KR100245357B1 - Gluetal groove blocking device for diapers - Google Patents

Abstract

A diaper is provided that includes an element for blocking excrement from moving backward from the buttocks. The diaper includes a core of absorbent material covered by the topsheet and the backsheet, and a back region covering the buttocks. The diaper further includes a blocking element that is present in the back region and that can be adjusted to generate pressure at the buttocks to prevent the excrement flowing back through the buttocks. The blocking element corresponds to the shape of the buttocks, which has a compression and recovery ratio which improves the consistency.

Description

GLUTTAL GROOVE BLOCKING DEVICE FOR DIAPERS}

Of course, diapers are known and commonly used. Disposable diapers generally comprise a core of absorbent material surrounded by a liquid impermeable backsheet on its outer surface and surrounded by a liquid permeable topsheet on its inner surface. The diaper also generally includes an elastic leg cuff that wraps around the wearer's leg and an elastic waist band that wraps around the wearer's waist. Problems often arise when feces may leak from the back of a diaper if the wearer is active or seated while using a conventional diaper as described above. Often feces are moved through a gluteal groove (open space between the hips) and in some cases can exit the diaper at the back of the wearer. Of course, this situation is generally very undesirable because of the need to wash the wearer and, likewise, the need to clean clothes and / or bedding.

Diapers with elements designed to extend along the buttocks are known in the prior art. For example, K. a. U.S. Patent No. 5,171,236 to K. A. Dreier et al. Describes " central spacer 56 ", which has the advantage " of reducing the amount of excretion in the buttocks of the wearer. M. a. U.S. Patent No. 5,176,672 to MA Bruemmer et al. Describes " gap blocking 26 ", one of its functions to help prevent excretion from moving over the gap between the infant's hip. It is to give ". Also M. this. U. S. Patent No. 5,306, 266 to M. E. Freeland describes spacers 54 and 66, which can be " plastically modified ".

The devices described in the prior art patents can function as intended in the above patents, but there is a continuing need for diapers that include improved devices to block excrement from moving along the buttocks of the wearer.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved diaper which includes a buttocks block that retards movement of excrement along the buttocks, thereby reducing the area of wearer's skin contaminated by the excreta and the frequency of excretion leaking from the back of the diaper It is to let.

Summary of the Invention

Diapers made in accordance with the present invention comprise a core of an absorbent core material, a liquid permeable topsheet and a liquid impermeable backsheet, wherein the two sheets surround the core and are attached together. When worn, the diaper includes a crotch region, a front region extending towards the wearer's navel, and a back region covering the wearer's hips and buttocks. The diaper further includes a blocking element constructed and positioned to block the buttocks in the rear zone, thereby retarding the flow of excrement back through the buttocks. The blocking element fits the wearer's body shape and thus effectively blocks the buttocks.

The present invention is directed to an absorbent article, in particular a diaper comprising elements designed to prevent the excretion from leaking through the wearer's buttock behind the diaper. Although a diaper is described herein for use by a child, it may be used by an adult.

The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 depicts a child wearing a diaper made in accordance with the present invention.

2 is a plan view of the diaper.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing another article of manufacture of a diaper.

5 is a plan view of the blocking element of the diaper shown in FIGS.

6 is a plan view of another blocking element made in accordance with the present invention.

7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing another form.

9 is a side view showing yet another form of blocking element.

10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but showing another form.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIGS. 9 and 11 but showing another form of the present invention.

13 and 14 illustrate additional aspects of the present invention.

15 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 15-15 of FIG.

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a diaper 21 comprising a front section 22 (FIG. 2), a crotch section 23, and a rear section 24 may be worn by a wearer 20 (in this case). It is a child). During use, when the crotch region 23 extends between the legs of the wearer 20, the front region 22 extends toward the wearer's navel, and the rear region 24 separates the hips and both hips of the wearer. It extends beyond the sphere. The back section 24 extends beyond the posterior base of the buttocks to the bottom of the wearer's back. The back and front borders 26 and 27 (which can be elastic) extend across the width of the diaper, and the securing tabs 28 are secured to the corners of the diaper. Of course, the tab 28 is fixed to the waist when in use to hold the diaper on the wearer. Preferably, the rim 29 of the crotch region 23 is elastic. The elements of the diaper described in the paragraph above may have a conventional structure.

