Pet Absorbent Article with Segmented Regions and Elastic Edges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional absorbent articles for pets, such as dogs and cats, tend to cause position displacement due to movement, leading to potential urine leakage when worn, as they interfere with the pet's walking and do not fit well around the hind legs.

Innovation Solution

The absorbent article features a ventral and dorsal region with elastic areas, an intermediate region for the tail, and a connecting mechanism that prevents displacement by distributing tension evenly, ensuring the article stays in place without restricting movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the absorbent article is designed to cover the pet's body securely, then the fittability and position stability are improved, but the article interferes with the pet's walking movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidwalking movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent article is divided into distinct regions: a ventral region, a dorsal region, and an intermediate region extending between them. The lateral edges of these regions are detachably connected through fastening systems, allowing the article to be segmented and adjusted to fit the pet's body contours without interfering with leg movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting means between lateral edges provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the article to adapt to the pet's movements. The fastening system enables the article to maintain stability during walking by allowing slight adjustments in positioning while preventing excessive displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the absorbent article is made to fit tightly to prevent displacement, then the position stability is improved, but the pet experiences discomfort and reduced movement freedom

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidmovement freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the absorbent article have different properties: the ventral and dorsal regions provide structural stability and coverage, while the intermediate region with the tail opening allows flexibility and movement. The elastic areas in the ventral region provide localized compression for stability without restricting overall movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The article incorporates dynamic elements including elastic areas that can stretch and retract, and a tail opening that allows the pet's tail to move freely. These dynamic features enable the article to maintain position stability while adapting to the pet's natural movements and maintaining comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the article extends to the high thighs to prevent displacement, then the position stability is improved, but the walking movement is interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidwalking movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The article's lateral edges are designed to extend to specific positions (high thighs) but are detachably connected through fastening systems. This segmentation allows the article to provide coverage and stability in the thigh region while permitting the legs to move freely during walking, as the fastening system accommodates the movement rather than restricting it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively prevents position displacement and interference with walking, maintaining comfort and absorbency while preventing urine leakage by using elastic areas that adapt to the pet's movements.

Implementation Method 1

The lower edge area is defined by an elastic area contractible in the lateral direction... the absorbent article has fittability to abut the ventral region against the pet animal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an absorbent core interposed between the interior and exterior sheets wherein the article is worn on a pet... to collect and contain body exudates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3456188B1Absorbent article for pet
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 UNI CHARM CORP
  • EP3456188B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3456188B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3456188B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an absorbent article that can prevent position displacement against a pet animal and has fittability to the pet animal, and that does not interfere the pet animal's walking. The article 10 has a longitudinal direction Y and a lateral direction X, and includes a ventral region 13, a dorsal region 14, an intermediate region 15 extending between the ventral and dorsal regions . The ventral and dorsal regions have both lateral edges 16c, 16d; 17c, 17d extending in the longitudinal direction, lower edges 16a,17a and upper edges 16b, 17b extending in the lateral direction, an upper edge areas 34, an lower edge areas 33, middle areas 35, and are provided with a connecting means 79 releasably engageable with both lateral edges 16c, 16d of the ventral region 13 and both lateral edges 17c, 17d of the dorsal region 14. A tail opening passable through a tail 6 of the pet animal is positioned in the intermediate region 15. The absorbent core 60 is positioned between the tail opening and the ventral region 13. The lower edges area 33 of the ventral region 13 has an elastic area contractible in the lateral direction.