JP2002532192A - Absorbent products for wearing in support clothing - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract An absorbent product for wearing within a support garment is disclosed. The absorbent product has a body facing side and a garment facing side. The absorbent product comprises an upper sheet located on the body facing side, a back sheet located on the garment facing side, and an absorbent component. The absorbent product has a capture zone and a peripheral zone. The absorbent component includes a storage layer and a supply layer. The storage layer is located on the body-facing side, has a capture opening at the capture zone, and the storage layer extends to the peripheral zone. The supply layer is located on the side facing the garment, and the supply layer extends below the capture opening and the storage layer. The supply layer is exposed through the capture opening. The capture zone can substantially maintain and cover uniform contact with at least a portion of the wearer's labia minora surface when the absorbent product is worn on the wearer's body. The peripheral zone covers at least a portion of the wearer's labia majora when the absorbent product is worn on the wearer's body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to absorbent products such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, incontinence pads, and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to an absorbent product for use in supporting garments, such as sanitary panties.

[Prior art]

Absorbent products such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads are typically worn on the crotch of underwear. They are designed to absorb and retain liquids and other effluents from the human body and prevent body and clothing from becoming dirty. Sanitary napkins are absorbent products of the type worn by women inside the panties and usually placed between the legs and in contact with the genital area. Currently, a wide variety of shapes and sizes of sanitary napkins are used by women to collect menstruation and other bodily discharges.

In the past, many efforts have been made to provide sanitary napkins that maintain contact with the wearer's body. One attempt to provide such bodily contact is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,747,57 issued May 29, 1956 to Mercer.
5 is disclosed. The Mercer patent discloses a menstrual bandage with a longitudinal ridge that swells and contacts the wearer's body. However, Mercer
The menstrual bandage described in this patent has several disadvantages. For example, Mercer
The size and shape of the absorbent pad in this bandage limit the conditions under which the bandage can remain in contact with (and adapt to) the wearer's body.

[0003] US Pat. No. 4,425, issued Jan. 10, 1984 to DesMarais.
130 comprises a basic menstrual pad and panty protector, which are joined together at their corresponding ends, so that the two components are free to move relative to each other along their entire common length A composite sanitary napkin is disclosed. The underlying menstrual pad is intended to absorb the body fluids drained by the user, and the panty protector is intended to prevent the user's clothing from becoming dirty. In use, basic menstrual pads and panties
Relatively free movement between the protector provides that the underlying menstrual pad remains in contact with the wearer's crotch and the panty protector remains on the underwear.

It is also desirable that the sanitary napkin not only maintain contact with the wearer's body, but also be shaped as closely as possible to the body. This ability to conform to the body enhances the effectiveness of the sanitary napkin by reducing the likelihood that the sanitary effluent will leak around the sanitary napkin. Some efforts have recently been made to provide sanitary napkins and other absorbent products that enhance body-friendly properties. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,264, issued Aug. 21, 1990 to Osborn, aims at a thin, flexible sanitary napkin that can handle moderate to large amounts of physiological excretion. It is a thing. The sanitary napkin in the Osborn patent is stated to be very well adapted and flexible to the various shapes of the female genitourinary tract. The Osborn patent discloses a sanitary napkin having a flexural resistance of less than about 130 grams, a test capacity of at least about 8 grams (per 66.5 cm ² cross section), and a total capacity of at least about 20 grams. The sanitary napkin can have a thickness of 2 mm or less. The Osborn sanitary napkin is stated to be worn inside the wearer's underwear, preferably to the width dimension of the crotch of the underwear.

In addition, “Generally Thin, published on August 4, 1994 under the name of Osborn
PCT International Patent Application Publication No. WO 94/16658, entitled "Flexible Sanitary Napkin With Central Absorbent Hump," is a sanitary napkin that is generally thin and flexible with an absorbent ridge in the center to handle moderate to large amounts of physiological excretion. Is disclosed. This bump fits particularly into the gaps in the wearer's labia and is useful to more easily capture menstrual and other body exudates as they exit the wearer's body. However, research has continued on improved sanitary napkins, especially those that achieve even better fit.

[0006] In addition, it is desirable for the absorbent product to reduce the feeling of wetness (ie, less rewet again) to the wearer, even when the absorbent product absorbs large amounts of bodily fluids. Several attempts have been made to improve wetting again. For example, it was believed that removing body fluids from the top of the absorbent core and quickly moving them to the bottom of the absorbent core would improve rewet of the body facing the surface of the sanitary napkin. However, there is still re-wetting as body fluids that have accumulated on the surface of the absorbent core top can often return to the wearer's body before being absorbed in the direction of the absorbent core bottom. If the wet part of the sanitary napkin touches the moisture-sensitive wearer's body, the wearer may feel damp.

[0007] Typically, sanitary napkins are worn inside loose underwear. Such a sanitary napkin needs to be designed large enough to capture the waste of the wearer's body even if the sanitary napkin shifts from a position below the vaginal opening. In addition, if the sanitary napkin shifts, the likelihood of the wet portion of the sanitary napkin coming into contact with the wearer's moisture-sensitive body parts is greater.

Thus, the absorbent product needs to fit tightly and comfortably on the wearer's body and does not need to be designed to compensate for poorly fitted underwear.
It is also necessary that the absorbent product fit tightly and comfortably on the wearer's body and reduce re-wetting of the wearer.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The present invention relates to an absorbent product for wearing in support clothing. The absorbent product has a body facing side and a garment facing side. The absorbent product comprises an upper sheet disposed on the body facing side, a back sheet disposed on the garment facing side, and an absorbent component. The absorbent product has a capture zone and a peripheral zone. The absorbent component includes a storage layer and a supply layer. The storage layer is disposed adjacent the body facing side and has a capture opening at the capture zone, the storage layer extending at the peripheral zone. The supply layer is located adjacent to the side facing the garment and extends below the capture opening and the storage layer. This supply layer is exposed through the capture opening. The capture zone can substantially maintain and cover uniform contact with at least a portion of the wearer's labia minora surface when the absorbent product is applied to the wearer's body. The peripheral zone covers at least a portion of the surface of the labia majora of the wearer when the absorbent product is applied to the body of the wearer.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

All of the cited references are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Citation of any document is not an admission of any determination as to its utility as prior art to the present invention.

What is meant by “have” is that other steps and other factors that do not affect the results can be added. This term encompasses the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of."

The present invention provides support garments (or specially designed sanitary panties) worn by human women, such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, adult incontinence pads (“absorbent pads”). Underwear) is intended for absorbent products.

[0013] The absorbent product of the present invention has a capture zone and a peripheral zone. The storage layer of the absorbent component has an opening at the acquisition zone, through which the feed layer of the absorbent component is exposed. When the absorbent product is applied to the wearer's body, the capture zone contacts and covers at least a portion of the wearer's labia minora surface. The delivery layer exposed in the capture zone is in direct or close contact with and covers at least a portion of the wearer's labia minora surface. If there is no top sheet at the capture zone,
The delivery layer directly contacts a portion of the wearer's labia minora surface. If there is a part sheet at the capture zone, the top sheet makes close contact through the top sheet to a portion of the wearer's labia minora surface. It is known that bodily fluids actually flow out of the wearer's body through gaps on the surface of the labia minora. The direct or close contact of the delivery layer with the wearer's labia majora area offers the possibility of excellent trapping of bodily fluids at the source of bodily fluids. In this way, the bodily fluid is first passed through the reservoir opening of the capture zone and is captured by the supply layer below the reservoir. Thereafter, the bodily fluid is supplied from the capture zone to another portion of the supply layer (ie, a zone surrounding the supply layer). When the bodily fluid reaches the interface between the reservoir and the reservoir, the reservoir draws the bodily fluid from the reservoir into the reservoir, so that most of the volume of the reservoir is available again for further flushing. Become. The volume of the storage layer is consumed from the bottom surface of the storage layer to the top surface since the storage layer is above the supply layer. By controlling the rate of movement of bodily fluids from the supply layer to the storage layer, the upper surface of the storage layer appears clean and dry visually for an extended period of time.

After the feed layer has captured body fluids, the feed layer becomes wet. Typically, a feed layer having high bodily fluid capture performance can contain a high degree of moisture. The wet portion of such a supply layer contacts directly or in close proximity to the wearer's body, but the contact portion of the supply layer is limited so that the wearer does not feel moisture or minimal moisture . It is believed that the wearer does not feel moisture on the labia minora surface or is less sensitive to moisture than the body parts outside the labia minora. Typically, the wearer becomes more sensitive to moisture as he progresses from the small labia surface to the large labia surface, and further to the body surface outside the large labia. Preferably, the capture zone of the exposed portion of the delivery layer is one that covers the inner or outer surface of the wearer's labia minora when the absorbent product is in place on the wearer's body. More preferably, the capture zone is capable of covering both the inner and outer surfaces of the wearer's labia minora. The capture zone may cover a portion of the wearer's labia majora surface. The capture zone, which can cover a portion of the wearer's labia majora, allows the absorbent product to be worn to some extent out of place on the wearer's body. However, the capture zone should extend beyond the labia majora to minimize the damp feel imparted to the wearer.

[0015] Preferably, the absorbent product is worn with sanitary panties that fit and conform comfortably to at least the surface of the wearer's labia. This comfortable fit is independent of whether the wearer's legs are open or closed. Preferably, the sanitary panties have a deformed tip-shaped cross-sectional structure in this area in the range of body movement. The absorbent product is preferably one that does not alter or negate this tendency of the sanitary panties to achieve this fit. The capture zone of the absorbent product is preferably flexible under the force of the sanitary panties, thereby exhibiting a shape similar to the sanitary panties in this area (and preferably having the same deformed tip shape). ). The flexibility of the absorbent product's capture zone in conjunction with the force exerted by the sanitary panties ensures that the capture zone maintains and covers even contact with at least a portion of the wearer's labia minora surface Becomes possible. This uniform contact ensures that the absorbent product captures the body fluid as long as possible near the source of the body fluid over its use.

The absorbent product and the sanitary panties preferably function in a manner that is considered to be similar to covering the wound with a bandage. The bodily fluid is trapped, preferably at or near the source of the drainage, using a comfortable force to secure the absorbent product to the source of the bodily fluid in close proximity to the body. This may be in contrast to using an oversized sanitary napkin inside loose-fitting panties, which works in a manner similar to using a drip-proof cloth under the source of bodily fluids.

[0017] The storage layer extends in a peripheral zone of the absorbent product. This peripheral zone covers at least a portion of the wearer's labia majora surface when the absorbent product is applied to the wearer's body. Preferably, the peripheral zone covers the entire labia majora surface of the wearer. Fluid is basically trapped in the capture zone by direct or close contact of the delivery layer with the wearer's labia minora and accumulates in the peripheral zone when the absorbent product is placed in the correct position on the wearer's body I will not. This reduces the likelihood that bodily fluids will be absorbed into the supply layer through the upper surface of the reservoir in the peripheral zone. Thus, the upper surface of the storage layer appears to be relatively clean and dry visually. Maintaining dryness in the peripheral zone is important because the peripheral zone contacts the labia majora which is more sensitive to moisture.
The reservoir also helps to isolate the bodily fluids absorbed by the supply layer from the wearer's skin over time. The apparent cleanliness of the peripheral zone of the upper sheet reassures the wearer of lateral and / or longitudinal leakage of bodily fluids. This is because the peripheral zone of the absorbent product is visually clean.

[0018] Preferably, the absorbent product is one that captures a lot of bodily fluids, and more preferably, captures all bodily fluids through the capture zone. Thus, the capture zone is a gateway for body fluids to enter the absorbent product. The bodily fluid captured via the capture zone is preferably supplied to a peripheral zone. Thus, the peripheral zone becomes a storage volume for bodily fluids.

1. Absorbent Product As used herein, the term "absorbent product" refers to a product that absorbs and contains things that seep out of the body, such as bodily fluids. More specifically, the term refers to a product that is positioned at or near the wearer's body and absorbs and contains various emissions from the body. The term "absorbent product" is intended to include sanitary napkins, panty liners, incontinence pads (and other products worn inside clothing crotch).

The term “disposable” refers to products that are discarded after a single use and are preferably recycled, composted, or otherwise treated to be environmentally friendly. (That is,
They are not intended to be washed or otherwise stored or reused as absorbent products. 1) In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the absorbent product is a menstrual pad designed to replace conventional sanitary napkins.

As used herein, the term “sanitary napkin” is worn by women on the vulva and absorbs and contains various excretions (eg, blood, menstruation and urine) excreted from the body. Refers to the intended product. Although the present invention is illustrated in the drawings as a menstrual pad that replaces a conventional sanitary napkin, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular type or configuration of absorbent product shown in the figures. .

