Pant-like Absorbent Article Chassis Construction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pant-like absorbent articles rely on pre-laminated elastomeric materials, which limit the modification of laminate layers, necessitating additional elastic and nonwoven layers for improved fit, discretion, and leakage protection, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The absorbent articles feature a chassis structure where laminated elastomeric materials are formed during the manufacturing process, allowing for variable longitudinal lengths and overlapping elastic elements, enabling a more flexible and cost-effective construction of waistbands and panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pre-laminated elastomeric materials are used, then the basic structure is simple, but the laminate layers cannot be modified to improve fit, discretion, and leakage protection
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is divided into multiple separate layers including elastic layers, nonwoven layers, and intermediate layers that can be independently selected and configured. This segmentation allows modification of specific layers to improve fit and leakage protection without requiring complete redesign of the entire laminate structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies adhesives to specific regions of the chassis layers before assembly to pre-determine the bonding areas. This preliminary action enables flexible configuration of different layer combinations while maintaining manufacturing efficiency, resolving the contradiction between modifiability and structural complexity.
2Reliability
If additional elastic and nonwoven layers are added to improve fit and leakage protection, then performance improves, but manufacturing costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate layer serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, facilitates adhesive bonding between layers, and can be configured to enhance leakage protection. This multi-functionality allows the chassis to achieve improved reliability without adding separate dedicated components, thereby controlling manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies the physical and chemical parameters of the chassis layers, such as elastic modulus, adhesive strength, and layer thickness, to optimize leakage protection. By adjusting these parameters within existing layer types rather than adding new layers, the invention achieves improved reliability while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pre-laminated elastomeric materials are used, then initial structure is established, but flexibility in material usage and customization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis construction methodology is made dynamic and adaptable, allowing the configuration of layers to be adjusted based on specific product requirements. Different combinations of elastic layers, nonwoven layers, and intermediate layers can be selected to customize the chassis for different applications while using a standardized assembly process that maintains construction simplicity.
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 results in improved fit, discretion, and leakage protection while reducing manufacturing costs by allowing for a more customizable and efficient use of materials in the absorbent article construction.
Implementation Method 1
an front waist panel comprising: a front panel garment-side facing layer, a front panel body-side facing layer, and one or more front panel chassis elastic members disposed between the front panel garment-side facing layer and the front panel body-side facing layer
Data Source
AI summary
Pant-like absorbent articles having improved chassis structures are disclosed. One pant-like garment comprises a front panel comprising a front garment-side layer, a front body side layer, and front elastic members therebetween, and a rear panel comprising a rear garment-side layer, a rear bodyside layer, and rear elastic members between the rear garment-side layer and the rear bodyside layer, a portion of the rear elastic members proximate a rear waist end edge are being uncovered by one of the rear garment-side layer and the rear bodyside layer. The garment may further comprise a rear secondary elastic member disposed overlapping the uncovered portion of the rear elastic members, and wherein one of the rear garment-side layer and the rear bodyside layer is folded over the rear panel secondary elastic member and overlaps the other one of the rear garment-side layer and the rear bodyside layer.