Disposable Absorbent Article Elastic Waist Attachment Welds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing disposable absorbent articles suffer from skin irritation and abrasions due to additional attachment welds penetrating the inner surface, and the 'elastic creep' phenomenon causes the articles to slip and fail in their fitting function.

Innovation Solution

The use of additional attachment welds that fix elastic waist and hip elements through an outer nonwoven fabric layer, preventing displacement and avoiding contact with the skin, thereby reducing stiffness and irritation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional attachment welds are provided to fix elastic elements, then the article fit and pressing function are improved, but skin irritation and abrasions occur due to weld penetration to inner surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle fitVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment welds are segmented into two distinct groups: first attachment welds in the crotch part and second attachment welds in the waist part. This segmentation allows each weld group to perform its specific function independently, securing elastic elements at different locations without requiring continuous penetration through all layers, thereby reducing skin irritation while maintaining article fit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment welds are arranged in a specific spatial pattern with different orientations - first attachment welds extend substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis while second attachment welds extend substantially parallel to it. This dimensional arrangement optimizes the distribution of securing forces and prevents weld penetration to the inner surface that contacts skin, thus maintaining reliability without causing irritation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If elastic elements are arranged in side weld to prevent slipping, then pressing function is improved, but welding becomes difficult and weld strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing functionVSAvoidweld strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic elements are extracted from the side weld area and instead secured by dedicated attachment welds positioned at specific locations - first attachment welds in the crotch part and second attachment welds in the waist part. This extraction eliminates the interference between elastic elements and side welds, allowing side welds to maintain their structural strength while attachment welds provide the necessary pressing function to prevent slipping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If adhesive is used to anchor elastic elements in side welds, then pressing function is improved, but weld stiffness increases causing skin irritation and weld strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing functionVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical anchoring of elastic elements using adhesive is replaced with a thermal welding system. Attachment welds use heat and pressure to directly bond elastic elements to the absorbent article layers, eliminating the need for adhesive. This substitution maintains the pressing function to prevent slipping while avoiding the stiffness and skin irritation problems associated with adhesive-based solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution enhances user comfort by preventing skin irritation, maintaining the article's fit, and counteracting the 'elastic creep' effect, ensuring the article remains securely in place without compromising wearing comfort.

Implementation Method 1

attachment welds which connect an outer nonwoven fabric layer (12) and elastic elements (9, 10) of the front part (2) and the back part (3) together

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2801344B1Disposable absorbent article
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 TZMO
  • EP2801344B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP2801344B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to an absorbent disposable article in the form of briefs, consisting of a front part, a back part, and a crotch section arranged between these parts, wherein the front part and the back part are provided with elastic elements. The front part (2) and the back part (3) of the article (1) have fastening welds (11) for fixing the elastic waist elements (9) and elastic hip elements (10). It is particularly noteworthy that, thanks to the fastening welds (11), an outer nonwoven layer (12) and the elastic elements (9, 10) of the front part (2) and the back part (3) can be connected to one another.