JP2011522672A - An absorbent article comprising an absorbent polymer material, a wetness indicator, and a surfactant with reduced mobility - Google Patents

Abstract

  A disposable absorbent article comprising an absorbent core, a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and a set of elastically shrinkable cuffs, each cuff being made from a continuous cuff material. A raised cuff portion configured and including one or more elastic members. Each of the elastically shrinkable cuffs may be secured to the topsheet in an assembly connection around the longitudinal edge of the absorbent core, with the raised cuff portion laterally from the longitudinal edge of the absorbent core. Offset and released, and one or more telescopic members are located outside the assembly coupling.

Description

  The present disclosure relates generally to absorbent articles, and more particularly to disposable absorbent articles such as diapers with absorbent polymer materials.

  Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, training pants, and adult incontinence undergarments absorb and contain body discharges. They are also intended to prevent bodily discharges from contaminating or wetting other items such as clothing or bedding that may come into contact with the wearer. A disposable absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, may be worn over several hours in a dry state or a urine swallow. Thus, the fit and comfort of the absorbent article to the wearer both when the article is dry and when fully or partially loaded with liquid effluent while maintaining the absorbent and encapsulating function of the article. Efforts have been made to improve sex.

  Some absorbent articles, such as diapers, have absorbent polymer materials, such as absorbent particulate polymer materials, as a component of an absorbent core that can expand or become a gel when it absorbs and wets liquids. contains. Nonwoven fibrous structures are also commonly used in absorbent articles, for example, in topsheet materials or as a core cover that surrounds the absorbent core and are structurally integral when the absorbent core is wet or dry. Provide sex. Certain natural fibers and various synthetic fibers have been selected for these applications, and synthetic fibers appear to have increased utility. Synthetic fibers can have certain advantages over natural fibers, such as low bending stiffness that can increase the flexibility of the product. However, the use of synthetic fibers can have certain limitations. For example, in many absorbent article applications, such as sanitary products, it is desirable that the fiber structure be hydrophilic, while synthetic fibers typically have the general property of becoming hydrophobic. Thus, a nonwoven fibrous structure such as a core cover may need to be made hydrophilic to obtain improvements in its desired function.

  One way to impart hydrophilic properties to the nonwoven fibrous structure is to contact the surface of the nonwoven structure with a hydrophilic surfactant or to coat it with a hydrophilic surfactant. Since this coating does not necessarily result in a strong chemical bond between the nonwoven material and the surfactant, the surfactant may elute or be washed away when the absorbent article wets during use. When such a situation occurs, the absorbent properties of the nonwoven structure may work in reverse, leading to performance degradation during use of the diaper or other article containing such a fibrous structure. In addition, if the eluted surfactant migrates or diffuses through the absorbent article to materials selected for hydrophobic barrier properties, these hydrophobic materials become hydrophilic, and even these barriers Loss of properties can reduce the performance of the article.

  In a further aspect, disposable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers may be worn for several hours, so that when the article is filled with liquid waste or partially wetted, the absorbent article is still absorbed. A mechanism for communicating with a caregiver whether it is useful in providing sex can be helpful. For example, a visual signal that can indicate both when the article is dry and when the article is wet with liquid waste would be a useful feature.

  The present disclosure addresses one or more of the technical problems described above and provides a disposable absorbent article that can include a chassis and an absorbent core. In one aspect, the chassis may include a liquid permeable topsheet and a liquid impermeable backsheet that is at least partially joined to the topsheet. Further, the absorbent core can be at least partially disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet and can include an absorbent polymer material. In one aspect, the disposable absorbent article or any component thereof may also comprise a hydrophilic nonwoven material comprising a plurality of surfactant-treated synthetic fibers. In other embodiments, the disposable absorbent article may further comprise a stabilizing component that reduces the loss of surfactant from the hydrophilic nonwoven material when wet. While various stabilizing components can be selected, in one aspect, the stabilizing component includes: i) at least one substantially permanent hydrophilizing agent or hydrophilic nonwoven material that binds to the hydrophilic nonwoven material. Can be an independent at least one substantially permanent hydrophobizing agent, or a combination of i) or ii). In addition, the disposable absorbent article can also be disposed between the absorbent core and the backsheet and disposed in fluid communication with the absorbent core and can include a wetness indicator, wherein the wetness indicator is wetted Including at least one reactive color composition such that a visible change occurs at times.

  According to the present disclosure, the disposable absorbent article comprises at least one: a) a core cover adjacent to the absorbent core and disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core; b) adjacent to the absorbent core and back. It may further include a dusting cover disposed between the sheet and the absorbent core, c) a capture system disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core, or d) any combination thereof.

  According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of stabilizing a surfactant-treated synthetic fiber against surfactant loss when wet is provided, the method comprising: a) a disposable absorbent comprising a hydrophilic nonwoven material Providing an article, wherein the nonwoven material comprises a surfactant-treated synthetic fiber to provide a disposable absorbent article, b) at least one substantially permanent hydrophilizing agent and a hydrophilic nonwoven material And / or c) at least one substantially permanent hydrophobizing agent on a portion of the disposable absorbent article independent of the hydrophilic nonwoven material. Including.

  These and other features and advantages provided by the present disclosure will be apparent upon reading the following detailed description, drawings, and claims.

Figure 4 illustrates one potential embodiment of the dimer hydrophilizing agent and synthetic fiber binding. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a diaper according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the diaper shown in FIG. 2 along the sectional line 2-2 of FIG. Fig. 4 illustrates an absorbent article of the present disclosure having a wetness indicator that changes color when wet, Fig. 4A illustrates before wetting and Fig. 4B illustrates after wetting. Fig. 4 illustrates an absorbent article of the present disclosure having a wetness indicator that changes color when wet, Fig. 4A illustrates before wetting and Fig. 4B illustrates after wetting. Fig. 4 illustrates an absorbent article of the present disclosure having a wetness indicator, where the background graphic is a series of large bubbles and small bubbles, and when wet, these foam pictures become a series of raindrops and small bubbles. Fig. 4 illustrates an absorbent article of the present disclosure having a wetness indicator, where the background graphic is a series of large bubbles and small bubbles, and when wet, these foam pictures become a series of raindrops and small bubbles. FIG. 6 illustrates an absorbent article of the present disclosure having a wetness indicator, where the continuous small foam and large foam background designs change to raindrops inside the large foam when wet. FIG. 6 illustrates an absorbent article of the present disclosure having a wetness indicator, where the continuous small foam and large foam background designs change to raindrops inside the large foam when wet.

  “Absorbent article” refers to a device that absorbs and contains bodily discharge, and more specifically, various discharges that are placed on or in close proximity to the wearer's body and discharged from the body. A device that absorbs and contains objects. Absorbent articles can also include diapers, training pants, adult incontinence underwear, feminine hygiene products, breast pads, care mats, bibs, wound dressing products, and the like. As used herein, the term “body fluid” or “body discharge” includes, but is not limited to, urine, blood, vaginal discharge, breast milk, sweat and feces.

  “Absorbent core” means a structure that is typically disposed between a topsheet and a backsheet of an absorbent article to absorb and enclose liquid received by the absorbent article. A substrate, an absorbent polymer material disposed on the one or more substrates, and on the absorbent polymer material and one or more for immobilizing the absorbent polymer material on the one or more substrates. And a thermoplastic composition on at least a portion of the substrate. In a multilayer absorbent core, the absorbent core can include a cover layer. The one or more substrates and cover layers can comprise a non-woven fabric. Further, the absorbent core is substantially free of cellulose. The absorbent core does not include an absorbent article capture system, topsheet, or backsheet. In certain embodiments, the absorbent core consists essentially of one or more substrates, an absorbent polymer material, a thermoplastic composition, and optionally a cover layer.

  The terms “absorbent polymer material”, “absorbent gel material”, “AGM”, “superabsorbent” and “superabsorbent material” are used interchangeably herein and are used for the centrifugal retention capacity test (Edana 441. 2-01) refers to a cross-linked polymeric material that is capable of absorbing 0.9% saline at least 5 times its own weight, as defined herein. Is used to refer to an absorbent polymer material that is in particulate form so that it is fluid in the dry state.

  “Comprising”, “comprising” are open-ended terms, each specifying what follows, for example, the presence of a component, but other features such as elements, processes, known in the art, or The presence of the components disclosed herein is not excluded.

  As used herein, “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of subject matter such as in the claims to that which does not materially affect the particular material or process and the underlying new features of the subject matter. Used to.

