WO2010041997A1

WO2010041997A1 - Absorbent article with improved transfer of a composition

Info

Publication number: WO2010041997A1
Application number: PCT/SE2008/051159
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barbro Moberg-Alehammar; Ulla Forsgren Brusk; Carina Hedlund; Bo Runeman; Chatrine Stridfeldt
Original assignee: Sca Hygiene Products Ab
Priority date: 2008-10-10
Filing date: 2008-10-10
Publication date: 2010-04-15

Abstract

The invention provides an absorbent article comprising an absorbent and an inner layer located on the wearer-facing side of the absorbent assembly. The inner layer is unattached to the absorbent assembly in at least a contact portion thereof, the contact portion further comprising at least one opening. In a first state (A), the opening is held substantially closed by a temporary seal, such that contact between the contact portion and the wearer's skin can be achieved over substantially the entire area of the contact portion. In a second predetermined state (B), the temporary seal is broken, allowing at least one of the openings to open. In that the inner layer comprises a composition, good transfer of the composition to the wearer's skin is achieved across substantially the entire contact portion.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH IMPROVED TRANSFER OF A COMPOSITION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin or a diaper, in which transfer of a composition, such as a skincare composition, from the article to the wearer's skin is improved.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known to provide absorbent articles with skincare compositions located on the wearer-facing side thereof. The skincare composition is transferred to the wearer's skin when the articles are worn. For instance, skincare compositions can provide much- needed skin hydration, can prevent faeces from sticking to the wearer's skin and can help in the treatment and prevention of diaper rash and other infections and skin problems. The skincare compositions may also assist in uptake or control of bodily exudates such as urine into the absorbent article. Medicated absorbent articles are also known, in which a composition having a beneficial medical effect is transferred to the skin of the wearer.

For example, WO 96/16682 describes a diaper having a lotioned topsheet of a particular composition. The lotion is coated on the diaper topsheet, and is transferable to the wearer's skin by normal contact and wearer motion and/or body heat.

However, a conflict exists between the physical shape of an absorbent article and the properties required for effective transfer of a composition to the wearer's skin. On the one hand, for optimal liquid-handling and airflow in the crotch region, an absorbent article preferably adopts a bowl-shape, whereby the edges of the article are curved upwards towards the wearer's skin, and a gap is formed between the surface of the article and the wearer's skin in the crotch portion. Absorbent articles which adopt a bowl-shape in use are discussed inter alia in WO 07/008124 and WO 07/008125. On the other hand, for optimal transfer of a composition, an absorbent article should make as much contact as possible with the wearer's skin. As such, the article should have a substantially flat crotch portion, with no gaps between the surface of the article and the wearer's skin.

WO 96/23466 discloses absorbent pants having an internal pants layer. The pants layer has openings to allow faeces and urine to pass through it. WO 05/065618 discloses an absorbent article having an inner layer which contacts the wearer's skin. The inner layer comprises an opening, and may include a lotion or treatment that is configured to be applied to the wearer's skin.

However, in that the opening in the inner layer of WO 05/065618 is located in the crotch region, and the inner layer is elastic, the inner layer will make limited or no contact with the wearer's skin in the region of the opening. As such, little or no skincare lotion can be provided to the wearer's skin in the region of the openings. This is especially relevant, as these openings are designed to overlie the anal and genital region of the wearer, and allow urine and faeces to pass through to the remainder of the absorbent article. However, it is precisely the anal and genital regions which are most sensitive and most susceptible to skin irritation or other medical conditions, and - accordingly - the regions in which a composition is most usually required.

There remains a need for an absorbent article in which good liquid-handling and airflow can be obtained by virtue of its form, but which also provides good transfer of a composition to the wearer's skin. It is especially desirable to design absorbent articles in which a composition can be transferred well to the wearer's crotch region.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an absorbent article, comprising an absorbent assembly. The absorbent assembly comprises a wearer-facing side and a garment-facing side, and has a primary extension in the longitudinal direction (L).

The absorbent assembly further comprises a front portion, a rear portion and a crotch portion arranged between said front and rear portions in the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article comprises an inner layer which is located on the wearer-facing side of the absorbent assembly, and arranged such that it overlaps the absorbent assembly in at least the crotch portion thereof.

The inner layer is unattached to the absorbent assembly in at least a contact portion of the inner layer; the contact portion being located in at least the crotch portion of the absorbent assembly. The inner layer further comprises at least one opening located at least in the contact portion. The inner layer also comprises a composition at least in the region of the inner layer which surrounds said opening.

In a first predetermined state (A), the at least one opening is held closed by a temporary seal, such that contact between the contact portion and the wearer's skin can be achieved over substantially the entire area of the contact portion. In a second predetermined state (B), said temporary seal is broken, allowing at least one of said openings to open.

