Stretch Laminate Pre-Activation for Hygiene Articles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stretch laminates are notoriously difficult and expensive to manufacture, with existing methods requiring extensive and complex processes, necessitating the development of new, more efficient, and cost-effective methods for producing better-performing stretch laminates for hygiene articles.

Innovation Solution

The method involves pre-activating an elastic film by stretching it transversely to improve its extensibility and mechanical properties, which is then laminated with nonwoven material webs and further mechanically activated in specific regions, creating elastic and inelastic zones within the laminate, enhancing its stretching behavior and resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional stretch laminate manufacturing methods are used, then the laminate achieves required elasticity and performance, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelasticity and recovery propertiesVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric film is pre-activated by stretching it to at least 110% of its original length before lamination. This preliminary stretching action prepares the material to achieve the required extensibility in the final laminate without requiring complex post-processing activation steps, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring reliable elastic performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and dimensions of the elastomeric film by stretching it to at least 110% of its original length before lamination. This parameter change in the film's extensibility and orientation enables the laminate to achieve the required elasticity and recovery properties through a simpler manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional stretch laminate manufacturing methods are used, then the laminate achieves required elasticity and performance, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelasticity and recovery propertiesVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric film is pre-activated by stretching it to at least 110% of its original length before lamination. This preliminary stretching action prepares the material to achieve the required extensibility in the final laminate without requiring complex post-processing activation steps, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring reliable elastic performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and dimensions of the elastomeric film by stretching it to at least 110% of its original length before lamination. This parameter change in the film's extensibility and orientation enables the laminate to achieve the required elasticity and recovery properties through a simpler manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the elastomeric film is stretched to improve extensibility, then the stretching behavior and resistance are enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestretching resistanceVSAvoidactivation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric film is pre-activated by stretching it to at least 110% of its original length before lamination. This preliminary stretching action prepares the material to achieve the required extensibility in the final laminate without requiring complex post-processing activation steps, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring reliable elastic performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach results in a laminate with improved stretching behavior and resistance, reduced manufacturing complexity, and lower production costs, while maintaining the elasticity and recovery properties of the material.

Implementation Method 1

The elastomeric film is stretched transverse to its web direction to improve its extensibility and mechanical properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an adhesive is used to bond an elastomeric material to at least one cover layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2799606B1Stretch Laminate
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 MONDI GRONAU
  • EP2799606B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2799606B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2799606B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a stretch laminate. According to the invention, the stretch lamitate comprises at least one cover layer and an elastomeric film attached to the cover layer. The elastomeric features two surfaces and skin on at least one of the surfaces. An adhesive is disposed between the skin and the cover layer. The stretch laminate has at least one anchoring zone and at least one stretch zone, wherein the skin that is located in the anchoring zone has a plurality of wrinkles. - Fig. 1 B