Disposable Diaper Stretch Panel with Localized Elastic Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flat type disposable diapers experience gapping issues at the rear waist due to unequal stretch distribution, leading to leakage and red marks on the thighs, and lack breathability and stability in the side panels.
Innovation Solution
The disposable diaper features an oblong absorbent assembly with stretch panels that have elasticized and non-elasticized portions, where elastic members are fixed in a stretched state and extend into the non-elasticized portion, and a fastening tape with a tape substrate that is bonded using fusion bonds and adhesive, ensuring flexibility and breathability while maintaining stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If elastic members are fixed in stretched state throughout the entire stretch panel, then the diaper achieves uniform stretch distribution, but the rear waist portion cannot closely contact the wearer's body contour
Solution Approach 1:
The stretch panel is divided into two distinct regions: an elasticized portion with fixed elastic members providing uniform stretch, and a non-elasticized portion without elastic members allowing free contraction. This local differentiation enables the diaper to simultaneously achieve stable stretch distribution in the elasticized region and adaptability to body contours in the non-elasticized region.
Solution Approach 2:
The stretch panel is segmented into functional zones: the elasticized portion (with elastic members) and the non-elasticized portion (without elastic members). This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function - the elasticized portion provides structural stability and uniform stretch, while the non-elasticized portion provides flexibility and body contour adaptation.
2Reliability
If adhesive bonds are used to fix elastic members to the panel, then the elastic members are securely fixed, but the breathability of the stretch panel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Adhesive bonds are applied locally only at specific positions where elastic members need fixation, rather than covering the entire stretch panel. This localized adhesive application secures the elastic members while leaving the majority of the panel surface open and breathable.
Solution Approach 2:
The stretch panel utilizes a porous nonwoven fabric structure that maintains high breathability even with localized adhesive bonds. The porous structure allows air and moisture to pass through while the minimal adhesive application provides sufficient fixation without blocking the pores.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stretch panel is made highly elastic to accommodate body contours, then the fit is improved, but the structural stability and shape retention are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The stretch panel is divided into an elasticized portion that provides controlled elasticity for body contour adaptation and a non-elasticized portion that maintains structural stability and shape retention. This segmentation allows the diaper to simultaneously achieve both adaptability and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different mechanical properties are assigned to different regions: the elasticized portion has high elasticity for adaptability, while the non-elasticized portion has low elasticity for stability. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between adaptability and shape retention.
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 provides a snug fit around the wearer's back, prevents leakage, reduces the likelihood of red marks, and maintains breathability and stability even with strong pulling forces.
Implementation Method 1
The stretch panel has an elasticized portion having extensibility and contractibility (i.e., stretchability) in the lateral direction of the absorbent assembly
Implementation Method 2
The tape substrate has a tape base portion fixed to the outer edge portion of the stretch panel and a tape tip portion that is continuous from the tape base portion
Implementation Method 3
bonded using fusion bonds and adhesive, ensuring flexibility and breathability while maintaining stability
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A disposable diaper (1) includes an oblong absorbent assembly (5) having a topsheet (2), a backsheet (3), an absorbent member (4) between the two sheets and a pair of stretch panels (6) fixed on both lateral side edges of the absorbent assembly along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent assembly. A fastening tape having an attachment portion (71) is fixed to the outer edge portion (6A) of the stretch panel (6). The stretch panel (6) has an elasticized portion (6B) inward in the direction Y from the outer edge portion (6A). There is no adhesive bonds at which any members constructing the stretch panel (6) are bonded to each other with an adhesive in a region of the stretch panel (6) outward in the direction Y from the elasticized portion (6B), the region containing the outer edge portion (6A). The inner end (73t) of a tape base portion (73) is located outward in the direction X from the elastic member (62t) that is the innermost in the direction X of the plurality of elastic members (62).