AU2020274614A1 - Incontinence article in the form of briefs - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an incontinence article (2) for absorbing bodily excretions, wherein, on the stomach portion (4) or the back portion (6), a first identification means (70) is provided in a first region (11), and the first identification means (70) has a first identifier (72), which is formed by a coloured zone (73) extending over a surface area and provides a first piece of information, wherein the coloured zone (73) can be visually distinguished from a second region (13) surrounding it, wherein a second, batch-individualizing identification means (90) is provided in the stomach portion (4) or back portion (6) having the first identification means (70), in a predetermined spatial arrangement in relation to the first identification means (70).

Description

Title: Incontinence article in the form of briefs

Description

The invention relates to an incontinence article for

absorbing bodily excretions, having a longitudinal

direction and having a transverse direction, having a front

abdominal portion and a rear back portion, which are spaced

apart from one another in a longitudinal direction and

which, in order to form an abdominal and back band that is

continuous in the transverse or waist-encircling direction

and has a waist opening closed in the waist-encircling

direction, are connected together by the manufacturer at

side seam regions on both sides, and having a crotch

portion that has an absorbent body and extends in the

longitudinal direction between the abdominal portion and

back portion, wherein the crotch portion, the abdominal portion and the back portion together delimit respective leg openings in the incontinence article, wherein the abdominal portion and the back portion are designed to be elastically stretchable in the transverse or waist encircling direction, and wherein the back portion and/or the abdominal portion comprises a nonwoven material, wherein a first identification means is provided in a first region on the abdominal portion or the back portion, and the first identification means has a first identifier that is formed by a two-dimensionally extending colored zone and provides first information, wherein the colored zone is visually distinguishable from a second region that surrounds it (and thus the first identifier).

It is known from the prior art to apply identification

means to incontinence articles. Thus, for example,

EP 2 841 038 Al describes an incontinence article that has

a stretch indicator in the waist peripheral region. Said

stretch indicator serves to identify the fit, wherein a

reference graphic is preferably provided.

In particular, however, it is desirable, in such

underpants-type diaper products, to apply a marking that

identifies the front or rear side. Even in regular

underwear, such a marking is in the form of labels usually

sewn in at the rear.

EP 1 815 831 Al likewise relates to an underpants-type

diaper, having an identifier that is visible from the

outside on the front and/or rear side of the incontinence

product, wherein a vertically extending center line of the identifier does not coincide with the longitudinal central axis of the incontinence product, with the result that the identifier is arranged in a laterally offset manner. This is intended to have the effect that the identifier is less prominent.

Furthermore, provision is made, in incontinence products,

for batch-individualizing identifiers to be applied, for

example in the region of the leg cutouts or in the crotch

region.

Proceeding from this prior art, it was an object of the

invention to improve the locatability of the batch

individualizing identifier and to visually adapt the

incontinence article further to a normal underwear product.

The invention achieves this object by way of an

incontinence article having the features of claim 1. In

this case, the path taken by the invention is that a

second, batch-individualizing identification means is

arranged in a predetermined spatial arrangement with

respect to the first identification means in the abdominal

portion or back portion having the first identification

means.

According to a preferred embodiment, the second

identification means may comprise or is formed by

sequential numbers and/or letters and/or special characters

and/or symbols and/or graphical elements, or a combination

thereof. Suitable symbols are for example machine-readable

codes such as barcodes or matrix codes, for example.

The term batch-individualizing should be understood here as

meaning when the identification means contains indications

of at least one, preferably two or more of the following

pieces of information, namely the production time, in

particular the date and/or time of day or period,

production facility, production machine, production site.

The second identification means therefore changes

preferably in particular periods or, for example, when

production parameters are changed.

The second, batch-individualizing identification means is

preferably not the same for all the successively produced

incontinence articles, but varies from product to product

or varies in a predefined manner from one group comprising

a plurality of articles to a subsequent group of a further

plurality of articles, in order, on the basis of the

production-specific information, for it to be subsequently

possible to identify which batch or which production time

or which production machine a, for example, defective

product should be assigned to.

A longitudinal central axis of the incontinence article is

defined in that said article is folded centrally, along the

longitudinal central axis, about an axis extending in the

longitudinal direction. In the same way, a transverse

central axis is determined in that the incontinence article

is halved in its longitudinal direction.

The first and/or the second identification means is

preferably applied directly to a chassis-forming layer of the back portion or of the abdominal portion. A chassis forming layer is understood to be in particular a layer that extends substantially as far as a waist-opening edge and/or a side seam region of the incontinence article. The first and/or second identification means is therefore not applied on a label-like material portion additionally introduced onto the back and/or abdominal portion. As a result, information can be provided relatively easily and cost-effectively by the first and/or second identification means, this not requiring any additional working step such as sewing in and/or sticking in a label, for example. In addition, problems, caused by edges introduced with smaller material portions, of detachment of the material portion on account of rubbing and also irritation of the user's skin by possible protruding peripheral edges are avoided.

It is possible to provide in particular nonwoven materials

and/or film and/or nonwoven/film laminates as chassis

forming layers.

In this case, provision may be made in particular that the

first identification means and/or the second identification

means are applied to the nonwoven material of the abdominal

portion or back portion. Preferably, the first and/or the

second identification means are applied to a nonwoven

layer, facing the body, of the nonwoven material.

Preferably, the first and second identification means are

applied to the same element of the abdominal or back

portion. Preferably, the first and the second

identification means are applied or attached to a nonwoven

layer, facing the body, of the nonwoven material. In this case, the first and second identification means can be applied to a top side, facing the body and/or facing away from the body, of the nonwoven layer facing the body, wherein a top side facing away from the body is particularly preferred for the first identification means.

The second identification means can be applied to the top

side facing the body or to the top side facing away from

the body.

In particular in the case of a nonwoven material of the

abdominal portion or back portion that has two outer

nonwoven layers, i.e. nonwoven layers that respectively

form an outer side of the nonwoven material, the first

identification means is particularly preferably applied

between the outer nonwoven layers and in this case in

particular to the top side, facing away from the body, of

the nonwoven layer facing the body. The arrangement facing

the body or facing away from the body is understood to mean

the directions in the state in which the article is being

worn properly by a wearer.

In particular when the first identification means is

arranged facing away from the body, this has the effect

that there is no rubbing off of the colored zone, and also

skin-friendliness is maintained through the avoidance of

direct skin contact, and given sufficient visibility caused

by the nonwoven layers, the first identification means

nevertheless passes more visually into the background.

The first identification means may particularly preferably

comprise a second identifier that provides second information, said second identifier being formed in that clearances in the colored zone are provided in the first identifier.

In particular, as a result of being enclosed within a

colored zone, the second information of the second

identifier is more legible than would be the case if, for

instance, a conventional print without the enclosing region

of the first identifier were provided. As a result of the

first region of the first identifier being visually

differentiated from the second region of the abdominal

portion or back portion, in particular from the second

region of a nonwoven material of the abdominal portion or

back portion, a contrast is created that makes it possible

to improve the perceptibility of the second identifier when

it is embodied in particular with relatively small

dimensions.

