CN1372451A

CN1372451A - Embossed liner for absorbent article

Info

Publication number: CN1372451A
Application number: CN00812543A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·布拉维曼; M·I·阿利克汉; D·G·克罗特尔; M·A·达利; E·C·达梅; E·M·约翰斯; J·N·林顿; S·C·保罗; D·C·波茨; P·A·萨塞; E·G·瓦罗纳
Original assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Current assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Priority date: 1999-09-07
Filing date: 2000-08-14
Publication date: 2002-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-14
Also published as: MXPA02002447A; AU6904400A; WO2001017475A1; CN1212819C; KR20020025254A; JP2003508156A; BR0013678A; AU777296B2; ZA200201004B; EP1227778A1

Abstract

There is provided a liner for personal care products having at least two layers in face-to-face relation to one another and having at least one concave embossed feature, and preferably an array of such features. These concave features may have different confi gurations such as squares, diamonds, circles or artistic designs. In order to obtain the maximum benefit, however, they should have the necessary depth and distance between each other to allow fluid absorption and at the same time create a physical barrier for the fluid to reduce its spreading. The liner may be made of a combination of a top sheet material, surge layer, and absorbent core embossed together.

Description

The embossed liner of absorbent item

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to absorbable personal hygiene article.Especially it relates to disposable articles for use, and as the absorbent item of sanltary towel, diaper and training pants, wound health dressings and binder and adult-incontinence usefulness product, its liner with band improved surface characteristic is so that improve performance.

The background of invention

The common structure of disposable product has top sheet materials (being also referred to as cover plate), the tergite of absorbent cores and waterproof.Some can also have fluctuation layer or other special layers between top flat and absorbent cores.Here the structure that is called " liner " is a kind of compositions that faces one another of ground floor (top flat) and the second layer (fluctuation layer) at least that comprises.

The effect of top sheet materials, because it is the layer that contacts with wearer's body, make the wearer feel comfortable essential pliability when wearing this product so provide, and the more important thing is, it should have can absorb the fluidic architectural characteristic of discharging from wearer's body rapidly.Fast Absorption is very important to reducing the contamination of heavy that fluid flows to absorbing material periphery outside and carries out causing in wearer's clothes undesirable leakage.Absorbing material has the function that discharges institute's absorption fluids from top flat, and length, width and the thickness disperse fluid along absorbing material is preferably arranged and keep fluidic function.Top sheet materials is often made by the film of adhesive-bonded fabric or perforation.Described like that as people's such as people's such as Zelazoski United States Patent (USP) 5,536,555 and Majors United States Patent (USP) 5,704,101, can make the diaphragm of perforation to film top flat machine drilling with knurling rolls and backing roll.Transferring Procter ﹠amp; Can find the another kind of material that in this class is used, uses in the United States Patent (USP) 4,342,314 of Gamble company, in this patent, describe the vacuum membrana perforata.

Fluctuation layer great majority typically be inserted in top flat and another layer as scatter or keep between the layer and put into contact closely with top flat and fluid connection layer in.The common inner surface (leaving the wearer) of fluctuation layer in abutting connection with top flat.General hope will fluctuate layer above and/or under the surface connect top flat and following one deck respectively so that further increase the transmission of liquid.

The absorbent cores of using in personal hygiene article is made by paper pulp fiber or with the blended paper pulp fiber of super absorbing particles usually.These structures can also comprise the binder fibre that increases globality.

Industrial well-known, when the product of the typical fluid that is designed for the feminine hygiene products that absorbs impaired hygienic article and infant hygiene product, run into difficult challenge.In the infant hygiene product, consider to absorb urine and feces (BM) Excreta, and women sanitary articles mainly considers to absorb menstrual fluid.Because every kind of fluidic viscosity, density and composition has nothing in common with each other, concerning product designer, the absorption characteristic of the every kind of material that uses in the optimization final products of every type personal hygiene article all is different and challenge complexity.

A common ground is in all product designs, each should have the ability of rapid absorption fluids in them, and do not allow fluid to flow to outside the absorbent item periphery, keep fluid away from top flat and wearer's body simultaneously, so that the issuable wet sensation of the top flat that reduces to wet and may be to the stimulation of skin.Owing to these reasons, should develop the structure of any product by this way, make each assembly and other assembly work good so that make their application optimization.This means that absorbent cores should have the ability fast to discharge institute's assimilate and to have from top sheet materials to scatter and keep fluidic ability.

Balance required between pliability and fluid absorbency is satisfied in existing many patent attempts.For example the United States Patent (USP) 4,323,068 of Aziz is described the top sheet materials of the lobe that has rising, thereby improves aridity so that this surface and wearer's body are isolated.The United States Patent (USP) 4,041,951 of Sanford discloses a kind of top sheet materials, and it comprises many depressed areas, so that wearer's the skin and the humidity of absorbent item are isolated.But as United States Patent (USP) 4,323,068 is pointed, should shortcoming be arranged ' No. 951 invention, and it can not keep the essential structural integrity of material lobe after pressurization.The United States Patent (USP) 3,934,588 of Mesek is described the adhesive-bonded fabric top flat of being made by long and short fiber, and it provides the preferred runner of the zone of attenuation as absorption of fluids.People's such as Van Hout United States Patent (USP) 5,695,595 propositions are formed with the method for the material of many weakened regions, and weakened section is made of the shape for lugs that allows steam and steam permeable.People's such as Englebert United States Patent (USP) 4,741,941 is described the nonwoven nethike embrane that hollow bumps is arranged, and can be designed to the architectural characteristic that provides suitable, so that allow respiratory time fast.All above-mentioned lists of references are all represented to be necessary to improve the structure of top flat so that wearer's health is separated with disposable use articles for use, provide essential absorbability to make fluid promptly be sent to absorbent cores simultaneously.

