Colored Elastomeric Member for Uniform Diaper Side Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Absorbent articles, such as diapers, face challenges in achieving uniform coloration and visual cues for easier application due to the mottled appearance of stretch laminates and lack of guidance for users, particularly in highly extensible regions like elastic side panels.

Innovation Solution

The development of a uniformly colored stretch laminate for absorbent articles, incorporating a colored elastomeric member joined with a substrate, and the use of mechanical bonds to form informational indicia that provide visual guidance for users during application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If nonwoven is colored by adding pigment or dye to fibers before formation, then coloration is achieved, but mottled appearance occurs due to non-uniform fiber distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoloration processVSAvoidcolor uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the coloring function from the nonwoven fabric itself and transfers it to a separate elastic member. The elastic member is colored uniformly through compounding pigment into the polymer melt before extrusion, while the nonwoven remains white and uniform. This separation eliminates the mottled appearance caused by non-uniform fiber distribution in colored nonwovens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a colored elastic member as an intermediary element between the white nonwoven layers. This elastic member serves as the actual color source, visible through the translucent nonwoven, while the nonwoven itself remains uncolored and uniform. This intermediary approach allows coloration without compromising the uniformity of the nonwoven structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If nonwoven basis weight is increased to compensate for mottled appearance, then color uniformity improves, but cost increases without proportional functional benefit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor uniformityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the need to increase nonwoven basis weight for color uniformity by extracting the coloring function to a separate elastic member. This allows maintaining low basis weight nonwovens (providing softness, breathability, and flexibility) while achieving uniform coloration through the colored elastic member, thereby avoiding additional material costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If stretch laminate is formed by stretch bonding with elastic member stretched well in excess of 100%, then extensibility is achieved, but rugosities and wrinkles appear causing mottled appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveextensibilityVSAvoidsurface smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the color-carrying function from the nonwoven surface to the colored elastic member. This allows the nonwoven to be stretched extensively (well over 100%) during stretch bonding to achieve high extensibility, while the colored elastic member maintains uniform coloration independent of the nonwoven's surface rugosities and wrinkles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If graphics are printed on nonwoven outer cover, then visual appeal is achieved, but color consistency and graphic integrity are difficult to control due to elasticity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual appealVSAvoidcolor consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the graphic display function from the elastic nonwoven to a colored elastic member that is inherently colored (not printed). The colored elastic member provides visual appeal through its color and can incorporate printed or embossed graphics that are not subject to the same color consistency issues as printing on stretched nonwoven, since the color is built into the elastic member's structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution results in a more uniform color appearance and provides visual cues to aid in the proper application of absorbent articles, enhancing user experience and application efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic member is allowed to relax thereby gathering the substrate and creating a stretch laminate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9445955B2Absorbent article with a multifunctional side panel

Publication Date: 2016.09.20 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

An absorbent article may comprise a chassis having a front waist region, a rear waist region, a crotch region between the front waist region and the rear waist region, a pair of longitudinal edges, and a pair of side panels extending between and connecting the front waist region and the rear waist region to form a leg opening. Each side panel may comprise a stretch laminate joined by a mechanical bond. The article may bear a chassis graphic disposed on a backsheet and a side panel graphic disposed on a side panel.