In particular, the clearances can be island-like.

Clearances that are "island-like" should be understood in

particular as being clearances that are surrounded by a

sufficiently broad frame of the colored zone, since this

makes it easier to identify the second information.

Likewise, clearances that are "island-like" should also be

understood as being those that are formed by the combining

of a plurality of separate alphanumeric characters or

characters that are otherwise perceptible to humans as

being separate to form clearances.

The second identifier of the first identification means

comprises or is formed by sequential numbers and/or letters and/or special characters and/or symbols and/or graphical elements, or a combination thereof.

In particular, provision is made that the visually

perceptible nature of the abdominal portion or back

portion, in particular of the nonwoven material of the

abdominal portion or back portion, within the clearances is

identical to the particular visually perceptible nature of

the abdominal portion or back portion, in particular the

nonwoven material thereof, of the first region and in

particular of the second region.

The expression "visually distinguishable" is understood as

meaning that the distinction is already apparent to the

naked eye, and optionally, the distinguishability can be

further assisted by visual aids.

"Visually perceptible" means the same as apparent to the

naked eye.

The term "color" that is used relates to the visual

perception property of light output that is derived from

the light spectrum and as such is able to be detected by

the human eye. Colors that are typically known include

black, red, blue, green, yellow and mixtures thereof.

The colored zone is thus differentiated from the underlying

coloration, i.e. the color, already prevailing before

application of the first identification means, of materials

forming the abdominal and back portion, in particular of the nonwoven material, in the first region of the abdominal and/or back portion.

The two-dimensionally extending colored zone can have been

introduced into the first region of the materials forming

the back or abdominal portion, in particular of the

nonwoven material of the back or abdominal portion, in

different ways. Thus, it is conceivable for the colored

zone to be formed by a coating or an imprint and/or in some

other way.

A "coating" or "imprint" or "print" is understood here as

being any addition applied to the surface of a material, in

particular of the nonwoven material of the abdominal or

back portion, which results in a visual change, optionally

combined with a haptic and/or technical change, of the

material present in the abdominal or back portion, in

particular of the nonwoven material. The coating/imprint

can be embodied as a one-sided application that stands

proud in a haptically perceptible manner with a certain

coating thickness, or be provided additionally or only as

an application that penetrates the material, in particular

the nonwoven material.

The methods known from the prior art for obtaining a

colored zone encompass for example direct coating by means

of relief printing, gravure printing, flat printing, rotary

printing, or contactless coating such as spraying. However,

colored zones can also be formed by dyeing processes such

as pigment printing, spray printing or stencil printing.

Materials and/or components that are assigned to such a

colored zone can be for example an adhesive/hotmelt

application, a printing ink in the form of a paste or an

ink.

It is particularly preferred here that the colored zone of

the first identification means is a print, in particular a

colored print. A single-color print is particularly

preferred here.

The second, batch-individualizing identification means can

likewise be configured in the form of a coating, a print

and/or in some other way.

Also preferably, the second identification means is also

applied in the form of a print. Particularly preferably,

the second identification means is applied by means of a

printing ink in the form of a paste or in particular in the

form of an ink. In this case, the methods known from the

prior art, for example printing by means of an inkjet

printer, can be used.

The components forming the second, batch-individualizing

identification means, such as, preferably, sequential

numbers and/or letters and/or special characters and/or

symbols and/or graphical elements, or combinations thereof,

are preferably applied directly to the material forming the

back portion or abdominal portion, in particular the

nonwoven material of the back or abdominal portion.

The second, batch-individualizing identification means

differs in particular from the first identification means

in that the second identification means, and the

information imparted thereby, is free of a colored region

surrounding the second identification means in a frame-like

manner, which visually differs from the color of the second

identification means and from the underlying coloration of

the second region of the abdominal or back portion.

The contrast formed by the two-dimensional design of the

first identification means with the second identification

means, which is printed in particular in a colored fashion

but not two-dimensionally onto the material of the

incontinence article, results in an effect that clarifies

the difference between the two identification means, this

helping to clarify the different contents and functions.

This effect is all the more pronounced if a second

identifier in the form of clearances is provided in the

two-dimensional design of the first identifier of the first

identification means: in particular sequential numbers

and/or letters and/or special characters and/or symbols

and/or graphical elements, or combinations thereof, are

provided for the second identifier in what is known as an

inverse design, and in particular sequential numbers and/or

letters and/or special characters and/or symbols and/or

graphical elements, or combinations thereof, are likewise

provided, but not in an inverse design, for the second

identification means. In this case, the first

identification means also serves preferably as a locating

aid for the second identification means. As a result of the

arrangement of a plurality or all of the identification means in the back or abdominal region, preferably in the back region, the underwear-like appearance is further enhanced.

In this case, provision can be made that the abdominal

portion and/or the back portion have elasticating means

that extend in a manner spaced apart from one another and

substantially in the transverse or waist-encircling

direction and thus two-dimensionally elasticate the

abdominal portion and/or the back portion, or that the

abdominal portion and/or the back portion comprise sheet

materials that are elastically stretchable in the

transverse or waist-encircling direction, wherein the

elasticating means and/or the elastically stretchable sheet

materials are arranged in particular between nonwoven

layers of the nonwoven material. Such elastication is

advantageous for incontinence articles in the form of

underpants, since, in contrast to resealable diapers,

incontinence articles in the form of underpants are adapted

to a wearer via the elastication. The transverse

elastication is possible in principle in that substantially

thread-like elasticating means are used or in that strip

like elasticating means or alternatively also sheet

materials that are elastically stretchable at least in a

transverse direction are used. In any case, it proves to be

advantageous for elastically stretchable materials to be

combined with substantially non-stretchable materials, in

particular nonwoven materials.

Particularly preferably, the first and/or second

identification means is arranged within an elastically

stretchable region of the back and/or abdominal portion.

When the first and/or second identification means is

arranged in elastically stretchable regions, it is possible

for information to be imparted in turn by changes in

configuration, possibly accompanying the different

stretched states, of the identification means. In

particular, different color stimuli may be perceptible to

the user; thus, for example, the first identifier can

impart a more intense color impression in a relaxed, non

stretched state than in a planar, stretched state.

The incontinence article in the form of underpants is in

particular an adult incontinence article. In particular,

the incontinence article can be provided as a unisex

incontinence article but also, in addition or separately,

as a women's incontinence article or as a men's

incontinence article. The embodiments of the first

identifier and/or, if present, of the second identifier of

the first identification means, and also the arrangement

thereof, are capable of contributing to this

differentiation.

In this case, via the design of the first identification

means, in addition to the first and/or the second

information, further information can be conveyed in that

the colored zone, in addition to the information as to where, for example, the rear side of the incontinence article is located, if the first information serves for position marking, can contain further information such that, for example via the deliberate choice of a color of the colored zone, an indication of gender-specific use can be contained. Thus, it is possible for example for a first identification means in a blue color to indicate a preferred use for men and a first identification means in a pink color to indicate a preferred use for women.

Alternatively or in addition, the information of the first

identifier can indicate absorbency as third information

contained in the identification means.