But also need a kind of liner that is used for personal hygiene article, it will be in specified zone absorption fluids and can after adding pressure load, keep its globality also to keep its absorption characteristic simultaneously.A purpose of this invention provides a kind of structure of novelty, and it improves the height viscoelastic fluid, as menstruation or the fluidic absorption characteristic of feces (BM) with under stress can also keep its globality.

The summary of invention

Projects of invention have been reached with liner, the absorption characteristic of the surface raising porous material that liner will be by improving it.Ideal personal hygiene article will be a kind of like this, and will be fast when it can absorption fluids be sent to these articles for use as fluid, and can not allow fluid flow to outside the absorbent item periphery.But, owing to observe the fluid behaviour of various infringement articles for use difference is arranged, it is quite complicated selecting and design material used in the personal hygiene article.Therefore, the fluid absorption property of absorbent item is discussed in invention described herein, and this absorbent item uses surface modification can keep fluid and reduces possible leakage, also improves its absorption characteristic simultaneously.

The surface modification that absorbs for example menstruation of viscous fluid, urine and BM is at least one recess that embossing is arranged on composite construction, although preferably have one group of such recess.Here the composite construction that is called liner is the complex formed of ground floor (top flat) and the second layer (fluctuation layer) at least, and first and second layers face one another.Selectively can there be the 3rd layer, absorbed layer.In these assemblies any one can be more than one deck.Shown that embossing goes out the effect that recess has the best on the structure of being made up of separately top flat and fluctuation layer, thereby also be preferred.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 represents the example of one group of recess of liner of the present invention;

Fig. 2 represents another example of one group of recess of liner of the present invention;

Fig. 3 represents to have the profile of the two-layer complex of recess;

Each example of Fig. 4-10 expression women sanitary articles, they have the recess of various configurations on product.

Figure 11 represents to have the trilaminar embodiment of recess.

Figure 12 is the sketch map of block device of testing the speed, and this equipment is suitable for determining the fluid respiratory time of material or material system.

Definition

That " disposable use " abandoned after being included in once and using and do not plan to clean and re-use.

As used herein and used in claims, the meaning that term " comprises " is that can have concurrently or open-ended, and does not get rid of the additional element that does not have explanation, the component in the composition, or method step.

It is as used herein that term " adhesive-bonded fabric or nethike embrane " refers to the nethike embrane of miscellaneous single fiber or yarn texture like that, rather than as discernible mode used in the knit goods.In many ways, for example, meltblown, spun-bond process and sticking comb nethike embrane method have formed various adhesive-bonded fabrics or nethike embrane.The Unit Weight of adhesive-bonded fabric usually represent with the gram number (gsm) of the ounce number (osy) of every square yard of material or every square metre and useful fibre diameter generally with micron representing.(noting multiply by osy with 33.91) as converting osy to gsm.

" spun-bonded fibre " refers to the fiber of minor diameter, and it is the silk that comes out to form by molten thermoplastic material is pushed from the many meticulous pore of spinning head.For example, such method is disclosed in people's such as Appel United States Patent (USP) 4,340,563, people's such as people's such as Dorschner United States Patent (USP) 3,692,618, Matsuki United States Patent (USP) 3,802,817, the United States Patent (USP) 3,338 of Kinney, 992 and 3,341,394, the United States Patent (USP) 3 of Hartman, 502,763 and people's such as Dobo United States Patent (USP) 3,542,615 in.Fiber also can have unconventional shape, as 5,069,970 and 5,057,368 described fiber shapes people such as the United States Patent (USP) 5,466,410 of people's such as Hogle United States Patent (USP) 5,277,976, Hills and Largman.

" conjugate fibre " refers to the fiber by at least two kinds of polymer formation, and polymer is arranged in the cross section of fiber in the not same district of basic fixed and stretches continuously along the length of fiber.In people's such as people's such as people's such as Kaneko United States Patent (USP) 5,108,820, Strack No. 5,336,552, United States Patent (USP) and Pike United States Patent (USP) 5,382,400, conjugate fibre is proposed.

" sticking comb nethike embrane " refers to, the nethike embrane that the staple fiber of being sent by combing or carded device is made, carding apparatus separates staple fiber or separate and staple fiber is alignd in machine direction, thereby forms the fiber non-woven nethike embrane of orientation machine direction usually.The general bundled purchase of such fiber is put into opener/blender with fiber then, perhaps scutcher, and they are defibre before fiber is delivered to the carded device.In case the formation nethike embrane makes it bonding by one or more of several known adhesive bonding methods.If a kind of like this adhesive bonding method that uses is a powder-stuck, process is that powdery adhesive is spread in the nethike embrane, activates with the heating nethike embrane usually then and makes it bonding with hot-air.

Another kind of suitable adhesive bonding method is the embossing Method for bonding, wherein uses the calender roll or the ultrasound wave binding appts of heating, in partial bonding embossing fiber is bonded together usually, though if desired, nethike embrane also can be bonded together on its whole surface.HansenPennings or " HP " pattern of proposing in the United States Patent (USP) 3,855,046 that an example of embossing is Hansen and Pennings, this pattern have an appointment 30% the bond area and the 200 bounding point/square inches of having an appointment.The HP pattern has quadrate point or needle-like bonding zone, and wherein the side dimension of each pin is 0.038 inch (0.965mm), and distance is that 0.070 inch (1.778mm) and the bonding degree of depth are 0.023 inch (0.584mm) between the pin mark.The bond area of the pattern that obtains is about 29.5%.Another kind of typical some bonding patterns is Hansen Pennings or " EHP " bonding patterns that enlarges, and it produces 15% bond area.Also there are many other bonding patterns.Another kind of suitable and well-known adhesive bonding method, particularly useful when using the conjugation staple fiber, be bonding by air, thus with hot-air by nethike embrane make its at least the component of partial melting nethike embrane produce bonding.

