Dual Fastening System for Absorbent Articles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional absorbent articles, such as diapers, often experience leakage and sagging due to shear stress from wearer movement, particularly when using a single fastening system, leading to discomfort and irritation from secondary fastening components.

Innovation Solution

The absorbent article incorporates a dual fastening system with primary and secondary fastening components, where the secondary fastening system is designed for improved pliability and positioned to secure the article around the waist, reducing the likelihood of pop-opens and irritation, using materials like elastomeric and non-elastomeric portions with hook and loop fasteners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single fastening system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of attachment deteriorates due to shear stress from wearer movement causing fastening tabs to loosen or come unfastened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening system structureVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is divided into two independent fastening systems: a primary fastening system with first fastening components and a secondary fastening system with second fastening components. Each system operates independently to provide attachment, distributing the stress and improving reliability without requiring a single complex fastening mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If secondary fastening components are added to improve attachment reliability, then the reliability of attachment improves, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to irritation from secondary fastening components on the wearer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidwearer irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second fastening components are specifically positioned in the crotch region rather than distributed across the entire waistband. This localized placement provides additional attachment reliability where it is most needed to prevent leakage and sagging, while minimizing the surface area that contacts the wearer's skin and reduces irritation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If secondary fastening components are positioned to secure the article around the waist, then the reliability of attachment improves, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to irritation from fastener contact with wearer's leg

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidleg irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The second fastening components are positioned asymmetrically in the crotch region rather than symmetrically around the entire waist. This asymmetric placement targets the specific area needing reinforcement for attachment stability while avoiding symmetric distribution that would increase contact and irritation with the wearer's legs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 dual fastening system ensures secure attachment and reduced irritation, maintaining stability during wearer movement while minimizing the risk of leakage and sagging, providing enhanced protection and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

using materials like elastomeric and non-elastomeric portions with hook and loop fasteners

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3089720B1Absorbent article having a fastening system
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC
  • EP3089720B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3089720B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3089720B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An absorbent article is provided. The absorbent article includes an absorbent assembly having a liquid permeable inner layer, an outer layer, and an absorbent body between the inner and outer layers. A pair of ears extend transversely outward from opposite sides of the absorbent assembly in a back waist region, each of the ears having a primary first fastening- component that is selectively engagable with a primary second fastening-component in a front waist region. There is a pair of spaced-apart secondary first fastening-components disposed on the outer layer in the front waist region, each of the secondary first fastening-components being selectively engageable with the secondary second fastening-components. Each secondary first fastening- component fits into a fastener region, wherein each fastener region is defined by an outline. Each outline has a waist edge and an opposite leg edge connected by an outer edge and an inner edge. The length of the outer edge is shorter than the length of the inner edge.