FR2695314A1 - Disposable absorbent diaper with improved sealing. - Google Patents

Abstract

Disposable absorbent diaper, comprising an outer sheet (1) of impermeable backing, an absorbent pad (2) attached to said backing sheet, a permeable inner cover sheet (3) covering the absorbent pad, fastening means ( 9) to close the diaper, longitudinal elastic members (8) attached in a stretched state to the backing sheet, outside the absorbent pad, and two side flaps (10) extending above the absorbent pad so that their proximal edges (13) are connected to said cover sheet along longitudinal lines recessed inwardly from the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad and their elasticized distal edges (14) are located in close proximity one of the other. Said side flaps (10) are interconnected, at their distal edges (14), from the transverse edges of the diaper at least to the corresponding transverse edges of the absorbent pad (2), thus forming a sealing barrier. peripheral all around the absorbent pad.

Description

i

  Disposable absorbent diaper with improved sealing.

  The present invention relates to a hygiene article consisting of a disposable absorbent diaper for infants or incontinent persons, of the type comprising an absorbent pad disposed between an outer sheet of impermeable support

  and a permeable inner sheet.

  Hygiene articles of this type are known for example from patent application GB-A-2 161 059 (Kimberly-Clark). According to this document, two lateral sealing flaps extend, above the absorbent pad, directed to one another so that their elastically distal edges are located close to each other The two lateral sealing flaps are made by a double folding of the liquid permeable inner sheet covering the support sheet The two flaps which are corresponding to the two transverse edges of the diaper, the flaps are fixed so as to always be turned towards the inside, one towards the other. other, unable to bend outwards, for example when placing the hygiene article on the user These side flaps improve the sealing of hygiene articles in the lateral direction, n particularly in the crotch area In contrast, risks of leakage remain

in both belt areas.

  It is also known, for example from patent application GB-A-2 159 693 (Kimberly-Clark), to provide in each belt zone of such a hygiene article, a pocket constituted by a flap extending from a transverse edge of the hygiene article in the direction of the opposite transverse edge, the distal edge of this flap possibly being able to be elasticized. These pockets improve

  sealing only in belt areas.

  It has also already been proposed to improve, on the same hygiene article, both lateral sealing, particularly in the crotch area, and sealing in the two belt zones. Thus, according to US Pat. No. 4,662,877 (Williams), the inner sheet of such a hygiene article is covered with an additional sheet, comprising, above the absorbent pad, a rectangular opening or cutout whose two longitudinal edges are elasticized. It should be noted that according to this document, the additional sheet is attached to the permeable inner sheet along two opposite transverse edges corresponding to the transverse edges of the hygiene article and along two opposite longitudinal edges located outside the elastic elements of the article. crotches of the hygiene article, which resilient elements are themselves located outside the opposite longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad. the rectangular opening with elasticized longitudinal edges, is not entirely satisfactory, particularly because of the width of this opening (of the order of 12 cm for a length of the order of 30 cm). the width of the opening of the additional sheet, this sheet must itself be wider than the absorbent pad to provide two side flaps of sufficient width, resulting in a significant consumption of material for this additional sheet Or, in the case disposable absorbent hygiene items such as diapers, it is essential to minimize the amount of materials used, and therefore the

cost price of the articles.

  It has also already been proposed, for example by the patent application EP-A-0 376 022 (The Procter and Gamble), to provide an absorbent coucheculotte at the same time two lateral flaps sealing and two pockets of belt But the belt pockets are in this document, made by two transverse bands reported, which complicates the manufacture of diapers, especially when they are manufactured continuously in the

longitudinal direction.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a layer

  disposable absorbent panty which, while being of simple structure and construction, internally comprises a sealing barrier

  effective over the entire periphery of the absorbent pad.

  The disposable absorbent diaper according to the invention comprises a generally liquid-impervious, rectangular, general support sheet, a generally rectangular absorbent pad secured to said support sheet, and a permeable inner cover sheet overlying the absorbent pad. The diaper further comprises fastening means for

  allow it to close around the size of a user.