" air lay " is well-known method, can form fibrous nonwoven layer by it.In the air lay method, length range is generally separated and is entrained in the air of supply to the fubril bundles of about 19 millimeters (mm) at about 3 millimeters, be deposited on the screen cloth of shaping under the help of vacuum feed usually then.Then make settled at random fiber bonded to each other with for example hot-air or spray adhesive.

" hole altogether " refers to a kind of complex, wherein (at least two kinds) thus material be together pore-forming produce hole by each layer extension.Between material by slight contact and/or tangle and/or infiltrate mutually and/or bonding generation interface.The degree at this interface or scope depend on the component of certain material and the condition of process.The structure of the fibers/films shape that the hole that extends through each layer produces by flowing by some of fusion and fiber is represented.

" personal hygiene article " refers to diaper, training pants, absorbent underwear, adult-incontinence articles for use, women sanitary articles, wound dressing articles for use such as binder and other articles for use.

" women sanitary articles " refers to sanitary towel or pad, tampon and trousers shape liner.

" target area " refers to zone or the position that the wearer discharges dirt usually on the personal hygiene article.

Test method

The piece inhalation test of testing the speed: use this test and determine that known quantity of fluid enters into the respiratory time of material and/or material system.As shown in Figure 12 test the speed piece 10 and intervalometer or stopwatch that testing equipment is made by transparent preferably acrylic acid are formed.Punch out the gasket material that will test 13, size is 4 inches * 4 inches (102mm * 102mm).(in special sample, describing the special liner that will test).Describe in these absorbent item 14 " test materials " below used in studying.

The piece 10 that tests the speed is 3 inches (76.2mm) wide and 2.87 inches (72.9mm) dark (in paper) and its 1.125 inches of whole height (28.6mm), it comprises the center 19 of piece at 10 ends of testing the speed, the center from the main body of the piece 10 that tests the speed to outer process and its height 0.125 inch (3.2mm) and 0.886 inch of width (22.5mm).It is the capillary tube 12 of 0.186 inch (4.7mm) that the piece 10 that tests the speed has internal diameter, and it tiltedly down to centrage 16, becomes 21.8 degree angles from a side 15 with horizontal line.Capillary tube 12 can begin to bore a suitable hole of size with suitable angle point of 0.726 inch (18.4mm) above the end of piece 10 of testing the speed from the side 15 of the piece 10 that tests the speed and form; But the boring starting point that is arranged on the side 15 must be plugged fully, thereby the fluid of test will can not spill therefrom.The diameter of apical pore 17 is 0.312 inch (7.9mm), and the degree of depth is 0.625 inch (15.9mm), thereby it and capillary tube 12 intersects.Apical pore 17 and its center vertical with the top of the piece 10 that tests the speed has 0.28 inch (7.1mm) from side 15.Put into funnel 11 in the apical pore 17.Centre bore 18 is to advance for viewing test is fluidic, and in fact it has the ellipse that enters into Figure 12 plane.Centre bore 18 is that the width at the piece 10 that tests the speed centers and 0.315 inch of its bottom outlet width (8mm), is that the length at semicircle center of oval each end of composition of 0.315 inch (8mm) is 1.50 inches (38.1mm) from the center to the diameter.In order to observe conveniently, ellipse 0.44 inch (11.2mm) above 10 ends of piece of testing the speed is located size and is expanded width 0.395 inch (10mm) and 1.930 inches of length (49mm) to.Apical pore 17 and centre bore 18 also can be made by boring.

The sample of testing is placed on the absorbent item 14 and the piece 10 that will test the speed is placed on the top of two kinds of materials.Be poured into 2 milliliters of artificial menses fluids that prepare below in the testing equipment funnel 11 and pick up counting.Fluid flow into the capillary tube 12 from funnel 11, and fluid is sent to material 13 or the material system at centre bore 18 centers there.Fluid generally scatters towards each end of centre bore 18 ellipses.As observed, when being absorbed in material or the material system, all fluids stop timing by the centre bore 18 in the piece 10 that tests the speed and capillary tube 12.Respiratory time to the test fluid of given material or material system record known quantity.This value is the absorbefacient measured value of material or material system.Lower respiratory time representative needs more absorption system.Every type sample stands 5 repeated trials and the result that will obtain on average tries to achieve a numerical value.

Wet test again: use this test and determine when adding load, will get back to the Fluid Volume of topsheet surface.The Fluid Volume of returning by the surface is called the rewetting value.Get back to the surface fluid many more, the rewetting value is big more, if get back to the surface the less rewetting value so of Fluid Volume less.Less rewetting value is with more exsiccant material thereby be that more exsiccant product is relevant.

After carrying out above-mentioned inhalation test, material system (top flat and absorbent item or top flat, fluctuation layer and absorbent item) is put into part is equipped with above the closing bag of saline solution, so that power is assigned in this system better.The fluid bag is put on the top of experiment jack.Two blotting paperes of weighing in advance are put into the top of material system.Rise bag with the experiment jack, material system and blotting paper are pressed onto fixed acrylic panel, are 1psi (pound/square inch) up to the gross pressure that adds.Keep this pressure 3 minutes, and then removed pressure and the blotting paper of weighing again.The difference that is recorded in weight after blotting paper initial weight and its test is as the rewetting value.Every type sample stands 5 repeated in experiments and the result that will obtain on average tries to achieve a numerical value.

