Stranded Elastomeric Pant Belts for Low-Pressure Sustained Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional stranded elastomeric laminates in disposable absorbent articles exhibit high strand pressure, modulus, and force requirements, leading to poor fit, difficulty in application, and skin marking due to larger elastic strands and spacing, which affect the comfort and usability of disposable pants.
Innovation Solution
The use of closely spaced, fine elastomeric strands with reduced strand pressure and modulus, combined with multiple texture zones, enhances the fit and comfort by distributing force evenly and providing a textile-like experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional stranded elastomeric laminates use larger elastic strands with larger spaces between strands at higher pre-strains, then the laminate provides sufficient structural support, but it results in high strand pressure and modulus that cause poor sustained fit and skin marking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by reducing the decitex of elastic strands from traditional large values to below 400, decreasing average strand spacing from greater than 4mm to less than 4mm, and reducing pre-strain from greater than 200% to below 200%. These parameter changes collectively reduce strand pressure below 1 psi and modulus below 10 gf/mm, eliminating skin marking while maintaining structural support through optimized force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating multiple texture zones within the laminate structure, where different regions have varying strand densities and textures. This allows certain zones to provide enhanced structural support while other zones provide comfort and pressure distribution, resolving the contradiction between strength and comfort at different locations in the absorbent article.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional stranded elastomeric laminates use larger elastic strands with larger spacing, then the laminate is easier to manufacture, but it requires high application force greater than 2,500 gf making it difficult to don the disposable pants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces application force from greater than 2,500 gf to below 2,500 gf by changing elastic strand parameters: using finer strands (dtex < 400), closer spacing (< 4mm), and optimized pre-strain (< 200%). These changes reduce the overall stiffness and force requirement while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed strand architecture.
3Ease of operation
If closely spaced fine elastomeric strands are used with low strand pressure and modulus, then ease of application and sustained fit are improved, but the laminate may lack sufficient structural support under compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the balance between ease of application and structural support by precisely controlling elastic strand parameters: decitex between 10-400, average spacing 0.25-4mm, and pre-strain 50-300%. This parameter optimization ensures low strand pressure (< 1 psi) for comfort while maintaining sufficient structural support through the collective strength of closely spaced fine strands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite elastomeric laminate structure combining multiple fine elastic strands with nonwoven materials. This composite architecture distributes compressive loads across numerous strands rather than relying on individual large strands, providing sufficient structural support while maintaining low strand pressure and ease of application.
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 new laminates provide improved ease of application, sustained fit, and comfort by reducing strand pressure and modulus, while maintaining desirable properties even under high compression, ensuring a comfortable and contoured fit without skin marking.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic laminate comprises elastic strands that are stretched and individually coated with an adhesive
Implementation Method 2
The elastomeric laminates of the present disclosure provide ease of application/donning, improved sustained fit
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to stranded elastomeric laminates (including bi-laminates and tri-laminates) comprising beamed elastics and may have inventive Dtex-to-Nonwoven-Basis-Weight-Ratios, Dtex-to-Spacing-Ratios, and/or Void-Area-to-Strand-Area-Ratios. The stranded laminates of the present disclosure may be used for disposable absorbent article components (including pant belts) and may comprise inventive bonding arrangements that yield inventive textures and texture arrangements. When the inventive stranded elastomeric laminates are used for pant belts, the pants may have inventive Application-Forces, Sustained-Fit-Load-Forces, and Sustained-Fit-Unload-Forces. Further, when absorbent articles are packaged under compression at inventive In-Bag-Stack-Heights, the stranded elastomeric laminates of the present disclosure maintain their inventive properties and characteristics, including their inventive textures.