  “Disposable” in the normal sense is disposed or discarded after a limited number of uses over various periods of time, for example, less than about 20, less than about 10, less than about 5, or less than about 2. Used for goods that mean being done.

  “Diapers” are generally worn around the lower torso by infants and people with incontinence to surround the waist and legs of the wearer, specifically to receive and contain urine and feces Refers to an absorbent article that is adapted to As used herein, the term “diaper” also encompasses “pants” as defined below.

  “Fiber” and “filament” are used interchangeably.

  A “hydrophilizing agent” can be broadly disclosed as comprising an oligomer or polymer “backbone” to which a hydrophilic substituent is added. In this respect, “oligomeric” as used herein refers to polymer molecules such as dimers, trimers, tetramers, etc., comprising less than 10 repeating units, while “polymers” are used herein. “Of” refers to a molecule comprising 10 or more repeating units. Various such agents have found utility as soil release compounds in the cleaning art. The methods and articles disclosed herein can use such compounds in the stabilized nonwoven fibrous structures described herein. Such compounds can be used under typical use conditions of the present disclosure, for example, in a fiber slurry containing an aqueous carrier medium, at a working condition of about 20 ° C. to about 90 ° C., about 0.001% by weight of the fiber weight. Use level of about 20%, weight ratio of hydrophilizing agent to hydrophobic fiber in slurry from about 0.0001: 1 to about 1: 1, usually water soluble or hydratable. A further aspect of the hydrophilizing agent can be found in WO 07/123702 (published 1 November 2007).

  “Nonwoven fabric” is a man-made sheet, web, or vat of fibers oriented unidirectionally or randomly and secured by friction and / or adhesion and / or adhesion, whether or not sewed with paper. And woven, knitted, tufted, stitchbonded incorporating thread or filament bonds, or felted products by wet milling. The fibers may be of natural or artificial origin, may be staples or continuous filaments, or may be formed in situ. The diameter of commercially available fibers ranges from less than about 0.001 mm to more than about 0.2 mm, namely short fibers (known as staple fibers or chopped fibers), continuous single fibers (filaments or Monofilaments), untwisted bundles of continuous filaments (tow), and twisted bundles of continuous filaments (knitting yarn). Nonwoven fabrics can be formed by a number of methods such as melt blowing, spunbonding, solvent spinning, electrospinning, and carding. The basis weight of a nonwoven fabric is usually expressed in grams per square meter (gsm).

  “Pants” or “training pants” as used herein refers to a disposable garment having a waist opening and leg openings designed for infant or adult wearers. The pants may be placed in place on the wearer by inserting the wearer's leg into the leg opening and sliding the pant to a position around the wearer's lower torso. While the pants may include reattachable and / or non-reattachable adhesives (e.g., seams, welds, adhesives, adhesive bonds, fasteners, etc.), joining parts of an article together, It may be preformed by any suitable technique, not limited to these. The pants may be preformed anywhere along the perimeter of the article (eg, side fixation, front waist fixation). Although the terms “pants” or “pants” are used herein, pants are also typically “sealed diapers”, “prefastened diapers”, “pull-on diapers”, “training pants”. And “diaper pants”. Suitable pants are described in US Pat. Nos. 5,246,433 (Hasse, et al., Issued September 21, 1993), 5,569,234 (Buell et al., October 29, 1996). Issue), 6,120,487 (Ashton, issued on September 19, 2000), 6,120,489 (Johnson et al., Issued on September 19, 2000), 4, No. 940,464 (Van Gompel et al., Issued on July 10, 1990), No. 5,092,861 (Nomura et al., Issued on March 3, 1992), US Patent Publication No. 2003 / 0233082A1 No., “Highly Flexible And Low Low Deforming Fastening Device” (2002) No. 5,897,545 (Kline et al., Issued on Apr. 27, 1999), U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,908 (Kline et al., Sep. 28, 1999). Issued on the same day).

  “Substantially permanent” means that the discussed treatment, addition, or condition retains its effectiveness over most of the useful life of the disposable absorbent article. For example, the term can be used to describe a treatment, addition or condition that provides the desired effect over at least about 60% of the useful life of the disposable absorbent article. “Substantially permanent” refers to a treatment, addition, or that provides the desired effect over at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or at least about 95% of the useful life of the disposable absorbent article. Can be used to describe the condition.

  “Thickness” and “caliper” are used interchangeably herein.

  In one aspect, the present disclosure stabilizes a surfactant-treated synthetic fiber in a synthetic fiber provided in a hydrophilic nonwoven material in a disposable absorbent article to reduce surfactant loss when wet. Provide a method. In one aspect, the fiber, or the hydrophilic nonwoven material containing the fiber, is treated with at least one substantially permanent hydrophilizing agent so that the hydrophilic properties are maintained when wet and after wet. Can be combined with this or combined in another way. In another aspect of the method, at least one substantially permanent, such that when wet, any surfactant transfer to a portion of the disposable absorbent article independent of the hydrophilic nonwoven material is reduced. Hydrophobic agents can be added, coated, or placed on a portion of the disposable absorbent article independent of the hydrophilic nonwoven material comprising the surfactant-treated synthetic fibers. Therefore, without being bound by theory, if the eluted surfactant migrates or diffuses through the absorbent article to a material selected for hydrophobic barrier properties, these hydrophobic materials It is considered that it becomes hydrophilic and the performance of the article may be reduced due to loss of barrier properties. Therefore, the surfactant-treated synthetic fibers and the hydrophilic nonwoven materials containing these fibers are more permanently hydrophilized and the hydrophobic properties of a portion of the disposable absorbent article that is independent of the hydrophilic nonwoven material. These aspects that make it more permanent constitute an approach in the system disclosed herein that reduces surfactant migration.

  According to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a chassis that includes a) a liquid permeable topsheet and a liquid impermeable backsheet that is at least partially joined to the topsheet; b) between the topsheet and the backsheet. A disposable absorbent article comprising an absorbent core comprising an absorbent polymer material disposed at least in part, wherein the disposable absorbent article or any component thereof comprises a plurality of surfactant-treated synthetic fibers The disposable absorbent article comprises a stabilizing component that reduces the loss of surfactant from the hydrophilic nonwoven material when wet, and i) binds to the hydrophilic nonwoven material. At least one substantially permanent hydrophilizing agent, ii) at least one substantially permanent hydrophobizing agent independent of the hydrophilic nonwoven material, or iii) of i) and ii) A stabilizing component selected from a combination, and d) a wetness indicator, disposed between the absorbent core and the backsheet, and disposed in fluid communication with the absorbent core, wherein when wet, A wetness indicator comprising at least one reactive color composition such that a visible change occurs.

  In further embodiments of the present disclosure, the stabilizing component is generally a) a hydrophilizing agent that is permanently bonded to the nonwoven, b) a hydrophobic stabilizing component, a nanofiber nonwoven stabilizing component, or d) these. Any combination thereof can be included, or can be selected from these. Each of these stabilizing components will be described later in this specification. The use of these stabilizing ingredients and wetness indicators will be described using a diaper as an example of a disposable absorbent article.

  In embodiments where the nonwoven material is stabilized against surfactant loss, the stabilizing component can be a substantially permanent hydrophilizing agent. For example, the synthetic fibers of the nonwoven material may include a polymer and a hydrophilizing agent, where the polymer and the hydrophilizing agent include complementary segments joined together. FIG. 1 is an illustration of this embodiment, but is not intended to be limiting. FIG. 1 is a product concept at the molecular level of a hydrophilizing agent 201 having a dimer “main chain”, a complementary segment 203, and a hydrophilic substituent 204 that binds to a complementary segment of a synthetic fiber 202. N can be from about 1 to about 15.

  Without being limited by theory, it is believed that the hydrophilizing agent can bind to one or more of the surfaces of the hydrophobic synthetic fiber. The bond between the hydrophilizing agent and the synthetic fiber can be a durable bond and can be provided to the synthetic fiber to exhibit hydrophilic properties opposite to the hydrophobic properties exhibited by a single synthetic fiber. it can. Further, it is theoretically believed that the hydrophobicity of synthetic fibers alone can generally cause the synthetic fibers to agglomerate during the web making process or within the fiber structure. Regardless of the reason, it has now been found that the bond between the hydrophilizing agent and the synthetic fiber can result in the dispersion of the synthetic fiber in the fiber structure. For example, during the wet papermaking process, there may be a dispersion of synthetic fibers in the fluid carrier, and then the dispersion of the synthetic fibers in the fiber structure may be promoted. The natural fibers may optionally be present dispersed so that the natural fibers do not interfere with the binding between the hydrophilizing agent and the synthetic fibers. The hydrophilizing agent may bind to natural fibers, but this binding does not prevent the hydrophilizing agent from binding to synthetic fibers.