In the cross section of the diaper in FIG. 3, it is formed of a core 31, which is a highly absorbent core material. There is a backsheet 32, which is a liquid impermeable material (e.g. plastic), across the outer surface of the core 31, and the top sheet 33, which is a soft liquid permeable material across the inner surface (skin surface) of the diaper. ) Exists. Elements 31, 32 and 33 may be composed of conventional materials generally used for this purpose, for example k. a. Materials disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,171,236 to a dryer. The disclosure of patent number 5171,236 is incorporated herein by reference. At the edges 29 and edges 26 and 27 of the diaper, the sheets 32 and 33 are sealed together to enclose the core 31, and the sheets 32 and 33 also form the core 31. Is attached to.

According to the invention, the diaper 21 further comprises a blocking element 36 located in the rear zone 24. When worn, the blocking element 36 is positioned to extend from the nearly posterior side of the wearer's anus to the rear edge 26 (indicated by dashed line 37 in FIG. 2). In addition, element 36 is located along the longitudinal centerline of the diaper, as a result of which it extends along the hip hole of the wearer. The dimensions, shape, and compression and restoration criteria of the element 36 allow it to substantially conform to the shape of the wearer's body and extend at least partially into the buttocks. The element 36 extends into the buttocks and thereby blocks or at least substantially delays the excretion from flowing back through the buttocks and out of the back of the diaper.

The blocking element 36 may be positioned between the top sheet 33 and the core 31 as shown in FIG. 3, and may press the top sheet 33 against the wearer. Alternatively, it may be located on the outer surface of the core 31 (between the core 31 and the backsheet 31) as shown in FIG. 4, facing the top sheet 33 and the core 31 toward the wearer. ) Can be pressed.

As described above, the blocking element 36 extends along the wearer's buttock and is adapted to match the appearance of the wearer and to extend into the buttock. This can be achieved, for example, by appropriately shaping the blocking element, forming an element with compression and restoring features that provide said consistency, and / or forming a blocking element with zones or portions exhibiting different compression and restoring characteristics. .

3 to 5, the blocking element 36 is generally rectangular and has a substantially constant thickness. It is secured to one or more of the core 31, the top sheet 33 (FIG. 3) and the back sheet 32 (FIG. 4) by a moisture impermeable adhesive. Element 36 (and elements 40, 46, and 49 to be described later) may be compressed, semi-elastic, such as sponges, open or closed cell foams, highloft nonwoven materials, or molded scrim structures. It can be made of a material. As a specific example, a high lofty material may be used, which is a polyester batting such as Mountain Mist # 206 manufactured by Stearns Technical Textiles Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. . The bet has a compression ratio of 88% and a recovery ratio of 94%. In some embodiments, a combination of such materials and conventional absorbent materials may be used, such as air felt or superabsorbent polymer.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, element 40 extends from front to back. In FIG. 5, the element 40 can be manufactured further reinforced along the centerline (extension direction) at the portion indicated by the mark 41 compared to the two side portions 42. As a result, when the element 40 is pressed against the wearer, the stronger and less compressive centerline 41 may protrude into the buttocks, but the lateral portion 42 may be pushed back from the central portion 41. Can be. Thus, element 40 fits substantially into the shape of the wearer. The central portion 41 can be further strengthened by various means, for example by applying an adhesive to it or by densifying the central portion 41.

6 and 7, the blocking element 46 can be positioned similarly to the element 36 but contoured to better fit the buttocks. Element 46 extends or flares laterally and toward its distal end toward the rear edge 26 to provide a narrow end 47 and a wide end 48. The extent of expansion is exaggerated in the drawings.

The blocking element 49 shown in FIG. 8 has both flared and cross-section shaped peaks as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The height of the peak 50 can also vary as shown in FIG. 8 (peak 50 is preferably the highest at the end near the rear edge 26, but the highest point can be anywhere along the length of the blocking element). Do).

