Arc-Shaped Elasticizing Means Fixation via Strip Adhesive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hygiene article manufacturing processes face challenges in reliably fixing arc-shaped elasticizing means between flat materials, leading to issues like contamination, machine downtime, and quality defects due to the use of spray adhesives, and the risk of melting thermoplastic films.

Innovation Solution

A hygiene article with strip-shaped adhesive applications applied over the entire surface in the longitudinal direction, where a first adhesive application fixes the elasticizing means on the side facing away from the body, and a second adhesive application, shorter in the longitudinal direction, is used to secure them between the fleece and flat materials, eliminating the need for spray adhesives and preventing film melting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spray adhesive is used to fix arc-shaped elasticizing means, then the elasticizing means can be fixed between flat materials, but contamination occurs and machine downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A release film is introduced as an intermediary carrier between the adhesive application device and the elasticizing means. The adhesive is applied to the release film first, which then transfers the adhesive to the elasticizing means during a subsequent lamination step. This mediator approach prevents direct spray adhesive application that causes contamination and machine downtime while ensuring reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive application process is segmented into two distinct steps: first applying adhesive to the release film, then transferring it to the elasticizing means during lamination. This segmentation separates the adhesive application from the fixation process, eliminating the harmful effects of direct spray adhesive application while maintaining fixation reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If spray adhesive is applied in cycles, then adhesive can be applied intermittently, but overpressure builds up causing excessive adhesive discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidadhesive application uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The release film serves as a pressure buffer and intermediary surface that receives adhesive application without building up excessive pressure. The adhesive is applied uniformly to the release film in cycles, then transferred to the elasticizing means during lamination, ensuring uniform adhesive distribution while maintaining high production speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Adhesive is applied in advance to the release film before the actual lamination process. This preliminary adhesive application allows for uniform distribution and pressure equalization, preventing excessive adhesive discharge during cyclic operation while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If adhesive is applied directly to thermoplastic film, then fixation is achieved, but the film melts causing quality defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidfilm melting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The release film acts as a thermal intermediary that protects the thermoplastic film from direct adhesive contact. Adhesive is applied to the release film first, which has different thermal properties, then transferred to the elasticizing means during lamination. This prevents the thermoplastic film from melting while ensuring reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixation process is segmented so that adhesive does not contact the thermoplastic film directly. Instead, adhesive is applied to the release film separately, then transferred to the elasticizing means during a controlled lamination step, eliminating thermal damage while maintaining fixation strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If arc-shaped elasticizing means are used, then proper fit is achieved, but fixation becomes more difficult compared to straight elasticizing means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct fitVSAvoidfixation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The release film serves as a flexible intermediary carrier that easily accommodates arc-shaped elasticizing means during adhesive application. The curved geometry of the elasticizing means is preserved on the release film, and subsequent lamination transfers them to the final product with proper fixation, making arc-shaped designs as easy to manufacture as straight ones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method ensures reliable fixation of elasticizing means, reduces contamination and machine downtime, and prevents quality defects by using contact gluing instead of spray adhesives, while protecting thermoplastic films from adhesive damage.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive application device is used to apply the first and second application of adhesive, in particular also to apply the third and/or fourth application of adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3110383B1Sanitary article and method for producing a sanitary article
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 PAUL HARTMANN AG
  • EP3110383B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3110383B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3110383B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sanitary article, with an absorption body (10) and with leg openings, wherein elongate elasticating means (12) curved in an arc shape are fixed on both sides outside the absorption body (10) in the product transverse direction (16), resulting in elastication of the leg openings (18), wherein a planar material portion (6) facing towards the body comprises a nonwoven (8), characterized in that the nonwoven (8), in the area of the elasticating means (12) on both sides, and for fixing the latter, has, on its side (22) facing away from the body, a first adhesive coating (24) applied in a strip shape over the whole surface and extending in the product longitudinal direction (14), and in that the nonwoven (8), in the area of the elasticating means (12) on both sides, and for fixing the latter, has, on its side (22) facing away from the body on both sides in the product transverse direction (16) outside the first adhesive coating (24), a second adhesive coating (26) applied in a strip shape over the whole surface and extending in the product longitudinal direction (14), and in that the second adhesive coating (26) is shorter, to the front in the product longitudinal direction (14) and to the rear in the product longitudinal direction (14), than the first adhesive coating (24), i.e. ends before the latter, and in that the elongate elasticating means (12) are fixed by the first and second adhesive coatings (24, 26) between the nonwoven (8) and the planar material portion (4).