Moreover, further information can be imparted via the shape

of the first identification means or via the shape of the

first identifier, for example an ellipse as opposed to a

rectangle.

Furthermore, provision is made in particular that the first

identification means is arranged such that it provides

information about the orientation of the incontinence

article. Thus, provision is made for example for first

identification means that identify and mark the rear side

of an incontinence article to be provided in the rear

region of the incontinence article. Preferably, the first

identification means is arranged on the rear portion.

If provided, it is then possible for further information to

be conveyed by a second identifier by way of the

clearances. By way of the clearances, the second identifier

takes up the visually perceptible nature, for instance the color of the material of the abdominal or back portion, in particular of the nonwoven material, of the first region.

As a result, undesired attention caused by the visual

appearance or conspicuousness is reduced, since, with an

identical visually perceptible nature of the material, in

particular of the nonwoven material, in the clearances,

combined with the material, in particular the nonwoven

material, of the second region surrounding the first

identification means, a certain homogeneous appearance is

the result. In this case, provision is made in principle

that, although the first identification means is intended

to be sufficiently visually conspicuous for the information

to be able to be imparted, this imparting of information

should preferably be only to a user and/or wearer of the

incontinence article, whereas the identification means

should remain as inconspicuous as possible for third

parties.

In this case, provision is particularly preferably made

that the colored zone, starting from a peripheral perimeter

of the first identification means, encloses the second

identifier such that the size of an area A3 that is

delimited by the peripheral perimeter of the first

identification means and an imaginary inner spacing line

extending within and at a constant first spacing AB1 from

the latter amounts to at least 20%, in particular at least

25%, more particularly at least 30% of a size of the area

Al, wherein the area inscribed by the peripheral perimeter

of the first identification means is defined as the area

Al. More preferably, the proportion of the second

identifier in the area A3 amounts to at most 10%, in particular at most 7%, more particularly at most 5%, in particular at most 2%. The determination should in this case be carried out in the fully stretched state of the incontinence article. The size of the areas is measured in each case in mm 2 .

This allows good visual perceptibility of the first and of

the second identifier.

At this point, it should be noted that, in the present

application, any dimensional indications as regards

transverse extent, longitudinal extent or spacing of

portions or of any desired components of the article are

determined in the state of the flat materials forming the

article in which they are spread out flat, that is to say

optionally after undoing the side seams applied by the

manufacturer, such that the article in question can be

brought into the flat configuration illustrated in the

figures, unless an indication of a state that differs

therefrom is given. If the article has been elasticated for

example by thread-like elasticating means in what is known

as the "stretch-bonding process", the sheet materials, as

indicated in the figures, are considered to be stretched

out in the way they are supplied as flat materials by the

manufacturer or can be subsequently spread out as far as

their natural initial extent without elasticating means and

placed on a flat surface. In this flat area, the transverse

extents, longitudinal extents, dimensions or spacings are

then determined. This state arises naturally with non

stretchable chassis materials based on nonwoven or nonwoven-film composite. If a different state is considered, this is specified.

As a result of such a design of an area A3, which lies

within the area Al, the visual impression of an at least

thicker/wider bordering area is achieved, which extends in

the manner of a periphery around the second identifier,

with the result that the visibility and identifiability are

improved, in particular even in the case of otherwise only

poorly legible alphanumeric characters as the second

identifier.

In particular, provision can be made that, between the

peripheral perimeter of the first identification means,

that is to say a peripheral perimeter of the visually

perceptible colored zone of the first identifier, and an

imaginary inner spacing line that extends at a constant

first spacing AB1 and has a spacing of at least 2 mm, more

particularly 3 mm, more particularly at least 4 mm and more

particularly at least 5 mm, no clearances are provided at

least partially, in particular around the entire

circumference.

Moreover, provision can be made in particular that the

first identification means overlaps an area Al inscribed by

a peripheral perimeter, and the second identifier therein

takes up a proportion of at most 50%, in particular at most

40%, more particularly at most 30%, more particularly at

most 20% and in particular at least 8%, in particular at

least 10%, of the area Al overlapped by the first identification means. As a result, the visibility of the first identifier is maintained.

This, too, serves to configure the colored zone of the

first identifier in a sufficiently identifiable manner. The

calculation of the areas and the proportions thereof are

with regard to the state spread out flat.

The first identification means preferably has an area Al of

200 - 8000 mm 2 , in particular 400 - 6000 mm 2 , more

particularly 500 - 4000 mm 2 , more particularly 800

3700 mm 2 , more particularly 1100 - 3500 mm 2 , wherein the

area Al is measured in a state of the incontinence article

in which it is spread out flat.

With regard to the first identifier, the first

identification means involves in particular contiguous

areas, and has, as peripheral perimeter, in particular

closed lines, which thus form areas, preferably, for

example circles, ellipses, ovals, or polygonal areas, i.e.

polygons. In other words, it is preferably a geometric

figure that is enclosed by a closed traverse line.

The first identification means and thus the first

identifier can, in the configuration of its peripheral

perimeter, have a simple geometric shape, in particular be

configured in the shape of an ellipse, of an oval or of a

circle, or of a rectangle or of a polygon.

Particularly preferably, the incontinence article can be

provided with distinguishable, different shapes with regard to the first identification means and the first identifier.

From different shapes it is possible to differentiate the

incontinence article as a unisex, men's and/or women's

incontinence article. Thus, preferably a rectangle can be

used for a men's product and an ellipse or an oval for a

women's product.

For identifiability but also for discreetness, in

particular a largely balanced distribution of the second

identifier within the first identifier is advantageous. The

determination of the degree of distribution is explained by

way of example by means of figure 8.

In this case, provision can preferably be made that, when

the first identification means is inscribed tangentially,

with a peripheral perimeter at its respectively outermost

points, by an imaginary rectangle, wherein the rectangle is

arranged, as regards its edges, in the longitudinal and

transverse direction of the incontinence article and is

subdivided in this case both in the longitudinal direction

and in the transverse direction into in each case 10 same

sized sub-rectangles, from a number Ni of sub-rectangles,

which are located entirely or at least regionally within

the peripheral perimeter, and, of this number, a number N2

of those sub-rectangles that have, at least regionally,

both the first identifier and the second identifier, a

degree of distribution of N2/N1*100% of at least 30%, at

least 35%, in particular at least 40%, more particularly at

least 45% is provided.

Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the first

identification means has, in a state of the incontinence

article in which it is spread out flat, a first transverse

extent of 10% to 25%, in particular 12% to 23%, of the

maximum product transverse extent. As a result, the first

identification means does not have too prominent an

appearance.

The first identification means can have a second transverse

extent measured in a relaxed state of the incontinence

article in which it is not spread out flat, wherein the

second transverse extent amounts to 4% to 12%, in

particular 5% to 10%, in this case with regard to the

maximum product transverse extent in the state spread out

flat.

Provision is made that the first identification means can

be applied to the materials, in particular nonwoven

materials, in an "over-extended" representation. In the

relaxed state of the incontinence article, for example at

the time that it is taken out of a pack for the first time,

the dimension of the first identification means is reduced

and thus set in such a way that identifiability and yet a

degree of discretion are present in a balanced manner.

