Hip-to-Side Silhouette Sizing for Adult Absorbent Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current adult absorbent articles fail to adequately fit a broad range of body shapes and sizes, leading to issues with leakage, comfort, and discretion, as they are often designed based solely on waist circumference without considering Hip-to-Side Silhouette ratios, which vary significantly across different body types and BMI ranges.
Innovation Solution
The development of disposable absorbent articles with varying sizes and designs that match the Hip-to-Side Silhouette ratios of different body types, including arrays with multiple sizes that adjust Relaxed Product Side Length and Hip Width to better conform to individual body shapes, thereby improving fit, comfort, and gasketing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If absorbent articles are designed to fit a broad range of body sizes using only waist circumference sizing, then the product can be manufactured with simpler sizing parameters, but the fit, gasketing, and discretion are compromised due to inadequate consideration of hip-to-side silhouette variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new sizing parameter (hip-to-side silhouette ratio) in addition to waist circumference to better characterize body shapes. This allows the absorbent article dimensions to be adjusted based on multiple body measurement parameters, improving fit across different body types while maintaining a systematic approach to sizing that doesn't overly complicate manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the absorbent article into different dimensional parameters (waist circumference, hip width, side length) that can be independently adjusted based on the wearer's body measurements. This segmentation allows each dimension to be optimized for specific body shapes, improving overall fit without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire product
2Length of stationary object
If the product Relaxed Side Length is made excessive to accommodate larger body sizes, then coverage is improved for larger individuals, but material shows above the top of clothing and waist edge placement becomes improper for smaller individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different side length specifications for different size categories within the product array. Smaller sizes have shorter side lengths appropriate for smaller body frames, while larger sizes have longer side lengths for larger bodies. This local differentiation ensures that each individual receives the appropriate side length for their body type, preventing material showing for smaller individuals while maintaining adequate coverage for larger individuals
3Ease of operation
If the product Relaxed Side Length is made too short to avoid material showing, then discretion is improved, but coverage is insufficient and gapping occurs for individuals with larger body sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the Relaxed Side Length parameter across different size categories in the product array, with longer side lengths for larger sizes and shorter side lengths for smaller sizes. This parameter differentiation ensures that each size provides adequate coverage and prevents gapping for its target body type while maintaining discretion by avoiding excessive material showing
4Device complexity
If current marketed products are designed to fit increments as large as 100 pounds, then manufacturing and inventory complexity is reduced, but adequate fit, gasketing, comfort and discretion cannot be provided across the entire range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the product array into multiple size categories with smaller weight range increments (e.g., 20-40 pound ranges) rather than large 100-pound increments. This segmentation allows each size to be more precisely tailored to specific body types, improving fit and gasketing precision while maintaining a manageable product array structure that is feasible for manufacturing and inventory management
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an array of packages may comprise two or more different sizes of disposable absorbent articles. The Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette of a second absorbent article may be equal to or greater than a Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette of a first absorbent article. And, an Array Average Product Hip-to-Side Silhouette of first and second packages of the array may be from about 2.2 to about 6.0.