Ribbed Extensible Composite for Cushioned Hygienic Garment Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hygienic and disposable garments lack adjustability, cushioning, texture, and absorbency, with flat non-woven layers providing less comfort and visual recognition of expansion, while flat elastic films compromise structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
An extensible composite with a non-woven first layer and an elastomeric second layer featuring ribs, where the layers are attached at specific positions to create spaces between ribs, allowing for adjustable extension and contraction, enhanced cushioning, and visual indication of elongation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flat non-woven layers are used in extensible components, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but cushioning, texture, and absorbency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric layer is formed with a three-dimensional ribbed structure featuring peaks and valleys, replacing flat surfaces with curved geometries. This ribbed configuration provides enhanced cushioning, texture, and absorbency while maintaining ease of manufacture through conventional forming processes
2Device complexity
If flat elastic films are used in extensible components, then the structure is simple, but structural integrity and visual recognition of expansion are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric layer incorporates a ribbed structure with three-dimensional peaks and valleys that maintains structural integrity during expansion and contraction. The curved rib surfaces provide visual recognition of elongation while preserving the simplicity of the two-layer composite structure
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric layer transitions from a two-dimensional flat film to a three-dimensional ribbed structure, adding vertical dimension with peaks and valleys. This dimensional enhancement improves structural integrity and visual indication of expansion without significantly increasing device complexity
3Device complexity
If currently available extensible components are used, then the design is simple, but adjustability and visual indication of elongation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ribbed elastomeric layer with its three-dimensional peaks and valleys provides visual indication of elongation through changing rib spacing and orientation. This curved geometry enables users to visually assess adjustability while maintaining simple composite construction
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 composite provides increased adjustability, cushioning, and absorbency, ensuring comfort and ease of use by visually indicating elongation, thus improving the fit and functionality of hygienic garments.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric material, wherein the second layer includes a plurality of ribs extending from at least the second layer first surface, and wherein at least a portion of the first layer first surface is attached to the second layer first surface
Data Source
AI summary
An extensible composite including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer having a first layer first surface and a first layer second surface opposing the first layer first surface, the first layer being constructed of a non-woven material, the second layer having a second layer first surface facing the first layer first surface and a second layer second surface opposing the second layer first surface, the second layer being constructed of an elastomeric material and including a plurality of ribs extending from at least the second layer first surface, wherein at least a portion of the first layer first surface is attached to the second layer first surface at a plurality of attachment positions and the first layer and the second layer are configured to define a space between the first layer first surface and the second layer first surface between adjacent attachment positions.