Suitably, the inner layer comprises two openings. The at least one opening is suitably located entirely within said contact portion of said inner layer.

The composition is suitably located across the entire contact portion, and more preferably across the entire inner layer.

In one embodiment - upon contact with liquid - the temporary seal is released, allowing at least one of the at least one openings to open. Accordingly, the temporary seal is selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble film, a water-soluble adhesive, a water-soluble thread or water-soluble fibres.

In another embodiment - upon exposure to a temperature rise of at least 5⁰C, preferably at least 1 O⁰C - the temporary seal is released, allowing at least one of the at least one openings to open. Accordingly, the temporary seal is selected from the group consisting of a temperature-sensitive film, a temperature-sensitive adhesive, a temperature-sensitive thread or temperature-sensitive fibres.

In another embodiment - upon exposure to a pH below pH 7, preferably below pH 6 - the temporary seal is released, allowing at least one of the at least one openings to open. Accordingly, the temporary seal is selected from the group consisting of a pH-sensitive film, a pH-sensitive adhesive, a pH-sensitive thread or pH-sensitive fibres.

The inner layer may be attached to the absorbent assembly solely about the periphery of said inner layer. The inner layer suitably comprises an elastic material. The absorbent assembly suitably comprises a liquid-pervious topsheet, said liquid- pervious topsheet being separate from the inner layer. The absorbent assembly may additionally comprise an absorbent core and a liquid-impervious backsheet.

DEFINITIONS

The term "absorbent article" refers to a product that is placed against the skin of the wearer to absorb and contain body exudates, like urine, perspiration, faeces and menstrual fluid. The invention mainly refers to disposable absorbent articles, which mean articles that are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article after use. Examples of disposable absorbent articles include feminine hygiene products such as sanitary napkins, panty liners and sanitary panties; diapers and pant diapers for infants and incontinent adults; incontinence pads; diaper inserts and the like.

A "nonwoven" material is a material which is typically manufactured by laying fibres in the form of a sheet or web, and then binding them together in some way such that the integrity of the nonwoven material is maintained. Binding of the fibres can occur mechanically (entangling), thermally or with an adhesive.

The terms "wearer-facing side" and "garment-facing side" when applied to the absorbent assembly and the inner layer of the invention describe the opposing surfaces of these components which face the wearer and the wearer's garments, respectively. Note that the terms "wearer-facing" and "garment-facing" are used simply to indicate which direction a surface faces, and need not be considered as "wearer-contacting" or "garment- contacting" (although they may be). For example, in the present invention, the inner layer of the absorbent article lies over the wearer-facing side of the absorbent assembly, so that the garment-facing side of the inner layer faces the wearer-facing side of the absorbent assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to selected non-limiting embodiments and the enclosed schematic figures, in which:

Figure 1A shows an absorbent article according to the invention prior to use, which is a diaper, Figure 1 B is a cross-sectional view through the article of Figure 1A along the line Ib-Ib. Figure 2A shows an absorbent article according to the invention after a period of wearing with the openings released,

Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view through the article of Figure 2A along the line llb-llb. Figure 3A shows a similar absorbent article to that of Figure 1 B, having standing gathers. Figure 3B shows the absorbent article according to Figure 3A, after the openings are released.

Figure 4A shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, being a pant diaper, before the openings are released.

Figure 4B shows the embodiment of Figure 4A, after the openings are released. Figure 5A shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, being a sanitary napkin, before the openings are released. Figure 5B shows the embodiment of Figure 5A, after the openings are released.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 , 2 and 3 show an absorbent article 10 in the form of a diaper. Figure 4 shows an absorbent article 10 in the form of a pant diaper, which has the form of a pair of briefs, from above, when applied on a wearer. However, the invention should not be considered as limited to such articles, but may include sanitary napkins, panty liners, incontinence articles, etc. For instance, Figure 5 shows an absorbent article 10 in the form of a sanitary napkin. The absorbent article 10 is preferably disposable, i.e. it is meant to be discarded after use rather than being washed and reused.

The absorbent article 10 comprises an absorbent assembly 20. The absorbent assembly 20 is that component of the absorbent article 10 which is intended to receive and store body exudates such as urine, and prevent them from leaking. As such, it generally comprises a liquid-permeable topsheet 23, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 25 and an absorbent core 24 located therebetween. However, an absorbent assembly 20 may lack a separate topsheet 23 or backsheet 25, provided that the absorbent core 24 is adapted accordingly.

The absorbent article 10 has longitudinal (L) and transverse (T) extensions as illustrated - the longitudinal (L) extension being along the longitudinal (longest) axis of symmetry, and the transverse extension being perpendicular to this. The absorbent article 10 may take any form, such as hourglass-shaped, rectangular or T-shaped (an hour-glass shaped absorbent article is shown in Figures 1 and 2).

