Incontinence Briefs With Non-Elasticated Cuff Edges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional incontinence articles for men often cause skin irritation due to elasticization in sensitive areas, particularly where hair is present, and may not adequately adapt to male anatomy, leading to discomfort and inefficiency in fluid absorption.

Innovation Solution

Designing an incontinence article with non-elasticated free longitudinal edges on the cuff elements in the front area and a forward-shifted absorbent body, combined with elasticized sections in the crotch and back areas, to minimize irritation and enhance anatomical fit and absorption capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cuff elements are elasticized along their entire length to ensure they can be raised and form a lateral leakage barrier, then the leakage barrier function is improved, but skin irritation increases due to elasticizing agents contacting sensitive, hairy skin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage barrier functionVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cuff elements are designed with different elasticization properties in different regions: the rear portion (extending at least 12% from the transverse central axis toward the back) is elasticized to enable lifting and leakage barrier formation, while the front portion (extending at least 12% from the transverse central axis toward the abdominal section) is non-elasticized to prevent skin irritation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying elasticization only where functionally necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If elasticizing agents are used in the front area to enable cuff lifting, then the leakage barrier function is improved, but comfort decreases due to material gathering and ruffling that rubs against skin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage barrier functionVSAvoidwearing comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The front portion of the cuff elements is deliberately designed without elasticizing agents, creating a smooth, non-gathering surface that contacts the skin without causing irritation or discomfort. This local absence of elasticization maintains comfort while the rear elasticized portion preserves the leakage barrier function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the absorbent body is centrally positioned to provide balanced absorption, then the absorption distribution is improved, but anatomical adaptability decreases for male users due to mismatch with male anatomy and fluid accumulation patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption distributionVSAvoidanatomical adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent body is intentionally positioned asymmetrically, extending further toward the abdominal section than toward the back section. This asymmetric positioning aligns with male anatomy and the typical location of fluid accumulation in male users, thereby improving anatomical adaptability while maintaining effective absorption distribution through the elongated forward extension.

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 solution provides improved comfort and effective fluid management by reducing skin irritation and better aligning with male anatomy, while maintaining the necessary elastic properties for leakage barrier functionality.

Implementation Method 1

have an unattached free longitudinal edge, which is elasticized at least partially in the longitudinal direction, with which the cuff elements can rise from the body-facing side of the article and thus form the respective lateral leakage barrier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

comprising a crotch section having an absorbent body, which extends longitudinally between the abdominal section and the back section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

for the absorption of bodily excretions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3793495B1Incontinence article in the form of briefs
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 PAUL HARTMANN AG
  • EP3793495B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3793495B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3793495B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to an incontinence article (2) in the form of briefs, comprising a front stomach portion (4) and a rear back portion (6) spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction (9), and comprising a crotch portion (8) having an absorption body (7), the crotch portion (8) having cuff elements (68), which form a lateral leakage barrier on both sides, extend on both slides along the longitudinal extent of the absorption body (7), are fastened to the side of the article (2) facing the body, at least along a cuff base line (76), and have an unfastened free longitudinal edge (74), which is elasticated at least in some parts in the longitudinal direction, characterized in that the unfastened free longitudinal edge (74) of each of the two cuff elements (68) has, toward the front stomach portion (4), a non-elasticated free longitudinal edge end portion (93), the longitudinal extent C1 of which is at least 12% of a longitudinal extent C2 of the unfastened free longitudinal end (74) of the cuff elements (68) in the product half extending from the transverse center axis (30) of the incontinence article (2) to the stomach portion (4).