Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Athletic and Medical Applications of Hip-to-Side Silhouette Absorbent Articles

Publication ID: 24-11857401_0002_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Athletic and Medical Applications of Hip-to-Side Silhouette Absorbent Articles,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857401_0002_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857401_0002_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,401.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept extends the core technology of hip-to-side silhouette absorbent articles to new applications in athletic support, medical settings, and outdoor activities, providing enhanced comfort, protection, and performance.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed hip-to-side silhouette absorbent articles for everyday use, but there remained a need for absorbent articles that cater to specific requirements of athletes, medical patients, and outdoor enthusiasts. The new inventive concept addresses these unmet needs by adapting the core technology to provide tailored solutions.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises absorbent articles with hip-to-side silhouettes designed for athletes engaging in high-impact sports, patients with incontinence in medical settings, and outdoor enthusiasts. The articles provide enhanced protection and comfort during athletic activities, medical procedures, and outdoor activities. The system may include sensors for tracking athletic performance metrics, and the article may be water-resistant for use in outdoor activities.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel applications of the hip-to-side silhouette absorbent article technology, extending its use beyond everyday applications to athletic support, medical settings, and outdoor activities. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the core technology to address specific requirements of these new fields.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include absorbent articles with adjustable hip-to-side silhouettes for customizable fit, integrated wearable technology for tracking vital signs, or antimicrobial coatings for enhanced hygiene. Variations may include different materials, shapes, or sizes tailored to specific sports, medical procedures, or outdoor activities.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the athletic, medical, and outdoor industries, with potential applications in professional sports, healthcare, and outdoor recreation. The target market includes athletes, medical professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking enhanced comfort, protection, and performance.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61F13/49011
A A61 A61F13/496
A A61 A61F13/49061
A A61 A61F13/4963
A A61 A61F13/511
A A61 A61F13/514
A A61 A61F2013/49068
A A61 A61F2013/49088

Field of Art

Medical and Personal Care Absorbent Articles, specifically disposable undergarments with specialized silhouette designs, encompassing biomechanical ergonomics and wearable technology integration

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or product designer with expertise in textile engineering, human factors design, and absorbent article manufacturing, possessing knowledge of materials science, ergonomic principles, and medical device development

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the source patent's hip-to-side silhouette technology provides a fundamental design framework that can be readily adapted to specialized applications like athletic performance, medical support, and outdoor activities. The core technological principles of body-conforming absorbent articles are transferable across different use contexts, making the PTD's variations predictable extensions of the original patent's core innovation. The incremental modifications represent standard design adaptations within the field of specialized personal protective equipment.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Absorbent article with specific hip-to-side silhouette ratio (less than 1.8)
PTD Variation
Athletic performance version with integrated performance tracking sensors
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating sensors into existing article design represents a known technique in wearable technology, with predictable results of enhanced functionality
Source Patent Element
Disposable absorbent article with flexible material construction
PTD Variation
Water-resistant version for outdoor activities
Obviousness Reasoning
Material modification for environmental adaptation is a standard design choice in protective garment engineering
Source Patent Element
Body-conforming absorbent article design
PTD Variation
Medical-specific version for incontinence management
Obviousness Reasoning
Tailoring existing article design for specific medical use represents a predictable application of known ergonomic principles
Source Patent Element
Underwear-like disposable article with customizable fit
PTD Variation
Adjustable hip-to-side silhouette for different body types and activities
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing adjustable design features is a standard approach to expanding product versatility in personal protective equipment
Source Patent Element
Absorbent article with defined dimensional parameters
PTD Variation
High-impact sports version with enhanced protective characteristics
Obviousness Reasoning
Optimizing article design for specific performance environments represents a routine engineering adaptation
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11857401's foundational disclosure of hip-to-side silhouette absorbent articles, the present publication demonstrates that variations extending the core technology to athletic, medical, and outdoor applications would be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art. The incremental modifications represent predictable design adaptations that do not rise to the level of non-obvious innovation, thereby establishing robust prior art against potential future patent claims in this technological domain.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,401
TitleHip-to-side silhouettes for boxer brief type disposable absorbent articles and arrays
Assignee(s)The Procter & Gamble Company