9 and 10 show a blocking element 51 formed of a folded semi-elastic strip 52 and two elastic strips 53 and 54. As shown in FIG. 9, the semi-elastic strip 52 is stuck between two strips 53 and 54. As a specific example of this embodiment, the strip 52 comprises an elongated strip of flexible plastic mesh or scrim, and the strips 53 and 54 are made of an elastic material. In this specific example, the strip 52 is a Smith and Nephew PC52 # P100 scrim. The sheet of mesh scrim is about 5 relatively thick and strengthened primary strands per centimeter (12.7 strands per inch) in the machine direction of the sheet and about 10 relatively thin and perpendicular to the primary strands in the machine cross direction of the sheet. It has less reinforced secondary strands (25.4 strands per inch). Elastic strips 53 and 54 are elastic ULTRAFLEX 9EX29 (size 0.007 " x 5/64 ") manufactured by Fulflex Incorporated, Middletown, Rhode Island. To make element 51, strip 53 is drawn to about 200% of its original (relaxed) length. The scrim strips 52 are positioned on the elongated strips 53, and in this specific example they are joined together at about 2 inches apart, but this dimension may vary depending on the desired height and / or semi-elasticity.

The elastic strip 53 is then allowed to relax to its original length, and the second elastic strip 54 is joined to the peak of the fold of the strip 52 without being relaxed or stressed. The ends of the three strips 52, 53 and 54 are preferably fixed together at 57 by an adhesive. The pressure, which tends to move the strips 53 and 54 towards each other, then acts to flatten or bend the folds of the siunsoidal member 52, but the semi-elasticity of the member 52 And the elasticity of the strips 53 and 54 tends to restore it in the form of a sinusoidal curve, which provides anti-elasticity or pressure in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. This force or pressure is used to press the topsheet 33 into the buttock of the wearer. Strips 53 and 54 are attached to at least some of the diaper elements 31, 32, and 33. Element 51 has a compression ratio of 66% and a recovery ratio of 93%.

11 shows a blocking element 61 which is a variant of the element 51. The element 61 comprises two elastic strips 63 and 64, a semi-elastic strip 62 between them, and the strips 62, 63 and 64 are generally strips 52, Corresponds to (53) and (54). To provide irregular spaces and peak heights, the left end of the elastic strip 63 (as shown in FIG. 11), when assembling the elements, is stretched to a greater extent than the right end and / or adhesive applied spaced spot 66 ) Is larger than the right end. By this end, the peak 67 at the left end is farther apart and higher than the right end. In this way, the height and stiffness of one zone of the element 61 is different from the other elements. Additional layers or pads 68, 69, and 70 may optionally be applied to surround or weaken the antiballistic pressure applied by the strip 62.

12 includes a rolled or coiled strip 75 of mesh or scrim, which may be composed of a material similar to the material of member 52 and cover 73. The strip 75 is rolled or coiled to form a number of spiral loops 77 (specifically, 15 mm diameter). The strip 75 is wrapped with a tubular glue-sprayed polypropylene nonwoven sheet 73 for stability. The sheet 73 may be a product P-8 of Fiberweb Co., Simpsonville, South Carolina. The glue spray may be a # 2103 adhesive of Findley Adhesives Incoporated (Milwaukee, Wisconsin).

In FIG. 13, semi-elastic barrier element 81 is provided comprising a thin semi-elastic sheet 82 of material such as polyurethane foam or the like. As a specific example, the sheet 82 may be a polyether open cell foam # 12536 with a density of 1 lb / ft ³ available from Flexible Company, Spencerville, Ohio. The sheet 82 is partially folded to form two feet 83 adhesively fixed to the strip 84 and laterally spaced apart. The strip 84 may be formed of the same material or a different material from the sheet 82. The portion of sheet 82 between the pit 64 forms a peak 86 extending towards the top sheet 33 and the wearer when used as pleated or thermoformed. The peak 86 is semi-optically compressed to urge the top sheet 33 towards the buttocks of the wearer. Reinforce the peak by adhering the two bottom surfaces of strip 82 or otherwise immediately joining together at 87 under peak 86. In addition, the amount or extent of the bottom surface joined together may vary depending on the length of the element 81 to change the height and reinforcement of the element. Dotted line 88 illustrates that a greater amount of bottom surface is secured together to provide a lower height and reinforced portion of element 81.

14 and 15 illustrate a blocking element 91 made of semi-elastic material, such as an open or closed cell plastic foam or sponge material. Element 91 has a relatively broad baseline 92 and sides 93 that converge to one point to form a peak 94. As with other aspects of the invention, the side surfaces 93 and the peak 94 are shaped to conform to the wearer's buttock zone. One end portion 96 (FIG. 14) of the element 91 is optionally reinforced by applying an adhesive coating thereto. The distal portion 96 may instead be reinforced by other means, such as by increasing its density.

