CN1086705A

CN1086705A - Absorbent item with many absorbent cores of improving fluid motion

Info

Publication number: CN1086705A
Application number: CN93119083A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·W·查佩尔; S·D·基勒; J·L·哈蒙斯
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1992-09-10
Filing date: 1993-09-10
Publication date: 1994-05-18
Also published as: WO1994005244A1; MX9305583A; AU5101293A; TR27061A

Abstract

The invention provides a class absorbent item, particularly contain the control of promising improvement fluid and the sanitary towel of a plurality of absorbent cores of being provided with, the fiber of the fluid that in use sinks to top flat by having the outer surface capillary channel before being discharged into absorbent cores spontaneously along Z to moving.Owing to adopted disclosed a plurality of absorbent cores close to each other, stoped fluid along horizontal mobility but allow fluid longitudinally to flow.

Description

Absorbent item with many absorbent cores of improving fluid motion

The present invention relates to absorbent item, particularly relate to sanpro, for example various sanitary towels.These absorbent items are particularly suitable for absorbing the fluid of various body excretes, particularly menstruation, and they can be cosily match with the health of user.

The structure that has various fluidic disposable absorbent items of discharging for collection of bodily to know at present.Commercial absorbent item comprises diaper, adult-incontinence articles, menopad and ligature etc.This disposable product is used for accepting, absorbs and preserved fluidic functor and form by some.These absorbent items comprise an absorbing material core of mainly being made up of fibrous cellulose usually.These articles for use generally include the top flat of a permeate fluid, an absorbent cores and a fluid-tight egative film.

For menopad, the womankind looks forward to for a long time having and a kind ofly has high comfort and matching property and have high preservation fluid capacity and do not stain the absorbent item of characteristic as far as possible.Above every among, fluid from the pad leak on the underwear, be definitely can not be received.

Though a lot of improvement have been carried out in the material and structure two aspects of sanitary towel at present, the improvement of the performance of sanitary towel are still being carried out continuing sincere landing.Yet leak for restriction, particularly continue to use the inner side leakage of product, as not taking into account the requirement that conformability and comfort just can not satisfy user.

The leakage of sanitary towel is considered to be in usually that the position fluid that flows out menstruation in the body is too concentrated and directly with the surperficial result who contacts of sanitary towel.At this lodgment, the absorbing material of sanitary towel reaches the super full state that closes very soon.Menstruation goes out from this upper edge, position Radial Flow and from two lower limb side leakages near the wearer.Its result usually is that menstruation adheres on the health and the underwear of making dirty.The scheme that restriction is leaked comprises: adopt fine and close marginal texture to stop fluid (investing No. 4820295 patents of the U.S. of people such as Chapas on April 11st, 1989), surround the barrier layer (No. 4666439 patents of United States Patent (USP) that on May 19th, 1987 was authorized people such as Williams) of absorbent item; And the side edge formations (authorizing No. 4701177 patents of the U.S. of people such as Ellis on October 10th, 1987) of " wing is arranged " of sealing around underwear.

Regrettably, the closely knit excessively cross section of sanitary towel causes discomfort in use.Some user are lost interest in to the product of " wing is arranged ", and other user are dissatisfied to the product on band barrier layer.But, because most of sanitary towels is to keep suitable dry status and be not utilized greatly, now determined can prevent over-saturation and can significantly reduce or limit leakage by providing a kind of with the device of fluid from the zone that is not fully utilized of lodgment guiding absorbent item.

Except that the underwear of making dirty, the user of modern sanitary towel etc. wishes that the surface energy of these sanitary towels has a surface than the sanitary towel of existing common cotton fabric or non-woven material and more cleans, much cleaner and dry status more.Modern sanitary towel, moisture absorption pad and incontinence device generally include to making fluid promptly by last slice and flow into for the top flat in the absorbent cores of the lower floor that stores articles for use, as can expecting, this motion is fast more and abundant more, the just dry more cleaning more in the surface of absorbent item.

In a word, the present invention can not only make above-mentioned fluid carry out desirable directed movement, (such fluid directed movement improved absorbent item integral body absorbability utilization rate and reduced side leakage) means that fluid is aspirated out by top flat also are provided, thereby desired drying, hygienic advantages when having guaranteed use.

In addition, the sanitary towel that adopts the technology that the present invention embodied is with for example relying on the high density absorbent core region, comparing to have with the sanitary towel that reaches the moon that makes fluid motion and feel more comfortable and cooperate to be good performance.It should also be noted that this technology can utilize be in a densification in softish, flexible, the low-density and comfortable pad but uncomfortable absorbent cores obtains fluidic directed movement and control performance.

In a desirable embodiment, the present invention is suitable for absorbent item, particularly sanitary towel or pantiliner, but also comprise diaper, adult-incontinence underwear, ligature etc.This absorbent item has one vertically, one laterally and Z to.This absorbing articles comprises that the top flat of a transflective liquid and one are fixed to liquid-tight egative film on the egative film at the substantially parallel blockade line of the longitudinal extension of absorbent item substantially along some.Some are positioned at interior top flat of substantially parallel potted line and the absorbent cores between egative film.These absorbent cores run through the whole length of absorbent item basically.The fluid that is deposited on the absorbent item top flat is allowed to longitudinally flow, but is under an embargo along horizontal mobility.

In a desirable embodiment, some substantially parallel sealing lines are divided into some pleats with absorbent item.Absorbent item preferably has the fibrous of outer surface capillary channel by some in these pleats.In one embodiment, the fiber with outer surface capillary channel is made into the yarn shape and is positioned between some absorbent cores and the top flat.Be positioned at that in those pleats of absorbent item silvalin is preferably twisted.In another desirable embodiment, the fiber package with outer surface capillary channel is around these absorbent cores.In another embodiment, the orientation with fiber of outer surface capillary channel is preferably extended in the Z direction that is parallel to absorbent item.

