Zigzag Folded Leg Opening Edges for Diaper Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional underpants-type disposable diapers face issues with the fit of edge portions around the legs, particularly in designs where reducing leg opening cut areas to minimize trim loss leads to compromised fit quality.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a folded part in the outer body that is folded in a zigzag manner and fixed to the inner body, with oblique resilient and elastic members extending from the folded part to the side edges, enhancing the fit around the leg openings without the need for additional cutting or swing attachments, and allowing the edges to fit snugly around the wearer's buttocks and groin region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the cut areas of the leg openings are decreased to reduce trim loss, then the material loss is reduced, but the fit of the edge portions around the legs is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The side edge correspondence region is divided into a folded part and an unfolded part. The folded part is folded once or multiple times in a zigzag manner in the front-back direction, creating multiple segments that can be fixed at different positions. This segmentation allows the edge portions to fit around the legs more precisely without requiring larger cut areas, thereby maintaining both low trim loss and high fit quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded part is folded in the front-back direction (width direction) to create a three-dimensional structure from a two-dimensional sheet. This dimensional transformation allows the edge portions to conform to the curved surface of the legs, improving fit without increasing the planar cut area. The folded structure adds depth and contouring capability that resolves the contradiction between minimal cutting and optimal fit.
2Device complexity
If the outer body is made as an outer halved type with separated ventral and dorsal sides, then the complexity of leg opening punching is reduced, but the fit of edge portions around the legs is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The folded part is specifically positioned at the side edge correspondence region that corresponds to the leg openings, while other portions of the outer body maintain their simple structure. This localized application of the folded structure provides enhanced fit precisely where needed (at the leg openings) without adding complexity to the overall outer body design or manufacturing process.
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
This configuration improves the fit of the leg openings around the buttocks and groin area while minimizing trim loss during production, providing a secure and comfortable fit without the need for extensive cutting or additional attachments.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated oblique resilient and elastic member is fixed in an extended state in a direction from the folded part to the side edge of the inner body below the folded part
Data Source
AI summary
A main object of the present invention is to improve the fit of edge portions of an outer body around the legs. In at least one of the ventral side outer part and the dorsal side outer part, parts at a lower edge of a side edge correspondence region corresponding to side edge portions in a front-back direction, positioned on the both width direction sides of an inner body, constitute edges of leg openings, a lower part of the side edge correspondence region is set as a folded part that is folded once or plural times in a zigzag manner in the front-back direction and fixed at the side edge portions, the folded part is gradually unfolded downward with increasing proximity to the width-direction central side, and the folded part is fixed in a halfway or completely downward unfolded state to the inner body at the width direction central portion, and elongated oblique resilient and elastic members are fixed in an extended state in a direction from the folded part to the side edges of the inner body below the folded part.