Variable Stiffness Waist Region for Foldable Diapers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disposable diapers with elastics in waist regions are difficult to fold easily along transverse directions due to stiffness enhancements that prevent longitudinal dimension shortening.
Innovation Solution
A disposable wearing article with variable stiffness regions in the waist areas, featuring a low stiffness sub-region and adjacent high stiffness sub-regions segmented by waist elastics, allowing for easy folding along the low stiffness sub-region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If elastics are attached to the front and rear waist regions to form slip compensating buffer zones, then the stiffness in the waist regions is enhanced, but the ability to fold easily along transverse directions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The waist region is segmented into multiple sub-regions with different stiffness characteristics. The slip compensating buffer zone is divided into a first sub-region with higher stiffness and a second sub-region with lower stiffness, allowing different folding behaviors in different areas while maintaining overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the waist region are assigned different local properties - the first sub-region has enhanced stiffness for structural support, while the second sub-region has reduced stiffness to facilitate easy folding along transverse directions. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall stiffness and local foldability
2Strength
If ridges and grooves are developed to form gathers by elastic contraction, then the stiffness is enhanced, but the ability to shorten the longitudinal dimension is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The waist region is divided into sub-regions with different stiffness characteristics, allowing the longitudinal dimension to be shortened in the lower stiffness second sub-region while maintaining the gathered structure in the higher stiffness first sub-region
Solution Approach 2:
The diaper structure is designed to be dynamic rather than static - the elastic gathers can contract to shorten the longitudinal dimension when needed, and the different stiffness sub-regions allow this dynamic behavior to occur in controlled locations without compromising overall structural stiffness
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
Enables easy folding of the diaper along the low stiffness sub-region, improving ventilation and ease of use while maintaining sufficient tightening force, preventing tears and ensuring proper fit.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of front and rear waist elastics extending in the transverse direction and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction are contractibly attached under tension to the front and rear waist regions
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable wearing article includes front and rear outer sheets, an inner sheet, and front and rear waist-opening sheets. Each of first sheet segments of the waist-opening sheets is longer than the corresponding second sheet segments. End portions are bonded to outer surfaces of the outer sheets. In areas where the end portions are spaced apart from the front and rear outer sheets, the first sheet segments and the inner sheet are overlapped to form low stiffness sub-regions. In respective sides inboard of the low stiffness sub-regions, the inner sheet, the front and rear outer sheets and the first sheet segments are respectively overlapped to form inner high stiffness sub-regions, and in respective sides outboard of the low stiffness sub-regions, the inner sheet, the second sheet segments and the first sheet segments are overlapped to form outer high stiffness sub-regions.