KR20020077531A - Absorbent articles exhibiting improved buckling and bending softness - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a composite comprising a composite consisting of a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent structure therebetween, which initially buckles with a specific buckling resistance corresponding to the buckling force as the strain is applied. As a result of this, the buckling deformation mechanism changes into a bending deformation mechanism with a corresponding low deformation force.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLES EXHIBITING IMPROVED BUCKLING AND BENDING SOFTNESS}

Infants and other individual incontinence wear absorbent products, such as diapers, that absorb and retain urine and other body waste. Absorbent products contain feces and also function to isolate such feces from the wearer's body and from the wearer's garments and bed sheets. Disposable absorbent articles having many other basic designs are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 26,152, entitled "Disposable Diaper," issued to Duncan and Baker on January 31, 1967, is a one-of-a-kind, commercially successful disposable. Diapers are described. In U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 entitled "Contractable Side Portions for Disposable Diaper" issued to Buell on January 14, 1975, elastic leg cuffs with wide tolerance and commercial success Disposable diapers are described.

In addition to containment and isolation requirements, it is widely recognized that wearer comfort is an important aspect to devise such products. While many approaches are known for products such as panty liners or sanitary pads as disclosed in US-A-4,950,264 (Osborne et al.), High liquid handling performance such as baby or adult incontinence diapers is known. The design for the required product typically had a relatively large and large volume when drying and especially when wet in the area of the product that is matched between the wearer's legs. Attempts to improve wearer comfort in these cases are described in US Pat. No. 4,610,678 (Weisman et al.). In US Pat. No. 5,098,423 (Pieniak et al.), Low-drying bulk disposable diapers are described and, in drying, in particular "shock zones" (2/5 to 3/5 of the length of the product in the patent). , Ie generally defined as the crotch region of the wearer). The main approach is to distribute the absorbent material over a larger area in this impact zone, which can be wrinkled by pressing between the wearer's legs in use.

Further techniques focusing on providing high performance absorbent products with narrow crotch, thin thickness and high liquid handling performance are described, for example, in PCT Publication WO 98/43580. The stringent liquid handling performance requirements required for such products are potentially structures made of stiffer materials, or composites made of relatively flexible materials, which can be greatly lost in flexibility by combining to form laminates or laminate structures. However, these elements often exhibit very increased stiffness, for example known as so-called "sandwich" structures, or cardboard corrugatings, used as reinforcing elements.

Thus, while some attempts have been made to improve the flexibility of absorbent products with high liquid handling performance, there is still a need to improve wearer comfort without compromising the fecal handling performance of the product.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article having a crotch region, and at least one end region, positioned between the wearer's legs for an intended period of use, the topsheet, the backsheet bonded to the topsheet, and the absorbent structure therebetween. And a composite, wherein the composite extends at least as part of the crotch region and the end region. Specifically, this composite exhibits a bulk flexibility force [BS] versus displacement [s] relationship to displacement in the crotch region and the end region, which can be expressed as a mathematical curve. The derivative of this curve can be determined as (d (BS) / ds) = (BS '), and these composites have a displacement value s ₀ having at least one derivative of the curve with zero in at least one of the regions. Have In addition, at the displacement value s ₀ , the composite exhibits a bulk flexibility force value (BS (s ₀ )) of less than 10N, preferably less than 7.5N, more preferably less than 5N.

Preferably, the bulk flexibility is lower in the crotch region than in the end region, preferably less than 5N, more preferably less than 3N.

In a preferred embodiment of the absorbent structure, it comprises an wicking layer having a bulk flexibility value of less than 3N, preferably less than 1N. This wicking layer may be a fibrous web treated by a post-formation activation treatment, preferably a double pass treatment. The absorbent structure may also have a capture layer with a bulk flexibility value of less than 3N, preferably less than 1N.

The absorbent structure may comprise additional laminated absorbent composites having such a support layer, and particles capable of adhering to the support layer and capable of absorbing liquids, such as superabsorbent gelling polymers, polymeric foam materials, and combinations thereof. .

This laminated absorbent composite may be discontinuous, and preferably may have two or more regions spaced in the longitudinal direction such that at least one of the regions of the article extends to the end region of the article, preferably the rear region.

The support layer of the laminated absorbent composite may comprise a tissue, nonwoven, woven or foam structure, and the particles may be joined by bonding means, such as melt blown hot melt adhesive. The laminated absorbent composite includes passivated particles, and preferably at least about 80%, preferably at least about 95%, of the particles are passivated on a dry weight basis.

The particle basis weight may be at least about 100 g / m 2, preferably at least about 300 g / m 2, more preferably at least about 500 g / m 2. The absorbent structure can be designed such that the crotch region has an ultimate absorbent capacity that is less than about 55% of the total ultimate absorbent capacity of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure can also be designed to provide the ultimate absorbent capacity of the absorbent structure located behind the crotch point, which is at least about 60% of the total ultimate storage capacity of the product.

In certain aspects of the invention, an absorbent article having an absorbent structure having anterior and posterior waist end edge widths having an anterior and posterior waist end edge width comprises two central regions aligned on both sides of the longitudinal centerline of the article, and the absorbent article. It may have two transverse side regions located laterally outward of each central region of the structure, each transverse side region extending 25% of the maximum width portion of the absorbent structure outwardly from the central region. do. The absorbent structure also has two or more layers of absorbent material in contact relationship which define a common contact surface area, the two layers being bonded to each other by means of bonding (e.g. hot melt adhesive) covering the area of the bonding means, The coupling means area is smaller than the common contact surface area such that it is located at least 75% in the central core area.

The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as baby diapers, training pants, adult incontinence products, women's protective products and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to absorbent products that provide comfort to the wearer by devising to exhibit specific flexibility, and furthermore to products that exhibit high liquid handling possibilities.

1 shows an absorbent article, FIG. 2 is a schematic description of the definition of the crotch point, FIGS. 3 to 5 show absorbent cores useful in the present invention, FIG. 6 shows a bulk flexibility method / clamp diagram, Figure 7 shows a typical curve calculated from the bulk flexibility test.

General definition

As used herein, the term "absorbent product" refers to a device for absorbing and blocking body excretion, and more specifically, to absorb and excrete various excretion discharged from the body located opposite or in proximity to the wearer's body. It refers to a device for blocking. Absorbent products include devices designed to absorb urine, which is being used by incontinents. Such incontinence products include, but are not limited to, products designed to accommodate relatively high ejection masses of liquids such as diapers, adult incontinence briefs, training pants, diaper holders and liners. The term "disposable" herein is not intended to wash the absorbent products or otherwise restore or reuse them as absorbent products (i.e., use them once, and then discard, preferably regenerate, decay or environmental). It is used to describe absorbent articles intended to be disposed of in an acceptable manner. "Integral" absorbent product refers to an absorbent product in which the separate components are integrated together to form a coordinated finished product such that no separate operating parts such as separate holders and liners are needed.

