Absorbent Article Side Seam Bond Pattern for Strength and Softness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bond patterns in wearable articles, such as diapers, cause stress concentrations leading to fractures and a hard feeling, as they typically use uniform straight lines or circular elements.

Innovation Solution

A bond pattern with recessed portions in the bonds, extending in both longitudinal and lateral directions, providing a combination of strength and softness by reducing the bonded area while maintaining structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If uniform straight lines or circular bond elements are used in conventional bond patterns, then bond strength is achieved, but stress concentrations occur leading to fractures and hard feeling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond strengthVSAvoidresistance to fracture
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bond pattern is segmented into discrete bond elements arranged in specific geometric configurations (e.g., staggered, interlocking patterns) rather than continuous uniform lines. This segmentation distributes stress across multiple discrete bonding points, preventing stress concentration at any single location and reducing the likelihood of fracture propagation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bond elements are designed with asymmetric arrangements where bond spacing, size, or orientation varies systematically across the bonded area. This asymmetric distribution creates more uniform stress flow paths and prevents the formation of stress concentration points that would occur with symmetric uniform patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Strength

If uniform straight lines or circular bond elements are used in conventional bond patterns, then bond strength is achieved, but the bonded areas impart a feeling of hardness to the article

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond strengthVSAvoidsoftness of article
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the bond pattern have different characteristics - some areas have denser bond elements for strength, while other areas have sparser or smaller bond elements for softness. This local variation in bond quality allows the article to maintain overall structural integrity while providing soft, comfortable contact areas where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bond elements transition from sharp-edged circular or linear forms to more rounded, curved geometries. This curvature reduces stress concentration points and creates a softer, more compliant bonded surface that feels more comfortable against the skin while maintaining adequate bond strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If recessed portions are added to bonds to reduce bonded area, then softness is improved, but bond strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftness of articleVSAvoidbond strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bond pattern design moves from considering only two-dimensional bond area to incorporating three-dimensional bond depth variations through recessed portions. By strategically placing recesses at specific depths and locations, the design reduces the effective bonded area in regions where softness is needed while maintaining sufficient bond strength in critical load-bearing areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The bond pattern incorporates variations in multiple parameters simultaneously - bond element size, spacing, orientation, and depth (through recesses). By optimizing the combination of these parameters, the design achieves a balance where reduced bonded area from recesses provides softness while the overall pattern configuration maintains necessary bond strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12478518B2Absorbent article with side seam bond
Publication Date: 2025.11.25 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC
  • US12478518B2 patent drawing
  • US12478518B2 patent drawing
  • US12478518B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Absorbent articles (30) have bonded materials and bond patterns. One of the absorbent articles (30) has a bond pattern (150a-150d) comprising bonds (151,153,155,155a-155d). The bond pattern (150a-150d) comprises a longitudinally extending series of bonds (151,153), which comprises a first bond (151) and a second bond (153) disposed longitudinally adjacent to the first bond (151). The first bond (151) has an inboard lateral edge (158), an outboard lateral edge (156), a top edge (152), and a bottom edge (154) having a recess portion (164). The second bond (153) has an inboard lateral edge (158) and an outboard lateral edge (156), a top edge (152) having a recess portion (164), and a bottom edge (154). The top edge (152) of the second bond (153) faces the bottom edge (154) of the first bond (151), each of the recess portion (164) of the first bond (151) and the recess portion (164) of the second bond (153) comprises terminal portions (157) which are disposed proximate the same outboard lateral edge (156) or inboard lateral edge (158) of the first bond (151) and the second bond (153). Such bond patterns (150a-150d) have been found to provide a superior combination of strength and softness.