The desirable structure of the above-mentioned type is characterised in that the fiber with capillary channel of outer surface is hydrophilic, and capillary channel fiber preferably has H shape cross section.

Though this description is to be end with claims that particularly point out and solemnly declare of the present invention, it is believed that from following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings more to be expressly understood the present invention.In the accompanying drawings, identical reference number is represented components identical.

Fig. 1 is the top view of a desirable sanitary towel of the present invention, wherein for the structure of seeing sanitary towel clearly its inside is cut open;

Sanitary towel's cutaway view that Fig. 2 cuts open for the line 2-2 along Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is one and has a flat supporting part (4), the cutaway view of the symmetrical H shape capillary channel fiber of the height (6) of width between two walls (5) and wall.

Fig. 4 is that a width of cloth has from the cutaway view of " C " shape capillary channel fiber that wherein hangs the rock-steady structure that.

Fig. 5 is the cross-sectional view of a multistage H shape capillary channel fiber;

Fig. 6 is the cutaway view of a Multistage U shape capillary channel fiber;

Fig. 7 A is a cutaway view that is in the H shape capillary channel fiber (though be not optimized, can use at this) of part collapsed mode;

Fig. 7 B is the cutaway view of an expansible capillary channel fiber;

Fig. 7 C is the cutaway view of a capillary channel fiber that all subsides, (such fiber can not be used at this);

Fig. 8 is the section microphotograph of a sanitary towel, and this cross sectional photograph is presented in the hole that tight contact between the bottom of a formed film top flat and capillary channel fiber and capillary channel fiber extend into top flat.

Fig. 9 is the cutaway view of another embodiment of sanitary towel of the present invention;

Figure 10 is another embodiment cutaway view of sanitary towel of the present invention

" absorbent item " speech is meant a kind of device that absorbs and preserve the human body ejection at this, and be meant especially pasting or near wearer's health so that absorb and hold the various excremental device that from human body, excretes." absorbent item " speech is to be used for representing diaper, menopad, sanitary towel, pantiliner, incontinence pad etc." promptly abandoning " speech after using is to be used for describing those absorbent items of not planning to wash or reclaimed and reuse with additive method as a kind of absorbent item (after promptly once using at this, just plan it is abandoned, preferably recovery is made compost or is handled with other processing mode free from environmental pollution)." assembling " absorbent item is meant by one parts and fits together the absorbent item that constitutes a collaborative integral body, need not be divided into the parts of separately handling of a similar independent fixture and a pad like this to them.

A preferred embodiment of the disposable absorbent item of an assembling of the present invention is a menopad as shown in Figure 1, and promptly sanitary towel 20." sanitary towel " speech is meant at this and is through near perineal region by the woman, generally be through the absorbent item of region pudendalis, they are intended to be used to absorb and hold the inside of the cloudy vestibule that the menstrual fluid of discharging from wearer's body and other vagina Excreta (for example blood, menstruation and urine) part be positioned at the wearer and epipharynx device that part is positioned at cloudy vestibule outside also within the scope of the invention." perineum " speech is meant woman's visible external genitalia district at this.But, should be noted that the present invention also is suitable for woman's other menopad, panty-liners for example, or other absorbent item, for example incontinence pad.

Sanitary towel 20 has two faces, the surface of a body contact or " surface " 20a and a underwear surface 20b.Sanitary towel 20 shown in Figure 1 looks from the surperficial 20a direction of its body contact.Contact human body surface 20a is intended to wear near wearer's body.The underwear surface 20b(of sanitary towel 20 sees Fig. 2) in an opposite side, when sanitary towel was through on the health, underwear surface 20b was pasting wearer's underwear and is fixing.

There are two centrages in sanitary towel 20, a longitudinal centre line " l " and a cross central line " t "." longitudinally " speech is meant a line on the plane of sanitary towel 20 at this, axis or direction, the same vertical plane phase alignment of this line, (promptly approximate parallel) when this vertical plane is through on the health in sanitary towel with wearer's split and left or right two halves of standing.Speech " laterally " is meant a line on the plane of sanitary towel, axis or direction, and this line is big to above-mentioned vertically vertical.

Fig. 1 is a top view under the offset flat shape attitude of sanitary towel 20 of the present invention, for be clear that sanitary towel 20 structure, with its partly cut-away, sanitary towel towards or that side 20a of contact wearer towards the observer.As shown in Figure 1, sanitary towel 20 preferably includes 22, one liquid-tight egative films 23 that link to each other with top flat 22 of top flat of a transflective liquid.Some be positioned at the absorbent cores 24 of top flat 22 and egative film 23 and be positioned at top flat 22 and absorbent cores 24 between the fiber with outer surface capillary channel.

Fig. 1 also demonstrates, and there is a border 30 in sanitary towel 20, and it is limited by the external margin of sanitary towel 20, and longitudinal edge wherein (or " lateral margin ") is represented with 31, and end limit end (or end) is represented with 32.

Fig. 2 is the cutaway view of the sanitary towel 20 that cuts open of the line 2-2 along Fig. 1.As can see from Figure 2, sanitary towel 20 preferably includes the pleat 28 of some longitudinal extensions that are arranged essentially parallel to sanitary towel 20.Top flat 22 is fixed on the egative film 23 along the potted line 21 that some are arranged essentially parallel to the longitudinal extension of sanitary towel 20.Potted line 21 is divided into 28, one absorbent cores 24 of some pleats with sanitary towel 20 and is positioned within each pleat 28.Yarn with fiber 25 of outer surface capillary channel is positioned within each pleat 28 between top flat 22 and the absorbent cores 24.