The second identification means is provided on the

abdominal or back portion having the first identification

means in a predetermined spatial arrangement with respect

to the first identification means:

Preferably, the second identification means can exhibit a

shortest spacing of 3-50 mm, in particular 5-40 mm, in particular 5-30 mm and in particular 5-20 mm from the first identification means in a state of the incontinence article in which it is spread out flat.

The spacing is in this case determined by the points of the

identification means that are respectively closest to the

other identification means.

Preferably, the spacing is present in the longitudinal

direction of the incontinence article.

It is also preferred when the first identification means

and the second identification means are arranged one above

the other in a spaced-apart manner in the longitudinal

direction of the incontinence article, and preferably, the

second identification means is arranged farther away from

the waist opening in the longitudinal direction than the

first identification means.

Preferably, the second identification means is arranged

symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal center line of

the first identification means.

Furthermore, it is preferred when the two identification

means are symmetric with regard to their longitudinal

center lines and preferably with regard to the longitudinal

central axis of the incontinence article.

The longitudinal center line of the first or second

identification means halves the first or second

identification means in its maximum extent in the

transverse direction of the incontinence article.

Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous when the first

identification means has a greater transverse extent than

the second identification means. This has an advantageous

effect on the visual arrangement.

The first identification means has a maximum extent of

preferably 80-170 mm, more preferably 100-150 mm, more

preferably 110-140 mm and particularly preferably 115

125 mm in the transverse direction of the incontinence

article.

The second identification means has preferably a maximum

extent of 30-100 mm, preferably 40-80 mm and more

preferably 50-75 mm in the transverse direction of the

incontinence article.

A ratio of the maximum extent of the first identification

means in the transverse direction of the incontinence

article to the maximum extent of the second identification

means in the transverse direction of the incontinence article can in particular be 1.1-3.5, more particularly

1.2-3.0, more particularly 1.4-2.7, more particularly 1.5

2.5.

The first identification means has a maximum extent of

preferably 15-50 mm, more preferably 15-40 mm and

particularly preferably 20-35 mm in the longitudinal

direction of the incontinence article.

The second identification means has a maximum extent of

preferably 2-12 mm, more preferably 2-8 mm and particularly

preferably 2-6 mm in the longitudinal direction of the

incontinence article.

A ratio of the maximum extent of the first identification

means in the longitudinal direction of the incontinence

article to the maximum extent of the second identification

means in the longitudinal direction of the incontinence

article can be in particular 2-20, in particular 4-16, more

particularly 5-12, more particularly 6-9.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the first identification

means has an area Al inscribed by the peripheral perimeter

of the first identification means that is greater than an

area A5 determined for the second identification means. The

area A5 is determined in the way described below. Such a

difference in the area has an advantageous effect on the combination of discrete communication of information by means of the second identification means and easier locating of the second identification means by means of the first identification means.

The area A5 is determined as follows:

The second identification means is inscribed tangentially,

at its respectively outermost points, by a smallest

possible imaginary rectangle. The smallest possible

imaginary rectangle is the one with the smallest possible

area. The area of this smallest possible imaginary

rectangle surrounding the second identification means

corresponds to the area A5 of the second identification

means.

The first identification means preferably has an area Al of

200 - 8000 mm 2 , in particular 400 - 6000 mm 2 , more

particularly 500 - 4000 mm 2 , more particularly 800

3700 mm 2 , more particularly 1100 - 3500 mm 2 , wherein the

area Al is measured in a state of the incontinence article

in which it is spread out flat, i.e. optionally after

undoing the side seams applied by the manufacturer.

The second identification means preferably has an area A5

of 50 - 1000 mm 2, in particular 70 - 800 mm 2, more particularly 90 - 600 mm 2, more particularly 100 - 500 mm 2 ,

more particularly 120 - 300 mm 2, wherein the area A5 is

measured in a state of the incontinence article in which it

is spread out flat, i.e. optionally after undoing the side

seams applied by the manufacturer.

A ratio of the areas Al and A5, calculated as Al:A5, is

preferably 5-30, in particular 7-27, more particularly 9

24, more particularly 10-23.

When the incontinence article is divided up into four same

sized segments extending in the longitudinal direction, the

first identification means and the second identification

means are preferably arranged within the segments located

closest on both sides of a longitudinal central axis of the

incontinence article, in particular in the same segment.

Particularly preferably, the first and/or second

identification means is provided in a manner arranged

substantially symmetrically about the longitudinal central

axis of the incontinence article. In this case,

substantially symmetrically is intended to encompass a

deviation from absolute symmetry of at most 10%, in

particular at most 8% and more particularly at most 6%,

determined with regard to a displacement of a longitudinal

center line of the first identification means with respect

to the longitudinal central axis of the incontinence

article. To this end, the maximum spacing a between the

longitudinal center line of the first identification means

and the product side seam, the maximum spacing b between

the longitudinal central axis of the incontinence article

and the product side seam is determined and calculated

therefrom as follows as b-a/b < 10%, in particular < 8%, in

particular < 6%.

Furthermore, the crotch portion may comprise a liquid

impermeable backsheet material and a liquid-permeable topsheet material, between which the absorbent body is arranged.

In particular, the incontinence article can be what is

known as an "H-shaped" article, in which the crotch

portion, abdominal portion and back portion are separate

components and the crotch portion is attached irreversibly

to the abdominal portion and to the back portion in

respective overlapping regions. Such H-shaped diapers

represent a particularly inexpensive production variant for

underpants-type diapers.

When the incontinence article is an H-shaped article,

provision can be made in particular that the first and/or

second identification means is provided outside an

overlapping region of the crotch portion with the abdominal

or back portion.

As a result, the identification means is not provided in a

region that exhibits a relatively high level of opacity on

account of the accumulation of material layers.

In other configurations that differ from the H shape, too,

the first and/or second identification means are preferably

arranged at least outside the crotch portion, in particular

in order to also counter the action of layer-related

opacity and not to impair the full visibility of the first

and/or second identification means when the incontinence

article is first taken out of the pack on account of

folding, effected by the manufacturer, in the crotch region

during the packing process of the incontinence article.

The first and/or second identification means can be

arranged within a region between an imaginary line that is

arranged at the longitudinal end of the absorbent body, in

particular at the longitudinal end of the crotch portion,

and extends in the transverse direction, and a line that

describes the waist-opening edge.

The color measurement for the first identification means

and in this case in particular the determination of the

color difference between the first identifier and the first

color thereof and the second identifier and/or the nonwoven

material in a region directly adjoining the first

identifier and a second color that is distinguishable

therefrom can be effected according to CIEL*a*b. In this

regard, reference is made to DE 10 2018 112 121 and to the

disclosure thereof.

