Leak-Proof Cuff Pocket Structure for Lateral Leakage Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional absorbent articles with leak-proof cuffs face challenges in effectively preventing lateral leakage due to insufficient design and construction of the cuffs, leading to potential excrement leakage.

Innovation Solution

The absorbent article features a pair of leak-proof cuffs with a specific construction, including a base portion and a raising portion that folds along a longitudinal direction, where the first portion of the raising portion has a free edge not fixed to any other member, and is accompanied by elastic members arranged in a lateral direction, with the innermost elastic member having a higher stress than the outermost, forming a pocket structure that enhances leakage prevention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the leak-proof cuff is designed with a simple structure, then the manufacturing is easier, but the leakage prevention performance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidleakage prevention performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The leak-proof cuff is divided into multiple functional segments: a base portion fixed to the absorbent article, a raising portion that folds to create a pocket structure, and a free edge portion that extends outward. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The raising portion is folded along a fold portion to create a nested pocket structure where the first portion and second portion face each other. This nesting creates a three-dimensional barrier that prevents lateral leakage while using minimal material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If the elastic members are arranged with uniform stress, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the fit and containment effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidfit and containment effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic members are arranged with varying stress levels at different locations: the innermost elastic member has higher stress to provide strong containment at the critical inner region, while outer elastic members have progressively lower stress. This gradient distribution optimizes fit and containment effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the free edge portion is too short, then the structural stability is better, but the leakage barrier effectiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidleakage barrier effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The free edge portion is designed with a specific length parameter that extends sufficiently from the joined portion to create an effective leakage barrier. This parameter optimization ensures the free edge is long enough to prevent excrement from climbing over the cuff while maintaining structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 significantly improves leakage prevention by creating a barrier against lateral excrement leakage through the formation of a pocket structure that prevents excrements from climbing over the cuffs, ensuring effective containment and fit around the wearer's legs.

Implementation Method 1

The leak-proof cuff forming sheet in the raising portion is folded along a fold portion extending in the longitudinal direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFolding: Folding

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of leak proof cuff forming elastic members are arranged in the lateral direction and an innermost elastic member located innermost in the lateral direction of the plurality of leak proof forming elastic members has a larger stress than an outermost elastic member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4005544B1Absorbent article
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 KAO CORP
  • EP4005544B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4005544B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4005544B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5(b)

AI summary

Each of a pair of leak-proof cuffs (3, 3) includes a leak-proof cuff forming sheet (30) and has a base portion (31) and a raising portion (32). The raising portion (32) is sectioned into a first portion (33) from a fold portion (30F) of the sheet (30) to a side edge (30S) of the sheet (30) along the longitudinal direction (X) and a second portion (34) from the fold portion (30F) to the base portion (31) and includes a sheet overlapping portion (36) in which both the facing portions (33, 34) are joined through a joined portion (35). The first portion (33) includes a free edge portion (330) that is not fixed to any other member, and that is an extension portion of the sheet (30) extending from the joined portion (35). The extension length (LI) of the free edge portion (330) from the joined portion (35) is not less than 0.05 times the length (L2) from the joined portion (35) to the base portion (31) in the second portion (34).