Fig. 9 is the cutaway view of another embodiment of sanitary towel 20 of the present invention.Can find that from Fig. 9 sanitary towel 20 preferably includes some pleats 28 that are arranged essentially parallel to sanitary towel's 20 longitudinal extensions.Top flat 22 is fixed on the egative film 23 along the potted line 21 that some are arranged essentially parallel to the longitudinal extension of sanitary towel 20.Potted line 21 is divided into some pleats 28 to sanitary towel 20.An absorbent cores 24 is located in each pleat 28.Fibre 25 with outer surface capillary channel extends to egative film 22 from absorbent cores 24.The orientation of fiber 25 makes its capillary channel extend in the Z-direction that is arranged essentially parallel to sanitary towel 20.

Figure 10 is the cutaway view of another embodiment of sanitary towel 20 of the present invention.Can find that from Figure 10 sanitary towel 20 preferably includes some basically at the pleat 28 of the longitudinal extension that is parallel to sanitary towel 20.Top flat 22 is fixed on the egative film 22 along the potted line 21 that some are arranged essentially parallel to the longitudinal extension of sanitary towel 20.Potted line 21 is divided into some pleats 28 with sanitary towel 20.Be positioned within each pleat is an absorbent cores 24.Some have the fiber package of outer surface capillary channel around each absorbent cores 24.

Sanitary towel 20 preferably one be used for sanitary towel 20 is bonded to the parts 36 that are adhesively fixed on wearer's underwear.For the part that prevents to be adhesively fixed before use adhere in part beyond the crotch, discerptible release liner 37 is covered on the part 36 that is adhesively fixed.

Sanitary towel also has one " Z direction " or Z axle except that having a longitudinal direction and transverse direction, the Z direction is to enter direction in the fluid storage core 24 that may provide then through top flat 22 downwards.The objective of the invention is provides a capillary siphoning gradient between the top flat 22 of sanitary towel and a lower floor (or several lower floor), thereby makes fluid finally enter its last storage layer at the top flat that the Z direction was extracted and left sanitary towel.

Separated by this by the absorbent cores that some is positioned at those vertical pleats (being positioned with the fiber that some have the outer surface capillary channel at these pleats), but fluid is flowed on the Z direction, this has just strengthened total effective absorbance of absorbing articles.In addition, fluid is horizontal mobile being controlled, because do not allow fluid between adjacent absorbent cores, to flow, then reduced to greatest extent, or even avoided the leakage of fluid fully along the transverse edge of absorbing articles.Therefore, different with the absorbent item (these absorbent items make fluid flow on X, Y and Z direction by means of the fiber that comprises capillary porosity in the fiber in a kind of undesirable mode) of prior art, the employed here absorbent cores that separates can be used to provide ideal fluid directionality.Therefore, people will recognize, absorbent item of the present invention is by the mode that is different in essence, utilizes the material that is different in essence to play a role, so that the advantage that is different in essence to be provided, everything is all different with the absorbing structure of various public technologies, these structures do not use some absorbent cores and the fiber with outer surface capillary channel that is positioned within vertical pleat to discharge fluid in Z direction and vertically mobile to promote human body, have suppressed fluid again in horizontal mobility simultaneously.

To go through each independent parts of sanitary towel below.

2. the independent parts of sanitary towel

A. top flat

Top flat 22 has the stickiness soft feeling and to the wearer's skin nonirritant.In addition, top flat 22 is to see through liquid, can make liquid (for example menstruation and/or urine) see through its thickness easily.Suitable top flat 22 can be used a variety of materials manufacturing, and these materials for example can be textile materials; The porous thermoplastic membrane that polymeric material for example is shaped, plastic film, hydroforming thermoplastic film, sponge plastics,, reticulated polymer foam, net structure thermoplastic film and thermoplasticity woven scrim.The weaving and the nonwoven material that are suitable for can be formed or be made up of the compositions of natural fiber and synthetic fibers by natural fiber (for example wood fiber or cotton fiber), synthetic fibers [for example polymer (for example polyester fiber, polypropylene fibre or polyethylene fibre)].

A preferred top flat 22 is made up of the porous membrane that is shaped, the saving grace of making top flat with the porous membrane that is shaped is that they can see through the Excreta of human body, but do not absorb these Excretas, can also reduce the backflow of liquid and prevent to get wet once more wearer's skin.Therefore, remain drying regime with the porous membrane surface of the shaping of Body contact, thereby reduced the probability of the health of making dirty, and the wearer is produced a kind of more comfortable sensation.Following patent document has been described the formed film that is fit to, these patents are U.S.3929135 that December in 1975 was invested thompson on the 30th, authorize the U.S.4324246 of Mullane April 13 nineteen eighty-two, authorize people's such as Radel U.S.4342314 August 3 nineteen eighty-two, authorized people's such as Ahr US4463045 on July 31st, 1984, Decembers in 1986 were authorized people's such as Curro U.S.4629643 on the 16th, and authorized the U.S.5006394 of Baird on April 9th, 1991.Above-mentioned each piece patent document all is used as reference paper and quotes.Be used for preferred top flat 22 of the present invention and be described in above-mentioned one or more patent document formed film and by The Proter﹠amp; Gamble Compang of Cincinnati(ohio) registered trade mark is " DRI-WEAVE " in sanitary towel.

The body-facing surface of the top flat 22 of formed film is hydrophilic in a preferred embodiment of the invention, thereby makes the not body-facing surface of possess hydrophilic property and fast of ratio that liquid passes through top flat 22 transmission.This will reduce the mobile disengaging top flat 22 of menstrual fluid and not flow into top flat 22 and be absorbed the probability that core 24 absorbs.In a preferred embodiment, surfactant is mixed in formed film top flat 22 polymeric materials, is that 07/794745 intercalation U.S. Patent application has been described this scheme be called " have nonwoven with the absorbent item porous membrane emulsion sheet " application number in the name of on November 19th, 1991 application by people such as Aziz for example.In addition, also can make it obtain hydrophilic by the body-facing surface of top flat 22 is handled with surfactant, for example authorize the US4950264 of Dsbonr and authorized on April 23rd, 1991 in the US5009653 U.S. patent documents of Osbrn and described this scheme on August 21st, 1991, these two pieces of patent documents are used as reference paper and quote.

