Foldable Feminine Hygiene Pad Packaging for Discreet Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing feminine hygiene pads struggle to simultaneously meet consumer preferences for absorption performance, discretion under clothing, flexibility, and convenient packaging and access, particularly in unfamiliar environments.

Innovation Solution

A feminine hygiene pad design featuring a compact foldable structure with a removable adhesive cover sheet and a combination of absorbent layers, including a hydrophilic open-celled foam with varying cell sizes, to enhance absorption and flexibility while allowing discreet carry and easy access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If absorbent materials are used to provide absorption capacity, then absorption performance is improved, but bulk and reduced flexibility occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorption capacityVSAvoidbulk

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a porous foam material as the absorbent core that provides absorption capacity through its porous structure rather than through material quantity. The pores and cavities within the foam create channels for fluid uptake while maintaining a compact, low-bulk form factor. This resolves the contradiction by using structural porosity instead of voluminous absorbent material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure combining the porous foam material with a liquid-impermeable backsheet and adhesive layers. This composite approach allows the foam to provide absorption while the backsheet prevents leakage and the adhesive secures the pad, achieving effective absorption performance without requiring excessive bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If absorbent materials are used to provide absorption capacity, then absorption performance is improved, but flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorption capacityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The porous foam material inherently provides flexibility due to its cellular structure that can compress and conform to body contours. The interconnected pores allow the material to deform elastically while maintaining absorption capacity, resolving the contradiction between absorption performance and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a thin, flexible liquid-impermeable backsheet that works in conjunction with the porous foam. This thin film structure allows the pad to remain flexible and conformable while providing the necessary containment function, preventing the absorption materials from making the pad rigid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional packaging is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but discreet carry and easy access are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging simplicityVSAvoiddiscreet carry and access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is segmented into a body portion and a flap that can be folded back. This segmentation allows the package to maintain a simple sealed structure for easy manufacture while enabling discreet access - the user can fold back the flap to retrieve the pad without fully opening the package, maintaining discretion in public restrooms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The package design utilizes the third dimension by folding the flap back rather than opening the package flat. This dimensional approach allows the pad to be accessed while the package maintains its compact form factor for discreet carry in pockets or bags, resolving the contradiction between simple packaging and discreet access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 provides improved absorption, flexibility, and convenience, enabling discreet use and easy access in non-private settings, addressing consumer preferences for comfort and usability.

Implementation Method 1

The absorbent layer may comprise an open-celled foam material that has been impregnated with a hydrophilic polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

The absorbent layer may comprise an open-celled foam material that has been impregnated with a hydrophilic polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophilic absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12383442B2Packaged feminine hygiene pad product adapted for discreet carry and access, and manufacturing process

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A product including a feminine hygiene pad provided in a folded configuration within an individualized package is disclosed. The pad is folded separately of the package and contained within the package. The pad may include a backsheet adhesive coversheet including a section of polymeric film adhered to an outward-facing side of the backsheet of the pad, and a deposit of backsheet adhesive disposed between the backsheet adhesive coversheet and the backsheet, the backsheet adhesive coversheet and the backsheet adhesive being selected and adapted such that the backsheet adhesive coversheet may be peeled away from the pad to expose the backsheet adhesive without substantial damage to a remainder of the pad, and such that the backsheet adhesive remains substantially in place and adhered to the backsheet following peeling away of the backsheet adhesive coversheet.