CZ2000645A3 - Disposable absorption article with enhanced storage of human wastes - Google Patents

Abstract

The disposable absorbent article of the diaper (20) has a first an upper layer (24) having apertures for passing the fecal material low viscosity to the fecal material storage portion (25). This fecal material storage portion (25) immobilizes the faecal material material in position due to drainage, so liquid components fecal material is absorbed by the core (28) and solid the components of the faecal material are separated from the liquid components. This arrangement allows after removal of contaminated disposable absorbent article to make it easier to clean wearer.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles, such as diapers and adult incontinence articles, and more particularly to articles that can retain low viscosity faecal material from the wearer's skin to reduce leakage and facilitate wear of the wearer after being the soiled absorbent article is removed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable absorbent articles such as diapers and adult incontinence articles are well known in the art. These disposable absorbent articles collect and contain urine and faecal material secreted into them by the wearer.

To date, most of the prior art attempts to handle urine and faecal material collected and retained in a disposable absorbent article have been directed to urine management. The handling of the faecal material collected by the disposable absorbent article is simply more difficult than the urine, due to the complex rheology of the low-viscosity faecal material.

An example of the prior art urine treatment technique is several attempts to provide disposable absorbent articles having a first upsheet facing the wearer ' s body and a secondary topsheet below the first topsheet that either absorbs urine or transfers it to the underlying core for storage disposable absorbent article with the wearer removed.

The first topsheet and the secondary topsheet typically have different material properties. The secondary topsheet may have a smaller pore size than the first topsheet to facilitate urine transfer through the topsheet. The first topsheet may be hydrophobic and more flexible when wetted than the secondary topsheet so that fluids pass through the topsheet into the secondary topsheet.

In yet another prior art experiment, the disposable absorbent article has a first topsheet, a secondary topsheet, and a core. The secondary topsheet consists essentially of meltblown hydrophilic fibers and has a pore size greater than that of the core. This arrangement allegedly allows the secondary topsheet to rapidly receive multiple doses of urine and distribute the fluid in the X-Y plane prior to its absorption by the core. In yet another experiment, it has been reported that an increased capacity of the vertical urine leakage capability was achieved by using puffed cellulose fibers without surface treatment or which are cross-linked to each other.

In yet another attempt of the prior art, an absorbent core suitable for receiving and retaining fluids such as urine, in particular in an efficient and effective manner, comprises multiple layers. The first layer closest to the wearer comprises a hydrophilic fibrous material and has a receiving zone with a relatively lower average density than other portions of the layer for rapid uptake of exuded fluids. Underneath the first layer is a fluid management layer comprising a resilient material of low density and high porosity that is insensitive to moisture to rapidly receive doses of fluid through the acquisition zone and distribute them through itself into the storage layer. The storage layer comprises a combination of fibrous material with discrete (discrete) particles of absorbent gelling material and allows the fluid-handling layers to drain the fluids it has collected so that it has sufficient

• the capacity to receive and distribute subsequent consecutive fluids.

Examples of these prior art experiments include US Patents: 4,047,531, issued September 13, 1977 to Karami; No. 4,798,603, issued Jan. 17, 1989 to Meyer et al; 5,037,409, issued August 6, 1991 to Chen et al; No. 5,124,197, issued June 23, 1992 to Bernardin et al; and 5,134,007, issued July 28, 1992 to Reising et al.

However, absorbent gelling materials are now well known in the prior art for their ability to handle urine. Absorbent gelling materials are polymeric materials capable of absorbing large quantities of liquids such as urine and retaining them at moderate pressures. The effectiveness of the absorbent gelling materials is entirely dependent upon the form, position, and weight percent of the absorbent gelling material incorporated in the core of the disposable absorbent article.

Recently, attempts have been made in the art to provide absorbent gelling materials having the ability to swell under pressure. These teachings claim to provide the advantage that absorbent gelling materials absorb fluid at the actual pressures exerted by the body when worn. Yet others teach that they provide absorbent gelling materials having a particularly high level of puffing and absorbency under load. The putative advantages of these materials are a lower volume and weight with approximately the same absorption capacity, the ability to rapidly absorb secreted fluid under pressures typically applied during use, and the ability to retain absorbed fluid under pressures typically applied during use.

Examples of such prior art experiments include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,147,234, issued September 15, 1992 to Kellenberger; and 5,149,335, issued September 22, 1992 to Kellenberger et al.

However, all of these attempts to manage urine do little, if any, to improve the handling of low viscosity faecal material that may also be present in disposable absorbent articles. Attempts to handle faecal material include providing a first topsheet that conforms closely to the wearer and has a certain opening that is

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0000 0000 wannabe with an anal opening so that the faecal material passes through it into the void. The first topsheet may comprise various elastic portions to conform closely to the wearer's skin and / or may have linear elastic strands. In the prior art, improvements have been made in this regard, such as optimizing the properties of the first topsheet materials, which makes the first topsheet more comfortable to wear and allows a single disposable absorbent article to fit a larger range of user sizes.

In the prior art, further attempts have been made in this field to provide an absorbent core with an aperture therein for receiving fecal material. The aperture may be crushed to be longer and narrower than the aperture in the first topsheet or may be rhombic. The opening in the core may be located below the opening having elastic strips around its edge.

Improvements of this kind of prior art disposable absorbent articles also include the addition of ro :;

The spacer members may be positioned between the first support portions, the topsheet, and the core to ensure the presence of free space to receive fecal material.

