Stretchable Absorbent Structure Wave Pattern Texture
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing stretchable structure for absorbent articles has a coarse texture when in an unstretched state due to contraction of resilient and elastic members, which affects user preference and selection.
Innovation Solution
A stretchable structure comprising two sheet layers with elongated resilient and elastic members disposed between them, where the sheet bonding sections are continuously arranged in the stretchable direction within the inter-free regions, and the area rate of these sections decreases towards the sides, allowing the sheet layers to conform in a wave pattern and reduce friction, resulting in a softer texture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple elongated resilient and elastic members are stretched and fixed to the outer member to provide a stretchable structure, then the fit to the body is enhanced, but the texture becomes coarse in the unstretched state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bonding structure into discrete sheet bonding sections arranged in multiple arrays, with bonding sections in adjacent arrays offset from each other. This segmentation prevents continuous bonding lines that would create coarse creases, while still providing sufficient bonding to maintain the stretchable structure's fit to the body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of sheet bonding sections where bonding sections in different arrays are offset relative to each other. This asymmetric pattern disrupts the formation of uniform coarse creases that would occur with symmetric alignment, thereby softening the texture while preserving the elastic members' function.
2Strength
If sheet bonding sections are formed by welding or adhesive to bond two sheet layers, then bonding strength is achieved, but coarse creases form at the bonding sections
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding is divided into multiple discrete sheet bonding sections arranged in arrays rather than continuous bonding. The offset arrangement of sections between arrays ensures that creases from individual bonding sections do not align, preventing coarse surface textures while maintaining adequate bonding strength through the distributed array structure.
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 structure achieves a softer and smoother texture in the unstretched state by increasing the distance between corrugation peaks and troughs, enhancing the sense of smoothness and reducing friction, while maintaining flexibility and bonding strength.
Implementation Method 1
two sheet layers that extend in a stretchable direction and an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the stretchable direction; and a plurality of elongated resilient and elastic members extending in the stretchable direction disposed at intervals in the orthogonal direction between the two sheet layers
Implementation Method 2
when the two sheet layers are in a contracted state accompanied by contraction of the resilient and elastic members and conform to each other in a wave pattern
Implementation Method 3
resulting in a softer texture. The structure achieves a softer and smoother texture in the unstretched state by increasing the distance between corrugation peaks and troughs, enhancing the sense of smoothness and reducing friction
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] To achieve a softer sense of touch of a product in an unstretched state. [Solution] A stretchable structure of an absorbent article includes two sheet layers 12S and 12H that extend in a stretchable direction and an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the stretchable direction; and elongated resilient and elastic members 19 that are disposed between the sheet layers 12S and 12H at predetermined intervals in the orthogonal direction and extend in the stretchable direction, wherein, the two ends in the stretchable direction of each of the resilient and elastic members 19 comprise fixed ends 19f fixed to the two sheet layers 12S and 12H, and the section between the fixed ends 19f comprises an free section 19m unfixed to the two sheet layers 12S and 12H, at least one sheet bonding section 20 is disposed in at least one inter-free region FA defined between the free sections 19m adjacent to each other in the orthogonal direction, the two sheet layers 12S and 12H being bonded in the at least one inter-free region FA, and the two sheet layers 12S and 12H in a contracted state conform with each other in a wave pattern in response to contraction of the resilient and elastic members 19.