As used herein, the term "absorbent core" refers to the portion (eg, layer) of an absorbent article whose function is to capture, dispense, move, store, and / or redistribute fluid. The trapping material includes a substance whose primary function is to recover after capturing the fluid. Such materials include wrap tissue or nonwoven sheets designed to prevent migration of capture layers, topsheet materials, moving layers, fluid control modules, or hydrogel forming polymers. As used herein, the term “distribution material” refers to the absorbent core material (s) whose primary function is to absorb fluid and dispense / redistribute it to a point remote from the initial fluid loading point. As used herein, the term “storage material” refers to an absorbent core material that retains most of the fluid absorbed by the product. The terms "distribution material" and "storage material" should not be understood as mutually exclusive. In certain embodiments, a single substance can function to provide both fluid distribution and fluid storage.

As used herein, the term "front" refers to a portion of an article or absorbent core intended to be located proximate to the wearer's front. The term "rear" refers to a product or portion of an absorbent core intended to be located proximate to the wearer's back. As such, the relative term "front of" refers to a position facing forward in the product or core, while the term "behind" refers to a position facing backward in the product or core.

As used herein, the term "z-dimensional" refers to a dimension perpendicular to the length and width of the member, core or article. The z-dimension generally corresponds to the thickness of the member, core or article.

As used herein, "x-y dimension" refers to a plane perpendicular to the thickness of the member, core or article. The x- and y-dimensions generally correspond to the width and length of each of the member, core or article.

The "crotch point" of the product and its absorbent core is determined by taking the product to the wearer and placing it in the wearer in an upright position, then placing the stretchable filament around the leg in the form of eight characters (see Figure 2). The point at the product and absorbent core that corresponds to the intersection of the filaments will be the crotch point of the product and absorbent core. The crotch point is understood to be determined by placing the absorbent article on the wearer as intended and determining the point where the crossed filaments contact the article and absorbent core.

As mentioned herein, the term "crotch region" of the absorbent core corresponds to 50% of the total length (ie, y-dimensional) of the absorbent core, where the crotch point is located at the longitudinal center of the crotch region. That is, the crotch region is determined by first positioning the crotch point of the absorbent core and then measuring back and forth a distance of 25% of the total length of the core.

As used herein, the term "crotch width" refers to the width of the crotch region of the narrowest absorbent core when measured at the crotch point. If the layer consists of a plurality of discontinuous layers, the layer with the smallest width is the width of the layer and thus the crotch width of the absorbent core. If the layer is profiled in the cross (x-) dimension, the width of the layer is determined by the width of the highest basis weight region of the profile.

As used herein, the term "layer" refers to an identifiable component of an absorbent structure, and any structure referred to as "layer" is in fact a combination of laminates or some sheets or of a material as described later. May include the required type of web. As used herein, the term "layer" includes the terms "layers" and "laminated". For the purposes of the present invention, the term "top" refers to a layer of absorbent core that is closest to and directed to the topsheet of the article; Conversely, the term "lower" should be understood to refer to the layer of absorbent core that is closest to and facing the backsheet of the product. It should be noted that the various members, layers and structures of the absorbent article according to the present invention may generally be planar or nonplanar in nature and may be shaped or profiled into any desired structural form. While the above description describes the segmentation of various regions of the product along the longitudinal centerline of the product, it can be further separated along the transverse centerline. For this reason, the area after the longitudinal center line is referred to as the "center area" while the area outside this area (ie, the area facing the side edge of the product) is referred to as the "lateral side area".

An example of an embodiment of an absorbent article in the form of a diaper 20 having an absorbent core in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an unfolded, uncontracted state, having a topsheet 22, a backsheet 24, and an absorbent core generally indicated as 28 located between the topsheet 22 and the backsheet 24. Top view of the diaper 20) without any elastically induced shrinkage. The topsheet 22 is presented transparently to better describe the absorbent core 28.

As shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 20 has a perimeter defined by the front waistband region 32, the rear waistband region 34, the crotch region 36, and the outer edge of the backsheet 24. 38, which has a longitudinal edge 40 and an end edge 42. The longitudinal axis of the diaper 20 is essentially parallel to the longitudinal edge 40 and is depicted as the longitudinal centerline 67 (corresponding to the y-direction or length), while the transverse axis is essentially the end edge 42. Parallel to and depicted by the transverse centerline 66 (corresponding to the x-direction or width). Waistband areas 32 and 34 include the upper area of diaper 20, which wraps around the wearer's waist when worn. The crotch region 36 of the product is the portion of the diaper 20 between the waistband regions 32 and 34 and includes a portion of the diaper 20 that is positioned between the wearer's legs when worn and covers the lower body of the wearer. Thus, the crotch region 36 defines the area of a typical liquid deposition zone for the diaper 20 or other disposable absorbent article.

The top sheet 22 and the back sheet 24 may preferably be connected together only at the perimeter. As used herein, the term " connected " refers to a structure in which the top sheet 22 is directly bonded to the top sheet 24 by directly fixing the top sheet to the back sheet, and the top sheet is attached to the intermediate member. This intermediate member comprises a structural form which is indirectly connected by being attached to the backsheet again. Preferably, topsheet 22 and backsheet 24 are directly secured to each other by attachment means (not shown), such as adhesive or other attachment means known in the art. As shown in FIG. 1, the top sheet 22 has a structure slightly smaller in size than the back sheet 24. However, the topsheet 22 and the backsheet 24 may both have the same sized configuration (ie, co-extending) to be joined together at the perimeter 38 of the diaper 20. The size of the backsheet 24 is defined in part by the size of the absorbent core 28 and the design of the correct diaper chosen. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the backsheet 24 has an hourglass structure. However, other structural forms such as rectangles, I-types and the like are also suitable.

