Sanitary Article Side Panels With Pleated Extension Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Absorbent sanitary articles for incontinent adults, particularly those with large side panels for obese individuals, face challenges in reducing raw material costs and improving production efficiency due to their large dimensions.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates extension bands with pleated surfaces and temporary joining zones that allow for efficient folding and production, reducing material usage and enabling more economical manufacturing processes while maintaining effective closure and fit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If large side panels are used to accommodate larger waistbands, then the fit and closure capability are improved, but the raw material costs and production complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaistband accommodation capabilityVSAvoidproduction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The side panels are divided into multiple segments that can be folded and joined together. This segmentation allows the side panels to achieve large effective dimensions for waistband closure while maintaining manageable production dimensions, reducing both material costs and production complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side panels are configured to fold into nested or overlapping configurations during storage and transport. This nesting principle allows large side panels to be compacted into smaller spaces, reducing the folded width requirement while maintaining full functionality when deployed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If large side panels are used to accommodate larger waistbands, then the closure capability is improved, but the folded width and storage space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaistband closure capabilityVSAvoidfolded width

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The side panels are divided into multiple foldable segments that can be collapsed into each other, reducing the overall folded width while maintaining the full extended length needed for large waistband accommodation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side panels utilize multi-dimensional folding configurations, transforming from a two-dimensional flat structure to a three-dimensional nested arrangement, thereby reducing the footprint in the folded state while preserving the functional dimensions when deployed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If traditional production methods are used for large side panels, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the production efficiency and cost-effectiveness decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveside panel structural integrityVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The side panels are pre-folded and pre-joined in a controlled manner during manufacturing, creating temporary joining zones that maintain structural integrity. This preliminary action allows for efficient production while ensuring the panels maintain their strength and functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Temporary joining zones are introduced as intermediary elements during production, allowing side panels to be assembled and joined efficiently. These temporary joins maintain structural integrity during manufacturing and can be selectively activated or made permanent based on production requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20230338205A1Absorbent sanitary article with side panels

Publication Date: 2023.10.26 FAMECCANICA DATA SPA

AI summary

An absorbent sanitary article includes a central body, first and second side panels extending laterally outwardly of the central body, and at least one extension band having a distal edge to which at least one closing element is fixed.