The absorbent product 20 of the present invention has two sides or two surfaces, a body-facing or body-facing surface 20A and a garment-facing or garment-facing surface 20A.
B. The absorbent product 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 generally has a body facing side 20.
A view from A. The body facing side 20A is intended to be worn against the body of the wearer. The garment facing side 20B (see FIG. 4) is intended to be placed against the supporting garment when the absorbent product 20 is worn.

The absorbent product 20 has two centerlines, a longitudinal centerline L and a transverse centerline T
have. As used herein, the term "longitudinal" generally refers to the surface of the absorbent product 20 along a vertical plane that bisects a standing wearer into the left half and the right half when the absorbent product 20 is worn. (For example, substantially parallel) lines, axes, and directions. As used herein, the terms "transverse" or "transverse" are interchangeable and refer to lines, axes or directions generally orthogonal to the longitudinal direction within the plane of the absorbent product. The absorbent product also has two spaced longitudinal edges 22, two spaced edge edges (or "ends") 24 that form a perimeter 26 of the absorbent product. are doing. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent product 20 has a flat structure.

The absorbent product 20 may have any suitable plan view structure. Suitable constructions include, but are not limited to, oval, course shape, and shapes with inwardly convex longitudinal side edges (eg, hourglass shapes). FIG.
In a particularly preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent product has a keyhole shape, the wider circular or oval portion being worn preferably towards the back of the wearer's body, preferably the wearer Cover at least a portion of the perineum of the wearer, from which a generally rectangular extension (preferably with rounded edges) extends and is worn toward the front of the wearer's body and includes at least one of the wearer's vulva. It covers the part.

The absorbent product may have a total length of about 280 mm or less, preferably about 220 mm or less, more preferably about 160 mm or less, and about 80 mm or more, preferably about 100 mm or more, more preferably about 120 mm or more. The absorbent product (without flap or wing dimensions) is about 160 mm or less, preferably about 140 mm or less, more preferably about 120 mm or less, and is about 40 mm or more, preferably about 50 mm or more, more preferably It may have a width of about 60 mm or more. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent product 20 may have a width T1 between about 80 mm and about 140 mm in a wider circular section and a width T2 between about 50 mm and about 80 mm in a rectangular extension. .

The absorbent product 20 of the present invention has a capture zone 25 and a peripheral zone 27. The capture zone 25 is generally located in the center of the absorbent product 20 such that the narrow zone 25 includes at least a portion of the absorbent product 20 along a longitudinal centerline L. The peripheral zone 27 is generally located around the capture zone 25 such that the peripheral zone 27 includes at least a portion of the absorbent product 20 laterally or longitudinally outside the capture zone 25. Suitable configurations for the capture zone 25 include, but are not limited to, oval, course shape, and round. Alternatively, the configuration of the capture zone 25 may be rectangular or triangular or polygonal, or any other shape as a capture zone effective for capturing bodily fluids at the source of bodily fluids. Preferably, peripheral zone 27 is the remaining portion of absorbent product 20 other than capture zone 25. However, the perimeter zone 27 may be located transversely or longitudinally outside the acquisition zone 25.
May be the only part. In the particularly preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, the capture zone 25 is elliptical and is generally centrally located in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the absorbent product 20. The longer axis of the oval of the acquisition zone 25 is aligned with the longitudinal centerline L of the absorbent product 20. The peripheral zone 27 is the remainder of the absorbent product 20 and is located surrounding the acquisition zone 25.

The capture zone 25 extends over the entire length of the longitudinal centerline L between the end edges 24 so that the absorbent product 20 has three longitudinally extending regions, a central capture zone and two opposing longitudinal directions. And a surrounding zone. If the capture zone 25 does not extend between the end edges 24, the capture zone 25 may have shifted toward either end edge 24. The capture zone 25 extends transversely, for example along the entire length of the transverse centerline T, between the longitudinal edges 22, and the absorbent product 20 has three transversely extending regions, a central capture zone and two And an opposite transverse peripheral zone. The capture zone 25 may be shifted from the transverse centerline T toward either end edge 24.

The capture zone 25 should be arranged in a special positional relationship with respect to the body fluid accumulation area of the typical absorbent product 20 and the particular part of the wearer's body from which the body fluid is drained.
In this way, the capture zone 25 is located near the bodily fluid discharge point, thereby making it possible to quickly capture most of the bodily fluid in its contact zone. Preferably, the capture zone 25 covers at least a portion of the wearer's labia minora surface. Preferably, the capture zone 25 is adapted to fit between the inner surfaces of the wearer's labia minora.
It covers the inner surface of the wearer's labia minora. More preferably, capture zone 2
Numeral 5 substantially covers the entire inner surface of the labia minora, including contact with and contact with the wearer's vaginal vestibule. The capture zone 25 may cover a portion of the wearer's labia minora outer surface.
The capture zone 25 may cover portions of both the inner and outer surfaces of the wearer's labia minora. The capture zone 25 may cover a surface portion of the wearer's labia majora. The capture zone, which can cover a part of the wearer's labia majora, is acceptable when the absorbent product is worn on the wearer's body in a slightly displaced position, and still covers the necessary parts of the wearer's body, It ensures that most, preferably all, body fluids that need to be captured by the capture zone are captured. The absorbent product 20 captures at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70% of the body fluid absorbed by the absorbent product 20 through the capture zone 25. Preferably, when the absorbent product 20 is placed in the correct position on the wearer's body, the absorbent product 20 captures all of the discharged body fluid through the capture zone 25. Since body fluids are often expelled in a squirt state, the capture zone 25 captures body fluids quickly from the wearer's body and preferably absorbs such as the absorbent component 32 with minimal resistance to fluid flow. Must be transferred to the sexual product 20. Also, preferably, the capture zone 25 has an improved bodily fluid capture rate. As described below, the components of the absorbent component 32 (ie, the delivery layer 33) are exposed in the acquisition zone 25 and directly contact the wearer's labia minora, thereby resisting the flow of bodily fluids. , The discharged body fluid can be captured directly and quickly. In addition, the capture zone 25 is flexible so that it can maintain uniform contact with a part of the wearer's labia minora surface. This uniform contact ensures that bodily fluids do not leak or are minimized outside of the capture zone 25 over the life of the absorbent product.

The dimensions of the capture zone 25 are preferably designed to fit the dimensions of the wearer's labia minora surface. The acquisition zone 25 can extend to a portion of the wearer's labia majora surface. However, it is desirable that the capture zone 25 does not extend beyond the labia majora of the wearer and does not cover the outer surface of the labia majora of the wearer's body.

The entire length of the capture zone 25 is preferably washed to cover at least a portion of the wearer's labia majora, preferably covering the entire labia minora when the absorbent product is applied to the wearer's body. is there. The width of the capture zone 25 is preferably at least a portion of the wearer's labia minora, preferably, taking into account its depth when the capture zone 25 of the absorbent product 20 is pushed between the wearer's labia minora. Is chosen to cover the small labia surface of the elderly. More preferably, the overall length and / or width of the capture zone 25 is selected so that the absorbent product can be placed on the body of the wearer with some tolerance.

In one embodiment, when the capture zone 25 has an elliptical shape, as shown in FIG. 2, the capture zone 25 is less than about 120 mm, preferably less than about 100 mm, and more preferably less than about 80 mm. And may have a total length of about 30 mm or more, preferably about 40 mm or more, more preferably about 50 mm or more. The capture zone 25 is about 60 mm or less, preferably about 50 mm or less, more preferably about 4 mm or less.
It may have a width of no more than 0 mm, preferably no less than about 10 mm, preferably no less than about 15 mm, more preferably no less than about 20 mm.

The perimeter zone 27 is provided for areas where the absorbent product 20 is not properly stored in the body of the wearer when the absorbent product 20 is correctly positioned on the wearer's body and where the body fluid of the wearer's body does not drain. In a special position. The peripheral zone 27 of the absorbent product 20 preferably covers at least a portion of the wearer's labia majora surface. More preferably, the peripheral zone covers the entire labia majora surface of the wearer. The peripheral zone may cover a portion of the outer surface of the wearer's labia minora. When the capture zone 25 covers only a portion of the wearer's labia minora, the peripheral zone 27 may extend to a portion of the wearer's labia minora (but this is less preferred). It is believed that as one moves from the wearer's small labia surface to the large labia surface, the wearer becomes more sensitive to moisture. Therefore, it is important to reduce rewetting (i.e., maintain dryness) in the peripheral zone, as the peripheral zone contacts the labia majora which is more sensitive to moisture. As described below, the upper sheet 28 covering the peripheral zone 27 of the absorbent product 20 and the storage layer 31 is located in the peripheral zone 27. The topsheet 28 and the storage layer 31 act as a separating means for separating the wearer's skin and the absorbent component 32, thereby reducing or preventing re-wetting in the peripheral zone 27.

The peripheral portion 27 does not directly contact the portion of the wearer's body from which bodily fluid is drained when the absorbent product 20 is placed in the correct position on the wearer's body. Typically, no bodily fluid accumulates in the peripheral zone 27. This reduces the opportunity for bodily fluids to be absorbed by the absorbent component 32 in the peripheral zone 27. Accordingly, the peripheral zone 27 remains visually clean and relatively dry. Drying in the peripheral zone assists in isolating bodily fluids absorbed in the absorbent component 32 from the wearer's skin over time. It is to the wearer that the peripheral zone 27 is visually clean,
Because the peripheral zone 27 is visually clean, it provides relief against leakage of bodily fluids. The capture zone 25 of the absorbent product 20 is preferably highly flexible and has a bending resistance of less than about 100 grams, more preferably less than about 70 grams, and most preferably between about 10 and about 50 grams. Is what it is. This means that absorbent product 2
0 allows the acquisition zone 25 to be very closely shaped to a part of the wearer's body, for example a part of the wearer's labia minora surface, so that it is uniform with a part of the wearer's labia minora surface Maintain contact. The peripheral zone 27 may have the same or similar flexibility as the capture zone 25. In one embodiment, the capture zone 25 is more flexible than the peripheral zone 27, thereby allowing the capture zone 25 to be shaped into a desired portion of the wearer's body. Preferably, the entire absorbent product 20 is also highly flexible, having a bending resistance of less than about 100 grams, more preferably less than about 70 grams, and most preferably between about 10 and about 50 grams. is there. This allows the absorbent product to be shaped into the crotch-like shape of a specially designed support garment. In other words, the absorbent product bends under the force on the body exerted by the support garment and does not "excessive force" resulting in a secondary skin fit of the support garment. The small size and the high degree of flexibility also provide the absorbent product with enhanced comfort.

The peripheral zone 27 of the absorbent product 20 is preferably highly absorbent. The absorbent product peripheral zone 27 preferably has a total volume of liquid of about 10 grams or more, more preferably about 20 grams or more, or about 25 grams or more. The absorbent product also preferably has a total volume of liquid of about 10 grams or more, more preferably about 20 grams or more, or about 25 grams or more. The total capacity is measured by the method described in the test method section of this specification. To determine the capacity of the peripheral zone 27, the peripheral zone is cut from the absorbent product for testing. The test is performed on the peripheral zone in the same manner as the capacity test described in the test method section of this specification.

The highly efficient nature of the peripheral zone 27 of the absorbent product 20
It can also be expressed by the ratio of the total capacity to the surface area of the peripheral zone 27 of zero. In some embodiments, the peripheral zone 27 of the absorbent product 20 has a total volume / surface area ratio of preferably about 0.3 g / cm ² or more, more preferably about 0.4 g / cm ² or more. . In comparison, Procter & Gamble (Cincin
nati, Ohio) thin capacity sanitary napkin ALWAYS ULTRA
The surface area ratio is about 0.25 g / cm ² . 1 to 5 show individual components of the absorbent product 20 of the present invention.
This embodiment of the absorbent product 20 preferably comprises at least three components. These include a body-facing upper sheet 28, a garment-facing back sheet 30, and an absorbent component 3 disposed between the upper sheet 28 and the back sheet 30.
And 2. The absorbent component 32 includes a storage layer 31 and a supply layer 33. The upper sheet facing the body and the back sheet facing the garment and the absorbent components
It is possible for the absorbent product 20 to comprise a number of suitable materials that are supplied to have the overall properties described herein.

The upper sheet 28 is disposed on the absorbent component 32. Upper sheet 28
Has a void area, such as an upper sheet opening or upper sheet hole 28A, and a cover portion 28B.

