Pant-Type Absorbent Articles With Reduced-Elasticity Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Disposable absorbent pant-type articles face challenges in achieving a balance between fit, comfort, and absorbency due to the stiffening effect of absorbent cores and the deformation of elastic materials, which affects the body-conforming properties and leakage protection.

Innovation Solution

The disposable pant-type article features a body panel with zones of reduced elasticity in the overlap areas with the absorbent core, using heat-treated elastic laminates to maintain elasticity while minimizing bulkiness and enhancing underwear-like appearance, combined with a continuous production method to integrate absorbent assemblies and elastic features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an absorbent core is arranged in the pant-type article to provide absorbency, then absorbency and leakage protection are improved, but the fit and body conforming properties are worsened due to stiffening of the article

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabsorbency and leakage protectionVSAvoidfit and body conforming properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different elasticity characteristics to different zones of the body panel. Specifically, the panel includes a first zone with first elasticity and a second zone with second elasticity that is different from the first elasticity. This local differentiation allows the absorbent core to be positioned in a zone with appropriate stiffness for absorbency while maintaining flexibility in other zones for body conformance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the elasticity parameter of the body panel material in different zones. By varying the elasticity of the panel material between the first zone and second zone, the article achieves optimal balance between the stiffening effect needed for absorbent core support and the flexibility needed for body conformance and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If elastic materials are used to enhance fit and body conforming properties, then fit and comfort are improved, but the absorbent core becomes wrinkled or deformed due to contractive forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit and comfortVSAvoidabsorbent core integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates zones with different elasticity characteristics to locally manage the interaction between elastic materials and the absorbent core. The first zone provides elastic contraction for fit and comfort, while the second zone has different elasticity properties that stabilize the absorbent core and prevent wrinkling or deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The body panel is segmented into multiple zones with different elasticity properties. This segmentation allows the elastic forces to be distributed and controlled in specific areas, preventing excessive contractive forces from acting on the absorbent core while still providing overall fit and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If zones with reduced elasticity are created in the body panel to reduce stiffening effect, then fit and body conforming properties are improved, but the elasticity of the panel material is reduced in those zones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit and body conforming propertiesVSAvoidelasticity of panel material

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent strategically places zones with different elasticity properties in specific locations of the body panel. The second zone with different elasticity is positioned to counterbalance the stiffening effect of the absorbent core while maintaining sufficient elasticity in the first zone for overall panel strength and function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 fit and comfort by reducing the stiffening effect of absorbent cores, maintaining body-conforming properties, and enhancing leakage protection while maintaining a uniform appearance and breathability.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic body panel material may be heat-treated to minimize bulkiness and/or to enhance an underwear-like appearance of the absorbent article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentUS20250288470A1A disposable absorbent pant-type article and a method for producing a disposable absorbent pant-type article

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 ESSITY HYGIENE & HEALTH AB

AI summary

A disposable pant-type article including front and rear body panels, the body panels being constituted by front body panel material which is elastically stretchable in a transverse direction of the pant-type article and with a crotch region located between the front body panel and the rear body panel. An absorbent core is arranged with front and rear end parts of the absorbent core overlapping with the body panels in front and rear overlap areas. The pant-type article includes at least one body panel zone with reduced elasticity, which is arranged in an overlap area between the absorbent core and one of the front body panel and the rear body panel. The elasticity of the body panel material in the at least one body panel zone with reduced elasticity is from 30% to 70% of the elasticity of the body panel material outside the body panel zone with reduced elasticity.