B. absorbent cores.

Absorbent cores 24 can be any absorption plant that can absorb or preserve liquid (for example menstruation and/or urine).As illustrated in fig. 1 and 2, absorbent cores 24 has a body-facing surface, and one towards the underwear surface, lateral edges and end margin.Absorbent cores 24 can be made various sizes and shape and can adopt the various common material manufacture that are used for the absorption liquid of sanitary towel and other absorbing articles, for example these materials are to pulverize wood pulp, it is commonly referred to airfelt, the example of the absorbing material that other is fit to comprises wrinkling cellulose wadding, comprises the cellulose of enhanced or chemical modification or the chemical crosslinking of molten blown polymer, the chemistry of conformal thing; Capillary pipe fiber; The polyester fiber that synthetic cellulose for example curls; Peat moss floss comprises that tissue paper strip of paper used for sealing and tissue paper are stacked in interior thin paper; Absorbent foam materials, absorption sponge, super-absorbent polymer, absorption gel rubber material; Or any substitution material of these materials or any of these material compositions or mixture.

The shape of absorbent cores 24 and structure can change also that [for example absorbent cores can have the zone (for example processing foreign profile so that thicker at core) of a thickness variable, the super absorption gradient of the hydrophilic gradient of variation, variation or than the collecting region of low-density and low basic weight; Or can form) by one or more layered structures.Yet total absorptive capacity of absorbent cores 24 should be consistent with the absorbtivity of design and 20 concrete purposes of sanitary towel.The size of absorbent cores 24 and absorptive capacity can be according to different purposes for example incontinence pad, pantiliners in addition, sanitary towel that uses under the normal condition or the sanitary towel of spending the night etc. and change.

Following patent document has been described the typical structure as absorbent cores 24 of the present invention, these patent documents are: authorize the U.S.4950264 of Osborn August 21 nineteen ninety, JIUYUE in 1986 were authorized people's such as Weisman U.S.461078 on the 9th, authorized the U.S.5009653 of Osborne and european patent application No.0198683(on May 30th, 1989 by The Drocter; Gambe Company application, on October 22nd, 1986 is open, the invention people is people such as Duenk) above-mentioned each piece patent document all is used as reference paper and quotes.

Some preferred embodiment absorbent cores 24 are made up of one or more pieces cross-linked cellulose layer.

The cross-linked cellulose fibres that are fit to that are used for absorbent cores 24 are disclosed in following patent document; Decembers in 1989 were authorized people's such as Cook U.S.4888093 on the 19th, authorized people's such as Dean U.S.4822543 on April 18th, 1989, and Decembers in 1989 were authorized people's such as Schoggen U.S.4889595 on the 26th; And February 6 nineteen ninety authorize people's such as Morre U.S.4898642; Authorize people's such as Lash U.S.4935022 June 19 nineteen ninety, May in 1991 people such as disclosed Herron on the 15th the open No 0427316A2 of european patent application and 0427317A2 and May in 1991 people such as disclosed Herron on the 29th European patent No 0429112A2, these patent documents are cited as a reference.

In such absorbent cores, preferably chemical enhanced and cross-linked cellulosic that curl, twisting will be made with extra care, can be with the fiber of lamellar as absorbent cores so that provide.Being used for making the situation that curl, chemical enhanced cellulose fibre that is fit to purified, that curl, chemical enhanced cellulose fibre absorbent cores about preparation describes in detail in United States Patent (USP) U.S.4888903,4822543,4889595,4,889,597 4889596 and 4898642.

In the U.S.4935022 patent description is arranged with the means that being used in combination and being used for making these goods that absorb gel rubber material about these fibers, these preparation methoies typically comprise uses aldehydes (for example glutaraldehyde) to make cross-linking agent.Polycarboxylic acids also can be used as cross-linking agent in addition.The means that need be appreciated that the cross-linked cellulose fibres that prepare other also are known, and these fibers also can use at this, may be suboptimums though the performance of its absorption fluids is compared with above-mentioned fiber.Application for the fiber of other kind can be with reference to those files of quoting as proof in U.S.4898642 patent and the PCT U.S.8901581 patent application.The above-mentioned scheme of GPRS is carried out polish to the cellulose fibre that curls, and just can obtain to be used for preparing the fibrous material of use in the desirable absorbent cores of technology of the present invention.

C. egative film

Egative film 23 is impenetrable liquid (for example menstruation and/or a urine), and is preferably made by an elastic film, though also can adopt other liquid-tight flexible material to make." flexible " speech is meant the submissive performance that material has and is easy to basically the performance that shape and profile phase with human body cooperate at this.The effect of egative film 23 is to prevent that the Excreta that is absorbed and is included in the absorbent cores 24 from soaking 20 contacted articles for use, for example underwear, pyjamas and underwear etc. with sanitary towel.Therefore egative film 23 can be a material weaving or nonwoven, and polymer thin film is polyethylene or polyacrylic thermoplastic film for example, or composite for example scribbles the non-woven material of thin film.Egative film 23 a preferably thickness is about 0.012mm(0.5 Mill) to about 0.051mm(2.0 Mill) polyethylene film, typical polyethylene film is by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnat(ohio) make according to the P18-0401 technical conditions, and by Ethyl Corporation, Visgueen Division of Terre Hante(Indiana) makes according to the XP-39385 technical conditions, egative film 23 preferably through embossing and/or matt processed so that obtain an outward appearance that resembles fabric, in addition, egative film 23 can make steam overflow from absorbent cores 24 (can be easy to suck) but still can stop Excreta to pass through egative film 23 simultaneously.

