Refreshed Elastomeric Laminates for Absorbent Article Stretch Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elastomeric laminates used in absorbent articles, when stored in a fully extended condition, experience degraded stretch properties due to glue crystallization and compromised stretch performance, leading to reduced rugosity and gather formation, while storing in a contracted state results in shorter linear lengths and increased change-over time.
Innovation Solution
The method involves unwinding an elastomeric laminate with elastic strands bonded in a stretched state, disrupting discrete contiguous connections, and applying localized tensions to form refreshed elastomeric laminates with increased strain values, then converting them into absorbent article components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If elastomeric laminate is stored in a fully extended condition to increase storage efficiency, then storage efficiency is improved, but stretch properties are degraded due to glue crystallization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the substrate strain value during storage. The substrate is maintained at a strain value greater than zero (partial extension) rather than fully extended, which prevents glue crystallization while still providing storage efficiency. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between storage efficiency and stretch performance preservation.
2Reliability
If elastomeric laminate is stored in a contracted state to preserve stretch properties, then stretch performance is maintained, but linear length is reduced and change-over time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the substrate strain value to be greater than zero during storage, creating a partial extension state. This parameter adjustment allows the laminate to maintain stretch performance while providing sufficient linear length on rolls, thereby reducing change-over time without sacrificing reliability.
3Strength
If glue is applied at high temperature to ensure bonding, then bonding strength is improved, but glue crystallization occurs during storage compromising stretch properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by controlling the substrate strain parameter during storage rather than changing the bonding process parameters. By maintaining the substrate at a strain value greater than zero, the patent prevents glue crystallization while preserving the bonding strength achieved during the bonding process, thus resolving the contradiction between bonding strength and stretch performance.
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 process maintains optimal stretch performance and storage efficiency by refreshing elastomeric laminates, ensuring consistent production and reducing machine footprint and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
first discrete contiguous connections between the elastic strands and the first substrate formed by adhesive at an ambient temperature positioned between the elastic strands and the first substrate
Implementation Method 2
applying localized tensions to stretch the elastomeric laminate in discrete locations such that strain values in the first substrate in the discrete locations increase from a first substrate strain value to a second substrate strain value that is greater than the first substrate strain value
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to methods for manufacturing absorbent articles, and in particular, to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be accumulated and subsequently refreshed to be used as components of absorbent articles. In some configurations, the elastomeric laminate may be wound onto a roll and may comprise elastic strands bonded in a stretched state with a first substrate, wherein the first substrate on the roll comprises a roll substrate strain value that is greater than zero. During the process of assembling absorbent articles, the elastomeric laminate may be unwound from the roll and first discrete contiguous connections between the strands and the first substrate may then be fractured and disrupted to form second discrete contiguous connections by applying localized tensions to the elastomeric laminate.