  The panty further comprises longitudinal elastic elements, which are attached in a stretched condition to the support sheet, outside the longitudinal edges of the absorbent cushion. Two lateral flaps also extend above the absorbent cushion so that their proximal edges are connected to said inner sheet along longitudinal lines located substantially above the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad or recessed inwardly with respect to said edges and that their elastically distal edges are located proximate one of the According to the invention, said lateral flaps are connected to each other at their distal edges from the transverse edges of the diaper at least to the corresponding transverse edges of the absorbent pad, thereby forming a sealing barrier.

  peripheral around the entire absorbent cushion.

  The two lateral sealing flaps may for example each consist of a section of tubular sheath fixed in the flattened state on the cover sheet of the diaper along a longitudinal line constituted by the proximal edge of the flap and along the two transverse edges of the diaper, at least one elastic element being fixed in the stretched state in said sheath along a line

  longitudinal component constituting the distal edge of the flap.

  To further improve the raising of the flaps relative to the absorbent cushion, a second elastic element can be fixed, in the stretched state, in said section of sheath, along a longitudinal line

  located near the proximal edge of the flap.

  According to another embodiment, the lateral sealing flaps are constituted by the same section of tape covering the cover sheet over the entire length of the diaper and on the middle part of the width of the diaper while being attached to the cover sheet along these two transverse edges corresponding to the transverse edges of the diaper and along its two longitudinal edges constituting the proximal edges of the two flaps This stretch of ribbon has, on a middle portion of its length , a longitudinal median slot whose two edges are elasticized by longitudinal elastic elements stretched for

  constitute the distal edges of the two lateral sealing flaps.

  According to a variant, the two lateral sealing flaps are constituted by the cover sheet itself having, on a median part of its length, a longitudinal slot whose two longitudinal edges are elasticized by elastic elements fixed to the In this case, a stretch of ribbon of width at least substantially equal to the width of the absorbent pad is disposed between the cover sheet and the cushion, over the entire length of the

  diaper, in the middle part of the width of it.

  The longitudinal slot formed in the section of ribbon covering the cover sheet, or in the cover sheet itself, can be advantageously extended at its two ends by two transverse slots so as to define two flaps which, folded, define two sheaths in which are fixed said longitudinal elastic elements tensioned ensuring

  the elasticity of the distal edges of the two lateral sealing flaps.

  In the case where the longitudinal elastic elements ensuring the elasticization of the distal edges of the lateral sealing flaps are fixed inside ducts, it may be advantageous to fix them only at their ends to said ducts so that the elastic elements can between these ends, slide in

said sheaths.

  Referring to the attached schematic drawings, we will describe below

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of the inside face of a partly cut-out diaper according to a first embodiment of the invention. embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged section on II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a larger scale section III-III of Figure 1;

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inside face of a diaper

  pants partially cut away according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a larger scale section V-V of Figure 4;

  FIG. 6 is a plan view of the inner face of a diaper

  pants partially cut away according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a section, on a larger scale, along the line V-VII of Figure 6;

  FIG. 8 is a plan view of the inside face of a diaper

  pants partially cut away according to another embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 is an enlarged section on IX-IX of Figure 8;

  FIG. 10 is a plan view of the inner face of a diaper

  pants partly cut away according to yet another embodiment of the invention; figure It is a section on a larger scale according to XI-XI of

Figure 10.

  The diaper as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 comprises, in a manner known per se, a support sheet 1 impervious to liquids, an absorbent pad 2, for example cellulose fluff paste, optionally with incorporation of polymeric material so-called superabsorbent, a liquid-permeable cover sheet 3, for example nonwoven web Both sheets 1 and 3 have the same size and the same hourglass shape, that is to say a rectangular shape with two opposite lateral notches 4 delimiting, in the direction of the length of the diaper, a crotch zone 5 of reduced width between two end zones 6 and 7;

of increased width.

  The absorbent pad 2 disposed between the two sheets 1 and 3 also has an hourglass shape, but of smaller dimensions than the two sheets 1 and 3 which are interconnected by

  example by gluing all around the cushion 2.

  Longitudinal elastic elements 8 constituted for example by one or more strands or elastic threads or by an elastic strip are fastened in the stretched state to the support sheet 1, at least in the crotch region 5, between the bottom of the notches 4 of the sheet 1 and the bottom of the corresponding indentations of the cushion

absorbent 2.

