FR2815249A1 - Absorbent hygiene article for one-time use comprises first and second flaps joined together outside first flaps' elasticated zones - Google Patents

Abstract

Adsorbent hygiene article, comprises: (a) a lengthwise central section (2); (b) lateral sections (3, 4) with first and second flaps (5, 6); and (c) an absorbent pad (17) between upper permeable (18) and lower impermeable (19) layers. Adsorbent hygiene article, comprises: (a) a lengthwise central section (2); (b) lateral sections (3, 4) with first and second flaps (5, 6); and (c) an absorbent pad (17) between upper permeable (18) and lower impermeable (19) layers. Each of the first flaps (5) has an elasticated zone (11), and the first and second flaps are joined together by fixing sections (12) outside the elasticated zones. The first and second flaps are both made from a non-woven material that is impermeable to liquids but permeable to air.

Description

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SINGLE USE ABSORBENT HYGIENE ARTICLE PROVIDED WITH A
SINGLE BARRIER The present invention relates to the general technical field of absorbent hygiene articles for single use and more particularly diapers for children or adults with incontinence, to be discarded after use.

Conventionally, a diaper comprises: - a central part which extends along a longitudinal axis, - lateral parts which are arranged substantially on either side of this central part, and which each comprise a first and a second flexible flaps extending longitudinally, the first flap successively comprising a junction portion along which said first flap is integral with the central part and an elasticized portion, and the second flap comprising a fixing portion and an elasticized portion, - an absorbent mattress which is arranged in the central part between an upper sheet permeable to liquids and a lower sheet, at least the part of which in correspondence with the absorbent mattress is impermeable to liquids, the upper and lower sheets extending at least partially in the side parts.

In the diapers usually encountered, the second component is secured to the diaper by bonding or ultrasonic welding of the

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 fixing part of this second flap with the junction portion of the first flap. The diapers of the state of the art commonly encountered thus comprise, on each side of the absorbent mattress, two independent barriers constituted by the first and second flaps in order to prevent leaks from the interior of the diaper towards the exterior, solid or liquid materials rejected by the user.

Even if such diapers generally give complete satisfaction, it sometimes proves difficult to ensure complete sealing of the securing of the second flap at the junction portion of the first flap. In addition, even if one of the barriers properly rests on the skin of the user, the other of the barriers is sometimes not in contact with the user, so that the effectiveness of this barrier is reduced and the overall performance of the layer is reduced.

An object of the present invention therefore aims to provide a new absorbent hygiene article which allows better retention of liquid and / or solid materials while being easy to build and this, by simple, effective and inexpensive means. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new absorbent hygiene article which decreases direct contact of the wearer's skin with the top sheet.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved using an absorbent hygienic article for single use comprising: a central part which extends along a longitudinal axis,

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- des parties latérales qui sont disposées sensiblement de part et d'autre de cette partie centrale, et qui comportent chacune un premier et un deuxième volets souples s'étendant longitudinalement, le premier volet comprenant successivement une portion de jonction

le long de laquelle ledit premier volet est solidaire de la partie centrale et une portion élastifiée, et le deuxième volet comportant une portion de fixation et une portion élastifiée, un matelas absorbant qui est disposé dans la partie centrale entre une feuille supérieure perméable aux liquides et une feuille inférieure

dont au moins la partie en correspondance avec le matelas absorbant est imperméable aux liquides, les feuilles supérieure et inférieure s'étendant au moins partiellement dans les parties latérales, caractérisé en ce que chacun des premiers volets comprend en outre une portion de fixation située au delà de la portion élastifiée et sur laquelle la portion de fixation du deuxième volet correspondant est rapportée, et en ce que les premiers et deuxièmes volets sont tournés respectivement vers l'extérieur et l'intérieur de l'article.

- Side parts which are arranged substantially on either side of this central part, and which each comprise a first and a second flexible flaps extending longitudinally, the first flap successively comprising a junction portion

along which said first flap is integral with the central part and an elasticized portion, and the second flap comprising a fixing portion and an elasticized portion, an absorbent mat which is arranged in the central part between an upper sheet permeable to liquids and a bottom sheet

at least the part of which in correspondence with the absorbent mattress is impermeable to liquids, the upper and lower sheets extending at least partially in the lateral parts, characterized in that each of the first flaps further comprises a fixing portion situated beyond of the elasticized portion and on which the fixing portion of the second corresponding flap is attached, and in that the first and second flaps are turned respectively towards the outside and the inside of the article.