Still other prior art attempts have been made in this regard to provide barriers restricting the movement of faeces to separate portions of the disposable absorbent article. Barriers limit fecal material contact to a smaller skin size of the wearer than comparable disposable absorbent articles without such barriers.

Still other attempts of the prior art provide barrier leg cuffs that extend from the plane of the topsheet. The barrier leg cuffs prevent the faeces from passing through the perimeter of the disposable absorbent article.

Examples of such fecal material handling attempts include U.S. Patent 4,892,536, issued January 9, 1990 to DesMarais et al; U.S. Patent 4,909,803, issued March 20, 1990 to Aziz et al; U.S. Patent 4,968,312, issued November 6, 1990 to Khan; commonly assigned U.S. Patent 4,990,147, assigned

February 5, 1991, Freeland; commonly assigned U.S. Patent 5,037,416, issued August 6, 1991 to Allen et al; U.S. Patent 5,062,840, issued November 5, 1991 to Holt et al .; commonly assigned U.S. Patent 5,171,236, issued December 15, 1992 to Dreier et al; and European Patent Application 0 355 740 A2, published February 28, 1990, for Enloe.

However, none of these attempts to regulate faecal material solves the problem of low-viscosity faecal material that is prevalent in younger children, especially infants. Low viscosity faecal material easily migrates within the disposable absorbent article under the influence of gravity and movement and / or wearer pressure.

Movement of the faecal material often pushes it to the periphery of the disposable absorbent article and increases the likelihood of leakage. Fecal movement also smears them on the wearer's skin, making it more difficult to clean. To facilitate cleaning, the caregiver must wipe the entire area of skin that has contacted the faecal material and usually must do so on a relatively large contaminated area.

One serious attempt in the art to control low-viscosity fecal material is found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 077,713, filed Jun. 11, 1993, on behalf of Roe. The present invention is a disposable absorbent article having a first high penetration layer overlying the secondary topsheet with less penetration of the topsheet.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable absorbent article that limits leakage of fecal material from the disposable absorbent article and minimizes the amount of low viscosity fecal material remaining on the wearer's skin after the disposable absorbent article is removed. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a disposable absorbent article that divides the faecal material into components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a disposable absorbent article, such as

β of the diaper. The disposable absorbent article comprises a liquid pervious first topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet at least partially circumferentially attached to the first layer, and a portion of the faecal material deposit between the first topsheet and the backsheet. The fecal material storage portion may be absorbent or non-absorbent and may either be incorporated into or separate from the absorbent core. Preferably, a portion of the faecal material deposit is attached to less than 50 percent of the surface area of the first topsheet.

The disposable absorbent article has a topsheet penetration of at least 0.20 grams per square inch (about 6.45 cm ² ) at a differential pressure of 0.071 lbs (about 32.2 grams) per square inch (about 6.45 cm ² ) on a surface area of at least 30 square inches (about 193.5 cm ² ), and preferably on an area of at least about 45 square inches (about 290.2 cm ² ). The minimum and preferred surface areas decrease in inverse proportion to increasing the topsheet penetration capacity.

If the disposable absorbent article further comprises an absorbent core, this may be sandwiched between the first topsheet and the backsheet, and preferably between the faecal material storage portion and the backsheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the description in question is completed by the claims emphasizing and clearly claiming the invention, it is believed that it will be more readily understood from the following drawings taken in conjunction with the accompanying description in which the same designations are used to designate like parts and in which:

Giant. 1 is a plan view of a partially sectioned embodiment of a disposable article of the present invention.

Giant. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the relationship of the first topsheet, the faecal material deposition portion, and the core.

Giant. 3 is an elevational view of an apparatus that can be used to measure the capacity of a disposable absorbent article.

φ · »· * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ··· ·· · * ·· ··

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Giant. 4 is a plan view of an absorbent portion of a fecal material storage for use in a diaper according to the present invention.

Giant. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term absorbent article refers to devices for absorbing and retaining body exudates and, more particularly, devices that are positioned directly adjacent to or adjacent to the wearer's body to absorb and retain various body exuded exudates. The term disposable is used herein to describe products that are not expected to be washed or otherwise recovered or reused (ie that are expected to be discarded after a single use and preferably recycled, composted, or otherwise in a manner compatible with the protection of the environment). A unitary absorbent article refers to articles formed from separate parts joined together to form a coordinated entity so that they do not require separate manipulative parts, such as a separate holder or cover. A preferred embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention is the unitary disposable absorbent article, diaper 20 shown in FIG. 1. As used herein, the term diaper refers to an absorbent article generally worn by infants and incontinent persons and worn around the lower torso of the wearer.

Giant. 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in its balanced, unsatisfactory state (ie, with the contraction-inducing elastic pulled out), with portions of the structure being cut to more clearly illustrate the respective assembly of the diaper 20 and the diaper portion 20 that is facing facing toward or contacting the wearer, the inner surface facing the viewer. As shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 20 preferably comprises a liquid pervious first topsheet 24; a liquid-impermeable backsheet 26 associated with the first ' 4444

4444 4444 topsheet 24; a liquid pervious portion 25 of storing fecal material between the first topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26; and optionally an absorbent core 28 disposed between the faecal material storage portion 25 and the backsheet 26. Either the core 28, the discrete portion, or the connections thereof, may function as the faecal material storage portion 25 so that the diaper 20 has the topsheet penetration capacity described below. The diaper 20 may further include elasticized side panels (not shown); elasticized leg cuffs (not shown); elastic waist (not shown); and the tape tab fastening system generally referred to as 36.

