Elastic Composite Material with Differential Adhesion for Haptic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastic composite materials, such as those used in hygiene articles, face challenges with high tack and difficulty in processing styrene block copolymers, leading to uneven surfaces and impaired haptic properties due to the high elasticity and tackiness, which complicates rolling and handling.
Innovation Solution
A coextruded elastic composite material with a styrene block copolymer film layer and a less elastic film layer, both covered with non-woven fabric layers, where the bond strength between the adhesive layers is lower than the cohesive bonding forces, allowing for controlled detachment during stretching to create a microstructure that enhances haptic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If styrene block copolymer is used to achieve high elasticity, then elastic properties are improved, but processing difficulty and stickiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
A release film is introduced as an intermediary layer between the sticky styrene block copolymer elastic layer and other components. This release film prevents direct contact and adhesion, enabling easy handling and processing of the highly elastic material without compromising its elastic properties. The release film acts as a temporary mediator that can be removed or remains as part of the final structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic composite material is divided into distinct functional layers: an elastic layer made of styrene block copolymer and a non-elastic release film layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently - the elastic layer provides high elasticity while the release film layer provides easy handling and prevents unwanted adhesion.
2Ease of operation
If styrene block copolymer film is rolled onto a roll, then storage and handling are facilitated, but blocking risk increases due to high stickiness
Solution Approach 1:
The release film serves as a protective intermediary that prevents direct contact between sticky elastic layer surfaces when rolled for storage. This eliminates blocking while maintaining the ability to handle and process the material easily. The release film can be configured to allow controlled release when needed.
3Strength
If nonwoven fabric layers are fully bonded to film layers, then structural integrity is improved, but haptic properties and surface softness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding between nonwoven fabric layers and film layers is made non-uniform, with some areas fully bonded and other areas left unbonded or partially bonded. This local variation in bonding quality creates a microstructure that provides both structural integrity where needed and soft, comfortable haptic properties in unbonded areas. The transition between bonded and unbonded zones creates a gradient structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire surface uniformly bonded for structural strength, the invention inverts the approach by intentionally leaving portions unbonded. This creates raised, soft areas that provide excellent haptic properties while the bonded portions maintain structural integrity. The unbonded areas act as cushioning elements.
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 softer, more voluminous surface with improved haptic properties and easier handling, as the composite material develops small bulges under the non-woven overlay, enhancing user experience without altering the surface weight of the non-woven layer.
Implementation Method 1
styrene block copolymers are characterized by good elastic properties
Implementation Method 2
the first elastic and sticky film layer made of styrene block copolymer
Implementation Method 3
a first full-surface adhesive layer is arranged between the first elastic film layer and a first nonwoven fabric layer
Implementation Method 4
the film is designed as a coextruded film, the first surface of which is formed by a first elastic and sticky film layer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Elastic composite material comprises a film, which is covered at both sides from a single- or multi-layered non-woven fabric support, and is formed as a co-extruded film (1), whose first surface is formed from a first elastic film layer (2) of a styrene-block copolymer, and its opposite second surface is formed from a second film layer (3). A first adhesive layer (5) is arranged between the first elastic film layer and a first non-woven fabric support. A second adhesive layer (7) is arranged between the second film layer and a second non-woven fabric support. Elastic composite material comprises a film, which is covered at both sides from a single- or multi-layered non-woven fabric support, and is formed as a co-extruded film (1), whose first surface is formed from a first, elastic film layer (2) of a styrene-block copolymer, and its opposite second surface is formed from a second film layer (3), which exhibits a lower elasticity than the first film layer. A first adhesive layer (5) is arranged between the first elastic film layer and a first non-woven fabric support. A second adhesive layer (7) is arranged between the second film layer and a second non-woven fabric support. The adhesion between the second film layer and the second adhesive layer is less than the adhesion between the first film layer and the first adhesive layer. The composite material exhibits regions, in which the second adhesive layer of the second film layer and/or the second film layer of the first film layer are detached.