The absorbent assembly 20 also has a primary extension (i.e. length) in the longitudinal direction (L), and a secondary extension (width) in the transverse direction (T). The assembly 20 (and indeed, the article 10) is symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis. The absorbent assembly 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2 has an hourglass form in the L-T plane, and is narrowed towards the centre. However, other forms are possible, e.g. rectangular or T-shaped. The overall form of the absorbent assembly 20 is determined by the component(s) thereof which have the greatest extension in the L-T plane. Usually, the backsheet 25 and topsheet 23 have a similar form and extension in the L-T plane, while the absorbent core 24 usually has a smaller extension in the L-T plane in all directions. The backsheet 25 and topsheet 23 are therefore joined to one another around the periphery of the absorbent core 24. The absorbent core 24 may have a form in the L-T plane which is similar to that of the absorbent assembly 20, e.g. in Figures 1 and 2, the absorbent core 24 is hourglass-formed. Alternatively, the absorbent core 24 may have a form which is different from that of the absorbent assembly 20, e.g. rectangular.

The absorbent assembly 20 further comprises a front portion 26, a rear portion 27 and a crotch portion 28 arranged between said front 26 and rear 27 portions in the longitudinal direction (L). In other words, the crotch portion 28 interconnects the front 26 and rear 27 portions of the absorbent assembly 20 in the longitudinal direction (L). The front portion 26 is the portion of the absorbent assembly 20 which - in use - covers the lower part of the wearer's belly. The rear portion 27 is the portion of the absorbent assembly 20 which - in use - covers the lower part of the wearer's back and upper buttocks. In open diapers, the front portion 26 and rear portion 27 can be fastened to one another at their longitudinal edges by fasteners 1 1. In the pant-type diaper illustrated in Figure 4, the front and rear portions 26, 27 are permanently joined to each other at their longitudinal edges so as to form a pair of pants.

The crotch portion 28 lies between said front 26 and rear 27 portions (i.e. between the wearer's legs in use) in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent assembly 20, and is the portion of the absorbent assembly 20 which receives bodily waste. In use, the crotch portion 28 therefore covers at least the genitals and anus of the user. Typically, the crotch portion 28 occupies between 40 and 70% of the total length of the absorbent assembly 20, but for sanitary napkins and panty liners, this percentage may be even higher. The crotch portion 28 is centred about a line in the transverse direction T which lies halfway along the assembly 20 in the longitudinal direction L.

The absorbent assembly 20 has a wearer-facing side 21 and a garment-facing side 22. If a liquid-permable topsheet 23 is present, this constitutes the wearer-facing side 21 of the absorbent assembly 20. If a liquid-impermeable backsheet 25 is present, this constitutes the garment-facing side 22 of the absorbent assembly 20.

The topsheet 23 can consist of a nonwoven material, e g spunbond, meltblown, carded, hydroentangled, wetlaid etc. Suitable nonwoven materials can be composed of natural fibers, such as woodpulp or cotton fibres, manmade fibres, such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, viscose etc. or from a mixture of natural and manmade fibres. The topsheet may further be composed of tow fibres, which may be bonded to each other in a bonding pattern, as e.g. disclosed in EP-A-1 035 818. Further examples of materials suitable for topsheets are porous foams, apertured plastic films etc. The materials suited as topsheets should be soft and non-irritating to the skin and intended to be readily penetrated by body fluid, e.g. urine or menstrual fluid. The topsheet may be different in different parts of the absorbent article.

The absorbent assembly 20 includes an absorbent core 24, which can be of any conventional kind. Examples of commonly occurring absorbent materials are cellulosic fluff pulp, tissue layers, airlaid cellulose material, highly absorbent polymers (so called superabsorbents), absorbent foam materials, absorbent nonwoven materials or the like. It is common to combine cellulosic fibers with superabsorbents in an absorbent core. It is also common to have absorbent cores comprising layers of different material with different properties with respect to liquid acquisition capacity, liquid distribution capacity and storage capacity (known as acquisition, distribution and storage layers). This is well- known to the person skilled in the art and does therefore not have to be described in detail. The thin absorbent cores, which are common in today's absorbent articles, often comprise a compressed mixed or layered structure of cellulosic fibres and superabsorbent material. The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core may be varied to suit different uses such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, adult incontinence pads and diapers, baby diapers, pant diapers, etc. The illustrated absorbent assembly 20 comprises a liquid-impermeable backsheet 25. This backsheet 25 may consist of a thin plastic film, e.g. a polyethylene or polypropylene film, a nonwoven material coated with a liquid impervious material, a hydrophobic nonwoven material which resists liquid penetration, or a laminate of plastic films and nonwoven materials. The backsheet 25 may be breathable so as to allow vapour to escape from the absorbent core, while still preventing liquids from passing through the backsheet material. The backsheet 25 may be elastic.

