DE3044449A1 - SUCTIONABLE DISPOSABLE ARTICLE - Google Patents

Description

Description The invention relates to disposable absorbent articles.

There are already a number of disposable absorbent articles known for absorbing and retaining body fluids. Such items, such as disposable diapers, Sanitary napkins and the like typically have a liquid impervious backsheet, a upper layer permeable to liquids as well as an absorbent layer between the lower and upper, or the top layers, which consists of shredded cellulose and on the area in question as a flake layer referred to as. Despite the increasing popularity of being disposable, the absorbent Layers still have some problems that make them not completely satisfactory.

First of all, it is necessary that the pillows or layers remove the body fluids from the point where they hit, forward quickly to distant places in order to saturate the layer in localized areas as much as possible and to make optimal use of the absorbency of the entire layer. Also is it is desirable that the layers or pads hold the body fluids preferentially in locations that

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are removed from the topsheet to prevent soaking of the To reduce the top layer and the associated inconvenience for the wearer as much as possible. In the end the cushions should be soft and conform to the shape of the wearer for a correct fit and maximum To ensure comfort. In addition, it should be possible to manufacture the cushions in a simple manner in order to reduce the cost of disposable items to consumers.

In the American patent application SN 712 448 of August 9, 1976, an absorbent disposable article is included a lower layer impermeable to liquids and an upper layer permeable to liquids described, between which there is an arrangement which has a loosely formed adjacent to the top liner Layer and a second layer between the first and the lower cover layer, which in a substantial Partly has compressed areas and uncompressed areas adjacent to the compressed areas. Such an arrangement is functionally superior to a conventional single-layer disposable product.

In U.S. Patent 3,612,055, a diaper is provided with a layer described, one of which is not in contact with the upper cover layer surface to one

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paper-like skin is processed to direct the liquid to the bottom of the diaper.

The invention relates to an absorbent article with a simplified structure that distributes and retains liquids better than before. The inventive Article has a lower layer impermeable to liquids and an upper layer which is permeable to liquids And a first absorbent layer that adheres to the adjoining the upper cover layer and consists of a loosely formed fibrous mass. A second absorbent layer is located between the first layer and the lower cover layer, the second layer having a fiber mass has a compressed area over a substantial portion of this layer. The average Gaps between the fibers in the second layer are much smaller than the average Gaps between the fibers in the first layer.

A feature of the absorbent articles of the invention is that the compressed area of the second layer absorbs body fluids from the first layer and quickly transported to distant locations on the second shift.

Another feature of this article is that the dispersed liquids are in the compressed area

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of the second layer are retained at a location remote from the top liner. Through this wetting of the body fluids back the top cover layer is largely reduced and the top cover layer in a proportionate manner during use kept dry.

The layers according to the invention can be produced in a simple manner and at low cost.

In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 shows a fragmentary front view of an absorbent Article according to the invention in the form of a disposable diaper,

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary section taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the diaper according to FIG. 1 folded into a folding package and FIG

Figure 4 is a plan view of another form of diaper, with parts omitted for clarity are.

Figures 1 and 2 show a disposable absorbent article designated by 20 in the form of a disposable diaper.

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It goes without saying that the features of the invention apply not only to diapers but also to others in the same way disposable absorbent articles, for example sanitary napkins and pads, are applicable. The article or the diaper 20 comprises an absorbent assembly 21 with a liquid impermeable lower layer 22, for example of polyethylene, which defines the lower surface 23 of the layer arrangement and the lower surface 28 of the layer 26 covers a liquid-permeable upper or cover layer 24, for example made of nonwoven material defining a substantial portion of the front surface 25 of the laminate, and an absorbent layer 26 between the lower cover layer 22 and the upper cover layer 24. According to FIG the diaper 20 includes a pair of fastening means 38 in tape form for securing the diaper around a child, and the lower liner 22 may have side edges 32 that are folded over and attached to the upper liner 24 are attached so that the edges 32 cover side portions of the layer 26.

According to Figures 1 and 2, the absorbent layer 26 has a first absorbent layer 40 which is attached to the top cover sheet 24 is adjacent, and a second absorbent layer 42, which is between the first layer 40 and the lower cover layer 22 is arranged. The layer 26 may have a top wadding layer 34 that forms the surface

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30 of the upper layer 40 covered and a lower wadding layer 36 covering the lower surface 28 of the lower layer 42. One shape can have a lower one, as shown Surface 41 of the first layer 40 can be placed against an upper surface 43 of the second layer 42, or in an alternative form, a layer permeable to liquids, for example a layer of cotton wool between the first and second layers 40, 42 may be attached.

