BE1022295B1 - ANATOMICALLY FORMED PRODUCT - Google Patents

Abstract

ANATOMICALLY MOLDED AGENT SUMMARY The present invention relates to an absorbent article, suitable for use as an absorbent incontinence pad, having optimized shape and dimensions for an improved fit in an undergarment and a method of manufacturing such an absorbent article. BE2014 / 5142

Description

ANATOMICALLY FORMED PRODUCT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention belongs to the technical field of absorbent hygiene products. In particular, the present invention relates to an absorbent article for absorbing body fluids and secretions, such as urine and faecal material. More specifically, the present invention relates to disposable absorbent pads designed to fit into the crotch region of a wearer's underwear and are formed to collect and retain faecal material and prevent leakage.

BACKGROUND

Protective absorbent articles for underwear and, in particular, absorbent incontinence pads are intended to fit within the crotch portion of a wearer's underwear and to protect the garment from body secretions. Such products are, for example, designed to provide protection for adults suffering from incontinence, similar to diapers and diapers, but are usually more discreet than diapers and diapers. Various configurations of such absorbent incontinence pads are known in the art.

However, there remains a need in the prior art for absorbent incontinence bandages that have a better fit in the wearer's underwear and an absorbent core whose absorption capacity can be optimally utilized, with leakage of the absorbent article to the wearer's underwear prevented. In this way the general wearing comfort and the wearing experience of the absorbent incontinence dressing can be improved.

It is an object of the present invention to solve at least some of the problems mentioned above.

The invention has for its object to provide an absorbent article, suitable for use as an absorbent incontinence bandage, which is provided with optimum dimensions and an improved shape to optimize the fit of the absorbent article in the wearer's underwear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an absorbent article suitable for use as an absorbent incontinence dressing, according to claim 1.

The product of the present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art products, since the optimized dimensions of the absorbent article allows a better fit in the wearer's underwear.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 13, preferably wherein said absorbent article is a product according to claim 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of an absorbent article in a flat-laid state according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the body-turned side of the absorbent article, ie the side of the article in contact with the wearer when it is worn .

Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of an absorbent article in a flat-laid state according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing the body-turned side of the absorbent article.

Figure 3 shows a 3-dimensional perspective view of the absorbent article of Figure 2 during use, with the elasticized zones in their contracted state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an absorbent article, suitable for use as an absorbent incontinence dressing and capable of absorbing bodily fluids such as urine, faeces and the like, which is provided with improved dimensions and an optimum symmetry, thereby an improved fit of the absorbent article in the allowing the wearer's underwear.

The citation of numerical intervals by the end points includes all numbers and fractions that are within that interval, as well as the recited end points.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used to make the invention public, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as generally understood by someone of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this invention belongs. By way of further guidance, definitions of terms are included to better understand the teachings of the present invention.

As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

The term "% weight" (weight percent), throughout and throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, refers to the relative weight of the respective component based on the overall weight of the composition. "A," "an," and "an" as used herein refer to both the singular and the plural unless the context clearly assumes otherwise. By way of example, a "landing zone" refers to one or more than one landing zone. "Approximately" as used herein, referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a duration, and the like, is intended to include variations of +/- 20% or less, preferably +/- 10% or less , more preferably +/- 5% or less, even more preferably +/- 1% or less, and even more preferably +/- 0.1% or less of the specified value, insofar as such variations are indicated to be included in the disclosed invention. However, it is to be understood that the value at which the "approximately" determination is used is itself specifically disclosed. "Absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and retain liquid, and more specifically refers to devices that are placed against or in proximity to the wearer's body to absorb and retain the various secretions discharged by the body. The absorbent articles include but are not limited to diapers, adult incontinence briefs, training pants, diaper holders and liners, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads and the like, as well as surgical dressings and sponges.

The "absorbent medium" or "absorbent core" or "absorbent body" are used herein as synonyms, and refer to the absorbent structure positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet of the absorbent article in at least the crotch region of the absorbent article and is in able to absorb and retain liquid body secretions. The size and the absorbent capacity of the absorbent medium should be compatible with the size of the intended support and the liquid charge provided by the intended use of the absorbent article. Furthermore, the size and absorption capacity of the absorbent medium can be varied to accommodate carriers ranging from babies to adults. It can be manufactured in a wide variety of shapes (for example, rectangular, trapezoidal, T-shape, I-shape, hourglass shape, etc.) and from a wide variety of materials. Examples of commonly occurring absorbent materials are cellulose fluff pulp, tissue layers, highly absorbent polymers (so-called super-absorbent polymer particles (SAP)), absorbent foam materials, absorbent non-woven materials or the like. It is common to combine cellulose fluff pulp with superabsorbent polymers in an absorbent material. "Acquisition and distribution layer", "ADL" or "flow management part" are used herein as synonyms, and refer to a bottom layer which is preferably a non-woven wick layer under the topsheet of an absorbent product, which speeds up transport and distribution of fluids over the absorbent core. The flow management portion is typically less hydrophilic than the retention portion, and has the capacity to rapidly collect and temporarily retain fluid streams, and to transport fluid from its initial entry point to other parts of the absorbent structure, particularly the retention portion. This configuration can help to prevent the fluid from flowing and collecting on the portion of the absorbent garment positioned against the wearer's skin, thereby reducing the wearer's sense of moisture. Preferably, the flow management portion is placed between the topsheet and the retention portion.

The term "adhesive" as used herein refers to any suitable hot melt, water or solvent based adhesive that can be applied to the surface of a film layer in the required pattern or network of adhesive areas around the film nonwoven laminate of the present invention. Accordingly, suitable adhesives include conventional hot melt adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, and reactive adhesives (i.e., polyurethane).

As used herein, the term "adhesive bonding" means a bonding process that forms a compound by using an adhesive. Such adhesive can be used by various processes such as groove coating, sprayed coating and other surface applications. Furthermore, such adhesive can be applied to a product component and then exposed to a pressure such that the contact of a second product component with the product component comprising adhesive forms an adhesive bond between the two components.

As used herein, an "air-formed web" refers to a material comprising cellulose fibers such as those from fluff pulp that were separated, such as by a hammer mill process, and then deposited on a porous surface without the presence of a substantial amount of binding fibers. For example, air-shaped materials used as the absorbent core in various diapers are a typical example of an air-shaped material.

As used herein, an "air laid web" is a fibrous structure formed essentially by a process that involves depositing air entrained fibers on a mat, typically in the presence of bonding fibers, and typically followed by a densification and thermal bonding. In addition to traditional thermally bonded air-laid structures (those formed in the presence of non-sticky binder materials and substantially thermally bonded), the scope of the term "air-laid" according to the present invention may also include coforms made by the combination of air-entrained dry, dispersed cellulose fibers with meltblown synthetic polymer fibers while the polymer fibers are still sticky. Furthermore, an air-shaped web to which subsequently a binder material is added may also fall within the scope of the term "air laid" according to the present invention. The binder can be added to an air-formed web in liquid form (e.g., an aqueous solution or melt) by spray nozzles, directional injection or impregnation, vacuum draw, foam impregnation, and so on. Solid binder particles can also be added by mechanical or pneumatic means.

As used herein, the term "associated" includes configurations in which the topsheet is connected directly to the backsheet by attaching the topsheet directly to the backsheet, and configurations in which the topsheet is attached to the backsheet by attaching the topsheet to intermediate members who are on in turn are attached to the backsheet. The topsheet and the backsheet can be directly attached to each other by adhesives such as adhesives, sonic bonds, thermal bonds or any other adhesives known in the prior art. For example, a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, a sprayed pattern of adhesive or a series of separate lines, swirls or stains of structural adhesive can be used to adhere topsheet to backsheet. It should be clear here that the above-described adhesive means can also be used to interconnect and assemble the various other component parts of the article described herein.

The terms "back region" and "back region" are used herein as synonyms and refer to the region of the absorbent article that is in contact with the wearer's back when the absorbent article is worn.

The term "backsheet" refers to a material that forms the outer cover of the absorbent article. The backsheet prevents partitions contained in the absorbent structure from wetting articles that are in contact with the disposable absorbent article, such as bed sheets and overclothes. The backsheet can be a single layer of material or can be a composite layer that is composed of multiple components that are assembled or laminated side-by-side. The backsheet can be the same or different in different parts of the absorbent article. At least in the region of the absorbent medium, the backsheet consists of a liquid-impermeable material in the form of a thin plastic film, e.g. a polyethylene or polypropylene film, a non-woven material with a liquid-impermeable material, a hydrophobic non-woven material that resists liquid penetration, or a laminate of a plastic film and a non-woven material. The backsheet material can be air permeable such that water vapor can escape from the absorbent material, while liquids are still prevented from passing through. Examples of breathable backsheet materials are porous polymer films, non-woven laminates of spunbond and meltblown layers and laminates of porous polymer films and non-woven materials.

The terms "abdominal region", "front region" and "anterior region" are used herein as synonyms and refer to the region of the absorbent article that is in contact with the wearer's abdomen when the absorbent article is being worn.

The term "blend" means a blend of two or more polymers while the term "alloy" means a subclass of blends in which the components are immiscible but made compatible.

As used herein, the "body facing" or "body side" surface means that surface of the article or component that is intended to be arranged or placed toward or adjacent to the wearer's body during normal use, while the "outgoing" means " outward-facing "," garment-turned side "or" garment-side "surface is on the opposite side, and is intended to be suitably turned away from the wearer's body during normal use. Such outgoing surface can be adapted to be fitted to or adjacent to the wearer's undergarments when the absorbent article is being worn. "Connected" refers to the joining, attachment, connection, attachment, or the like, of at least two elements. Two elements will be considered connected when they are directly connected to each other or indirectly to each other, such as when each is directly linked to intermediate elements.

