Rescalable Side Seams for Absorbent Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent articles with permanent belt connections suffer from tension issues that lead to peeling and lack customization and ease of application, as the bonds do not allow for adjustable fits.
Innovation Solution
The development of a method and apparatus for forming rescalable side seams in absorbent articles by folding and refastening elastic laminates, using a drum with a folding mechanism to create a refastenable connection between the first and second elastic laminates, allowing for adjustable waist circumference and easy application and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanent bonds are used to connect the first belt and the second belt, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the absorbent article lacks adjustability and becomes difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous belt connection is segmented into discrete bondable portions separated by unbonded regions. This segmentation allows the belt to maintain structural integrity through bonds while creating refastenable sections that enable adjustment and easy removal, directly resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transitions from a static permanent bond to a dynamic refastenable connection. The elastic laminate with alternating bonded and unbonded regions allows the connection state to change between secured and refastenable, providing adaptability while maintaining reliability when bonded.
2Strength
If permanent bonds are used to connect the belts, then the waistband maintains tensile strength, but the side seams cannot be adjusted for customized fit
Solution Approach 1:
The belt connection is divided into alternating bonded and unbonded regions along its length. The bonded regions maintain tensile strength and structural integrity, while the unbonded regions create refastenable sections that enable easy application and removal, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic laminate is designed to be temporarily discarded (unbonded) in specific regions to enable easy removal and reapplication, while the bonded regions are recovered to maintain overall structural strength. This allows the waistband to be easily adjusted and removed while maintaining necessary tensile strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the first belt is folded to create rescalable side seams, then adjustability and ease of removal are improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic laminate is pre-formed with alternating bonded and unbonded regions before the folding operation. This preliminary structuring of the material allows the subsequent folding and refastening operations to create rescalable side seams more easily, reducing the complexity of the folding mechanism while achieving the desired adjustability.
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 solution provides superior resistance to tensile strength, improved fit through adjustable side seams, and facilitates easy application and removal of absorbent articles by creating a smooth, continuous process for forming rescalable side seams within existing production lines.
Implementation Method 1
The drum includes a plurality of vacuum holes in its outer circumferential surface. A vacuum is supplied to the plurality of vacuum holes
Implementation Method 2
The frictional force resulting from the vacuum applied by the folding drum prevents the elastics in the first belt from contracting and keeps the first belt stretched
Data Source
AI summary
A method including: forming a first fold line; forming a second fold line to define a first segment of a first outer region extending between a first cut edge and the second fold line and to define a second segment extending between the first fold line and the second fold line; positioning a first surface of the first segment into a facing relationship with a first surface of the second segment; unfolding the first outer region to position the second surface of the first segment into a facing relationship with a first surface of an adjacent second outer region; and refastenably connecting the second surface of the first segment of the first outer region with the first surface of the second outer region.