Test flows away: (the material system sheet of 102mm * 102mm) is put on the acryhic material platform, and this has 20 ° inclination angle to take advantage of 4 inches with 4 inches.The pipette of service range sample 5mm is put into 1 milliliter artificial menses at the center of material system.Collect any fluid of flowing away from material system and remove the residual liquid of staying on the acryhic material platform with the gauze of weighing in advance with the plastic containers of weighing in advance.The Fluid Volume that gauze is absorbed adds the Fluid Volume collected in plastic containers value of flowing away exactly.The lower value of flowing away hints fluid absorbency preferably.Every type sample stands 5 repeated in experiments and the result that will obtain on average tries to achieve a numerical value.

Material thickness measuring (thickness)

The thickness measuring or the thickness of the material of representing with inch are at three kinds of different pressure: 0.05,0.20 and 0.50psi under measure, use Frazier spring model compressometer #326 that bulk tester (the Frazier precision instrument company of 2 inches (50.8mm) feet is arranged, 925 Sweeney Drive, Hagerstown, the Maryland State 21740).Every type sample stands 5 repeated in experiments and the result that will obtain on average tries to achieve a numerical value.

The preparation of artificial menses

Used in test artificial menses fluid is according to United States Patent (USP) 5,883,231 are made by blood and Ovum Gallus domesticus album, and by blood separation being become blood plasma and Red blood corpuscle and Ovum Gallus domesticus album is separated into thick and rare part, wherein the meaning of " thick " is that it has greater than at 150 seconds after homogenization ^-1The viscosity of about 20 centipoises combines condensed Ovum Gallus domesticus album also mixing fully and adds that at last Red blood corpuscle fully mixes once more with blood plasma down.More detailed step is as follows:

Centrifugalize blood is 30 minutes under the speed of 3000rpm (revolutions per minute), is the fibrin of removing Sanguis sus domestica in this example, though if effective method or speed and the time that also can use other.Isolate blood plasma and storage respectively, remove flaxen epidermal area and abandon, and also storage respectively of the Red blood corpuscle of piling up.Should note and to handle blood by some way, thereby can not condense its processing.Known the whole bag of tricks concerning the professional who is familiar with the present technique field, as blood is removed defibrinate so that remove agglomerative fibrous matter, with additive or anti-agglomeration chemical reagent etc.Blood must be incoagulable so that can use, and any method that can reach this purpose and can not damage blood plasma and Red blood corpuscle all is an acceptable.

Separate big egg, remove egg yolk and chalaza and egg white retained.Ovum Gallus domesticus album is separated into thick and rare part in about 3 minutes by Ovum Gallus domesticus album is filtered through 1000 microns nylon screen, loses rarer part.Collection rests on the screen cloth the condensed part of Ovum Gallus domesticus album and is pumped in the syringe of 60cc, then syringe is put on the programmable syringe pump, by extract out and the device that reinjects in fluid 5 times it is homogenized.Control the amount that homogenizes by about 100 ml/min of speed, the about 0.12 inch syringe pump of bore.The condensed Ovum Gallus domesticus album in back that homogenizes had at 150 seconds ^-1The viscosity of about 20 centipoises is put into centrifuge to rotate about 10 minutes under about 3000rpm speed then down, so that remove Organic substance residue and air bubble.

After centrifugal, the condensed Ovum Gallus domesticus album that homogenizes that will contain ovamucin is added to 300cc FENWAL  with syringe and transmits packing container.Then the 60cc porcine blood plasma is added to FENWAL  and transmits packing container.Clamp FENWAL  and transmit packing container, remove all air bubbles, put it in the Stomacher laboratory blender, mixed about 2 minutes with normal (or medium) speed there.Take off FENWAL  from blender then and transmit packing container, add the Red blood corpuscle of 60cc Sanguis sus domestica, with manually rubbed the interior thing of mixer about 2 minutes or in container thing demonstrate and homogenize.To the artificial menses of making according to this example, the hmatocrit of final mixture should indicate Red blood corpuscle content to be about 30% weight and usually should be at least in the scope of 28-32% weight.The Ovum Gallus domesticus album amount is 40% weight approximately.

Preparation artificial menses component utilized and equipment are easy to find.List the source of the article that use below.Though the article in other sources also can use they approximate be of equal value.

Blood (Sanguis sus domestica): Cocalico Biologicals company, 449 Stevens Rd., Reamstown, Pennsylvania 17567, (717) 336-1990.

Fenwal  transmits packing container, and 300ml has coupling, numbering 4R2014:BaxterHealthcare company, Fenwal Divisian, Deerfield, Illinois 60015.

Harvard equipment syringe pump model able to programme No.55-4143:Harvard equipment company, South Natick, Massachusetts 01760.

Stomacher 400 laboratory blender model No.BA 7021, series number No.31968:Seward Medical, London, England, Britain.

1000 microns screen clothes, Item Number No.CMN-1000-B:Swall Parts company, P.O. Box 4650, Miami lakes, Florida State 33014-0650,1-800-200-4242.

Measure the Hemata Stat-II device of haematocrit, series number No.1194Z03127:Separation Technology company, 1096 Rainer Drive, Altamont Springs, Florida State 32714.

Detailed description

In personal hygiene article, top sheet materials is to paste the layer of wearer's skin, so be the ground floor of contact wearer's drain and other discharge liquors.Top flat also is used as wearer's skin and remains on the isolation between the liquid in the absorbing structure, and it should adapt to, soft feel and non-stimulated.