The upper sheet opening 28 A is generally located in the longitudinal and transverse center of the upper sheet 28 and in the acquisition zone 25 of the absorbent product 20. The upper sheet opening 28A may be generally coextensive with the capture zone 25. Cover portion 28B may extend to a portion of acquisition zone 25 such that cover portion 28B does not impede the flow of bodily fluids to absorbent component 32. However, the danger that the cover portion 28B impedes the flow of bodily fluids in the capture zone 25 should increase as it extends into the capture zone 25 and should not extend to a large portion of the capture zone 25. Preferably, the upper sheet opening 28A defines the capture zone 25 and the cover portion 28B defines the peripheral zone 27. Suitable configurations for the upper seat opening 28A include, but are not limited to, oval, racecourse, or circular. As another option, the upper sheet opening 28A
May be rectangular, triangular or polygonal. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the upper seat opening 28A is preferably elliptical and generally narrower and has the same shape as the zone 25. The upper seat opening 28A may also extend along a longitudinal centerline L between opposing end edges 24. Where the upper seat opening 28A has such a structure, the cover portion 28B may be formed of two elongated pieces arranged along opposing longitudinal edges 22.

[0038] The upper sheet opening 28A provides an entrance in the capture zone 25 for liquid captured in the absorbent component 32 (ie, the supply layer 33). The supply layer 33 is exposed from the upper sheet opening 28A so as to directly contact the wearer's body, such as a part of the wearer's labia minora. Since there is no barrier in the flow of bodily fluids toward the supply layer 33 in the capture zone 25, most bodily fluids can be quickly captured by the supply layer 33 through the upper sheet opening 28A. Preferably, when the absorbent product 20 is properly positioned on the wearer's body, all bodily fluids enter the supply layer 33 through the upper sheet opening 28A without being obstructed by the cover portion 28B. Accordingly, the bodily fluid does not flow along the surface of the upper sheet 28 but easily passes through the upper sheet opening 28A and enters the supply layer 33.

The cover portion 28 B is arranged surrounding the upper seat opening 28 A and extends to the peripheral zone 27. The cover portion 28B of the upper sheet 28 may include at least a part of the upper sheet 28 other than the upper sheet opening 28A. Preferably, the cover portion 28B includes the entire portion of the upper sheet 28 except for the upper sheet opening 28A. This cover portion 28B isolates the absorbent component 32 (ie, storage layer 31) from the wearer's skin and preferably prevents re-wetting. Cover part 28B
Is preferably soft and preferably high. Part or all of the cover portion 28B need not be permeable to bodily fluids, i.e., the cover portion 28B may be liquid impermeable to completely prevent rewetting in the peripheral zone 27. This is because bodily fluids do not accumulate in the cover portion 28B when the absorbent product is placed in the correct position on the wearer's body. However, for example, the absorbent product 20
The body fluid is inadvertently placed on the cover portion 28 by incorrectly positioning the
B. Therefore, it is preferable that the cover portion 28B is liquid-permeable. The liquid permeable cover portion 28B may be vapor permeable.
The cover portion 28B can be optimized to prevent re-wetting and / or to improve softness to the wearer's skin without having to compromise on opposing functions such as excellent fluid retention. is there. The cover portion 28B may be less hydrophilic than the absorbent component 32 to prevent wetting again. Preferably, the cover portion 28B has a lower hydrophilicity than the storage layer 31 adjacent to the cover portion 28B. This cover portion 28B may even be hydrophobic.

The top sheet 28 is preferably compliant, soft to the touch, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Suitable topsheets 28 include a wide range of materials, such as woven and non-woven materials, heat-resistant plastic films with gaps, plastic films with gaps, and polymeric materials such as water-based heat-resistant plastic films, It can be manufactured from porous foam, reticulated foam, reticulated heat-resistant plastic film, and heat-resistant plastic scrim. Suitable woven and non-woven materials can consist of natural fibers (eg, wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (eg, polymer fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers) or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. It is possible. Preferably, the topsheet 28 is made of a hydrophobic material to isolate the wearer's skin from bodily fluids absorbed by the absorbent component 32 (ie, to prevent rewetting). However, in the case where bodily fluids discharged from the wearer involuntarily accumulate in the upper sheet 28, at least the upper surface of the upper sheet 28 can be treated to be hydrophilic, so that the liquid can more quickly clear the upper sheet 28. Move through. This means that bodily fluids are drawn through the topsheet 28 and the absorbent component 32
Attenuates the likelihood that the water will flow off the top sheet 28 rather than be absorbed.
The top sheet 28 can be made hydrophobic by treating it with a surfactant. Suitable methods for treating the topsheet 24 with a surfactant include topsheet 28.
Methods include spraying the material with a surfactant and infiltrating the material with the surfactant. A more detailed discussion of such treatments and hydrophilicity can be found in “Absorbent Articles with Multiple Laye,” published January 29, 1991 to Reising et al.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,988,344 and 1 1991 entitled "r Absorbent Layers".
Absorbent Articles with Rapid Acquiring A issued to Reising on March 29
US Patent 4,988,345, entitled "Bsorbent Cores". As another option, a surfactant may be impregnated into the fiber or resin and the top sheet 28
May be formed by fibers impregnated with a surfactant.

In one preferred embodiment, the cover portion 28 B of the upper sheet 28 may include a film with a gap. Films with gaps are preferred for the upper sheet 28 because they are permeable to body fluids, are still non-absorbing, do not backflow the liquid, and do not wet the skin of the wearer again. Thus, the surface of the film shaped against the body remains dry, thereby reducing soiling of the body and making the wearer feel more comfortable. A suitable forming film is 1975
"Absorptive Structures Having Taper" issued to Thompson on December 30, 2012
U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,135 entitled "Ed Capillaries", issued to Mullane et al. on Apr. 13, 1982, entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having A Stain Res.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,246 entitled "Istant Topsheet," Resilient Plastic Web Exhibiting Fiber-Like Prope issued to Radel et al. on Aug. 3, 1982.
US Patent No. 4,324,314 entitled "Macroscopically Expanded Three-Dimensional Plastic Web Exhib," issued July 31, 1984 to Ahr et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,045 entitled "Iting Non-Glossy Visible Surface and Cloth-Like Tactile Impression", issued to Baird on April 9, 1991
ultilayer Polymeric Film "in U.S. Patent No. 5,006,394. One particularly preferred material for the topsheet 28 comprises a forming film as described in one or more of the above-mentioned patents and is available from Procter & Gamble (Cincinnati, Ohio).
io) is a "DRI-WEAVE" topsheet of a sanitary napkin marketed by io).
The cover portion 28B may have a hydrophilic surfactant incorporated at the time of manufacture if necessary.

Other preferred, gap-filled, films suitable for use as the cover portion 28B of the topsheet are September 2, 1986 and December 1, 1986, respectively.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,518, issued to Curro et al. On June 6, and entitled "Microaperture
d. Polymerized Web Exhibiting Soft and Silky Tactile Impression, US Patent No. 4,629,643,
"Macroscopically Expanded Th" issued to Ouellette et al. On January 20, 987.
ree-Dimensional Plastic Web for Transmitting Both Dynamically Deposited
and Statically Contacted Fluids From One Surface to the Other, U.S. Pat.
No. 08 / 442,935 (PCT publication WO 96/00548 published Jan. 11, 1996).

When an upper sheet material of a film having such a gap is used, it can be originally used as the cover portion 28B. Preferably, however, it is in connection with the non-woven top sheet material where the non-woven top sheet material comes over such a gap-filled film. The interstitial film, if properly interstitialed, will reduce the tendency of the liquid to reflux and the re-wetting of the wearer's skin. Combining both the non-woven top sheet material and the fabric-like film formed with a gap creates a gap in the absorbent component that allows liquid to enter from the wearer's body and further dry the wearer's body. Contributes to maintaining the condition.

In another embodiment, the upper sheet 28 can be formed of a raised fiber material. Here, the term "highly raised fibrous material" refers to a low-density but thick fibrous material. Menstrual leaks from conventional sanitary napkins often often result from exceeding the capacity of the absorbent component. However, it has been found that a substantial number of fouling events occur as a result of menstrual drainage not even entering the sanitary napkin. Often these fouling events are the result of menstruation flowing over the wearer's body and in or near the wearer's pubic hair. The absorbent products of the present invention tend to capture fluid directly and quickly at the body fluid source of the wearer's body, for example, at the surface of the wearer's labia minora.
Thus, the risk of bodily fluids flowing over the wearer's body is reduced. However, when the wearer moves, eg, walks, this can happen inadvertently. For this case, a highly "raised" topsheet is preferred, such that the fibers of the topsheet adhere between the body and pubic hair of the wearer. The raised raised top sheet tends to stop the flow of menstruation across the wearer's body, collecting menstruation flowing along the wearer's body and trapping such bodily emissions in the absorbent core. enable. Such a raised top sheet may provide a capillary structure that effectively opposes the wearer's body with respect to bodily fluids such as menstruation and directs such liquids into the interior of the absorbent product. A good indicator of whether the absorbent product has a body-contact surface with the element oriented in the Z-axis direction is whether the element on the body-contacting surface can penetrate between the pubic hairs of the wearer. Conversely, if the element has a body-contacting surface of the absorbent product that is flat against the wearer's pubic hair and crushes the pubic hair, it has an element in which the absorbent product is oriented in the Z-axis direction It is an indicator that does not have a body contact surface. One of the preferred topsheet materials is Stearns Technical Textil
Product code # W-4635 available from e (Cincinnati, Ohio). Other raised sheet materials are Fibertex A / S, Box 8029, Svendborgvej 16, DK-9
220 Product code r # 68317 (rebulk processing) from Alaborg Ost, Denmark.

In yet another embodiment, the cover portion 28 B of the topsheet 28 can be formed of a thin liquid-impermeable plastic film. The plastic film may be vapor permeable.

Other embodiments of the upper sheet 28 are possible. For example, the upper sheet 28 may not provide a void area such as the upper sheet opening 28A. If the upper sheet 28 has no upper sheet opening, the central portion of the upper sheet 28 is preferably
In the trapping zone 25, the liquid is fixed to the supply layer 33 through the trapping opening 31 </ b> A by an adhesive means such as an adhesive so that the liquid is trapped in the supply layer 33 without collecting or collecting on the upper sheet 28. The contact between the supply layer 33 and the upper sheet 28 is in close contact (described below). In this arrangement without void areas, the topsheet 28 may have a positive hydrophilic gradient from the topsheet 28 portion in the peripheral zone 27 to the topsheet portion in the capture zone 25 (i.e., The portion of the upper sheet 28 in the capture zone 25 is more hydrophilic than the portion of the upper sheet 28 in the peripheral zone 27). The upper sheet 28 may have a positive capillary attraction gradient from the upper sheet 28 portion in the peripheral zone 27 to the upper sheet portion in the capture zone 25 (ie, the upper sheet 28 in the capture zone 25). The portion is more capillary than the portion of the upper sheet 28 in the peripheral zone 27). These arrangements help the bodily fluids to easily pass through the upper sheet 28 in the capture zone 25, while the upper sheet 28 tends to prevent wetting again in the peripheral zone 27.

The top sheet 28 can be connected to the supply layer 33 through the capture openings 31 A of the storage layer 31 by any adhesive means well known in the art. For example, top sheet 28 may be formed by a uniform and continuous adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, an array of adhesives separated as lines or spots, or by ultrasonic welding or bonding as is well known in the art. It can be coupled to the supply layer 33. Preferably, the bonding means comprises thermal bonding or mechanical thermal bonding using heat and / or pressure.

Preferably, the absorbent component 32 includes a storage layer 31 and a supply layer 33.
The storage layer 31 and the supply layer 33 have smaller dimensions than the top sheet 28 and the back sheet 30. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the storage layer 3
1 and the supply layer 33 generally have the same shape and dimensions as one another, but the storage layer 31 has void areas as described below. The supply layer 33 is disposed on the side 20 </ b> B facing the garment, that is, on the side of the back sheet 30, and is disposed between the back sheet 30 and the storage layer 31. The storage layer 31 is disposed on the body-facing side 20A, that is, on the side of the upper sheet 28, and is disposed between the upper sheet 28 and the supply layer 31. At least a portion of the storage layer 31 and at least a portion of the supply layer 33 are arranged to contact each other to form a contact surface. Body fluid can move from the supply layer 33 to the storage layer 33 via this contact surface. Preferably, all parts of the storage layer 31 are arranged in contact with the supply layer 33. The storage layer 31 and the supply layer 33 are preferably connected together to maintain the integrity of the absorbent component. They may be joined by a layer of adhesive that is regularly or irregularly patterned, or an array of adhesive that is broken into some lines, spirals, or spots. Alternatively, they can be joined by some other method, such as pressure bonding. It should be understood that for the purposes of the present invention, these types of layers are not necessarily limited to a single material layer or sheet. Thus, the storage layer 31 and the supply layer 33 actually comprise a laminate or combination of several layers or sheets of the required type of material. Herein, the term "layer" thus includes the phrase "multi-layer" or "layered".