  The hydrophilizing agent can include various charged anionic or cationic species and non-charged monomer units. Anionic and cationic polymers can improve both the adhesion and wettability of synthetic fibers. Examples of hydrophilizing agents containing a cationic function are described in US Pat. No. 4,956,447. The structure of the hydrophilizing agent may be linear, branched, or even star-shaped. Structure and electrification distribution may be tailored for application to different fiber or fiber product types.

  The hydrophilizing agent may bind to the synthetic fiber due to the correspondence between the hydrophilizing agent and the surface properties of the synthetic fiber. This correspondence may be based on the physical properties of the synthetic fiber and the hydrophilizing agent. Such physical properties include, but are not limited to, crystallinity and molecular weight. The correspondence between the physical properties of the hydrophilizing agent and the synthetic fiber may promote the durability of the bond formed between the hydrophilizing agent and the synthetic fiber. Bonds based on physical properties have been found to be durable, in which case the hydrophilizing agent is not washed away from the synthetic fibers. As such, the hydrophilizing agents of the present disclosure may be distinguished from common surfactants. The bond between the synthetic fiber and the hydrophilizing agent can be durable, and the synthetic fiber can exhibit durable wettability.

  In one aspect, the synthetic fibers can exhibit an average contact angle of less than about 72 °. The synthetic fibers can exhibit an average contact angle of less than about 72 °, and the average contact angle of the synthetic fibers after 10 minutes of water washing can remain below about 72 °. Synthetic fibers may exhibit an average contact angle of less than about 66 °, 63 °, 60 °, 55 °, or 50 ° after 10 minutes of water washing. Synthetic fibers exhibiting such an average contact angle can be combined with a hydrophilizing agent. The bond between the synthetic fiber and the hydrophilizing agent can be durable and the hydrophilizing agent can remain unwashed from the synthetic fiber after a single damage by the fluid. On the other hand, surfactants are generally unable to form such durable bonds and may be washed away from synthetic fibers after a single loss of fluid. Further, fiber structures comprising synthetic fibers and surfactants may not exhibit sustained wettability, while fiber structures comprising synthetic fibers and hydrophilizing agents are described herein as follows: May show persistent wettability. By heating the combination of hydrophilizing agent and synthetic fiber at a temperature above the melting temperature of the hydrophilizing agent, a more permanent bond can be formed between the hydrophilizing agent and the synthetic fiber. However, surfactants can be used with or in addition to the hydrophilizing agents disclosed herein.

  The hydrophilizing agent may include a hydrophilizing agent / synthetic fiber and / or natural fiber combination greater than about 3 ppm. The hydrophilizing agent can generally comprise about 10 ppm, about 20 ppm, about 30 ppm, or 40 ppm to about 50 ppm, about 60 ppm, about 80 ppm, or about 100 ppm of hydrophilizing agent / synthetic and / or natural fiber combinations. . In one aspect, the compositions disclosed herein can comprise greater than about 0.001% hydrophilizing agent. The compositions herein may comprise from about 0.001% to about 2%, greater than 5%, 10%, or greater than 20% of a hydrophilizing agent.

  In other embodiments, the hydrophilizing agent may include segments that are complementary to the polymer of the synthetic fiber. The complementary segment can include a polyester segment, and in one aspect, the polyester segment can include a polyethylene terephthalate segment. Furthermore, the hydrophilizing agent may be an oligomer or a polymer. For example, the hydrophilizing agent can be a copolymer of siloxane ethoxylates. The hydrophilizing agent may also be a soil release agent. Such a hydrophilizing agent may be a polymer. Polymeric hydrophilizing agents useful in the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, polyester, poly (ethoxylate), polyethylene oxide, polyoxyethylene, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, terephthalate, polypropylene oxide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyoxy Mention may be made of ethylene terephthalate, siloxane ethoxylate, or any combination thereof. Polyesters of terephthalic acid and other aromatic dicarboxylic acids with soil release properties such as polyethylene terephthalate / polyoxyethylene terephthalate, and polyethylene terephthalate / polyethylene glycol polymer together with other polyester polymers can be used as hydrophilizing agents in fiber structures May be. A wide range of hydrophilizing agents (also known as SRP's, SRA's and SRE's) such as those described above are widely recognized materials in the cleaning art.

  Higher molecular weight (e.g., 40,000 to 50,000 molecular weight) polyesters containing random or block ethylene terephthalate / polyethylene glycol (PEG) terephthalate units have been used as soil release agents in laundry cleaning compositions. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,893,929, 3,959,230, and 3,962,152. Sulfonated linear terephthalate ester oligomers are disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,968,451. End-capped nonionic 1,2-propylene / polyoxyethylene terephthalate polyester is U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,730, and end-capped nonionic block polyester oligomeric compounds are U.S. Pat. 702,857. Partially and fully end-capped anionic oligomeric esters are further disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,721,580, and anionic, especially sulfoaroyl, end-capped terephthalate esters are described in US Pat. No. 4,877. 896, and 5,415,807.

  U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,557 discloses low molecular weight copolyesters (molecular weight 2,000 to 10,000) that can be used in aqueous dispersions to impart soil release properties to polyester fibers. ing. The copolyester is formed by the reaction of ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of 200 to 1000, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid (for example, dimethyl terephthalate), and a sulfonated aromatic dicarboxylic acid (for example, dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate). PEG can be partially substituted with monoalkyl ethers of PEG such as methyl, ethyl, and butyl ether.

  The hydrophilizing agent may be a copolymer having blocks of terephthalate and polyethylene oxide. More specifically, these polymers may comprise ethylene and / or propylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate repeat units in a molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyethylene oxide terephthalate units of from about 25:75 to about 35:65. Such polyethylene oxide terephthalate comprises a polyethylene oxide block having a molecular weight of about 300 to about 2000. The molecular weight of the polymer hydrophilizing agent may be from about 5,000 to about 55,000.

  Other polymer hydrophilizing agents have an average molecular weight of about 300 to about 6,000, and the molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyoxyethylene terephthalate units in the crystalline polymer compound is between 2: 1 and 6: 1. Having repeating units of ethylene terephthalate units, both derived from polyoxyethylene glycol, comprising from about 10% to about 15% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units and from about 10% to about 50% by weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units Crystalline polyester may be used. Examples of this polymer include, but are not limited to, the commercially available materials ZELCON® 4780 (commercially available from DuPont) and MILEASE® T (commercially available from ICI).

  In another embodiment, the poly (ethoxylate) moiety has from about 1 to about 9, 1-12, or 1 to about 15 ethoxylated groups, and any other number of ethoxylates within the range of about 1 to about 15. It may be adjusted so as to have a functional group. The number of poly (ethoxylated) sites may be adjusted to increase the wettability of the synthetic fiber. The wettability of synthetic fibers may improve as the number of ethoxylated groups in the poly (ethoxylate) site increases. If desired, additional copolymers such as but not limited to polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol may be used to control the crystallinity of the hydrophilizing agent.

In an alternative embodiment, the hydrophilizing agent provided by the present disclosure has the empirical formula (CAP) _x (EG / PG) _{y ′} (OEG) _{y ″} (PEG) _{y ′ ″} (T) _z (SIP ) _Which can be represented by a compound having _q to contain from about 25 wt% to about 100 wt% ester, wherein i) (CAP) represents a sodium salt forming a terminal protecting unit, and ii) (EG / PG) represents oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1,2-propyleneoxy units, iii) (DEG) represents di (oxyethylene) oxy units, and iv) (PEG) represents poly (oxyethylene) oxy units. , V) (T) represents a terephthaloyl unit, vi) (SIP) represents a sodium salt forming a 5-sulfoisophthaloyl unit, vi) x is about 1-2 and y ′ is about 0 .5 to about 66, ″ Is from 0 to about 50, y ′ ″ is from 0 to about 50, the sum of y ′ + y ″ + y ′ ″ is from about 0.5 to about 66, and z is about 1.5 To about 40, and q is about 0.05 to about 26, where x, y ′, y ″, y ′ ″, z and q are the average moles of corresponding units per ester molecule. Represents a number. The hydrophilizing agent may be at least about 50% by weight of the weight of the ester having a molecular weight of about 500 to about 5,000.