The topsheet 23 and the backsheet 25 illustrated have a somewhat greater extension in the L-T plane of the absorbent assembly 20 than the absorbent core 24 and extend outside the edges thereof. The topsheet 23 and backsheet 25 are connected to each other within the projecting portions thereof, e.g. by gluing or welding by heat or ultrasound. The topsheet 23 and/or the backsheet 25 may further be attached to the absorbent core 24 by any method known in the art, such as adhesive, heat bonding etc. The absorbent core 24 may also be unattached to the topsheet 23 and/or the backsheet

25, or only attached in certain regions thereof.

Fasteners 11 , like friction fasteners, tape tabs or mechanical fasteners like hook-and-loop fasteners etc. may be used to fasten the absorbent article 10 of the invention to the underwear or around the waist of the wearer. Some absorbent articles are in the form of pants and therefore do not need special fastening means (see Figures 4A and 4B). In other cases the absorbent article is worn in special elastic pants without the need for additional fasteners.

As shown in Figures 1-5, the absorbent article 10 also comprises an inner layer 30. The inner layer 30 is located on the wearer-facing side 21 of the absorbent assembly 20. The inner layer 30 is located so that it overlaps at least the crotch portion 28 of the absorbent assembly 20, and preferably overlaps the entire absorbent assembly 20. The inner layer 30 is a separate component to the absorbent assembly 20, although it should be joined thereto. The inner layer 30 may be joined to any component(s) of the absorbent assembly 20, but is most suitably attached to the topsheet 23. Most preferably, as shown in Figures 1-3, the inner layer 30 is joined to the absorbent assembly 20 about the periphery of said inner layer 30. By "periphery is meant the region of the inner layer 30 which lies within 3cm, preferably within 2cm, more preferably within 1cm, from the edge of the inner layer 30. The inner layer 30 may be joined to the absorbent assembly 20 by any suitable means in the art, e.g. adhesive bonding, thermally bonding or ultrasonic bonding.

Figures 5A and 5B show an alternative arrangement of the inner layer 30; in this embodiment the absorbent article 10 is illustrated as a sanitary napkin, although this arrangement of the inner layer 30 can equally apply to another type of absorbent article 10. The inner layer 30 and the absorbent assembly 20 are joined to one another at the longitudinal ends of the inner layer 30, while the remainder of the inner layer 30 (including crotch portion 28) is not attached to the absorbent assembly 20. The inner layer 30 may have an extension in the longitudinal direction which is substantially the same as that of the absorbent assembly 20. A hammock-type absorbent article 10 is thus obtained, in which the inner layer 30 is suspended by its longitudinal ends above the absorbent assembly 20.

The inner layer 30 preferably has a shape which is the same as that of the absorbent assembly 20. The inner layer 30 may also have an extension in the L-T plane which is substantially the same as the absorbent assembly 20, and may thus overlie the entire absorbent assembly 20. Alternatively, the inner layer 30 may have a smaller extension in the L-T plane than the absorbent assembly 20, for example, it might only be located in the crotch portion 28 of the absorbent assembly 20. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inner layer 30 is approximately hourglass-shaped. The inner layer 30 of Figure 4 is pant- shaped, as per the absorbent assembly 20, and forms an inner pant. The inner layer of Figure 5 is rectangular.

The inner layer 30 usually comprises an elastic material, so that it fits well against the wearer's skin. Elastic inner layers 30 also have the advantage that they can exert tension on the absorbent assembly 20, promoting its adoption of a certain form (e.g. bowl- shaped). This is clearly shown in Figures 1 B, 2B, 3A and 3B. In this case, the extension of the inner layer 30 in the transverse direction when not extended must be less than the distance between the points at which the inner layer 30 is joined to the absorbent assembly 20. The inner layer 30 has a wearer-facing side 33 and a garment-facing side 34. The inner layer need not be elastic; however, in this case, the absorbent article 10 can adopt a bowl-shape during manufacture and must be packaged accordingly. Elastic elements 12 may be included in the absorbent article 10, particularly in the absorbent assembly 20, to improve fit and reduce leakage. Exemplary elastic elements are waist elastics, leg elastics and so-called "standing gathers" 29. This is shown clearly in Figures 3A and 3B, which show cross-sections corresponding to Figures 1 B and 2B, with the inner layer 30 located between the two standing gathers 29. The inner layer 30 may even comprise the same piece of material as the standing gathers 29. The incorporation of elastic elements in the absorbent article 10 or absorbent assembly 20 can help in the formation of the bowl shape discussed above.