The storage layer 31 has a trapping opening or trapping gap 31A and a void area like the storage layer 31B.

The capture aperture 31 A is generally located in the meridional and transverse center of the storage layer 28 and is located in the capture zone 25 of the absorbent product 20. Capture opening 31A
May be generally coextensive with the capture zone 25. When the capture zone 25 is defined by the upper sheet opening 28A, the storage portion 31B preferably does not extend to a portion of the upper sheet opening 28A so that the storage portion 31B
Does not prevent the body fluid from flowing into the absorbent component 32 at
No longer intercepts bodily fluids before reaching. Preferably, the capture opening 31
A is slightly larger than upper seat opening 28A to ensure that bodily fluid flow in capture zone 25 is not interfered by storage portion 31B. A suitable structure of the capture opening 31A is an elliptical shape, a competition course shape, or a circular shape, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the structure of the capture aperture 31A can be rectangular, triangular, or polygonal. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the capture opening 31A preferably has an elliptical shape and generally has the same shape as the upper seat opening 28A, but the size of the capture opening 31A is a rigid sheet. Slightly larger than opening 28A. Storage part 31 of storage layer 31
B extends in the peripheral zone 27. The capture opening 31A may also extend along the longitudinal centerline L between opposing end edges 24. If capture opening 31
In the case where A has such a structure, the storage layer 31 has a longitudinal general edge 2.
It may be formed of two strips arranged along two.

The trapping openings 31 A, together with the top sheet opening 28 A of the top sheet 28, form a trapping zone 25 for liquid trapped in the absorbent component 32 (ie, the supply layer 33).
Entrance in. The supply layer 33 is exposed through the capture opening 31A and the upper sheet opening 28A so as to be in direct contact with the body, such as a part of the wearer's labia minora surface. Most of the bodily fluid can be quickly captured by the supply layer 33 through the upper sheet opening 28A and the capture opening 31A due to the capturing ability of the supply layer 33 and the close contact with the body. Due to the capture opening 31A, the storage portion 31B has a tendency not to be exposed to the ejection of bodily fluids. Thus, the bodily fluid is captured by the supply layer 33, which is the bottom layer of the absorbent product, and supplied to the lower side of the storage portion 31B.

The storage portion 31 B of the storage layer 31 is arranged so as to surround the capture opening 31 A and expand in the peripheral zone 27. The storage portion 31B includes at least a part of the storage layer 31 except for the capture opening 31A. Preferably, the storage portion 31B comprises the storage layer 31
Is included. The storage portion 31B has a top surface 31C and a bottom surface 31D. The upper surface 31C is arranged on the side of the upper sheet 28, and the bottom surface 31D is arranged on the side of the supply layer 33. The bodily fluid is firstly absorbed by the supply layer 33 in the capture zone 25, and the storage portion 31B tends not to be exposed to the jet of bodily fluid. The storage portion 31B serves to absorb bodily fluid supplied by the supply layer 33 to the storage portion 31B and / or body fluid that has overflowed from the supply layer 33. Thus,
The reservoir portion 31B draws body fluid from the supply layer 33 so that preferably much of the volume of the supply layer 33 is available again for another body fluid ejection. In addition, since the bodily fluid is absorbed from the bottom surface 31D in contact with the supply layer 33, the capacity of the storage portion 31B is consumed from the bottom surface 31D toward the upper surface 31C. This keeps the upper surface 31C of the storage portion 31B visually relatively clean and dry. In order for these benefits to last as long as possible over the life of the absorbent product 20, the storage portion 31B should not absorb body fluids too quickly and should have sufficient capacity. It is preferred to control the absorption of the storage portion 31B so that bodily fluids do not reach the upper surface 31C over the life of the absorbent product. Storage part 31B
The dry top surface isolates bodily fluids from the wearer's skin in the peripheral zone 27 and prevents the bodily fluids from flowing back out of the absorbent component 32 through the topsheet 28 and into the wearer's skin. I do. The storage portion 31B also helps provide a visually clean impression on the body-facing side of the peripheral zone 27 of the absorbent product 20. Preferably, the bodily fluid does not accumulate on the peripheral zone 27 when the absorbent product is placed in the correct position on the wearer's body, but the storage layer 31 accumulates in the storage layer 31 through the cover portion 28B of the topsheet 28. The collected body fluid may be collected.

The storage portion 31 B has a sufficient capacity to draw body fluid from the supply layer 33. Preferably, storage layer 31B has a volume equal to or greater than the amount of bodily fluids drained from the wearer over the life of the absorbent product. The storage portion 31B is preferably about 10
It has a capacity of gram or more, more preferably about 20 gram or more, or about 25 gram or more. In order to provide the storage portion 31B with a high capacity, the storage portion 31B
May comprise a highly absorbent material such as a superabsorbent hydrogel foam polymeric material. The storage portion 31B may preferably have generally the same capillaries as the supply layer 33. Preferably, the storage portion 31B may have slightly more capillaries than the supply layer 33. It assists in achieving a positive capillary attraction gradient from the supply layer 33 to the storage portion 31B. This positive capillary attraction allows a positive liquid transfer force from the supply layer 33 to the storage portion 31B. Although liquid capillary action can be defined in several ways (eg, aperture, density, reference weight, etc.), the density and reference weight of the structure are the preferred parameters for defining liquid capillary action.

The storage portion 31 B has a density per unit area and a reference weight. Storage part 3
The density and reference weight values of 1B include the particle weight of the hydrogel foam material, so that the density and reference weight values vary depending on the amount of particles dispersed in the storage portion 31B. In this way, the storage portion 31B generally has a density between about 0.03 and about 0.3 g / cm ³ , more preferably between about 0.05 and about 0.2 g / cm ³ , where the storage The layer comprises up to about 60% by weight of the absorbent gelling material. The basis weight of such a storage portion 31B can range from about 0.01 to about 0.1 g / cm ² , preferably from about 0.015 to 0.03 g / cm ² . The density of the retention zone is calculated from the reference weight and the thickness measured on the dissected absorbent product that is not packed or combined. Thickness is measured using a standard gauge on the sample under a load condition of 0.1 psi. The reference weight is obtained by cutting a sample into a die of a certain size, weighing the sample with a standard balance, and determining the reference weight from the weight and area of the sample. (Note that this density and basis weight include the weight of the hydrogel foam material particles).

Various types of hydrophilic materials can be used for the storage layer 31. Any type of hydrophilic fiber suitable for conventional absorbent products is also suitable for use in the storage layer 31. Examples of suitable absorbent materials include crushed wood pulp, commonly referred to as air felt, crimped cellulose wadding, meltblown polymers, chemically strengthened, modified, or cross-linked cellulose fibers, and crimped polyester fibers. Such as synthetic fibers, peat moss, tissues including tissue wraps and tissue laminates, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, superabsorbent hydrogel foam polymeric materials, absorbent gel materials, or equilibrating or combination materials,
Or a mixture thereof is included. The structure and composition of the absorbent component also changes (
For example, the absorbent component can be of various thickness zones (eg, thicker contours in the middle), hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbent gradients, or lower density and lower average basis weight capture zones); Alternatively, one or more structures may be provided.

In one embodiment, the storage layer 31 comprises a woven fabric having a particulate or fibrous superabsorbent hydrogel foam polymer material dispersed therein. The open fabric may comprise a number of different materials. In one version of this embodiment, the absorbent component is a synthetic polymer fiber, a cellulose fiber,
And a blend of particulate or fibrous superabsorbent hydrogel foam polymer material. In another version of this embodiment, the storage portion 31B comprises synthetic polymer fibers and particulate or fibrous superabsorbent hydrogel.
It may comprise only the foam polymer material. In yet another version of this embodiment, the storage layer 31 may comprise a whole cellulosic fiber (such as air felt) and a particulate or fibrous superabsorbent hydrogel foam polymeric material. However, it is preferred that the storage layer 31 comprises a synthetic material, at least to some extent, to increase compression resistance and elasticity.

Suitable fibrous superabsorbent hydrogel foam polymeric materials include Camelot
Commercially available from Technologies Ltd. (High River, Canada) as FIBERDRI. This FIBERDRI fibrous superabsorbent material is preferred because it has even greater capacity than many current particulate superabsorbent materials. For example, it may have a capacity of about 25 grams of liquid per gram of superabsorbent material, whereas current particulate superabsorbent materials have a capacity of about 20 grams / gram. FIBERDRI material is thus
A relatively small amount (e.g., about 0.7 grams) of FIBERDRI material will reduce the size of the absorbent product used in the present invention and provide a total capacity equal to or greater than a full size napkin. Would.

In yet another embodiment, the storage layer 31 may comprise a laminated tissue and a superabsorbent hydrogel foam polymer material. Absorbent cores comprising a laminated tissue and a superabsorbent hydrogel foam polymer material that can be deformed depending on the application are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
, 950, 264 and 5,009, 653.

In another embodiment, the storage layer 31 may include a nonwoven fabric provided with a gap by a needle punch. In a preferred version of such an embodiment, the needle punched nonwoven fabric is about 40% by weight fibrous superabsorbent hydrogel foam polymer material and about 60% polyester fiber. . (Unless otherwise noted, all ratios herein are by weight.) In a particularly preferred embodiment, the storage layer 31 is a needle-punched nonwoven material comprising rayon fibers and fibrous superabsorbent hydrogel. It comprises a foam polymer material; Such nonwoven materials are preferably about 50% and about 70%.
% Staple length of viscose rayon, preferably about 65%, and 35% fibrous superabsorbent hydrogel foam polymeric material, preferably baked between about 30% and about 50% It has. A suitable viscose rayon fiber is LYOCELL viscose rayon, type 18453, available from Courtaulds Fibers, Inc. (North Axis, Alabama). Suitable fibrous superabsorbent hydrogel foam polymer materials are the FIBERDRI fibrous superabsorbent materials described above. The needle punched nonwoven material is preferably about 0.02 g / cm ²
Of the reference weight. The nonwoven material preferably has about 60 needle holes /
Needle punched in cm ² or more. Although it is possible to use a single layer of this material for the storage layer 31, at least two layers may be used. More than one layer can be used, especially if the material has a low basis weight. These layers can be connected if necessary. However, it has been found that these layers remain well in place with each other when simply placed next to each other. This is believed to be due to entanglement between the fibers on the surface of these layers.

In another embodiment, the storage layer 31 may comprise a non-woven fabric that is fluffed and thermally bonded to provide a gap. An example of such a material comprises about 20% fiber of the FIBERDRI superabsorbent material, about 25% bicomponent fiber, and about 55% cellulosic hair and having a basis weight of about 0.084 g / cm ² . It is.

The supply layer 33 is disposed below the capture opening 31A and the storage layer 31 (ie, storage portion 31B), thereby directly directing a portion of the wearer's labia minora surface through the capture opening 31A and the upper seat opening 28A. Can cover and contact this. Supply layer 3
3 is also in contact with at least a part of the storage layer 31, whereby the supply layer 3
The body fluid captured in 3 can be transferred to the storage layer 31. Preferably, the supply layer 3
Numeral 3 is arranged below the entire area of the capturing opening 31A and the entire area of the storage portion 31B. As an alternative, the supply layer 33 may have holes in the region of the acquisition zone 25 or may be stripped of material. The supply layer 33 quickly collects the drained bodily fluid and passes it through itself. Since such bodily fluids are often ejected in a gushing form, the supply layer 33 needs to have a capacity to handle several gushings, whereby bodily fluids can freely and quickly enter the supply layer 33. Move,
In the supply layer 33 the liquid can be transferred from the point of initial contact to another part. The supply layer 33 also provides a means for quickly capturing and containing the subsequent ejection of the liquid.

The supply layer 33 needs to have the capacity to process several bursts so that the supply layer 33 can quickly receive a practical amount of bodily fluid. The ejection capacity of the supply layer 33 is related to the void volume of the structure of the supply layer 33. Therefore, this supply layer 3
3 must be made of a material that has a sufficient void volume in the form of gaps or capillaries between the materials or fibers to contain a practical amount of bodily fluids. The void volume in the supply layer 33 acts as a reservoir or "bucket" to allow a large volume of body fluid squirt to flow into the structure with minimal resistance, thereby allowing the supply layer 33 to quickly drain the drained body fluid. Can be captured and transported.