  In one aspect, the hydrophilizing agent can have an oxyethyleneoxy: oxy-1,2-propyleneoxy molar ratio in the range of about 0.5: 1 to about 10: 1 (x is about 2). Y ′ is from about 2 to about 27, z is from about 2 to about 20, and q is from about 0.4 to about 8. In yet another embodiment, x is about 2, y 'is about 5, z is about 5, and q is about 1.

  The hydrophilizing agent may bind to the synthetic fiber surface during the fiber repulping process. Synthetic fibers may be provided with a hydrophilizing finish prior to fiber repulping. Further, the hydrophilizing agent may be combined with the synthetic fiber as a dissolved additive before the synthetic fiber is extruded.

  Further disclosure regarding hydrophilizing agents can be found in US Pat. Nos. 4,702,857, 4,861,512, 5,574,179, and 5,843,878. . A general method for producing a fibrous structure using a hydrophilizing agent can be found in International Publication No. 07/123702 (published on November 1, 2007).

  In a further aspect of stabilizing the nonwoven material against surfactant loss, the stabilizing component is at least one substantially permanent, independent or away from the hydrophilic nonwoven material treated with the surfactant. Can be selected from the typical hydrophobizing agents. In this aspect, generally the substantially permanent hydrophobizing agent is not combined with the fibers of the nonwoven material in the same manner as disclosed for the hydrophilizing agent. However, the barrier material may constitute at least a partial coating or barrier material on the hydrophilic nonwoven material to reduce surfactant loss. The barrier material can also be placed as at least a partial coating or barrier material on a hydrophobic material, such as a barrier cuff, where it is desired to maintain blocking properties. In this aspect, such barrier materials can reduce the risk that these hydrophobic materials may become hydrophilic as a result of surfactant migration, which may further reduce the performance of the absorbent article. In addition, the barrier material can be a partial coating or barrier between a hydrophilic nonwoven material treated with a surfactant and a hydrophobic site (eg, a barrier cuff) that can be a source of surfactant when wet. It can be in the state of being a material.

  In this embodiment of stabilizing the surfactant-treated nonwoven material against surfactant loss, a wide range of barrier materials or combinations of barrier materials can be selected. In addition, these barrier materials can be applied on the nonwoven material or on the final product using a spray process, kiss roll process, or similar method. The treatment for stabilizing the nonwoven material against surfactant loss may include chemical properties, radiation, plasma, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the surface treatment to modify the surface properties may include in situ coating the surface with a hydrophobic barrier material that coats the surface, by premixing with a suitable hydrophobic barrier material, or by further processing. Can be done by incorporating it into

  In one aspect, the fluorocarbon treatment of the nonwoven fabric or other material provides the desired hydrophobicity such that the nonwoven fabric or other material exhibits the desired water resistance properties, for example, as measured by a hydrohead test. Prevent loss or deposition. In other aspects, fluorocarbon treatment using plasma or similar techniques can result in a very thin hydrophobic coating such that the air permeability of the treated nonwoven is not substantially altered. If desired, the treatment can be applied to a small portion of the substrate surface. These treatments can be applied to materials suitable for use as barrier zones or barrier materials (eg, a wide range of nonwoven materials can be used herein) to prevent surfactant loss or deposition. Examples of all or any suitable part of the chassis include a topsheet, an absorbent core, a core cover, a dusting layer / cover as described herein, a capture system, a barrier cuff, and other absorbent article components And / or any combination thereof. By way of example, suitable substrate materials for this treatment include, but are not limited to, nonwoven webs, cellulose derivative webs, thermoplastic films, modified / processed films (eg, foamed, perforated) And the like. Typical surface treatments using fluorocarbons are US Pat. No. 5,876,753 (issued March 2, 1999, Timmons et al.), US Pat. No. 5,888,591 (issued March 30, 1999). Gleason et al.), 6,045,877 (issued April 4, 2000, Gleason et al.), PCT Patent Application No. 99/20504 (published March 7, 1999, D'Agostino) et al.), PCT International Publication No. 00/14296 (published March 16, 2000, D'Agostino et al.).

  Other surface coating methods using silicones or fluorochemicals are known in the art and can be used herein. Conventional coating or surface treatment methods generally fill the voids within the coated material, thereby reducing the air permeability of the material. Coating methods for providing hydrophobicity to a substrate without reducing air permeability can be found, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,322,729 and PCT Publication No. WO 96/03501.

  In order to provide the desired “barrier-like” properties, the stabilizing component, which is a substantially permanent hydrophobizing agent that serves as a barrier coating, contains open pores in a portion of the deposited barrier layer. One or more materials may be included or selected from such that the opening is substantially closed or filled (to face its entire length). More particularly, the barrier coating may comprise or be selected from a thermoplastic material (such as a hot melt adhesive), a solution, an emulsion, a dispersion, or any combination thereof. For example, in one aspect, suitable barrier coating hydrophobizing agents include microcrystalline wax, stearyl behenate, sucrose fatty acid, polyisobutylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin, polyethylene wax, aliphatic alcohol, sucrose fatty acid ester, stearyl alcohol, Sucrose-cured soybean ester having an iodine value of less than 107 (generally less than 90), natural alcohol residue, wax ester (eg sorbitan wax ester, aliphatic-aliphatic wax ester, sucrose wax ester), 60 ° C. Aldol condensation products having a melting point greater than, natural petroleum wax, lubricant base stock, ozokerite wax, synthetic petroleum wax, beeswax, stearic acid, spermaceti, carnauba wax, hydrogenated soybean oil, unhydrogenated soybean oil, G Sorghum oil, palm oil, coconut oil, castor oil, linseed oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, silicone, xanthan gum, gum arabic, cellulose, chemically and enzyme-modified starch, petrolatum, mineral oil, vinyl copolymer, vinyl emulsifier Sorbitol, propylene glycol, glycerin, solid esters, or any combination thereof, or may be selected from these. In a further aspect, the barrier coating can comprise or can be selected from microcrystalline wax, thermoplastic material, stearyl behenate, stearyl alcohol, silicone, silicone wax, or any combination thereof. The barrier coating can also include or be selected from a microcrystalline wax, a hot melt adhesive, or a combination thereof. Suitable hot melt adhesives include, but are not limited to, H.P. B. Fuller's HL-1258. Is mentioned.

  In one aspect, the barrier coating can be a microcrystalline wax. One suitable microcrystalline wax for this application is The C.I. P. Multiwax W-835, commercially available from Hall Company. This material is a highly refined high molecular weight microcrystalline petroleum wax containing saturated branched and cyclic non-polar hydrocarbons.

  As provided in this disclosure, substantially permanent hydrophobizing agents generally do not bind to the fibers of the nonwoven material in a similar manner disclosed for hydrophilizing agents, but barrier materials are hydrophilic At least a partial coating or barrier material can be configured on the nonwoven material to reduce surfactant loss. For example, in one aspect, when the disposable absorbent article includes a standing cuff, the hydrophobizing agent can be applied to the standing cuff, or disposed between the hydrophilic nonwoven material and the standing cuff, or the interface To reduce active agent loss, it can be applied or even placed as a coating on the hydrophilic nonwoven material.

  In a further aspect of stabilizing the nonwoven material against surfactant loss, the stabilizing component is treated separately from or with the surfactant, independent of at least one substantially permanent hydrophobizing agent. The hydrophobizing agent does not bind to the fibers of the nonwoven material treated with the surfactant in the same way that the hydrophilizing agent binds to the fibers. Therefore, nonwoven fabrics containing nanofibers provide better barrier properties compared to more traditional nonwoven fabrics. By using nanofibers or nanofiber-containing nonwovens as the barrier, the absorbent article can maintain the desired moisture containment properties even when some surfactant migration occurs. In one aspect, the nanofibers or nanofiber-containing nonwoven can be used in diapers as a barrier on the core, an outer cover, and / or a leg cuff. Further disclosures regarding the usefulness of nanofibers and methods of making can be found in US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0070866 (published March 31, 2005).

  In this embodiment, the stabilizing component can be a substantially permanent hydrophobizing agent, wherein the agent comprising the nanofiber-containing nonwoven material comprises a) nanofibers having an average diameter of less than 1 micrometer, and b) A nanofiber-containing nonwoven material having an average pore size of less than about 15 micrometers and a coefficient of variation of less than about 20% for the pore size.

  Nanofibers typically have a diameter of less than about 1 micrometer and typically contain a significant number of fibers, typically at least about 50 of a layer of nonwoven web contained in an absorbent article. % Is nanofiber. Nanofibers generally provide a polymer melt, utilize a central fluid stream to form an elongated hollow polymer film tube, and / or use with other fluid streams And a step of forming a plurality of nanofibers from a hollow tube. Suitable nanofibers and their preparation are disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0070866.

