Patterned Adhesive Backsheet Laminate for Soft Touch and Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Absorbent hygiene products, such as diapers and sanitary pads, face challenges in achieving a balance between structural integrity and soft touch feel due to the adhesive layer used in their backsheet laminates, which can result in a rugged surface or delamination issues if not adequately distributed.
Innovation Solution
A laminate structure for the backsheet comprising a nonwoven fabric, a polymer film, and an adhesive applied in a specific pattern with a higher adhesive amount around the perimeter and a lower amount in discrete areas within, ensuring strong bonding while maintaining a soft touch feel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a continuous layer of adhesive is applied on the backsheet laminate, then the bonding strength between film and nonwoven web is improved, but the surface becomes rugged and uncomfortable to the touch
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous adhesive layer is segmented into a patterned distribution with high-adhesive regions (perimeter and center) and low-adhesive regions (intermediate areas), allowing the bonding function to be maintained while eliminating the rugged surface feel in areas that contact the user's skin
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the backsheet are assigned different adhesive qualities: the perimeter and center regions have high adhesive content for structural bonding, while the intermediate regions have reduced adhesive content to provide a soft, comfortable touch feel where user contact occurs
2Ease of operation
If the adhesive layer is applied in insufficient amount, then the soft touch feel is maintained, but the bonding quality deteriorates causing delamination and tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive distribution is segmented into strategic high-bonding zones (perimeter for structural integrity, center for reinforcement) and reduced zones (intermediate areas), ensuring sufficient bonding where needed while maintaining soft feel in user-contact areas
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive quantity is locally optimized: higher amounts at the perimeter and center provide reliable bonding to prevent delamination, while lower amounts in intermediate regions maintain the soft touch feel without compromising overall bonding quality
3Reliability
If a continuous layer of adhesive is applied, then complete bonding coverage is achieved, but material waste and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive application is segmented from a continuous uniform layer to a patterned distribution with varying quantities in different regions, reducing total adhesive consumption while maintaining bonding coverage in critical areas through strategic placement
Solution Approach 2:
Adhesive is applied with local quality variation: higher concentrations at the perimeter and center where bonding is most critical for structural integrity, and lower concentrations in intermediate regions, optimizing material usage efficiency while ensuring adequate bonding coverage
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 laminate provides enhanced structural integrity and a soft touch feel, reducing the risk of delamination and material waste while ensuring effective bonding, thus improving the overall performance and user experience of absorbent articles.
Implementation Method 1
a third layer comprising an adhesive; the third layer being arranged between the first and second layer wherein the adhesive in the third layer is applied in a pattern
Data Source
AI summary
The current invention concerns a laminate (2) for an absorbent article, preferably to be used as the backsheet of said absorbent article, said laminate (2) comprising: —a first layer (4) comprising a fibrous material such as a nonwoven material; —a second layer (6) comprising a film; —a third layer (8) comprising an adhesive; —the third layer (8) being arranged between the first (4) and second (6) layer; wherein the adhesive in the third layer (8) is applied in a pattern, said pattern comprising: —a first sub-pattern (10) comprising a frame (12) following the perimeter of the laminate (2) and defining an inner surface, said first sub-pattern (10) comprising a first amount of adhesive; —a second sub-pattern (14) arranged within the inner surface of the frame (12), said second sub-pattern (14) comprising a second amount of adhesive, the second amount of adhesive being less than the first amount of adhesive. The invention also concerns an absorbent article comprising such laminate and a process for manufacturing such laminate.