CA2126252A1 - Absorbent article having an improved adhesive securement pattern - Google Patents
Absorbent article having an improved adhesive securement patternInfo
- Publication number
- CA2126252A1 CA2126252A1 CA 2126252 CA2126252A CA2126252A1 CA 2126252 A1 CA2126252 A1 CA 2126252A1 CA 2126252 CA2126252 CA 2126252 CA 2126252 A CA2126252 A CA 2126252A CA 2126252 A1 CA2126252 A1 CA 2126252A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- absorbent
- absorbent article
- adhesive
- millimeters
- longitudinal
- Prior art date
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- Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
Abstract
An absorbent article is disclosed that is designed to be positioned in the crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment. The absorbent article includes an absorbent, a liquid-impermeable baffle and an adhesive for securing the absorbent article to the crotch portion. The adhesive includes a plurality of spaced apart adhesive members which, if extended, substantially form a diamond pattern.
The diamond pattern has a pair of longitudinal and transverse apexes that are located adjacent to the absorbent article's ends and sides, respectively.
The diamond pattern has a pair of longitudinal and transverse apexes that are located adjacent to the absorbent article's ends and sides, respectively.
Description
PATENT
ABSORBENT ARTICLE HAVING AN IMPROVED ADHESIVE SECUREMENT PATTERN
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
5This invention relates to an absorbent article for absorbing body fluids which is designed to be positioned in the crotch portion of an undergarment. More specifically, the invention relates to an absorbent article having an improved garment adhesive pattern which substantially forms a diamond shape.
~ -BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently, a wide variety of products for absorption of human body fluids are available in the form of feminine pads, sanitary napkins, panty shields, panty liners, incontinence devices, etc.
These products generally have an absorbent positioned between a liquid-permeable bodyside cover and a liquid-impermeable undergarment-facing baffle. A pressure-sensitive adhesive which is secured to the baffle is generally used to attach the product to an undergarment's inner crotch portion, also known as the shadow panel of the undergarment. Such adhesively attached absorbent products have met with significant commercial success.
However, each of the structures proposed in the art suffer from certain disadvantages which dictate against ready acceptance by the user. For example, shifting of the absorbent article from its original position on the supporting undergarment during use. This can be attributed to periodic release and reattachment of the adhesive as shear forces are exerted on the pad and the garment during normal body movement.
It has been recognized by those skilled in the art that particular placement of the garment attachment adhesive along the undergarment-facing side of the baffle determines, to a large extent, both the effectiveness of the adhesive attachment and the comfort of the article to the wearer. A variety of adhesive placement configurations have been taught in the past. One adhesive configuration includes using one or more bands of adhesive typically placed along the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article. Other configurations include various designs such as an "X", chevrons and arcuate strips that are parallel to the article's perimeter. It has been observed that the aforementioned designs generally consist of bands of adhesive which may have unequal length and width dimensions.
It has also been recognized that a sanitary napkin is subje. ed to side crushing forces by the thighs. These forces tend to permanently distort the napkin along each longitudinal edge. This crushing of the sanitary napkin can, in some cases,~not only dislodge the napkin from its secured position, but can also distort the back surface of the napkin. The distortion can cause adhesive that is centrally disposed on the absorbent article to contact each other, preventing the napkin from reattaching to the undergarment. The side crushing forces can also cause the sanitary napkin to remain in a contorted position, diminishing the napkin's efficacy.
While there are several different prior art configurations for adhesively securing a sanitary napkin to an undergarment, none of the prior art configurations provide the advantages of the adhesive pattern disclosed herein.
There is, therefore, a need for developing a superior adhesive pattern which would provide secure attachment of an absorbent article to the crotch portion of an undergarment and provide for reduced bunching and twisting of the absorbent article during its use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, this invention relates to an absorbent article having an absorbent and an adhesive means for securing the absorbent article to the crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment. The adhesive means includes a plurality of spaced apart adhesive members which, if extended, would substantially form a diamond pattern. The diamond pattern has a pair of apexes aligned along the longitudinal axis of the absorbent and a pair of apexes aligned along the transverse axis of the absorbent. The adhesive members also are spaced a distance of at least 3 millimeters from the longitudinal axis of the absorbent.
The general object of this invention is to provide an absorbent article for absorbing body fluids. A more specific object of this invention is to provide an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, with an improved garment attachment means that reduces bunching, twisting and folding of the napkin during use.
Another object of the invention is to provide an adhesive pattern that allows the absorbent article to adapt to tortious forces caused by normal body movement of the wearer.
It is another object of this invention to provide an absorbent article which adheres well to the crotch area of an undergarment but that also be easily removed for disposal.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following description and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a partial cutaway perspective view of an absorbent article having the garment side facing upward and showing 4 spaced apart adhesive members substantially forming a diamond pattern.
Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating how the adhesive members become substantially linear in responding to lateral forces, similar to those in use, compressing the absorbent article.
Figure 3 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 1 illustrating the adhesive members being continuous from end-to-end but spaced from the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article.
Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 1 showing two adhesive elements, as represented by dots, aligned along the absorbent's longitudinal axis and separated from the adhesive members which form a diamond pattern.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing similarly configured adhesive elements that are spaced apart and are arranged substantially in a diamond pattern.
-~ Figure 6 is a perspective view similar to that illustrated in Figure 5 except the adhesive elements are circular in design.
Figure 7 is a perspective view similar to that illustrated in Figure 5 except that the adhesive elements are interconnected, diamond shapes.
Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the circled area of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing adhesive members which extend the length of the absorbent and have an arcuate shape.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figs. 1-3, an absorbent article 10 is depicted having its garment-facing surface facing upward. For ease in description the numbers corresponding to similar components in the figures are designated identically. The absorbent article 10 can be a feminine pad, a sanitary napkin, a panty shield, ~ panty liner, an incontinence device, etc. The absorbent article 10 is depicted as having a racetrack design but it can be oval, hourglass, or any other shape that is known in the disposable absorbent article art. The absorbent article 10 includes an absorbent 12 having a longitudinal axis (X--X) and a transverse axis (Y--Y), a pair of longitudinal sides 14 and 15, and a first end 16 and a distal second end 18. The absorbent 12 also has a predetermined thickness, as measured along the axis Z--Z. A liquid-impermeable baffle 20 is positioned adjacent to at least one side of the absorbent 12. Typically, the absorbent article 10 includes a liquid-permeable cover 22 positioned adjacent to the absorbent 12.
The absorbent 12 can be any suitable absorbent material such as comminuted wood pulp fibers, absorbent polymer filaments such as polypropylene, devilicated wood fibers, rayon fibers, cotton staple, cotton linters and polyester. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that any of the number of different materials may be used for the layer described above. Moreover, numerous other absorbent constructions comprising greater, fewer or different types of layers are well known within the personal absorbent products art. Thus, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to the type ~ of absorbent products with which it is to be used, nor is it limited to the construction of the absorbent itself.
The liquid-impermeable baffle 20 can be designed to permit the passage of air or vapor out of the absorbent article 10 while blocking the passage of liquids. The baffle 20 can be made from any material having these properties. A good material is polyethylene.
A microembossed, polymeric film, such as polyethylene or polypropylene also works well. Bicomponent films can also be used.
Most preferably, the baffle 20 will be a polyethylene film having a thickness in the range of about 0.2 to about 2.0 millimeters, preferably about 0.3 to 1.0 millimeter.
The liquid-permeable cover 22 cooperates with the baffle 20 to enclose the absorbent 12. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the baffle 20, the absorbent 12 and the cover 22 have coterminous edges, but this is not required. The invention may be advantageously applied to all kinds of adhesively attached absorbent articles. The liquid-permeable cover 22 is designed to contact the body of the wearer. It can be constructed from natural or synthetic materials including woven, nonwoven, apertured films or a combination thereof.
The cover should be easily penetrated by body fluid. Suitable materials include bonded, carded webs of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon or other bondable fibers. Other materials include tissue, perforated film or netting.
The absorbent article 10 has an adhesive 24 positioned on the baffle 20. The adhesive 24 secures the absorbent article 10 to the crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment and prevents the absorbent article 10 from sliding out of position relative to a woman's vulva.
The adhesive 24 includes elongated adhesive strips forming a plurality of spaced apart adhesive members 26, which if extended, substantially form a diamond pattern. As used herein the term "diamond pattern" is defined as any quadrilateral having its diagonals substantially vertical and horizontal. As used herein the term "substantially vertical and horizontal" means that the horizontal and vertical diagonals of the diamond can intersect with a variance of about 20 degrees from a right angle. However, it is critical to the invention that the adhesive members 26 be spaced apart from the longitudinal axis X--X, i.e., not interconnected along the longitudinal axis X--X of the absorbent 12. Preferably, at the first or second ends 16 or 18, respectively, the adhesive members 26 are spaced from the longitudinal axis X--X a distance of from about 3 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, more preferably from about 5 millimeters to about 15 millimeters, and most preferably from about 7 millimeters to about 12 millimeters. It is believed that this feature allows the absorbent article 10 to bec~me, generally, linearly aligned with the wearer to accommodate "in use" motions. It can also reduce the discomfort and leakage caused by pad distortions commonly known as bunching, roping, twisting and folding of the absorbent article 10. As used herein the term "in use" means the position and orientation of the absorbent article when placed in the crotch portion of an undergarment as being worn by the user.
Referring to Figure 2, the adhesive members 26 of the absorbent article 10 are shown as becoming aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis X--X or approximately parallel to~the longitudinal axis X--X in response to lateral compressional forces Fc. These forces typically are exerted on the absorbent 12 during use. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the extent the adhesive members 26 become aligned is dependent upon the degree of lateral compressive forces Fc. The greater the force, the greater the adhesive members 26 will move inward to align themselves with the longitudinal axis X--X.