  In yet another aspect, the nanofibers are: a) providing a polymer in the form of a polymer melt, b) utilizing a central fluid stream to form an elongated hollow polymer film tube, c) a hollow polymer. Using a liquid to form a plurality of nanofibers from a film tube; and d) an orifice having a die collector distance optimized to obtain a coefficient of variation of less than about 20% for the pore size. Can also be produced from a melt film fibrillation process.

  Useful nanofibers include those that can be made from one or more thermoplastic polymers. Non-limiting examples of suitable thermoplastic polymers for this application include polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polystyrenes, polyurethanes, biodegradable polymers (including thermoplastic starch, PHA, PLA, starch compositions) and any of these The combination of is mentioned. Homopolymers, copolymers, interpolymers (including terpolymers and the like) and blends thereof are included herein. In this aspect, useful polymers from which the nanofibers can be made include polyolefins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, and the like.

  Suitable thermoplastic polymers include any polymer suitable for melt spinning. The rheological properties of the polymer can be such that the polymer can be melt extruded and can form a film. The melting temperature of the polymer can generally be from about 25 ° C to about 400 ° C. The polymer of this embodiment as present in the die may have a 400 decigram / minute melt flow rate as measured using ASTM method D-1238. In one aspect, the melt flow rate may be less than about 300 decigrams / minute, less than about 200 decigrams / minute, or less than about 100 decigrams / minute. The general range of melt flow rate is from about 1 decigram / minute to about 100 decigram / minute. In general, lower melt flow rates within this range are efficient, and therefore polymers with melt flow rates of less than about 50 decigrams / minute and less than about 40 decigrams / minute may be utilized.

  The fibers may be single or may be multicomponent fibers, such as bicomponent fibers. The fibers may have a seascore type or side-by-side type or other suitable geometric configuration. After the production of the fibers, the fibers can be treated or coated before being formed into a web and / or the web itself can be treated after the web has been produced. Thus, any additive that can migrate to the surface of the fiber after it has been formed can be blended into the polymer resin and this additive can change or “tune” the properties of the fiber. You may use for. In general, for curing using external energy such as heating on the surface or additives on the surface that may be required to chemically react with other components, any transfer to the surface Additives may be required, or the curing step may be an additional component that can be added to the process during the production of the fiber with the resin with the additive or after the fiber is produced using this resin, etc. May need to be catalyzed by the presence of other components. Suitable treatments include treatments that can change or adjust the hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of the fiber, an example being treatment with poly-di-methyl-siloxane as a hydrophobic treatment. The specific processing method depends on the use of the web, the type of polymer, and the like.

  A useful method for producing the nanofibers of the present disclosure is a melt fibrillation process, such as a melt film fibrillation method. In general, melt film fibrillation methods involve polymer melts, utilizing a central fluid stream to form an elongated hollow polymer film tube, and then using a fluid to form a plurality of nano-tubes from the hollow tube. Forming a fiber. Suitable methods are described in detail, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,536,361 (Torobin) and 6,382,526 and 5,520,425 (Reneker). A variety of different processing conditions can be utilized for the melt film fibrillation process. The method by Reneker more particularly comprises the steps of feeding a polymer into the annular column and forming a film or tube at the outlet of the annular column where the gas injection space is formed. The gas column then brings pressure to the inner circumference of the polymer tube. As it exits the gas injection space, the polymer tube breaks down into many small fibers, including nanofibers, due to the expansion of the central gas.

  Another example of melt film fibrillation, which describes in more detail the process of extruding the polymer melt through an orifice that includes a central fluid stream to dissolve the polymer to form a polymer melt and extrude the polymer as an elongated hollow tube. Are found in US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0070866. The elongated hollow polymer tube may be round, oval, irregular, or any other shape with a hollow region. In some cases, the elongated hollow polymer tube may collapse immediately after formation. With respect to a collapsed tube, it may be useful to have a thin wall or weakened portion of the tube in the tube to assist in fibrillation. Non-limiting examples of fibrillating fluids are gases such as nitrogen or air. In one aspect, the fibrillated fluid can be at a temperature close to the temperature of the dissolved polymer. For example, the fibrillation fluid temperature can be above the dissolved polymer to aid in polymer flow and hollow tube formation. Alternatively, the fibrillation fluid temperature can be below the dissolved polymer temperature to aid in nanofiber formation and solidification. In one aspect, the fibrillation fluid temperature is below the melting point of the polymer, for example, from above about 50 ° C. to below the melting point of the polymer or above about 100 ° C. to below the melting point of the polymer, or just at room temperature. The fibrillation fluid pressure is sufficient to fibrillate into nanofibers and may be slightly above the pressure of the dissolved polymer as it is extruded from the orifice.

  The nanofibers of this aspect of the present disclosure are used to make a nonwoven web that can constitute the entire nonwoven composite. This web has one or several layers, which are generally described as a web or part of a web that is produced in a separate process of laying down or forming the fibers. These webs will generally include one or more layers having a significant number of nanofibers having a diameter of less than 1 micrometer. In this aspect of the present disclosure, a “significant number” is defined as being at least about 25%. A significant number of fibers can be greater than about 35%, greater than about 50%, or greater than about 75% of the total number of fibers in the layer. The web may have 100% fibers having a diameter of less than about 1 micrometer. The fiber diameter of the web can be measured using a scanning electron microscope at magnifications greater than about 500 times and up to about 10,000 times when visual analysis is required. Typical measurement conditions for determining whether a significant number of fibers have a diameter of less than 1 micrometer include that at least about 100 or more fibers can be measured, Sufficient sampling occurs in various regions through the layer and is statistically significant.

  The fiber diameter of the remaining larger fibers up to about 75% can have any range of fiber diameters. Generally, the larger fiber diameter will be from 1 micrometer or more to about 10 micrometers.

  Further, for this embodiment, a significant number of fibers in the layer will have a fiber diameter of less than about 900 nanometers and generally from about 100 nanometers to about 900 nanometers. The fibers can have a diameter of less than 700 nanometers and from about 300 to about 900 nanometers. The diameter is generally determined by the desired use for the web. For process and product benefits, in some applications, it has a significant number of fibers having a diameter less than about 1 micrometer and a significant number of fibers having a diameter greater than about 1 micrometer. That is desirable. Larger fibers can trap and immobilize nanofibers, a feature that reduces the amount of nanofiber agglomeration or rope formation and prevents the removal of nanofibers by deviating airflow.

  In one aspect, the nanofibers can have an average diameter of less than about 1 micrometer and the hydrophilic nonwoven material and associated hydrophilizing agent is less than about 20% for an average pore size and pore diameter of less than about 15 micrometers. Having a coefficient of variation, wherein the nanofibers a) providing a polymer in the form of a polymer melt, b) utilizing a central fluid stream to form an elongated hollow polymer film tube, c) a hollow polymer Using a liquid to form a plurality of nanofibers from a film tube, and d) providing an orifice having a die collector distance optimized to obtain a coefficient of variation of less than about 20% for the pore diameter; From a melt film fibrillation process.

  The layer of nanofibers in the web of the present disclosure may contain one or more polymers. In addition, different polymers or polymer blends can be used for different orifices to create layers in webs having different fiber diameters and different polymer compositions. It is also desirable to make single layer nonwovens with various fiber diameters. Alternatively, it is also desirable to produce a nonwoven web comprising a plurality of layers, each layer having a different fiber diameter. The melt film fibrillation process can be modified for the purpose of making both small diameter and large diameter fibers to make various webs. These and other aspects of making nonwoven webs containing nanofibers are found in US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0070866.

  In diapers or other absorbent articles, the web can be used as a barrier layer as disclosed herein. These nanofiber-containing webs can also be used as high barrier cuffs with high hydrostatic heads to reduce the incidence of thin, narrow crotch diaper leaks where comfort and fit are desired. It can be used as a barrier so that the absorbent article can maintain the desired moisture containment properties even if some surfactant migration occurs. For example, in diapers or other disposable absorbent products, the nanofiber-containing nonwoven web can also be useful as a barrier layer. This barrier layer can be placed between the absorbent core, which is primarily responsible for fluid handling properties such as obtaining, transferring, distributing and storing body fluids, and the outer layer of the disposable absorbent product. Similarly, or alternatively, the barrier layer may be disposed between the absorbent core and the topsheet, and the barrier layer can also be absorbent, typically convection airflow and absorption. There is a harmony between sex barrier properties. The convective airflow characteristics are effective in reducing the relative humidity inside the space between the absorbent article and the wearer's skin. The combination of liquid absorption properties and liquid barrier properties provides protection against wetting throughout the task and is particularly useful when the absorbent article is under impact and / or sustained pressure. Further explanation and effects on the barrier layer can be found in WO 01/97731.