In the embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 9-12, strips 53, 54, strips 63, 64 and strip 73 are formed of top sheet 32 or back sheet 33 and And / or directly attached to the core 31.

In other embodiments, one or both of strips 53, 54, strips 63, 64, and 73 are omitted, and strips 52, 62, and 75 are cored and / or It is directly bonded to the top sheet or back sheet.

Strips 52, 62, and 75 can be formed from a number of suitable materials including, but not limited to, woven or nonwoven sheet materials of plastics, plastic films, and natural or synthetic rubber strands. One suitable material capable of forming the strips 52, 62 and 75 is described above, available from Smith and Nephew Plastics, Ltd., North Humberside, Gilberdike, UK. # P100 Polypropylene mesh scrim. The strips 52, 62 and 75 may comprise 0.6 mm wide strips of # P100 mesh cut parallel to the primary strands such that the primary strands extend along the length of the strip and generally Parallel to the buttocks. Another suitable material capable of forming strips 52, 62 and 75 is 4 on each side, commercially available as ON7100 polypropylene mesh manufactured by Conwed Plastics, Minneapolis, Minnesota. There is a polypropylene mesh scrim that is square mm and has a basis weight of about 50 g / m 2.

Strips 53, 54, 63, 64, and 73 can be formed from various types of elastic materials, including natural or synthetic rubber strands, elastic fabrics or nonwovens, and elastic films. One suitable material capable of forming the strip is an elastic tape sold as ULTRAFLEX MODEL 9EX29 elastic tape by Fullplex Inc., Middletown, Rhode Island. The strips 53, 54, 63, and 64 may each comprise a length of elastic tape having a width of about 4.0 to 6.0 mm and a thickness of about 2.0 mm. Alternatively, they can include a 6.0 mm wide strip of EXX-500 elastic sheet material available from Exxon Company, Huiston, Texas.

The pleats of the folded strips 52 and 62 are formed by elastic contraction of one or both of the pair of elastic strips 53, 54, 63 and 64 with respect to the folded strip. Can be. For example, the folded strip can have a large free length compared to the free (unstretched) free length of the elastic strip. The elastic strip can be stretched or flared relative to its free length and the folded strip. During stretching, the elastic strip may be attached to the folded strip at points spaced along the length of the folded strip. When the force to stretch the elastic strip is relaxed, the elastic strip contracts with respect to the folded strip to pull together the spaced attachment points on the folded strip to form a pleat.

Elongation is measured by subtracting the elongated length from the free gage length and dividing this difference by the free gage length. For example, in the case of the elastic strips 53 and 54 formed from the above described ULTRAFLEX elastic tape, a suitable folded member 52 having a pleat is about 35 to about 400% of the elastic strips 53 and 54. It can be prepared by providing an elastic modulus. The strips 53 and / or strips 54 are about 25.4 mm (1.0 in) and about 127 mm (5.0) when measured when the elastic strip is stretched and before the strip 52 is corrugated by shrinkage of the elastic strip. It can be attached to the strip 52 at points spaced at intervals of in).

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the Z-direction height (vertical direction as shown in FIG. 9) of the pleats is generally uniform along the length of the element 51. By way of example, this height may be between about 20 mm and about 40 mm, and the spacing between adjacent folds or pleats may be between about 25 mm and about 50 mm. In the case of an element 51 having a strip 52 formed from the above described P100 mesh scrim material and an elastic strip 53 and 54 formed from the above described ULTRAFLEX elastic tape, the strips 53 and 54 are elongated. When the strips 53 and 54 are measured before or when the strips 52 are corrugated by shrinkage of the strips 53 and 54 and the elongation of the strips 53 and 54 is about 50 to about 400% and the strips 53 and ( The uniform arrangement of the folds can be obtained if 54 is attached to the strip 52 at points spaced at a distance of about 25.4 mm to about 127 mm.

The Z-direction height of the pleats may vary along the longitudinal length as shown and described with respect to FIG. 11. This change in Z-direction height may provide a local lift of the topsheet 33 for improved fit at the buttocks. This change in the Z-direction height of the pleats can be achieved by changing the elongation of the elastic strip as a function of position along the length of the pleated strip before the elastic strips join together.