Can use many materials to form the top flat of bodyside of the present invention, comprise the plastic foil of perforation, fabric, nonwoven nethike embrane, foamed materials and the analog of weaving.Have been found that non-woven material is especially suitable for use as top flat, comprise that the long filament of polyolefin, polyester, polyamide (or fiber of other similar formation polymer) forms spunbond or melt and spray nethike embrane, perhaps natural polymer (for example staple fibre or cotton fiber) and/or the fibroplastic sticking comb nethike embrane of synthetic polymer (for example, polypropylene or polyester).For example, top flat can be the spunbond nethike embrane of the nonwoven of synthetic polyacrylic fibres.The nonwoven nethike embrane can have at about 10 gram/m ²(gsm) to the interior Unit Weight of about 68.0gsm scope, particularly arrive about 42.0gsm at about 14.0gsm, bulk density or thickness range arrive about 1.0mm at about 0.13 millimeter (mm), particularly from 0.18mm to about 0.55mm, density is between about 0.025 gram/cubic centimetre (g/cc) and about 0.12g/cc, particularly between about 0.068g/cc and about 0.083g/cc.Also have, such nonwoven web permeability of the membrane can be from about 150 darcies (Darcy) to about 5000 darcies.The surface of nonwoven nethike embrane can be with the surfactant of selecting quantity, and 28% TRITON  X-102 surfactant is handled or additive method processing makes its wettability that required degree is arranged and hydrophilic according to appointment.If use certain surfactant to be applied on the nethike embrane, as spraying printing, brushing and similar method with any traditional method.For example, the nonwoven top flat is generally made by the staple fiber of combing, or makes from the long fibre of melt-spinning process.These nonwoven nethike embranes are often made by polyolefin or polyester and can are polypropylene and polyester or poly conjugate fibre, for example are provided with as sheath/core in different structures, arrange or the like shoulder to shoulder.Also can use the mixture of various fibers.These materials can be with different technology bondings so that provide essential mechanical integrity.Such method can comprise heat bonding or bonding by air, ultrasound wave is bonding or with latex or other binding agents are bonding, water or acupuncture are tangled, or the like.Usually, the top flat layer is to be connected to down one deck and tergite with hot melt or Emulsion binding agent or ultrasound wave or mechanical adhesion.

The layer that fluctuates is most typical to be to be inserted between top flat and another layer as distribution or the maintenance layer and to be inserted into the close fluid in contact of top flat to be communicated with.The fluctuation layer is usually directly under the inner surface (not exposing) of top flat.In order further to improve the transmission of liquid, surface above and/or under the fluctuation layer can be connected respectively to top flat and following one deck.Can use suitable conventional interconnection technique, (use water base including, but not limited to binding agent is bonding, the binding agent of solvent based and hot activation), bonding, the pin of heat bonding, ultrasound wave or nail perforation, and the combination above-mentioned or method of attachment that other are suitable.For example, if fluctuation layer is that added amount of binder should enough produce required bond degree with the adherent top flat of binding agent, and not excessively confined liquid from top flat flow into fluctuation layer.

Can use nethike embrane structure fluctuation layer various foamed materialss and weaving and nonwoven.For example, fluctuation layer can melting and spraying or nonwoven fabric layer that spunbond nethike embrane is formed by polyolefin filaments.Such nonwoven fabric layer can comprise conjugation, bi-component and homopolymer fibre and the such fiber and the mixture of other types fiber of short fiber or other length.The fluctuation layer also can be natural and/or the sticking comb nethike embrane or the air lay of synthetic fibers composition.For example, sticking comb nethike embrane can be a powder-stuck combing nethike embrane, infrared bonded carded nethike embrane, or by air bonded carded nethike embrane.Sticking comb nethike embrane can selectively comprise mixture of different fibers or admixture, and the fibre length in the nethike embrane of selecting can be at about 3mm to about 60mm scope.Exemplary fluctuation layer can have Unit Weight at least about 0.50 ounce per square yard (about 17g/m ₂), under 68.9 Pascals (Pa) pressure, density is at least about 0.010 gram/cm ², thickness is at least about 1.0mm under 68.9Pa pressure, and caliper recovery is at least about 75%, and permeability about 500 is to about 5000 darcies, and the surface area of per unit voidage is at least about 20cm ²/ cm ³Fluctuation layer can be made up of hydrophobic substantially material, and this hydrophobic material wettability and hydrophilic to give desired level with surfactant or additive method processing selectively.The fluctuation layer can have roughly homogeneous thickness and cross section.At people's such as Dodge United States Patent (USP) 5,879,343 and 5,820, can find exemplary fluctuation material in 973.

It is preferred having one group of recess in practice of the present invention.These recesses can have different configurations, as square, and diamond, circle or the design that beautifies.But in order to obtain maximum benefit, the degree of depth that the preferred arrangement of recess should be necessary and the distance between the recess are so that the barrier layer that allows absorption of fluids and form physics simultaneously is used for keeping fluid and reduces its distribution.Design these recessed structures by this way, make it that fluidic interim storage tank is provided, allow the speed admitting fluid of top flat, and can not make liquid distribution with it.Existing product does not have this recess, has the material of low respiratory time to allow fluid scatter in unsettled path often in use.

Though openly described the method that produces these results here, concerning the professional who is familiar with the present technique field, can advise obtaining the another kind of method of identical result.A kind of method that obtains this kinds of structures is to use the calender roll device of knurling rolls and the female roller of coupling.Want improved material to send into by the roll gap of calender roll system simultaneously.With the heating and the pressurization (perhaps ultrasound wave) embossing permanently goes out recess to material.Such method can be off-line operation or can be to merge in the production line.