  Furthermore, adhesive fasteners 9 are attached to the opposite lateral edges of the end zone 6 constituting the rear part.

of the diaper.

  Two lateral sealing flaps 10 are fixed on the cover sheet 3, above the absorbent pad 2, over the entire length

of the diaper.

  The diaper as described above is of conventional structure and this is why it was not represented, in order not to overload the drawings, the assembly means, in particular by

  collage, of these different constituent elements.

  Each flap 10 is constituted by a sheath section 11 of an air-permeable material, for example a non-woven preferably hydrophobic or impervious to liquids, formed of a section of ribbon 11 folded and closed on itself by a longitudinal line 12 of bonding or welding The sheath section 10 is fixed to the sheet 3 by a longitudinal line 13 of bonding or welding which extends over the entire length of the diaper in a slightly recessed position inward with respect to the edge of the absorbent pad 2 in

  the crotch area 5 (see Figure 2).

  Each section of sheath 11 thus fixed to the cover sheet 3 is arranged in a flattened state on the cover sheet 3 so as to extend, from the proximal edge defined by the fastening line 13, inwards to the less substantially to the middle of the width of the absorbent pad 2, so that the distal edges 14 of the two

  10 opposite flaps touch or are very close to each other.

  A first longitudinal elastic element 15 is arranged in the stretched state inside the sheath section 11 of each flap 10, close to the distal edge 14 of the latter, and a second longitudinal elastic element 16 is disposed in the state stretched in the sheath section 11, in the vicinity of the proximal edge 13 It should be noted that each of the two longitudinal elastic members 15, 16 extends over the entire length of the flap 10, thus over the entire length of the diaper and is attached to the sleeve section Il only at both longitudinal ends being free to slide between said two ends. The duct section 11 of each flap 10 is also fixed to the cover sheet 3, in the flattened state, at the opposite transverse edges of the diaper, by bonding lines.

17 visible in Figure 3.

  Finally, the two opposite flaps 10 are interconnected, at their distal edges 14, from the two opposite transverse edges of the coucheculotte to beyond the two corresponding opposite transverse edges of the absorbent cushion 2, by attachment zones 18,

  for example by gluing, visible in Figures 1 and 3.

  When the diaper thus formed is worn by the user, and takes a curved trough shape, the elastic members 15 and 16 tend to lift the flaps 10 relative to the absorbent pad 2 and thus separate the distal edges 14 of the two flaps 10, in a measure that is increasing from the two transverse edges of the diaper to the middle of the crotch zone 5 as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2 The two opposite flaps 10 thus constitute sealing barriers longitudinal and, because of their mutual connection in the two end zones 6 and 7, also form sealing pockets in these areas, pockets whose depth depends on the length of the

fixing areas 18.

  In the embodiment according to FIGS. 4 and 5, the lateral flaps 10 are constituted by a single strip section 19 disposed

  on the cover sheet 3, over the entire length of the

  pants, a width substantially equal to the width of the absorbent pad 2 in the crotch region 5 The strip portion 19 made of an air-permeable and preferably hydrophobic or liquid-impervious material is attached to the cover sheet 3 by two longitudinal bonding lines 13 and two transverse bonding lines corresponding to the lines 17 of the embodiment of the figures

1 to 3.

  The strip section 19 comprises, in the median part of its length, a median longitudinal slot 20, the two edges of which are lined with longitudinal elastic elements fixed in a stretched state on the respective edges of the strip section 19. the elastically distal edges of two flaps 10 whose proximal edges are

  defined by the glue lines 13.

  In both end zones 6 and 7 of the diaper, the unslotted rib portion 19 forms waist pockets whose depth is a function of the unsplit length of the ribbon section.

  19 in each end zone 6, 7.

  In this embodiment also, when the diaper is worn by the user and takes a curved trough shape, the elastic members 15 raise the flaps 10, so that the distal edges 14 of these flaps move apart in the crotch area 5 of the

  as shown in dashed lines in Figure 5.

