Meandering Elastomer Strands for Disposable Absorbent Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable absorbent products, such as diapers, face challenges in achieving cost-effective elastic stretch properties without excessive material consumption, particularly in the main stretching direction, which affects wearing comfort and production costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of meandering thermoplastic elastomer strands thermally connected to a stretchable carrier web provides improved stretching properties with reduced material usage, ensuring intimate bonding and enhanced durability, allowing for larger elastic areas without increasing material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If large-area and cohesive elastomeric elements are used to provide stretch properties, then the stretch properties are improved, but the elastomeric material consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the elastomeric material into discrete strands or filaments rather than using large-area cohesive elements. These segmented elastomeric strands are distributed throughout the absorbent article to provide the required stretch properties while significantly reducing overall material consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional elastomeric sheets to three-dimensional distributed strands embedded within the absorbent article structure. This dimensional change allows elastomeric material to be placed only where mechanically effective, reducing waste and improving efficiency.
2Strength
If thermoplastic elastomers are used in stretch strips to provide elasticity, then the elastic properties are improved, but the production cost increases due to large material volume requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies elastomeric strands locally at specific positions within the absorbent article where stretch properties are needed, rather than uniformly distributing large amounts of material throughout. This localized application reduces material costs while maintaining functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive thermoplastic elastomer strands that can be easily manufactured and integrated into disposable absorbent articles. The focus is on cost-effective materials that provide sufficient elastic properties for the intended single-use application.
3Ease of manufacture
If elastic filaments are arranged in straight lines to provide stretch, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the stretching properties are insufficient compared to meandering strands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs meandering or curved elastomeric strands instead of straight lines. The curved configuration allows the strands to effectively resist stretching forces in multiple directions, providing superior elastic properties while remaining manufacturable through standard extrusion and embedding processes.
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 approach allows for equivalent or improved stretch properties with less thermoplastic elastomer consumption, reducing material costs and enhancing durability, particularly in the main stretching direction, while ensuring reliable attachment and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
meandering thermoplastic elastomer strands thermally connected to a stretchable carrier web
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The elastic material, for diapers and nappies, has at least one and preferably three strands (12,13) sprayed or poured on to the nonwoven material (9,11) in a serpentine layout, bonded by heat, with the strands bonded together at discrete points.