Wavy Pattern Registration in Hygiene Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Feminine hygiene articles with both embossed and non-embossed patterns on their body-facing surface face challenges in maintaining registration during manufacturing, leading to increased costs and complexity due to the need for continuous monitoring and correction to ensure alignment.
Innovation Solution
The use of wavy embossed and non-embossed patterns with specific geometric parameters, where the maximum wavelength of the embossed pattern is less than the article's length and the maximum amplitude is less than 0.3 times the width, allows for the appearance of registration even with slight horizontal or vertical displacements, achieved by de-phasing wavy cut lateral topsheet strips to form mirror images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If continuous monitoring and correction of pattern positions is implemented during manufacturing, then manufacturing precision of pattern registration is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wavy pattern design enables self-alignment through its geometric properties. The specific wavelength and amplitude ratios create a visual effect that appears registered even when patterns are displaced, eliminating the need for external monitoring and correction systems during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the patterns (wavelength L1, amplitude A1 for embossed; wavelength L2, amplitude A2 for non-embossed) to specific ratios relative to article dimensions (L1/L < 1, A1/W < 0.3, L2/L < 1, A2/W < 0.3). This parameter optimization creates tolerance to displacement, allowing patterns to maintain visual registration without precise positioning control.
2Manufacturing precision
If continuous monitoring and correction of pattern positions is implemented during manufacturing, then manufacturing precision of pattern registration is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wavy pattern design enables self-alignment through its geometric properties. The specific wavelength and amplitude ratios create a visual effect that appears registered even when patterns are displaced, eliminating the need for expensive monitoring and correction systems during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple geometric pattern designs that are inexpensive to manufacture and do not require complex equipment. The patterns are applied using standard manufacturing processes without additional costly monitoring or correction infrastructure.
3Ease of manufacture
If embossed and non-embossed patterns are applied in different process steps, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision of pattern registration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wavy pattern geometry creates self-alignment properties that compensate for displacements occurring during separate application steps. The visual registration effect is maintained through the specific wavelength and amplitude ratios even when embossed and non-embossed patterns are applied independently at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing the geometric parameters (wavelengths L1, L2 and amplitudes A1, A2 relative to article dimensions L, W), the design creates tolerance to registration errors. This allows patterns to be applied in separate process steps while maintaining the appearance of proper alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A feminine hygiene article for external use having on their body-facing surface at least one embossed wavy pattern and at least one non-embossed, preferably colored, wavy pattern. The embossed and non-embossed wavy patterns are chosen with specific geometric parameters so that a slight lateral or longitudinal shift does not affect the overall appearance of the body-facing surface.