The diaper 20 in FIG. 1, the first waist region 27, juxtaposed with the wearer ' s front when worn, a second waist region 29, opposed to the first waist region 27 and juxtaposed with the wearer ' s back while wearing the diaper, a crotch region 31 positioned between the first 27 and second waist regions 29, and a circumference that is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 20 and wherein the longitudinal edges are labeled 33 and the end edges are labeled 35. The inner surface of the diaper 20 comprises that portion of the diaper 20 that is worn adjacent the body of the wearer (i.e. the surface is formed by at least a portion of the first topsheet 24 and other components attached to the first topsheet 24). The outer surface includes that portion of the diaper 20 that is positioned when worn from the wearer's body (i.e., the outer surface is generally formed by at least a portion of the backsheet 26 and other components attached to the backsheet 26).

Giant. 2 depicts a diaper 20 in which the first topsheet 24 and backsheet 26 have overall length and width dimensions greater than the absorbent core 28. The first topsheet 24 and backsheet 26 extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 28 to form the periphery of the diaper Alternatively, the fecal material storage portion 25 may or may not extend beyond the edges of the core 28 and be joined to the backsheet 26 to form the periphery of the diaper 20 and the first topsheet 24 smaller than or coextensive with the core 28. Although the first topsheets may be layer 24, fecal material storage portion 25, bottom layer 26, and core •

28, assembled in a variety of well known configurations, preferred diaper arrangements are generally described in U.S. Patent 3,860,003 entitled Retractable Side Parts of Disposable Diaper, issued to Kenneth B. Buell on April 14, 1975; and in U.S. Patent 5,151,092, an absorbent article with a dynamic elastic waist feature with a pre-arranged flexible flexural hinge, granted to Kenneth B. Buell on September 29, 1992; both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The absorbent core 28 may be any absorbent means generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and certain other body exudates. As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent core 28 has a garment area, a body area, side edges and waist edges. The absorbent core 28 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, hourglass, T, asymmetric, etc.) and a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles such as for example, pulverized wood pulp, commonly referred to as airborne pulp. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include crepe cellulose wadding, fused meltblown polymers including coform, chemically stiffened, treated or crosslinked cellulose fibers, tissue comprising tissue paper webs and laminates, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials, or any equivalent materials, or combinations thereof.

Also, the arrangement and assembly of the absorbent core 28 may be different (for example, the absorbent core 28 may have different palpability zones, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or a lower average density and lower average basis weight acquisition zone, or may include one or more layers or structures ). However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 should be compatible with the intended loading and use of the diaper. Further, the respective size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core may be varied to be

0000 0000 adapted to wearers ranging from infants to adults.

Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core 28 are described in US Patent 6,610,678 entitled High Density Absorbent Structures, issued to Weisman et al. on September 9, 1986; in U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,402 entitled Absorbent Articles with Dual-Layered Cores, issued to Weisman et al. on June 16, 1987; U.S. Patent 4,888,231, entitled Dust Absorbent Core, issued to Angstadt on December 19, 1989; and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735, High Density Absorbent Elements having lower density and lower basis weight acquisition zones, issued to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989. All of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.

The backsheet 26 is positioned adjacent the garment facing surface of the absorbent core 28 and is preferably attached thereto by attachment means (not shown) well known in the art. As used herein, the term "bonded" includes those arrangements where an element is directly attached to the other element, by attaching the element directly to the other element, and a configuration by which the element is indirectly attached to the other element, by connecting the element. element to the intermediate portion (s), which in turn is connected to the second element.

For example, the backsheet 26 may be attached to the absorbent core 28 by a uniform, continuous layer of adhesive, its patterned layer, or by grouping it into separate lines, spirals, or points of adhesive. Adhesives produced by Η were found to be satisfactory. B. Fuller Company Paul, Minnesota under the trade name HL-1258. Preferably, the attachment means will comprise an open pattern adhesive web of fibers as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,573,986 entitled Disposable Body Exudate Garment, issued to Minetol et al. on March 4, 1986, more preferably several lines of adhesive fibers twisted into a spiral pattern, as illustrated by the apparatus and methods disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,911,173, granted

Sprague, Jr., October 7, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 to Ziecker, et al. November 22, 1987; and U.S. Patent 4,842,666, issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989; each of them incorporated here by reference. Alternatively, the attachment means may include thermal bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment means, or combinations thereof, known in the art.

The backsheet 26 is liquid impervious (e.g., urine) and is preferably made of a thin plastic film, although other resilient liquid impervious materials may also be used. As used herein, the term flexible refers to materials that are compliant and easily conformable to the overall shape and contours of the human body.

The backsheet 26 prevents the exudates absorbed and retained in the absorbent core 28 from wetting items in contact with the diaper, such as sheets and underwear components. The backsheet 26 may thus consist of a woven or nonwoven material, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene or polypropylene, or composite materials such as a thin film-coated nonwoven material. Preferably, the backsheet 26 is a thermoplastic film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mils) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils). Particularly preferred films for use as backsheet 26 are manufactured by Tredegar Industries, Inc. of Terre Haute, Indiana, under the designations RR822O for blown film and RR5475 for cast film. The backsheet 26 is preferably embossed, and / or matte finished to provide a more fabric appearance. The backsheet 26 may further allow vapor to escape from the absorbent core 28 (i.e., has respiratory capability), while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet 26.