Referring again to Figure 1, the adhesive diamond pattern has a pair of transverse apexes 28 and 29 that are located adjacent to the longitudinal sides 14 and 15 respectively, of the absorbent 12. The adhesive diamond pattern also includes a pair of longitudinal apexes 30 and 31 that are located adjacent to the first end 16 and the second end 18, respectively, of the absorbent 12. Since the arrangement of the adhesive members 26 along the longitudinal axis X--X of the absorbent 12 are similar, only one side will be described.
As shown in Fig. 1, the transverse apex 28 and the longitudinal apex 30 of the diamond pattern are aligned along the transverse axis Y--Y and the longitudinal axis X--X respectively. It is not necessary for the transverse apex 28 to be aligned with the transverse axis Y--Y of the absorbent 12. The adhesive members 26 -forming the diamond pattern can be spaced apart from the transverse axis Y--Y a distance of from about 1 millimeter to about 20 millimeters.
The transverse apex 28 of the diamond pattern is located inward from the longitudinal side 14 of the absorbent 12 a distance of from about 3 millimeters to about 20 millimeters and preferably, a distance at least equal to the width of the absorbent 12. Although independently spaced, the longitudinal apex 30 can be spaced from the first end 16 a distance of 3 millimeters to about 20 millimeters.
The dimensions of the adhesive members 26 generally range from about 0.2 millimeters to about 20 millimeters in width, preferably from about 0.5 millimeters to about 8 millimeters and most preferably from about 0.8 millimeters to about 5 millimeters. Alternative~ , the width of the adhesive members 26 can be from about 5 percent to about 20 percent of the width of the absorbent 12. Their length is generally from 5 millimeters to about 120 millimeters but this is governed by the dimensions of the absorbent 12 used in the absorbent article 10.
The adhesive members 26 can be made from any number of pressure sensitive adhesives readily available and currently known to those skilled in the pressure sensitive, garment adhesive art. A water based pressure sensitive adhesive such as vinyl acetate-2 ethyl hexyl acrylate copolymer which is generally combined with a tackifier such as, ethylene amine. A~ternatively, the adhesive may be a rapid setting thermoplastic adhesive such as a block copolymer. Block copolymers include styrene and butadiene styrene copolymers. The adhesive members 26 may also comprise a two-sided adhesive tape which are known in the adhesive art.
The adhesive used in forming the adhesive members 26 is attached to the baffle 20 by means of conventional application methods. One method includes directly applying the adhesive to the baffle 20 in the desired arrangement. Another method is by applying to the absorbent 12 one or more protective films which have been provided with still moist adhesive on their absorbent 12 facing side.
~ Referring to Figure 3, an alternative embodiment is shown. The adhesive members 26 are similar to those described above except that the adhesive members 26 intersect. Preferably, the adhesive members 26 intersect at the transverse axis Y--Y of the absorbent 12.
Thus, the absorbent article 10 has continuous adhesive members 26 on the baffle 20.
Referring to Fig. 4, an alternative embodiment is shown wherein the adhesive pattern is similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3 except that a pair of adhesive elements 32 and 33, are depicted. The adhesive elements 32 and 33 each have a circular configuration, but are not limited to this shape. The adhesive elements 32 and 33 are aligned along the longitudinal axis X--X of the absorbent 12. The adhesive elements 32 and 33 provide additional adhesive surface area in the first end 16 and second end 18 of the absorbent 12 to prevent the absorbent article 10 from shifting in the longitudinal direction.
The adhesive elements 32 and 33 are spaced apart frOm the longitudinal apex 30 of the absorbent 12 a distance of from about 1 millimeter to about 10 millimeters and preferably from about 4 millimeters to about 8 millimeters.
Referring to Figure 5, the adhesive elements 36 are shown as rectangular or square in configuration. As used herein, the term "adhesive elements" means, and is distinguishable from "adhesive members," in that it requires more than one adhesive element 36 to traverse the distance that would form one side of the diamond pattern. The distance is measured from the longitudinal side 14 or 15 at the transverse axis Y--Y of the absorbent 12 extending to the first or second ends 16 or 18, respectively, of the absorbent 12.
Generally, the adhesive elements are spaced apart from each other by a distance ranging from about 1 millimeter to about 5 millimeters and preferably from about 2 millimeters to about 5 millimeters. The size of the adhesive elements 36 have a width as described above and can have a length ranging from about 3 millimeters to about 12 millimeters and preferably from about 4 millimeters to about 8 millimeters.
The adhesive elements 36 are linearly aligned and extend from the longitudinal sides 14 and 15 to the first and second ends, 16 and 18 respectively, substantially forming a diamond pattern. The adhesive elements 36 are preferably similarly configured. The adhesive elements 36 can be any geometric configuration which allows the adhesive elements 36 to become linearly aligned or near linearly aligned when lateral compression forces are exerted on the absorbent.
Referring to Fig. 6, an alternative embodiment is shown. The adhesive elements 38 are similar to those described above except that they are circular in configuration. The diameter of the adhesive elements 38 ranges in size of from about 2 millimeters to about 12 millimeters.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, another alternative embodiment of this invention is shown. The adhesive elements 40 are depicted as having a diamond configuration wherein the longitudinal apexes 42 of each diamond are interconnected. The width and length of an adhesive element 40 is similar to that described above for adhesive element 36. As best seen in Fig. 8, the length dimension of an adhesive element 40 is measured along the longitudinal axis X'--X' and the width is measured along the transverse axis Y'--Y'.