D. capillary channel fiber

Sanitary towel 20 preferably includes within some vertical pleats 26 that are positioned at sanitary towel 21 and the capillary channel fiber 25 between top flat 22 egative films roughly.Capillary channel fiber 25 is that inside is formed with the fiber that passage also preferably has passage on its outer surface.Fig. 3 to 7C shows the capillary channel fiber of some types.The capillary channel fiber that is fit to has description in following patent application: these patents are to submit on July 23rd, 1991: by people's such as Thompaon U.S. Patent application No07/734404; People's such as people's such as Thompson U.S. Patent application No07/734392 and Buenger U.S. Patent application No07/734405.These patent applications can be collected the reference as " capillary channel fiber " patent application.The capillary channel fiber that is fit to was also described among the disclosed european patent application 039181A in October 10 nineteen ninety.

Though can use various capillary channel fibers at this, some desirable characteristics that are included in the capillary channel fiber 25 in the absorbent cores of the present invention are discussed in the following description.

(1) fiber form

As mentioned above, capillary channel fiber has capillary channel 29 on its outer surface.The shape of capillary channel fiber 25 is comparatively preferably crooked, more preferably becomes to curl (that is to say that these fiber right and wrong are rectilinear).Capillary channel fiber 25 preferably is (or wrinkle is held together) of curling basically.This makes capillary channel fiber have higher top layer and increase elasticity for the fiber of determined number for one.By increasing the top layer of individual fibers, make the pad of the whole top layer of making by this fiber thicker and soft.This will allow to make the pad of the high top layer of low-density, supposes independent fiber itself not too not slightly or too not hard, these high top layer pads not only as snug as a bug in a rug, conveyance fluid effectively.

, the non-rectilinear capillary channel fiber of the best here should not kinked, and can kink the system point that the position forms some capillary channels at each when capillary channel fiber is kinked.Certainly, this will disturb along the dynamic performance of the fluid stream of capillary channel.

In addition, utilize the non-rectilinear capillary channel fiber to also have an important advantage.As shown in Figure 8, at least in fact the fraction of capillary channel fiber is reached in some hole 35 of top flat 22 of absorbent item.When utilizing the capillary channel fiber that curls to prepare the capillary channel pad, be easy to produce these projectioies.Make some ends in capillary channel fiber and/or frizz find their big than the collinear capillary channel of main employing in the past of the probability of path in hole of entering top sheet materials.Can capillary channel fiber be curled with several different methods, these methods include, but is not limited to: when deviate from from shaping mould when fiber (1), by heating is better than opposite side (or making a side cool off to such an extent that cross than opposite side conversely) slightly to fiber one side, optionally these fibers are carried out thermal quenching; (2). then lax by stretching, or the fiber crimp that under certain tension force, makes fiber by then lax mode synthetic polymer (for example polyester) be formed around an edge of acute angle; (3). by immersing in the methanol.In a desirable mode, these fiber major parts are spiral helicine, no matter how make the capillary channel fiber gauffer or curl by other means, if necessary, their in addition combings form a kind of fiber module.

Best crimp amplitude is that the general frequency is to every approximately inch about 10 from every inch fiber about 1 in the scope of about 0.1mm to about 5mm.Having about 0.5mm amplitude peace treaty every cun is that the fiber of 6 pleats even the fiber with big capillary channel that distributes for higher Denier also show good flexibility.

The purposes of capillary channel fiber 25 is to allow liquid to pass through along the Z direction of absorbent item.The Z direction is to pass through top flat 22, any fluid storage core 24 that enters capillary channel 25 then and can be provided downwards as shown in Figure 2.

Purpose is to form the capillary siphoning gradient between the top flat 22 of absorbent item and lower floor (or a plurality of lower floor), thereby makes fluid flow into its last layer that stores along Z to being sucked away and leaving the absorbent item surface.According to experimental result, the capillary siphoning ability that is to say that with the contact and the bore size relation of being inversely proportional to of material under a typical situation, the perforate on the end face should be greater than intrastitial capillary channel.Intrastitial capillary channel again will be greater than storing interfibrous capillary apertures in the absorbent cores at fiber.The surface hydrophilicity of every layer of parts also can influence the capillary siphoning gradient theoretically.

Therefore, absorbent item in the prior art is to utilize the fiber felt that includes capillary gap in the fiber and liquid is moved in the X.Y.Z direction in nondirectional mode, the fiber capillary channel 29 of capillary channel fiber 25 of the present invention is difference then, can be used to provide ideal fluid directionality.In addition, because fibrolaminar capillary tube of the present invention stays among the fiber 25 itself, rather than in the gap of fiber, capillary tube does not lose when interfibrous space is substituted.

(ⅱ). fibre structure and surface characteristic

Can be at this used capillary channel fiber 25 by any general, not polymer manufacturing of bulking when moistening.Polymer, for example polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester (the best) and other materials similar as long as they are spinnable, make them molding have the outer surface capillary channel, here are exactly useful.These polymer are fusible extruding, and this is very easily.Capillary channel fiber at this will be by a kind of fused mass manufacturing of synthetic polyethylene terephthalate polymer, the intrinsic viscosity of this fused mass (" IV ") from about 0.6 to about 0.9.(IV is a technology language, and can determine with known method, sees for example the 8th hurdle of United States Patent (USP) 4829761.) IV of fused mass of polymer keeps the shape ability of capillary channel fiber wall relevant with polymer, and relevant with the mean molecule quantity of its polymer.Example as used herein intrinsic viscosity to be about 0.7 polyester be suitable, be that 0.9 polymer will be more desirable but utilize intrinsic viscosity because this will make the wall of capillary channel thinner, to be enough intensity break under working pressure preventing and still have.

The fiber number of capillary channel fiber 25 is preferably about 10 to 20 Denier.Certainly, be understood that used fiber number determined by formulator, every fine yarn denier is that about 25 to about 35 scope is fine undoubtedly.