Although not shown, the diaper 20 may have an elastic member that exerts a contractive force with respect to the diaper to be configured closer to the wearer and more comfortable. These resilient members can be assembled into a variety of well known structures, such as those generally described in US Pat. No. 3,860,003 (Buell), issued Jan. 14, 1975, which is incorporated herein by reference. . The elastic member may be disposed adjacent the perimeter 38 of the diaper 20, preferably along each longitudinal edge 40, such that it is tensioned to secure the diaper 20 to the wearer's leg. Alternatively, the elastic member may be disposed adjacent one or both of the end edges 42 of the diaper 20 to provide a waistband as well as or in addition to leg cuffs. See, for example, US Pat. No. 4,515,595 (Kievit et al.), Issued May 7, 1985, which is incorporated herein by reference. The elastic members are secured to the diaper 20 in such a state that they are elastically retractable so that these elastic members are typically retracted or gathered in the form of unconstrained structures. The elastic member can be fixed in an elastically retractable state in two or more ways. For example, the elastic member may be stretched and fixed while the diaper 20 is in a non-shrinked state. Alternatively, the diaper 20 may be deflated, for example by pleating, and the elastic member may be fixedly connected to the diaper 20 while remaining in an unrelaxed or unstretched state. The elastic member essentially extends to the full length of the diaper 20 in the crotch region 36, or otherwise to the full length of the diaper 20, or any other suitable for providing an elastically retractable line. It may extend in length. The length of these elastic members is typically defined by the design of the diaper.

Referring to FIG. 1, the absorbent core 28 is depicted in the form of "I". As noted above, the absorbent core 28 includes the core crotch region 56 as well as the front region 52 and the back region 54. These areas are defined by determining the crotch point of the core 28 in accordance with the description herein. As discussed above, the crotch point is determined by the wearer's body type. For illustrative purposes only, the crotch point of the core 28 is depicted 27 in FIG. 1. The crotch point 27 is depicted to be located on the longitudinal centerline 67 of the diaper 20 and the absorbent core 28. This is a common case and has nothing to do with the geometry of the diaper and absorbent core.

However, as noted, the crotch point 27 is not located in this particular aspect on the transverse centerline 66, but may exist in other diaper / core designs. As discussed above, once the crotch point 27 of the absorbent core 28 is determined, the crotch region 56 is 25% of the total length of the core in all directions from the crotch point (lateral line 61). And by measuring 25% of the total length of the core (lateral line 63) from the crotch point to the rearward direction. In this description, the crotch region is the region of the core located between the lateral lines 61 and 63. As depicted in FIG. 1, the absorbent core 28 is shown having a front region 52, a back region 54 and a crotch region 56. In addition, the crotch region 56 of the core 28 is defined by the location of the crotch point in the core. The crotch region of the core can be used to define the corresponding crotch region of the product.

The topsheet 22 is preferably flexible, soft to the touch, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, the topsheet is liquid-permeable which easily passes a liquid (eg urine) through its thickness. Suitable topsheets include a wide variety of materials such as porous foams; Network foam; Perforated plastic film; Or from woven or nonwoven fabrics of natural fibers (such as wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (such as polyester or polypropylene fibers) or combinations of natural and synthetic fibers. The topsheet may be made of a hydrophobic material to isolate the wearer's skin from the liquid enclosed within the absorbent core, wherein the absorbent core is treated with a surfactant to facilitate the passage of the liquid through its thickness on one or more sides thereof.

At least a portion of the topsheet may be mechanically stretched to provide a “zero strain” stretch stack that forms the elastic side panels. To achieve this, the topsheet does not necessarily need to be elastomeric, but is preferably stretchable, and more preferably stretchable, so that the topsheet is stretched at least to some extent permanently as it is mechanically stretched to its original structural form. It will not recover. The topsheet can be drawn mechanically without its improper rupture or tearing, and the topsheet preferably has a low cross-machine direction (transverse) yield strength.

There are many fabrication techniques that can be used to fabricate the topsheet. For example, the topsheet can be a nonwoven web of fibers. If the topsheet comprises a nonwoven web, the web may be a spunbonded, carding, wet lamination, meltblown, hydroentangled, a combination thereof, or the like. Preferred topsheets are carded and thermally bonded by means well known in the fiber art. Preferred topsheets include staple length polypropylene fibers having a denier of about 2.2. As used herein, the term "staple length fiber" refers to a fiber having a length of at least about 0.625 in. (15.9 mm). Preferably, the topsheet has a basis weight of about 18 to about 25 g / m 2. Suitable topsheets are manufactured by Veratec, Inc., a division of International Paper Company, Walpole, Massachusetts, USA, designated P-8. have.

The top sheet 22 is located above the body surface of the absorbent core 28. In a preferred embodiment, the capture material is located between the absorbent core 28 and the topsheet 22. Topsheet 22 may be coupled to absorbent core 28 and / or backsheet 24 by attachment means (not shown) discussed herein. Suitable attachment means are hereafter described in connection with the topsheet 22 and / or the backsheet 24 to the absorbent core 28. As used herein, the term "bonded" refers to a structure in which one member is directly fixed to the other member such that one member is directly fixed to the other member, and one member is fixed to the intermediate member and again this intermediate member. Includes a structure in which one member is indirectly fixed to the other member by being fixed to the other member. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the topsheet and backsheet are directly bonded to each other around the diaper and they may be indirectly joined to each other according to the teachings discussed herein.

The topsheet may comprise a structural carrier material as disclosed in PCT Publication WO 99/25288 (Roe), which is incorporated herein by reference. The rescue carrier is flexible, soft to the touch and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, the structural carrier is liquid-permeable, which easily passes a liquid (eg urine) through its thickness. Suitable structural carriers include a wide variety of materials such as porous foams; Network foam; Perforated plastic film; Or from woven or nonwoven fabrics of natural fibers (such as wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (such as polyester or polypropylene fibers) or combinations of natural and synthetic fibers. Preferably, the structural carrier is made of hydrophobic material to isolate the wearer's skin from the liquid enclosed in the absorbent core. Alternatively, the structural carrier can be treated with a surfactant to make it hydrophilic.

The structural carrier preferably has a plurality of pores having an effective pore size of at least 0.2 mm 2, more preferably a plurality of pores have an effective pore size of at least 0.5 mm 2, and even more preferably a plurality of pores have an effective pore of at least 1.0 mm 2. Having a size, most preferably a plurality of pores have an effective pore size of at least 2.0 mm 2. Effective pores are pores having a gray level of 18 or less for a standard gray level grade of 0-255 under the image capture parameters described in PCT Publication WO 99/25288 mentioned above.

The structural carrier preferably has an effective opening area of at least 15%, more preferably the structural carrier has an effective opening area of at least 20%, even more preferably the structural carrier has an effective opening area of at least 25%, most preferably The structural carrier has an effective opening area of at least 30%. This structured carrier is particularly effective at receiving fecal material and, when commissioned by the Trans Topsheet Capacity test described in EP-A-0,706,546, incorporated herein by reference, 0.2 g / in ^2. (1.3 g / cm 2) or greater trans-topsheet capacity.