Thanks to these provisions, the hygiene article is correctly maintained on the user while reducing the risk of leakage of liquid and / or solid materials from inside to outside of the article.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, it is possible optionally to have recourse to one or other of the following arrangements:

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 - each of the first flaps came integrally with the lower sheet, so that the lower sheet extends into the fixing portion of each of the first flaps to be secured with the second flaps, - the first and second flaps comprise a material nonwoven which is impermeable to liquids and permeable to air, - the elasticized portion of each of the first flaps comprises at least one elastic which is sandwiched between the upper sheet and the lower sheet, - the upper sheet extends up to '' at the level of the fixing portion of each of the first flaps, - the elasticized portion of each of the second flaps comprises at least one elastic, - said at least one elastic is trapped in a return of each of the second flaps, - the return of each of the second flaps extends over the entire height of said flap, - each of the second flaps comprises an additional nonwoven material which is integral with the other nonwoven material and which extends over at least a fraction of the length of the hygiene article, said at least one elastic being trapped between the two nonwoven materials, and

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 the lower sheet further comprises, at least in the part corresponding to the absorbent mattress, a film of liquid-tight plastic material which is attached to the nonwoven material.

à plat avant utilisation. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent and will emerge in more detail on reading the description given below, with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting examples in which:
Figure 1 shows, in a top view, an absorbent hygiene article according to the present invention, this article being shown

flat before use.

Figures 2 and 3 show, in cross section respectively along the lines kl-kl and III-III of Figure 1, the hygiene article of the present invention before its use.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 2, the hygiene article according to the present invention being in its configuration of use.

dans le but d'absorber tout liquide ou solide rejeté par le corps humain, cet article étant destiné à être jeté après le premier usage. An absorbent hygienic article 1 in accordance with the present invention and more particularly a diaper, is represented in FIG. 1. In general, the term “absorbent hygienic article for single use” means any article intended for be worn by an adult or a child

in order to absorb any liquid or solid rejected by the human body, this article being intended to be thrown away after the first use.

As is more particularly shown in Figures 1 and 2, the layer 1 comprises, in a manner known per se, a central part 2 which

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 extends along a longitudinal axis X-X and two lateral parts 3, 4 which are arranged on either side of this central part 2.

Each side part 3, 4 comprises a first flap 5 and a second flap 6 which are flexible and which extend longitudinally, parallel to the axis X-X.

Each of the first flaps 5 successively comprises a junction portion 10 along which this flap is integral with the central part 2, and an elasticized portion 11. Each of the second flaps 6 comprises a fixing portion 14 and an elasticized portion 15.

In the central part 2, the layer 1 comprises an absorbent mattress 17 which is arranged between an upper sheet 18 and a lower sheet 19.

Each of these upper 18 and lower 19 sheets extends at least partially in the lateral parts 3 and 4. The lower sheet 19 comprises a part 20 impermeable to liquids, this part extends at least over an area equivalent to that of the mattress absorbent 17.

The layer 1 has, in a manner known per se, a general configuration called an hourglass, with a front part 22 and a rear part 23 enlarged relative to a crotch part 24 narrowed to facilitate the establishment of the layer between the legs of a user. The longitudinal axis X-X is also a median axis of symmetry.

au delà de la portion élastifiée 11 de ce volet et sur laquelle la portion de fixation 14 du deuxième volet 6 correspondant est rapportée. According to an important characteristic of the present invention, each of the first flaps 5 further comprises a fixing portion 12 which is located

beyond the elasticized portion 11 of this component and on which the fixing portion 14 of the second corresponding component 6 is attached.

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 Thus, the first flaps 5 have successively, from the inside towards the outside of the layer 1, a junction portion 10 which cooperates with the central part 2, an elasticized portion 11 which allows the flap 5 to be straightened during the use of the layer, then a fixing portion 12 on which the second corresponding flap 6 is fixed. According to the invention, each of the second flaps 6 therefore extends from the first corresponding flap 5 from a zone 12 situated beyond the elasticized portion 11.

According to another essential characteristic of the invention, the first flaps 5 are turned towards the outside of the layer while the second flaps 6 extend towards the inside of the layer 1. The first and second flaps 5 and 6 are so turned in opposite directions and are sort of mounted head to tail. These shutters therefore have facing internal faces, the internal faces being those facing inwards of layer 1.

