Inelastic Woven Athletic Tape Moisture Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current athletic tapes stretch significantly when exposed to moisture, leading to a loss of effectiveness in providing orthopedic support, while synthetic tapes are too stiff and non-conforming.
Innovation Solution
A pliable, woven athletic tape is developed by stretching a substrate, such as cotton, and impregnating it with a water-dispersible polymer like ethylene vinyl acetate, combined with a cohesive or adhesive coating, to maintain support and conformability even under moisture and mechanical strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cotton-based athletic tape is used, then flexibility and conformability are improved, but the tape stretches significantly when exposed to moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cotton fabric with a synthetic polymer coating (polyurethane or polyacrylonitrile) to create a composite material that exhibits both the conformability of natural fiber and the moisture resistance of synthetic polymer. The coating is applied to the cotton fabric in a controlled manner to form a protective layer that prevents moisture penetration while preserving the underlying fabric's flexibility and hand-tearability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the cotton fabric by applying a polymer coating that changes its surface properties. The coating process controls parameters such as polymer concentration, coating thickness, and cross-linking density to achieve optimal balance between moisture resistance and flexibility. The resulting tape maintains its original softness and conformability while gaining resistance to moisture-induced stretching.
2Reliability
If synthetic cloth material is used, then moisture resistance is improved, but the tape becomes too stiff and non-conforming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using pure synthetic material, the patent creates a composite where synthetic polymer coating is applied to natural cotton fabric. This composite structure allows the cotton substrate to provide flexibility and conformability while the synthetic coating layer provides moisture resistance. The combination leverages the complementary properties of both materials to overcome the limitations of using either material alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the synthetic polymer coating selectively to specific regions or surfaces of the cotton fabric, creating local quality differences. The coating density and thickness can be varied across different areas to optimize performance - providing maximum moisture resistance where needed while preserving the natural fabric's flexibility in other areas. This localized approach ensures the tape remains conformable while gaining moisture resistance.
3Ease of operation
If cotton tape is used, then hand tearability is improved, but the tape loses support effectiveness when stretched by moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where the cotton fabric substrate maintains its hand-tearability for easy application, while the synthetic polymer coating provides dimensional stability and moisture resistance. The coating acts as a reinforcing layer that prevents the cotton fibers from stretching and losing support effectiveness when exposed to moisture, while still allowing the tape to be easily torn by hand for application.
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 maintains its support and compression properties without stretching, offering improved hand tearability and moisture resistance while maintaining softness and conformability.
Implementation Method 1
an elongate, pliable, woven substrate that is stretched in the long direction and impregnated with a water-dispersible polymer
Implementation Method 2
a coating material selected from the group consisting of a cohesive material or an adhesive material
Data Source
AI summary
An athletic tape product for securing or supporting a human or animal body part is provided that includes an elongate, pliable, woven substrate that is stretched in the long direction and impregnated with a water-dispersible polymer, the stretched, impregnated woven substrate further including a coating selected from the group consisting of a cohesive material or an adhesive material. In certain embodiments, the pliable woven substrate is cotton.