The backsheet 24 is substantially impermeable to liquids (eg, urine) and is preferably made from thin plastic films, although other flexible liquid impermeable materials may also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to a material that is flexible and readily adapts to the general shape and contour of the human body. The backsheet prevents the excretions absorbed and contained in the absorbent core from soaking products in contact with the diaper, such as bed sheets and undergarments. Thus, the backsheet may comprise a woven or nonwoven material, a polymer film (such as a thermoplastic film of polyethylene or polypropylene) or a composite material (such as a film-coated nonwoven material). Preferably, the backsheet is a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mil).

In certain aspects of the present invention, at least a portion of the backsheet provides all of the "zero strain" stretch stacks forming the elastic side panels and, if desired, of the backsheet consistent with the elastic waist features or any other elastic features. Mechanical stretching is done to predeform a part. To this end, the backsheet does not necessarily need to be elastomeric, but is preferably stretchable, most preferably stretchable, so that the backsheet is stretched at least to some extent permanently as it is mechanically stretched to fully recover its original structure. Will not. In a preferred embodiment, the backsheet can be drawn mechanically without its improper rupture or tearing. Accordingly, the backsheet preferably has an ultimate elongation to failure ratio of about 400 to about 700% in the cross-machine direction as measured using a method consistent with ASTM D-638. Accordingly, preferred polymer films for use as such backsheets contain high content of linear low density polyethylene. Particularly preferred materials for the backsheet include blends of about 45 to 90% linear low density polyethylene and about 10 to 55% polypropylene. Examples of films for use as the backsheet of the present invention are made by Tredegar Industries, Inc., Terhoth, Indiana, USA, X-8323, RR8220 for certain blown films. Blends, and RR5475 blends for specific cast films.

The backsheet 24 may be embossed and / or mat finished (typically up to about 5.5 mil calipers) to provide a more garment-like appearance. The backsheet can also prevent vapor from passing through the backsheet while at the same time allowing the vapor to exit (eg, vent) from the absorbent core. Examples of vapor permeable backsheet materials include microporous films (eg, available from Exxon Chemical, Texas, USA under the name EXXAIRE®) or laminates thereof, monolithic films (eg, Available from BF Goodrich under the name PEEBAX®, Elf AtoChem, HYTREL® under DuPont, or ESTANE®; or Laminates thereof and nonwoven laminate structures.

The backsheet 24 is located adjacent the lower surface of the absorbent core 28. Alternatively, additional material (eg, additional capture material) may be located between the backsheet 24 and the absorbent core 28. The backsheet 24 may be secured to the absorbent core 28 or any insert material, preferably by an adhesive, in the pattern described herein below. Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise thermal bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, power mechanical bonds or any other suitable attachment means or combinations of these attachment means as known in the art.

The absorbent core 28 can capture, dispense, and / or retain liquids, such as urine and certain other body excretion, and is particularly good for urine, under conditions such as delivery rate, or volume typical of babies or adults. And any absorbent material capable of providing good liquid handling capacity generally for storage.

This performance can be assayed by methods well known in the art, such as the curve capture test and / or rewet test described in PCT Patent IB99 / 00741 (Representative Document No. CM-2060), which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Can be. In accordance with this disclosure and the test methods described therein, the preferred absorbent product is a Whole Article Vertical Wicking test of the entire product, where the dose is measured for fragments of the product located vertically away from the fold of the product. And the absorbent capacity for the 13.5 cm fragment is at least 0.5 times, preferably at least 0.75 times, more preferably at least 1.25 times, most preferably at least 2 times the capacity for the 0 cm fragment). It shows absorption capacity.

Suitable absorbent products may also be described by the respective calipers in the crotch, ie the saturated crotch caliper (SCC) and the actual wet crotch caliper (AWCC), according to the curve capture test method. This results in fewer actual crotch calipers than saturated crotch calipers.

Preferably, the product exhibits a post-curve capture rewet value of less than about 180 mg, preferably less than 150 mg, more preferably less than 90 mg to provide good rewet performance.

Suitable absorbent products also include an absorbent core, which means that the actual wet crotch caliper measured according to the curve capture test method at the crotch point is less than the actual wet waist caliper measured according to the curve capture test method at the waist point. Post-curve capture rewet values of less than about 180 mg may be described to provide good rewet performance.

In a preferred design, as the liquid storage region is located far from the liquid loading zone, the absorbent article or component thereof exhibits a good liquid dispensing function as described in detail in PCT Publication No. 98/43580, which is expressly incorporated herein. In accordance with the teachings, the absorbent article includes an absorbent core having one crotch region and one or more waist regions, whereby the crotch region has an ultimate fluid storage capacity that is lower than one or more waist regions, whereby the crotch region is in detail. And a high flow liquid dispensing material having a flow of at least 0.075 g / cm 2 / sec at 12.4 cm according to the vertical wicking test as described.

While the absorbent core 28 may be depicted in the " I " configuration in FIG. 1, any shape may be used. For example, the absorbent core 128 is shown in FIG. 3 in the form of a “hourglass” configuration, where the core has an arcuate cutout at the longitudinal edge 142. For illustrative purposes, the crotch point is indicated at 127. (As discussed above, the crotch point of the absorbent core is estimated from the wearer). As shown, the crotch point 127 generally lies at the longitudinal centerline 167 and the transverse line (in this aspect, does not pass through the transverse centerline) 168. The crotch region is determined by measuring 25% of the total length of the core in the forward direction from the crotch point (lateral line 161) and 25% of the total length of the core in the backward direction from the crotch point (lateral line 163 Is determined by measuring

Crotch region 156 is the region of the core between transverse lines 161 and 163. In addition to the crotch region 156, the core 128 has a front region 152 and a rear region 154. In drying and wetting, the crotch width of the absorbent core at the crotch point is important in providing improved matchability to the wearer. The crotch width is preferably small, even when wet with fluid, so that the absorbent core is minimally raised when the wearer's legs are narrowed to each other. In this regard, absorbent cores useful in the present invention will have a crotch width of about 9 cm or less upon drying and optionally when wet. Preferably, the crotch width will be about 7 cm or less, more preferably about 5 cm or less, even more preferably about 3 cm or less, upon drying and preferably also when wet. Wet crotch width can be measured according to the curve capture test described herein below. As there is an issue with elevations when worn, the crotch width may be more relevant than the cross sectional area at the crotch point of the core. Also in this respect, the narrowest dimension in the transverse dimension is considered to be the crotch width layer.

