Beamed Elastomeric Laminate for Comfortable Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional stranded elastomeric laminates in disposable absorbent articles suffer from high strand pressure, modulus, and force requirements, leading to poor sustained fit and skin marking due to larger elastic strands and increased pre-strain, making them difficult to don and uncomfortable for wearers.
Innovation Solution
The development of elastomeric laminates with closely spaced, fine elastic strands (Average-Strand-Spacing < 4 mm and Average-Dtex < 400) and controlled pre-strain (50-300%), which are densified and bonded between nonwoven layers to reduce pressure and modulus, enhancing ease of application and comfort while maintaining a sustained fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional stranded elastomeric laminates use larger elastic strands with larger spaces between strands at higher pre-strains, then the laminate structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the strand pressure and modulus increase resulting in poor sustained fit and skin marking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes key parameters of the elastomeric laminate: reducing elastic strand diameter (using 0.5-2mm strands instead of larger strands), decreasing strand spacing (using 2-10 strands per cm instead of larger spaces), and controlling pre-strain levels (50-200% instead of higher pre-strains). These parameter changes reduce strand pressure below 1 psi and modulus below 10 gf/mm while maintaining structural integrity and fit quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite elastomeric laminate structure combining multiple fine elastic strands (0.5-2mm diameter) arranged in specific patterns with spacing of 2-10 strands per cm, bonded between substrate layers. This composite structure distributes pressure more evenly across the wear surface, reducing peak strand pressure and eliminating skin marking while maintaining sustained fit
2Device complexity
If traditional stranded elastomeric laminates use larger elastic strands with larger spaces between strands at higher pre-strains, then the device complexity is reduced, but the force required to open belts increases making them difficult to don
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the force required to don pants by changing elastomeric laminate parameters: using finer elastic strands (0.5-2mm diameter) with closer spacing (2-10 strands per cm) and controlled pre-strain (50-200%). These changes reduce the overall stiffness and modulus of the laminate, decreasing the application force needed to open belts while maintaining structural support and sustained fit during wear
3Productivity
If traditional stranded elastomeric laminates use larger elastic strands with larger spaces between strands at higher pre-strains, then fewer strands are needed reducing manufacturing steps, but the sustained fit deteriorates due to high strand pressure and modulus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite elastomeric laminate structure with multiple fine elastic strands (0.5-2mm diameter) densely arranged at 2-10 strands per cm, bonded between substrate layers. This composite architecture distributes mechanical loads across numerous strands, reducing individual strand pressure below 1 psi and overall modulus below 10 gf/mm, thereby maintaining reliable sustained fit throughout the wear period
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes elastomeric laminate parameters to achieve both manufacturing efficiency and fit reliability: using finer strands with closer spacing and controlled pre-strain levels. These parameter changes create a more compliant yet durable structure that maintains sustained fit without compromising productivity, as the streamlined construction process remains efficient
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
The new laminates provide a comfortable, secure fit without skin marking, are suitable for various absorbent article components, and retain desirable properties even when packaged under compression, offering improved extensibility and leakage protection.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric laminate may comprise a plurality of elastic strands between of first and second nonwovens, where the plurality of elastic strands has an Average-Strand-Spacing from about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm, an Average-Dtex from about 10 to about 400, and an Average-Pre-Strain from about 50% to about 300%
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to stranded elastomeric laminates (including bi-laminates and tri-laminates) comprising beamed elastics and may have inventive Dtex-to-Nonwoven-Basis-Weight-Ratios, Dtex-to-Spacing-Ratios, and/or Void-Area-to-Strand-Area-Ratios. The stranded laminates of the present disclosure may be used for disposable absorbent article components (including pant belts) and may comprise inventive bonding arrangements that yield inventive textures and texture arrangements. When the inventive stranded elastomeric laminates are used for pant belts, the pants may have inventive Application-Forces, Sustained-Fit-Load-Forces, and Sustained-Fit-Unload-Forces. Further, when absorbent articles are packaged under compression at inventive In-Bag-Stack-Heights, the stranded elastomeric laminates of the present disclosure maintain their inventive properties and characteristics, including their inventive textures.