The term "air permeable" refers to films that have a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of at least 300 grams / m2 - 24 hours.

A "carded web" refers to webs made from staple fibers controlled by a combing or carding unit, which opens the staple fibers and directs them according to the machine direction to form a generally machine direction-oriented fibrous non-woven web. The web is then bound by one or more known binding methods. Connecting non-woven webs can be achieved by a number of methods; powder binding, wherein a powdered adhesive or binder is distributed through the web and then activated, usually by heating the web and the adhesive with hot air; pattern binding, wherein heated calendar rolls or ultrasonic binding equipment is used to bind the fibers together, usually in a localized binding pattern, although the web can be bound over its entire surface if desired; air-binding, wherein air that is hot enough to soften at least one component of the web is passed through the web; chemical bonding, using, for example, latex adhesives deposited on the web by, for example, spraying; and consolidation by mechanical methods such as needle felting and water entanglement.

As used herein, the term "cellulose" is intended to include any material that has cellulose as its main constituent, and specifically comprises at least 50 weight percent cellulose or a cellulose derivative. Thus, the term includes cotton, typical wood pulp, non-woody cellulose fibers, cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, artificial silk, thermomechanical wood pulp, chemical wood pulp, dissolved chemical wood pulp, silk plant, or bacterial cellulose. "Chassis" refers to a fundamental constituent of an absorbent article on which the rest of the structure of the article is built up or applied over, e.g., in a diaper, the structural elements that, when configured to wear, shape the diaper of a slip or pants, such as a backsheet, a topsheet, or a combination of a topsheet and a backsheet. "Covorm" as used herein is intended to describe a mixture of meltblown fibers and cellulose fibers formed by the air formation of a meltblown polymeric material while simultaneously blowing air-suspended cellulose fibers into the stream of meltblown fibers. The coform material can also include other materials, such as super-absorbent particles. The meltblown fibers containing wooden fibers are collected on a forming surface, as provided by a perforated belt. The forming surface may comprise a gas-permeable material, such as spunbonded fabric material, which is placed on the forming surface. "Compression" refers to the process or result of printing by applying force to an object, thereby increasing the density of the object. "Include", "include", and "include", and "include from" as used herein are synonymous with "consist of", "consist of", "consist of", or "contain", "contain", "contain ", and are inclusive or open terms indicating the presence of what follows, eg component and which do not exclude or prevent the presence of additional, non-recited components, features, element, members, steps, known from or described in the state under the technique.

The term "mainly consisting of" does not exclude the presence of additional materials that do not significantly affect the desired characteristics of a particular composition or product. Exemplary materials of this kind may include, without limitation, pigments, antioxidants, stabilizers, surfactants, waxes, current promoters, solvents, particles, and materials that are added to increase the processability of the composition.

An absorbent article may include "inclusion flaps" or "barrier cuffs," used herein as synonyms. The containment flaps are generally considered to be particularly suitable for the containment of faecal matter and to prevent the lateral flow of liquid waste until the liquid waste can be absorbed by the absorbent article. Many constructions of containment flaps are known. Such containment flaps generally consist of a proximal edge intended to be attached to the absorbent article, and an opposite distal edge that is generally not attached to the absorbent article along at least a portion of its length. An elastic member is generally located adjacent the distal edge to help maintain the containment flap in an upright condition and to maintain a sealing contact between the distal edge of the containment flap and a wearer's body during use. The elastic member is generally positioned between two layers of material so that the elastic does not come into contact with the body of a wearer. The containment flaps can be made from a wide variety of materials such as polypropylene, polyester, artificial silk, nylon, foam, plastic films, molded films, and elastic foams. Various production techniques can be used to manufacture the containment flaps. For example, the containment flaps can be woven, non-woven, spunbond, carded, cast, blown, or the like.

An absorbent article may include bone containment gaskets. Leg "containment packs" help prevent leakage of bodily secretions when the wearer exerts compressive forces on the absorbent article. In particular, the stiffness of the leg containment gaskets prevents twisting and bundling of the leg openings of the absorbent article which can lead to leakage. In addition, the elasticity and formability of the leg containment gaskets ensure that the body facing surface of the leg containment gaskets form a suitable seal against the wearer's body. The physical properties of the leg containment gaskets, such as the thickness and stiffness, also function to keep the topsheet and absorbent core away from the wearer's body during use. Thus, an empty volume is created between the wearer's body and the topsheet and absorbent core of the absorbent article to help retain body secretions. "Continuous" means that the structure described is a closed-loop structure. The continuous structure can be single, i.e., a one-piece structure, or can be made from individual elements, suitably assembled to form a closed loop.

A "continuous waistband" is a band of material that circles and fits the waist of a garment, such as a diaper or trouser diaper, and is generally positioned along the wearer's waist. The waistband preferably creates a seal against the waist so that physical secretions cannot leak from the areas between the waistband and the waist of the wearer. It can be an elastomeric, cotton-like, non-woven fibrous material, such as an elastomer stretch bonded laminated web or an elastomer meltblown web. By correct selection of materials, the continuous waistband can be temporarily elastically limited, such as by compression. Once temporarily elastic limited, the elastic material from which the waistband is comprised can be activated, such as by heat treating, to regain a state of elasticity. "Conventional hot-melt adhesive" means a composition that generally consists of several components. These components typically include one or more polymers to provide cohesive force (e.g., aliphatic polyolefins such as poly (ethylene-co-propylene) copolymer; ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers; styrene-butadiene or styrene isoprene block copolymers; etc.); a resin or an analogous material (sometimes referred to as a tackifier) to provide adhesion power (e.g., hydrocarbons distilled from petroleum distillates; resins and / or resin esters; terpenes derived from, for example, wood or citrus, etc.); optional waxes, plasticizers, or other materials to alter viscosity (i.e., fluidity) (examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, polybutene, paraffin oil, ester oils, and the like); and / or other additives including, but not limited to, antioxidants or other stabilizers. A typical hot melt adhesive composition may comprise from about 15 to about 35 weight percent cohesive force polymer or polymers; from about 50 to about 65 percent by weight of resin or other tackiness promoter or tackiness promoters; from more than zero to about 30 weight percent plasticizer or other viscosity change agent; and optionally less than about 1 weight percent stabilizer or other additive. It is to be understood that other adhesive compositions are possible that include different weight percentages of these components.

The term "density" or "concentration" when referring to the absorbent material, in particular SAP, of a layer refers to the amount of the absorbent material divided by the surface of the layer over which the absorbent material is spread.

A "diaper" refers to an absorbent article that is generally worn by children or incontinent persons around the lower torso. To use the diaper around the wearer's waist, the diaper is typically first placed between the wearer's legs and then attached around the wearer's waist using fasteners, preferably in a reclosable manner around the wearer's diaper to remove after or during use.

The term "disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles that are generally not intended to be washed or otherwise repaired or reused as an absorbent article (ie, they are intended to be discarded after single use and, preferably to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner).

As used herein, the term "elastic resistance" describes an elastic force that attempts to resist an applied tensile force, whereby a material provided therewith tends to contract to an unstressed configuration in response to an stretching force.

As used herein, the terms "elastic", "elastomeric", "elasticity" or derivatives thereof are used to describe the capacity of various materials and articles provided with them, to undergo a reversible deformation, e.g. under-stretch, or to be stretched extended, in at least one direction when a force is applied to the material and to return substantially to their original dimensions when relaxed, ie, when the force is released, without tearing or breakage. Preferably, it refers to a material or composite that can be extended in at least one direction by at least 50% of its relaxed length, ie extended to at least 150% of its relaxed length, and which when released from the applied tension is at least 40% of its extension. Accordingly, upon release of the applied voltage at 50% elongation, the material or composite will contract to a relaxed length of no more than 130% of its original length. Examples of suitable elastomeric materials include polyether-polyamide block copolymers, polyurethanes, synthetic linear ABA and AB block copolymers, chlorinated rubber / EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) blends, EPDM (ethylene-propylene diene monomer) rubbers, EPDM, (ethylene-propylene monomer) rubbers, blends from EPDM / EPM / EVA, and the like.

The term "made elastic" refers to a material, layer, or substrate that is not naturally elastic, but that is made elastic by, for example, suitably joining an elastic material, a layer, or a substrate. "Extension" means the ratio of the extension of a material to the length of the material prior to the extension (expressed in percent), as represented by the following: "Extension" means the change in length of a material through stretching (expressed in units of length).

As used herein and in the claims that follow, "embossed" or "embossed" includes areas where a material is treated by pressure, thermal energy, ultrasonic energy, and / or other treatments including heat forming, to local impressions and / or to provide compressions in the material. Preferably, relief elements are applied and / or printed on the material to form the corresponding relief on the substrate.

As used herein, the term "extensible" means extendable in at least one direction, but not necessarily recyclable.

The term "fabric" is used to refer to all woven, knitted and non-woven fibrous webs. "Fasteners" are typically applied to the rear area of the diaper to provide a mechanism for holding the diaper on the wearer. Fasteners, such as tape tape fasteners, snaps, pins, belts, hooks, buckles, "hook / mushroom" and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO®-type fasteners) and the like, can be used and are typically applied to the lateral, side ends from the rear area of a diaper to provide a mechanism for holding the diaper over the wearer's waist in a conventional manner. Tape tape fasteners can be any of those known in the art, and are typically applied to the corners of the diaper. For example, self-adhesive fasteners, mechanical fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, pins or buckles can be used alone or in combination. For example, the fasteners may be self-adhesive fasteners made for reversible adhesion to a landing zone piece adhered to the front area of the diaper to provide a resealable self-adhesive fastening system.