In another aspect of this invention, by can economical with materials in the target area that narrow fluctuation layer distinguishingly is put into product.This is meant that fluctuation (second) layer will be than top flat (first) layer narrow at least 1/3rd.

It is preferred that the material that is used to produce structure of the present invention has the fusion compatibility." the fusion compatibility " this means that material only can link together by heating or by heating and pressurization.Can not can link together with other method by the compatible material of fusion, for example by tangling or passing through to use binding agent.

When using can fusion compatible material, complex obtains high mechanical strength after the embossing, and this wishes for the globality that in use keeps material.Not that material is not that fusion is compatible in the illustrated embodiments, can use hot melt or emulsion binder method instead so that each layer is bonding.

Except surfactant, can apply other chemical treatment to material of the present invention.Make the user increase a processing that the aspect is " skin care " of interest, Aloe for example, many people believe that this has positive effect to skin health.At other skin care reagent known in the art.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention had pull-in value less than 40 seconds, and the rewetting value is less than 0.35 gram, and the value of flowing away is less than 0.50 gram, and thickness reduces less than 50% under pressure.

Test material and preparation

The material of the present invention that is used for demonstrating is as follows:

The top flat layer of adhesive-bonded fabric is to be made by spun-bond process by the polypropylene fibre of 3.5dpf (danier), 0.6osy (20.3gsm), this fiber contains the titanium dioxide (product code 41438 of 8% weight, Ampacet company, 660 White Plains Rd., Tarrytown, New York), and with the wettable surfactant of AHCOVEL  Base N-62 (the ICI Surfactant company of 0.3% weight, Wilmington, Delaware, the U.S.) handle.This fabric has HP type bonding patterns, although the bonding patterns of selecting is not crucial to function of the present invention.

The fluctuation layer is to be made by the air bonded carded nethike embrane that passes through of polypropylene, polyethylene (PP/PE) sheath-core conjugate fibre of 100% weight, and it has 6dpf, 0.7osy (23.7gsm) band HR 6 finishing agents, buys from the Chisso company (fiber portion) of Japanese Osaka.

This absorbent item is to use 250gsm according to the air lay method, 90% weight Coosa0054 paper pulp and 10% weight Kosa (preceding Trexira company and more preceding Hoechst-Celanese company) T-255 fiber binder is made, and density 0.14g/cc (unless otherwise) is arranged.

Use hot press model OK 380, be positioned at 3416 Cantrell, Practix RDAC, Worth, the Practix MFG company of the Georgia State 30101 is on sale, extrudes recess on material.Used temperature is that 177 ℃ of 15 seconds (350) time of staying and pressure are 50psi on hot plate.

Make two groups for this test and different apertures arranged but the plate of the identical protruding/recessed structure of the degree of depth:

Plate 1 has one group of projection and hole, and the diameter of each projection is 4.5mm and separates 1mm from each hole.There is the volume and the 3mm degree of depth of 0.05cc in each hole.The material that this plate 1 is produced will have so-called " recess 1 ".

Plate 2 has one group of projection and hole, and the diameter of each projection is 8.5mm and separates 1mm from each hole.There is the degree of depth of volume and the 3mm of 0.18cc in each hole.The material that this plate 2 is produced will have so-called " recess 2 ".

Example

For the fluid absorption property of the every kind of material of demonstrating, evaluate the matrix of testing below with the suction of describing in the previous section, rewetting and the test that flows away.

1-is the top flat of nonwoven fabric, no embossing.

2-is the top flat of nonwoven fabric, embossing recess 1.

3-is the top flat of nonwoven fabric, embossing recess 2.

The nonwoven fabric top flat of 4-on the fluctuation layer, no embossing.

The nonwoven fabric top flat of 5-on the fluctuation layer, compositions adopts the embossing of recess 1.

The nonwoven fabric top flat of 6-on the fluctuation layer, compositions adopts the embossing of recess 2.

The nonwoven fabric top flat of 7-on absorbent cores, compositions adopts recess 1 embossing.

The nonwoven fabric top flat of 8-on absorbent cores, compositions adopts recess 2 embossing.

The nonwoven fabric top flat of 9-on fluctuation layer and absorbent cores, compositions adopts the embossing of recess 1.

The nonwoven fabric top flat of 10-on fluctuation layer and absorbent cores, compositions adopts the embossing of recess 2.

The nonwoven fabric top flat of 11-on fluctuation layer and absorbent cores, compositions adopts the embossing of recess 2.Absorbent cores density is 0.06g/cc.

Recess (adaptable place) by embossing is bonded together to produce the structure of improving the surface.Use aforesaid absorbent cores to test all materials.

From the results are shown in the table 1 that the testing of materials obtains.

Table 1

Material	Respiratory time (second)	Rewetting value (gram)	The value of flowing away (gram)
Material	Respiratory time (second)	Rewetting value (gram)	The value of flowing away (gram)	????1	????55	????0.226	????0.83
????2	????47	????0.274	????0.57	????1	????55	????0.226	????0.83
????2	????47	????0.274	????0.57	????3	????47	????0.288	????0.68
????4	????49	????0.108	????0.80	????3	????47	????0.288	????0.68
????4	????49	????0.108	????0.80	????5	????28	????0.310	????0.24
????6	????14	????0.154	????0.02	????5	????28	????0.310	????0.24

From table 1, as seen, improved the absorbability of convection cell by the surface of improving complex.Add that under top sheet materials fluctuation layer increases a fluid absorbency, reduced its rewetting value greatly, this is the result of the additional capacity that provides of the fluctuation material of separate absorbent cores and top sheet materials.Satisfy this rewetting value of inventing the material that requires less than 0.40gms with preferably less than 0.35gms.

