Prestrained Stretched Laminates for Soft Textile Waistbands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles with elastic legbands and waistbands often have a rough appearance, inefficient material usage, and poor conformity to the body, leading to unattractive, costly, and poorly performing products.
Innovation Solution
The use of prestrained stretched laminates with elongate elastic elements, which are attached to inelastic layers and extended to provide elastic extensibility, resulting in a laminate with improved appearance and tactile feel while maintaining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional elastic legbands and waistbands are used, then elastic functionality is provided, but the appearance becomes rough and plastic-like
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines elastic elements with inelastic fabric layers to create a composite waistband structure. The elastic portion provides stretch functionality while the fabric portions provide a soft, textile-like appearance that resembles traditional cloth waistbands, eliminating the rough plastic appearance of conventional elastic bands.
2Device complexity
If integral legbands and waistbands are used, then structure is simplified, but the finished appearance is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The waistband is divided into distinct segments: elastic portions for stretch functionality and fabric portions for aesthetic appearance. These segments are joined together to create an integral waistband that maintains both structural simplicity and a finished, garment-like appearance through the combination of different materials.
3Ease of operation
If live stretch materials are used, then elastic functionality is achieved, but material efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Elasticity is localized to specific portions of the waistband rather than using entirely elastic material. The inelastic fabric portions provide structural support and aesthetic appearance, while the elastic portions provide stretch functionality. This localized approach improves material efficiency by using elastic materials only where needed.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional elastic bands are used, then cost is reduced, but body conformity is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The waistband incorporates dynamic elastic elements that allow the structure to adapt and conform to the wearer's body shape. The elastic portions enable the waistband to stretch and mold to different body contours, improving conformity while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of standard elastic materials in a strategic configuration.
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 prestrained stretched laminates enhance the appearance and feel of absorbent articles, providing a soft, textile-like appearance and gentle resiliency, while ensuring good processability and effective containment of bodily exudates.
Implementation Method 1
elongate elastic elements, which are attached to inelastic layers and extended to provide elastic extensibility
Implementation Method 2
providing a soft, textile-like appearance and gentle resiliency
Data Source
AI summary
Stretched laminates with prestrained elastics.