The term "finished" or "final", when used in relation to a product, means that the product was suitably manufactured for its intended purpose.

The term "flexible" refers to materials that are compliant and that readily adapt to the general shape and contours of the wearer's body.

As used herein, the term "article of clothing" means any type of clothing that can be worn. This includes diapers, training pants, incontinence products, surgical gowns, industrial work clothes and covers, underwear articles, pants, shirts, jackets and the like.

Many of the known superabsorbent polymer particles exhibit gel blockage. "Gel blocking" occurs when superabsorbent polymer particles get wet and the particles swell to block fluid transmission to other areas of the absorbent structure. The wetting of these other areas of the absorbent member therefore takes place via a very slow diffusion process. In practical terms, this means that the acquisition of liquids due to the absorbent structure is much slower than the speed at which the liquids are discharged, especially in miction situations. Leakage of the absorbent article can occur well before the particles of SAP in the absorbent member are only close to full saturation or before the liquid can disperse or wick past the "blocking" particles to the rest of the absorbent member. Gel blocking can be a particularly acute problem if the superabsorbent polymer particles do not have suitable gel strength and deform under stress as soon as the particles swell with absorbed liquid.

The term "drawing" includes, but is not limited to, any type of design, image, sign, number, codes, words, patterns, or the like. For a product such as a baby diaper, a drawing will generally include items associated with little boys and girls, such as multicolored trucks, planes, balls, dolls, bows, or the like. "Water entanglement process" refers to the production of non-woven webs. The process involves directing a series of water jets to a fibrous web that is worn on a moving porous belt. The jets of water go down through the mass of fibers and when making contact with the surface of the belt, the rays bounce back and break them up: the energy that is released causes entanglement of the mass of fibers.

The term "high absorption material" refers to materials that are capable of absorbing at least 10 times their own weight in liquid. The high absorption material may comprise absorbent gel-forming materials, such as super-absorbent polymers. Superabsorbent polymers are water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic materials capable of absorbing at least about 20 times their own weight of an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent of sodium chloride. The absorbent gel-forming materials can be natural, synthetic, and modified natural polymers and materials. In addition, the absorbent gel-forming materials may be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compositions such as cross-linked polymers. The term "cross-linked" refers to any means to effectively make water-soluble materials substantially water-insoluble but swellable. Such agents may include, for example, physical confusion, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, ionic complexes and associations, hydrophilic associations such as hydrogen bonds, and hydrophobic associations or Van der Waals forces. Examples of synthetic absorbent gel-forming material polymers include the alkali metal and ammonium salts of poly (acrylic acid) and poly (methacrylic acid), poly (acrylamides), poly (vinyl ethers), maleic anhydride copolymers with vinyl ethers and alpha-olefins, poly (vinyl pyrrolidone), poly (vinyl morpholinone) ), poly (vinyl alcohol), and mixtures and copolymers thereof. Further polymers suitable for use in the absorbent structure include natural and modified natural polymers, such as hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and natural gums such as alginates, xanthan gum, locust bean gum and of such. Mixtures of natural and wholly or partially synthetic absorbent polymers can also be used. Synthetic absorbent gel-forming materials are typically xerogels that form hydrogels when wetted. However, the term "hydrogel" is also commonly used to refer to both wetted and non-wetted forms of the material. The high-absorption material can have any of a wide variety of geometric shapes. It is generally preferred that the high absorption material is in the form of individual particles. However, the high-absorption material can also be in the form of fibers, flakes, rods, spheres, needles, spiral or semi-spiral, cube, rod-like, polyhedral, or the like. Conglomerates of particles of high absorption material can also be used. The high absorbent material may be present in the absorbent core in an amount of about 5 to about 100 weight percent and desirably from about 30 to about 100 weight percent based on the total weight of the absorbent core. The distribution of the high-absorption material within the various parts of the absorbent core may vary depending on the anticipated end use of the absorbent core. The high absorption material can be arranged in a generally separate layer within the matrix of hydrophilic fibers. Alternatively, the absorbent core may comprise a laminate of fibrous webs and high-absorption material or other suitable means to maintain a high-absorption material in a localized area.

A "hook-and-loop fastener" refers to complementary fasteners that have a "hook" portion and a "loop" portion and that are resealable. The term "hook" as used herein refers to any element suitable for entering into a connection with another element, the so-called "loop" portion. The term "hook" is not limited to "hooks" in their normal sense, but may include any form of attachment elements, either in one direction or in two directions. The term "loop" is also not limited to "loops" in their normal sense, but also encompasses any structure suitable for a "hook" fastener to attach to. Examples of "loop" materials are fibrous structures, such as non-woven materials.

The term "hydrophilic" describes fibers or the surfaces of fibers that are wetted by the aqueous liquids in contact with the fibers. The degree of wetting of the materials can in turn be expressed in terms of the contact angles and the surface tensions of the liquids and materials in question. The term "wettable" is intended to refer to a fiber that makes an air contact angle with a liquid, such as water, synthetic urine, or an aqueous saline solution of 0.9% by weight, of less than 90 °, while "hydrophobic" or "non-wettable" fibers describe fibers that have contact angles equal to or greater than 90 °.

As used herein, the term "impervious" generally refers to articles and / or elements that cannot be substantially permeated by an aqueous liquid throughout their full thickness under a pressure of 1.0 kPa or less. Preferably, the impervious article or element is not permeable to an aqueous liquid under pressures of 3.4 kPa or less. More preferably, the impervious article or element is not permeable to an aqueous liquid under pressures of 6.8 kPa or less. An article or an element that is not impenetrable is permeable.

An absorbent "incontinence dressing" as used herein describes an absorbent article intended to fit into the crotch portion of a wearer's underwear and to protect the garment from body secretions such as urine, faecal matter and the like. Such products are, for example, designed to provide protection for adults suffering from incontinence, similar to diapers and diapers, but are usually more discreet than diapers and diapers. "Integral" is used to refer to various portions of a single unitary element rather than to the individual structures that are bonded or placed close together. "Connecting", "connecting", "connected" or variations thereof, when used to describe the relationship between two or more elements, means that the elements can be connected in any suitable manner, such as heat sealing, ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, by adhesives, stitching, or the like. Furthermore, the elements can be connected directly, or they can comprise one or more elements positioned between them, which are all connected together.

The term "flat-laid state" is intended to refer to the article when it is flattened in a plane or substantially flattened in a flat, in its stretched, flat state with all elastic contractions and gatherings removed. "Laminate" refers to elements that are attached together in a layered arrangement.

The use of the term "layer" can refer to, but is not limited to, any type of substrate, such as a woven web, non-woven web, films, laminates, composites, elastomeric materials, or the like. A layer can be liquid and air permeable, permeable to air but impermeable to liquids, impermeable to both air and liquids, or the like. When used in the singular, it can have the double meaning of a single element or of a majority of elements.

The crotch portion of the absorbent article preferably includes opposite longitudinal side portions that includes a pair of elastically made, longitudinally-extending, "leg cuffs." The leg cuffs are generally adapted to fit around the legs of a wearer during use and serve as a mechanical barrier to the lateral flow of body secretions. The leg cuffs are made elastic by leg elastics. The diaper may further comprise a front waist elastic and a rear waist elastic. Materials suitable for use in forming leg elastics are known in the prior art. Examples of such materials are bundles or ribbons of a polymer, elastomeric material that are attached to the diaper at the leg cuff in an elongated state, or that are attached to the diaper while the diaper is pleated, so that elastic contracting forces are transmitted to the leg cuff . Examples of suitable elastomeric materials that can be used include polyether-polyamide block copolymers, polyurethanes, synthetic linear ABA and AB block copolymers, chlorinated rubber / EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) blends, EPDM (ethylene-propylene diene monomer) rubbers, EPM (ethylene- propylene monomer) rubbers, blends of EPDM / EPM / EVA, and the like. "Liquid" means a non-gaseous substance and / or a material that flows and can take the inner form of a container into which it is poured or placed. "Longitudinal" is a direction parallel to the maximum linear dimension of the article .

The term "meltblown fibers" means fibers formed by extrusion of a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries into molten wires or filaments in a high-speed gas stream (e.g. air) which causes the filaments of the molten thermoplastic material will decrease in diameter, which can go to a microfiber diameter. Generally, meltblown fibers have an average fiber diameter of up to about 10 microns. After the formation of the fibers, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high speed gas stream and deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly arranged meltblown fibers.

The term "non-elastic" refers to any material that does not fall within the definition of "elastic" above.

The term "non-woven fabric or web" means a sheet of material that has a structure of individual fibers or threads that are inlaid, but not in a regular manner such as occurs with stitching or weaving processes. Non-woven fabrics or webs can be made by many processes, such as meltblown processes, spunbond processes, and bound carded web processes. "Pants body" refers to a garment that has a waist opening and a pair of leg openings, similar to shorts, swimwear, or the like. The garment described may or may not have a manually tearable side seam.

