Washable Underpad Adhesive Pattern to Prevent Wrinkling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multilayer washable materials joined by stitching patterns can cause wrinkling, which is uncomfortable and potentially harmful for users, especially in applications like incontinence underpads.

Innovation Solution

The use of an adhesive composition in a specific pattern shape that prevents wrinkling by ensuring a dense enough bonding between layers for cohesion while maintaining flexibility, eliminating the need for finishing operations like stitching or edge finishing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If layers are joined by stitching pattern with high bonding density, then layer cohesion is improved, but wrinkling occurs making the material uncomfortable for use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayer cohesionVSAvoidwrinkling

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive composition is applied in a segmented pattern rather than continuously, creating discrete bonding zones that provide sufficient layer cohesion while leaving gaps that prevent wrinkling formation. The pattern consists of spaced adhesive applications that segment the bonding function across the material surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the material have different adhesive properties - areas with adhesive composition provide bonding and cohesion, while areas without adhesive composition maintain flexibility and prevent wrinkling. This local differentiation of bonding quality resolves the contradiction between cohesion and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If adhesive composition is applied densely to prevent wrinkling, then wrinkling is reduced, but the material becomes less flexible and loses flexibility in use

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovewrinklingVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying adhesive composition densely across the entire surface, the invention applies it partially in a spaced pattern. This partial action provides sufficient anti-wrinkling effect in bonded areas while leaving unbonded areas that maintain material flexibility and comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Stability of the object's composition

If stitching pattern is used to join layers, then layer joining is achieved, but additional finishing operations are required increasing manufacturing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayer joiningVSAvoidfinishing operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical stitching system with a chemical adhesive composition system. The adhesive composition chemically bonds the layers together, eliminating the need for mechanical stitching and subsequent finishing operations, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multilayer material is cut or trimmed after production, then desired format is achieved, but fraying and loss of cohesion occurs over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformat customizationVSAvoidcohesion retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive composition is applied in advance during the layer joining process, creating strong bonds before any cutting or trimming operations. This preliminary bonding action ensures that when the material is later cut to desired formats, the edges maintain cohesion and do not fray over time.

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

The solution effectively prevents wrinkling and ensures long-term washability and comfort by allowing the material to be used without fraying or separation, even after multiple washes, without the need for additional finishing processes.

Implementation Method 1

the layers are joined to one another by means of an adhesive composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a moisture-permeable top layer material... allowing moisture to pass freely from the top layer material to the absorption element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS8057885B2Washable underpad and method for producing an underpad of this type

Publication Date: 2011.11.15 MED I PANT

AI summary

The invention relates to a multilayer washable material which comprises at least one layer of a textile material, the layers being joined to one another using an adhesive composition, which is characterized in that in the interfacial region between each pair of layers bearing against one another there is an adhesive composition in the form of a pattern, and no finishing of the multilayer material, as such and/or of a smaller part obtained therefrom, is carried out. One example of a multilayer washable material of this type is a washable underpad comprising a moisture-permeable top layer material (2); a moisture-impermeable bottom layer material (3) and a moisture-absorption element (1) positioned between them, the top layer material (2), the bottom layer material (3) and the moisture-absorption element (1) being joined to one another. The adhesive composition used is preferably a moisture-curing reactive polyurethane hotmelt material.