  Under surfactant transfer conditions, when a sufficient amount of surfactant leaves the designed hydrophilic material and moves so that the designed hydrophilic material approaches or becomes hydrophobic The activation of the wetness indicator does not occur even if sufficient wetness is obtained by the absorbent article to activate the wetness indicator according to the intended design. A wetness indicator can be placed between the absorbent core and the backsheet (e.g., on the nonwoven dusting layer / cover), but indicates a difficulty in passing liquid through the wetness indicator. / Surfactant migration from the cover to the cuff, core, etc. can occur in the dusting layer / cover. However, a wetness indicator design that works as designed by prompting the liquid to move toward the wetness indicator rather than following a surfactant that moves to the standing cuff or other part of the absorbent article. To provide, a wetness indicator can be combined with the stabilizing component of the present disclosure.

  Accordingly, the disposable absorbent article of the present disclosure can further include a wetness indicator disposed between the absorbent core and the backsheet and disposed in fluid communication with the absorbent core. In one aspect, the wetness indicator may include a central design and a background design, the background design comprising at least one reactive color composition that exhibits a visible change when wet. For example, the visible change may be a color change, a design change, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the central design is hidden by the background design until the design is wet. Examples of suitable wetness indicators are provided in US Pat. No. 7,332,642 and European Patent 1,242,027.

  For example, FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an absorbent article 320 of the present disclosure that includes a topsheet 330, an absorbent core 340, and a backsheet 350, where the wetness indicator 360 is once wetted (shown in 4B). ), Including a colored animal background design, in which a central design of the animal colored in a different color appears. FIGS. 5A and 5B depict an absorbent article of the present disclosure, wherein the wetness indicator includes a central design of colored raindrops, and the central design is a colored and larger drawn bubble when wet. The background pattern appears. In other embodiments, the background design may appear when wet and may have a different color than the central design, thus indicating a difference in the wetness indicator before and after wetting. Similarly, FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the case where the background design of the wetness indicator can represent a center design when wetted, where the color of the center design is either completely or part of the color of the background design. Is different. For example, before wetting, each of the larger and smaller bubbles in FIG. 6A can be blue, but after wetting (as shown in FIG. 6B), only the smaller sized bubbles change to pink. Raindrops appear pink inside larger bubbles, and larger bubbles around raindrops can remain blue after wetting. Alternatively, each foam before wetting can be blue, and when wet, raindrops appear in different colors from the original blue foam and can remain different from each other.

  In accordance with the present disclosure, the reactive color composition may comprise from about 1% to 10% pigment by weight of the composition. Further, the composition may comprise from about 2% to about 8%, or from about 3% to about 7% pigment.

  Examples of solid pigment particles that can be used in the wetness indicator include, but are not limited to, pigment yellow (C.I.14), pigment red (C.I.48: 3), and pigment blue (C.I.15). : 4), pigment black (C.I.7), or any combination thereof.

  The reactive color composition may also include about 1% to 10% liquid dye by weight of the composition. In other embodiments, the composition comprises from about 2% to about 8%, or from about 3% to about 7% liquid pigment.

  Suitable liquid pigments include water-soluble ink colorants such as direct dyes, acid dyes, basic dyes, and various solvent-soluble dyes and equivalents. Examples include FD & C Blue 1 (C.I. 42090: 2), D & C Red 6 (C.I. 15850), D & C Red 7 (C.I. 15850: 1), D & C Red 9 (C.I. 15585). 1), D & C Red 21 (C.I. 45380: 2), D & C Red 22 (C.I. 45380: 3), D & C Red 27 (C.I. 45410: 1), D & C Red 28 (C.I. 45410: 2), D & C Red 30 (C.I. 73360), D & C Red 33 (C.I. 17200), D & C Red 34 (C.I. 15880: 1) and FD & C Yellow 5 (C.I. 19140). : 1), FD & C Yellow 6 (C.I. 15985: 1), FD & C Yellow 10 (C.I. 47005: 1), D & C Orange 5 (C.I. 45370: 2) Any combination thereof, but not limited thereto.

  In addition, the reactive color composition can include from about 10% to about 99% solvent. In one aspect, the composition comprises from about 30% to about 85%, in another aspect from about 40% to about 75% solvent.

  Solvents that can be used in the wetness indicators disclosed herein can be selected from water, non-aqueous solvents, or any combination thereof. For example, useful non-aqueous solvents include alcohols, acetates, and combinations thereof. Examples of alcohol solvents include, but are not limited to, isopropyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, ethanol, methanol, and combinations thereof. Similarly, suitable acetate solvents include, but are not limited to, isopropyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, and combinations thereof.

  A representative ink that can be used in the wetness indicator to place the center and background designs on the substrate is Omutu-you-G ICC pants-you Hkonku v / M (translated from Japanese to English) Commercially available from Osaka Printing Industries.

  In an alternative embodiment, the reactive color composition comprises from about 1% to about 10% by weight liquid dye by weight of the composition and from about 10% to about 99% solvent by weight of the composition. In the absence of pigment in the reactive color composition, such a composition can be placed adjacent to the varnish coating, as detailed in US Pat. No. 7,332,642. In this embodiment, the reactive color composition comprises from about 2% to about 8%, typically from about 2.5% to about 7%, or from about 3% to about 6% liquid dye. In addition, such compositions comprise from about 30% to about 80% solvent, or from about 40% to about 75% solvent.

  The central design of the wetness indicator disclosed herein further includes an additional reactive color composition that includes the same or similar components as the first reactive color composition.

  In a further aspect, the articles of the present disclosure may further comprise a permanent color composition, particularly in a wetness indicator. The permanent color composition comprises from about 1% to about 10% pigment by weight of the composition. Suitable pigments include those provided for the reactive color composition. In this aspect, the permanent color composition may further comprise about 10% to about 99%, about 30% to about 80%, or about 40% to about 75% non-aqueous solvent. Furthermore, these solvents suitable for this embodiment are similar to those disclosed herein for reactive color compositions.

  Another example of a suitable wetness indicator is provided in EP 1,242,027. In this aspect, the indicator is printed on a water-impermeable polymer backsheet and can change its color when urine or moisture reaches the indicator.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of a diaper 10 in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure in which the stabilizing components and wetness indicators of the present disclosure may be used. The diaper 10 is shown in an unfolded, unshrinked state (ie, without elastic contraction), and a portion of the diaper 10 has been cut away to more clearly show the underlying structure of the diaper 10. The portion of the diaper 10 that contacts the wearer faces the observer in FIG. The diaper 10 can generally include a chassis 12 and an absorbent core 14 disposed within the chassis.

  The chassis 12 of the diaper 10 in FIG. 2 can include the main body of the diaper 10. The chassis 12 may include an outer cover 16 that includes a topsheet 18 that may be liquid permeable and / or a backsheet 20 that may be liquid impermeable. The absorbent core 14 may be wrapped between the top sheet 18 and the back sheet 20. The chassis 12 may further include side panels 22, elastic leg cuffs 24, and / or elastic waist mechanisms 26.

  Each leg cuff 24 and elastic waist mechanism 26 can typically be provided with a telescopic member 28. One end of the diaper 10 can be configured as the first waist region 30 of the diaper 10. The opposite end of the diaper 10 can be configured as a second waist region 32 of the diaper 10. The intermediate portion of the diaper 10 can be configured as a crotch region 34 that extends longitudinally between the crotch region 34 first waist region 30 and second waist region 32. The waist region 30 and waist region 32 may include elastic elements (elastic waist mechanism 26) to gather around the wearer's waist to provide an improved fit and sealing force. The crotch region 34 is the portion of the diaper 10 that is typically placed between the wearer's legs when the diaper 10 is worn.

  The diaper 10 is depicted in FIG. 2 along with its longitudinal axis 36 and transverse direction 38. The outer periphery 40 of the diaper 10 has a longitudinal edge 42 extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 36 of the diaper 10 and an elastic end edge 44 extending substantially parallel to the transverse axis 38 of the diaper 10. Defined by the outer edge of the diaper 10 extending between the portions 42. The chassis 12 can also include a fastening device, which can include at least one fastening member 46 and at least one stored storage landing area 48.