According to a further preferred embodiment, provision can

be made that the incontinence article is put into a folded

configuration to be sold or in the state presented for

sale. This can be configured such that, in the folded

configuration of the incontinence article, the abdominal or

back portion having the first and second identification

means is arranged closer to an outer side of the folded

configuration than the respective other back or abdominal

portion. Thus, folding can be effected for example such

that first of all the two side seam regions are folded in

about a longitudinal folding line, i.e. the side regions of

the waistband are folded in in the direction of the

abdominal portion. Then, a transverse fold is effected, wherein, for example, a first identification means can be provided on the back portion and the first identification means can be arranged between the two nonwoven layers and in this case on the top side, facing away from the body, on the inner layer, i.e. the layer facing the body.

It is particularly preferred in this case when the first

identification means and the second identification means

are arranged on the back portion.

In order to make the first and/or second identification

means more easily locatable, a further identifier in the

form of an orientation mark can be provided. Preferably,

the first identification means and the second

identification means are also assigned, at a distance, an

orientation mark, preferably between an upper edge of the

first identification means and a waist-opening edge of the

incontinence article.

It is particularly preferred in this case that the

orientation mark is arranged in a centered manner with

respect to a longitudinal center line of the first

identification means and/or in a centered manner with

respect to the longitudinal central axis of the

incontinence article.

It is also particularly preferred when the orientation mark

has an identical color to the first identifier and/or is

formed with an identical means forming the color.

Alternatively, however, it is also possible to provide

different means and/or methods, in particular different coating types or methods, and different colors of the coating or types of coating, for example an adhesive coating for the one part and a color imprint for the other.

In particular, provision can be made that the orientation

mark is formed by a two-dimensionally extending colored

zone and preferably overlaps an area A4 inscribed by a

peripheral perimeter. The area A4 inscribed by a peripheral

perimeter is preferably a geometric figure, for example a

circle, ellipse, oval or a polygonal area, i.e. a polygon,

such as a rectangle, square, which is enclosed by a closed

traverse line.

The area A4 inscribed by the peripheral perimeter of the

orientation mark is measured in a state of the incontinence

article in which it is spread out flat, i.e. optionally

after undoing the side seams applied by the manufacturer.

The orientation mark can preferably have a smaller area A4

than the area Al of the first identification means.

The orientation mark preferably has an area A4 of 50 190 mm 2 , in particular 80 - 180 mm 2 , more particularly 120

- 170 mm 2 , wherein the area A4 is measured in a state of

the incontinence article in which it is spread out flat,

i.e. optionally after undoing the side seams applied by the

manufacturer.

A ratio of the areas Al and A4, calculated as Al:A4, is

preferably 10-40, in particular 14-30, more particularly

17-25, more particularly 19-21.

The preferably chassis-forming nonwoven material of the

abdominal portion and/or back portion of the incontinence

article preferably comprises nonwoven materials such as

spunbond nonwovens, carded nonwovens or through-air bonded

carded nonwovens. Particularly preferably, the nonwoven

material of the abdominal portion and/or back portion

comprises a spunbond nonwoven material. The nonwoven

materials used for the abdominal portion and/or back

portion, in particular each nonwoven layer, advantageously

have a basis weight of 10 - 30 g/m 2 , more preferably 12

25 g/m 2 , more preferably 12 - 20 g/m 2 , more preferably 12

18 g/m 2 .

As the first and/or second elasticating means, use is

preferably made of thread-like or tape-like elasticating

means, such as rubber or polyether polyurethane or

polyester polyurethane threads, preferably elastic threads

such as Lycra® or Spandex® threads. The elasticating means

preferably have a strength of 300-1500 dtex, in particular

500-1200 dtex, more particularly 500-900 dtex.

The elasticating means are preferably fixed to the chassis

forming shell materials of the abdominal portion and/or

back portion (stretch-bonding process) under a pretension

of 1.5-6.0, in particular 2.5-5.0.

The pretension is defined as the degree of stretch of a

stretched elasticating means compared with the

unstretched/relaxed starting state of the elasticating

means in the state in which the elasticating means is applied and fixed in the production machine. The degree of stretch is thus calculated as the ratio of the stretched length L' (= starting length L + AL) to the starting length

L, i.e. L'/L.

Preferably, first elasticating means are introduced in a

manner extending substantially parallel to the transverse

direction, preferably at a spacing of 3-10 mm, more

preferably 3-8 mm.

Preferably, it is also possible for second elasticating

means to be provided, in particular in a region, on the

crotch side and facing the leg openings, of the abdominal

portion and/or of the back portion, these extending,

starting from the two side seam regions, in the direction

of a longitudinal central axis of the incontinence article

and in the process extending in an arcuate manner, fanning

out with increasing distance from one another.

Furthermore, the invention comprises an arrangement

("array") comprising a first incontinence article, as

described, and a second incontinence article in the form of

underpants, i.e. a pull-up article, for absorbing bodily

excretions, having a front abdominal portion and a rear

back portion, which are spaced apart from one another in a

longitudinal direction and have been connected together by

the manufacturer at side seam regions on both sides in

order to form an abdominal and back band that is continuous

in the transverse or waist-encircling direction and has a

waist opening closed in the waist-encircling direction, and

having a crotch portion having an absorbent body, said crotch portion extending in the longitudinal direction between the abdominal portion and back portion, wherein the crotch portion, the abdominal portion and the back portion together delimit respective leg openings of the incontinence article, wherein the abdominal portion and the back portion are configured to be elastically stretchable in the transverse or waist-encircling direction, and wherein the back portion and/or the abdominal portion comprises a nonwoven material, wherein a first identification means is provided in the first region, and the first identification means has a first identifier, which is formed by a two-dimensionally extending colored zone and provides first information, wherein the colored zone is visually distinguishable from a second region surrounding it, wherein the first identification means of the second incontinence article comprises a first identifier, which provides first information, which is visually different than the first identifier of the first identification means of the first incontinence article, and wherein a second, batch-individualizing identification means is arranged in the abdominal or back portion, having the first identification means, of the second incontinence article in a predetermined spatial arrangement with respect to the first identification means.

The first and the second incontinence article of an array

can have the features of the above-described incontinence

article.

The arrangement (array) results in this case from the

obvious preparation of the incontinence articles belonging to the array. In particular, as a result of the relationship or the ratio of the articles with respect to one another. This takes place either by presentation in a common packing unit and/or preferably by the attachment of identifiers to the incontinence articles and/or the packaging thereof and/or the presentation in a spatial or content-related proximity to one another, indicating the belonging thereof to an array. The articles forming the array originate preferably from one and the same manufacturer.

The incontinence articles forming an array preferably have

the same product identification, such as brand name and/or

sub-brand name.

An arrangement made up of a first incontinence article and

a second incontinence article is understood as at least in

each case one representative thereof and includes a

plurality of the one first and/or of the one second

incontinence article or packs and packaging units

containing these.

More preferably, provision can be made that a second

identifier of the second incontinence article is visually

different than the second identifier of the first

incontinence article. Provision can furthermore be made

that the second identifier of the second incontinence article is formed by in particular island-like clearances in the colored zone.

In this case, provision can be made in particular that the

second identifiers of the first and second incontinence

articles are also different than one another. In particular

mutually different sequential numbers and/or letters and/or

special characters and/or symbols and/or graphical

elements, or a combination thereof, can be provided as

second identifier.