Capillary channel fiber dark/widely under the qualifications except technology, also should consider economic factor as mentioned above than being preferably about 2.0, adopt dark/wide ratio of about 1.3 usually.Satisfy at the wall thickness about 46 of the typical of this application and the capillary channel fiber that is easy to produce and the distance about 33 between wall.The thickness of wall itself is generally about 3-15.Though these sizes are to allow to change, and make the capillary channel with these characteristics by the polyester manufacturing can reach its its intended purposes well.These fibers can utilize general process equipment manufacturing, and under the pressure of the sort of type that health device (particularly sanitary towel and pantiliner) is run into, and capillary channel wall is subsided or be deployed into the capillary degree of loss.

Capillary channel 29 can have different shape.In the certain products purposes, some shape can provide specific advantage.For example can use the U-shaped, H shape, the capillary channel 25 C shape and V-type that have suspension steady component thereon.Can repeat basic shape (seeing figure) in addition, or even can bifurcated contain multichannel fiber so that produce.But should be noted that if adopt, consider in fiber, to increase some strengthening parts more than about three repetition shape.Many " U " fiber among Fig. 6 provides an additional advantage-because aspectant contact has additional capillarity and be easy to curl.

Manufacture method at such capillary channel fiber 25 of this employing has description in following patent application document: the invention people is the patent application that continues of the EPO application 391814 of submitting people's such as Phillips Jones 23 days July in 1991 and common No. 07/736261 part of the U.S. in examination, and name is called " fiber of transmitting fluid automatically " (Eastman Chemical Campany); The name of submitting on July 23rd, 1992 is called the U.S. Patent application (inventor Phillips etc.) in common examination still " hole of fusulus and have the long fibre of stabilizing leg " No. 07/91817; And the name that submit February 20 nineteen ninety is called open capillary channel structure, makes the improvement technology of capillary channel structure and the tension and compression mould of use thereof " application number is 07/482466 the patent application in examination still (inventor Thompson and Krautter).

Though be used to make the polymer of capillary channel fiber itself and be (or do not inhale urine or contain for example menstruation of fluid of blood) of not absorbing water, these fibers itself are preferably hydrophilic.Because most of synthetic polymers are hydrophobic, so will carry out surface treatment so that it obtains hydrophilicity to the capillary channel fiber of usefulness herein.

The surface treatment of polymer fiber is included in the technology of knowing in the drawing of fiber document.These technologies generally include with hydrophilic reagent particularly handles fiber surface with surfactant.[can measure according to a conventional method by the hydrophiling that aqueous fluid makes fiber obtain wettable performance, for example utilize the measurement of contact angle, contact angle generally shows it is a water-wetted surface less than 90 °.Can measure hydrophilicity with a kind of CAHN surface tension analyzer (SFA), also can be with various other known instruments.] be used in typical surfactant in these technologies and comprise various medium-sized non-ionic in known cleaning documents and materials and anionicly have cleaning to put the surfactant of power.Hydrophiling reagent comprises for example polyethylene glycol monolaurate (PEGOSPERSE 200ML for example of wetting agent, Lonxa.Inc.Williamsport.PA.U.S.A. a kind of Cithrol 2ML of Gou Maiing), and the oleoyl alcohols of ethoxylation is (for example from Croda Inc, New York, New Yoek, the Volpo-3 that U.S.A. buys).Other kind hydrophilic reagent and technology also can adopt, and they are included in fiber and the field of textiles to increasing wettability, improve technology that those professionals of the separating property of dirt know etc.Can each stage before use hydrophiling reagent be dosed in the polymer, certainly, preferably before capillary channel controls to its final size, dose.For example can be with hydrophiling reagent in fusion or be mixed into and dose in the polymer in advance before then carrying out fusion in the polymer compound, also the hydrophiling reagent of dosing can be followed after being shaped, to be coated onto on the polymer and (for example in technologies such as fusion, moistening or dried stretching, follow after from draw finishing die, deviating from), preferably before fiber drawing becomes minor diameter, add.Certainly, because absorbent item is to be used for contacting with the sensitive part of human body herein, so be used to make the surfactant of capillary channel fiber surface hydrophilic preferably avirulent and non-irritating to people's skin.The various surface-active-treatment methods that are used for making capillary channel fiber hydrophiling embodiment in the back will be described.Be used to make other methods of fiber surface hydrophiling to comprise and make this surface stand the ionizing radiation, for example use plasma, the advantage of these methods is not have surfactant to remain on the fiber surface.Which kind of method no matter, its total target are will guarantee to have by its fluid that will transmit performance of moistening spontaneously at this used capillary channel fiber.

(ⅲ) different shape of capillary channel fiber

Capillary channel fiber 25 preferably becomes the shape of the yarn shown in Fig. 1 and 2.The yarn of capillary fiber 25 is made up of independent capillary fiber 25, and capillary fiber 25 has produced curling after stretching.A small amount of twisting can make and have cohesion between the fiber to capillary channel fiber.

In another embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the orientation of capillary channel fiber preferably makes its passage extend along the Z direction that is parallel to sanitary towel 20 basically, so capillary channel fiber 25 extends to top flat 22 from absorbent cores 24.

In another the desirable embodiment shown in Figure 10, capillary channel fiber 25 wrap in absorbent cores 24 around.In other words capillary channel fiber 25 surround each be positioned at absorbent cores 24 in each pleat that separates 28 around.

E. the fluid between each layer flows

Fluid at first will be gone out on the top flat 22 of sanitary towel 20, see through top flat 22 then towards capillary channel fiber 25 motions.The capillary channel fiber contact that is located in pleat 28 when fluid the time will and vertically be sent to absorbent cores 24 along the Z of sanitary towel direction.And the fluid cross motion is controlled by the substantially parallel pleat that some each self-contained absorbent cores 24 are provided to sanitary towel 20.By that absorbent cores of separating a bit 24, fluid can not be flowed along transverse direction.Therefore, when fluid by capillary channel fiber 25 along Z when being transported to absorbent cores 24, it will be at longitudinal direction by comprising the whole fiber felt of absorbent cores 24.