  According to FIGS. 6 and 7, the middle longitudinal slit 20 of the ribbon section 19 of FIGS. 4 and 5 is extended, at each of these ends, in the vicinity of the junction of the crotch zone 5 with the two end zones. 6, 7, by a transverse slot 21, thus defining, with the central longitudinal slot, two flaps 22 which can be folded outwards for example, as can be seen in FIG. 7, and fixed, for example by a line of 23, in the folded state, thus constituting a narrow sheath in which is fixed in the stretched state a longitudinal elastic element 15 near the distal edges 14 which, because of the folding of the flaps, here are further away l one of the other than in the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 It is formed between the distal edges 14 of the two flaps 10,

  a slot 24 wider than the slot 20 according to Figures 4 and 5.

  When the diaper is worn by the user and takes a curved trough shape, the elastic members 22 raise the flaps

  , thus further discarding the distal edges 14 of the flaps 10.

  In the embodiment according to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is a diaper having the same general structure as in the previous examples (support sheet 1, absorbent pad 2, cover sheet 3, hourglass shape of sheets 1, 3 and the cushion 2, longitudinal elastic elements 8 in the crotch zone). This diaper also has two lateral sealing flaps which are however constituted here by the same material of the cover sheet 3, which comprises, on the middle part of the

  length of the diaper, a median longitudinal slit 25.

  Two elastic members 26 are fixed in the stretched state on the outer face of the two edges of the slot 25 extending to the two transverse ends of the diaper; In addition, a section of ribbon 27 made of a liquid-permeable material, for example a non-woven fabric, is disposed, over the entire length of the diaper, in a median position between the absorbent pad 2 and the cover sheet 3, on a width at least equal to the width of the absorbent pad 2 in the crotch region This ribbon section 27 is fixed to the support sheet 1 on the two transverse edges of the diaper The cover sheet 3 is also fixed this ribbon section 27 on the one hand on the two transverse edges of the diaper and on the other hand along two longitudinal lines 28, for example glue lines, located in a slightly recessed position with respect to the lateral edges These fixation lines 28 define the proximal edges of the lateral flaps 10, the distal edges 29 of which have the absorbent pads 2 in the crotch area.

  elastic elements 26, are defined by the slot 25.

  The embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 differs from the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 in that the middle longitudinal slot 25 formed in the cover sheet 3 to define the distal edges 29 of the two lateral flaps 10 here has the shape a cutout delimiting an elongated opening, preferably rectangular, the width of this opening being significantly smaller than the width of the absorbent pad 2, preferably less than half the width of the pad 2 in the crotch area 5 Further , the cover sheet 3 comprises here, along its entire length, two double folds Z downwards (towards the cushion 2) disposed on either side of the opening 25, and the elastic elements 26 along the edges distal 29 flaps 10 are fixed in the stretched state by gluing in the upper folds of these double folds 30, the two folds of each double fold 30 being secured to one another by gluing or any other means to consolidate or stiffen the cover sheet 3 at this location and thereby facilitate cutting with removal

  of material of the opening 25, made later.

  Finally, the section of ribbon 27 permeable to liquids having a width slightly greater than the width of the absorbent pad 2 in the crotch region 5 is here fixed to the cover sheet 3 by two longitudinal lines 28 of bonding or welding located slightly outside the longitudinal edges of the cushion in the crotch zone 5, which increases all the more the transverse dimension, that is to say the width or height of the flaps 10 whose

  Proximal edges are defined by the connecting lines 28.

  It goes without saying that the embodiments shown and described have been given only as illustrative and non-limiting examples and that many modifications and variants are possible in the

framework of the invention.

  Thus, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the two flaps 10, instead of being constituted by sections of tubular sheath 11, could also be constituted by flat ribbons whose distal edges 14 could otherwise overlap slightly, which would simplify the assembly of the distal edges 14 in the end zones 6, 7, for example by simple gluing or welding

of these edges one on the other.

  The provision of a wider slot 24 between the two flaps 10 according to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, would also be possible in the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, that is to say with flaps 10 constituted by the material of the sheet of

cover 3.

  The double plies 30 of the cover sheet 3 according to the figures and 11 could also be used in the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, and similar double plies could be provided in the strip section 19 of the embodiments of FIGS. 4, 5 he

  and 6, 7 for fixing the longitudinal elastic members 15.