The first topsheet 24 and the faecal material receiving portion 25 each have two major surfaces. The first topsheet 24 has a first major face facing the wearer and an opposed second major face facing the portion

The fecal material deposit 25. The portion 25 has a first major surface facing the first topsheet 24 and an opposed second major surface facing the core 28 when separated from the fecal material receiving portion 25.

The first topsheet 24 is juxtaposed with but not necessarily adjacent to the body surface of the fecal material storage portion 25 and is preferably attached to the backsheet 26 or fecal material storage portion 25 by means such as those well known in the art. Suitable fasteners are described above with respect to the attachment of the backsheet 26 to the absorbent core 28. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 are directly connected to each other in the periphery of the diaper.

The first topsheet 24 is flexible, soft feeling and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Furthermore, the first topsheet 24 is liquid pervious (e.g., urine) permeable to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable topsheet 24 may be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic sheets, or woven or nonwoven structures of natural fibers (e.g., wood or silk), synthetic fibers (e.g. polyester or polypropylene), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Preferably, the first topsheet 24 is made of a water repellent material to isolate the wearer's skin from the fluid contents of the absorbent core 28. Alternatively, the topsheet 24 may be treated with an active surfactant to render it hydrophilic.

A number of manufacturing techniques can be used to produce the first topsheet 24. For example, the first topsheet 24 may be a nonwoven web of nonwoven fibers, carded, wet applied, meltblown, hydroentangled, combinations or composite laminates of the aforementioned materials or the like. A preferred first topsheet 24 comprises a carded / carded composite, hydroentangled over a forming wire mesh and thermally air bonded by means well known in the art of nonwoven and hydroentangling fibrous structures. Alternatively, apertured films may be suitable.

The diaper 20 has a minimum topsheet penetration capacity dependent on the surface area of the first topsheet 24 having this minimum topsheet direct penetration capacity. Of course, the penetration of the topsheet need not be the same on all surfaces of the diaper 20. For example, the regions of the diaper 20 in the anal opening cover may have a relatively higher direct penetration through the topsheet than the outer region of the diaper 20.

There is an inverse relationship between the minimum throughput capacity of the topsheet necessary to handle a low viscosity faecal material and the diaper surface area of the minimum capacity. When a greater percentage of the diaper area 20 has a topsheet penetration sufficient to handle a low viscosity faecal material, the necessary topsheet penetration capacity decreases.

In any case, the diaper 20 should have a topsheet penetration capacity of at least 0.20 grams per square inch (about 6.45 cm ² ), provided that at least 30 square inches (about 193.5 cm ² ) of the diaper 20 have such topsheet penetration. and preferably at least 45 square inches (about 290.2 cm ² ). It is believed that at least four square inches (about 25.8 cm ² ) of diaper 20 are needed to handle the low viscosity faecal material, which is in close coverage with the anal opening. If such a relatively small area of diaper 20 is provided, the diaper region should have a direct penetration capacity of the topsheet of at least 0.50 and preferably at least about 0.60 grams per square inch (about 6.45 cm ² ).

The compromise between the penetration capacity of the topsheet and the minimum diaper surface area of the present invention necessary to handle low viscosity faecal materials and the preferred diaper surface area of the present invention is shown in Table I below.

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TABLE I

Min. surface, surface Surface.

Capacity of (direct) penetration through the top layer (grams / inch ² ) diapers having this topsheet penetration capacity (inch ² / cm ² ) diaper area with this topsheet penetration capacity (inch ² / cm ² ) 0.20 30 / 193.50 45 / 290.25 0.30 15 / 96.75 25 / 161.25 0.40 12 / 77.40 20 / 129.00 0.50 4 / 25.80 10 / 64.50 0, 60 4 / 25.80 4 / 25.80 (inch ² = about 6.45 cm ² )

Penetration of the topsheet is measured using the following test. An apparatus 39 for use in this measurement is shown in FIG. 3.

A hollow stainless steel cylinder 40 secured to plate 42 is provided. The cylinder 40 has a height of 7.5 cm (2.95) and an inner diameter of 5.08 cm (2.00) and an outer diameter of 6.3 cm (2.48) ). The bottom of the cylinder 40 extends below the plate a distance of 3.5 mm, and has a nozzle with an annular thickness of 3.5 mm. The nozzle 43 prevents an imitation of fecal material, discussed below, from escaping beyond the specified test area of the sample.

It also has a weight of 100.6 grams 44. The weight 44 is also cylindrical in shape with a diameter of 5.08 cm (2.00) so that it sits tightly within the cylinder 40 but can slide freely within the opening in the cylinder 40. This arrangement provides a pressure of 49.57 kg per square meter (0.071) pounds per square inch) and a test area of 3,142 square inches (20,265 cm ² ). If desired, the weight 44 may have a handle 45 for easy insertion into and out of the cylinder 40.

A sample 46 is provided for testing. Sample 46 is *

*

·· ·· * · • · · · · ·

Preferably cut out of the existing diaper 20, but may be provided as raw material as a laminate of the various components of the diaper 20. The sample 46 is cut with dimensions of 4.16 by 10.16 cm (4 by 4 inches). The sample 46 is taken from any area of the diaper 20 having an absorbent core 28 in the center of the square defining the sample 46.

