Removable Absorbent Insert for Diaper Changing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional absorbent articles, such as diapers and incontinence products, are difficult to change, especially when away from home, due to bulkiness and side leakage issues, and existing solutions do not allow for easy replacement of soiled components without removing clothing.

Innovation Solution

An absorbent article system featuring a primary chassis unit with a removable absorbent insert, including a line of weakness for easy separation, allowing users to remove and replace the insert without taking off their clothes, with a removal device to assist in this process, enhancing usability and reducing bulkiness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple absorbent articles are stacked in a compound configuration to allow sequential removal, then the ability to change articles without removing clothing is improved, but the product becomes bulky and causes side leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to change articles without removing clothingVSAvoidproduct bulkiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent core is divided into a chassis absorbent core (integrated with the article) and a removable absorbent insert (separate component). This segmentation allows the insert to be removed and replaced independently, enabling users to change the absorbent capacity without removing the entire article or stacking multiple bulky articles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable absorbent insert is extracted from the traditional integrated absorbent core design. By taking out a portion of the absorbent core as a separate, removable insert, the design eliminates the need to stack multiple complete articles, thereby reducing bulkiness while maintaining the ability to refresh absorbent capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a removable absorbent insert with line of weakness is introduced to allow easy separation, then the ease of replacing soiled components is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of replacing soiled componentsVSAvoidarticle structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent insert is segmented from the chassis absorbent core through a line of weakness, allowing the insert to be separated and removed independently. This segmentation enables easy replacement of soiled components without complicating the overall article structure, as the insert is designed as a simple, self-contained component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire article removable, the design inverts the approach by making only the absorbent insert removable while the chassis remains in place. This inversion simplifies the replacement process and reduces structural complexity compared to removing the entire article.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the absorbent insert is designed to be selectively removable without removing the article from the wearer, then the convenience for on-the-go changing is improved, but the reliability of containment may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience for on-the-go changingVSAvoidcontainment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbent system is segmented into a chassis absorbent core and a removable insert, both of which provide containment functionality. The chassis absorbent core remains in place to maintain structural integrity and containment, while the insert can be removed and replaced to refresh absorbent capacity, thus maintaining reliability during on-the-go changing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis absorbent core serves as a backup containment structure that remains in place even when the insert is removed or saturated. This prior cushioning ensures that containment reliability is maintained throughout the changing process, preventing leakage during insert removal or replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10159609B2Fixed and removable absorbent cores for absorbent articles

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC

AI summary

A multiple use absorbent article includes a chassis absorbent unit having a chassis topsheet, a chassis backsheet, and a chassis absorbent core sandwiched between the chassis topsheet and the chassis backsheet. The article also includes an absorbent insert bonded to the chassis absorbent unit, a removable portion of the absorbent insert configured to be selectively removable from the chassis absorbent unit. The absorbent insert further includes a line of weakness that provides for separation of the absorbent insert into a removable portion configured to be removed from the chassis absorbent unit, and a resident portion that remains bonded to the chassis absorbent unit, wherein the absorbent insert includes a removal device configured to assist a user in separating the removable portion of the absorbent insert from the chassis absorbent unit.