The terms "particle", "particles", "particle," particles "and the like mean that the material is generally in the form of individual units. The units may comprise granules, powder, spheres, pulverized materials or the like, as well as combinations thereof The particles may have any desired shape such as, for example, cubic, rod-like, polygonal, spherical or semi-spherical, rounded or semi-rounded, angular, irregular, etc. Shapes that have a large largest dimension / smallest size ratio, such as needles, flakes, and fibers, are also contemplated to be included herein The terms "particle" or "particle" may also include an agglomerate comprising more than one individual particle, particle, or the like. particle or any agglomerate desired therefrom, are composed of more than one type of material.

The term "polymer" generally includes, but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers, for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc., and mixtures and derivatives thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term "polymer" will encompass all possible geometric configurations of the material. These configurations include, but are not limited to, isotactic, syndiotactic and random symmetries.

By the term "prepackaged" as used herein, it is meant that one or more absorbent articles are packaged in a single unit before being stacked. "Pulp fluff" or "fluff pulp" refer to a material made up of cellulose fibers. The fibers can be either natural or synthetic, or a combination thereof. The material is typically low in weight and has absorbent properties. "Resealable" refers to to the property of two elements capable of reversibly attaching, separating, and further being reversibly attached without substantial permanent deformation or cracking.

The "retention portion" or "liquid absorption layer" are used herein as synonyms, and form part of the absorbent medium. This portion may comprise a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a web of cellulose fluff mixed with particles of high absorption material. In particular arrangements, the retention portion may comprise a mixture of superabsorbent hydrogel-forming particles and synthetic polymer meltblown fibers, or a mixture of superabsorbent particles with a fibrous coform material comprising a mixture of natural fibers and / or synthetic polymer fibers. The superabsorbent particles can be mixed substantially homogeneously with the hydrophilic fibers, or can be mixed non-uniformly. For example, the concentrations of superabsorbent particles can be arranged in a non-stepwise gradient through a substantial portion of the thickness of the absorbent structure, with lower concentrations to the body side of the absorbent structure and relatively higher concentrations to the outside of the absorbent structure. The superabsorbent particles can also be arranged in a generally discrete layer within the matrix of hydrophilic fibers. In addition, two or more different kinds of superabsorbent materials can be selectively arranged at different locations within or according to the fiber matrix.

As used herein, the term "sheet" or "sheet material" refers to woven materials, non-woven webs, polymer films, polymeric gauze-like materials, and polymeric foam layers.

The absorbent article can also include side panels. The "side panels" may have any shape such as, but not limited to, a square, rectangular, triangular, circular, and stair-like shape. They can be attached to the respective opposite side portions of the rear region, by a known method, such as heat sealing or adhesive bonding. The side panels can also be integrally formed with the rear area by projecting outwardly and connecting the respective topsheet and / or backsheet and / or absorbent medium in lobes which are in the form of the side panels. Preferably, the side panels are formed by laminating a layer of a non-woven fabric, a layer of a thermoplastic film and a layer of an elastic material. The layer of the elastic material can be positioned between the non-woven fabric layer and the thermoplastic film using adhesive layers. The layer of the non-woven fabric can be made from natural fibers, synthetic fibers or a blend of natural fibers and synthetic fibers. The layer of the thermoplastic film can be made of polyethylene or polypropylene.

The term "spunbonded fibers" refers to fibers formed by extrusion of molten thermoplastic polymers in the form of filaments or fibers from a majority of relatively fine, usually circular, capillaries of a spinneret, after which the extruded filaments rapidly pass through an eductive or other known draw mechanism to provide the filaments with molecular orientation and physical strength. The average diameter of spunbond fibers is typically in the range of 15-60 µm or higher. The spinneret can either be a large spinneret that has several thousands of holes per meter width or can be banks of smaller spinnerets comprising, for example, only 40 holes.

The term "spunbond meltblown spunbond" (SMS) non-woven fabric as used herein refers to a multilayer composite sheet that comprises a web of meltblown fibers sandwiched between and bonded to two spunbond layers. An SMS non-woven fabric can be formed in line by successively providing a first layer of spunbonded fibers, a layer of meltblown fibers, and a second layer of spunbonded fibers on a moving porous collected surface. The assembled layers can be bonded by allowing them to pass through a narrowing formed between two rollers that can be heated or unheated and smooth or patterned. Alternatively, the individual spunbond and meltblown layers may be formed in advance and optionally bonded and collected individually such as by winding the fabrics on rolls. The individual layers can then be assembled and bonded at a later time to form an SMS non-woven fabric. Additional spunbond and / or meltblown layers may be incorporated into the SMS fabric, for example spunbond meltblown meltblown spunbond (SMMS), etc. "Staple fibers" refer to commercially available fibers that include diameters ranging from less than about 0.001 mm to more than about 0.2 mm; they come in many different forms such as short fibers ranging from about 10 to 50 mm in length and long fibers with a length greater than 50 mm, preferably up to 100 mm.

By "elongation" is meant that the material has the capacity to extend beyond its original size in at least one dimension when subjected to a tensile force (ie, tension) applied in the direction of that dimension, without the material being break. An extension of for example 50% means that the material with a first length of 100 mm has reached a length of 150 mm. The rack can be in one direction, two directions, or multiple directions. The specific stretching properties of a material can vary along any stretch vectors. The term may include elastic materials, as well as nonwovens that are inherently extensible, but not necessarily in an elastic manner. Such nonwovens can be made to behave in an elastic manner by attaching them to elastic films.

The use of the term "substrate" includes, but is not limited to, woven or non-woven webs, porous films, ink permeable films, paper, composite structures, or the like.

Superabsorbent materials suitable for use in the present invention are known in the art, and may exist in any workable form, such as in particle form, fibers, and mixtures thereof. Generally speaking, the "superabsorbent material" may be a water-swellable, generally water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material, capable of at least about 15, suitably about 30, and possibly about 60 times or more of its weight in physiological salt solution (e.g. a saline solution with 0.9% weight of NaCl). The superabsorbent material can be biodegradable or bipolar. The hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material may be formed from organic hydrogel-forming polymeric material, which may include natural material such as agar, pectin and guar gum; modified natural materials such as carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxyethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose; and synthetic hydrogel-forming polymers. Synthetic hydrogel-forming polymers include, for example, alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene maleic anhydride. Copolymers, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl morpholinone, polymers and copolymers of vinyl sulfonic acid, polyacrylates, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl pyridine, and the like. Other suitable hydrogel-forming polymers include hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, and isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymers and mixtures thereof. The hydrogel-forming polymers may be slightly cross-linked to make the material substantially water-insoluble. Crosslinking can, for example, happen through irradiation or covalent, ionic, Van der Waalse, or hydrogen bonds. The superabsorbent material may suitably be applied to a designated storage or retention portion of the absorbent system, and may optionally be employed in other components or portions of the absorbent article. The superabsorbent material may be included in the absorbent layer or other liquid storage layer of the absorbent article of the present invention in an amount of up to about 60% by weight. Typically, the superabsorbent material, when present, will be provided in an amount of from about 5% to about 40% by weight based on the total weight of the absorbent layer. "Superabsorbent polymer particles" or "SAPs" refer to water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic materials that are capable of, in the most favorable conditions, at least about 10 times their weight, or at least about 15 times their weight, or at least about Be able to absorb 25 times their weight in an aqueous solution comprising 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride. In absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinence diapers, etc., the particle size typically ranges between 100 to 800 µm, preferably between 300 to 600 µm, more preferably between 400 to 500 µm.

The term "target area" refers to an area of an absorbent core where it is particularly desirable to have the majority of a fluid fiction, such as urine, menstrual secretions, or bowel movement, initially contacted. In particular, a target target area, for an absorbent core with one or more fluid target points during use, refers to the area of the absorbent core that extends over a distance equal to 15% of the total length of the composite from each target point in both directions. "Tension" includes a force along one axis that attempts to cause the elongation of a body or the balancing force within that body that attempts to withstand the elongation.

As used herein, the term "thermoplastic" is intended to describe a material that softens when exposed to heat and that substantially returns to its original state when cooled to room temperature.

The term "topsheet" refers to a liquid permeable material that forms the inner cover of the absorbent article and which is placed in direct contact with the wearer's skin during use. The topsheet is typically used to help isolate the wearer's skin from liquids trapped in the absorbent structure. The topsheet may include a non-woven material, e.g., spunbond, meltblown, carded, water-entangled, wet-laid, etc. Suitable non-woven materials may be composed of artificial fibers such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, viscose, artificial silk, etc., or natural fibers. , such as wood pulp or cotton fibers, or from a blend of natural and artificial fibers. The topsheet material can further be composed of two fibers, which can be bonded together in a bonding pattern. Further examples of topsheet materials are porous foams, perforated plastic films, laminates of non-woven materials and perforated plastic films etc. The materials suitable as topsheet materials should be soft and non-irritating to the skin and should be easily penetrating to body fluid, e.g. urine or menstrual fluids. The topsheet may further be different in different parts of the absorbent article. The topsheet fabrics can be composed of a substantially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material can optionally be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to achieve a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. "Training pants" or "pants diaper," as used herein, refers to disposable garments designed for children or incontinent persons such as wearers who have a waist opening and leg openings. A pant diaper can be applied to the wearer by inserting the wearer's legs into the leg openings and sliding the pant diaper into position around the wearer's lower torso. A pant diaper can be preformed by any suitable technique including, but not limited to, securing two portions of the article using resealable and / or non-resealable connections (e.g., seam, weld, adhesive, cohesion bond, fasteners, etc.) · A pant diaper can be preformed anywhere along the perimeter of the item (eg, attached to the side, attached to the front waist). While the terms "pant diaper" or "pant diaper" are used herein, pant diaper is also commonly referred to as "closed diapers", "preformed diapers", "pull-on diaper", "training pants" and "diaper pants".