The first and second flaps 5,6 are made of a hydrophobic nonwoven material and are preferably impermeable to liquids and permeable to air.

Preferably, the lower sheet 19 extends over the entire surface of the layer 1. The sheet 19 therefore extends as far as the fixing portion 12 of the first flaps 5 so as to be secured to the second flaps 6. The first flaps 5 are thus come together with the lower sheet 19.

The elasticized portion 11 of each of the first flaps 5 comprises at least one elastic 27 which extends over most of the length of the layer 1. This elastic is sandwiched between the upper sheet 18 and the

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 lower sheet 19 and are fixed in the stretched state while the layer is laid flat. Advantageously, each elasticized portion 11 has two elastic bands 27 whose cross section is circular or rectangular.

The upper sheet 18 extends beyond the elasticized portion 11 of each of the first flaps 5 up to the level of the fixing portion 12 of these flaps. As a variant, the upper sheet 18 can cover the entire surface of the fixing portion 12 at least in the crotch portion 24 of the layer 1.

In practice, the upper sheet 18 is made of a nonwoven material which is hydrophilic above the absorbent mattress 17 and hydrophobic elsewhere, in particular in the lateral parts 3 and 4, at the flaps 5 and 6 as well as the front parts 22 and back 23 of layer 1.

de la fabrication de la couche 1, ou bien chez le fournisseur. En outre, cette feuille peut posséder des propriétés cosmétiques et/ou dermatologiques. To this end, the upper sheet 18 undergoes a suitable treatment online, during

from the manufacturing of layer 1, or from the supplier. In addition, this sheet may have cosmetic and / or dermatological properties.

It can in particular receive a cosmetic lotion in order to prevent the user's skin from undergoing irritation.

The lower sheet 19 is also made of a hydrophobic nonwoven material and comprises, in the part 20 opposite the absorbent mattress 17, a film of plastic material which is impermeable to liquids and which is attached to the nonwoven material. As a variant, the plastic film extends over the entire surface of the lower sheet 19.

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Furthermore, the elasticized portion 15 of the second flaps 6 is located opposite the fixing part 14, at the free end of said flap which extends to the top of the absorbent mattress 17. The elasticized portion of the second flaps 6 comprises at least one elastic band 28 and preferably two or three.

These elastic bands 28 are trapped in a return 29 located at the free end of the second flaps 6. The return 29 is obtained by folding the nonwoven material and extends over most of the length of the layer 1. The elastic bands 28 are also of circular or rectangular cross section and are fixed in the stretched state.

As a variant, the return 29 extends over the entire height of the second flaps 6, up to the level of the fixing part 14 of these flaps.

In yet another variant, the elastic bands 28 are sandwiched between the base nonwoven material of the second flaps 6 and an additional nonwoven material which is attached and secured to the base nonwoven material.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 3, the flaps 5 and 6 are secured over their entire surface with the upper sheet 18 in the front 22 and rear 23 parts of the layer 1. Thus, the flaps 5 and 6 cannot be separated of the upper sheet 18 in the front 22 and rear 23 parts.

Furthermore, fasteners 30 are fixed in the lateral parts 3, 4 at the rear end 23. These fasteners carry, for example, hooks capable of cooperating with loops carried by a band (not

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 shown) fixed, at the front part 22, on the lower sheet 19, outside the layer. The absorbent mattress 17 consists of a large cushion 35 and a small cushion 36 which is carried by the large cushion. These cushions include pulp fibers and particles of very absorbent material, and are wrapped in a cotton sheet 37. The assembly is secured to the center of the lower sheet 19. The cushions extend between the front part 22 and the rear part 23. The small cushion is narrower and shorter than the large cushion.

dessus de la feuille d'ouate 37, à l'opposé de la feuille inférieure 19. La feuille de diffusion est adaptée pour favoriser la diffusion des liquides rejetés par l'utilisateur sur la majeure partie de la surface du matelas absorbant 17. Une bande élastique 41 (figure 1) est en outre placée dans la partie arrière 23 de la couche 1. Cette bande est située entre la feuille supérieure 18 et la feuille inférieure 19, au delà de l'extrémité arrière du matelas absorbant 17. Elle est mise en place entre les deux feuilles à l'état non tendu pour être étirée lors de l'utilisation de la couche. Layer 1 also has a diffusion sheet 40 which extends

above the wadding sheet 37, opposite the lower sheet 19. The diffusion sheet is adapted to promote the diffusion of the liquids rejected by the user over the major part of the surface of the absorbent mattress 17. A strip elastic 41 (Figure 1) is also placed in the rear part 23 of the layer 1. This strip is located between the upper sheet 18 and the lower sheet 19, beyond the rear end of the absorbent mattress 17. It is put in place between the two sheets in the untensioned state to be stretched when using the diaper.