When recess is added to composite pad structure (top flat/fluctuation layer), obviously reduce to see the raising of fluid absorption property by the respiratory time that obtains in the test.The material that satisfies this invention requirement has respiratory time less than 50 seconds with preferably less than 40 seconds.

As seen, the voidage of recess and the performance of material have direct relation from the result.Though recess 1 has relatively demonstrated improvement, the feature performance benefit that it does not provide recess 2 to give with the composite of monolayer spunbonded materials and no embossing.

Improved another characteristic of this invention is to have reduced the fluidic value of flowing away.Except recess, add that the fluctuation layer can reduce the motion of fluid in absorbing material significantly, within the periphery of absorbent item structure, keep higher fluid to weigh.This effect only can not obtain by the not embossed combination of top flat and fluctuation material, because there is not the barrier layer of physics.Satisfying material that this invention requires has less than the value of flowing away of 0.60gms and is preferably less than the value of flowing away of 0.50gms.

Following Example describe to the absorption system that comprises top flat and absorbing material add upper recess effect and with comprise top flat, fluctuation layer and absorbing material embossing systematic comparison together.

Table 2

Material	Respiratory time (second)	Rewetting value (gram)	The value of flowing away (gram)
Material	Respiratory time (second)	Rewetting value (gram)	The value of flowing away (gram)	????1	????55	????0.226	????0.83
????7	????67	????0.290	????0.63	????1	????55	????0.226	????0.83
????7	????67	????0.290	????0.63	????8	????27	????0.30	????0.53
????9	????75	????0.15	????0.60	????8	????27	????0.30	????0.53
????9	????75	????0.15	????0.60	????10	????70	????0.168	????0.58
????11	????31	????0.376	????0.36	????10	????70	????0.168	????0.58

Seen at table 2, the result shows that air lay has the absorbent cores of high density (0.14g/cc) than single-layer system slower respiratory time to be arranged.Believe that this is the result who increases owing to absorbed layer compactness, this can make the absorption of fluids that enters into absorbed layer slack-off.The example 9 of spunbond layer/fluctuation layer/absorbed layer and 10 and the similar example 5 and 6 that do not have an absorbed layer relatively, know that very it also is this effect that the respiratory time increase is believed.In any case, in all examples, have the sample of recess and flat systematic comparison all to show the lower value of flowing away.It seems that a method improving slow respiratory time is to use the lower absorbent cores of density before embossing, seen at example, use the 0.06g/cc absorbent item to obtain respiratory time and the minimum value of flowing away faster.

As seen, selecting of top flat, fluctuation layer and absorbing material has important effect to improved topsheet structures functional from these data.Add that upper recess provides stable structure more but absorption functional that may damage this system to above-mentioned three layers, this depends on the material of selection.Type and concentration by regulating closely knit degree and surfactant can make the absorption system optimization to special application.

To the common requirement of this class material structure be it after using, perhaps after product has been produced and packed, keep the ability of its globality.Usually, in order to optimize the space that product occupies on shelf, maker is always selected product or two folding or three foldings, thereby adds highly compressed load on product.For this reason, in the assessment of having carried out thickness loss under different pressures on the different samples.The results are shown in the table 3 of this assessment.

Table 3

Material	Material is thickness measuring (inch) under 0.05 psi pressure	Material is thickness measuring (inch) under 0.20 psi pressure	Material is thickness measuring (inch) under 0.50 psi pressure	With percentage ratio represent 0.05 and 0.50psi pressure under the difference of thickness measuring
Material					????1	????0.055	????0.049	????0.040	????-27
????2	????0.060	????0.0354	????0.011	????-81	????1	????0.055	????0.049	????0.040	????-27
????2	????0.060	????0.0354	????0.011	????-81	????3	????0.042	????0.018	????0.014	????-66
????4	????0.075	????0.063	????0.055	????-27	????3	????0.042	????0.018	????0.014	????-66
????4	????0.075	????0.063	????0.055	????-27	????5	????0.068	????0.060	????0.050	????-26
????6	????0.052	????0.040	????0.026	????-50	????5	????0.068	????0.060	????0.050	????-26
????6	????0.052	????0.040	????0.026	????-50	????10	????0.098	????0.087	????0.081	????-17

Table 3 is illustrated in the single spunbond top flat and adds recess produce reducing of material thickness when adding load.This effect is because the embossing recess of hollow is easy to lose its globality when adding load, thereby reduces the ability that it handles absorption of fluids.Opposite with it, there is the loss amount of system's thickness when application of load of top flat and fluctuation layer to reduce.

As seen, the structure of being made together by top flat, fluctuation layer and absorbent cores demonstrates thickness loss value minimum in all samples from table 3.This is the improvement owing to the structure that this method obtained, and the fiber binder of air lay, top flat and fluctuation layer improve together in the method, have produced stable structure.Satisfy material that this invention requires 0.05 and 0.5psi pressure between the thickness measuring loss less than 60%, preferably less than 50%.

Forward accompanying drawing now to, can see that in aim of the present invention and intention many possible recess configurations can be arranged in product.Fig. 1 and 2 is the figure of expression material, and a kind of two-layer material has the recess 1 of different size among the figure.Fig. 3 represents drawing in side sectional elevation two-layer composition and that the material of recess 1 is arranged.The various configurations of the women sanitary articles that Fig. 4-10 expression the present invention has.