  In addition, other mechanisms known in the art, including front and rear ear panels, a waist cap mechanism, an elastic body, and the like may be mounted on the diaper 10 to improve fit, encapsulation, and aesthetic characteristics. Such additional mechanisms are well known in the art and are described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 3,860,003 and 5,151,092.

  In order to hold the diaper 10 in place around the wearer, at least a portion of the first waist region 30 is attached to at least a portion of the second waist region 32 by a fastening member 46 to provide a leg portion. It is possible to form the opening (s) and the waist of the article. When fastening, the fastening device supports the tensile load around the waist of the article. The fastening device allows the user of the article to have one element of the fastening device, such as the fastening member 46, and connect the first waist region 30 to the second waist region 32 in at least two locations. This can be achieved by manipulation of the bond strength between the fastening device elements.

  According to certain aspects, the diaper 10 may comprise a reclosable fastening device or may be provided in the form of a pant diaper. If the absorbent article is a diaper, it may include a reclosable fastening device joined to the chassis to secure the diaper to the wearer. If the absorbent article is a pant-type diaper, the article can be provided with a chassis and at least two side panels joined together to form pants. The fastening device and any of its components may include any material suitable for such use, including plastic, film, foam, non-woven fabric, woven fabric, paper, laminate, fiber reinforced plastic, etc. Or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. In some aspects, the material comprising the fastening device can be flexible. Flexibility allows the fastening device to adapt to the shape of the body and thus reduces the likelihood that the fastening device will irritate or damage the wearer's skin.

  In the case of a monolithic absorbent article, the chassis 12 and the absorbent core 14 can form the main structure of the diaper 10 with other features added to form a composite structure of the diaper. While the topsheet 18, the backsheet 20, and the absorbent core 14 can be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, diaper configurations are commonly described in, for example, US Pat. No. 5,554,145, entitled “Absorbent Article With”. Multiple Zone Structural Elastic-Like Film Web Extensible Waist Feature ”(Roe et al., Issued on Sep. 10, 1996), US Pat. No. 5,569,234, entitled“ Disposable Pul-Bul. And issued on Oct. 29, 1996), and US Pat. xtensible Side Panels "is described in (Robles et al., issued Dec. 21, 1999).

  The topsheet 18 of FIG. 2 may be fully or partially stretchable or may be reduced to provide a space between the topsheet 18 and the absorbent core 14. A typical structure that includes a stretchable or reduced topsheet is described in US Pat. No. 5,037,416 (Allen et al., Issued Aug. 6, 1991), entitled “Disposable Absorptive Articulating Extensive Extensible”. Top sheet "and No. 5,269,775 (Freeland et al., Published on December 14, 1993), named" Trision Top sheets for Disposable Absorbent Arts and Disposable Absorbet Abs Absent Abs Absent Abs Absent Abs Absent Abs Absent Abs. It is described in.

  The backsheet 20 may be joined to the topsheet 18. Even though the backsheet 20 is absorbed by the absorbent core 14 and prevents the waste contained in the diaper 10 from contaminating other external articles that may come into contact with the diaper 10, such as bed sheets and underwear. Good. In certain embodiments, the backsheet 26 may be substantially impermeable to liquids (eg, urine), non-woven laminates, and from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm. It may include a thin plastic film, such as a thermoplastic film having a thickness of (2.0 mils). Suitable backsheet films include Terre Haute, Ind. From Tredegar Industries Inc. And sold under the trade names X15306, X10962, and X10964. Other suitable backsheet materials can include breathable materials that allow vapors to escape from the diaper 10 while still preventing emissions from passing through the backsheet 10. Exemplary breathable materials include woven webs, materials such as nonwoven webs, composite materials such as film-coated nonwoven webs, and Mitsui Totsu Co., Ltd. , (Japan) with the designation ESPOIR NO, and EXXSON Chemical Co. , (Bay City, Tex.) May be mentioned as a microporous film manufactured under the notation of EXXAIRE. A suitable breathable composite material comprising a polymer blend is available under the name HYTREL blendP18-3097 from Clopay Corporation (Cincinnati, Ohio). Such breathable composite materials are disclosed in E.I. I. DuPont. In the name of PCT application WO 95/16746 (published June 22, 1995 under the name of EI DuPont.). Other breathable backsheets, including nonwoven webs and apertured molded films, are described in US Pat. No. 5,571,096 (Dobrin et al., Issued November 5, 1996).

  3 shows the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 along the cross-sectional line 2-2 of FIG. In order from the side facing the wearer, the diaper 10 may include a top sheet 18, components of the absorbent core 14, and a back sheet 20. According to certain embodiments, the diaper 10 may also include a capture system 50 disposed between the liquid permeable topsheet 18 and the wearer-facing side of the absorbent core 14. The capture system 50 may be in direct contact with the absorbent core. The acquisition system 50 may include a single layer or may include multiple layers, such as an upper acquisition layer 52 that faces the wearer's skin and a lower acquisition layer 54 that faces the wearer's clothing. According to other aspects, the capture system 50 may function to receive a rapidly increasing liquid, such as a urine jet. In other words, the capture system 50 can serve as a temporary reservoir of liquid until the absorbent core 14 can absorb the liquid.

  In certain aspects, the capture system 50 may include chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers. Exemplary chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,137,537. One or both of the upper acquisition layer 52 and the lower acquisition layer 54 may comprise a nonwoven that may be hydrophilic. Further, according to this embodiment, one or both of the upper acquisition layer 52 and the lower acquisition layer 54 may include chemically crosslinked cellulose fibers that are formed even if they form part of the nonwoven material. You don't have to.

  Suitable nonwoven materials for the upper acquisition layer 52 and the lower acquisition layer 54 include, but are not limited to, SMS materials including a spunbond layer, a meltblown layer, and a further spunbond layer. In certain embodiments, a permanently hydrophilic nonwoven, particularly a durable hydrophilic coated nonwoven, is desirable. Another suitable material includes an SMMS structure. In another aspect, the nonwoven fabric may be porous.

  According to further aspects, suitable nonwoven materials include, but are not limited to, synthetic fibers such as PE, PET, and PP. Polymers used in the manufacture of nonwovens can be hydrophobic in nature and therefore may be coated with a hydrophilic coating. In addition, such nonwovens may be treated with surfactants to enhance their hydrophilic properties, and the stabilizing components and methods disclosed herein are treated with such surfactants. Addresses the stability of the material when it is wet, with regard to loss, advancement or elution.

  One method for producing a nonwoven fabric with a durable hydrophilic coating is to apply a hydrophilic monomer and a radical polymerization initiator onto the nonwoven fabric as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0159720. A monomer that is chemically bonded to the surface of the nonwoven fabric is generated by being activated by ultraviolet rays to cause polymerization. Another method for producing nonwovens with durable hydrophilic coatings is described in US Pat. No. 7,112,621 (Rohrbaugh et al.) And PCT Application Publication No. WO 02/064877. As is the case, the nonwoven fabric is coated with hydrophilic nanoparticles.

  Further useful nonwovens are US Pat. No. 6,645,569 (Cramer et al.), US Pat. No. 6,863,933 (Cramer et al.), US Pat. No. 7,112,621 (Rohrbaugh et al.). al.) and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 20030148684 (Cramer et al.) and 20050008839 (Cramer et al.).

  In some cases, the nonwoven surface can be pretreated with a high energy treatment (corona, plasma) prior to applying the nanoparticle coating. High energy pretreatment typically temporarily increases the surface energy of low surface energy surfaces (such as PP), thus allowing better wetting of the nonwoven by dispersion of the nanoparticles in the water. .

  In particular, permanently hydrophilic nonwovens are also useful for other parts of the absorbent article. For example, topsheets and absorbent core layers that include a permanently hydrophilic nonwoven as described above have been found to work well.

  The absorbent core 14 is generally disposed between the topsheet 18 and the backsheet 20 and can include two layers, a first absorbent layer 60 and a second absorbent layer 62. The first absorbent layer 60 of the absorbent core 14 includes a first substrate 64, an absorbent polymer material 66 on the first substrate 64, and an absorption on the first substrate 64. A thermoplastic composition 68 on the absorbent particulate polymer material 66 and on at least a portion of the first substrate 64 as an adhesive to cover and immobilize the conductive polymer material 66. According to another aspect of the present invention, the first absorbent layer 60 of the absorbent core 14 may include a cover layer on the thermoplastic composition 68. A thermoplastic composition, which may be a thermoplastic adhesive, as used herein, is intended to immobilize the superabsorbent material from which fibers are formed and both dry and wet. It is understood to include a polymer composition applied to the superabsorbent material. The thermoplastic adhesive material of the present invention forms a fibrous network over the superabsorbent material.