The color measurement for the first identification means

and in particular the determination of the color difference

between the respective first identifiers and/or the

respective second identifiers of the two incontinence

articles found in an array, or the color difference between

the first identifier and its first color and the second

identifier and/or the nonwoven material in a region

directly adjoining the first identifier and a second color

that is distinguishable therefrom of the two incontinence

articles found in an array can be effected according to

CIEL*a*b. In this regard, reference is made to

DE 10 2018 112 121 and to the disclosure thereof.

In this case, it is particularly preferred that the first

incontinence article is intended to be used by women and/or

as a unisex product and the second incontinence article is

intended to be used by men, wherein this is indicated by

the first and/or the second or further information in the

first and/or second identifier.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention

will become apparent from the appended claims and from the

drawing and the following description of preferred

embodiments of the incontinence article according to the

invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of an incontinence article

according to the invention, wherein an abdominal

portion, a back portion and a crotch portion,

bridging these and connecting them together, of the

incontinence article have not yet been connected to

form an underpants form but are illustrated in a

state laid and spread out flat;

Figure 2 shows a sectional illustration in the longitudinal

direction through the incontinence article in a

schematic illustration,

Figure 3 schematically shows a detail from figure 1 with an

enlarged illustration of a preferred embodiment of

the first identification means,

Figures 4a and 4b each show a schematic view of a product

inner side of the back portion in an unstretched

and a stretched state,

Figure 5 shows, in various illustrations a, b, c and d, an

operation of folding an incontinence article,

Figure 6 shows an array comprising a first incontinence

article 2 and a second incontinence article 2',

Figure 7 shows, in the illustrations a, b and c, the first

identification means, with the determination of an

inner spacing starting from the peripheral

perimeter, and

Figure 8 shows, in the illustrations a, b and c, a

determination of the proportion of the first and

second identifier in the area of the first

identification means.

The figures show an incontinence article in the form of

underpants, provided as a whole with the reference sign 2,

for absorbing solid and liquid bodily excretions. A

particularly preferred embodiment of the incontinence

article 2 is, as illustrated in figures 1 and 2, formed

from three components that are able to be manufactured very

largely independently of one another, namely a front

abdominal portion 4, a rear back portion 6 and a crotch

portion 8 that is arranged therebetween and has an

absorbent body 7, wherein the crotch portion 8 overlaps an

area of the abdominal portion 4, on one side, and of the

back portion 6, on the other side, and is connected

irreversibly thereto by the manufacturer in the overlapping

region 36, 38. As is apparent from figure 1, this results

in an H-shaped basic structure of the incontinence article

with a longitudinal direction 9. The joined-together

components illustrated in figure 1 are then connected

together, likewise by the manufacturer, at respective

lateral longitudinal peripheral portions 10, 12 of the

abdominal portion 4 and of the back portion 6, to form the

underpants form, with the result that side seam regions 14

are formed on both sides. In this underpants-form state,

produced by the manufacturer, of the incontinence article,

the abdominal portion 4 and the back portion 6 extend

continuously in the transverse or waist-encircling

direction 16 as far as the side seam regions 14 and thus define a waist opening 18, closed in the waist-encircling direction, with a front 18' and a rear 18'' waist-opening edge and leg openings 19, through which the user puts on the incontinence article in the manner of underpants.

The abdominal portion 4 can be subdivided, in the exemplary

embodiment, into a waist-side region 20 and a crotch-side

region 22 facing the leg openings. A corresponding

subdivision is provided in the back portion 6, specifically

likewise into a waist-side region 24 and a crotch-side

region 26 facing the leg openings.

Provided in the waist-side region 20 of the abdominal

portion 4 and in the waist-side region 24 of the back

portion 6 are first elasticating means 28, which can be in

particular thread-like elasticating means, such as Lycra®

threads, which are connected to the flat materials (chassis

materials) of the abdominal portion 4 and of the back

portion 6 in the pre-stretched state, using what is known

as the stretch-bonding process. These first elasticating

means 28 extend in the transverse or waist-encircling

direction 16 from one side seam region 14 to the other.

The crotch-side portions 22 and 26, facing the leg openings

19, of the abdominal portion 4 and the back portion 6,

respectively, have a peripheral contour 32 and 34,

respectively, that extends, in a manner deviating from the

transverse or waist-encircling direction 16, in the

direction of a transverse central axis 30 of the

incontinence article. This peripheral contour 32, 34 is

partially arcuate and therefore suitable for delimiting the leg openings 19. As a result of this profile of the crotch side region 22 or 26, facing the leg openings, an overlapping region 36, 38 between the crotch portion 8 and abdominal portion 4 or back portion 6, respectively, is also realized, this being essential with regard to the crotch portion 8 and abdominal portion 4 or back portion 6 being connected in a tear-resistant manner.

The respective crotch-side regions 22, 26, facing the leg

openings 19, of the abdominal portion 4 and back portion 6,

respectively, are likewise configured in an elasticated

manner. There, second elasticating means 40 and 42,

respectively, are provided. The second elasticating means

40, 42 extend, starting in each case from the side seam

regions 14, in the direction of a longitudinal central axis

44 of the incontinence article. As is apparent from a

preferred embodiment in the figures, the second

elasticating means 40, 42 fan out in the direction of the

longitudinal central axis 44. This means that the spacing

therebetween increases in the direction of the longitudinal

central axis 44.

As is further illustrated in figure 2, the crotch portion 8

comprises a liquid-impermeable backsheet 62, which can be

formed in particular by a breathable, but liquid-tight

sheet material, and a preferably nonwoven-based liquid

permeable topsheet 64. As is apparent from figure 2, the

absorbent body 7 is arranged between the backsheet 62 and

the topsheet 64. In the case illustrated by way of example,

the backsheet 62 and the topsheet 64 form an overhang over

the absorbent body 7 in the longitudinal direction 9.

Furthermore, the incontinence article 2 has a first

identification means 70. The first identification means 70

is arranged in the present case in the back portion 6. Both

the back portion 6 and the abdominal portion 4 comprise in

this case a nonwoven material 15 and the back portion and

abdominal portion are in this case preferably constructed

from a nonwoven laminate and have two nonwoven layers 66

and 68, between which the first elasticating means 28 have

been introduced. Provided on the top side, facing away from

the body, of the nonwoven layer 68, which is the nonwoven

layer facing the body, is a colored zone 73 that forms the

first identification means 70. As a result, the colored

zone cannot be rubbed off and direct skin contact with the

colored zone is avoided. The colored zone is in this case

in the form of a color imprint, as can be seen in figure 1

and figure 2.

The nonwoven material 15 comprises at least a first region

11 and a second region 13, wherein the first identification

means 70 is provided in the first region 11. The first

identification means has in this case a first identifier

72, which is formed by the two-dimensionally extending

colored zone 73 and, in the present case, conveys the

information as to where the rear side of the incontinence

article 2 is. Furthermore, the choice of the color

generates information indicating that the absorbent article

is one for a female user.