The supply layer 33 has a void volume ratio of at least 80%, preferably at least about 90%, more preferably at least about 95% (typically between about 93% and 99%). Has been found to be sufficient void volume to contain a practical amount of liquid or bodily emissions. The void volume ratio is calculated by the following equation: void volume ratio = (1−Vm / Vs) × 100%, where Vm is the weight of the material or fiber in a given sample divided by the density of the material or fiber. Vs is the determined material volume, where Vs is the area and 0.1
Sample volume calculated by multiplying by the thickness measured under psi loading conditions. Preferably, the supply layer 33 is at least about 5 cm ^3, further preferably at least about 10 cm ^3, most preferably at least about 15cm ³ of void volume. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the feed layer has a void volume of about 20 cm ³ .

In order to maintain a large void volume and high level of liquid transfer, the feed layer 33 should be at least about 0.5 mm, preferably about 1.0 m, measured under 0.1 psi load conditions.
m or more, more preferably about 1.5 mm or more, and more preferably about 2.0 mm or more.
It is believed that it should have a thickness of at least mm. The basis weight of the supply layer 33 is preferably from about 0.005 to about 0.04 g / cm ² , more preferably 0 g / cm ² .
. It is from 015 g / cm ² to about 0.025 g / cm ² .

The supply layer 33 is also flexible, in particular in the acquisition zone 25, preferably in all parts of the acquisition zone 25. Since there is no top sheet and storage layer in the acquisition zone 25 of the absorbent product 20, the feed layer 33 and the backsheet 30 substantially define the flexibility in the acquisition zone 25 of the absorbent product 20. The flexibility of the supply layer 33 in the capture zone 25, preferably in cooperation with specially designed support garments, allows the absorbent product 20 to maintain uniform contact with a portion of the wearer's labia minora surface. Make it possible to cover this.

Various types of hydrophilic materials can be used for the supply layer 33 of the absorbent component 32. Any type of hydrophilic fiber suitable for use in conventional absorbent products is also compatible for use in the supply layer 33. Examples of suitable absorbent materials are ground wood pulp, commonly referred to as air felt, crimped cellulose fillings, meltblown polymers, chemically strengthened, modified or crosslinked cellulose fibers, crimped polyester fibers Tissue, including foam, high surface area fiber, peat moss, tissue wrap and tissue laminate, absorbent foam,
Absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials, or equilibration or combination materials, or mixtures thereof, are included.

In one embodiment, the supply layer 33 can be formed of chemically reinforced, twisted, and crimped and bulked fibers, high surface area fibers, and bundled fibers.
Feed layers with these elements are generally described in US Pat. No. 5,549,589, issued Aug. 27, 1996 to Horney et al.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the supply layer 33 comprises a nonwoven material comprising rayon fibers such as viscose rayon and high surface area fibers such as eucalyptus fibers. Such high surface area fibers are useful for distributing and supplying body fluid in the supply layer 33. Such nonwoven fibers may be staple length viscose rayon fibers of between about 50% to about 70%, preferably about 65%, and between about 30% and about 50%, preferably about 35%. Of eucalyptus fiber. Appropriate viscose
Rayon is available from Caurtaulds Fibers, Inc. (North Axis, Alabama)
LYOCELL viscose rayon, type 18453. A suitable eucalyptus fiber is Eucalyptus grandis obtained from Aracruz, Brazil. These fibers are
It can be blended or formed by a variety of methods including wet lamination, dry lamination, spinning, needle punching or other methods. Dry lamination and needle
Punching is particularly preferred.

[0069] Other embodiments of the absorbent component 32 are also possible. FIG. 8 shows the absorbent component 32
5 shows another alternative embodiment of the present invention. Absorbable component 32 shown in FIG.
Has an acquisition layer 37 in the acquisition zone 25 of the absorbent product 20. This trapping layer 37 is preferably capable of quickly trapping bodily fluids and has the capacity to process several bursts. This trapping layer 37 is at least about 80%, preferably at least 90%,
More preferably, it may have a void volume fraction of 95% or more (typically between about 93% and 99%), thereby containing a practical amount of liquid or bodily emissions. A sufficient void volume ratio is obtained. Preferably, the supply layer 33 is at least about 5 cm ^3, preferably has at least about 10 cm ³ of void volume. To maintain large void volumes and high levels of liquid transfer, the acquisition layer 37 should be at least about 0.5 mm, preferably at least about 1.0 mm, more preferably at least about 1 mm, measured under a load of 0.1 psi. It is believed that it should have a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, and more preferably at least about 2.0 mm. The basis weight of the acquisition layer 37 is preferably from about 0.0025 to about 0.04 g / cm ² , more preferably about 0.015 g
/ Cm ² to about 0.025 g / cm ² . The acquisition layer 37 can also transport bodily fluids vertically to the next layer, which is the supply layer 33 and transports bodily fluids more quickly in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. It is preferable that the capturing layer 37 can transfer body fluid in the vertical direction more quickly than the supply layer 33. It is also preferred that the supply layer 33 be able to transfer body fluids more quickly in the horizontal direction than the capture layer 37. Materials suitable for the trapping layer 37 are available from Rengo Non-Woven Products Co. Ltd. (Japan). 6
23609. This material preferably has a basis weight of about 0.0025 g / c.
m ² and a density of about 0.04 g / cm ³ .

In yet another embodiment, the absorbent component 32 may have an additional storage layer located below the supply layer 33. This additional storage layer provides additional capacity to the absorbent product and assists in withdrawing body fluids trapped in the supply layer 33 so that the supply layer 33 is available for a second squirt. This additional storage layer may generally have the same or similar size and shape as the supply layer 33. However, this additional layer may have a different size and shape than the supply layer 33. For example, the additional storage layer may have an elliptical shape similar to the shape of the capture zone 25 and may be narrower and located below the feed layer 33 in the zone 25. When the additional storage layer is located in the acquisition zone 25, the additional layer is flexible, such that the acquisition zone 25 of the absorbent product 20 has the flexibility as defined above. Should be. Preferably, the entire area of the additional storage layer should be flexible, such that the absorbent product 20 has the flexibility defined above. In another option, the additional storage layer is in peripheral zone 2
7 may have the same shape as that of 7 and may be arranged below the supply layer 33. This additional storage layer can be any of the known materials. Preferably, this additional layer is formed of the material described above for the storage layer 31 of the absorbent component 32.

In another embodiment, the absorbent component 32 may be formed in a single layer. In one version of such an embodiment, the absorbent component 32 has three longitudinally arranged trisections, two laterally outer three sides on either side of the central trisection.
There are equal parts. The absorbent component is formed from a single layer of tissue. The tissue monolayer is folded so that it has a two-layer thickness at each of the outer thirds and a single-layer thickness at the center one-third. Preferably, the collapsed outer third portion is located on the body-facing side of the absorbent product and provides the storage portion of the storage layer. The spacing extending between the longitudinally outer thirds provides a capture opening for the storage layer. The central 1/3 portion is located on the side facing the garment and provides a supply layer. The outer third layer bilayer is preferably glued together. An absorbent gelling material is located in each of the outer thirds. The central one-third is substantially free of gelling material. Preferably, the absorbent component thus laminated is subjected to further manipulations to provide the desired flexibility. The laminated absorbent component may be provided with through holes or slits, or may be crafted to increase flexibility. In a preferred embodiment, the laminated absorbent component is provided with a plurality of longitudinally oriented slits to increase flexibility. Of course, it is possible for these slits to be oriented in any other suitable direction, or in more than one direction. An example of a laminated absorbent component with slits, deformable as described above, for use herein, is August 1, 1997.
No. 5,658,269 issued to Osborn et al.

The back sheet 30 can be any material having suitable flexibility and liquid impermeability. Preferably, the backsheet 30 has a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.015 mm.
mm is a polyethylene film. Representative examples of polyethylene
The film is P1 manufactured by Clopey Corporation (Cincinnati, Ohio)
8-0401 and Microflex 1401. The backsheet 30 may be embossed and / or matte to provide a fabric-like appearance.

Further, the backsheet 30 may prevent vapors from passing through the backsheet, but allow vapor to escape from the absorbent component 32 (ie, may be breathable). A suitable breathable backsheet material is December 30, 1975
US Patent No. 3,929,135 issued to Thompson, Inc., comprising an adhesive laminate of a perforated film having a gradient capillary, and a porous film with micropores. ing. A suitable porous film is Exxon Chem
US Patent No. 4,777,073 to Exxon.
It is stated in. This breathable backsheet is positioned with a beveled capillary and a smaller opening facing the absorbent component 32. The microporous film is joined to the side of the perforated film having the larger opening to form the garment-facing side 20B of the absorbent product 20. Alternatively, the breathable backsheet material may comprise a vapor permeable monolithic film. This monolithic
Films have the advantage of being able to transfer a high degree of intrinsic heat while preventing the passage of dirt and reducing the stiffening of the absorbent product. The use of a breathable backsheet, preferably in combination with a sanitary panty having a breathable crotch portion (described in more detail below), is advantageous for absorbent products to be controlled and set to optimal levels. Allows overall breathing of the system with panties. This eliminates the differences due to the random use of commercially available undergarments with varying amounts of vapor permeability and vapor impermeability with absorbent products.

The top sheet 28, back sheet 30, and absorbent component 32 can be assembled into a variety of structures known in the art, including laminated or “sandwich” structures and rolled or “tube” structures. it can. In the preferred embodiment shown, the absorbent product 20 is assembled in a sandwich configuration, with the top sheet 28 and the back sheet 30 having a generally greater length and width than the absorbent component 32. The top sheet 28 and the back sheet 30 extend beyond the edge of the absorbent component 32 and form the perimeter 26.

The upper sheet 28 may be coupled to the body-facing side of the absorbent component 32.
The cover portion 28B of the upper sheet 28 is provided with the absorbent component 3 in the peripheral zone 27.
Two body facing sides can be coupled. In other embodiments, the topsheet 28 need not be coupled to the absorbent component 32 to increase the flexibility of the absorbent product 20. The term "coupling" as used herein refers to a structure in which one element is directly fixed to another element by directly adhering to another element. Refers to structures that are indirectly fixed to other elements by attachment and that one element is integrated with another element, ie, one element is essentially a part of another element. To increase the flexibility of the absorbent product 20, the backsheet 30 is not bonded in the embodiment shown, but need not be bonded to the absorbent component 32. Of the upper sheet 28 and the back sheet 30,
The portion extending beyond the edge of the absorbent component 32 to form the periphery 26
Preferably they are joined together.

When the topsheet 28 is bonded to the absorbent component 32, the topsheet 28 may be attached to the absorbent component 3 in any suitable manner known in the art for this purpose.
2 can be combined. The topsheet 28 can be coupled to the absorbent component 32 by a regular or irregular pattern of an adhesive layer, or an array of lines, spirals, or spotted adhesive. One adhesive that has been found to satisfy this purpose is Adhesive No. 2031 manufactured by the Findley Adhesive Company (Wauwatosa, Wisconsin). This adhesive is preferably applied on March 4, 1986
Used in an open pattern of adhesive filament network as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986, entitled "Disposable Waste-Containment Garment" issued to netola. Another example of an adhesive filament open pattern network is U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Jr. on Oct. 7, 1975, and issued to Ziecker et al. On Nov. 22, 1978. U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,996, with several spiral-shaped adhesive filaments depicted in the apparatus and method of U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. is there. As another option, the components of the absorbent product may be heat bonded, crimped, ultrasonic bonded, dynamic mechanical bonded, or any other suitable bonding means, or any of these bonding means as known in the art. You may combine by combination. The portions of the topsheet 28 and backsheet 30 that extend beyond the edge of the absorbent component 32 to form the perimeter 26 can be joined together in any of the ways described herein.

The components of the absorbent product can be described as forming a “unit-type structure”. As used herein, the term "unit-type structure" refers to a structure in which components are combined together or integrated as a unit. The term "unit-type structure" is intended to include structures as described above, i.e., structures comprising separate components to which the topsheet, absorbent core, and backsheet are joined together. This also covers structures where the liquid-permeable and liquid-impermeable sides of the absorbent product do not have separate top and / or back sheets. For example, in the latter case, the liquid-permeate side, the liquid-impermeable side, or both, may comprise an absorbent component surface having desired properties, rather than a separate component.

The garment-facing side 20 B of the absorbent product 20 may, and preferably includes, a fastener for attaching the absorbent product to a specially designed support undergarment. Fasteners include an adhesive, particularly a pressure sensitive adhesive, which has been used to secure absorbent products, such as sanitary napkins, to the crotch of conventional panties that can be used for this purpose.

However, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the garment-facing side 20 B of the absorbent product 20 is preferably made of a specially designed support undergarment, particularly adapted for joining knitted materials. A mechanical fastener material 70 is provided. One type of mechanical fastener material is shown in FIGS. This mechanical fastener material 70 can be located on any suitable portion of the garment facing side 20B. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, the mechanical fastener material 70 is disposed on the entire garment-facing side 20B. In other embodiments, the mechanical fastener material 70 can cover the entire garment-facing side 20B of the absorbent product or any other suitable portion.

The mechanical fastener material 70 shown in FIG. 6 includes a substrate or surface 72 from which protrusions 74 extend in the form of a plurality of small filaments (or hairs).
The trichomes 74 can take any suitable shape. FIG. 6 shows one preferred shape of the hairy projection 74 in more detail. This trichome 74 is formed by a conventional VELCRO
The shape may be similar to the hook fastener material, but is not a requirement. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the hair projections 74 preferably do not have a hook shape. The trichomes 74 are preferably tapered, straight handles 76, the diameter of which decreases from the base 78 to the distal end of the handle 76. More specifically, the diameter of the handle 76 decreases in diameter from the base 78 toward the distal end to about the midpoint. The diameter of the handle 76 is kept constant from around the middle point of the handle to the end. The distal end of handle 76 preferably has a small spherical fitting 80. The trichomes 74 in the illustrated preferred embodiment extend from the substrate, preferably at a slight angle from a perpendicular orientation (ie, an angle of approximately 90 °). Preferably, the hairy projections 74 are oriented at an angle of about 10 ° less than the direction perpendicular to the substrate.

The mechanical fastener material 70 may be distributed on the garment facing side 20 B in any suitable pattern. In a particularly preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the mechanical fastener material 70 is distributed into several zones (eg, three zones each having a width of about 0.75 inches). There, the orientation of the trichomes in adjacent zones is different. More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the trichomes in the central zone running along the longitudinal center line L have an orientation greater than 10 ° with respect to the orientation perpendicular to the substrate.
° oriented towards one end of the absorbent product at a small angle. The trichomes in adjacent longitudinal lateral zones form a similar angle to the substrate, but they are oriented toward the opposite end of the absorbent article 20. The orientation of the trichomes in these different zones is indicated by the arrows in FIG.

In other embodiments, the mechanical fastener material 70 may be distributed in a pattern that matches the pattern of one or more pre-selected portions of a specially designed support garment. For example, the mechanical fastener material 70 is arranged in a pattern corresponding to the longitudinal elasticity control member 52 and / or the angled elasticity control member 54 of the sanitary garment 38 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. It is possible. (The sanitary garment is described in further detail below.) For example, at each end edge 24 of the absorbent article 20, the portion of the mechanical fastener material 70 may include an angled stretch control member of the sanitary garment. 54 can be arranged in a chevron pattern.
In a variation of this embodiment, the mechanical fastener material 70 and / or other portions of the support garment may be such that the mechanical fastener material 70 is a longitudinal or angled stretch control member of the support garment. It can be designed not to fit other than a specific part. Aligning the mechanical fastener material 70 with these portions of the support garment can be replaced with the purpose of ensuring that the absorbent product 20 is properly positioned within the support garment. A pattern of mechanical fastener material 70 may also be used to assist absorbent product 20 in a close fit to a particular part of the wearer's body. The mechanical fastener material 70 can be arranged in two elongated strips as shown in FIG.

The mechanical fastener material 70 shown in FIG. 6 is applied to the garment facing side 20 B of the absorbent product 20.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastener which can be easily attached to a knit material and has a sufficiently high holding force even if the supporting garment expands and contracts. The mechanical fastener material 70 described herein is particularly preferred for use in specially designed knit support garments. This is because the support garment does not come off when the absorbent garment expands or contracts while the absorbent product is being attached to the garment. These and other features are described in
"Highly Efficient Absorbent Article" filed on March 9 under the name of Carstens et al.
PCT application US98 / 23861 entitled "For Use With Menstrual Pant".

In another embodiment, the mechanical fastener material 70 can comprise a material having a “T” or mushroom-shaped appearance when viewed from the side. One particularly preferred "T" shaped mechanical fastener material for use in the absorbent product of the present invention is the 3M Personal Care and Related Products Division (Menomonie, WI).
This is a material known as TP200, which is available from the company.

In addition to the mechanical fastener materials and crimp-type adhesives described above, the garment-facing side 20B of the absorbent product 20 can employ another alternative fastener type. In one non-limiting example, the absorbent product 20 is provided with a sticky material and adheres to the sticky material inside the crotch portion of the support undergarment. As used herein, a "sticky material" is one that selectively adheres to itself and does not adhere to other materials.
Such a material can be used as a replacement for the absorbent product 20 to be properly positioned on the support garment.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the front and back of a supporting garment in the form of a sanitary garment suitable for use with the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the sanitary garment 38 has a front part 39 in the form of a front panel and a rear part 40 in the form of a rear panel.
A crotch region or portion 50 in the form of a crotch panel, a pair of leg openings 60 that can be telescopic, and a telescopic waistband 44. This sanitary underwear 3
8 can also be provided with a waist opening 46 so that the sanitary underwear 38 can be worn. The sanitary garment 38 further includes a stretchable lifting member, such as a lifting elongated portion 42 disposed along the longitudinal centerline L1 in the rear portion 40, a crotch portion 5 and the like.
0, a longitudinal elasticity control member 52 arranged along the longitudinal centerline, and an angle A with respect to the longitudinal elasticity control member 52, from which the leg elastic portion 62
A plurality of angled elasticity control members 54 that extend into At the forward end of the crotch 50, the seam or patch 48 is preferably positioned to be below or behind (ie, posterior to) the pubis so that the pubis does not interfere with the fit of the sanitary garment. It should be noted. It should also be understood that all features of the sanitary garment 38 described herein can be joined to the sanitary garment and need not be sewn together with a portion of the sanitary garment.

The absorbent product 20 is used by installing the absorbent product 20 at the crotch portion of the sanitary underwear 38. The absorbent product 20 is installed with one end extending toward the front section of the sanitary garment and the other end extending toward the rear section. The back sheet 30 is disposed in contact with the central inner surface of the crotch portion 50 of the sanitary garment. The hair projections 74 of the mechanical fastener material 70 on the garment facing side 20B of the absorbent product 20 fit the knit material from which the crotch portion 50 of the sanitary garment 38 is made. Thereafter, the wearer pulls up the sanitary garment 38 and wears it. The sanitary garment 38 will typically expand and contract until it fits as shown in FIGS. As another option, the absorbent product 20 may be first worn on the body of the wearer, and then the wearer may lift the sanitary garment 38 and wear it. Because the absorbent product is flexible, especially in the capture zone 25, the absorbent product 20 has a capture zone 2.
5 is immobile by the force holding the acquisition zone 25 of the absorbent product 20 there. The sanitary garment 38 assists the capture zone 25 of the absorbent product 20 to uniformly fit and maintain contact with the wearer's body. The sanitary garment 38 also helps the flexible absorbent product 20 to be shaped into the body and remain fit evenly on the wearer's body.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are examples respectively showing how the prior art panties fit at the crotch when the wearer's legs LG are open and closed. . As shown in FIG. 11, when the wearer's legs are open, the crotch portion of the conventional panties has a vertical area centered on the space between the wearer's labia (indicated by the reference symbol J). A “gap” occurs. As shown in FIG. 12, when the wearer's legs are closed, the crotch portion of the conventional panties flexes. Similar comparisons are shown in photographs in FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 shows how conventional panties fit at the crotch when the wearer's legs are open. FIG. 14 shows how the panties fit when the wearer's legs are closed.

On the other hand, the sanitary panties shown schematically in FIGS. 17 and 18 are shaped to comfortably fit inside and outside the labia majora whether the wearer's legs are open or closed. . The sanitary panties will continue to cover the intended area of the wearer's body without exerting significant "girdle-like" forces. As shown in cross section in FIGS. 17 and 18, the sanitary panties preferably maintain a deformed tip shape in this area throughout the range of body movement (ie, dynamically).
Similar comparisons are shown in photographs in FIGS. The cross-sectional structure of the sanitary panties is described as having a “deformed” tip shape, but this is because it forms a point P and is preferably not formed, where the bent portion of the tip shape is It is oriented longitudinally and merges in the space between the wearer's labia, but is more rounded and preferably convex in this area. The deformed tip shape of the sanitary panties is particularly useful for ensuring that the acquisition zone 25 of the absorbent product 20 fits and maintains contact with the wearer's labia minora, especially inside the wearer's labia minora surface. It is useful to fit between and touch the labia.

The sanitary panties fit tightly on the wearer's body, especially at the crotch, resulting in a comfortable “second skin”. The absorbent product 20 is preferably one that does not alter or nullify the tendency of the sanitary panties to achieve a "second skin" fit. The absorbent product 20 is preferably sufficiently flexible to have a structure similar to the crotch portion of a sanitary panty. Preferably, the absorbent product 2
0 is also shaped into the shape of the pubic region of the wearer during use. The absorbent product is preferably shaped into the shape of the wearer's pubis, regardless of whether the wearer's legs are open or closed. Capture zone 25 of this absorbent product 20
Is preferably shaped into the shape of the surface of the labia minora of the wearer.

The absorbent product 20 is preferably flexible under the force exerted by the sanitary panties 38 used to hold the absorbent product comfortably on the wearer's body. It is. If the absorbent product is flexible under these forces, the sanitary panties will not negate the propensity to achieve the desired fit, and the absorbent product 20 will not disturb the wearer's pubic area and the sanitary panties 38. It will take on a similar shape to the crotch. The sanitary panties 38 described herein preferably have a body contact pressure on the wearer's body of about 20 g / cm ² or less, more preferably about 15 g.
/ Cm ² or less. Body contact pressure 20 applied by sanitary panties 38
A value of g / cm ² is a sufficiently high pressure at the boundary where the wearer becomes uncomfortable.

It was also recognized that there were other garments that fit tightly, such as Japanese sanitary shorts. However, such garments tend to exert unpleasant forces on the legs, especially where the wearer's legs contact the elastic edges of the sanitary shorts.
On the other hand, the sanitary panties 38 described herein exert an unpleasant force (20 g / c) on the wearer's legs where the wearer's legs contact the leg openings of the sanitary panties 38.
without giving m ² or more), it is possible to along the crotch portion added body contact pressure to hold close to each absorbent product 20 to the wearer's urogenital region, particularly preferred.

The absorbent product 20 and the sanitary panties 38 also differ from the preceding sanitary napkins and conventional underwear in that the absorbent product has uniform contact with the wearer's body. Some current sanitary napkins often exhibit a "W" shaped cross-sectional structure during wear, such as when the wearer is sitting. However, conventional underwear is intended to hold the sanitary napkin immobile under all circumstances, such as when the wearer is walking or standing, or when the wearer's legs are open. It does not provide a constant pressure on the human body. On the other hand, absorbent product 20 and sanitary panties 38 provide such uniform contact with the wearer's body. It can be stated that the absorbent product substantially maintains uniform contact with the wearer's body, in which case the absorbent product need not be in complete and / or continuous contact with the wearer's body. No, but is maintained in more contact than with the wearer's body.

FIGS. 19 to 21 show a preferred embodiment of the absorbent product 20 of the present invention worn on the body of the wearer W. FIG. The urinary tract shown in FIG.
, Vagina V, urethra U, clitoris C, large intestine I, anus AN, vaginal opening VI, perineum P, small labia N including small labia surface inner NI and small labia surface NE (not shown in FIG. 19), and large labia The labia J is included. The inner surface NI of the labia minora continuously extends from the vaginal opening VI. Therefore, it is known that body fluid such as menstruation is actually discharged from the gap between the inner surfaces NI of the labia minora N. When a portion of the absorbent product is brought into contact with the inner surface NI, it intercepts bodily fluids that flow through the gap between the inner surfaces NI and removes bodily fluids from the body fluid before it reaches the body surface outside the labia minora. Opportunities are provided to capture. Contact between the portion of the absorbent product and the outer surface NE also traps fluid that flows through the gap between the inner surfaces NI of the labia N before the fluid reaches the body surface outside the labia. Provide the opportunity to do. 19 to 21 show an example of the relationship of the anatomical shape of the wearer W to the absorbent product when the absorbent product 20 is properly worn (the underwear 38 in FIGS. 19 to 21). Are excluded).