  It should be noted that in all the embodiments shown and described, the flaps 10 are advantageously constituted by an air-permeable material, but preferably hydrophobic or impervious to liquids, such as a hydrophobic nonwoven or In fact, a liquid-impermeable barrier is thus obtained extending over the entire periphery of the absorbent pad, making it possible to effectively eliminate leakage of urine and / or feces both around the legs of the patient. user, that is to say in the crotch zone 5, and at the waist,

  that is to say in the end zones 6 and 7 -

  Finally, although in all the embodiments shown and described, the diaper and its absorbent pad have a

  hourglass shape, the invention is also applicable to

  panties having for example rectangular absorbent pads.

  It will be noted in this regard that if it is a question, in the description,

  in relation to the side flaps 10, the width of the absorbent pad 2 or the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad 2, this is always the width or the edges in the crotch zone

5.

  Note further that in the present description it has qualified

  "outside" any element of the diaper directed outwards when the diaper is worn by the user The term "inside" has instead been used to describe any element located

  towards the user when the diaper is used.

Claims (8)

  A disposable absorbent diaper comprising an outer, generally rectangular, impermeable backing sheet (1), a generally rectangular, absorbent pad (2) fixed on said backsheet, a permeable inner cover sheet (3, 27) covering the absorbent pad, fastening means (9) for closing the diaper around a wearer's waist, longitudinal elastic members (8) attached in a stretched condition to the support sheet, the outside of the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad, and two lateral flaps (10) extending above the absorbent pad so that their proximal edges (13, 28) are connected to said cover sheet along substantially longitudinal lines; above the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad or recessed inwardly with respect to said edges and that their elastically distal edges (14, 29) are located in close proximity to one another; on the other, characterized by the fact that said lateral flaps (10) are connected together at their distal edges (14, 29) from the transverse edges of the diaper at least to the corresponding transverse edges of the cushion absorbent (2), thereby forming a peripheral sealing barrier all around the absorbent pad.  2 diaper according to claim 1, characterized in that said lateral flaps (10) each consist of a tubular sheath section (11) fixed in the flattened state on the cover sheet (3), along the transverse edges of the diaper and along a longitudinal line (13) constituting the proximal edge of the flap, and that at least one elastic element (15) is fixed, in the stretched condition,   in said sheath, near the distal edge of the shutter.   3 diaper according to claim 1, characterized in that said two flaps (10) are constituted by the same section of tape (19) covering the cover sheet (3) over the entire length of the diaper and on the middle portion of the width of the diaper being attached to the cover sheet along its two transverse edges corresponding to the transverse edges of the diaper and along two longitudinal lines (13) constituting the proximal edges of the diaper; shutters, this ribbon section having, on a median portion of its length, a longitudinal median slot (20) whose two edges are elasticized by longitudinal elastic elements (15) stretched to form the distal edges   (14) two side flaps (10).   4 diaper according to claim 1, characterized in that said flaps (10) are constituted by the cover sheet (3) having, on a median portion of its length, a longitudinal median slot (25) whose two edges are elasticized and constitute the distal edges (29) of the two flaps, and that a portion of ribbon (27) of width at least substantially equal to the width of the absorbent pad (2) is disposed between the cover sheet and the cushion, the entire length of the diaper, that stretch of ribbon being attached to both the carrier sheet (1) and the cover sheet (3) along the two opposite transverse edges of the diaper and to the cover sheet (3) on its two opposite longitudinal edges by two connecting lines (28) constituting the   proximal edges of the two flaps (10).   Diaper according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said middle longitudinal slot (20, 25) is extended at both ends by two transverse slots (21> defining a flap (22) which, when folded, defines a sheath in which is located stretched elastic element (15).   6 diaper according to claim 2, characterized in that said elastic element (15) is fixed in the stretched state in said sheath section (11) only at its two corresponding ends   at the two transverse ends of the diaper.   7 diaper according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second elastic element (16) longitudinal is fixed in the stretched state to each of said flaps (10) to   near the proximal edge (13, 28) thereof.   8 diaper according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said slot (20, 25) has the shape of a cut defining an elongate opening of width less than half of   the width of the absorbent pad (2).   The diaper of any one of claims 3,   4, 8, characterized in that the ribbon section (19) or the covering sheet (3) constituting the two flaps (10) has, throughout its length, two double folds (30) located on both sides. other of said slot (20, 25), in which are fixed by gluing the longitudinal elastic elements (15, 26) elasticizing the flaps (10) to their distal edges (14, 29).