If the sample 46 is cut from the diaper 20, it should include all layers and components of the diaper 20 from the first topsheet 24 onwards and including the backsheet 26. When taking the sample 46 from the diaper, care must be taken that sample 46 is not destroyed or damaged by unintended by deforming the first topsheet 24. The first topsheet 24, or equivalent thereof in the diaper 20, is removed from the remainder of the sample 46. The sample 46 (without the first layer 24) is weighed to the nearest 0.01 grams. Then, the first topsheet 24 is carefully returned to its original position in the sample 46, without being attached thereto. If there are problems with taking the sample from the diaper 20, or removing the first topsheet 24 from the sample 46, the sample 46 and a portion of its surroundings may be frozen before or after cutting. Freezing can be achieved by using a PH1OO-15 perimeter freezer from Philips ECG, Inc. of Waltham, Massachusetts.

The cylinder 40 is centered on the specimen 46. A 5-6 mm orifice is dispensed with a dose of 10 cubic centimeters of the test fluid through the orifice in the cylinder 40 at the top of the specimen 46. The test fluid is an imitation created as discussed below. A 100.6 grams weight 44 is inserted through the opening in the cylinder 40 and gently placed on the test fluid for 2 minutes.

After two minutes, the weight 44 is removed from the sample 46. The first topsheet 24 is removed from the sample 46 by pulling the first topsheet 24 parallel to the sample 46 and discarded. The rest of the sample 46 is then transported. The capacity of penetration of the topsheet is to increase the weight of all layers of sample 46 lying below the first topsheet 24 divided by the test area of the sample 46, i.e., 3.142 square inches (20.265 cm ² ).

The test fluid is an imitation produced by mixing 3 percent by weight of Carbopol 941 from B.F. Goodrich Company of · rich rich rich rich rich rich rich rich rich rich rich

* MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM MM

Brecsville, Ohio, or equivalent acrylic polymer, in distilled water for five minutes using a hand held electric mixer. The mixture is allowed to settle for at least 12 hours and used within 72 hours to test the penetration of the topsheet.

To verify the methods of the claimed invention, four prior art diapers 20 and six present diapers 20 were tested. The prior art diapers 20 have a topsheet penetration capacity of 0.09 grams per square inch (6.43 cm ² ) or less. On the other hand, the diapers 20 of the present invention have a topsheet penetration capacity of 0.20 grams per square inch (6.43 cm ² ). The diaper 20 of the present invention used different topsheets and fecal material storage portions 25, with a piece of Eaton-Dikeman No. 989 filter paper from Eaton-Dikeman, Division of Knowlton Brothers of Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania, arranged below and constituting a separate absorbent core 28. It has been felt that the filter paper limits the flow of the imitation used as the test fluid, making the test for the diapers 20 of the present invention more stringent.

The results are shown in Table II below. The first column of Table II lists the type of diaper 20 of the prior art or, alternatively, the type of first topsheet 24 / fecal storage portion 25 of the present invention. The second column of Table II shows the topsheet penetration capacity in grams per square inch (6.45 cm ² ). The first four items in Table II represent diapers 20 according to prior art currently available. The last six items represent the prototype diapers 20 of the present invention. The assembly of the first topsheet is separated in the last six items from the assembly of a portion of the faecal material deposit by means of the filter paper representing the core 28 in the diapers 20 of the present invention. The fecal material storage portions 25 of items 5-6 are absorbent. The fecal material storage portions 25 of items 7-10 are non-absorbent. The foamed absorbent material in the sixth item list was manufactured according to Example 2A of co-assigned patent application Serial No. 08 / 082,861 filed 25.

• · · · * * * * * * * *

and LaVon et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Diaper

TABLE II

Top penetration capacity (grams / inch ² )

Pampers Phases by

The Procter & Gamble Company

Cincinnati, Ohio

Huggies Super Trim by

Kimberley-Clark, Dallas, Texas

Huggies Baby Steps by

Kimberley-Clark, Dallas, Texas

Huggies Ultra Trim by

Kimberley-Clark, Dallas, Texas

The top layer of Always pads

The Procter & Gamble Company, / a portion of a lb / 3000 square foot cellulose faecal material deposit (about 27.18 kg / 278.7 m ² ), with blind holes of larger than 4 mm and less than 2 mm and depth 0.75 mm

The top layer of Always pads

The Procter & Gamble Company / Core was a slit foam absorbent material as described herein by reference

ACC 7192.36.1 from

Fiberweb N.A. Simpsonville, South Carolina / X5790 foil from

Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana

Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana AMC 7191.26.1

Fiberweb N.A. Simpsonville, South Carolina / X5790 foil from

Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana Pantex 18125X

Fater Corporation of Pescara, Italy / X5790 foil from

Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana

0, 05

0.06 0.07 0, 09 0.21

0.38

0.47

0, 63

0.69

0.79

The diaper 20 of the present invention preferably provides a topsheet penetration capacity, as measured by the foregoing test, of at least 0.20 grams, preferably at least 0.30 grams, more preferably at least 0.40 grams, even more preferably at least 0.50 grams, and most preferably at least 0.30 grams. 60 grams per square inch (6.45 cm ² ).

The first topsheet 24 may allow fecal material to penetrate to achieve the penetration capacities listed in Table I by means of meshes 58 having an effective aperture size of at least 0.2 mm ² and preferably at least 0.3 mm ² . Effective eyelets 58 are those having a gray level of 18 or less on a standard gray level scale of 0-255, based on the image reception parameters described below.

The effective mesh size 58 and percent open area are determined by the following procedure, using the imaging analysis system described below. The process has three basic steps: receiving images, i.e. obtaining representative images of areas on the surface of the first topsheet 24; measuring the image, i.e. measuring the percentage of the open area of the image and the individual apertures 58 and their circumferences; and analyzing the data, i.e., plotting the percentage of the open area, the area of the individual eye 58, and measuring the circumference to a spreadsheet where calculations of frequency distributions, the sum of the area distributions and the hydraulic radius are performed.