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate one non-limiting example of a method, wherein the absorbent product 20 can fit against the wearer's body. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the capture zone 25 of the absorbent product 20 is between the inner surface NI of the wearer's labia N, such that the capture zone 25 covers the inner surface of the wearer's labia N. In the gap. The supply layer 33 exposed in the capture zone 25 is in direct contact with the part of the inner surface NI of the labia minora N of the wearer, so that bodily fluids can be captured directly in the supply layer 33. . The supply layer 33 of the trapping zone acts as a "sealing" in the gap between the inner surfaces NI of the labia minora N. This reduces the opportunity for bodily fluids to reach the body surface outside the labia minora N of the wearer. Although the delivery layer 33 exposed in the capture zone 25 gets wet, the wearer feels no wetness or minimal wetness because the wetted supply layer is fundamentally in contact with the inner surface of the wearer's labia minora N. The capture zone 25 maintains uniform contact with the inner surface portion of the wearer's labia minora. Preferably, the absorbent product 20 maintains uniform contact with portions of the wearer's body surface. 19 to 21, the absorbent product 20
And there is some gap between the wearer's body part. This is to clearly show the shapes of the absorbent product 20 and the part of the wearer's body. However, in the actual wearing state, the absorbent product 20 can fit and contact the part of the wearer body more closely.

As shown in FIG. 19, the peripheral zone 27 is positioned over and touching the wearer's pubis and perineum P. This absorbent product can cover the clitoris of the wearer, but preferably does not extend forward beyond the pubis of the wearer. The absorbent product 20 is slightly spaced from the clitoris or fits closely to the clitoris as to other parts of the wearer's body. The absorbent product 20 preferably does not extend backward until it touches the wearer's anus to avoid the anus with sensitive peripheral nerves. When the absorbent product 20 is of such a preferred size, it will only slightly occlude the crotch of the wearer's body and provide better breathability, making it less comfortable and less likely to be present. As shown in FIG. 20, the peripheral zone 27 is disposed so as to be in contact with the surface of the labia majora J of the wearer and the skin surface outside the labia majora J. Body fluid does not directly accumulate in the peripheral zone 27. Thus, the peripheral zone 27 remains visually clean and relatively dry.

FIG. 21 shows another example of a system in which the absorbent product 20 is in contact with the wearer's body. In this example, the capture zone 25 is not present in the gap between the inner surfaces NI of the labia N, as shown in FIG. 20, but the capture zone 25 is the wearer's labia N
Of the outer surface NE. In this example, the supply layer 33 of the acquisition zone 25 is in direct contact with the outer surface NE of the labia minora N of the wearer.
The supply layer 33 exposed in the capture zone 25 directly captures most of the bodily fluid flowing through the gap between the inner surfaces NI of the wearer's labia minora N. This prevents bodily fluids from flowing out beyond the outer surface NE of the wearer's labia minora N. In this embodiment, the peripheral zone 27 is positioned to contact the wearer's labia majora surface and the wearer's body surface outside the labia majora J.

FIG. 22 to FIG. 24 show another embodiment of the absorbent product of the present invention. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 24 is intended to provide an absorbent product that can maintain and cover uniform contact with at least a portion of the wearer's labia minora surface. .

The absorbent product 120 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 has a body-facing side 20A.
Further comprises a central absorbent ridge 100 oriented longitudinally at. The ridge 100 is preferably formed by a ridge-forming element (or “insert”) 102 inserted between the supply layer 33 and the backsheet 30. This ridge-forming element allows the supply layer 33 to protrude above the upper surface of the upper sheet 28 in the acquisition zone 25 through the upper sheet opening 28A and the acquisition opening 31A. The ridge-forming element 102 is sized to perfectly fit the gap between the labia of the wearer (ie, the gap between the inner surfaces of the labia minora). In one preferred embodiment, the ridge-forming element 102 has a length measured along the base of about 50 mm. As shown in FIG. 22, the ridge-forming element has a rounded top portion (particularly evident when viewed from the side) for increased comfort. The length of the top portion, as measured at the beginning of this rounding, is preferably about 30 mm. In this embodiment, the ridge-forming element preferably has a maximum height or thickness of about 20 mm. The width of the ridge-forming element 102 as measured at the base is preferably about 10 mm.

In this particular embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, the insert 102 comprises several elements. These include a first textile material, such as a first folded textile 106 of an absorbent material, an underlayer 108, and a few pieces of resilient material 110.

[0101] The first fold fabric 106 of absorbent material preferably comprises a material that can quickly remove body exudates from the wearer's body. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the first textile material 106 may comprise a water entangled nonwoven made of natural fibers, polymer fibers, copolymer fibers, or mixtures thereof. A suitable material for the first textile material 106 is that manufactured by JWSuominen Oy (Nakkila, Finland) known as FIBRELLA-Suominen. The first fabric material 106 is preferably gradually bent or folded along a plurality of longitudinally oriented fold lines to provide the cross-sectional structure shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 23, the first textile material 106 has an inverted U-shaped structure along the longitudinal center line. The longitudinal lateral edges of the first folded fabric are folded inward and folded up inside the inverted U-shaped fabric to define two small U-shaped portions.

The underlayer 108 preferably comprises a material capable of withdrawing and storing the liquid from the bent fabric 106 of the first absorbent material. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the underlayer 108 preferably comprises a wet bonded non-woven fabric. A suitable heat bonded wet lamination nonwoven is described in Fluid Distribution Member fo, issued August 27, 1996 to Horney et al.
r Absorbent Article Exhibiting High Suction and High Capacity "in U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,589. The underlayer 108 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 is narrower than the bent fabric 106 of the first absorbent material and only the bent fabric 106 of the inverted U-shaped first absorbent material , Which are shorter, at the longitudinal edges of the bent fabric 106 of the first absorbent material. The underlayer 108 may or may not be bonded to the bent fabric 106 of the first absorbent material.

The resilient piece of material 110 is used so that the ridge-forming element 102 maintains its maximum height, even if the sanitary garment applies pressure so that the absorbent article adheres to the wearer's body. . This allows the ridge 100 to maximally continuously cover the inner surface of the wearer's labia minora during use. Preferably, the ridge-forming element maintains a maximum height in use of at least one of the following values: at least about 12 mm, about 14 mm, about 16 mm, about 18 mm, or about 2 mm.
0 mm.

The resilient material strip 110 may comprise any material suitable for the purpose described above.
The resilient piece of material 110 may be absorbent or non-absorbable. Without limitation, suitable resilient materials include absorbent and non-absorbable foams. In one version of the illustrated embodiment, the resilient piece of material 110 is a radiation crosslinked polyethylene foam, known as VOLARA type 2A, manufactured by Voltek, Inc. (Lawrence, Massachusetts). Each piece of material is a square parallel pipe having a square cross section of about 6 mm x 6 mm and a length of about 50 mm. One piece of resilient material is disposed on each of the U-shaped portion and the inverted U-shaped portion of the first bent fabric.

The elastic material piece 110 is attached below the underlayer 108. Elastic material piece 1
The 10 can be attached to the underside of the underlayer 108 by any suitable method such as adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. The entire ridge-forming element 102 is preferably secured to the absorbent component 32 in a similar manner.

FIG. 24 shows an absorbent product 220 according to another embodiment. The absorbent product 220 has a top sheet opening 28A and a capture opening 31 in the capture zone 25.
A has a supply layer 233 protruding from the upper surface of the upper sheet 28 through A. In this embodiment, the supply layer 233 is formed thicker in the capture zone 25 than in the peripheral zone 27. This thicker portion of the supply layer 233 in the capture zone 25 is made with a larger reference weight. This thicker portion of the supply layer 233 fits between the wearer's labia.

In another embodiment, the absorbent product is provided with a structure that allows the absorbent element to be separated (or removed) from the backsheet. This will allow the absorbent element to move close to the gap between the labia minora of the wearer, with the backsheet remaining in contact with the sanitary garment. Details of such an embodiment can be found in November 1998
"Highly Efficient Absorbent Article" filed on March 9 under the name of Carstens et al.
PCT application US98 / 23861 entitled "For Use With Menstrual Pant".

FIGS. 25 and 26 show another alternative embodiment of the absorbent product of the present invention. The absorbent product 320 generally has an elliptical shape extending in the longitudinal direction L. The absorbent product 20 is optionally provided with a resilient member 336, which is wrapped around the longitudinal edge 322 of the absorbent product. An optional resilient member 336 shapes the absorbent product into the desired tip configuration and provides a soft longitudinal edge 322 when the longitudinal edge contacts the wearer in use. If used, this optional resilient member 336 preferably comprises a resilient laminate in which a resilient layer and a cover storage layer are provided such that the cover storage layer is outside the product. Suitable resilient laminates were published by Sneller et al. On August 10, 1993 and May 3, 1994, respectively, and are both "Elasticized Sanitary Napk".
No. 5,234,422 and 5,308,346 entitled "in."

The absorbent products of the present invention can be provided with yet other features. For example, the absorbent product can be provided with an optional pair of flaps that connect to the longitudinal edges and extend laterally outward therefrom. In this case, the absorbent product other than the flap can be considered to be the main part of the overall absorbent product and to have optional flaps. The flap preferably extends laterally outward from at least a central region along the length of the main body portion. However, the flap may extend laterally outward from the entire length of the main body portion, as the main body portion may be relatively small in size. In other embodiments, the flap can even be longer than the main part.

When supplied with optional flaps, they can be connected to the main part of the absorbent product in any suitable way. The flaps can also be integrated into the main part (ie the flaps may have extensions that make up the top and back sheets). In other embodiments, the flap may include a separate piece that is joined to the main body of the absorbent product.

The flaps can be of any suitable construction. Suitable flaps are described in the following document. That is, a retrial patent B14,589 entitled "Sanitary Napkin" issued to Van Tilburg and issued a retrial certificate on April 27, 1993.
876, published on August 18, 1987 in Van Tilburg.
US Patent No. 4,687,478 entitled "Napkin With Flaps", February 1, 1995.
"Absorbent Article Having Flaps and Zones of" issued to Lavash et al.
US Patent 5,389,094, 1996 entitled "Differential Extensibility"
"Absorbent Article Having Underga" issued to Weinberger et al.
US Patent No. 5,558,663 entitled "Rment Covering Components With Zones of Extensibility" and "Ab issued to Lavash et al. on December 17, 1996.
sorbent Article Having Panty Covering Components That Naturally Wrap the
US Patent No. 5,584,829 entitled "Sides of Panties", which describes an optional flap worn by the wearer, April 1, 1997.
Absorbent Article Having Flaps With a Deformed Hinge a
PCT publication WO97 / 12576 entitled “nd Zones of Extensibility” and “Absorbent Article Havi, filed on October 3, 1996 under the name of Lash et al.
ng Flaps With Step Configuration and Zones of Extensibility, PCT US 96/15957.

[0112] 2. Test Method A. Bending resistance The bending resistance of an absorbent product is measured by its peak bending strength. The peak bending strength is
ASTM D4032.82 Determined by tests modeling the Circular Bend Procedure, this method is modified considerably and implemented as follows. Circul
The ar Bend Procedure simultaneously deforms the material in multiple directions, with one side of the sample being concave and the other side being convex. The Circular Bend Procedure gives the value of the force related to the bending resistance and, at the same time, the average strength in all directions.

Equipment The equipment required for the Circular Bend Procedure is a modified Circular Bend Stiffness T
It is an ester and has the following parts:

Smooth polished steel slab with holes of 18.75 mm diameter 102.0 × 10
2.0 x 6.35 mm platform. The edge of this hole is at a 45 ° angle and 4.75 mm deep.

A spherical tip with a total length of 72.2 mm, a diameter of 6.25 mm, a radius of 2.97 mm and a needle extending therefrom and having a base diameter of 0.38 mm and a radius of less than 0.5 mm extending 0.88 mm. Plunger with tip. The plunger is mounted concentrically with the hole and has the same clearance on all sides. It should be noted that the stylus simply prevents lateral movement of the test specimen during the test. Therefore, if the tip would obviously have a negative effect on the sample (eg, puncture the inflated structure), then the tip should not be used. The bottom of this plunger must be set well on a perforated plate. The downward stroke from this position of the spherical tip must be the solid bottom of the hole in the plate.

A pressure measuring gauge, and more particularly an Instron back pressure load cell. This load cell is about. It has a load range from 0 to about 2000.0 grams.

Actuator, more specifically Instron Model No. 1122 with back pressure load cell. The Instron 1122 is an Instron Engineering Corporation (Canto
n, Mass.).