Furthermore, an orientation mark 80 is provided, which is

arranged, substantially just like the first identification means 70, in a mirror-symmetric manner with respect to the longitudinal central axis 44 of the incontinence article and extends like a line in the longitudinal direction 9 of the incontinence article 2. Via the orientation mark 80 it is easier to locate the first identification means 70.

A preferred embodiment of the first identification means 70

is schematically illustrated in figure 3. In this case,

clearances 76 are provided in the first identification

means 70, said clearances 76 being arranged at a certain

spacing from the peripheral perimeter 78 of the first

identification means. The clearances 76 form a second

identifier 74, which conveys further information, namely,

likewise through the provision of alphanumeric characters,

the indication that it is a product suitable for women, and

also the indication of a manufacturer or its trademark.

In this case, the clearances 76 form regions in the colored

zone 73, in which in particular the visually perceptible

nature of the nonwoven material is identical to that

visually perceptible nature of the nonwoven material of the

first region. In this way, discreet but readily legible

second information can be provided. In particular, by being

enclosed in a colored zone 73, the second information of

the second identifier 74 is more easily perceptible than if

a conventional design of the second identifier in the form

of a conventional imprint without the surrounding region of

the first identifier were provided. As a result of the

first region of the first identifier being visually

differentiated from the second region of the nonwoven

material, a contrast is created that makes it possible to improve the perceptibility of the comparatively smaller, more poorly discernible information of the second identifier.

A second identification means 90 is in this case arranged,

as seen from the waist-opening edge 18'', beneath the first

identification means 70 and, like the latter, is arranged,

as regards its extent in the transverse direction 16,

symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis

44 of the incontinence article. The second identification

means 90 is in this case schematically illustrated using

the number sequence 123456789. In this case, the second

identification means 90 identifies the batch and consists

for example of numbers and/or letters as a linear code for

indicating manufacturer-specific data, such as production

period, location, machine, etc. In this case, preferably

one or more of these pieces of data are indicated by or

encoded in the second identification means 90. The second

identification means 90 can in this case preferably be

printed on and is arranged, together with the first

identification means 70, on the same abdominal or back

portion 4, 6 and at a defined spacing from the first

identification means 70, preferably at a spacing of 5

20 mm. As a result, it is easier to locate the second

identification means 90, which is kept relatively

unobtrusive. The extent in the transverse direction 16 can

in this case be smaller than that of the first

identification means 70.

Preferably, the area Al inscribed by the first

identification means 70 is also larger than the area A5 taken up by the second identification means 90, preferably in a ratio of the area Al to the area A5 of 10-23.

Figure 4 shows, in the illustrations a and b, a design in

which, in figure a, substantially a relaxed form of the

elasticating means 28 is shown, and a stretched form

thereof in use is shown in figure 4b. This likewise results

in the first identification means 70 being stretched, with

the result that the second identifier 74 can be identified

more clearly. In figure 4, the incontinence article 2 is

shown schematically in a perspective illustration. A second

identification means 90, which is not illustrated in this

figure, is likewise subjected to the stretching and

relaxing behavior.

Figure 5 shows, in various illustrations a, b, c and d, an

operation of folding an incontinence article 2, wherein

figure 5a shows the incontinence article 2 from the front

side and figure 5b shows the incontinence article 2 from

the rear side. First of all, the side seam regions 14 on

both sides are folded onto the abdominal portion 4 and then

folding about a transverse line takes place such that the

crotch portion 8 likewise comes to lie on the folded-in

side seam portion 14 and thus on the abdominal portion 4,

as is shown in the final illustration in figure 5d. From

the rear side, the first identification means 70 can

therefore still be seen through the nonwoven layers of the

back portion 6, and so it is possible for the information

of the first identification means 70 to still be oriented

and imparted in the folded state.

Figure 6 now shows an array, likewise protected by the

invention, comprising a first incontinence article 2 and a

second incontinence article 2', which differs from the

above-described incontinence article 2, which is likewise

illustrated, in particular in that the absorbent body 7 in

the incontinence article 2' has been displaced more in the

direction of the abdominal portion 4 and furthermore is

configured in a narrower manner in the region of the

transverse central axis 30 of the incontinence article, in

order in this way to better accommodate the different

regions of liquid accrual. In this case, the first

incontinence article 2 forms a claimed arrangement

("array") with the incontinence article 2'. Both

incontinence articles 2 and 2' have first and second

identification means 70, 90 and 70' and 90', respectively,

wherein the colored zones of the first identification means

70 and 70' of the two incontinence articles 2 and 2' differ

from one another, such that, in addition to the positional

information as to where the back portion 6 is arranged,

additional information is imparted that contains a gender

specification. This can be effected by the choice of a

different distinguishable color. Furthermore, it is also

possible for the nonwoven material of the incontinence

articles 2 and 2' to have different colorations from one

another in the second region around the first

identification means. In a preferred embodiment that is not

illustrated here, clearances that form the second

identifier and are preferably arranged in an island-like

manner in the identification means 70 and 70' are

furthermore configured such that they contain additional

further information, which likewise indicates the gender specification, namely, in the present case, the indication that the first incontinence article is a women's incontinence article and the second incontinence article is a men's incontinence article.

For the attraction of the first identification means 70, a

certain two-dimensional presentation of the first

identifier 72 is essential, in particular as seen from a

peripheral perimeter 78 of the first identification means.

In a similarly advantageous manner, the attraction of the

first identification means 70 and thus also of the first

identifier 72 is achieved by a largely solitary

presentation, i.e. largely free of colored zones, in

particular free of further colored coatings, at an outer

spacing from the peripheral perimeter 78. This attraction

is not disrupted by the finer design of the second

identification means 90. This is explained in the following

text with reference to figures 7a to 7c.

Figures 7a-7c show the first identification means 70,

wherein imaginary spacing lines that are described in more

detail below are not illustrated in figure 7a for

illustrative purposes.

The area of the first identification means 70, and thus the

area inscribed by the peripheral perimeter 78 of the first

identification means 70, is designated Al. A3 (figures 7b

and 7c) designates the area which is delimited by the

peripheral perimeter 78 and a first imaginary spacing line

110, wherein the imaginary spacing line 110 extends within

the area Al and in a manner spaced apart inwardly from the peripheral perimeter 78 at a constant first spacing AB1 of

2 mm. The size of the area A3, measured in mm 2 , amounts to

20% of the size of the area Al in the case in figure 7b. In

figure 7c, the imaginary spacing line 110 is sketched at a

larger first spacing AB1 of 3 mm from the peripheral

perimeter 78 of the first identification means 70. The size

of the area A3 amounts in this case to 30% of the size of

the area Al.

The area A3 should be formed and filled substantially by

the first identifier; the area proportion of the second

identifier (i.e. of the clearances 76) in the size of the

area A3 amounts advantageously to at most 10%, more

particularly at most 7%, more particularly at most 5%.