The image analysis system includes a frame sampler board, microscope, camera and image analysis software. The frame sampler board is a DT2855 model from Data Translation of Marlboro, Massachusetts. A VH5900 monitor microscope and a VH50 optic video camera with a contact type illuminating head from Keyence Company of Fair Lawn, New Jersey are also provided and used to obtain images to be scanned into a computer file. The Keyence microscope receives the image, and the frame sampler board converts the analog signal of that image into a computer readable, digital form. The image is scanned into a computer file and measured using suitable software, such as Optimas Image Analysis software, version 3.1, available from BioScan Company of Edmonds, Washington. To use the Optimas Image Analysis software, your computer should have Windows software, version e · 4 · 4 · 4 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

3.0, or later, available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington, and also have a CPU at least equivalent to Intel 80386. Any suitable PC may be used, especially the 486 DX33 PC found to be particularly suitable. Images captured and retrieved from the file were displayed on a Sony Trinitron PVM-1343MO monitor with a final magnification of about 50x.

The image receiving step above requires 10 different regions (areas) from a representative sample of the first topsheet 24 of a particular type of diaper 20 or sample material to be tested. Each region is rectangular, measuring about

5.8 mm by 4.2 mm. The sample is placed on a black matt plate to increase contrast between the meshes and the portion of the sample that defines the meshes or holes 58. The average gray level and standard deviation of the black matt plate were 16 and 4, respectively.

Images are obtained with the lights off in a given room using a microscope with a Keyence monitor mounted on a copy stand directly above the sample. The Keyence sample illuminating light source is adjusted and monitored using Optimas software to measure average gray level and standard wedge density variation of 0.3 on a Kodak Gray Scale, available from Eastman Kodak Company of Rochester, New York. The Keyence light source control is adjusted so that the mean gray level of the illuminated wedge is 111 + 1 and the standard deviation is 10 + 1. All images were acquired within a single period of time, and the Keyence light source is monitored by measuring the mean gray level and standard deviation of a given wedge through the entire image receiving process.

When measuring an individual eye 58, only its effective size is of interest. Measurement of the effective mesh size quantifies its size intended to contribute to the porosity of the first topsheet 24 and explains the contributions of fibers and fiber clusters that cross the area intended as the eye 58. The effective mesh 58 is any opening through the first topsheet 24 with gray level less than or equal to 18 using the image receiving parameters described herein. Thus, the intended eye 58 may be

0 0 0 0 · 0 0 · 0 · «0 0 0 0 0 · 0 0 000 0 0 0 0 0 · 0 0 00 0 00 00 00 00 • 0 0 0 0 0 · • 000 0000 divided into a number of effective holes using of transverse fibers.

The image analysis software is calibrated in millimeters using the scale image obtained from the sample image. A 3 by 3 pixel filter available in Optimas 3.1 Image menu is applied to each captured image to reduce noise. The apertures 58 are captured in a range of gray level from 0 to 18. That which is not entirely contained within a 5.8 x 4.2 mm viewing area is not taken into account in the individual area and perimeter measurements. Thus, area and perimeter diameters and distributions are not affected by meshes 58 that are not fully contained within a given field of view.

However, individual meshes 58 that were not fully visible in the image are included in the percentage open area calculation. This difference occurs because the percentage of open area is simply a display of pixel ratios from 0 to 18 relative to the total number of pixels in a given display. Surfaces with a gray level of 19 or greater were not counted when calculating the open area.

For each first topsheet 24, the percentage of open area for the average of its 10 images is measured using Optimas Image Analysis software. Percentage of open area is defined as the ratio of the number of pixels having a gray level from 0 to 18 to the total number of pixels from a given impression. The open area percentage is measured for each image representing one particular region from the first topsheet sample 24. The open area percentage from each of the 10 individual images is then averaged to give the open area percentage for the entire sample.

Data analysis is performed using an Excel spreadsheet, also available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington. The Excel spreadsheet arranged the percentage of open area, mesh area 58, and mesh circumference measurement 58 obtained from Optimas software. Sample averages and standard deviations and frequency distributions of areas of individual meshes 58 and hydraulic radius calculations (area divided by circumference) for individual meshes 58 were obtained using a given spreadsheet.

Area distributions of individual meshes 58 were also calculated using an Excel spreadsheet. The loops 58 are categorized into groups of certain size ranges. The number of aperture surfaces 58 falling within certain size ranges of interest is also determined as the sum of the areas within each range. Spans are determined in 0.05 square millimeter increments. These areas are expressed as a percentage of the total open area of the sample. Frequency and sum of area distributions are obtained by combining individual mesh measurements 58 from all 10 images for each sample.

As noted above, the diaper 20 of the present invention maintains a three-dimensional configuration under its load. This arrangement provides a void volume for the low viscosity faecal material when the diaper 20 is used. The three-dimensional arrangement may be characterized by the cell depth of the faecal material storage portion 25 and / or the core 28. The faecal material storage portion 25 and the core 28 are considered to have a three-dimensional configuration only if these components contribute to the low viscosity faecal material holding capacity of the diaper 20. from the wearer after passing through the first topsheet 24.

