Pleated Stretchable Structure for Absorbent Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stretchable structures for absorbent articles are limited in reducing material cost and often result in skin irritation due to the concentration of tightening forces, while also compromising air permeability.
Innovation Solution
A stretchable structure featuring a single air-permeable material with pleats and elongated resilient and elastic members placed between the pleats, where the pleats are contracted to form wrinkles, distributing the tightening force and maintaining air permeability by creating gaps between pleat and inter-pleat portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resilient and elastic members are sandwiched between two air permeable materials to form conventional stretchable structures, then the structure provides waist fit enhancement, but material cost reduction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple air permeable materials into a single air permeable material by forming pleats that create internal layers. This single material structure integrates the waist-fit providing elastic members with the air permeability function, eliminating the need for separate material layers while maintaining both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms a two-dimensional flat material structure into a three-dimensional pleated structure. By folding the single air permeable material into pleats, it creates multiple internal layers and air gaps that provide both the structural support for elastic members and the air permeability traditionally requiring multiple material layers.
2Reliability
If resilient and elastic members are fixed in extended state to form stretchable structure, then waist fit is improved, but tightening force concentrates causing skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the contact surface by creating multiple pleats that distribute the elastic members across different spatial locations. Each pleat acts as an independent segment that locally distributes the tightening force, preventing concentration at any single point and thereby reducing skin irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
By transforming the flat material into a three-dimensional pleated structure, the invention adds spatial distribution in the vertical dimension. The pleats create multiple layers and air gaps that spread the contact area and distribute tightening forces across a larger volume, reducing pressure concentration on the skin.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pleats are formed by contracting resilient and elastic members, then tightening force is distributed, but air permeability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the pleated structure to create inherent porosity and air gaps within the single air permeable material. The folded pleats naturally form channels and spaces that allow air circulation, maintaining air permeability without requiring additional porous materials or complex multi-layer constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The three-dimensional pleated structure creates internal air channels and gaps that provide air permeability pathways. By folding the material into pleats, the invention generates vertical and lateral air flow channels that maintain breathability while the contracted state provides the distributed tightening force.
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 design significantly reduces material costs, prevents skin irritation by distributing tightening forces, and maintains air permeability, offering a compatible solution for absorbent articles.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of wrinkles are formed by contraction of the resilient and elastic members
Implementation Method 2
the pleats and the inter-pleat portions are contracted by contraction of the resilient and elastic members
Implementation Method 3
maintaining air permeability by creating gaps between pleat and inter-pleat portions
Data Source
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AI summary
A stretchable structure for absorbent article includes: a sheet-like member (12S) that is composed of one air permeable material (120) and has a plurality of pleats (80) arranged at intervals so as not to overlap in a fallen state and inter-pleat portions (85) overlapping in the state in which the pleats (80) are fallen; and elongated resilient and elastic members (90) provided between opposing surfaces (80a and 80b) of the pleats (80) along a longitudinal direction of the pleats (80). The pleats (80) are continuously or intermittently joined in the longitudinal direction of the pleats (80) such that at least the opposing surfaces (80a and 80b) of base portions (81) are not spaced from each other. Outer surfaces of the pleats (80) are not joined to the inter-pleat portions (85) except for both longitudinal ends of the pleats (80). The resilient and elastic members (90) are arranged in the pleats (80) at the tip-side with regard to the base portions (81) and at least both ends of the resilient and elastic members (90) are fixed between the opposing surfaces (80a and 80b) of the pleats (80). The pleats (80) and the inter-pleat portions (85) are contracted by contraction of the resilient and elastic members (90).