Elastic Laminate Sweat Management via Layered Hydrophilicity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable articles, such as absorbent diapers, face challenges in effectively managing sweat and moisture due to limitations in sweat transport mechanisms, which can lead to skin irritation and discomfort, particularly in young children.
Innovation Solution
The development of an elastic laminate comprising an inner hydrophobic nonwoven layer and an outer hydrophilic nonwoven layer, directly joined over a specific area, facilitates efficient sweat transport through a calibrated liquid distribution mechanism using the NMR MOUSE method, ensuring rapid liquid movement away from the skin and outside the article.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a nonwoven substrate material is used to control liquid movement and provide comfort, then sweat absorption and release are improved, but sweat management efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into multiple functional layers: an inner layer closer to the body with lower hydrophilicity for comfort and sweat absorption, and an outer layer with higher hydrophilicity for efficient sweat release. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between comfort and sweat management efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the substrate have different hydrophilic properties. The inner layer has lower hydrophilicity to maintain skin comfort and absorb sweat, while the outer layer has higher hydrophilicity to efficiently transport and release sweat. This local differentiation of properties enables simultaneous improvement of comfort and sweat management efficiency.
2Productivity
If hydrophilic properties are increased to improve sweat transport, then liquid movement is enhanced, but skin comfort may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into an inner layer with lower hydrophilicity for skin contact and an outer layer with higher hydrophilicity for sweat transport. This segmentation allows the inner layer to maintain skin comfort while the outer layer provides efficient sweat removal, preventing moisture buildup that causes skin irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner layer acts as an intermediary between the skin and the highly hydrophilic outer layer. It absorbs sweat from the skin and transfers it to the outer layer, which then rapidly transports and releases the sweat. This intermediary function protects the skin from direct contact with excessive moisture while maintaining efficient sweat management.
3Reliability
If the outer layer has higher hydrophilicity than the inner layer, then sweat transport is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilicity parameter is systematically varied between the inner and outer layers, with the outer layer having higher hydrophilicity than the inner layer. This parameter differentiation is achieved through controlled material selection and processing, enabling effective sweat transport while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established textile processing techniques.
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 solution enhances sweat management by achieving a Liquid Ratio of at least 1.1 within one minute, contributing to improved skin health and comfort by effectively removing moisture, thus reducing the risk of heat rashes and skin irritation.
Implementation Method 1
the inner layer and the outer layer are directly joined with each other over an area of from about 5% to about 50%, in that the inner layer and the outer layer are directly secured to each other by applying adhesive agents; the inner layer being closer to the body of the wearer than the second layer when the article is worn
Implementation Method 2
the inner layer being hydrophobic and the outer layer being hydrophilic
Implementation Method 3
the outer layer having a higher hydrophilicity than the inner layer
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
Wearable article comprising an elastic laminate has excellent sweat management properties. The elastic laminate comprises an inner first nonwoven layer and an outer second nonwoven layer. The outer layer has a higher hydrophilicity than the inner layer. The laminate has a total caliper when subjected to the NMR MOUSE method as described. The total caliper has a first sub-caliper corresponding to 50% of the total caliper, and a second sub-caliper corresponding to the remaining 50% of the total caliper. The elastic laminate has a Liquid Ratio of the first sub-caliper to the second sub-caliper of at least 1.1 after 1 minute according to the NMR MOUSE method.