The reduction in the crotch width of the absorbent core with a uniform capacity per unit surface area necessarily reduces the amount and capacity of material acceptable in the liquid deposition zone. Previous attempts to improve conformity by reducing width in the crotch region have been achieved by increasing the absorbing capacity per unit surface area to maintain the necessary absorbent capacity in the crotch region. This prior attempt has used additional fibers for liquid absorption in the crotch region and in some cases additional hydrogel-forming polymers for liquid storage. Thus, this approach has resulted in a particularly thicker absorbent core in the crotch region, which in turn has a negative burden on volume, both dry and wet. In direct comparison, the present invention seeks to move fluid deposited in the crotch region away from the region. This reflects that the level of fluid storage in the crotch region of the absorbent core is reduced. As such, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the crotch region of the absorbent core will include material (s) that function to distribute the fluid away from the crotch region. Although fluid distribution is an important function of the crotch region material of the core, it is within the scope of the present invention to include the material of the crotch region whose primary function is fluid storage, unless the required level of storage in the crotch region is exceeded. .

Certain aspects of the design of hygiene products are contradictory requirements for functionality and comfort. Low dose products such as so-called "panty liners" can be designed to have the desired level of flexibility much easier than products exhibiting high absorption capacity, such as baby diapers or adult incontinence products. Similarly, products using materials that exhibit particularly good liquid transport and liquid retention even under conditions of use (eg, increased pressure) often achieve this through increased original ductility.

The concept of "flexibility" is, as is well known, urgently needed for hygiene applications, and there are various attempts to approach the subjective flexibility of a given material and the final comfort of the wearer by its physical properties. Most of these relate to specific deformation properties of certain individual materials rather than the overall of the product itself.

Thus, for many applications, the flexibility of the product is verified for and is achieved for low calipers of the product and / or liquid handling components used in the product, but with increased calipers such as more stringent liquid handling requirements. Not for

As a result, the main focus of prior development has been to ensure that these materials exhibit good flexibility, and it is well known that there are various mechanical mechanisms in the art that give a feeling of flexibility.

Objective evaluation of fabrics is carried out / measured on the Kawabata Evaluation System for Fabrics (KESF). Integrated systems for the measurement of the mechanical and surface properties of fabrics are commercially available. This equipment is designed to measure the fabric surface friction and surface shape as well as the low stress tension, bending, shear and transverse compressibility of the fabric (see S. Kawabata, "The Standardization and Analysis of Hand Evaluation"). , 2nd Edition, "The Textile Machinery Society of Japan, 1980]). Fabric handling components referred to as "Primary Hand Value (PHV)" (stiffness, crispness, anti-drape, smoothness and fullness) and textile mechanical and surface properties A series of notations related to are being developed. Markings for all fabric handling grades called "Total Hand Value (THV)" from the main hand value are also being developed. KESF data is used for the analysis of the fabric.

The issue is whether these tests fully reflect all aspects of flexibility. However, the Kawabata series is limited to the thickness of the material, which can interfere with the measurement of many types of products related to the present invention. In view of this complexity, that is, these 17 parameters, many researchers have focused on a few of these parameters according to the protocol described therein or by different protocols seeking similar specific aspects. Thus, one of the important properties defined is bending resistance, which is for example TABER stiffness [see TAPPI test method, T489 om-92, revised 1992] or GURLEY stiffness test [TAPPI test method 543]. All these test methods, originally measured for paper sheets, have since been reapplied for thin, flexible materials (eg fabrics), and have undesirable limits on sample thickness.

While such tests may be useful for assaying various individual materials to varying degrees, they are greatly limited by the maximum thickness of the material, or the maximum thickness of the final product, including thicker materials.

The "buckling / bending" test has been found to be particularly useful to better describe materials or composites for use in absorbent products that may have thicker calipers but still provide comfortable flexibility in use. This test combines most of the relative parameters and properties of the finished product part to test the flexibility of the product or composite versus the flexibility of the individual materials. This approach takes into account all aspects of the product structure and is therefore particularly suitable for high liquid handling products.

The main elements of this test are "buckling resistance" and (following) bending deformation.

Thus, a comfortable product should exhibit a certain resistance to transverse compression deformation or resistance to buckling to avoid excessive uplift of the product.

The ridges are generally referred to as a mechanism of deformation where the product is deformed in an unregulated manner in use, thereby forming a rope-like structure having an irregular shape, excessive caliper or thickness and deteriorated performance. The desired mechanism, on the other hand, deforms the product to face a concave shaped curve upwards (ie toward the wearer).

If the product prevents the bulge deformation to some degree through controlled buckling, it can be further deformed by further bending the buckle deformed in an arcuate fashion in a controlled manner. During this bending phase, the material deformation defines the shape of the curve that appears to initially decrease effectively. Thus, for subsequent deformation, the force required to deform the product after the initial shape of the buckling will be less than that for the initial buckling shape. The product can resist lateral forces without improper ridges and will also reduce the propensity for unwanted pressure markings exerted on the wearer's body.

When the "buckling / bending" test method is applied as described in more detail herein below, the result of this test will be a plot that plots the deformation / deflection versus the corresponding force for the given deformation / deflection. This curve will have a "upward" tendency at least initially. In other words, for an increase in deformation, the force will also increase. This may be a "mono" increasing curve. That is, in mathematical terms, an increase in deformation will indicate a corresponding increase in force. This behavior includes a regular "elastic" region, and as the force is restored, for example, the deformation returns to the starting point, but also in the case of plastic deformation, as the elongation is restored, it will not regain its original shape.

Such monotonous increasing curves can be observed in conventional products, in particular products comprising webs or layers which are not bonded by themselves (eg fluff pulp) but which are bonded to each other in a laminated structure by conventional glue bonding methods. In the case of

However, in the product according to the invention, the curve produced in the bending / buckling test shows a maximum within a certain range of deformation / deflection, and the increase in deflection does not lead to an increase in the required force but rather a decrease in force. Will result. In mathematical terms, this maximum can be represented by a curve having a first derivative of zero for the range, and for a deflection force value less than this maximum point, the derivative will be greater than or equal to zero and a deflection greater than the maximum point. In terms of values, the derivative will have a value less than zero.

In particular, these deformation properties have been found to be relative to the crotch region where the fluid handling mechanism is maintained, as well as to the front or rear region to achieve and maintain good consistency.

If the individual components of the structure are flexible and flexible and have the described buckling / bending behavior, the combination of these components results in a large increase in hardness, for example most of which take into account agglomerated card-boards. The case can be easily understood. Gluing several flexible layers of paper results in a significant increase in ductility. Products according to the invention should be made of materials or combinations of materials that are not excessively "stiff". This must be satisfactory without compromising fluid handling characteristics.