Figure 8 now shows, in individual steps in a preferred

embodiment of the first identification means, a

determination of the proportion of the second identifier

and the distribution thereof in the area of the first

identification means 70. To this end, the first

identification means 70 (figure 8a) is tangentially

enclosed by a rectangle 100 (figure 8b), which extends,

with regard to its edges, in the longitudinal and

transverse direction 9 and 16, respectively, of the

incontinence article 2. The rectangle 100 specifically

inscribes the respectively outermost points of the first

identification means in the transverse and longitudinal

extent thereof. The rectangle 100 is then divided into

same-sized sub-rectangles, which are designated 101 here,

wherein in each case ten sub-rectangles 101 are provided

both in the longitudinal direction 9 and in the transverse direction 16. Subsequently, the number Ni of sub-rectangles

101a which are located entirely or at least regionally

within the peripheral perimeter 78 of the first

identification means 70 is determined. Then, within this

number Ni of sub-rectangles 101a, the number N2 of those

sub-rectangles 101b that have at least regionally both the

first identifier and the second identifier is furthermore

determined (figure 8c). In the present case, Ni = 88 sub

rectangles 101a are present, and of these N2 = 37 sub

rectangles 101b are provided both with the first identifier

and with the second identifier. These 37 sub-rectangles

101b are provided with a shaded background for

clarification in figure 8c. Thus, there is a degree of

distribution of N2/Nl*100 of 42%.

Claims (21)

Patent claims

1. An incontinence article (2) for absorbing bodily

excretions, having a longitudinal direction and having

a transverse direction, having a front abdominal

portion (4) and a rear back portion (6), which are

spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal

direction (9) and which, in order to form an abdominal

and back band that is continuous in the transverse or

waist-encircling direction (16) and has a waist

opening (18) closed in the waist-encircling direction,

are connected together by the manufacturer at side

seam regions (14) on both sides, and

having a crotch portion (8) that has an absorbent body

(7) and extends in the longitudinal direction (9)

between the abdominal portion (4) and back portion

(6), wherein the crotch portion (8), the abdominal

portion (4) and the back portion (6) together delimit

respective leg openings (19) in the incontinence

article,

wherein the abdominal portion (4) and the back portion

(6) are designed to be elastically stretchable in the

transverse or waist-encircling direction (16), and

wherein the back portion (4) and/or the abdominal

portion (6) comprises a nonwoven material (15),

wherein a first identification means (70) is provided

in a first region (11) on the abdominal portion (4) or

the back portion (6), and the first identification

means (70) has a first identifier (72) that is formed

by a two-dimensionally extending colored zone (73) and provides first information, wherein the colored zone

(73) is visually distinguishable from a second region

(13) that surrounds it, characterized in that a

second, batch-individualizing identification means

(90) is arranged in a predetermined spatial

arrangement with respect to the first identification

means (70) in the abdominal portion (4) or back

portion (6) having the first identification means

(70).

2. The incontinence article as claimed in claim 1,

characterized in that the second identification means

(90) comprises or is formed by sequential numbers

and/or letters and/or special characters and/or

symbols and/or graphical elements, or combinations

thereof.

3. The incontinence article as claimed in claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that the first identification means

(70) and/or the second identification means (90) are

applied to the nonwoven material (15) of the abdominal

portion or of the back portion, in particular to a

nonwoven layer, facing the body, of the nonwoven

material.

4. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that the first

identification means (70) comprises a second

identifier (74) that provides second information, said

second identifier being formed in that clearances (76)

in the colored zone (73) are provided in the first

identifier (72).

5. The incontinence article as claimed in claim 4,

characterized in that the second identifier (74) of

the first identification means (70) comprises or is

formed by sequential numbers and/or letters and/or

special characters and/or symbols and/or graphical

elements, or a combination thereof.

6. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that the colored

zone (73) of the first identification means (70) is a

print, in particular a colored print.

7. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that the second

identification means (90) is a print.

8. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that elasticating

means (28) are provided in the abdominal portion (4)

and/or in the back portion (6), said elasticating

means (28) extending in a manner spaced apart from one

another and substantially in the transverse or waist

encircling direction (16) and thus two-dimensionally

elasticating the abdominal portion (4) and/or the back

portion (6), or in that the abdominal portion (4)

and/or the back portion (6) comprise sheet materials

that are elastically stretchable in the transverse or

waist-encircling direction, wherein the elasticating

means (28) and/or the elastically stretchable sheet

materials are arranged in particular between nonwoven

layers of the nonwoven material.

9. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that the first

and/or second identification means (70, 90) is

arranged within an elastically stretchable region of

the back portion (6) and/or abdominal portion (4).

10. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that the second

identification means (90) is at a shortest spacing of

3-50 mm, in particular 5-40 mm, in particular 5-30 mm

and in particular 5-20 mm from the first

identification means (70) in a state of the

incontinence article in which it is spread out flat.

11. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that the first

identification means (70) and the second

identification means (90) are arranged one above the

other in a spaced-apart manner in the longitudinal

direction of the incontinence article, and preferably,

the second identification means (90) is arranged

farther away from the waist opening (18) in the

longitudinal direction than the first identification

means (70).

12. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that, when the

incontinence article is divided up into four same

sized segments extending in the longitudinal

direction, the first identification means (70) and/or

the second identification means are arranged within

the segments located closest on both sides of a

longitudinal central axis (44) of the incontinence article, in particular in the same segment, and in particular are arranged substantially symmetrically about a longitudinal central axis (44) of the incontinence article.

13. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that the second

identification means (90) is arranged symmetrically

with respect to a longitudinal center line of the

first identification means (70).

14. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that the crotch

portion (8) comprises a liquid-impermeable backsheet

material (62) and a liquid-permeable topsheet material

(64), between which the absorbent body (7) is

arranged.

15. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that the crotch

portion (8), the abdominal portion (4) and the back

portion (6) are separate components and the crotch

portion (8) is attached irreversibly to the abdominal

portion (4) and to the back portion (6) in respective

overlapping regions (36, 38).

16. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that the first

and/or second identification means (70, 90) is

provided outside an overlapping region (36, 38) of the

crotch portion (8) with the abdominal and/or back

portion (36, 38).

17. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that the first

and/or second identification means (70, 90) is

arranged within a region between an imaginary line

that is arranged at the longitudinal end of the

absorbent body, in particular at the longitudinal end

of the crotch portion, and extends in the transverse

direction, and a line that describes the waist-opening

edge (18', 18'').

18. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that the first

identification means (70) and second identification

means (90) are arranged on the back portion (6).

19. The incontinence article as claimed in one of the

preceding claims, characterized in that the first

identification means (70) and the second

identification means (90) are also assigned, at a

distance, an orientation mark (80), preferably between

an upper edge of the first identification means (70)

and a waist-opening edge (18', 18'') of the

incontinence article.

20. The incontinence article as claimed in claim 19,

characterized in that the orientation mark (80) is

arranged in a centered manner with respect to a

longitudinal center line of the first identification

means (70) and/or in a centered manner with respect to

a longitudinal central axis (44) of the incontinence

article.

21. The incontinence article as claimed in either of

claims 19-20, characterized in that the orientation

mark (80) has a smaller area compared with the first

identification means (70).