Referring to Figure 9, an alternative embodiment of the absorbent article 10' is shown. The adhesive members 26' forming the diamond pattern are arcuate in shape but otherwise are similar to the adhesive members 26 described above.
Referring again to Fig. 4, overlying the full length of the adhesive members 26 is a protective release strip 44 which is provided to protect the adhesive 24 from dirt and from unintended adhesion prior to use. The strip 44 may be any suitable sheet-like material which adhere with sufficient tenacity to the adhesive members 26 to remain in place, but which can be readily removed when the absorbent article 10 is to be used. A particularly useful material is a semi-bleached kraft paper, the adhesive contacting side of which has been silicone coated to provide for easy release from the adhesive.
21262.~2 When a person is ready to use the product, the peel strip 44 is removed, exposing the garment adhesive 24. The absorbent article 10 is attached to the inner surface of the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment so as to hold the absorbent article 10 firmly in place.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with several specific embodiments, it is to be understood that many other alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.
Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
ABSORBENT ARTICLE HAVING AN IMPROVED ADHESIVE SECUREMENT PATTERN
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
5This invention relates to an absorbent article for absorbing body fluids which is designed to be positioned in the crotch portion of an undergarment. More specifically, the invention relates to an absorbent article having an improved garment adhesive pattern which substantially forms a diamond shape.
~ -BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently, a wide variety of products for absorption of human body fluids are available in the form of feminine pads, sanitary napkins, panty shields, panty liners, incontinence devices, etc.
These products generally have an absorbent positioned between a liquid-permeable bodyside cover and a liquid-impermeable undergarment-facing baffle. A pressure-sensitive adhesive which is secured to the baffle is generally used to attach the product to an undergarment's inner crotch portion, also known as the shadow panel of the undergarment. Such adhesively attached absorbent products have met with significant commercial success.
However, each of the structures proposed in the art suffer from certain disadvantages which dictate against ready acceptance by the user. For example, shifting of the absorbent article from its original position on the supporting undergarment during use. This can be attributed to periodic release and reattachment of the adhesive as shear forces are exerted on the pad and the garment during normal body movement.
It has been recognized by those skilled in the art that particular placement of the garment attachment adhesive along the undergarment-facing side of the baffle determines, to a large extent, both the effectiveness of the adhesive attachment and the comfort of the article to the wearer. A variety of adhesive placement configurations have been taught in the past. One adhesive configuration includes using one or more bands of adhesive typically placed along the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article. Other configurations include various designs such as an "X", chevrons and arcuate strips that are parallel to the article's perimeter. It has been observed that the aforementioned designs generally consist of bands of adhesive which may have unequal length and width dimensions.
It has also been recognized that a sanitary napkin is subje. ed to side crushing forces by the thighs. These forces tend to permanently distort the napkin along each longitudinal edge. This crushing of the sanitary napkin can, in some cases,~not only dislodge the napkin from its secured position, but can also distort the back surface of the napkin. The distortion can cause adhesive that is centrally disposed on the absorbent article to contact each other, preventing the napkin from reattaching to the undergarment. The side crushing forces can also cause the sanitary napkin to remain in a contorted position, diminishing the napkin's efficacy.
While there are several different prior art configurations for adhesively securing a sanitary napkin to an undergarment, none of the prior art configurations provide the advantages of the adhesive pattern disclosed herein.
There is, therefore, a need for developing a superior adhesive pattern which would provide secure attachment of an absorbent article to the crotch portion of an undergarment and provide for reduced bunching and twisting of the absorbent article during its use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, this invention relates to an absorbent article having an absorbent and an adhesive means for securing the absorbent article to the crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment. The adhesive means includes a plurality of spaced apart adhesive members which, if extended, would substantially form a diamond pattern. The diamond pattern has a pair of apexes aligned along the longitudinal axis of the absorbent and a pair of apexes aligned along the transverse axis of the absorbent. The adhesive members also are spaced a distance of at least 3 millimeters from the longitudinal axis of the absorbent.
The general object of this invention is to provide an absorbent article for absorbing body fluids. A more specific object of this invention is to provide an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, with an improved garment attachment means that reduces bunching, twisting and folding of the napkin during use.
Another object of the invention is to provide an adhesive pattern that allows the absorbent article to adapt to tortious forces caused by normal body movement of the wearer.
It is another object of this invention to provide an absorbent article which adheres well to the crotch area of an undergarment but that also be easily removed for disposal.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following description and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a partial cutaway perspective view of an absorbent article having the garment side facing upward and showing 4 spaced apart adhesive members substantially forming a diamond pattern.
Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating how the adhesive members become substantially linear in responding to lateral forces, similar to those in use, compressing the absorbent article.
Figure 3 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 1 illustrating the adhesive members being continuous from end-to-end but spaced from the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article.
Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to that of Figure 1 showing two adhesive elements, as represented by dots, aligned along the absorbent's longitudinal axis and separated from the adhesive members which form a diamond pattern.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing similarly configured adhesive elements that are spaced apart and are arranged substantially in a diamond pattern.
-~ Figure 6 is a perspective view similar to that illustrated in Figure 5 except the adhesive elements are circular in design.
Figure 7 is a perspective view similar to that illustrated in Figure 5 except that the adhesive elements are interconnected, diamond shapes.
Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the circled area of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention showing adhesive members which extend the length of the absorbent and have an arcuate shape.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figs. 1-3, an absorbent article 10 is depicted having its garment-facing surface facing upward. For ease in description the numbers corresponding to similar components in the figures are designated identically. The absorbent article 10 can be a feminine pad, a sanitary napkin, a panty shield, ~ panty liner, an incontinence device, etc. The absorbent article 10 is depicted as having a racetrack design but it can be oval, hourglass, or any other shape that is known in the disposable absorbent article art. The absorbent article 10 includes an absorbent 12 having a longitudinal axis (X--X) and a transverse axis (Y--Y), a pair of longitudinal sides 14 and 15, and a first end 16 and a distal second end 18. The absorbent 12 also has a predetermined thickness, as measured along the axis Z--Z. A liquid-impermeable baffle 20 is positioned adjacent to at least one side of the absorbent 12. Typically, the absorbent article 10 includes a liquid-permeable cover 22 positioned adjacent to the absorbent 12.
The absorbent 12 can be any suitable absorbent material such as comminuted wood pulp fibers, absorbent polymer filaments such as polypropylene, devilicated wood fibers, rayon fibers, cotton staple, cotton linters and polyester. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that any of the number of different materials may be used for the layer described above. Moreover, numerous other absorbent constructions comprising greater, fewer or different types of layers are well known within the personal absorbent products art. Thus, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to the type ~ of absorbent products with which it is to be used, nor is it limited to the construction of the absorbent itself.
The liquid-impermeable baffle 20 can be designed to permit the passage of air or vapor out of the absorbent article 10 while blocking the passage of liquids. The baffle 20 can be made from any material having these properties. A good material is polyethylene.
A microembossed, polymeric film, such as polyethylene or polypropylene also works well. Bicomponent films can also be used.
Most preferably, the baffle 20 will be a polyethylene film having a thickness in the range of about 0.2 to about 2.0 millimeters, preferably about 0.3 to 1.0 millimeter.
The liquid-permeable cover 22 cooperates with the baffle 20 to enclose the absorbent 12. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the baffle 20, the absorbent 12 and the cover 22 have coterminous edges, but this is not required. The invention may be advantageously applied to all kinds of adhesively attached absorbent articles. The liquid-permeable cover 22 is designed to contact the body of the wearer. It can be constructed from natural or synthetic materials including woven, nonwoven, apertured films or a combination thereof.
The cover should be easily penetrated by body fluid. Suitable materials include bonded, carded webs of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon or other bondable fibers. Other materials include tissue, perforated film or netting.
The absorbent article 10 has an adhesive 24 positioned on the baffle 20. The adhesive 24 secures the absorbent article 10 to the crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment and prevents the absorbent article 10 from sliding out of position relative to a woman's vulva.
The adhesive 24 includes elongated adhesive strips forming a plurality of spaced apart adhesive members 26, which if extended, substantially form a diamond pattern. As used herein the term "diamond pattern" is defined as any quadrilateral having its diagonals substantially vertical and horizontal. As used herein the term "substantially vertical and horizontal" means that the horizontal and vertical diagonals of the diamond can intersect with a variance of about 20 degrees from a right angle. However, it is critical to the invention that the adhesive members 26 be spaced apart from the longitudinal axis X--X, i.e., not interconnected along the longitudinal axis X--X of the absorbent 12. Preferably, at the first or second ends 16 or 18, respectively, the adhesive members 26 are spaced from the longitudinal axis X--X a distance of from about 3 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, more preferably from about 5 millimeters to about 15 millimeters, and most preferably from about 7 millimeters to about 12 millimeters. It is believed that this feature allows the absorbent article 10 to bec~me, generally, linearly aligned with the wearer to accommodate "in use" motions. It can also reduce the discomfort and leakage caused by pad distortions commonly known as bunching, roping, twisting and folding of the absorbent article 10. As used herein the term "in use" means the position and orientation of the absorbent article when placed in the crotch portion of an undergarment as being worn by the user.
Referring to Figure 2, the adhesive members 26 of the absorbent article 10 are shown as becoming aligned substantially along the longitudinal axis X--X or approximately parallel to~the longitudinal axis X--X in response to lateral compressional forces Fc. These forces typically are exerted on the absorbent 12 during use. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the extent the adhesive members 26 become aligned is dependent upon the degree of lateral compressive forces Fc. The greater the force, the greater the adhesive members 26 will move inward to align themselves with the longitudinal axis X--X.
