Standardizing Sizes for Adult Disposable Underwear
A system for organizing adult diapers into specific size groups based on precise mathematical ratios of length, waist, and hip measurements to ensure consistent fit across a product line.
Original patent title: “Length-to-waist and hip-to-side silhouettes of adult disposable absorbent articles and arrays”
A system for organizing adult diapers into specific size groups based on precise mathematical ratios of length, waist, and hip measurements to ensure consistent fit across a product line. Granted to Procter and Gamble Co in 2024 with 12 claims.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent defines a method for grouping adult disposable absorbent articles (like adult underwear) into specific size arrays based on calculated ratios. It uses a Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette—a specific ratio of the product's total length to its waist width—to ensure that as sizes increase or decrease, the proportions of the garment remain consistent for the user. By mandating that these ratios fall within specific ranges (e.g., 0.64 to 1.08), the patent ensures that a consumer moving from one size to another experiences a predictable change in fit. The claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → also specify physical construction details, such as the use of elastic strands in the front and back belts and the inclusion of absorbent gelling materials within the core.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover individual absorbent articles that are sold outside of a multi-size array package system.
- Does not cover products that do not utilize the specific Length-to-Waist Silhouette ratio ranges defined in the claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →.
- Does not cover absorbent products that lack front and back belt structures joined at side seams.
- Does not cover non-disposable or reusable absorbent undergarments.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in treating 'fit' as a geometric ratio rather than just absolute dimensions, allowing manufacturers to maintain a consistent 'silhouette' across different sizes so the product behaves the same way on the body regardless of the wearer's dimensions.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Pampers or Always Discreet adult underwear product lines
Multi-pack retail displays of adult incontinence briefs
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Adult incontinence products often suffer from inconsistent sizing, where different sizes feel like entirely different products rather than scaled versions of the same design. This patent provides a mathematical framework for manufacturers to standardize their product lines, which reduces consumer confusion and improves the likelihood of finding a comfortable, leak-proof fit. It represents an effort to bring the same level of standardized sizing found in traditional apparel to the disposable hygiene market.
Filed
June 20, 2023
Granted
December 3, 2024
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Procter & Gamble is the primary assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more → and continues to refine its sizing and material science for its Always Discreet and related brands. Other major players in the adult incontinence space, such as Kimberly-Clark (Depend) and various private-label manufacturers, compete by developing their own proprietary sizing and fit algorithms.
Market impact
This patent formalizes the trend toward 'apparel-like' sizing in the adult incontinence market. By standardizing the physical proportions across an array, it enables retailers to offer more predictable product tiers, potentially reducing return rates and increasing brand loyalty through improved user experience.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent defines a method for grouping adult disposable absorbent articles (like adult underwear) into specific size arrays based on calculated ratios. It uses a Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette—a specific ratio of the product's total length to its waist width—to ensure that as sizes increase or decrease, the proportions of the garment remain consistent for the user. By mandating that these ratios fall within specific ranges (e.g., 0.64 to 1.08), the patent ensures that a consumer moving from one size to another experiences a predictable change in fit. The claims also specify physical construction details, such as the use of elastic strands in the front and back belts and the inclusion of absorbent gelling materials within the core.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in treating 'fit' as a geometric ratio rather than just absolute dimensions, allowing manufacturers to maintain a consistent 'silhouette' across different sizes so the product behaves the same way on the body regardless of the wearer's dimensions.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover individual absorbent articles that are sold outside of a multi-size array package system.
- Does not cover products that do not utilize the specific Length-to-Waist Silhouette ratio ranges defined in the claims.
- Does not cover absorbent products that lack front and back belt structures joined at side seams.
- Does not cover non-disposable or reusable absorbent undergarments.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
8/20
Moderate scope
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$50K – $158K
Midpoint $99K · 17.0 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
12 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Magee, L. R., MENNER, J., Seitz, B. D., Lavon, G. D., & Hamilton, R. S. (2024). Standardizing Sizes for Adult Disposable Underwear (U.S. Patent No. 12,156,789). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12156789/crew-dragon
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Standardizing Sizes for Adult Disposable Underwear cover?
A system for organizing adult diapers into specific size groups based on precise mathematical ratios of length, waist, and hip measurements to ensure consistent fit across a product line.
Who owns patent US 12156789?
Procter and Gamble Co owns this patent, granted in 2024.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on December 3, 2044, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Adult incontinence products often suffer from inconsistent sizing, where different sizes feel like entirely different products rather than scaled versions of the same design. This patent provides a mathematical framework for manufacturers to standardize their product lines, which reduces consumer confusion and improves the likelihood of finding a comfortable, leak-proof fit. It represents an effort to bring the same level of standardized sizing found in traditional apparel to the disposable hygiene market.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover individual absorbent articles that are sold outside of a multi-size array package system.
Same assignee
More from Procter and Gamble Co
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