In Fig. 4, recess 1 is the periphery around product inside 2.Fig. 5 represents that recess 1 only is arranged in the target area 3 of product.Fig. 6 represents that recess 1 has design that beautify or " irregular " in the target area 3 that slightly enlarges.Fig. 7 represents that recess 1 is arranged in the parallel structure of unimaginative row.Fig. 8 represents to have the feminien hygiene pad of the recess 1 that is arranged to random pattern.Fig. 9 is illustrated in the pattern of the recess 1 that layout is big and little in the single product.Figure 10 represents the capable structure of recess, and wherein each recess is all very little.Figure 11 represents trilaminar material, goes out recess 1 according to embossing of the present invention.

Can change aspect the spacing of the recess of this invention between size, the degree of depth, shape and recess.The diameter of this recess can preferably arrive in the 20mm scope and the preferred 8mm that is about 3 greatly to 10cm.The degree of depth can be deep to 20mm, preferably 1 and 10mm between, preferred about 3mm.Spacing between recess will depend on required effect.The recess of close arrangement will provide more effective fluid barrier properties, reduce liquid and move out liner.Each recess also can contact, thereby their mutual fluid connection promotions are in the motion of liner inner fluid like this.But the layout of recess depends on their shape, is preferred in that the spacing between about 0.5 to 10mm is arranged between the edge of recess.

Recess with difformity and/or size can prepare each embodiment of the present invention.Do like this and can be pure aesthstic reason or can be in the zones of different of personal hygiene article, to produce different absorption characteristics.For example under the situation of diaper, it is to accept urine and BM, and the pattern of less recess can be incorporated into the zone that most probable in the product is accepted urine, and the pattern of big recess can be incorporated into that most probable in the product accepts also may be the zone of rare BM sometimes.Perhaps, recess can only be added to the target area or the center of product, and possible result is the distribution that reduces ejection.Also have another alternative position, recess can only be positioned on the periphery of product, and possible result prevents that fluid from flowing to outside the product.Can design the combination of such recess so that improve the performance and the protective of entire product.Fluid to be processed and the effect that will reach are depended in accurate dimensions, position etc.Also have another displaced embodiment can comprise that wherein each layer all is the liner in common hole as top flat and fluctuation layer.Common hole like this can be made in the pattern, makes porose at the end of each recess.The placement of various processing such as surfactant or skin care chemical reagent also can change, for example only they are put into the end of each recess or only be coated in liner below.Also having another method that promotes fluid to flow in the recess is that fiber is put in each recess perpendicular to the plane of material.Thereby this fiber can guide fluid to enter recess reduces the probability that liquid flows away from this product.

The professional that the present technique field is familiar with can understand, and the present invention makes various changes and modification will be considered to be within these professionals' the limit of power.The inventor plans such variation and modification are all put under within the category of the present invention.

Claims

1. the liner of a personal hygiene article comprises the ground floor and the second layer, and the relation that described two-layer one-tenth faces one another also has at least one embossing recess.

2. liner as claimed in claim 1 has one group of discrete recess.

3. liner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said one group of discrete recess have at least one recess perpendicular to the fiber on the described layer direction.

4. liner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first and second layers by being bonded together someway, this method from comprise with binding agent, machinery, twine, heat with a hyperacoustic group of methods select.

5. liner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first and second layers is that fusion is compatible.

6. liner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ground floor are handled with wettable surfactant.

7. liner as claimed in claim 6, wherein said recess each all have the end and described ground floor to handle with wettable surfactant on the end of each described recess.

8. liner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ground floor are handled with the skin care chemical reagent.

9. liner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ground floor comprise the nonwoven nethike embrane of being made by polyolefine fiber.

10. liner as claimed in claim 8, wherein said polyolefin is a polypropylene.

11. liner as claimed in claim 2 also is included in the hole in the described ground floor.

12. liner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first and second layers has been common hole.

13. liner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ground floor is to be made by film, uses the method perforation of selecting from a group of methods that comprises vacuum perforation and machine drilling.

14. liner as claimed in claim 2, the wherein said second layer comprise the sticking comb nethike embrane of polyolefine fiber, use the method for selecting, heat bonding bonding by air from comprising and the adherent group of methods of binding agent to carry out bonding.

15. liner as claimed in claim 13 also comprises conjugate fibre.

16. liner as claimed in claim 2, the wherein said second layer is more wettable than described ground floor.

17. liner as claimed in claim 2, the wherein said second layer comprises foamed materials.

18. liner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said recess is positioned at the target area.

19. liner as claimed in claim 2, its pull-in value was less than 50 seconds.

20. liner as claimed in claim 2, its rewetting value is less than 0.40 gram.

21. liner as claimed in claim 2, its value of flowing away is less than 0.60 gram.

22. liner as claimed in claim 2, its thickness measuring loss under pressure is less than 60%.

23. liner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said recess has the diameter less than 10cm.

24. liner as claimed in claim 2, wherein said recess has the degree of depth less than 20mm.

25. a feminien hygiene pad comprises the described fabric of claim 2.

26. a diaper comprises the described fabric of claim 2.

27. an adult-incontinence product comprises the described fabric of claim 2.

28. the liner of a personal hygiene article, it comprises the ground floor and the second layer, the relation that described two-layer one-tenth faces one another also has one group of discrete embossing recess, the pull-in value of wherein said liner was less than 40 seconds, the rewetting value is less than 0.35 gram, the value of flowing away less than 0.50 gram and under pressure thickness measuring lose less than 50%.

29. personal hygiene article as claimed in claim 27, the wherein said second layer are narrower by 1/3rd than described ground floor at least.