Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Adaptive Absorbent Articles for Specialized Needs

Publication ID: 24-11857401_0004_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptive Absorbent Articles for Specialized Needs,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857401_0004_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857401_0004_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

This inventive concept discloses specialized absorbent articles designed for unique operational environments and niche markets, including individuals with physical disabilities, disaster relief situations, high-security facilities, extreme weather conditions, and remote or isolated areas.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed hip-to-side silhouettes for boxer brief type disposable absorbent articles, providing a product shape closer to underwear. However, it did not address the specific needs of individuals in specialized situations. This inventive concept solves the problem by adapting the absorbent article design to cater to these unique requirements, ensuring improved fit, comfort, and functionality.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The inventive concept comprises an absorbent article with a central chassis, designed for specific use cases. For individuals with physical disabilities, the absorbent article features a reinforced waistband for added support and stability. In disaster relief situations, the absorbent article is packaged in a waterproof and compact container. For high-security facilities, the absorbent article is designed with tamper-evident features. In extreme weather conditions, the absorbent article is made with water-resistant materials. For remote or isolated areas, the absorbent article includes a built-in signaling device for emergency situations.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel adaptations of the absorbent article design, addressing specific needs of individuals in specialized situations. The inventive step lies in the combination of existing design elements with new features that cater to these unique requirements, providing improved performance, comfort, and functionality.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include variations in materials, shape, and size to accommodate different body types, ages, or specific needs. Additional features, such as antimicrobial properties or temperature regulation, could be incorporated to enhance the absorbent article's performance.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including healthcare, disaster relief, security, and outdoor gear. The target market includes individuals with physical disabilities, emergency responders, high-security facility personnel, and outdoor enthusiasts.

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

Disposable Absorbent Articles, specifically personal hygiene products with specialized design configurations for body-conforming fit and functional adaptations

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or product designer with expertise in textile engineering, human factors design, and medical product development, familiar with ergonomic adaptations for personal care products

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's specialized absorbent article variations represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core design principles, leveraging known manufacturing techniques and design modularity to address specific use case requirements. The fundamental chassis structure remains consistent, with incremental functional modifications that would be considered routine design adaptations within the field. The variations demonstrate standard problem-solving approaches for expanding product utility through targeted feature integration.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Central chassis with topsheet, backsheet, and absorbent core configured for body-specific fit
PTD Variation
Reinforced waistband for individuals with physical disabilities
Obviousness Reasoning
Modifying waistband structural integrity is a predictable design solution for enhanced user support, representing a known technique for improving product ergonomics
Source Patent Element
Absorbent article with configurable side length and waist region dimensions
PTD Variation
Waterproof packaging and compact container design for disaster relief scenarios
Obviousness Reasoning
Adapting packaging and material properties is a routine design choice that a PHOSITA would find obvious when addressing specialized environmental requirements
Source Patent Element
Flexible central chassis design allowing dimensional variations
PTD Variation
Tamper-evident features for high-security facility applications
Obviousness Reasoning
Incorporating security-focused modifications represents a predictable design extension using known protective packaging techniques
Source Patent Element
Absorbent article with configurable material properties
PTD Variation
Water-resistant materials for extreme weather conditions
Obviousness Reasoning
Selecting alternative material compositions to enhance environmental performance is a standard engineering approach with predictable outcomes
Source Patent Element
Modular chassis design allowing functional customization
PTD Variation
Built-in emergency signaling device for remote area applications
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding communication functionality represents a predictable design evolution using known electronic integration techniques
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. ยง 103, the variations disclosed in this Published Technical Disclosure would be considered obvious to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art in view of US Patent 11857401, as the claimed modifications represent routine design adaptations that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner without requiring inventive insight. The disclosed variations constitute straightforward extensions of the source patent's core design principles, utilizing known techniques to address specific functional requirements.

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