Elastomeric Backsheet Strips for Diaper Sagging Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Absorbent articles, such as diapers and incontinence products, suffer from sagging and shape deformation due to the weight of bodily fluids, especially when wet, leading to potential leakage and discomfort, particularly in babies and individuals with mobility issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating elastomeric strands or strips into the backsheet of absorbent articles, which are stretched and attached using adhesives to form permanent channels that maintain the article's shape and prevent sagging, allowing for both dry and wet comfort and reducing the likelihood of leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the absorbent article is made highly flexible to provide free movement, then freedom of movement is improved, but resiliency is worsened causing the article to lose shape when wet
Solution Approach 1:
The backsheet is segmented into multiple zones with different properties: elastic zones containing elastomeric strands for flexibility and non-elastic zones for shape stability. This segmentation allows different regions to perform different functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the backsheet have different elastic properties. The crotch region contains elastomeric strands providing local flexibility for movement, while other regions maintain structural integrity and shape retention when wet.
2Quantity of substance
If the absorbent core absorbs large quantity of urine, then absorption capacity is improved, but the article stretches downward and sags when wet
Solution Approach 1:
The non-elastic zones in the backsheet act as counterweight elements that resist the downward stretching force caused by the weight of absorbed urine and feces, preventing sagging and maintaining vertical shape stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric strands are pre-stretched and attached to the backsheet before the absorbent core becomes wet and heavy. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the core absorbs fluid and gains weight, the pre-positioned elastic zones are already in place to provide immediate resistance against deformation.
3Shape
If channels are formed by shaping absorbent core layer with adhesives, then fit shape structure is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases requiring new machine application
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directly shaping the absorbent core layer which requires complex machinery, the invention uses elastomeric strands as intermediary elements attached to the backsheet. These strands create the desired channel shape indirectly through their elastic properties, simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical shaping process is replaced by using the inherent elastic properties of elastomeric strands. Instead of using complex mechanical devices to shape and hold the absorbent core, the elastic strands naturally form and maintain the channel structure through their material properties.
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 elastomeric strands provide a fit shape structure that maintains the article's integrity under external forces and bodily weight, enhancing user comfort and reducing leakage by forming permanent channels that resist deformation.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating elastomeric strands or strips into the backsheet of absorbent articles, which are stretched and attached using adhesives to form permanent channels that maintain the article's shape and prevent sagging
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a disposable or wearable absorbent article (1) that includes one or more elastomeric strand(s) (14) and/or strip(s) (16) on/in the backsheet (12) layer, localized in the absorbent core (10) region. The absorbent article (1) is preferably a baby diaper, an incontinence diaper, a pant or o pull up garment. The article may have a topsheet (6), a backsheet (12) and absorbent core (10) disposed between the topsheet (6) and backsheet (12), and a pair of longitudinal side edges. Elastomeric strand(s) (14) and/or strip(s) (16) is attached in longitudinal axis of the backsheet (12) of the absorbent article(1) in stretched form, whereby backsheet takes a crinkled form when it is in relaxed state. The absorbent article (1) fits better on users buttocks without sagging when the article is being worn.