The inner layer 30 may comprise a nonwoven material, a plastic film, or a laminate of two or more of such materials. Suitably, the wearer-facing side 33 of the inner layer 30 is soft and has a cloth-like feel, for wearer comfort, and thus preferably comprises a nonwoven material. The inner layer 30 can itself be elastic, or may be elasticised by appropriate use of elastic elements e.g. elastic film or elastic threads.

Suitable materials for the inner layer 30 may be nonwoven materials, perforated films or nets. Nonwoven materials can be spunlaid, meltblown, carded, air-laid, wet-laid or multi- layered combinations thereof, such as SMMS (spunlaid-meltblown-meltblown-spunlaid). The nonwoven materials may be bonded using any conventional techniques well-known to those skilled in the art for example by thermo-bonding (hot air or point-embossing), latex bonding and mechanical bonding such as hydroentangling. The fibres may be of natural or synthetic origin such as cotton, viscose, rayon, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyamides, polypropylene, polyethylene and polyacrylates. The fibres may also consist of various kinds of copolymers such as block-copolymers of olefins (e.g. ethylene/propylene) and styrene block-copolymers and may comprise various kind of additives or fillers such as titaniumdioxide, etc. The nonwovens may consist of a mixture of different fibres and the fibres may be of mono-, bi- or multicomponent type. The nonwoven may be elastic. If required, the nonwoven material may be apertured. The nonwoven material may be post- treated, by e.g. embossing, stretching or coating or impregnating with a substance which increases its liquid-handling properties (e.g. a hydrophobic coating).

Perforated plastic films may also be used as a material for the inner layer 30. The plastic film can be made of any suitable polymer although the most common ones would be polyethylene and polypropylene. The films may contain additives and/or fillers such as pigments and calcium carbonate. The number and size of perforations need to be set in relation to the required air permeability and material strength.

Other possible materials are net materials, laminates comprising any of the above- mentioned materials or the like. Elastification of a nonwoven inner layer can also be done using a multiplicity of elastic threads attached to the nonwoven inner layer (often between a first and a second NW inner layer). Suitable elastic nonwoven materials are Elaxus materials (produced by Golden Pheonix). Examples of elastic laminates are Optiflex

(Golden Pheonix), FlexAire and Fabriflex materials (Tredegar Film Products) and FlexEar (Koester). Elastic film materials are sold by Nordenia under the trade name Solastic.

The inner layer 30 is preferably breathable, i.e. it may be porous so that air and moisture can flow through the layer. The inner layer 30 may be liquid-pervious or liquid-impervious. If it is liquid-impervious, liquid is substantially prevented from passing through the inner layer 30, and may only pass through the one or more openings 32 in the layer. If the inner layer 30 is liquid-pervious, some liquid may pass through the inner layer 30; however, the majority of the liquid will still pass through the one or more openings 32 in the layer.

At least a portion of the inner layer 30 (contact portion 31) is unattached to the absorbent assembly 20. The contact portion 31 is located in at least the crotch portion 28 of the absorbent assembly 20, and may extend into one or both of the front 26 and/or rear 27 portions. Suitably, the contact portion 31 of the inner layer 30 extends over the entire crotch portion 28 of the absorbent assembly 20. Preferably, the contact portion 31 has a surface area measured in the L-T plane which is at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70% of the surface area of the inner layer 30 (measured when the absorbent article 10 is fully outstretched). That is, the inner layer 30 is not joined to the absorbent assembly 20 over the majority of its surface area.

In the contact portion 31 , the absorbent assembly 20 is free to adopt the optimal shape for liquid containment, while good contact is retained between the contact portion 31 and the skin of the wearer. As seen in Figures 1 B, 2B, 3A, 3B and 5A and 5B, the contact portion 31 rises up from the absorbent assembly 20, and a space is created between the inner layer 30 and the absorbent assembly 20 in the contact portion 31. This is best seen in the expanded portions of Figures 1 B, 2B, 3A and 3B. This space, and the resulting bowl- shape of the absorbent assembly 20, provides the absorbent article 10 with good waste- handling capability, particularly with regard to liquid waste.