As used herein, the terms "transversal" or "lateral" refer to a line, axis, or direction that is within the plane of the absorbent article and is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. "Ultrasonic welding" refers to a technology that joins two materials together by melting them with heat generated by ultrasonic oscillation and then laminating them together such that the molten materials flow and the space goes between the two untreated portions of the two respective materials filling up. When cooling and forming, the two materials are connected together.

As used herein, the term "water-swellable, water-insoluble" is intended to refer to a material that, when exposed to an excess of water, swells to its equilibrium volume but does not dissolve in the solution. For example, a water-swellable, water-insoluble material generally retains its original identity or physical structure during absorption of the water, but in a highly expanded state, so it must have sufficient physical integrity to withstand current and fusion with neighboring particles. resist.

By the term "packaging material" as used herein is meant a flexible material, preferably a sheet material whose thickness is smaller, preferably much smaller, than its width or length, such as a sheet, a film or a film. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the above-mentioned packaging material can be rolled up.

Due to the high concentrations of superabsorbent particles or other high-absorption material in the retention portion, there may be an increased difficulty in retaining the high-absorption particles within the retention portion and limiting the movement or migration of superabsorbent materials to the body side of the pants diaper. To improve the retention of the high-absorption material, the absorbent structure may comprise an improved outer package, such as an "envelope sheet", immediately placed adjacent to and around the retention portion. The wrapping sheet is preferably a layer of absorbent material that covers most of the body side and outside surfaces of the retention portion, and preferably substantially encloses all peripheral edges of the retention portion such that a substantially full envelope is formed around it. Alternatively, the wrapping sheet may be provided with an absorbent cover that covers most of the body side and outside surfaces of the retention portion, and substantially encloses only the lateral side edges of the retention portion. Accordingly, both the linear and inwardly bent portions of the lateral side edges of the envelope sheet would be closed around the retention portion. In such an embodiment, however, the end edges of the wrapping sheet would not be completely closed around the end edges of the retention portion to the waistband regions of the article. The wrapping sheet may include a multi-element wrapping sheet comprising a separate body-side wrapping layer and a separate outer-wrapping layer, each extending beyond all or some of the peripheral edges of the retention portion. Such an envelope sheet configuration may, for example, facilitate the formation of a substantially complete cover and closure around the peripheral edges of the retention portion. The body side and outside layers of the wrapping sheet may be substantially composed of the same materials, or may be composed of different materials. The outer layer of the wrapping sheet may, for example, be composed of a relatively lower weight-base material that has a relatively high porosity, such as a wet-strength cellulose fabric composed of softwood pulp. The body side layer of the wrapping sheet may comprise any of the previously described wrapping fabric materials, which have a relatively low porosity (may, for example, comprise a meltblown web composed of meltblown polypropylene fibers or a low porosity cellulose web composed of a hardwood / softwood blend). fiber). The low porosity body side layer can help in better preventing migration of superabsorbent particles to the wearer's skin and the high porosity, low weight outer layer layer can help in reducing costs.

An absorbent article refers to devices that absorb and retain liquid, and more specifically refers to devices that are placed against or in proximity to the wearer's body to absorb and retain the various secretions discharged by the body. The absorbent articles include but are not limited to diapers, adult incontinence briefs, training pants, diaper holders and liners, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads and the like, as well as surgical dressings and sponges.

Absorbent articles preferably comprise a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the above-mentioned longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis is hereby conventionally chosen in the front-to-back direction of the article when reference is made to the article being carried, and the transversal axis is conventionally selected in the left-to-right direction of the article when reference is made to the item being worn. Disposable absorbent articles may include a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet connected to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned and held between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet is effectively permeable to the liquids intended to be retained or stored by the absorbent article and the backsheet may or may not be substantially impermeable or otherwise effectively impermeable to the intended liquids.

An absorbent incontinence dressing describes an absorbent article intended to fit into the crotch portion of a wearer's underwear and to protect the garment from body secretions such as urine, faecal matter and the like. Such products are, for example, designed to provide protection for adults suffering from incontinence, similar to diapers and diapers, but are usually more discreet than diapers and diapers.

An absorbent article, such as an absorbent incontinence dressing, is preferably designed to be attached to an inner surface of a person's underwear with, for example, an article of clothing adhesive and is designed to remove liquids separated from the body, e.g., urine and faecal material. The absorbent article is an elongated product that has a central longitudinal axis x-x, a central transverse axis y-y, and a vertical axis z-z.

The absorbent article, such as an incontinence dressing, comprises a liquid-permeable topsheet or cover, a liquid-impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned and enclosed between the topsheet and the backsheet.

As used herein, the "body facing" or "body side" surface means that surface of the article or component that is intended to be arranged or placed toward or adjacent to the wearer's body during normal use, while the "outgoing" means " the outward-facing "or" garment-side "surface is on the opposite side, and is intended to be suitably turned away from the wearer's body during normal use. Such outgoing surface can be adapted to be fitted to or adjacent to the wearer's undergarments when the absorbent article is being worn.

The topsheet is designed to be in contact with the wearer's body and is typically used to help isolate the wearer's skin from liquids trapped in the absorbent core. The topsheet can be constructed from a woven or non-woven material that is easily permeable to body fluids, such as urine. The topsheet can be formed from either natural fibers, such as wood pulp or cotton fibers, or synthetic fibers, or a mixture of both. Suitable materials include bonded-carded webs of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, or other heat-bonded fibers. Other polyolefins, such as copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, fine perforated film webs and mesh materials, also work well. Other examples of topsheet materials are porous foams, perforated plastic films, laminates of non-woven materials and perforated films, etc. The materials suitable as topsheet materials should be soft and non-irritating to the skin and should be easily permeable to body moisture , e.g. urine. The topsheet may comprise between about one percent (1%) to about six percent (6%) of the titanium dioxide pigment to give it a clean, white appearance. When the topsheet of a spunbond web is constructed, it is desirable to use a uniform thickness of spunbond so that it will provide sufficient strength to withstand pulling and tearing during use.

It should be noted that the topsheet can be coated, sprayed or otherwise treated with a surface-active component to make it hydrophilic. By "hydrophilic" is meant that the topsheet has a strong affinity for water and has a contact angle of less than 180 degrees. When the topsheet is made of a hydrophilic material, it will allow the body fluids to pass through quickly. The topsheet can also be embossed to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the absorbent article.

The liquid permeable topsheet and the liquid impervious backsheet work together to enclose and hold the absorbent core. The topsheet and the backsheet can be cut, dimensioned and shaped to have a parallel outer edge. When this is done, the topsheet and the backsheet can be bound in a face-to-face contact to form an absorbent article that has a peripheral seal or edge. The peripheral edge can be formed to have a width of about 5 millimeters to about 30 millimeters. The topsheet and the backsheet can be joined together or sealed to their periphery by a structural adhesive to form a unitary absorbent article. Alternatively, the topsheet and the backsheet can be bonded together by heat, pressure, by a combination of heat and pressure, by ultrasonic means, etc. to form a firm bond.

The backsheet refers to a material that forms the outer cover of the absorbent article and is designed to be in contact with the wearer's underwear during use. The backsheet can be a single layer of material or can be a composite layer that is composed of multiple components that are assembled or laminated side-by-side. The backsheet can be the same or different in different parts of the absorbent article. At least in the region of the absorbent medium, the backsheet consists of a liquid-impermeable material in the form of a thin plastic film, e.g. a polyethylene or polypropylene film, a non-woven material with a liquid-impermeable material, a hydrophobic non-woven material that resists liquid penetration, or a laminate of a plastic film and a non-woven material. The backsheet material can be air permeable such that water vapor can escape from the absorbent material, while liquids are still prevented from passing through. Examples of breathable backsheet materials are porous polymer films, non-woven laminates of spunbond and meltblown layers and laminates of porous polymer films and non-woven materials.

The absorbent article comprises an absorbent core positioned between a topsheet and a liquid-impervious backsheet. The absorbent core can comprise one or more absorbent layers. An absorbent layer can be made from various natural or synthetic fibers such as wood pulp fibers, virgin cellulose fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, cotton fibers, peat moss, or a mixture of pulp and other fibers. The absorbent layer can also include other well-known materials such as: cellulose fibers, rayon fibers, cellulose sponge, hydrophilic synthetic sponge, for example polyurethane, and the like. The absorbent layer may comprise superabsorbent materials, such as superabsorbent polymer particles, and / or odor control additives. Preferably, the absorbent layer comprises a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a web of cellulose fluff, mixed with particles of high absorption material. In particular arrangements, the retention portion may comprise a mixture of superabsorbent hydrogel-forming particles and synthetic polymer meltblown fibers, or a mixture of superabsorbent particles with a fibrous coform material comprising a mixture of natural fibers and / or synthetic polymer fibers. The superabsorbent particles can be mixed substantially homogeneously with the hydrophilic fibers, or can be mixed non-uniformly. For example, the concentrations of superabsorbent particles can be arranged in a non-stepwise gradient through a substantial portion of the thickness of the absorbent structure, with lower concentrations to the body side of the absorbent structure and relatively higher concentrations to the outside of the absorbent structure. The superabsorbent particles can also be arranged in a generally discrete layer within the matrix of hydrophilic fibers. In addition, two or more different kinds of superabsorbent materials can be selectively arranged at different locations within or according to the fiber matrix.