As mentioned above, an important feature of the present invention is that the blocking element fits the wearer's body shape and the compression / restore criterion of the blocking element is related to this feature. The compression factor is related to how well the blocking element fits when the wearer is positioned on the element, and the restoring factor is related to how well the blocking element fits when the wearer rises to remove pressure on the element.

Preferred compression ratios are in the range of at least about 40%, more preferred compression ratios are in the range of at least about 60%, and most preferred compression ratios are in the range of at least about 80%.

Preferred recovery rates range from about 60% or more, more preferred recovery rates range from about 75% or more, and most preferred recovery rates range from about 85% or more.

Compression and reconstruction ratios are 0.95 in diameter pressure foots using Onosokki Digimatic Indicator, Measure-All, Inc., Fairfield, Ohio. Can be measured by The measured value and ratio of a sample are calculated | required as follows. First, the thickness of the sample is measured without applying pressure (caliper # 1); 1.0 psi load is then applied to the sample for 1 minute and the thickness is measured (caliper # 2); Then remove the load and measure the thickness immediately (caliper # 3). The compression ratio is obtained by dividing (Caliper # 1-Caliper # 3) by Caliper # 1 and multiplying by 100. The reconstruction ratio is obtained by dividing caliper # 3 by caliper # 1 and multiplying by 100.

It can be clearly seen from the foregoing description that a new and useful diaper comprising a blocking element is provided. The blocking element is located in the diaper and prevents the excrement from moving along the buttocks in conformity with the shape of the wearer's body.

Claims (22)

It consists of a topsheet, a backsheet and a pad positioned between and secured to the topsheet and the backsheet, including a front section, a back section and a crotch section, and shaped to attach to the wearer a rear section extending beyond the wearer's buttocks. And further comprising a blocking element located in the rear region and extending along the buttock of the wearer, wherein the blocking element corresponds to the shape of the buttock of the wearer during use and includes means for blocking the buttocks. Diaper for The method of claim 1, The pad has a skin surface and a back surface, the barrier element is on the skin surface and presses the top sheet towards the wearer during use. diaper. The method of claim 1, The pad has a skin surface and a back surface, the blocking element is on the back and presses the pad and top sheet toward the wearer during use. diaper. The method of claim 1, The barrier element includes an outline shaped to extend into the buttock of the wearer diaper. The method of claim 4, wherein The contour includes an outer flare in the direction of the rear region and laterally of the rear region. diaper. The method of claim 4, wherein The contour includes a cross section that forms a peak diaper. The method of claim 6, The contour further comprises an outer flare in the direction of the rear region and laterally of the rear region. diaper. The method of claim 1, The means for matching the appearance comprises a preferred compression ratio in the range of at least about 40% and a desired recovery ratio in the range of at least about 60%. diaper. The method of claim 8, The means for matching the appearance comprises a preferred compression ratio in the range of at least about 60% and a desired recovery ratio in the range of at least about 75%. diaper. The method of claim 8, The means for matching the appearance comprises a preferred compression ratio in the range of at least about 80% and a desired recovery ratio in the range of at least about 85%. diaper. The method of claim 1, The blocking element comprises a semi-elastic folded strip comprising a plurality of pleats, each pleat having a high position and a low position and being compressible to move the high position toward the low position. diaper. The method of claim 11, The blocking element further comprises an elastic strip coupled to a high position of the pleat diaper. The method of claim 11, The blocking element further comprises an elastic strip coupled to a lower position of the pleat diaper. The method of claim 12, The blocking element further comprises an elastic strip coupled to a lower position of the pleat diaper. The method of claim 11, Multiple pleats have substantially the same height and length diaper. The method of claim 11, Multiple pleats have different heights and lengths diaper. The method of claim 1, The blocking element comprising a semi-elastic strip rolled in the form of a spiral diaper. The method of claim 17, The blocking element further comprising a cover surrounding and bonded to the semi-elastic strip diaper. The method of claim 1, The blocking element comprises a relatively narrow elongated member, wherein a portion of the member has a lower compression ratio than the rest of the member diaper. The method of claim 19, Said portion comprising a reinforcing material thereon diaper. The method of claim 1, The blocking element comprises an elongated strip of semi-elastic material, wherein the strip has a center line in the stretching direction and is crimped along the center line. diaper. The method of claim 21, The strip further comprises a side portion on an opposite side of the centerline, and the element further comprises a strip bonded to the side portion. diaper.

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