Make capillary channel fiber 25 " recovery " by fluid is moved with vertical both direction along the Z direction, liquid infiltrates to prepare next time.Therefore, capillary channel fiber siphons away fluid by top flat 22, so make that top flat keeps clean, exsiccant outward appearance and comfort, fluid is moved on in the following absorbent cores 24, like this, and till just making this process proceed to absorbent cores 24 to reach capacity.

In order to make the motion of fluid between each layer of sanitary towel 20, importantly keeping each interlayer closely to contact each other is excellent contact.Can realize this contact by the method that is fit to, these methods include, but is not limited to bonding agent bonding, with ultrasonic bonding or by adding tension force.

Therefore, in a very desirable pattern, at top flat 22(by leading to capillary channel fiber 25 here, lead to following absorbent cores 24 by capillary channel fiber 25 again) between have an intranet network, so pass top flat 22 fluid high-effective, pass capillary channel fiber again and enter into absorbent cores 24.Even interconnecting under the situation that is subjected to using tension force (for example moist, mechanical scissor and the pressurized that links mutually with the motion of the health of wearer-lax) between this each layer still keeping.

If adopt bonding agent to connect, should consider that Several Factors uses the amount of the bonding agent in the figure of coating adhesive is arranged should make absorbent item that user health bonding is limited to minimum.

Recognize that the capillary channel that adopts excessive bonding agent may cause undesirable fiber 25 stops up, thereby reduced its effect, so the quantity of the bonding agent that uses should be the quantity of one " non-interference ".These quantity can be according to selected bonding agent, the arranging graphic of bonding agent, the width of capillary channel and the width of fiber etc. and change.The quantity of control bonding agent also helps to make bonding the reach bottom line of sanitary towel to the user health.

Bonding agent should be to skin non-irritating be used in sensitive organization with human body and contact and should be toxicology under the occasion and accept.When bonding agent is not deposited at dampness (when making absorbent item) preferably when dampness exists (when utilizing absorbent item) still keep its viscosity.

Bonding agent should be the adhesives when making top flat, is again the adhesives of making capillary channel fiber.If top flat or fiber are surface treated, for example use hydrophiling technology, when selecting bonding agent, should consider to handle the character on surface.

Typical as used herein bonding agent can be chosen from latex bonding agent and hot-melt adhesive.

Bonding agent usefulness be can be coated with by a random figure, yet scroll or multiple spiral figure preferably are arranged to.The bonding agent lines can be the underwear side by the downside that the spiral type figure is ejected into top flat 22 by the nozzle of 0.2mm, still are gratifying but utilize the adhesive linkage that can arrive the nozzle ejection of 0.6mm at least greatly.In addition, also bonding agent can be ejected on the top flat 22 with point-like, but this is also less desirable.

The bonding agent that is fit to can be bought from Findley Adhesives, particularly hot-melt adhesive 4031 and latex 8085.Type according to the type bonding agent of the coating on capillary channel fiber can be slightly different.The coating that is fit to comprises Eastman ' s LK5483, LK5563 and the most desirable Eastman ' s LK5570, and the polymer that can buy with the trade name of MILEASET, this polymer can have been bought from ICI America as a kind of ethylene terephthalate/polyetholglycal terephthalat decontamination polymer of coated fiber.

Invest as on March 4th, 1986 described in people's such as Mimefola the United States Patent (USP) 4573986, bonding agent can be painted the web of the opening of bonding agent silk.The fixed part that is fit to of the netted silk of the open figure that use is made up of several lines of bonding agent long filament is by the molten scroll that is pressed into, and this molten compression technology is to illustrate by the apparatus and method described in the following patent document; Authorized Sprague, the United States Patent (USP) 3911173 of Jr on October 7th, 1975; Authorized people's such as Zieker United States Patent (USP) 4785996 on November 22nd, 1978; And on June 27th, 1989 authorize the United States Patent (USP) 4842666 of Werenicz.

By pressurization in bonding process and/or by the method that makes the superiors' capillary channel fiber " combination " form independent fiber initiation (this projection feasible contacts better) with bonding agent can further improve top flat and below the capillary channel fiber layer between contact.

F. Ren Xuan holding device

In use, sanitary towel 20 can utilize the support component arbitrarily or the fixed part that are used for this purpose to remain on certain position.Sanitary towel preferably places on the underwear of user or the underwear and is fixed thereon with a fixture (for example bonding agent 36).Bonding agent 36 provides means for the crotch portion that sanitary towel 20 is fixed to underwear.Therefore, the outer surface of egative film 23 partly or entirely is coated with the last layer bonding agent.In prior art for this purpose and any bonding agent of usefulness or glue can be used as this bonding agent, with pressure adhesive for the most desirable.The bonding agent that is fit to is by the cenlury Adhesives Corpoation of Columbus(Ohio) the Century A-305-IV that makes, and by the national starvh and Chemival Company of Bridgewater(New Jersey) the Instant lock34-2823 that makes.The bond that is fit to has introduction in United States Patent (USP) 4917697.In the time of before sanitary towel is in use, on pressure adhesive 36, be stamped the peelable release liner of one deck 37 usually, become dry or adhere on the surface except that the surface of the crotch portion of user underwear so that prevent bonding agent before use.The release liner 37 that is fit to also has description in the United States Patent (USP) 4917697 of above-mentioned reference.Any commercially available release liner that is used for these purposes all can be used at this.The example of the indefiniteness of the release liner that is fit to is by Akrosil Corporation of Menasha(Wisconain) the BL30MG-A Silox EI/0 and the BL30MG-A Silox 4P/0 that make.When using sanitary towel 20 of the present invention, the release liner 37 of tearing is placed on sanitary towel 20 on the underwear then, so that bonding agent 36 is contacted with underwear.Between the operating period, bonding agent 36 keeps sanitary towel on the correct position of underwear in sanitary towel.