The first layer 40 consists of a loosely formed fiber mass, for example shredded cellulose, the known in the art as flakes. Although the first layer can be compacted if desired, the first layer 40 should be minimally compressed to provide a soft, fluffy front layer 40 with relatively to maintain large spaces between the fibers.

The density of the top layer 40 should be between about

3 3

0.03 g / cm and about 0.07 g / cm, preferably between

3 3

about 0.04 g / cm and about 0.07 g / cm and in particular

3 3

be between about 0.06 g / cm and about 0.07 g / cm. The second layer 42 also consists of a fiber mass, for example shredded pulp similar to layer 40, but it is compressed

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or in any other suitable manner to a density of

3 3

between about 0.14 g / cm and about 0.22 g / cm, preferably

3 3

between about 0.16 g / cm and 0.20 g / cm and in particular

3 3

brought between about 0.18 g / cm and 0.20 g / cm. Inners- half of the densities given above, it is desirable that the ratio of the density of the lower layer 42 to that of the top layer 40 about 1.5: 1 to about 7: 1, preferably about 2: 1 to about 5: 1, and most preferably about 2: 1 to about 5: 1 is about 2: 1 to 4: 1. The densities can of course easily be derived from a given weight of a measured volume (length χ width χ thickness).

The thicknesses of the layers can vary widely, but are generally combined so that the Total thickness is about 1 mm to about 40 mm (40 mils to 1500 mils), with thickness ratios as above to the lower layer from about 50: 1 to 1: 1, preferably from 20: 1 to 2: 1 and in particular from 10: 1 to 4: 1. All of these thicknesses relate to measurements with a

2
Load of 4.1 g / cm on the layers, since without such a load the airy nature and elasticity of the flake layers would lead to varying results. The above density parameters are related to these thickness determinations.

The total thickness of diapers for babies goes without saying generally less than the thickness of the backing

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for incontinent patients and the thickness of sanitary napkins. Typical newborn diapers can have an overall thickness of from about 1 mm to about 6 mm, or from about 2 mm to about 10 mm, depending on the type of diaper. For bigger ones Babies, the total thickness can be about 2 mm to about 8 mm, or about 3 mm to about 12 mm. The total thickness of Sanitary napkins typically range from about 3 mm to about 10 mm or from about 4 mm to about 20 mm or more, for example from about 6 mm to about 40 mm, again depending on the particular type of napkin.

Furthermore, the total weight of this article can of course just as the thickness and size of the absorbent articles vary widely. As a guideline, weights from about 10 to 20 g up to about 100 g can be mentioned. Again, in general, the ratio of the weights vary from upper to lower layer from about 2: 1 to 1: 2, but is preferably about the same, in particular because this is the easiest way to manufacture. For example, a single flake web can be any conventional Way are produced and then split, whereupon the one for the lower layer in the invention is compressed as desired.

In use, the diaper 20 is fastened to the baby by means of the fastening straps 38. If urine comes out, it penetrates

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this through the top liner 24 in a localized part of the first layer 40, and due to the relatively small spaces between the fibers in the compressed second layer 42 becomes the liquid rapidly absorbed from the first layer 40 into the second layer 42. The compressed layer 42 is transported the fluid also rapidly to the parts of the layer remote from where the urine hit is. Although a relatively large amount of flake material is compressed in making layer 42 and the ability of this layer to hold liquid due to the relatively small spaces between them between the fibers is less than that of the layer 40, enables the liquid to be distributed rapidly the retention of as much liquid by the layer arrangement 26 as a non-compressed layer arrangement of equivalent weight by the layer 42, which holds the body fluids at certain points like a reservoir. Because of the rapid and effective Distribution of urine, much less urine seeps through after each urination, and rewetting is also essential less, so that the upper cover layer 24 remains relatively dry. This is how the first and the second layer 40 and 42 together with the rapid dispersion of the liquids by the second layer 42, whereby the absorbency of the layer material is optimally used.