An absorbent core, in particular an absorbent core comprising superabsorbent particles, preferably comprises a cover or wrapping sheet to prevent absorbent material and superabsorbent particles from escaping from the finished product.

The absorbent layer may include other additives to aid in odor control, such as zeolites, baking powder or other conventional odor control agents. By having openings and slits in the absorbent layer, the surface area of the odor control agent can be increased, thereby effectively increasing the odor control properties of the absorbent layer. Other layers of the absorbent article may also include odor control agents. When the odor control agents are in a layer below the absorbent layer, the odors may more effectively come into contact with the odor control agent due to the presence of the slits and openings. Furthermore, the slits and openings may also provide a means to improve the air permeability of the absorbent article and the absorbent layer, allowing air to pass more easily through the absorbent layer.

The absorbent article preferably comprises oppositely positioned elastically made side zones, which extend longitudinally along the side edges of the absorbent article. These side zones help improve the fit of the absorbent article within an underwear and serve as a mechanical barrier against the lateral flow of body secretions. The side zones are made elastic by elastics. Materials suitable for use in forming these elastics are known in the art. Examples of such materials are bundles or ribbons of a polymer, elastomeric material that are attached to the absorbent article to the side zones in an elongated state, or that are attached to the absorbent article while the absorbent article is pleated, so that elastic contracting forces are transmitted on the side zones. Examples of suitable elastomeric materials that can be used include polyether-polyamide block copolymers, polyurethanes, synthetic linear ABA and AB block copolymers, chlorinated rubber / EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) blends, EPDM (ethylene-propylene diene monomer) rubbers, EPM (ethylene- propylene monomer) rubbers, blends of EPDM / EPM / EVA, and the like.

The absorbent article preferably comprises one or more extended strips or areas of garment adhesion adhesive that is attached to the bottom surface of the backsheet. The garment adhesive adhesive serves to attach the article to the inner crotch portion of the user's underwear. The garment adhesion adhesive allows the absorbent article, in particular an incontinence band, to be properly aligned and retained relative to the user's urethral opening so that maximum fluid protection can be obtained. The garment adhesion adhesive can cover the entire bottom surface of the liquid-impervious backsheet or only a portion thereof. The garment adhesive adhesive may consist of a swirl pattern of adhesive or may be one or more strips of adhesive. The garment adhesion adhesive may also consist of a plurality of adhesive dots that are randomly or uniformly arranged on the outer surface of the backsheet. When in strip form, the garment adhesion adhesive can be aligned along the central longitudinal axis X-X of the absorbent article. Alternatively, the garment adhesion adhesive may be present as two or more separate longitudinal strips positioned from each other. The garment adhesion adhesive is of such a nature that it allows the user to remove the absorbent article and, if necessary, reposition it on the wearer's underwear.

To protect the garment adhesion adhesive from contamination prior to use, the adhesive can be shielded by a releasable peel strip. The peel strip can be a white Kraft paper that is coated on one side so that it can be detached from the adhesive. The coating can be a silicone coating, such as a silicone polymer. The peel strip is designed to be removed by the user prior to attaching the absorbent article to the inner crotch portion of her underwear.

The absorbent article can also be covered by a pouch to provide the absorbent article with additional protection. Such a pouch is typically larger in size than the absorbent article so that it can extend around the edges of the absorbent article around its entire periphery. When a pouch is used, the absorbent article is typically folded into three overlapping sections along the longitudinal length of the absorbent article ("three-folded") and such three-folded absorbent article can be arranged in the pouch to hygienically absorb the article there. to keep for use. When ready for use, a user removes the absorbent article from the pouch, unfolds the bandage, removes the peel strip, if any, and attaches the absorbent article to the underwear. The pouch can be a sheet of, for example, paper, plastic or other flexible material.

The absorbent article may comprise additional layers positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article may, for example, further comprise a transfer layer that is preferably positioned between the top sheet and the absorbent core. The transfer layer typically provides a good downward, i.e. along the z-z axis, fluid movement of separated liquids from the body-facing topsheet to the absorbent core. In addition, the transfer layer also inhibits the flow of liquids from the absorbent core back to the topsheet. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as rewet. It is important that absorbent articles, such as incontinence pads, do not show re-wetting because the consumer regards this as an unfavorable feature. The transfer layer can be made of a material that will provide a good liquid transfer. Typical materials that can be used as a transfer layer are spunbond, coform and carded webs.

It is also possible to replace an acquisition and distribution layer with the transfer layer. An acquisition and distribution layer refers to an underlayer that is preferably a non-woven wick layer under the topsheet of an absorbent product, which speeds up transport and improves the distribution of liquids over the absorbent core. The flow management portion is typically less hydrophilic than the absorbent core, and has the capacity to rapidly collect and temporarily retain fluid streams, and to transport fluid from its initial entry point to other parts of the absorbent core. This configuration can help to prevent the fluid from flowing and collecting on the portion of the absorbent garment positioned against the wearer's skin, thereby reducing the wearer's sense of moisture. Preferably, the flow management portion is positioned between the topsheet and the absorbent core.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an absorbent article suitable for use as an absorbent incontinence dressing, comprising a liquid impervious backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article comprises a front region, a rear region, and a crotch region interconnecting the front region and the rear region, forming a longitudinal axis extending from the front region across the crotch region to the rear region and a transversal axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The absorbent article of the present invention may comprise additional layers positioned adjacent the absorbent core between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article may, for example, further comprise a transfer layer for further improving the distribution of liquid in the horizontal direction of the absorbent article. In addition or instead of the transfer layer, the absorbent article may comprise an additional absorbent layer, also referred to as a storage layer, which may be made from cellulose fluff pulp and, optionally, super-absorbent particles or super-absorbent fibers and / or odor controlling additives. Additionally or instead of a transfer layer, the absorbent article of the present invention may also comprise an acquisition or distribution layer.

Preferably, the absorbent article comprises two side edges that substantially run along the longitudinal axis and a front and rear edge, respectively, at the front and rear regions of the absorbent article, the absorbent article comprising two laterally opposed elasticized zones passing along at least a portion from the side edges of the absorbent article. In one embodiment, the two laterally opposed elastically made zones preferably run along the side edges substantially in the crotch region of the absorbent article. In another embodiment of the present invention, the two laterally opposed elasticized zones preferably run substantially along the side edges in the rear region and at least a portion of the crotch region. These elasticized zones help improve the fit of the absorbent article in a wearer's underwear.

Specifically, the absorbent article of the present invention comprises in a flat-laid state a maximum width-to-length ratio determined by the ratio between the maximum width of the absorbent article as measured along the transverse axis between the two side edges of the absorbent article and the maximum length of the absorbent article as measured in the longitudinal direction between the front edge and the rear edge of the absorbent article, between 0.2 and 0.8, preferably between 0.3 and 0.7.

The term "flat-laid state" is intended to refer to the article when it is flattened in a plane or substantially flattened in a flat, in its stretched, flat state with all elastic contractions and gatherings removed.

In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent article in a flat-laid state comprises a maximum width-to-length ratio of around 0.20, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33 , 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.40, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.50, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58 0.59, 0.60, 0.61, 0.62, 0.63, 0.64, 0.65, 0.66, 0.67, 0.68, 0.69, 0.70, 0.71, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.77, 0.78, 0.79, or 0.80.

It was found that by providing an absorbent article with a maximum width-to-length ratio that varies according to the values provided in the present invention, the absorbent article has an optimized fit to provide it with underwear, making it more comfortable to wear.

Preferably, the topsheet and backsheet comprise substantially the same shape and determine the dimensions, i.e., width and length dimensions of the absorbent article, as well as the shape of the leading edge, the trailing edge, and the side edges of the absorbent article. In other words, the topsheet and the backsheet can be cut, dimensioned and shaped to have a parallel outer edge. Preferably, the absorbent core between the topsheet and the backsheet has smaller dimensions, i.e. width and length dimensions, than the topsheet and the backsheet.

In a preferred embodiment, the maximum length measured along the longitudinal axis between the front edge and the rear edge of the absorbent article comprises a value of around 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm, 23 cm, 24 cm, 25 cm, 26 cm, 27 cm, 28 cm, 29 cm, 30 cm, 31 cm, 32 cm, 33 cm, 34 cm, 35 cm, 36 cm, 37 cm, 38 cm, 39 cm, 40 cm, 41 cm, 42 cm, 43 cm, 44 cm or 45 cm, while the maximum width measured along the transversal axis between the two side edges of the absorbent article preferably comprises a value of around 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, 16 cm, 17 cm, 18 cm, 19 cm, 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm, 23 cm, 24 cm or 25 cm.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent core comprises a width to length ratio determined by the ratio between the maximum width of the absorbent core as measured along the transverse axis and the maximum length of the absorbent core as measured in the longitudinal direction, between 0.2 and 0.6, preferably between 0.3 and 0.5. In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent core comprises a width to length ratio of around 0.20, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.40, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.50, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59 or 0.60. By providing an absorbent article with an absorbent core with a width-to-length ratio that varies according to the values provided in the present invention, an absorbent core is optimally adapted to fit into underwear and to absorb bodily fluids from the body. be excreted from the body, such as urine or faecal matter.