Thus, if the product is made of several materials, each of these materials must meet the buckling / bending requirements individually. As such, these materials may exhibit other desired properties, such as compression flexibility (eg, properties for particular foams). Once suitable materials are selected, they must be arranged so as not to adversely affect flexibility. This is particularly relative to the crotch region of the product where the need for effective liquid transport with a desire to deliver a small volume of structures is required. In addition, this area is greatly affected by the movement of the legs, and compressive forces are experienced when the legs are brought together. Given these movements, this area preferably exhibits the lowest force relative to one or more of the front or rear product areas from the buckling / bending test.

For example, a high flow material can be arranged after the storage material, but other requirements are met. In addition, the materials should not be combined in such a way that the combination exhibits unacceptable structural flexibility.

In particular, it has been found that multiple layers of adhesive bonds can mainly affect flexibility, which can be regressed from an initial very flexible state to a very stiff state. In the present invention, this relates to the bonding between two or more layers. "Binding" in the context of the present invention relates to permanent or temporary bonding (i.e., between manufacture and wetness during initial use). A convenient way to achieve bonding is to provide two materials with one another on a large surface or portion thereof. It is pressurized in a certain pattern form. Bonding can also be accomplished by applying an adhesive or glue on a large surface or portion thereof.

In one particular aspect of the present invention, the bonding between the two layers does not create excessive ductility between two adjacent surfaces, for example by moving these two surfaces to cross each other without undue friction, thereby creating a good liquid between the two surfaces. It is designed to adjust the traffic requirements in parallel. This aspect of the invention relates to specific bonding patterns as well as surface properties for regions other than these patterns.

Permanent bonding is typically accomplished by using glue or adhesive. Also, methods of applying such adhesives are commonly known, which will result in a specific bonding pattern, provided that the general classification is slot coating, or the application of glue beads as straight or spiral beads, and the glue injection is dot-like. Or a fiber-like appearance.

In all applications, the surface may be completely covered or the adhesive may be applied in a patterned manner.

In the context of the present invention, the term “pattern” refers to two or more sub-regions of the given surface, which are different adhesive applications (eg, glue coatings but not glue spraying or glue beads application), or “ Instead of "without glue" it can be clearly differentiated into glues of different amounts or types of application.

In the subregion to apply the glue, there may be additional subregions in which no glue is used between adjacent glue dots (the best example of which is a distinct pattern of dot-spray-glue application is considered), but such areas may be used for any spraying. -Glue application can also be easily identified from unused areas.

Similarly, parallel straight glue beads will have a particular glue-free stripe therebetween, but if two or more beads are arranged in close proximity to one another, the beads grouped together will be of the additional group of two or more beads. The spaced apart relationship will form one region, and the space between the two groups will form another region.

If the glue beads are not implemented in a straight application pattern and are, for example, well known " spiral-glue-applied " in a curved or circular pattern (e.g., generated by rotating a nozzle over a mobile phase substrate), the width of this pattern Will be defined by the diameter of this rotational movement. If the two helix beads are arranged in sequence with one another, they exist in an overlapping structure, thereby defining either one continuous band using glue or both glue bands using different glue levels (where, Overlapping spirals or not), or spirals may be spaced apart, one is a glued area and the other is a glueless area.

Adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory include adhesives sold under the trademark Century 5227 by Century Adhesives, Inc. of Columbus, Ohio, and St. Paul, Minn. There is an adhesive commercially available as HL-1258 by HB Fuller Company.

Certain aspects of the present invention relate to specific arrangements of the bonding patterns to maintain the flexibility of the composite as high as possible without loss to the functional integrity of the product required for fluid handling. While conventional products generally seek to be parallel to integrity and liquid performance, the present invention provides, in certain embodiments, a product that is primarily coupled to a central region, rather than bonded throughout its width, with the transverse side region substantially It remains glueless, which may facilitate the relative movement of the two layers, thus allowing low bending resistance.

The central area of the absorbent structure or article can be defined by measuring an amount that is 25% of the largest width portion of the absorbent structure in all directions in the transverse direction from the longitudinal centerline. The remaining portion of the absorbent structure or article includes a lateral side.

If they contain fine materials, they must be sufficiently secured in the structure to prevent their displacement or loss. Thus, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 95% of the particles, based on the dry weight, are retained in these structures as the structure shakes. This can be done manually, for example by vibrating 60 times within 30 seconds, or a sample of known dimensions (eg 10 cm × 10 cm) and known particle content, with a relatively large mesh (eg having an opening of about 1.4 mm). On a conventional sieve machine (eg Retsch Vibro VS1000) having a vibration height of about 2 mm on the mesh). The particles obtained by vibrating are collected in a suitable pan or plate and the percentage of retained particles is measured.

Further approaches to structures or components useful in the present invention are described in PCT Publication WO 99, which describes a method for making slitsed or microabsorbent materials for absorbent articles (eg sanitary napkins, diapers, incontinence devices, etc.). / 42067 (McFall et al.). This method can be carried out on another component of the absorbent article without cutting other components in the manufacturing method. In one embodiment, the absorbent material is positioned between the two carrier webs and applies strain to the composite of absorbent material and the carrier web. Deformation and the resulting forces destroy the absorbent material, but only the carrier web deforms to provide a self-containing web of fine material between the two carrier webs. Absorbent structures formed by this method are also disclosed. In one aspect, the absorbent structure includes a composite web of discrete elements of absorbent material. The composite web includes a plurality of discrete elements of absorbent material and one or more carrier webs arranged in a sequential arrangement on the carrier web. In one aspect, the separate elements of the absorbent material are positioned adjacent to each other without any intervening material between the separated elements of the absorbent material.

Example 1

An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core schematically shown in FIG. 4 showing a garment side view of the absorbent core, and FIG. 5 showing a cross sectional view of the absorbent core. The capture layer 701 of Example 1 includes a layer of chemically strengthened cellulose. The capture layer 701 of Example 1 has a longitudinal dimension of 260 mm and a transverse dimension of 60 mm. The basis weight of the capture layer 701 is 340 gsm, resulting in a total weight of about 5.3 g. The capture layer 701 is the layer located closest to the wearer-oriented surface.