The faecal material storage portion 25 may be either absorbent or non-absorbent. If the faecal material storage portion 25 is absorbent, it may function as an absorbent core 28. The material suitable for the faecal material storage portion 25 is a cellulosic fibrous structure such as paper. As shown in FIG. 4, this cellulosic fibrous structure can be made by having a continuous high basis weight web 45 with separate low basis weight regions 58, or even separate zero basis weight apertures 58. In a diaper 20 having such a faecal material storage portion 25, the low viscosity faecal material passes through the first topsheet 24 and rests on the faecal material storage portion 25. Separate regions 58 or openings 58 form chambers that immobilize low-viscosity faecal material.

Once the low viscosity faecal material is immobilized in this position, it does not return to contaminate the wearer's skin. In addition, the low viscosity faecal material may be drained into separate components by capillary action of multiple fluid components of the low viscosity faecal material into the cellulosic fibrous material of the faecal material storage portion 25.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the fecal material storage portion 25 separate regions 58 may be modeled as blind holes (shown) or through holes. These separate regions 58 should have an aspect ratio of about 1.0 to about 4.0. The separate regions 58 should have a major dimension in any direction of at least about 1.5 mm (0.08), but not greater than about 15 mm (0.59 "). The discrete regions 58 should have a depth measured while the fecal material storage portion 25 at a load of 31.6 grams per square centimeter (0.45 psi) is at least about 0.75 mm (0.03), and preferably at least about 1.5 mm (0.06). The ratio of depth to major dimension in the X-Y plane should be from about 0.1 to about 2.0.

A suitable absorbent cellulosic fibrous portion 25 of the faecal material may have oval-shaped discrete low basis weight regions 58 having a larger dimension of about 4 to 5 millimeters aligned with the longitudinal axis of the diaper 20, a smaller dimension of about 2-4 millimeters aligned and lateral axis. the diaper 20, a depth of about 0.75 mm, and a total basis weight, considering both the continuous net basis weight 56 and the separate regions 58, about 98 grams per square meter (60 pounds per 3000 square feet). A cellulosic fibrous structure suitable for use as the fecal material storage portion 25 of the present invention can be manufactured according to commonly assigned US Patent Application Serial No. 07 / 724,551, Batch Issue No. L87, filed June 28, 1991, Phan et al. , the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In a second embodiment, a non-absorbent portion 25 of fecal material storage may be provided. If a non-absorbent fecal material storage portion 25 is chosen, it may be provided in the form of a apertured formed film meeting the tactile requirements described above. Similarly, the apertures 58 of the molded film should meet the size and depth requirements of the molded film. ≪ tb > < tb > The regions determined for the separate regions 58 described above are described. A suitable formed film is available from Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana under the designation X5790.

Of course, if the faecal material storage portion 25 is non-absorbent, it must be associated with a core 28 having adequate capacity to absorb and retain fluids deposited thereon.

The faecal material storage portion 25 is preferably only circumferentially attached to the first topsheet 24, or alternatively may be locally attached to the first topsheet 24 at discontinuous locations. At least 50 percent of the fecal material storage portion 25 within the minor peripheral region should be attached to the first topsheet 24. The fecal material storage portion 25 is attached to the first topsheet 24 only in discrete regions within the peripheral area to maximize low viscosity fecal material penetration and minimize rewetting. Rewetting occurs when urine or fluid components of the fecal material return to the body contacting side (i.e., the first large area) of the first topsheet 24 after the fecal material storage portion 25 and the absorbent core 28 are filled.

If desired, the first topsheet 24 and the fecal material storage portion 25 may be joined together at locations within the periphery of the diaper 20. If such a connection occurs, the connection is made at discrete (discontinuous) locations. Such a connection should be in a pattern that allows the first topsheet 24 to separate from the fecal material storage portion 25 at a Z-direction of about 0.5 to 7.6 cm (0.20 to 0.30). If the bonding points are too close together, they create a dam effect preventing the low viscosity fecal material that is trapped between the first topsheet 24 and the fecal material storage portion 25 in the X-Y direction. In the extreme case, the joining points too prevent or substantially minimize the penetration of the low viscosity fecal material through the first topsheet 24. Alternatively, if the joining points are too far apart, excessive 9 9 ·

The Z-direction separation between the first topsheet 24 and the fecal material storage portion 25 will allow the diaper 20 to become unstable and become stuck in the wearer's gut groove.

A particularly preferred embodiment uses two longitudinally oriented strips of discontinuous connections by ultrasound or adhesive connections. These discrete connections have a diameter of about 2 mm. Each ultrasonic connection is longitudinally spaced from the adjacent ultrasonic connection at a pitch of about 0.3 cm (0.12 inches) and is arranged in a serpentine pattern. For the embodiments described herein, the two longitudinally oriented strips may be laterally separated by a distance of about 4 cm (1.5 inches) on the diaper 20 with a core 28 having a transverse dimension of about 14 cm (5.51 inches).

Regardless of the bonding pattern chosen, preferably less than about 50 percent and more preferably less than 25 percent of the surface area of the first topsheet 24 is attached to the faecal material storage portion 25 between the leg cuffs or between the inner leg cuffs when the diaper 20 has dual leg cuffs. .

Preferably, a higher percentage of the surface area of the fecal material storage portion 25 is attached to the absorbent core 28 when the core 28 is a separate portion. If a portion of the fecal material storage 25 is attached to the absorbent core 28, maximum fecal material can be dewatered once immobilized. Preferably, the fecal material storage portion 25 is attached through at least 50 percent of its surface area to the absorbent core 28 by a bonding pattern such as a reticulated (mesh) hot-melt adhesive with narrow flanges.