In a preferred embodiment, the maximum length of the absorbent core measured along the longitudinal axis comprises a value of around 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm, 23 cm, 24 cm, 25 cm, 26 cm, 27 cm, 28 cm, 29 cm, 30 cm, 31 cm, 32 cm, 33 cm, 34 cm, 35 cm, 36 cm, 37 cm, 38 cm, 39 cm or 40 cm, while the maximum width of the absorbent core measured along the transversal axis is preferably a value of around 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm or 15 cm.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent article exhibits substantial bilateral symmetry with respect to the longitudinal axis. The use of an absorbent article with this type of symmetry further helps in improving the fit of the article in underwear.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the absorbent article in a flat-laid state, measured along the transversal axis between the two side edges of the absorbent article, does not vary substantially along the longitudinal axis, resulting in an absorbent article having an substantially rectangular configuration along the longitudinal axis. This type of configuration of the absorbent article is preferably combined with an absorbent core with the maximum width of the absorbent core positioned in the front region and / or the rear region of the absorbent article and the minimum width of the absorbent core measured in the crotch region of the absorbent article. absorbent article, is smaller than the maximum width of the absorbent core in the front and rear regions, resulting in an absorbent core having a substantially dog bone or hourglass configuration of the absorbent core along the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the absorbent core herein has a crotch width-to-length ratio, determined by the ratio between the minimum width of the absorbent core as measured along the transverse axis in the crotch region of the absorbent article and the maximum length of the absorbent core as measured in the longitudinal direction, a value between 0.1 and 0.5, more preferably a value between 0.2 and 0.4. In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent core, with a substantially dog bone or hourglass configuration, comprises a crotch area width to length ratio of around 0.10, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.19, 0.20, 0.21 , 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.40, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46 , 0.47, 0.48, 0.49 or 0.50.

In a preferred embodiment, the maximum length of the absorbent core measured along the longitudinal axis comprises a value of around 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm, 23 cm, 24 cm, 25 cm, 26 cm, 27 cm, 28 cm, 29 cm, 30 cm, 31 cm, 32 cm, 33 cm, 34 cm, 35 cm, 36 cm, 37 cm, 38 cm, 39 cm or 40 cm, while the minimum width of the absorbent core, with a predominantly dog bone or hourglass configuration, measured along the transverse axis in the crotch region of the absorbent article preferably comprises a value of about 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm , 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm or 15 cm.

A typical arrangement of a dog bone or hourglass configuration includes two "lobes" formed in the front region and the rear region of the absorbent article, interconnected with a narrow portion represented by the crotch region. The shape of the edges of these "lobes" can have any shape, such as rounded edges, straight edges, etc. An absorbent core with a predominantly dog bone or hourglass configuration is usually more comfortable to wear than an absorbent core with a substantially rectangular configuration. The maximum width of the absorbent core measured in the front area and the rear area can be the same, or the maximum width can be positioned only in the front area or the rear area, thereby providing a larger "lob" in the front area or rear area, respectively. It often occurs to provide a larger "lob" in the rear area with absorbent articles intended to be used during the night when the wearer is often on its rear, resulting in a greater flow of physical excretions to the rear area of the absorbent article. The provision of a larger "lob" in the rear area helps prevent unwanted leakage during such a scenario. However, for absorbent articles intended to be used during the day, as is often the case for incontinence bandages formed, a larger lob can be provided in the front area than in the back area, since during the day, mictions will occur earlier in the front area .

In another embodiment of the present invention, the maximum width of the absorbent article measured along the transverse axis between the two side edges of the absorbent article, as measured in the rear region of the absorbent article, is smaller than the maximum width as measured in the crotch region of the absorbent article article, which maximum width in the crotch region is smaller than the maximum width as measured in the front region of the absorbent article, resulting in an absorbent article with a substantially trapezoidal shape stretched along the longitudinal axis. This type of configuration, wherein the absorbent article narrows to the rear area of the absorbent article, helps in improving the fit of the absorbent article in underwear and is preferably combined with an absorbent core that also has a substantially trapezoidal shape along the Following longitudinal axis, substantially the leading edge, trailing edge and side edges of the absorbent article, such configuration improves the absorption of mismatches that are most likely to occur in the front and / or crotch region.

In a preferred embodiment, the topsheet is provided with a relief that gives the absorbent article a generally better appearance and provides channels where liquid secretions can collect. This helps in spreading the secreted fluids from the body over the topsheet and allows a more optimal use of the absorbent core positioned under the topsheet. The relief can include any type of shape, such as dots, pearls, swirls, lines, leaves, flowers, etc.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the backsheet is provided with at least one bonding adhesive strip along the longitudinal axis on the side of the backsheet opposite to the side of the backsheet facing the absorbent core, adapted to place the absorbent article on a surface such as to attach an underwear.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adhesion adhesive strip is covered with a peel strip, whereby the at least one adhesion adhesive strip is protected prior to use of the absorbent article. Preferably, the peel strip is provided with drawings on the side of the peel strip opposite to the side of the peel strip facing the at least one adhesive adhesive strip, which generally makes the peel strip more attractive and provides a good indication of where the peel strip is located on the article . The peeling strip is preferably provided with registered drawings. The peel strip is designed to be removed by the user prior to attaching the absorbent article to the inner crotch portion of the wearer's underwear.

Preferably, the absorbent article is provided with at least one suture adhesive strip that is covered with a peel strip surrounded by a pouch to provide additional protection to the absorbent article. Such a pouch is known to a person skilled in the art and typically has larger dimensions than the absorbent article so that it can extend around the edges of the absorbent article around its entire periphery. When a pouch is used, the absorbent article is typically folded into three overlapping sections along the longitudinal length of the absorbent article ("three-folded") and such three-folded absorbent article can be arranged in the pouch to hygienically absorb the article there. to keep for use. When ready for use, a user removes the absorbent article from the pouch, unfolds the absorbent article, removes the peel strip, and attaches the absorbent article to the underwear. The pouch can be a sheet of, for example, paper, plastic or other flexible material.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an absorbent article, comprising the steps of: providing a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core. The method further comprises the step of combining the topsheet, the backsheet and the absorbent core, the absorbent core being positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, forming two side edges and a front edge and a rear edge, and providing two laterally opposite elasticized zones running along at least a part of the side edges, thereby resulting in an absorbent article with a maximum width-to-length ratio, determined by the ratio between the maximum width of the absorbent article as measured along the transversal axis and the maximum length of the absorbent article as measured in the longitudinal direction, comprising in a flat-laid state a value between 0.2 and 0.8, preferably between 0.3 and 0.7. In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent article comprises a maximum width-to-length ratio of around 0.20, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.30, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36 , 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.40, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.44, 0.45, 0.46, 0.47, 0.48, 0.49, 0.50, 0.51, 0.52, 0.53, 0.54, 0.55, 0.56, 0.57, 0.58, 0.59, 0.60, 0.61 , 0.62, 0.63, 0.64, 0.65, 0.66, 0.67, 0.68, 0.69, 0.70, 0.71, 0.72, 0.73, 0.74, 0.75, 0.76, 0.77, 0.78, 0.79, or 0.80.

In a preferred embodiment, the maximum length of the absorbent article along the longitudinal axis comprises a value of around 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm, 23 cm, 24 cm, 25 cm, 26 cm, 27 cm, 28 cm, 29 cm, 30 cm , 31 cm, 32 cm, 33 cm, 34 cm, 35 cm, 36 cm, 37 cm, 38 cm, 39 cm, 40 cm, 41 cm, 42 cm, 43 cm, 44 cm or 45 cm, while the maximum width of the absorbent article measured along the transverse axis preferably comprises a value of around 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, 16 cm , 17 cm, 18 cm, 19 cm, 20 cm, 21 cm, 22 cm, 23 cm, 24 cm or 25 cm.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of providing a relief on the topsheet.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of providing at least one bonding adhesive strip along the longitudinal axis on the backsheet side opposite to the backsheet side facing the absorbent core, preferably combined with the step of covering the at least one suture adhesive strip with a peel strip. Preferably, the method further comprises the step of surrounding the absorbent article with a pouch.

In the following, the invention and the further embodiments are described with reference to the figures. These are not intended to, nor should they be interpreted, to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an absorbent article according to the present invention, here representing an absorbent incontinence band (1), representing a body-turned side, i.e., the side of the relationship that is in contact with the wearer during use. The incontinence band (1) comprises a front region (7), a rear region (5) and a crotch region (6) that connects the front region and the rear region. A longitudinal axis (L) is shown which extends from the front area over the crotch area to the rear area. The transversal axis (T), which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is also shown, going from left to right.

The incontinence band (1) further comprises a liquid permeable topsheet (2), a liquid impervious backsheet (3) associated with the topsheet (2), and an absorbent core (4; indicated by the dotted line) positioned between topsheet (2) and backsheet (3).

The topsheet (2) and the backsheet (3) according to this embodiment have the same shape and determine the dimensions, ie the width and length of the incontinence band (1), which incontinence band (1) has two side edges (IA) and a front ( 1B) and a trailing edge (IC) at the front (7) and trailing area (5) of the incontinence band (1), respectively.

The width of the incontinence relationship (1), being the distance between the two side edges (IA) of the incontinence relationship measured along the transverse axis (T), does not vary substantially along the longitudinal axis (L), resulting in an incontinence relationship with a substantially rectangular configuration.

In this embodiment, the maximum width-to-length ratio of the incontinence band (1), determined by the ratio between the maximum width (Υι, μαχ) of the incontinence band (1) as measured along the transversal axis (T) between the two side edges, comprises (IA) of the incontinence band (1) and the maximum length (Xi) of the incontinence band (1) as measured in the longitudinal direction (L) between the leading edge (1B) and the trailing edge (IC) of the incontinence band (1), a value of around 0.37.