The inner layer 30 further comprises at least one opening 32 located at least in the contact portion 31 thereof. The at least one opening 32 is preferably located solely within the contact portion 31. The at least one opening 32 allows body exudates to pass through the inner layer 30 and be absorbed by the absorbent assembly 20. The inner layer 30 may comprise a single opening 32 which is designed to cover both anal and genital regions of the wearer, or may comprise two openings 32 - one which is designed to cover the anal region, the other which is designed to cover the genital region. Alternatively, the inner layer may comprise three, four or more openings 32. Each opening 32 may be circular, triangular, square, or may have the form of a slit, or one or more intersecting slits. Preferably, each opening 32 has the form of a slit, and each slit is preferably aligned with the longitudinal direction (L) of the article 10. Openings 32 should have a form and location such that they have an axis of symmetry in the longitudinal direction (L) which coincides with the axis of symmetry of the article 10 itself. The opening 32 may have a surface area which is between 5 and 50% of the surface area of the inner layer 30, preferably between 20 and 30%. The opening 32 may have a surface area - when open - which is between 2 and 80cm², preferably between 10 and 45cm². The area of the opening 32 can be determined by extending the absorbent article so that it is tensioned in a plane (without stretching elastic members), tracing round the opening on tracing paper and then using a planimeter (e.g. Placom KP-90 from DG Digiplan AG, Switzerland) to draw round the image of the opening. The planimeter then calculates the area traced. If one opening 32 is present, it should have an extension in the longitudinal direction (L) of between 1 and 20cm, preferably between 3 and 15cm. If two openings 32 are present, each may have an extension in the longitudinal direction (L) which lies between 1 and 25cm, preferably between 3 and 15cm. Openings 32 may be provided by any means known in the art, such as cutting, stamping, or melting; the most suitable means can be selected by the skilled person depending on the nature of the inner layer 30.

The large-scale opening 32 in the inner layer 30 is to be distinguished from any micro- scale pores which allow breathability in the inner layer 30.

The inner layer 30 comprises a composition 40 at least in the region surrounding the opening 32, preferably across the entire contact portion 31 , and more preferably across the entire inner layer 30. The composition 40 is designed to be transferred from the inner layer 30 to the wearer's skin. The composition 40 may be a skincare composition. Suitable skincare compositions 40 for use in the present invention may be any composition which is generally used in the field. Non-limiting examples of suitable 5 skincare compositions 40 and their ingredients are described in EP 1011581 , WO 03/034965, WO 96/16682 and EP 1 358 863 ("skin conditioning agents").

Alternatively, the composition 40 may be a composition which has beneficial medical effects. The composition 40 may comprise lactobacillus or other probiotic bacteria, for 10 example LB931 and Ess-1 , which are known to be involved in infections of the female genito-urinary system.

It is advantageous that the composition 40 is acidic, i.e. it has a pH of less than 7, as transfer to the wearer's skin is improved. A pH of between 4 and 5 is preferred, and more 15 preferred is 4.5, and can readily be obtained by e.g. buffered citric acid. A composition 40 which is acidic and comprises bacteria, e.g. lactobacillus is particularly preferred.

The composition 40 may be applied to the inner layer 30 in any known manner, such as e.g. rolling, spraying, dipping or printing. The composition 40 may be applied to the

20 wearer-facing side of the inner layer 30, but may also be impregnated into the inner layer 30. The composition 40 is typically applied in quite local areas, adjacent to sensitive areas of the wearer's body. The composition may be applied in a continuous coating process, or in a pattern, such as lines, dots or alternative patterns. The number of lactobacilli, or other probiotic bacteria, is between 10³ - 10¹³, preferably between 10⁶ -

25 10¹⁰ colony forming units (CFUs) in an area of about 2cm². The amount of the composition 40 is a question of the concentration of lactobacillus in the composition 40 for an area as above (2cm²). 0.1g of product is a typical value for the composition 40 (i.e. the concentration is chosen so that 0.1 g of product gives 10³ - 10¹⁵ CFUs.

30 In a first predetermined state (A), the at least one opening 32 is held closed by a temporary seal 35 (see Figures 1 B, 3A, 4A and 5A). By the phrase "temporary", it is meant that the seal 35 remains intact in a first state, keeping the at least one opening 32 substantially closed, but is designed to break in a second state. The seal 35 need not be located across the entire area of the opening 32, but can be arranged at certain intervals

35 around the opening 32, such that the edges of the opening 32 are drawn together at these intervals. In the first predetermined state (A), contact is achieved between the contact portion 31 and the wearer's skin over substantially the entire area of the contact portion 31 , in particular in the crotch portion 28, and especially in the region of the inner layer 30 which makes contact with the genital and anal region. This is particularly well-illustrated in the insert in Figure 1 b. Therefore, good transfer of the composition to the wearer's skin is achieved across substantially the entire contact portion 31.

In a second predetermined state (B), the temporary seal 35 is broken, allowing at least one of the openings 32 to open. In the second predetermined state (B), a passage is formed for bodily waste to pass easily from the wearer, through the inner layer 30 and onto the absorbent assembly 20 (see Figures 2B, 3B, 4B and 5B).

The first predetermined state (A) may be, for instance, when the inner layer 30 (more particularly, the temporary seal 35 itself) is in a dry state (i.e. before use and before soiling by the wearer). The second predetermined state (B) may therefore be when the inner layer 30 (more particularly, the temporary seal 35 itself) is in a wet state (i.e. after being soiled by the wearer). In this case, the temporary seal 35 comprises a water-soluble material, which partly or completely dissolves upon urination or upon higher bodily moisture. The water-soluble material may take the form of a water-soluble film located over the opening 32, a water-soluble adhesive which joins the edges of the opening 32 to each other, a water-soluble thread which stitches the edges of the opening 32 to each other or water-soluble fibres which span the opening 32.