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As already stated, the first layer 40 is relatively soft and malleable since it is practically not compressed is. Accordingly, the first and second layers 40 and 42 form a soft diaper structure, which adapts to the shape of the wearer to ensure an excellent fit and optimal comfort. In addition comes that the inventive layer arrangement 26 in a simple manner by compressing the second Layer 42 can be produced, whereupon the first layer 40 is placed against the second layer 42 to form diapers will. So the diaper is made without the need of wetting and drying the compressed parts, which would otherwise complicate the process and increase manufacturing costs.

According to FIG. 3, the layer arrangement 21 of FIG. 1 can be arranged along a plurality of longitudinally extending Fold lines are folded and thus brought into the shape of a folding package. The diaper is first longitudinal a pair of first fold lines 50 folded about the longitudinally extending central portion 52 then along a pair of second fold lines 54 defining a pair of them in the longitudinal direction extending first sections 56 between fold lines 50 and 54 and a pair of outer sections 58; extending outwardly from the second fold lines 54.

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4, the diaper 60 has the configuration a one-hour glass with a narrower part 62 and four parts of greater width, the ears 64, 66, 68 and 70 form. The diaper comprises a bottom sheet 72 of polyethylene or the like and a top sheet 74, similar to the folded diaper. An absorbent layer assembly 75, similar to layers 26, 40 and 42 of FIG folded diaper is placed between the top and bottom topsheet. Wadding layers 77 similar to the wadding layers 34 and 36 of the folded diaper can also be provided. The layer arrangement with the wadding layers has smaller dimensions than the lower and upper cover layers with similar dimensions.

In a blind test with 106 consumers using a first standard diaper (absorbent layer from

3 36 g pulp fluff of uniform density 0.1 g / cm; Size 300 mm χ 409 mm) and a second 2-layer diaper according to the invention of similar dimensions and one Weight like the first diaper with the difference that

3 the top layer of the diaper has a density of 0.06 g / cm

3 and the lower layer had a density of 0.2 g / cm, the following was found:

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3044443

before
to draw
2 layer
diaper before
to draw
default
diaper no
Before
attraction Ver
holds
nis B. B. B. entire
Favors 41 21st 38 +1.49 + dry soil 35 20th 45 +1, 36 strength 34 9 57 +1.65 + absorbency 37 21st 42 +1, 38 Gesamtpaßνermögeη +1, 02 Fit to the
Thighs -1.08 thickness 33 15th 52 +1, 44

Occurrence of wetting

33 40

Diaper could absorb if needed

25th

15th

The ratio of overall preferences of +1.49 is statistically a +2 sigma preference for the 2-layer Diaper equivalent and shows a 95% confidence that the majority will use the 2-layer diaper would prefer the conventional one-layer diaper.

Scha: kö

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Claims (12)

Claims 1. Disposable absorbent article with a lower for Liquid impermeable cover layer, an upper 'liquid permeable cover layer, a first absorbent layer, which is adjacent to the upper cover layer and consists of a loosely formed fiber mass, and a separate second absorbent layer between the first layer and the backsheet of a fiber mass, the second layer being at least partially denser than the first layer and the average inter-fiber spacing in the second layer is substantially less are than the average intervals between 130034/0671 ORIGiMAL IMSPECTED • * · t _ ο - the fibers in the first layer, and body fluids rapidly to distant sites in the second
Layer are guided and held at points remote from the top liner. 2. Absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that the total thickness of the first and the
second layer is about 1 to about 38 mm. 3. Absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of the density of the second to the density of the first layer is about 1.5: 1 to about
7: 1. 4. Absorbent article according to claim 3, characterized in that the ratio of the densities is about 2: 1
up to 4: 1. 5. Absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that the denser part of the second
Layer to the side and end edges of the second
Layer extends. 6. Absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a top layer of wadding,
which covers the top surface of the first layer. 130034/0671 7. Absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a lower layer of cotton wool, which covers the lower surface of the second layer. 8. Absorbent article according to claim 7, characterized in that the lower cotton layer is compressed is. 9. Absorbent article according to claim 3, characterized in that the first layer has a density of about 3
0.03 to about 0.07 g / cm and the second layer one 3 has a density of about 0.14 to about 0.22 g / cm. 10. Absorbent article according to claim 9, characterized in that the ratio of the thickness of the first Layer to the thickness of the second layer is about 20: 1 to about 2: 1. 11. Absorbent article according to claim 10, characterized in that it is in the longitudinal direction to a folding pack is folded. 12. Absorbent article according to claim 10, characterized in that it has the general shape of a one-hour glass has elastic parts in the side central area for better adjustment around the legs one person. 13003A / 0671