Elastomeric Cheesecloth Athletic Tape with Strike-Through Adhesive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current athletic tapes lack a combination of flexibility, durability, and adhesiveness, leading to issues such as bruising and unraveling during sports activities like weightlifting and strongman competitions.
Innovation Solution
The development of an athletic tape made from 90-grade cheesecloth with elastic yarn stitching and a knife-over-roll coating technique for a 'strike through' adhesive application, providing flexibility, durability, and strong adhesion on both sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If standard athletic tape (100% cloth) is used, then durability and protection are improved, but flexibility is worsened causing bruising and swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The athletic tape combines cotton fibers (providing durability and strength) with elastic fibers (providing flexibility and stretch). This composite structure allows the tape to maintain its protective function while adapting to body movements without causing bruising or swelling.
2Strength
If cotton-polyester blend tape is used, then flexibility and durability are improved, but adhesiveness is worsened causing unraveling
Solution Approach 1:
The tape uses a multi-component adhesive system including acrylic polymer, rubber resin, and natural rubber that provides strong initial tack and sustained bonding. The adhesive formulation has been optimized to maintain strong adhesion on flexible, stretchable substrates without unraveling during athletic activities.
3Reliability
If highly adhesive tape is used, then adhesiveness is improved, but flexibility is worsened reducing comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The tape combines cotton fibers (providing durability and strength) with elastic fibers (providing flexibility and stretch). This composite structure allows the tape to maintain its protective function while adapting to body movements without causing bruising or swelling.
4Adaptability or versatility
If elastic yarn is knitted into cheesecloth, then flexibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The stitch bonding machine automatically knits elastic yarn into the cheesecloth fabric in a continuous process, creating the elasticized tape structure without requiring separate manual steps. The machine performs multiple functions (weaving, knitting, bonding) in one integrated system, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the sophisticated structure produced.
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 tape offers optimal performance by being extremely flexible, adhesive, and durable, effectively preventing bruising and unraveling, making it suitable for various athletic applications.
Implementation Method 1
The stitching is designed to allow stretch along the length, but none along the width
Implementation Method 2
Adhesive is then applied using a knife-over-roll coating technique to attain a 'strike through' effect. This unique coating provides adhesive on both sides of the tape
Implementation Method 3
The coating is applied with the fabric stretched fully extended and then immediately relaxed prior to entering the heated drying ovens
Data Source
AI summary
An adhesive elastomeric tape comprising 90 grade cheesecloth that is knitted with a medium gauge elastic yarn through a stitch bonding machine. The cloth is then coated with a petroleum base adhesive using a unique strike through method that allows a adhesive to pass through while coating both sides. A style of athletic tape that is flexible, durable, and adhesive simultaneously.