Alternatively, the first predetermined state (A) may be when the inner layer 30 is at ambient temperature (i.e. below the temperature reached within the absorbent article when worn, e.g. between 30-33⁰C). The second predetermined state (B) may therefore be when the inner layer 30 reaches a predetermined temperature above ambient temperature (i.e. the temperature reached within the absorbent article when worn, e.g. above 35⁰C) In this case, the temporary seal 35 comprises a temperature-sensitive material, which changes its form upon exposure to an elevated temperature (e.g. a temperature rise of at least 2⁰C, preferably at least 5⁰C). The temperature-sensitive material may take the form of a temperature-sensitive film located over the opening 32, a temperature-sensitive adhesive which joins the edges of the opening 32 to each other, a temperature-sensitive thread which stitches the edges of the opening 32 to each other or temperature-sensitive fibres which span the opening 32. The embodiment in which the temporary seal 35 comprises a temperature-sensitive material is particularly relevant when the composition 40 comprises lactobacillus or other bacteria which benefits from being kept cool (so that the bacteria do not die).

Alternatively to the above, the first predetermined state (A) may be achieved when the inner layer 30 is at a particular pH. For instance, the pH of human urine tends to lie between neutral pH (ph 7) and weakly acidic (pH 6), but may be as acidic as pH 4.5. Therefore, the temporary seal 35 in the inner layer 30 may hold the opening 32 closed in the first predetermined state (A) when the pH lies outside this range, but may break within this pH range in the second predetermined state (B). In this case, the temporary seal 35 comprises a pH-sensitive material, which changes its form (e.g. dissolves) upon exposure to an acidic pH (i.e. below pH 7, preferably below pH 6). The pH-sensitive material may take the form of a pH-sensitive film located over the opening 32, a pH-sensitive adhesive which joins the edges of the opening 32 to each other, a pH-sensitive thread which stitches the edges of the opening 32 to each other or pH -sensitive fibres which span the opening 32.

Alternatively to the above, the first predetermined state (A) may be achieved when the inner layer 30 is contacted with a particular chemical substance. For instance, human urine comprises, among other substances, carbohydrates, enzymes, nitrogen-containing substances such as urea, mineral salts, organic acids, amino acids and proteins, hormones and vitamins. Therefore, the temporary seal 35 in the inner layer 30 may hold the opening 32 closed in the first predetermined state (A), prior to contact with a particular chemical substance, but may break upon contact with said substance in the second predetermined state (B). In this case, the temporary seal 35 comprises a material which changes its form (e.g. dissolves) upon exposure to a particular chemical substance. The material may take the form of a film located over the opening 32, an adhesive which joins the edges of the opening 32 to each other, a thread which stitches the edges of the opening 32 to each other or fibres which span the opening 32.

The temporary seal 35 may in fact include the composition 40. As such, it will function both to hold the opening 32 in a closed state (A) and release the opening 32 in the second state (B), while containing components which have a beneficial effect on the wearer. The temporary seal 35 may also be selected so that it responds to a combination of two or more conditions (e.g. wetness and temperature, or temperature and pH) before the inner layer 30 can switch from the first to the second predetermined states.

5 The temporary seal 35 may take the form of an adhesive. As such, it may be applied in one or more lines on the inner layer 30 such that the opening 32 is held closed in the first predetermined state (A). If the opening 32 comprises a slit, it may be sufficient that the adhesive is located along the length of the slit such that it covers both edges of the slit. It may also be placed in dots or lines which extend from one edge of the opening 32 to

10 another. The adhesive dissolves or melts in the second predetermined state (B) so that the opening 32 can open. Suitable liquid-sensitive adhesives include Kappasil 240, Kappasil 260 (Kapp-Chemie GmbH, Miehlen, Germany), Adhesin A7093, Adhesin TS0190 (Henkel GmbH, Germany), Cycloflex 134-847A (National Starch & Chemical AB), Tapetklister 6672 (Accent Interior AB) and Casco Tapetklister 3439 (Azko Nobel Bygglim

15 AB).

The temporary seal 35 may take the form of a film. The film should have an extension in the plane of the opening 32, and be large enough that it can overlap all edges of the opening 32, thus sealing it. The film itself may be sufficiently adhesive that it can seal the 20 opening 32 without addition of extra adhesive; otherwise adhesive may be used to join the film to the opening 32. The film dissolves or melts in the second predetermined state (B) so that the opening 32 can open.