Sample Number and Preparation To perform this test method, five representative absorbent products are required, as described below. Cut out a number "Y" of 37.5 x 37.5 mm test samples from one of the five products to be tested (of course, peeling the paper to release the panty adhesive and blocking any adhesive) . If the size of the capture zone to be tested is smaller than 37.5 × 37.5 mm, cut out the capture zone along with the surrounding zones so that the sample size is 37.5 × 37.5 mm. In this case, the center of the capture zone is aligned to the center of 37.5 × 37.5 mm. Samples in which the top sheet has a portion directly bonded to the barrier sheet or is a laminate of the top sheet, two or fewer layers of tissue and barrier sheet are not tested. The reason that these samples are not tested is that prior art absorbent products exist where the topsheet is bonded to the barrier sheet beyond the absorbent components around the napkin and such parts are highly adaptable. It is because it is attributable to the reality of being. However, the present invention does not merely stay at the periphery, but also relates to the more overall flexibility of the absorbent product, and thus the flexibility of the present invention is more related to the flexibility of the well-defined absorbent portion of the absorbent product. is there.
If any of these distinct absorbent parts of the absorbent product match the parameters of this test, the absorbent product satisfies the test. Therefore, several different samples from each absorbent product must be tested. Indeed, except for the parts excluded above, the structurally best adapted absorbent product parts should be tested. The test specimen should not bend or bend, and handling of the specimen should be kept to a minimum at the edges to avoid affecting the bending resistance properties. From the remaining four absorbent products, cut out the same number “Y” of 37.5 × 37.5 mm samples as you did from the first absorbent product.
Thus, a "Y" set of five similar samples is created.

The operation procedure of the Circular Bend Procedure is as follows. The sample was heated to a temperature of 21 ±
Leave for 2 hours in a room at 1 ° C and 50 ± 2% relative humidity. The tests described here are performed under the same conditions. Level the test plate. The plunger speed is 50.0 cm / min at full stroke. The sample is centered over the hole below the plunger, with the body side surface of the sample facing the plunger and the garment side surface facing the platform. Of course, to simulate actual use conditions, remove the paper (if any) that will release the panty adhesive. Block any panty adhesive (if any) using means known in the art such as glycerin, powder, and allow the sample to adhere to the platform to obtain artificially high flexural strength peak values. To prevent If necessary, the body side surface can be oriented towards the platform and the garment side facing the plunger to address the need for a block of adhesive that may be present over the hole. Check that the indicator is zero and adjust if necessary. Operate the plunger. Avoid touching the sample during the test. Read and record the maximum pressure to the nearest gram value. Repeat the above steps until all five similar samples have been tested.

Calculations The peak flexural strength for each sample is a maximum pressure reading. Each set of five similar samples is tested and the five values obtained are averaged. In this way, an average value is obtained for each of the "Y" sets tested. The flexural resistance of an absorbent product is the maximum flexibility of these average peak flexural strengths.

Capacity The total capacity of the absorbent product is determined as follows. Remove the paper releasing the panty adhesive from the absorbent product to be tested. Weigh the product to the nearest 0.1 gram. The product was then replaced with sterile saline (Baxter Travenol Company
(Available from Deerfield, Illinois) in a beaker containing the soaked whole so that it does not bend, twist or break. Let the product soak for 10 minutes. This is lifted and suspended vertically for 2 minutes to remove the physiological saline. This product is placed face down on Filtration Science Corp., Eaton-Dikeman Division (Mount Ho
lly Springs, PA) on absorbent absorbent paper such as # 631 filter paper. Apply a uniform force of 17.6 grams per cm ² to the product to squeeze the liquid. The liquid transferred in 30 seconds by replacing the absorbent blotting paper every 30 seconds is 0.5
Continue until less than grams. The product is then weighed to the nearest 0.1 gram and the dry weight subtracted therefrom. This difference is the total capacity of the product. This completes the test.

All patents and patent applications (and any and all foreign patent applications issued therein) and publications mentioned throughout this patent application are hereby incorporated by reference. It is apparent, however, that none of the documents incorporated herein by reference teach or disclose the invention. It is also clear that no commercial materials or products described herein teach or disclose the invention.

All limitations and ranges specified herein are inclusive of all of the narrower ranges, limitations, and amounts that fall within the specified limits and ranges, even if such narrower ranges and limitations are inclusive of those It should be understood that they may be claimed even if not otherwise listed.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Would.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the absorbent product of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the absorbent product shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the absorbent product shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent product shown in FIG. 1 along the line X-X ′.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the absorbent product shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the mechanical fastener material on the garment facing side of the absorbent product.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of another alternative embodiment of an absorbent product.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the absorbent product shown in FIG. 1, taken along line XX ′.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a sanitary garment for use with the absorbent product of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of a sanitary garment for use with the absorbent product of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a wearer's body showing how conventional panties according to the prior art fit when the wearer's legs are open.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of a wearer's body showing how conventional panties according to the prior art fit when the wearer's legs are closed.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing how the prior art panties fit when the wearer's legs are open.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing how the prior art panties fit when the wearer's legs are closed.

FIG. 15 is a front view photograph showing an example of how a sanitary garment for use with the absorbent product of the present invention fits when the wearer's legs are open. is there.

FIG. 16 shows a photograph from the front showing an example of how a sanitary garment for use with the absorbent product of the present invention fits when the wearer's legs are closed. is there.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of a wearer's body showing an example of how a sanitary garment for use with the absorbent product of the present invention fits when the wearer's legs are open. is there.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side view of a wearer's body showing an example of how a sanitary garment for use with the absorbent product of the present invention fits when the wearer's legs are closed. is there.

FIG. 19 is a suture section of a human female showing the absorbent product of the present invention in one configuration.

20 is a cross-sectional side view of a human female wearer showing the absorbent product of the present invention in the configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional side view of a human female wearer showing the absorbent product of the present invention in another alternative configuration.

FIG. 22 is a top view of another alternative embodiment of an absorbent product.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent product shown in FIG. 22 along line X-X ′.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment of the absorbent product shown in FIG. 22 along line YY.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of an absorbent product.

FIG. 26 is a top view of the absorbent product shown in FIG. 25.

[Procedural Amendment] Submission of translation of Article 34 Amendment of the Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission date] January 15, 2001 (2001.1.15)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0054

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The storage portion 31 B has a density per unit area and a reference weight. Storage part 3
The density and reference weight values of 1B include the particle weight of the hydrogel foam material, so that the density and reference weight values vary depending on the amount of particles dispersed in the storage portion 31B. In this way, the storage portion 31B generally has a density between about 0.03 and about 0.3 g / cm ³ , more preferably between about 0.05 and about 0.2 g / cm ³ , where the storage The layer comprises up to about 60% by weight of the absorbent gelling material. The basis weight of such a storage portion 31B can range from about 0.01 to about 0.1 g / cm ² , preferably from about 0.015 to 0.03 g / cm ² . The density of the retention zone is calculated from the reference weight and the thickness measured on the dissected absorbent product that is not packed or combined. Thickness is measured using a standard gauge on the sample under a load condition of 0.1 psi (70.21 g / cm ² ). The reference weight is obtained by cutting a sample into a die of a certain size, weighing the sample with a standard balance, and determining the reference weight from the weight and area of the sample. (Note that this density and basis weight include the weight of the hydrogel foam material particles).

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0063

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The supply layer 33 has a void volume ratio of at least 80%, preferably at least about 90%, more preferably at least about 95% (typically between about 93% and 99%). Has been found to be sufficient void volume to contain a practical amount of liquid or bodily emissions. The void volume ratio is calculated by the following equation: void volume ratio = (1−Vm / Vs) × 100%, where Vm is the weight of the material or fiber in a given sample divided by the density of the material or fiber. Vs is the determined material volume, where Vs is the area and 0.1
It is the sample volume calculated by multiplying by the thickness measured under psi (70.21 g / cm ² ) loading conditions. Preferably, the supply layer 33 has at least about 5 cm ³
, More preferably at least about 10 cm ³ , most preferably at least about 15 cm ³
It has a void volume of cm ³ . In a particularly preferred embodiment, the feed layer has a void volume of about 20 cm ³ .

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0064

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

In order to maintain a large void volume and high level of liquid transfer, the feed layer 33 should be about 0.5 mm or more, preferably under 0.5 psi (70.21 g / cm ² ) of load conditions. It is believed that it should have a thickness of at least about 1.0 mm, more preferably at least about 1.5 mm, and even more preferably at least about 2.0 mm. The basis weight of the feed layer 33 is preferably from about 0.005 to about 0.04 g / c.
m ² , more preferably from 0.015 g / cm ² to about 0.025 g / cm ² .

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0069

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0069] Other embodiments of the absorbent component 32 are also possible. FIG. 8 shows the absorbent component 32
5 shows another alternative embodiment of the present invention. Absorbable component 32 shown in FIG.
Has an acquisition layer 37 in the acquisition zone 25 of the absorbent product 20. This trapping layer 37 is preferably capable of quickly trapping bodily fluids and has the capacity to process several bursts. This trapping layer 37 is at least about 80%, preferably at least 90%,
More preferably, it may have a void volume fraction of 95% or more (typically between about 93% and 99%), thereby containing a practical amount of liquid or bodily emissions. A sufficient void volume ratio is obtained. Preferably, the supply layer 33 is at least about 5 cm ^3, preferably has at least about 10 cm ³ of void volume. To maintain a large void volume and high level of liquid transfer, the acquisition layer 37 should be 0.1 psi (
A thickness of about 0.5 mm or more, preferably about 1.0 mm or more, more preferably about 1.5 mm or more, and even more preferably about 2.0 mm or more, measured under a load condition of 70.21 g / cm ² ). It is thought that it should have. Capture layer 3
7, preferably has a basis weight of about 0.0025 to about 0.04 g / cm ² , more preferably about 0.015 g / cm ² to about 0.025 g / cm ² . Capture layer 3
7 is also capable of transferring bodily fluids in the vertical direction to the next layer, which is a supply layer 33 for transferring bodily fluids in the vertical direction more quickly than in the horizontal direction. Capture layer 3
It is preferable that 7 can transfer body fluid in the vertical direction more quickly than the supply layer 33. It is also preferred that the supply layer 33 be able to transfer body fluids more quickly in the horizontal direction than the capture layer 37. A suitable material for the trapping layer 37 is Rengo Non-Woven Products Co. Ltd. (Japan
No.) available from 623609. This material preferably has a basis weight of about 0.0025 g / cm ² and a density of about 0.04 g / cm ³ .

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) A61F 13/494 A61F 13/18 302 13/511 301 13/53 310Z 13/534 340 13/539 350 13 / 56 331 (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF , BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SZ, UG, ZW ), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA , CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK , SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZW Yuka Momotani 1-14-1 Koshienguchi, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture 205 F F-term (Reference) 3B029 BA02 BA05 BA16 BD12 BD13 BD14 BD16 BD18 4C003 AA03 AA04 AA07 BA03 DA01 EA02 EA03 EA04 FA02 HA05 HA06 4C098 AA09 CC29 CC31 CC36 CC37 DD02 DD03 DD06 DD08 DD10 DD12 DD13 DD23 DD25 DD26 DD30

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An absorbent product for wearing in support garments, comprising:
A body-facing side and a garment-facing side, an upper sheet disposed on the body-facing side, a back sheet disposed on the garment-facing side, and an absorbent component. The absorbent product has a capture zone and a peripheral zone, the absorbent component includes a storage layer and a supply layer, and the storage layer is disposed on the body-facing side and provides a capture at the capture zone. Having an opening, the storage layer extending to the peripheral zone, the supply layer being disposed on the side facing the garment, the supply layer extending below the capture opening and the storage layer; The supply layer is exposed through the capture opening, and the capture zone substantially provides uniform contact with at least a portion of the wearer's labia minora surface when the absorbent product is worn on the wearer's body. And the surrounding zone can be covered by the absorbent product. An absorbent product that covers at least a portion of the wearer's labia majora when worn on the body. 2. The capture zone has a bending resistance of no more than 100 grams to substantially maintain uniform contact with at least a portion of the wearer's labia minora surface.
An absorbent product according to claim 1. 3. The absorbent product of claim 2, wherein the capture zone covers a portion of the inner surface of the wearer's labia minora. 4. The absorbent product of claim 3, wherein the capture zone covers a portion of the outer surface of the wearer's labia minora. 5. The acquisition zone covers a portion of the surface of the wearer's labia majora.
An absorbent product as described in 1. 6. The absorbent product of claim 5, wherein the peripheral zone covers a portion of the wearer's body surface outside the wearer's labia majora. 7. The absorbent product according to claim 1, wherein the capture zone has a lateral width between 10 mm and 60 mm. 8. The absorbent product according to claim 7, wherein the capture zone has a longitudinal length between 30 mm and 120 mm. 9. The absorbent product of claim 1, wherein the topsheet has a topsheet opening in the acquisition zone. 10. The absorbent product of claim 9, wherein the capture opening is larger than the top sheet opening so that the feed layer does not extend into the top sheet opening.