Hip-to-Side Silhouette Design for Disposable Absorbent Articles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current disposable absorbent articles fail to adequately fit a broad range of users due to their design not accounting for varying body shapes and sizes, leading to issues like slipping, sagging, and leakage, especially for individuals with urinary incontinence.

Innovation Solution

The development of absorbent articles with a higher Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette ratio, similar to bikini or hipster underwear, which provides a more tailored fit by anchoring at the waist and hips, reducing the side seam length and increasing the Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette, thereby enhancing leakage protection and discretion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the Relaxed Product Side Length is increased to provide broader anchoring band, then anchoring force is improved, but the product becomes more constricting and less comfortable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring forceVSAvoidcomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating anchoring forces at specific anatomical locations (waist and hip circumferences) rather than distributing them uniformly along a broad side length. The absorbent article is designed with targeted anchoring bands at the waist and hip regions, allowing effective anchoring with shorter side lengths, thereby improving comfort while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the Relaxed Product Side Length is decreased to improve discretion, then anchoring band becomes narrower, but anchoring force may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovediscretionVSAvoidanchoring force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of side length to be shorter than conventional products, while compensating for anchoring force through strategic placement at anatomical landmarks. The Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette ratio is optimized to ensure adequate anchoring despite reduced side length, maintaining both discretion and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If excessive material is used in the absorbent article, then absorption capacity is improved, but sagging and bunching in the crotch occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption capacityVSAvoidfit
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the absorbent article extensible and adaptable to body movements. The product includes elastic elements and flexible materials that allow the article to stretch and conform to the wearer's body during movement, preventing sagging and bunching while maintaining absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the product is designed to fit tightly at waist and hips, then gasketing is improved, but the product may be more difficult to apply

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovegasketingVSAvoidease of application
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the absorbent article with curved side edges that naturally guide the product into proper positioning on the wearer's body. The waist and hip contours are pre-shaped to align with anatomical landmarks, facilitating easier application while ensuring tight fit and effective gasketing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3644922B1Hip-to-side and waist-to-side silhouettes for bikini/ low rise brief type disposable absorbent articles and arrays
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP3644922B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3644922B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3644922B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An absorbent article may have a Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette from about 2.3 to about 6, and a Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette from about 2.3 to about 6. An array of absorbent articles may have an Array Average Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette from about 2.3 to about 6, and an Array Average Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette from about 2.3 to about 6.