In this specific embodiment, the width of the absorbent core (4), measured along the transversal axis (T), varies along the longitudinal axis (L). The maximum width (Y4, max) of the absorbent core (4) is positioned in the front region (7) and the rear region (5) of the incontinence band (1) and a minimum cross width (Y4, min), determined by the minimum width of the absorbent core (4) measured in the crotch region (6) of the incontinence band (1), is smaller than the maximum width (Y4, max) in the front region and the rear region of the absorbent core (4), resulting in an absorbent core (4) with a substantially dog bone or hourglass configuration along the longitudinal axis.

The absorbent core (4) comprises a width to length ratio determined by the ratio between the maximum width (Y4, max) of the absorbent core (4) as measured along the transversal axis (T) and the maximum length (X4) of absorbent core (4) as measured in the longitudinal direction (L), comprising a value of around 0.32 and a crotch area width to length ratio, determined by the ratio between the minimum width (Y4, min) of the absorbent core (4) measured in the crotch region (6) along the transversal axis (T) and the maximum length (X4) of the absorbent core (4) as measured in the longitudinal direction (L), comprising a value of around 0.25.

The topsheet (2) according to this embodiment is provided with a relief (9) in the form of points.

Along the side edges (IA), substantially in the crotch region (6) of the incontinence band (1), two laterally opposed elasticized zones (8, banded area) are provided on the incontinence band (1) for an improved fit of the incontinence band (1) ) in underwear.

The incontinence band (1) according to this embodiment further comprises a bonding adhesive strip (not visible) on the surface of the backsheet (3) that faces away from the wearer's body during use, which is substantially along the entire longitudinal length of the incontinence band (1). ) is running. A peel strip (not visible) is also provided to cover the adhesion adhesive strip.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of an absorbent article according to the present invention, here representing an incontinence band (10), showing the body-turned side of the relationship.

The incontinence band (10) includes a rear region (11), a front region (13) and a crotch region (12) that connects the front and rear regions. A longitudinal axis (L) is shown which extends from the front area over the crotch area to the rear area. The transversal axis (T), which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is also shown, going from left to right.

The incontinence dressing (10) further comprises a liquid permeable topsheet (14), a liquid impermeable backsheet (15) associated with the topsheet (14), and an absorbent core (16; indicated by the dotted line) positioned between the topsheet (14) and the backsheet (15).

The topsheet (14) and the backsheet (15) according to this embodiment have the same shape and determine the dimensions, ie the width and length, of the incontinence band (10), which incontinence band (10) has two side edges (10A) and a rear (10B) and leading edge (IOC) include on the trailing (11) and trailing area (13), respectively.

The width of the incontinence band (10), being the distance between the two side edges (10A) of the incontinence band (10) as measured along the transversal axis (T), varies along the longitudinal axis (L). The maximum width of the incontinence band (10) measured along the transverse axis (T) between the two side edges (10A) of the incontinence band (10) as measured in the rear region (11) of the incontinence band (10) is smaller than the maximum width as measured in the crotch region (12) of the incontinence band (10), which maximum width in the crotch region (12) is smaller than the maximum width (Υιο, μαχ) as measured in the front region (13) of the incontinence band (10), resulting in an incontinence band (10) having a substantially trapezoidal shape elongated along the longitudinal axis (L).

In this embodiment, the maximum width-to-length ratio of the incontinence band (10) is determined by the ratio between the maximum width (Υιο, μαχ) of the incontinence band (10) as measured along the transversal axis (T) between the two side edges (10A) of the incontinence band (10) and the maximum length (X 10) of the incontinence band (10) as measured in the longitudinal direction (L) between the leading edge (10B) and the trailing edge (10C) of the incontinence band (10), a value of around 0.62.

In this specific embodiment, the absorbent core (16) also exhibits a substantially trapezoidal shape stretched along the longitudinal axis (L), substantially following the edges (10 A-C) of the dressing (10). The absorbent core (16) comprises a width to length ratio determined by the ratio between the maximum width (Yi6, max) of the absorbent core (16) as measured along the transversal axis (T) and the maximum length (Χιβ) of the absorbent core (16) as measured in the longitudinal direction (L), a value of around 0.46.

Along the side edges (10A), substantially in the front region (13) and a part of the crotch region (12) of the incontinence band (10), two laterally opposed elasticized zones (17) are provided on the incontinence band (10) formed here provided by two elastic threads between the topsheet (14) and the backsheet (15) on each side edge (10A), for better fit of the incontinence bandage (10) in underwear.

The incontinence dressing (10) according to this embodiment further comprises one adhesive tape (not visible) on the surface of the backsheet (24) facing away from the wearer's body during use. A peel strip (not visible) is also provided for covering the adhesive strip.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective side view of the incontinence band (10) of FIG. 2 during use, i.e. the elastic side zones 17 along the side edges (10A) are in their contracted condition, thereby providing a good fit of the bandage (10) in an underwear. The rear region (11) of the incontinence band (10) is substantially positioned on the back of the wearer during use and the front region (13) is positioned substantially on the front of the wearer during use. The crotch region (12) is substantially positioned between the wearer's legs during use. Furthermore, the topsheet (14) and the backsheet (15) are visible, as well as the back edge (10B) and the front edge (10C) of the incontinence band (10).

It is believed that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and that some modifications to the described examples can be added without re-evaluating the appended claims.

Claims (15)

CONCLUSIONS An absorbent article suitable for use as an absorbent incontinence dressing, comprising a liquid impermeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent article has a front area, a back area, and a crotch area that it front and interconnecting the rear region, a longitudinal axis extending from the front region over the crotch region to the rear region, and a transverse axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the absorbent article comprising two side edges substantially along the longitudinal axis and a front and a rear edge at the front and rear regions, respectively, wherein the absorbent article comprises two laterally opposed elasticized zones that run along at least a portion of the side edges of the absorbent article, characterized in that the absorbent article is in a flat-laid state is a maxi mum width to length ratio, determined by the ratio between the maximum width of the absorbent article as measured along the transversal axis between the two side edges of the absorbent article and the maximum length of the absorbent article as measured in the longitudinal direction between the leading edge and the trailing edge of the absorbent article, between 0.2 and 0.8, preferably between 0.3 and 0.7. Absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that the absorbent core comprises a width-to-length ratio determined by the ratio between the maximum width of the absorbent core as measured along the transverse axis and the maximum length of the absorbent core such as measured in the longitudinal direction, between 0.2 and 0.6, preferably between 0.3 and 0.5. Absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the absorbent article exhibits substantial bilateral symmetry with respect to the longitudinal axis. Absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width of the absorbent article in a flat-laid state measured along the transversal axis between the two side edges of the absorbent article does not vary substantially along the longitudinal axis, resulting in an absorbent article with a substantially rectangular configuration along the longitudinal axis. An absorbent article according to claim 4, characterized in that the maximum width of the absorbent core is positioned in the front area and / or the rear area of the absorbent article and that the minimum width of the absorbent core measured in the crotch area of the absorbent article is smaller is then the maximum width of the absorbent core in the front and back regions, resulting in an absorbent core having a substantially dog bone or hourglass configuration along the longitudinal axis, with a crotch width-to-length ratio of the absorbent core determined by the ratio between the minimum width of the absorbent core as measured along the transverse axis in the crotch region of the absorbent article and the maximum length of the absorbent core as measured in the longitudinal direction, comprises a value between 0.1 and 0.5, more preferably a value between 0.2 and 0.4 . Absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, characterized in that the maximum width of the absorbent article in a flat-laid state measured along the transversal axis between the two side edges of the absorbent article, as measured in the rear region of the absorbent article is smaller than the maximum width as measured in the crotch region of the absorbent article, which maximum width in the crotch region is smaller than the maximum width as measured in the front region of the absorbent article, resulting in an absorbent article with a substantially trapezoidal shape stretched along the longitudinal axis. The absorbent article of claim 6, characterized in that the absorbent core has a substantially trapezoidal shape along the longitudinal axis, substantially following the leading edge, trailing edge and side edges of the absorbent article. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the topsheet is embossed. Absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the backsheet is provided with at least one bonding adhesive strip along the longitudinal axis on the backsheet side opposite to the backsheet side facing absorbent core, adapted to attach the absorbent article to a surface, such as underwear. Absorbent article according to claim 9, characterized in that said at least one adhesion adhesive strip is covered with a peel-off strip. Absorbent article according to claim 10, characterized in that said peel-off strip is provided with drawings on the side of the peel-off strip opposite to the side of the peel-off strip that faces the at least one adhesive-adhesive strip. Absorbent article according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the absorbent article is surrounded by a pouch. A method for synthesizing an absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims 1-12, comprising the following steps: a. Providing a topsheet; b. Providing a backsheet; c. Providing an absorbent core; d. Combining topsheet, backsheet and absorbent core, the absorbent core being positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, forming two side edges and a leading edge and a trailing edge and providing two laterally opposed elasticized zones that run along at least part of the side edges run, thereby resulting in an absorbent article with a maximum width-to-length ratio, determined by the ratio between the maximum width of the absorbent article as measured along the transverse axis and the maximum length of the absorbent article as measured in the longitudinal direction, in a flat-laid state comprises a value between 0.2 and 0.8, preferably between 0.3 and 0.7. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of providing a relief on the topsheet. The method according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising the step of providing at least one bonding adhesive strip along the longitudinal axis on the backsheet side opposite the backsheet side facing the absorbent core, preferably combined with the step of covering said at least one adhesive adhesive strip with a peel strip, preferably the above method further comprises the step of surrounding the absorbent article by a pouch.