  Similarly, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, the second absorbent layer 62 of the absorbent core 14 also includes a second substrate 72 and an absorbent polymer material 74 on the second substrate 72. A thermoplastic composition 76 on the absorbent polymer material 74 and on at least a portion of the second substrate 72 for immobilizing the absorbent polymer material 74 on the second substrate 72. Although not shown, the second absorbent layer 62 may also include a cover layer.

  The substrate 64 of the first absorbent layer 60 may be referred to as a dusting layer / cover and includes a first surface facing the backsheet 20 of the diaper 10 and a second surface facing the absorbent polymer material 66. Have Similarly, the substrate 72 of the second absorbent layer 62 may be referred to as a core cover, with a first surface facing the topsheet 18 of the diaper 10 and a second surface facing the absorbent polymer material 74. Have The first base material 64 and the second base material 72 are attached to each other by an adhesive at the periphery of the outer periphery to hold the absorbent polymer material 66 and the absorbent polymer material 74 in the absorbent core 14. A wrap may be formed around the absorbent polymer material 66 and the absorbent polymer material 74.

  According to another aspect, the substrate 64 of the first absorbent layer 60 and the substrate 72 of the second absorbent layer 62 may be a nonwoven material such as the nonwoven materials described above.

  Typical absorbent structures used as absorbent assemblies are US Pat. No. 4,610,678 (Weisman et al.), US Pat. No. 4,834,735 (Alemany et al.). .), US Pat. No. 4,888,231 (Angstad), US Pat. No. 5,260,345 (DesMarais et al.), US Pat. No. 5,387,207 (Dyer et al.). al.), US Pat. No. 5,397,316 (Dyer et al.), and US Pat. No. 5,625,222 (DesMarais et al.).

  For nonwoven materials provided in this basic design, particularly nonwovens in the core, surfactant migration when wet can cause contamination and wet other parts of the absorbent article (eg, standing cuffs). Thus, when the surfactant migrates or diffuses from the core through the absorbent article to a member selected for hydrophobic barrier properties (eg, standing cuff), these hydrophobic materials become hydrophilic and become barriers Loss of properties may reduce the performance of the article. The methods and structures provided herein can address this problem, and any suitable material disclosed can be applied with respect to the basic diaper design disclosed above. Thus, this method and structure provided herein can prevent contamination through migration. These methods and structures are also applicable to any other absorbent article disclosed herein.

  Of the patents and patent applications assigned to the Procter & Gamble Company, the patents and patent applications cited in this specification (including the patents described in the specification) are not limited to this specification. Incorporated as a reference.

  The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” shall mean “about 40 mm”.

  All documents cited in “Mode for Carrying Out the Invention” are incorporated herein by reference in their relevant part, but any citation of any document admits that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. It should not be interpreted as a thing. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition given to that term in this document shall apply. To do.

  While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

A disposable absorbent article,
a) a chassis including a liquid permeable topsheet and a liquid impermeable backsheet at least partially joined to the topsheet;
b) an absorbent core disposed at least partially between the topsheet and the backsheet and comprising an absorbent polymer material;
Including
The disposable absorbent article or any component thereof comprises a hydrophilic nonwoven material comprising a plurality of surfactant-treated synthetic fibers;
The disposable absorbent article is
c) a stabilizing component that reduces surfactant loss from the hydrophilic nonwoven material when wet,
i) at least one substantially permanent hydrophilizing agent that binds to the hydrophilic nonwoven material;
ii) at least one substantially permanent hydrophobizing agent independent of said hydrophilic nonwoven material, or iii) a combination of i) and ii)
A disposable absorbent article further comprising a stabilizing component selected from. a) a core cover adjacent to the absorbent core and disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core;
b) a dusting cover adjacent to the absorbent core and disposed between the backsheet and the absorbent core;
The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, further comprising c) a capture system disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core, or d) any combination thereof.   The stabilizing component is a substantially permanent hydrophilizing agent, wherein one or more of the synthetic fibers includes a polymer and the hydrophilizing agent, and the polymer and the hydrophilizing agent have complementary segments joined together. Preferably, the stabilizing component is a fluorocarbon compound, silicone, silicone wax, thermoplastic material, hot melt adhesive, microcrystalline wax, stearyl behenate, sucrose fatty acid, polyisobutylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer Resin, polyethylene wax, aliphatic alcohol, sucrose fatty acid ester, stearyl alcohol, sucrose cured soybean ester having an iodine value of less than 107, natural alcohol residue, wax ester, sorbitan wax ester, aliphatic-aliphatic wax ester, Sugar wax ester, about 60 ° C Aldol condensation products with melting points above, natural petroleum wax, lubricant base stock, ozokerite wax, synthetic petroleum wax, beeswax, stearic acid, spermaceti, carnauba wax, hydrogenated soybean oil, unhydrogenated soybean oil, corn Oil, palm oil, coconut oil, castor oil, linseed oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, xanthan gum, gum arabic, cellulose, chemically modified starch, enzyme-modified starch, petrolatum, mineral oil, vinyl copolymer, vinyl emulsifier, sorbitol, The disposable absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, which is a substantially permanent hydrophobizing agent selected from propylene glycol, glycerin, solid esters, or any combination thereof. The stabilizing component is a substantially permanent hydrophobizing agent, the hydrophobizing agent comprising a nanofiber-containing nonwoven material;
a) the nanofiber has an average diameter of less than 1 micrometer; and b) the nanofiber-containing nonwoven material has an average pore diameter of less than about 15 micrometers and a coefficient of variation of less than about 20% for the pore diameter. The disposable absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The nanofiber is
a) providing a polymer in the form of a polymer melt;
b) utilizing the central fluid stream to form an elongated hollow polymer film tube;
c) using a fluid to form a plurality of nanofibers from the hollow polymer film tube;
d) providing an orifice having a die collector distance that is optimized to obtain a coefficient of variation of less than about 20% for the pore size;
The disposable absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein the disposable absorbent article is produced by a melt film fibrillation method.   The disposable disposable article further comprises a standing cuff, and the hydrophobizing agent is applied to the standing cuff or disposed between the hydrophilic nonwoven material and the standing cuff. The disposable absorbent article according to one item.   The disposable absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the disposable absorbent article is a diaper. A method of stabilizing a surfactant-treated synthetic fiber against surfactant loss when wet,
a) providing a disposable absorbent article comprising a hydrophilic nonwoven material comprising a surfactant-treated synthetic fiber;
b) combining or otherwise combining at least one substantially permanent hydrophilizing agent and said hydrophilic nonwoven material; and / or c) at least one substantially permanent hydrophobizing agent. And disposing on a part of the disposable absorbent article independent of the hydrophilic nonwoven material,
Preferably,
d) placing a wetness indicator between the absorbent core and the backsheet and in fluid communication with the absorbent core, wherein the wetness indicator is visible when wet The method further comprising the step of including at least one reactive color composition that changes. A disposable absorbent article,
a) a chassis including a liquid permeable topsheet and a liquid impermeable backsheet at least partially joined to the topsheet;
b) an absorbent core disposed at least partially between the topsheet and the backsheet and comprising an absorbent polymer material;
The disposable absorbent article or any component thereof comprises a hydrophilic nonwoven material comprising a plurality of surfactant-treated synthetic fibers;
The disposable absorbent article is
c) a stabilizing component that reduces the loss of surfactant from the hydrophilic nonwoven material when wet,
i) at least one substantially permanent hydrophilizing agent that binds to the hydrophilic nonwoven material;
ii) at least one substantially permanent hydrophobizing agent independent of said hydrophilic nonwoven material, or iii) a combination of i) and ii)
A stabilizing component selected from
d) a wetness indicator disposed between the absorbent core and the backsheet and disposed in fluid communication with the absorbent core, wherein the wetness indicator changes visible when wet. Two reactive color compositions, preferably further comprising a central design and a background design in which the wetness indicator is hidden, wherein the hidden central design comprises a permanent color composition and the background design is A wetness indicator comprising at least one reactive color composition such that when wet the background design exhibits a visible change so that the hidden central design appears.
A disposable absorbent article further comprising: a) a core cover adjacent to the absorbent core and disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent core;
b) a dusting cover adjacent to the absorbent core and disposed between the backsheet and the absorbent core;
10. The disposable absorbent article of claim 9, further comprising c) a capture system disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core, or d) any combination thereof.

Images