Waist Guard Pocket Structure for Breathable Leak Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pant-type absorbent articles face challenges in preventing leakage of low viscosity bodily exudates through the waist opening, particularly when the wearer is lying down, due to structural limitations and the need for a balance between breathability and effective leakage protection.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent article features a waist guard with two distinct waist guard sheets, each with varying properties such as basis weight, air permeability, and Low Surface Tension Fluid Strikethrough Time, to form pockets with elastic portions that enhance leakage prevention and breathability, while maintaining comfort and concealment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the waist opening is made with less material for breathability, then breathability is improved, but leakage prevention capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waist guard is divided into multiple functional layers including a first waist guard sheet, second waist guard sheet, and multiple pockets (first pocket, second pocket, third pocket). Each layer serves specific functions: the first pocket captures low viscosity exudates, the second pocket provides structural support, and the third pocket enhances containment. This segmentation allows the waist opening to maintain breathability while providing multi-layered leakage protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The waist guard incorporates regions with different material properties and functions at specific locations. The first waist guard sheet has different basis weight and air permeability characteristics compared to the second waist guard sheet. Elastic portions are strategically placed at specific locations to provide targeted leakage prevention where needed most, while other regions maintain breathability.
2Reliability
If a waist guard is added to prevent leakage, then leakage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waist guard combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure. It simultaneously provides leakage prevention, breathability, comfort, and concealment functions through the coordinated arrangement of the first and second waist guard sheets and multiple pockets. This merging reduces the need for separate components while achieving multiple objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The waist guard structure serves multiple purposes: the first pocket captures low viscosity exudates, the second pocket provides structural support, the third pocket enhances containment, and the elastic portions provide both leakage prevention and comfort. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple functions into one component.
3Reliability
If elastic portions are added to form pockets, then leakage prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic portions are designed to be dynamic rather than rigid, allowing the waist guard to adapt to different body shapes and sizes. The elastic portions can stretch and retract to maintain the pocket structure while accommodating wearer movement, which simplifies the need for complex adjustable mechanisms.
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 waist guard effectively captures and contains low viscosity exudates, reduces skin irritation, and maintains comfort by providing improved breathability and concealment, while being economically viable.
Implementation Method 1
The first pocket comprises at least a first elastic portion. The first elastic portion is provided along and/or adjacent to the first open edge... The optional second pocket may comprise at least a second elastic portion, the second elastic portion may be provided along and/or adjacent to the second open edge
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an absorbent article with a waist guard disposed in the back waist region such that at least a first pocket is formed. The waist guard is formed of at least a first waist guard sheet and a second waist guard sheet sheet. Each of the first and second waist guard sheet forms a portion of the first pocket. The first waist guard sheet is different from the second waist guard sheet, the difference being selected from the group consisting of basis weight, air permeability, caliper, Low Surface Tension Fluid Strikethrough Time, Opacity, and combinations thereof.