Disposable Pant Crotch Elastic Design for Leakage and Comfort

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Solution Overview

Problem

Disposable absorbent articles face challenges in achieving both comfort and effective leakage protection due to pre-tensioned elastic elements causing chafing and wrinkles, which detract from fit and appearance, and the stiff absorbent core counteracting elastic forces, leading to inadequate sealing in the crotch region.

Innovation Solution

A disposable absorbent article design featuring pre-tensioned crotch elastic members with varying widths and shapes to match the absorbent core's contours, ensuring a consistent elasticated area and reduced pressure on the skin, along with channel seals to manage absorbent material expansion, enhancing both fit and leakage protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pre-tensioned elastic elements are arranged along the leg edges to enhance body conformance and leakage security, then fit and leakage protection are improved, but chafing and wrinkles are caused which reduce comfort and appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage protectionVSAvoidchafing and skin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different elastic tension levels to different regions: high tension in the rear leg edges for leakage protection, and low or no tension in the crotch region for comfort. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The leg elastic is segmented into different tension zones along its length, with the first portion (rear) having higher tension than the second portion (crotch). This segmentation allows the same elastic element to provide both leakage protection and comfort in different locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the absorbent core is made stiffer and thicker in the crotch region to provide adequate absorbency, then absorbency is improved, but body conformance and sealing ability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveabsorbencyVSAvoidbody conformance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent core is designed with varying thickness and stiffness locally: thicker and stiffer in regions requiring absorbency, and thinner and more flexible in the crotch region requiring body conformance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between absorbency and fit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If high elastic tension is used in crotch elastic elements to improve sealing capacity, then leakage protection is improved, but discomfort and skin markings are caused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capacityVSAvoiddiscomfort and skin markings

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different elastic tension levels are applied to different leg edge regions: higher tension in the rear for sealing, and lower tension in the crotch for comfort. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing sealing and comfort in their respective locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies elastic tension partially rather than uniformly: the crotch region receives reduced elastic action compared to the rear leg edges, providing just enough sealing where needed while avoiding excessive tension that would cause discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Shape

If pre-tensioned elastic elements are used to gather web materials and form ruffled edge portions, then body conformance is improved, but appearance is degraded and chafing is caused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody conformanceVSAvoidchafing and appearance degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies elastic elements selectively: they are used in regions where gathering is beneficial for fit (waist and rear leg edges) but omitted or reduced in the crotch region where gathering would cause chafing and poor appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 comfort by reducing chafing and enhancing body conformity while maintaining effective leakage protection through optimized elastic distribution and absorbent core management.

Implementation Method 1

pre-tensioned crotch elastic members arranged extending in the longitudinal direction along the leg edges in the crotch region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240216186A1A body-conforming disposable pant-type article

Publication Date: 2024.07.04 ESSITY HYGIENE & HEALTH AB

AI summary

Pre-tensioned first and second crotch elastic members are arranged extending in the longitudinal direction along the leg edges in the crotch region, the leg edges in the crotch region extending partly or fully in the corresponding crotch elastic member. The crotch region is generally hourglass-shaped with a narrow intermediate portion. The crotch elastic members have first side edges at least partly coinciding with the corresponding leg edge in the crotch region. A distance as measured in the transverse direction between the first side edge of the absorbent core and the first side edge of the first crotch elastic member and a distance as measured in the transverse direction between the second side edge of the absorbent core and the first side edge of the second crotch elastic member varying with at most 30 millimetres along a full length of the crotch elastic members.