Hybrid Elastic Waist Structure for Disposable Garments

Solution Overview

Problem

Disposable absorbent garments, such as diapers and adult incontinence briefs, face challenges in providing both comfort and containment while minimizing chafing and irritation, particularly at leg openings, due to the limitations of existing elastic materials.

Innovation Solution

The use of a hybrid elastic structure combining elastic sheet and elastic strand materials in the waist portions, which enhances fit, comfort, and containment by promoting ease of removal and breathability, while avoiding tight elastic elements at leg openings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tight elastic elements are used at leg openings to improve containment, then containment characteristics are improved, but chafing and irritation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainment characteristicsVSAvoidchafing and irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic structure is segmented into multiple components: elastic strands (spaced apart) rather than continuous elastic sheet, creating discrete elastic elements that provide containment while allowing breathability and reducing chafing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different elastic structures are applied to different body regions: the waist portions use continuous elastic sheet material for secure fit, while the leg openings use spaced elastic strands for containment without chafing, optimizing each region's specific needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If continuous elastic sheet material is used to improve fit and containment, then containment characteristics are improved, but breathability and comfort decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainment characteristicsVSAvoidbreathability and comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic structure is segmented into multiple components: elastic strands (spaced apart) rather than continuous elastic sheet, creating discrete elastic elements that provide containment while allowing breathability and reducing chafing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic strand construction creates inherent porosity and open spaces between strands, allowing air circulation and breathability while maintaining elastic containment function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If heavy elastic materials are used to improve containment, then containment characteristics are improved, but garment weight and comfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainment characteristicsVSAvoidgarment weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic structure is segmented into multiple components: elastic strands (spaced apart) rather than continuous elastic sheet, creating discrete elastic elements that provide containment while allowing breathability and reducing chafing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The garment uses composite construction combining elastic sheet material at waist portions with elastic strand material at leg openings, optimizing the balance between containment, weight, and comfort for different body regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10857040B2Disposable absorbent garment having elastic sheet material and elastic strands

Publication Date: 2020.12.08 ATTENDS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS INC

AI summary

Disposable absorbent garments, comprising front and rear waist and a central absorbent assembly comprising a liquid-absorbent core, where at least one of the front and rear waist portions comprises: a composite of an elastic sheet material and a non-woven fabric layer, and a plurality of elastic strands. In some of the present garments, the elastic strands are positioned on both sides of the liquid-absorbent core, and each strand has a first end laterally offset from the liquid-absorbent core and extending outward toward a respective leg edge of the waist portion. In others of the present garments, the elastic strands are positioned between the absorbent core and the elastic sheet material, and each extends laterally a majority of the distance between first and second side edges.