Each of the second flaps 6 is secured to the fixing part 12 of each of the first flaps 5 by gluing or by ultrasonic welding. The fixing is carried out in a sealed manner to prevent leakage of liquids between the first and second flaps 5,6.

In Figure 4 is shown the layer in the deployed state to be worn by the user.

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 When the layer 1 is deployed, the elastic bands 27 and 28 cause the first and second flaps 5, 6 to straighten in the crotch portion 24. The first flaps 5 extend on either side of the absorbent mattress 17 to form with this mattress a bowl whose cross section is U-shaped, the branches of which diverge towards the outside of the layer. The second flaps 6 stand up from the fastening parts 12 of the first flaps 5 and converge towards each other, so that the elasticized portions 15 of the second flaps are located directly above the absorbent mattress 17. The second flaps 6 and first flaps 5 are fixed two by two along the inner faces of their fixing portions 12,14.

Thus, it is understood that the second flaps 6 are located above the first flaps 5 to form therewith, on either side of the absorbent mattress 17, a single barrier preventing the passage of liquid and / or solid materials from the interior to the exterior of the layer 1. In each barrier, the first flap 5 defines an elastic plane distinct from the elastic plane of the second flap 6, and whose orientation is different.

Only the second flaps 6 come into contact with the user, at the level of their elasticized portions 15.

The layer according to the present invention makes it possible to obtain better contact between the free ends of the second flaps 6 and the skin of the user, which makes it possible to reduce the leakage rates.

In addition, the manufacture of the layer is simplified and the visual appearance of the layer is improved.

The establishment of the layer on the user is further simplified.

Claims (10)

 1-Single-use absorbent hygiene article comprising: - a central part (2) which extends along a longitudinal axis (XX), - lateral parts (3,4) which are arranged substantially on either side of this central part (2), and which each comprise a first and a second flexible flap (5,6) extending longitudinally, the first flap (5) successively comprising a junction portion (10) along which said first flap (5) is integral with the central part (2) and an elasticized portion (11), and the second flap (6) comprising a fixing portion (14) and an elasticized portion (15), - an absorbent mattress (17 ) which is arranged in the central part (2) between an upper sheet (18) permeable to liquids and a lower sheet (19) of which at least the part in correspondence

 with the absorbent mattress (17) is impermeable to liquids, the upper (18) and lower (19) sheets extending at least partially in the lateral parts (3,4), characterized in that each of the first flaps (5) further comprises a fixing portion (12) situated beyond the elasticized portion (11) and on which the fixing portion (12) of the corresponding second flap (6) is attached, and in that the first and second flaps ( 5,6) are turned respectively towards the outside and the inside of the article (1). <Desc / Clms Page number 13>  2-Hygiene article according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the first flaps (5) is integrally formed with the lower sheet (19), so that the lower sheet (19) extends into the portion of fixing (12) of the first flaps (5) to be secured with the second flaps (6). 3-Hygiene article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second flaps (5,6) comprise a non-woven material which is impermeable to liquids and permeable to air. 4-Hygiene article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the elasticized portion (11) of each of the first flaps (5) comprises at least one elastic (27) which is sandwiched between the upper sheet (18) and lower sheet (19). 5-Hygiene article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the upper sheet (18) extends to the level of the fixing portion (12) of each of the first flaps (5). 6-Hygiene article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the elasticized portion (15) of each of the second flaps (6) comprises at least one elastic (28). 7-hygiene article according to claim 6, characterized in that said at least one elastic (28) is trapped in a return (29) of each of the second flaps (6). 8-Hygiene article according to claim 7, characterized in that the return (29) of each of the second flaps (6) extends over the entire height of said flap (6). <Desc / Clms Page number 14> 9-hygienic article according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the second flaps (6) comprises an additional non-woven material which is secured to the other non-woven material and which extends over at least a fraction the length of the hygiene article, said at least one elastic (29) being trapped between the two nonwoven materials.  a film of liquid-tight plastic material which is attached to the nonwoven material.

 10-Hygiene article according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the lower sheet (19) further comprises, at least in the part corresponding to the absorbent mattress (17),