Embodiment 1 further includes a front storage member 704 located within the front waist region 706 and a rear storage member 708 located within the rear waist region 707. In Example 1, the storage members 704 and 708 are located on the backsheet-oriented surface of the absorbent core and comprise the same type of material. Storage members 704 and 708 include HIPE-based open-celled polymer foams designed for fluid storage. The front storage member 704 is substantially rectangular with the end shaped inner edge 710 having a lateral dimension (width) of 130 mm and a lateral dimension (length) of 110 mm. The basis weight of the storage member 704 is 160 gsm, resulting in a total weight of about 2.1 g. The rear storage member 708 is substantially rectangular with the end shaped inner edge 710 having a lateral dimension (width) of 130 mm and a lateral dimension (length) of 188 mm. The basis weight of the rear storage member 708 is 160 gsm, resulting in a total weight of about 3.8 g.

Embodiment 1 further includes a distribution member 703 located on the wearer-oriented surfaces of the front and rear storage members 704 and 708 and located on the backsheet-oriented surfaces of the storage / rewet barrier members 705 and 709. do. Dispensing member 703 includes a chemically bonded fibrous web post-formed in accordance with the teachings of the embodiment of EP-A-0.810.078, wherein the mechanical post-formation treatment is applied twice to the web. Dispensing member 703 extends from front waist region 706 through crotch region 702 to rear waist region 707. The dispensing member 703 has a shape that has some transverse dimension of 80 mm in the front and rear waist regions 706 and 707 and a transverse dimension of 60 mm in the crotch region 702. The longitudinal dimension of the dispensing member 703 is 438 mm. The basis weight of the dispensing member 703 is 120 gsm, resulting in a total weight of 3.9 g.

The dispensing member is bonded to the capture / distribution layer applied by a spiral glue applicator by means of a conventional adhesive, for example only in the longitudinal center region, ie without bonding outwardly of the central region.

Embodiment 1 is a storage / rewet barrier member 705 located on the wearer-oriented surface of the dispensing member 703 and the front and rear storage members 704 and 708 and on the rear sheet-oriented surface of the capture member 701; 709). The storage / rewet barrier members 705 and 709 comprise superabsorbent materials adhesively bonded to the remaining core structures. The shape of the storage / rewet barrier member is close to the shape of the storage members 704 and 708. The storage / rewet barrier members 705 and 709 have a basis weight of nominal 300 gsm. This basis weight results in a total weight of 11 g.

Example 2

Example 2 relates to an absorbent article comprising the absorbent core of the present invention schematically shown in FIG. 7, which shows a garment side view of the absorbent core, and FIG. 8, which shows a cross sectional view of the absorbent core. The capture layer 701 of Example 2 includes a layer of chemically strengthened cellulose each combined with bicomponent fibers in a ratio of 87% to 13%. The capture layer 701 of Example 2 has a longitudinal dimension of 260 mm and a transverse dimension of 60 mm. The basis weight of the capture layer 701 is 340 gsm, resulting in a total weight of about 5.3 g. The capture layer 701 is the layer located closest to the wearer-oriented surface.

Embodiment 2 further includes a front storage member 704 located within the front waist region 706 and a rear storage member 708 located within the rear waist region 707. In Embodiment 2, the storage members 704 and 708 are located on the backsheet-oriented surface of the absorbent core and comprise the same type of material. Storage members 704 and 708 include a HIPE based open-celled polymer foam designed for fluid storage. The front storage member 704 is substantially rectangular with the end shaped inner edge 710 having a lateral dimension (width) of 130 mm and a lateral dimension (length) of 110 mm. The basis weight of the storage member 704 is 160 gsm, resulting in a total weight of about 2.1 g. The rear storage member 708 is substantially rectangular with the end shaped inner edge 710 having a lateral dimension (width) of 130 mm and a lateral dimension (length) of 188 mm. The basis weight of the rear storage member 708 is 160 gsm, resulting in a total weight of about 3.8 g.

Embodiment 2 further includes a distribution member 703 located on the wearer-oriented surfaces of the front and rear storage members 704 and 708 and located on the backsheet-oriented surfaces of the storage / rewet barrier members 705 and 709. do. Dispensing member 703 includes a fibrous structure that includes chemically strengthened, twisted, curled buckle fibers, high surface area fibers, and chemical binder additives. Dispensing member 703 extends from front waist region 706 through crotch region 702 to rear waist region 707. The dispensing member 703 has a shape that has some transverse dimension of 80 mm in the front and rear waist regions 706 and 707 and a transverse dimension of 60 mm in the crotch region 702. The longitudinal dimension of the dispensing member 703 is 438 mm. The basis weight of the dispensing member 703 is 120 gsm, resulting in a total weight of about 3.9 g. The dispensing member is coupled to the storage member / blocking member by a conventional adhesive, for example by a spiral glue applicator only in the longitudinal center region, ie without engaging outwardly of the central region.

Embodiment 2 includes a storage / rewet barrier member 705 located on the wearer-oriented surface of the dispensing member 703 and the front and rear storage members 704 and 708 and on the backsheet-oriented surface of the capture member 701; 709). The storage / rewet barrier members 705 and 709 comprise superabsorbent materials adhesively bonded to the remaining core structures. The shape of the storage / rewet barrier member is close to the shape of the storage members 704 and 708. The storage / rewet barrier members 705 and 709 have a basis weight of nominal 300 gsm. This basis weight results in a total weight of 11 g.

Test Methods

Bulk Flexibility Method

This method seeks to measure individual materials as well as structures comprising these materials. Thus, this method can be used to assay areas of the product, such as the front, back or crotch areas of the product. The method provides a constant relationship, for example it can be represented graphically as a curve between the bulk flexibility (BS) value in force units [N] (y-axis) versus the displacement in length units [mm] (x-axis). Suitable structures or articles according to the invention exhibit smooth continuous curves over a range of useful extensions, thereby leading to the first derivative of the curve d [BS] / ds (often abbreviated (BS ′)). Will be measured.

The method uses a tensile tester and a sample holder (FIGS. 6A and 6B) in compression mode to measure the buckling force of the sample.

Device

Tensile Tester: A suitable tensile tester is commercially available as Zwich Material Tester 144560 from Zwich Company, Ulm, Germany.

Sample Holder: The sample holder for this test is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. As can be observed therefrom, the sample is a 30 mm wide tab extending upwards of 20 mm (front element) and 55 mm (rear element) to ensure that the sample holder is inserted into the jaw of the tensile tester. Of two curves (the curvature of the outer element of the holder has a radius of 59 mm ± 1 mm with an arc length of 150 mm, and the inner element has a radius of 54 mm ± 1 mm with an arc length of 140 mm ) Is fixed between the plates. The equipment is designed to test various material thicknesses of 1 to 10 mm. As will be appreciated, this type of sample holder is required for both the upper and lower jaws of the tensile tester.

Sample manufacture

Prior to testing, samples were adjusted under controlled conditions (50% RH, 25 ° C.) for at least 2 hours.