The temporary seal 35 may take the form of one or more threads, which are joined to or

25 pass through the edges of the opening 32 at various points. In effect, the edges of the opening are stitched together. In a simple example, in the case of a slit-shaped opening

32, a thread can zig-zag between the two edges of the opening 32, from one end to the other. The thread dissolves, melts, stretches or becomes elastic in the second predetermined state (B) so that the opening 32 can open. Suitable liquid-sensitive

30 threads include pectin fibres, EVA fibres and polyethylene oxide (PEO) fibres

The temporary seal 35 may take the form of fibres. The fibres of the temporary seal are bonded to the edges of the opening 32, so that the opening 32 is sealed. If the inner layer

30 is a nonwoven material, a sealed opening 32 may be incorporated into the inner layer

35 30 by including a region of the nonwoven material comprising different fibres which dissolve or change form in the second predetermined state (B) (e.g. a region of water- soluble fibres), if the fibres of the temporary seal 35 are bonded to one another, this has the effect that the temporary seal 35 comprises a nonwoven layer covering the opening 32. The fibres dissolve, melt, stretch or become elastic in the second predetermined state (B) so that the opening 32 can open.

Suitably, all openings 32 in the inner layer 30 open in the second predetermined state (B), but it may be desirable that one opening 32 opens under different conditions to another. For example, one opening 32 may be designed to open on contact with urine, while another opening 32 may open on contact with faeces. Different kinds of temporary seals 35 sealing different openings 32 within a single inner layer 30 may be selected accordingly. In addition, a seal 35 may be designed so that it reacts to two or more of the above-described conditions (e.g. warm liquid). This may increase the effectiveness of the temporary seal 35.

The invention has been described with reference to a number of embodiments and the Figures. However, the invention should not be considered as limited to these embodiments - rather features from various embodiments can be combined as desired by the person skilled in the art. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An absorbent article (10), comprising an absorbent assembly (20), said absorbent assembly (20) comprising a wearer-facing side (21) and a garment-facing side (22); said absorbent assembly (20) having a primary extension in the longitudinal direction (L); said absorbent assembly (20) further comprising a front portion (26), a rear portion (27) and a crotch portion (28) arranged between said front (26) and rear (27) portions in the longitudinal direction; wherein said absorbent article (10) comprises an inner layer (30) located on the wearer-facing side (21) of the absorbent assembly (20), and arranged such that it overlaps the absorbent assembly (20) in at least the crotch portion (28) thereof, said inner layer (30) being unattached to the absorbent assembly (20) in at least a contact portion (31 ) of the inner layer (30), said contact portion (31 ) being located in at least the crotch portion (28) of the absorbent assembly (20); wherein the inner layer (30) further comprises at least one opening (32) located at least in said contact portion (31) thereof; said inner layer (30) comprising a composition (40) at least in the region of the inner layer (30) which surrounds said opening (32); characterised in that in a first predetermined state (A), said at least one opening (32) is held closed by a temporary seal (35), such that contact between the contact portion (31) and the wearer's skin can be achieved over substantially the entire area of the contact portion (31) and in a second predetermined state (B), said temporary seal (35) is broken, allowing at least one of said openings (32) to open.

2. An absorbent article (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the inner layer (30) comprises two openings (32).

3. An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one opening (32) is located entirely within said contact portion (31) of said inner layer (30).

4. An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition (40) is located across the entire contact portion (31), and more preferably across the entire inner layer (30).

5. An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein - upon contact with liquid - the temporary seal (35) is released, allowing at least one of the at least one openings (32) to open.

6. An absorbent article (10) according to claim 5, wherein the temporary seal (35) is selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble film, a water-soluble adhesive, a water-soluble thread or water-soluble fibres.

7. An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein - upon exposure to a temperature rise of at least 5⁰C, preferably at least 1O⁰C - the temporary seal (35) is released, allowing at least one of the at least one openings

(32) to open.

8. An absorbent article (10) according to claim 7, wherein the temporary seal (35) is selected from the group consisting of a temperature-sensitive film, a temperature- sensitive adhesive, a temperature-sensitive thread or temperature-sensitive fibres.

9. An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein - upon exposure to a pH below pH 7, preferably below pH 6 - the temporary seal (35) is released, allowing at least one of the at least one openings (32) to open.

10. An absorbent article (10) according to claim 9, wherein the temporary seal (35) is selected from the group consisting of a pH-sensitive film, a pH-sensitive adhesive, a pH-sensitive thread or pH-sensitive fibres.

1 1. An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner layer (30) is attached to the absorbent assembly (20) solely about the periphery of said inner layer (30).

12. An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner layer (30) comprises an elastic material.

13. An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbent assembly (20) comprises a liquid-pervious topsheet (23), said liquid- pervious topsheet (23) being separate from the inner layer (30).

14. An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbent assembly (20) comprises an absorbent core (24) and a liquid- impervious backsheet (25).