Referring again to Figure 1, the adhesive diamond pattern has a pair of transverse apexes 28 and 29 that are located adjacent to the longitudinal sides 14 and 15 respectively, of the absorbent 12. The adhesive diamond pattern also includes a pair of longitudinal apexes 30 and 31 that are located adjacent to the first end 16 and the second end 18, respectively, of the absorbent 12. Since the arrangement of the adhesive members 26 along the longitudinal axis X--X of the absorbent 12 are similar, only one side will be described.
As shown in Fig. 1, the transverse apex 28 and the longitudinal apex 30 of the diamond pattern are aligned along the transverse axis Y--Y and the longitudinal axis X--X respectively. It is not necessary for the transverse apex 28 to be aligned with the transverse axis Y--Y of the absorbent 12. The adhesive members 26 -forming the diamond pattern can be spaced apart from the transverse axis Y--Y a distance of from about 1 millimeter to about 20 millimeters.
The transverse apex 28 of the diamond pattern is located inward from the longitudinal side 14 of the absorbent 12 a distance of from about 3 millimeters to about 20 millimeters and preferably, a distance at least equal to the width of the absorbent 12. Although independently spaced, the longitudinal apex 30 can be spaced from the first end 16 a distance of 3 millimeters to about 20 millimeters.
The dimensions of the adhesive members 26 generally range from about 0.2 millimeters to about 20 millimeters in width, preferably from about 0.5 millimeters to about 8 millimeters and most preferably from about 0.8 millimeters to about 5 millimeters. Alternative~ , the width of the adhesive members 26 can be from about 5 percent to about 20 percent of the width of the absorbent 12. Their length is generally from 5 millimeters to about 120 millimeters but this is governed by the dimensions of the absorbent 12 used in the absorbent article 10.
The adhesive members 26 can be made from any number of pressure sensitive adhesives readily available and currently known to those skilled in the pressure sensitive, garment adhesive art. A water based pressure sensitive adhesive such as vinyl acetate-2 ethyl hexyl acrylate copolymer which is generally combined with a tackifier such as, ethylene amine. A~ternatively, the adhesive may be a rapid setting thermoplastic adhesive such as a block copolymer. Block copolymers include styrene and butadiene styrene copolymers. The adhesive members 26 may also comprise a two-sided adhesive tape which are known in the adhesive art.
The adhesive used in forming the adhesive members 26 is attached to the baffle 20 by means of conventional application methods. One method includes directly applying the adhesive to the baffle 20 in the desired arrangement. Another method is by applying to the absorbent 12 one or more protective films which have been provided with still moist adhesive on their absorbent 12 facing side.
~ Referring to Figure 3, an alternative embodiment is shown. The adhesive members 26 are similar to those described above except that the adhesive members 26 intersect. Preferably, the adhesive members 26 intersect at the transverse axis Y--Y of the absorbent 12.
Thus, the absorbent article 10 has continuous adhesive members 26 on the baffle 20.
Referring to Fig. 4, an alternative embodiment is shown wherein the adhesive pattern is similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3 except that a pair of adhesive elements 32 and 33, are depicted. The adhesive elements 32 and 33 each have a circular configuration, but are not limited to this shape. The adhesive elements 32 and 33 are aligned along the longitudinal axis X--X of the absorbent 12. The adhesive elements 32 and 33 provide additional adhesive surface area in the first end 16 and second end 18 of the absorbent 12 to prevent the absorbent article 10 from shifting in the longitudinal direction.
The adhesive elements 32 and 33 are spaced apart frOm the longitudinal apex 30 of the absorbent 12 a distance of from about 1 millimeter to about 10 millimeters and preferably from about 4 millimeters to about 8 millimeters.
Referring to Figure 5, the adhesive elements 36 are shown as rectangular or square in configuration. As used herein, the term "adhesive elements" means, and is distinguishable from "adhesive members," in that it requires more than one adhesive element 36 to traverse the distance that would form one side of the diamond pattern. The distance is measured from the longitudinal side 14 or 15 at the transverse axis Y--Y of the absorbent 12 extending to the first or second ends 16 or 18, respectively, of the absorbent 12.
Generally, the adhesive elements are spaced apart from each other by a distance ranging from about 1 millimeter to about 5 millimeters and preferably from about 2 millimeters to about 5 millimeters. The size of the adhesive elements 36 have a width as described above and can have a length ranging from about 3 millimeters to about 12 millimeters and preferably from about 4 millimeters to about 8 millimeters.
The adhesive elements 36 are linearly aligned and extend from the longitudinal sides 14 and 15 to the first and second ends, 16 and 18 respectively, substantially forming a diamond pattern. The adhesive elements 36 are preferably similarly configured. The adhesive elements 36 can be any geometric configuration which allows the adhesive elements 36 to become linearly aligned or near linearly aligned when lateral compression forces are exerted on the absorbent.