The sample is cut to 60 mm x 150 mm (± 2 mm per dimension). The sample dimensions (short side to long side) should match the orientation of the material when used in the final product (ie, if the material used has short and long dimensions, then its short side of the sample is the same in the whole material). Cut to the other side).

The crotch region sample should be placed along a longitudinal center that is oriented such that the 75 mm length of the sample from the product is forward with respect to the crotch point, and the 75 mm of sample is directed backward. The front and / or back region sample should be oriented along the longitudinal center line, provided that the 150 mm length of the sample is measured along the longitudinal center line from each of the front absorbent structure end or the rear absorbent structure end. The front and rear samples may extend in part to the crotch region of the absorbent structure.

Device installation

1. Calibrate the tension tester (in compression mode) according to the manufacturer's instructions.

2. Set the compression rate to 200 mm / minute. The crosshead stop point is set to 30 mm.

3. Insert the sample into the sample holder 7 mm ± 1 mm deep for each clamp set.

4. Set the tensile tester jaw separation so that the unrestrained portions of the sample are smooth and not buckleed. This corresponds to the space between the top and bottom of the 46 mm sample holder.

Operation and data collection

1. Insert the sample / sample holder assembly into the jaw of the tensile tester.

2. Operate the tensile tester in compression mode to record the force / compression curve for each sample.

3. Record the buckling force for each sample. Buckling force is the force required for the sample to initially buckle. This is the initial peak force observed on the compression force curve before a relatively constant force plateau (bending force), a measure of the bending resistance of the sample.

4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 for at least five samples of each structure tested, and record the mean and standard deviation of the buckling force.

Curve and derivative measurements

Referring to FIG. 7, typical results for structures and components are shown where a buckling mechanism occurs in an area marked "A", which translates into a bending mechanism in an area labeled "B", After the maximum at the transition point the force is reduced from "A" to "B".

Crotch point measurement

2 shows a means for measuring the crotch points of the article and its absorbent core. Referring to FIG. 2, the standing wearer's legs are fragmentally labeled 301 and 302. The continuous material 303 (eg, string or rubber band) is twisted once and positioned around the wearer's leg at a point sufficiently close to the lower body of the wearer, such that the intersection 304 of material 303 can be estimated on the worn product. Will be. Due to this, the crotch point of the core of the product is determined, and the crotch region of the core is determined according to the above description.

Additional test

In particular, reference is made to PCT Patent Application IB 99/00741 (internal document reference number CM-2060) in connection with the following method, in particular as described in detail in the Test Methods section thereof.

Synthetic Urine Formulation

Curved acquisition method

Post curved acquisition collagen rewet method

Absorbent core capacity and absorbent core crotch capacity by Teabag Centrifuge Capacity Test (TCC test)

Caliper Measurement Method

Capillary Sorption Test

Whole Article Vertical Wicking Test

Distribution Materials Vertical Wicking Test

Claims (23)

A first crotch region, positioned between the wearer's legs during the intended period of use, and at least one end region, the first sheet comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent structure therebetween, at least in the crotch region and a portion of the end region; A disposable absorbent article comprising a composite, wherein at least the top sheet and the back sheet are bonded to each other, Bulk flexibility force [BS] versus displacement [s] relationship in which the first composite can be represented as a mathematical curve in which the derivative can be determined in the crotch region and the end region as (d (BS) / ds) = (BS '). Indicates, For the first composite in at least one of the regions the derivative has a value of 0 as at least one displacement value s ₀ , At said displacement value (s ₀ ), the composite exhibits a bulk flexibility force value (BS (s ₀ )) of less than 10N, preferably less than 7.5N, more preferably less than 5N. The method of claim 1, 16. An absorbent article having a bulk flexibility value of said first composite with respect to a displacement value of zero (BS (s ₀ )) of the bulk flexibility curve being lower in the crotch region than in the end region. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And wherein the first composite has a bulk flexibility value of less than 5N, preferably less than 3N in the end region. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, An absorbent article, wherein said absorbent structure comprises a wicking layer. The method of claim 4, wherein Absorbent article having a bulk flexibility value of less than 3N, preferably less than 1N. The method according to claim 4 or 5, And the wicking layer is a fibrous web treated by post-formation activation treatment. The method of claim 6, An absorbent product, wherein said post-formation activation process is a double pass activation. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, An absorbent article, wherein the absorbent structure comprises a capture region. The method of claim 8, 12. An absorbent article of manufacture wherein the capture region comprises a material having a bulk flexibility value of less than 3N, preferably less than 1N. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, Wherein the absorbent structure comprises a second laminated absorbent composite comprising at least one support layer and particles bonded to the support layer and capable of absorbing liquid. The method of claim 10, And wherein said particles are selected from the group of materials consisting of superabsorbent gelling polymers, polymeric foam materials, and combinations thereof. The method of claim 10 or 11, And wherein the second laminated absorbent composite comprising the particles is discontinuous and has two or more composite regions located longitudinally spaced apart. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, And the second layered absorbent composite comprising the particles is located at one or more of the end regions of the article. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, An absorbent article, wherein the second laminated absorbent composite comprising the particles is located in the rear region. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, And wherein said support layer is selected from the group of materials consisting of tissues, nonwovens, fabrics, or foam structures. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, An absorbent article in which said particles are bonded to said support layer by bonding means. The method of claim 16, An absorbent article, wherein said bonding means is a melt blown hot melt adhesive. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, Absorbent article wherein said particles are immobilized at least about 80%, preferably at least about 95%, based on dry weight. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 18, The absorbent product having a particle basis weight of 100 g / m 2 or more, preferably 300 g / m 2 or more, and more preferably 500 g / m 2 or more. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, Wherein the absorbent structure provides an absorbent capacity such that the crotch region has an ultimate absorbent capacity that is less than 55% of the total ultimate absorbent capacity of the absorbent structure. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, An absorbent article having a crotch point in the crotch region, wherein the ultimate absorbent capacity of the absorbent structure located behind the crotch point is at least about 60% of the total ultimate storage capacity of the product. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, The absorbent structure has two center regions aligned on both sides of the longitudinal center line of the article, and two transverse side regions located laterally outward of each of the central regions, each transverse side region being Extends outwardly from the central region by 25% of the maximum width portion of the absorbent structure, The absorbent structure includes two or more layers of absorbent material in contact relationship defining a common contact surface area, And the two layers are joined to each other by a joining means covering a joining means area, wherein the joining means area is less than the common contact surface area such that the joining means area is at least 75% in the central core area. The method of claim 22, An absorbent article, wherein said joining means is a hot melt adhesive.