G. the assembling of each parts of sanitary towel

Preferably assemble sanitary towel, for simplicity, describe this assembling process by a kind of possible method with following manner.The step that describes below can be finished with various mode.Also have a lot of alternate manners of assembling sanitary towel.All these available schemes all within the scope of the invention.

Top flat 22 is layered on the curved lever, so that on top flat 22, form first pleat.This operation will repeat to till forming 6-12 pleat on the top flat 22 altogether.

Then, top flat 22 be coated with the last layer bonding agent towards the underwear side, preferably make bonding agent on the underwear side, become scroll at top flat 22.Then the general silvalin of capillary is placed in each pleat of top flat 22.Have above one absorbent cores is placed on respectively in the pleat of yarn of capillary channel fiber 25.Then bonding agent is coated in the body-facing surface of egative film 23, so that absorbent cores 24 is attached on the egative film 23.

Another scheme is wrapped in some capillary channel fibers 25 around the absorbent cores 24.Before pasting egative film 23, each absorbent cores that is wrapped is placed in each pleat 28.

Another alternative plan is that some capillary channel fibers are woven in the absorbent cores 24, so that the passage that makes capillary channel fiber is basically along on the direction of vertical absorbent cores.These pre-assembled absorbent cores are put into each pleat that has capillary channel fiber 25 respectively, and make them with top flat 22 contacts.At last egative film 23 is attached on absorbent cores 24 and the top flat 22.

Prepare below this pre-assembled sanitary towel is sealed.With vertical side part and end sealing.In a preferred technology, vertically the involution of side part and end is finished with heater, and this heater is actually and is used for the part separately of vertical side and holds separately partly " iron and press " to be in the same place.

Though specific embodiments of the invention are described in conjunction with diagram, for this professional those of ordinary skill, can be without prejudice to marrow of the present invention with can make various change and remodeling within the scope of the invention.Therefore all these changes within the scope of the present invention and remodeling all will be included by claims of the present invention.

Claims

1, a kind of have one vertically, one laterally and Z to absorbent item, this absorbent item comprises:

(a) top flat of a permeate fluid;

(b) one is fixed on liquid-tight egative film on this top flat along some substantially parallel potted lines at the longitudinal extension of this absorbent item basically; And

(c) some are positioned at top flat and the intermediary absorbent cores of egative film between those substantially parallel potted lines, these absorbent cores are extended and the entire longitudinal length of this absorbent item basically, thereby the fluid that sinks on this absorbent item top flat is longitudinally flowed and stop fluid along horizontal mobility.

2, absorbent item as claimed in claim 1, wherein, those substantially parallel potted line parts are separated into some pleats with sanitary towel.

3, absorbent item as claimed in claim 2 comprises that also some have the fiber in those pleats of being positioned at of outer surface capillary channel.

4, absorbent item as claimed in claim 3, wherein, the described processed resultant yarn shape of fiber with outer surface capillary channel.

5, absorbent item as claimed in claim 3, wherein, described fiber with outer surface capillary channel be rolled in absorbent cores around.

6, absorbent item as claimed in claim 3, wherein said orientation with fiber of outer surface capillary channel are that their passage is extended upward at the Z that is parallel to this absorbent item basically.

7, absorbent item as claimed in claim 3, wherein, described fiber with outer surface passage is hydrophilic.

8, a kind of have one vertically, one laterally and Z to absorbent item, this absorbent item comprises

(a) top flat of a permeate fluid;

(b) one is fixed on liquid-tight egative film on this top flat along some substantially parallel potted lines at the longitudinal extension of this absorbent item; And

(c) some are positioned at top flat and egative film intermediate absorption core between those substantially parallel potted lines, and these absorbent cores are extended the entire longitudinal length of this absorbent item basically.

(d) some fibers that are positioned at top flat and the egative film centre between those substantially parallel potted lines and have the outer surface capillary channel.

9, absorbent item as claimed in claim 8, wherein, those substantially parallel potted lines are separated into a series of pleats with described absorbent item.

10, absorbent item as claimed in claim 8, the wherein said processed resultant yarn shape of fiber with outer surface capillary channel.

11, absorbent item as claimed in claim 8, wherein, described silvalin with capillary channel of outer surface is twisted.

12, absorbent item as claimed in claim 8, wherein, described fiber with capillary channel of outer surface loosely is rolled in around described those absorbent cores.

13, absorbent item as claimed in claim 8, wherein, described orientation with fiber of outer surface capillary channel be make its passage basically along the Z of absorbent item to extension.

14, absorbent item as claimed in claim 8, wherein, described capillary channel fiber is hydrophilic.

15, absorbent item as claimed in claim 14, wherein, described capillary channel fiber has H type lateral cross section.

16, a kind of have one vertically, one laterally and Z to absorbent item, this absorbent item comprises:

(a) top flat of a transflective liquid;

(b) liquid-tight egative film, this egative film is connected on the described top flat along some substantially parallel involution lines, and these involution lines are basically at longitudinal extension, so that form a series of pleats.

(c) some are positioned at the absorbent cores in the pleat between this top flat and the egative film; And

(d) some are positioned at the fiber with surperficial capillary channel in the pleat between this top flat and the egative film.

17, absorbent item as claimed in claim 16, wherein, described fiber with outer surface capillary channel is shaped as the yarn shape.

18, absorbent item as claimed in claim 16, wherein, described orientation with outer surface capillary channel fiber is to make its passage be arranged essentially parallel to the Z of this absorbent item to extension.

19, absorbent item as claimed in claim 16, wherein,

Described fiber with outer surface capillary channel by loose be rolled in described those absorbent cores around

20, absorbent item as claimed in claim 16, wherein, described to have outer surface fiber channel fiber be hydrophilic.