Referring to Fig. 6, an alternative embodiment is shown. The adhesive elements 38 are similar to those described above except that they are circular in configuration. The diameter of the adhesive elements 38 ranges in size of from about 2 millimeters to about 12 millimeters.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, another alternative embodiment of this invention is shown. The adhesive elements 40 are depicted as having a diamond configuration wherein the longitudinal apexes 42 of each diamond are interconnected. The width and length of an adhesive element 40 is similar to that described above for adhesive element 36. As best seen in Fig. 8, the length dimension of an adhesive element 40 is measured along the longitudinal axis X'--X' and the width is measured along the transverse axis Y'--Y'.
Referring to Figure 9, an alternative embodiment of the absorbent article 10' is shown. The adhesive members 26' forming the diamond pattern are arcuate in shape but otherwise are similar to the adhesive members 26 described above.
Referring again to Fig. 4, overlying the full length of the adhesive members 26 is a protective release strip 44 which is provided to protect the adhesive 24 from dirt and from unintended adhesion prior to use. The strip 44 may be any suitable sheet-like material which adhere with sufficient tenacity to the adhesive members 26 to remain in place, but which can be readily removed when the absorbent article 10 is to be used. A particularly useful material is a semi-bleached kraft paper, the adhesive contacting side of which has been silicone coated to provide for easy release from the adhesive.
21262.~2 When a person is ready to use the product, the peel strip 44 is removed, exposing the garment adhesive 24. The absorbent article 10 is attached to the inner surface of the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment so as to hold the absorbent article 10 firmly in place.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with several specific embodiments, it is to be understood that many other alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.
Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims (23)
1. An absorbent article designed to be positioned in the crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment, said absorbent article comprising:
a) an absorbent having a predetermined thickness, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a pair of longitudinal sides and first and second ends;
b) a liquid-impermeable baffle secured to said absorbent; and c) adhesive means for securing said baffle to said crotch portion, said adhesive means including a plurality of a spaced apart adhesive members wherein said adhesive members are spaced a distance from said longitudinal axis, said adhesive members, if extended, substantially forming a diamond pattern, said diamond pattern having a pair of transverse apexes and a pair of longitudinal apexes, wherein said transverse apexes are located adjacent to said longitudinal sides of said absorbent and said longitudinal apexes are located adjacent to said first and second ends of said absorbent.
a) an absorbent having a predetermined thickness, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a pair of longitudinal sides and first and second ends;
b) a liquid-impermeable baffle secured to said absorbent; and c) adhesive means for securing said baffle to said crotch portion, said adhesive means including a plurality of a spaced apart adhesive members wherein said adhesive members are spaced a distance from said longitudinal axis, said adhesive members, if extended, substantially forming a diamond pattern, said diamond pattern having a pair of transverse apexes and a pair of longitudinal apexes, wherein said transverse apexes are located adjacent to said longitudinal sides of said absorbent and said longitudinal apexes are located adjacent to said first and second ends of said absorbent.
2. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said adhesive members are spaced apart from both said longitudinal and transverse axes.
3. The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein said adhesive members are spaced apart from said transverse axis a distance of about 1 millimeter to about 20 millimeters.
4. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said adhesive members intersect at said transverse axis of said absorbent.
5. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein each of said adhesive members comprises a plurality of discrete elements.
6. The absorbent article of claim 5 wherein said adhesive elements are similarly configured.
7. The absorbent article of claim 5 wherein said elements are interconnected.
8. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein at said ends of said absorbent said adhesive members are spaced a distance of about 3 millimeters to about 20 millimeters from said longitudinal axis.
9. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said transverse apexes are positioned from about 3 millimeters to about 20 millimeters inward from said longitudinal sides of said absorbent.
10. The absorbent article of claim 9 wherein said transverse apexes are positioned inward from said longitudinal sides a distance about equal to said thickness of said absorbent.
11. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said adhesive members have a thickness of from about 5 percent to about 20 percent relative to said absorbent's width.
12. The absorbent article of claim 8 wherein said adhesive members are spaced a distance of about 7 millimeters to about 12 millimeters from said longitudinal axis.
13. An absorbent article designed to be positioned in the crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment comprising:
a) a liquid-permeable cover;
b) a liquid-impermeable baffle;
c) an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle and having a predetermined thickness, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a pair of longitudinal sides and a first and second ends; and d) adhesive means for securing said baffle to said crotch portion, said adhesive means including a plurality of spaced apart adhesive members, which if extended, substantially forming a diamond pattern, said diamond pattern having a pair of transverse apexes and a pair of longitudinal apexes, wherein said transverse apexes are located adjacent to said longitudinal sides of said absorbent and said longitudinal apexes are located adjacent to said first and second ends of said absorbent, whereby distortion of said absorbent article during use is reduced by allowing the absorbent article to be substantially linearly aligned with the wearer.
a) a liquid-permeable cover;
b) a liquid-impermeable baffle;
c) an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle and having a predetermined thickness, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a pair of longitudinal sides and a first and second ends; and d) adhesive means for securing said baffle to said crotch portion, said adhesive means including a plurality of spaced apart adhesive members, which if extended, substantially forming a diamond pattern, said diamond pattern having a pair of transverse apexes and a pair of longitudinal apexes, wherein said transverse apexes are located adjacent to said longitudinal sides of said absorbent and said longitudinal apexes are located adjacent to said first and second ends of said absorbent, whereby distortion of said absorbent article during use is reduced by allowing the absorbent article to be substantially linearly aligned with the wearer.
