Stretchable Laminate with Olefin Resin Layer for Low Gloss

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stretchable laminates for sanitary articles like diapers and masks tend to have high glossiness, making them appear wet, and suffer from blocking issues when rolled, making it difficult to rewind them.

Innovation Solution

A stretchable laminate comprising an elastomer layer and an olefin-based resin layer on at least one side of the elastomer layer, with a 60° gloss value of 5 or less, a non-elastomeric olefin-based resin content of 70 wt% to 100 wt%, and a thickness of 10 µm to 100 µm, which is formed by pre-extension to enhance elastic performance and reduce glossiness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If layers each formed of a resin having an elastomeric property are laminated to create a stretchable laminate, then the laminate achieves stretchability and elastic performance, but blocking easily occurs between the layers when the laminate is rolled, making it difficult to rewind

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelastic performanceVSAvoidblocking resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The laminate is divided into multiple functional layers with distinct properties: an elastomer layer for stretchability, an olefin-based resin layer for blocking resistance, and optionally a barrier layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without interfering with others, solving the contradiction between elastic performance and blocking resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite material structure combining different resin types (elastomer and olefin-based resin) with complementary properties. The elastomer layer provides stretchability while the olefin-based resin layer provides low glossiness and blocking resistance, achieving both elastic performance and ease of handling when rolled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If the laminate surface has high glossiness, then the appearance is bright and clean, but the articles appear to be wet which is not preferred for sanitary articles

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveglossinessVSAvoidwet appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention controls the optical properties of the laminate surface by using an olefin-based resin layer with specific characteristics that reduce glossiness. This creates a matte or low-gloss appearance that prevents the wet look while maintaining a clean and bright appearance suitable for sanitary articles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If the olefin-based resin layer contains high content of non-elastomeric olefin-based resin (70 wt% to 100 wt%), then blocking resistance and low glossiness are improved, but the elastic performance of the laminate may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblocking resistanceVSAvoidelastic performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The laminate structure separates the elastomeric function (in the elastomer layer) from the surface property function (in the olefin-based resin layer). This allows the olefin-based resin layer to have high content of non-elastomeric resin for blocking resistance without compromising the elastic performance provided by the dedicated elastomer layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure combines an elastomer layer for stretchability with an olefin-based resin layer for blocking resistance and low glossiness. The high content of non-elastomeric olefin-based resin (70-100 wt%) in the olefin layer achieves excellent blocking resistance while the elastomer layer maintains the overall elastic performance of the laminate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3231605B2Elastic laminate and article containing same
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 NITTO DENKO CORP
  • EP3231605B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3231605B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3231605B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a stretchable laminate that is excellent in low glossiness and is also excellent in blocking resistance. Also provided is an article including such stretchable laminate. The stretchable laminate of the present invention includes : an elastomer layer; and an olefin-based resin layer arranged on at least one side of the elastomer layer, in which the stretchable laminate has a 60° gloss value of 10 or less.