The diaper 20 may further include elasticized leg cuffs (not shown) that provide improved containment of fluids and other body exudates. Each elasticized leg cuff may include several different embodiments to reduce leakage of body exudates in the leg regions. (These leg cuffs may and sometimes are also referred to as leg belts, side flaps, barrier cuffs, or elastic cuffs). U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 discloses a disposable diaper 20 that provides a retractable diaper 0 0000 0 0000 000 0 0 0 0000 0000

00000000 00 ·· 0 · ´ 00 leg opening with side flap and one or more elastic features to secure the elasticized leg cuff (sealing cuff). Jointly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,803, entitled Disposable Absorbent Product with Elasticized Flaps, issued to Aziz et al on March 20, 1990, discloses a disposable diaper 20 having erect elasticized flaps (barrier cuffs) to improve retention in the foot area. Jointly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,278 entitled Dual Cuff Absorbent Product, issued to Lawson on September 22, 1987, discloses a disposable diaper 20 having dual cuffs comprising a sealing cuff and a barrier cuff.

Preferably, the diaper 20 further comprises an elastic waist feature (not shown) that provides improved fit and retention. The elastic waist feature is that portion of the diaper zone 20 that is intended to stretch and contract elastically to dynamically fit the wearer's waist. The elastic waist feature extends at least longitudinally, outwardly from the at least one waist edge of the absorbent core 28 and generally forms at least a portion of the respective end edge of the diaper 20. Disposable diapers are generally assembled to have two elastic waist features, one disposed in the first waistband. region 27 and one located in the second waist region 29, although the diapers may be assembled with a single elastic waist feature. Further, although the elastic waist feature or any of its elements may include a separate member attached to the diaper 20, the elastic waist feature is preferably constructed as an extension of other diaper elements 20, such as the backsheet 26 or topsheet 24, preferably the backsheet 26. and the topsheet 24. The elasticized waistband 34 may be assembled in a variety of different combinations, including those disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,515,595, to Kievit et al. on May 7, 1985 and in the above-referenced U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07 / 715,152; each of these references is incorporated herein by reference.

The diaper 20 also includes a fastening system 36 that forms a side closure retaining the first waist region 27 and the second waist region 29 in an overlapping configuration such that lateral tension to

Exemplary systems

846 815, entitled along the perimeter of the diaper 20, are maintained to maintain the diaper 20 on a given wearer as disclosed in U.S. Pat.

Disposable diaper having an improved fastening device, granted to Scripps on July 11, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,894,060, entitled Disposable Diaper, having an improved hook fastener component, granted to Nestegard on January 16, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,527, entitled Self-Adhesive Adhesive Fastener, and a method of making the same, issued to Battrell on Aug. 7, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 3,884,594 entitled " Disposable Diaper Tape Fastening System " issued to Buell on Nov. 19, 1974; in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. and the patent application cited above

662 al.

US Number 07/715 152; all of which are incorporated by reference.

The diaper 20 is preferably worn by a wearer by placing one of the waist regions, preferably the second waist region 29, below the wearer's back and extending the remainder of the diaper between its legs so that the second waist region, preferably the first waist region 27 is positioned across the front of the wearer. . The respective tape tabs 36 of the fastening system are then released from the release member. The diaper inserter then wraps the elasticized side panel around the wearer while still gripping the tab portion. The fastening system is attached to the outer surface of the diaper 20 to form a double-sided closure.

Although special representations have been shown and described

of the invention, those who are runs in given state of the art it will be obvious that they can be made various others changes and adjustments invention it without by se went for its ghost a framework. In the attached patent claims se therefore contemplates cover

all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (10)

PATENT CLAIMS A disposable absorbent article to be worn comprising: - liquid-permeable topsheet, - a liquid impermeable backsheet at least partially circumferentially connected to the topsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and characterized by a non-absorbent fecal material deposition between the topsheet and the absorbent core, the fecal material deposition portion being positioned separately from at least a portion of the topsheet and the absorbent core so as to allow the low viscosity fecal material applied to the topsheet to be deposited therein. storing fecal material. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the faecal material deposition immobilizes away from the topsheet at least a portion of any low viscosity material that is applied to the topsheet. A disposable absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a portion of the faecal material deposition drains a low-viscosity faecal material that is applied to the topsheet. A disposable absorbent article according to any preceding claim, wherein the faecal material receiving portion comprises a perforated, formed film. ··· « 99 99 9 9 9 9 9 9 4 9 A disposable absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the topsheet has an effective aperture size of at least 0.2 mm ² . 6. The disposable absorbent article of Claim 5 wherein said portion of the topsheet having an effective aperture size greater than or equal to about 0.2 mm ^{< 2 >} is disposed adjacent the fecal material storage portion. A disposable absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the topsheet has a surface area disposed adjacent the faecal material storage portion, and less than 50% of the topsheet surface area is associated with the faecal material storage portion. A disposable absorbent article according to any preceding claim, wherein the faecal material receiving portion has a second surface area disposed adjacent the absorbent core, and at least 50% of the area of the second surface area is attached to the absorbent core. A disposable absorbent article according to any preceding claim, wherein the faecal material receiving portion has a three-dimensional arrangement capable of keeping the faecal material of low viscosity away from the wearer. The disposable absorbent article of any one of the preceding claims, having a topsheet penetration capacity of greater than about 0.20 grams, preferably at least about 0.40 grams, or more preferably at least about 0.60 grams per square inch. 6.45 cm ² ).