14. The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein said adhesive members become substantially longitudinally aligned when a lateral compression force is exerted on said absorbent.
15. The absorbent article of claim 12 further including at least one adhesive element aligned along said longitudinal axis of said absorbent.
16. The absorbent article of claim 14 wherein said at least one adhesive element is spaced from said longitudinal apex a distance ranging from about 1 millimeter to about 10 millimeters.
17. The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein said adhesive members comprise a plurality of similarly configured elements.
18. The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein said adhesive members are spaced from said longitudinal axis a distance of about 3 millimeters to about 20 millimeters.
19. A sanitary napkin designed to be positioned in the crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment comprising:
a) a liquid-permeable cover;
b) a liquid-impermeable baffle;
c) an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle and having a predetermined thickness, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a pair of longitudinal sides and a first end and a distal second end; and d) adhesive means for securing said baffle to said portion, said adhesive means including a plurality of spaced apart adhesive members which are spaced from said longitudinal axis of said absorbent a distance of about 3 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, said adhesive members, which if extended, substantially forming a diamond pattern, said pattern having a pair of longitudinal apexes aligned along said longitudinal axis of said absorbent and a pair of transverse apexes aligned along said transverse axis of said absorbent, wherein transverse apexes of said absorbent are positioned inward of said longitudinal sides of said absorbent a distance about equal to said thickness of said absorbent whereby said adhesive members become substantially longitudinally aligned when a lateral compression force is exerted on said absorbent.
a) a liquid-permeable cover;
b) a liquid-impermeable baffle;
c) an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle and having a predetermined thickness, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a pair of longitudinal sides and a first end and a distal second end; and d) adhesive means for securing said baffle to said portion, said adhesive means including a plurality of spaced apart adhesive members which are spaced from said longitudinal axis of said absorbent a distance of about 3 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, said adhesive members, which if extended, substantially forming a diamond pattern, said pattern having a pair of longitudinal apexes aligned along said longitudinal axis of said absorbent and a pair of transverse apexes aligned along said transverse axis of said absorbent, wherein transverse apexes of said absorbent are positioned inward of said longitudinal sides of said absorbent a distance about equal to said thickness of said absorbent whereby said adhesive members become substantially longitudinally aligned when a lateral compression force is exerted on said absorbent.
20. The absorbent article of claim 19 wherein said transverse apexes of said absorbent are positioned inward of said longitudinal sides of said absorbent a distance of from about 3 millimeters to about 20 millimeters.
21. An absorbent article designed to be positioned in the crotch portion of a wearer's undergarment comprising:
a) a liquid-permeable cover;
b) a liquid-impermeable baffle;
c) an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle and having a predetermined thickness, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a pair of longitudinal sides and a first and second ends; and d) adhesive means for securing said baffle to said crotch portion, said adhesive means including a plurality of spaced apart arcuate adhesive members, which if extended, substantially forming a diamond pattern, said diamond pattern having a pair of transverse apexes and a pair of longitudinal apexes, wherein said transverse apexes are located adjacent to said longitudinal sides of said absorbent and said longitudinal apexes are located adjacent to said first and second ends of said absorbent, whereby distortion of said absorbent article during use is reduced by allowing the absorbent article to be substantially linearly aligned with the wearer.
a) a liquid-permeable cover;
b) a liquid-impermeable baffle;
c) an absorbent positioned between said cover and said baffle and having a predetermined thickness, a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a pair of longitudinal sides and a first and second ends; and d) adhesive means for securing said baffle to said crotch portion, said adhesive means including a plurality of spaced apart arcuate adhesive members, which if extended, substantially forming a diamond pattern, said diamond pattern having a pair of transverse apexes and a pair of longitudinal apexes, wherein said transverse apexes are located adjacent to said longitudinal sides of said absorbent and said longitudinal apexes are located adjacent to said first and second ends of said absorbent, whereby distortion of said absorbent article during use is reduced by allowing the absorbent article to be substantially linearly aligned with the wearer.
22. The absorbent article of claim 21 wherein said arcuate adhesive members are spaced a distance of about 3 millimeters to about 20 millimeters from said longitudinal axis.
23. The absorbent article of claim 21 wherein said adhesive members have a width of from about 5 percent to about 20 percent relative to said absorbent's width.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US20744994A | 1994-03-07 | 1994-03-07 | |
| US207,449 | 1994-03-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2126252A1 true CA2126252A1 (en) | 1995-09-08 |
Family
ID=22770590
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2126252 Abandoned CA2126252A1 (en) | 1994-03-07 | 1994-06-20 | Absorbent article having an improved adhesive securement pattern |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2126252A1 (en) |
-
1994
- 1994-06-20 CA CA 2126252 patent/CA2126252A1/en not_active Abandoned
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |