absorbency capacity positioned at the front where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the absorbent core is made asymmetrical with more capacity in the front, then adaptability to different underwear types is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased leakage risk from incorrect positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to underwear shapesVSAvoidleakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Visual orientation indicators are incorporated on the topsheet to guide users in correct positioning. These indicators (such as color-coded zones or directional patterns) ensure that the asymmetrical core is properly oriented, thereby maintaining reliability and preventing leakage while preserving adaptability to different underwear types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The visual indicators provide immediate feedback to the user about correct orientation. By observing the color or pattern on the topsheet, the user can verify proper positioning before wearing, ensuring that the absorbent core is aligned correctly to prevent leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If the topsheet and backsheet are made symmetrical, then ease of manufacture is improved, but information transmission deteriorates due to lack of orientation guidance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidorientation information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates visual indicators (color changes, patterns, or contrasting designs) on the symmetrical topsheet to convey orientation information. This allows the topsheet and backsheet to remain symmetrical for ease of manufacture while still providing clear visual cues to users about the correct front-to-rear orientation of the asymmetrical absorbent core.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 enhanced absorbency and comfort by ensuring the majority of the absorbent capacity is positioned where needed, reducing leakage risks and improving user convenience with clear positioning cues.

Implementation Method 1

the absorbency indicator is an embossed pattern that extends through at least the topsheet and the absorbent core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmbossing:

Implementation Method 2

an asymmetrical absorbent core with a smaller overall surface area, with the majority of the absorbent capacity concentrated in a front part of the pantiliner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core being asymmetrical about the transverse axis of the article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3628293B1Adaptable absorbent article

Publication Date: 2024.11.06 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

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AI summary

An absorbent article having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis and a front region and rear region disposed either side of the transverse axis is provided. The article has a topsheet with a shape that is symmetrical about the transverse axis and a backsheet with the same shape and size as the topsheet. An absorbent core is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core being asymmetrical about the transverse axis of the article, wherein more than 50% of the absorbent core is disposed in the front region of the absorbent article. The absorbent article further has an absorbency indicator, wherein more than 50% of the absorbency indicator is provided in the front of the absorbent article.