MXPA00004753A - Absorbent article such as a sanitary towel, an incontinence protector, a pantyliner or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

Absorbent article, such as a sanitary towel, an incontinence protector or a pantyliner, which article has essentially an elongate shape, with a longitudinal direction (34) and a transverse direction (35), and has two end portions (10, 11) and a central portion (12) situated between the end portions (10, 11), and on which article there is arranged elastic (18) which gives the article a cup-shaped part (14) at the one end portion (10) and a ridge-like elevation (15) at the other end portion (11).

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE, LIKE A HYGIENIC TOWEL, A PROTECTOR AGAINST INCONTINENCE, A PAN IPROTECTOR OR SIMILAR TECHNICAL FIELD: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence protector or a panty-protector, whose article has practically an elongated shape, with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and has two end portions and a central portion located between the extreme portions.

BACKGROUND: Traditional absorbent articles of the type mentioned above usually have a flat shape. Since the pubic region of the woman does not have a corresponding flat appearance, problems can occur when such article is applied and used. The contact of the article against the body is not optimal, and when a space is formed there is a great risk of leakage. To solve this problem, it has been proposed to manufacture absorbent articles in the form of a cup instead of a flat one. By and large [sic], this shape provides a better fit to the contour of the body. The cup shape is produced, for example, by arranging elastic on the longitudinal edges of the article, or the article is molded into a cup. EP 155,515 describes how an absorbent article is given a cup-shaped appearance by arranging elastic on the longitudinal side edges of the article. WO 96/20679 describes an absorbent article consisting of a resilient component and the tension element to give the article a cup-like appearance. A problem with articles of the aforementioned type is that they do not adapt to the anatomy of the user particularly well, but simply have a general cup-like appearance. An article formed in this way does not provide a good fit against the body. In addition, a space can easily occur between the wearer's body and the wearer's panties since most women during menstruation wear panties that are of poor quality from the start or are of poor quality because they are old. Unless the absorbent article or panties can maintain good contact with the wearer's body, there is a great risk that the menstrual fluid leaks beyond the absorbent article and the panties. WO 97/07764 describes a product against incontinence having elastic means extending longitudinally providing a longitudinal ridge in the central portion of the product. The product has a generally curved shape in the longitudinal direction and is set to provide better body contact in the central area of the product. EP 0 335 253 discloses an absorbent article that is provided with a deformation element that causes the article to take a predetermined shape in response to forces acting laterally. EP 302,523 discloses an absorbent article having a three-dimensional, anatomically designed shape. The article has an end portion of a flat or concave shape and an end portion that is provided with an elevation. The flat or concave end portion is intended to be placed outside the wearer's pubis, and the end portion comprising the elevation is proposed to fit the wearer's buttocks. The three-dimensional configuration of the article is obtained by folding a very rigid absorbent body. To make the elevation permanent, the reverse side of the article is provided with an adhesive surface at the end portion that is to present the elevation. When the elevation has been formed, it is maintained with the help of the adhesive. One problem with a construction of this type is that the three-dimensional shape can be hard and uncomfortable for the user. In addition, it is difficult to pack and transport a three-dimensional, rigid product. This takes a lot of space during transport and when it is for sale, and it may be inconvenient for the wearer to carry a sanitary towel or an incontinence protector that can not be folded and therefore can not be hidden in the hand or, at worst, cases, it still can not be accommodated in a handbag.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION: The object of the invention is to remedy the aforementioned problems and to make available an absorbent article that provides a good fit against the body of the wearer, and whose article is comfortable for use and easy for transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, an article of the type described in the introduction, and in which the problems associated with the previously known articles of this class have been eliminated, is distinguished by the fact that it is arranged elastic in the article that produces in the article a part in the form of a cup in one extreme portion and an elevation as a rim in the other extreme portion. According to one embodiment of the invention, the elastic is arranged in a loop at the end portion which has a cup-shaped part. Arranging the elastic in a loop helps to give the extreme portion its cup shape. According to another embodiment of the invention, the elastic is arranged as a continuous thread or band running through the entire article. To further improve the anatomical fit against the wearer's body for an article with a ridge-like elevation that extends through the central portion of the article and through an end portion thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. , the shoulder-type elevation at the end portion has a stepped inclination towards the center line of the article which makes the shoulder-like elevation at the central portion, as seen from the long side of the article »According to one embodiment of the invention, the Elastic in the central portion is arranged in a practically straight line along the center line of the article. According to another embodiment of the invention, the elastic is arranged as a continuous thread or band running in a loop through the entire article. In this case, the elastic has two halves which in the longitudinal direction are symmetrically arranged around the central line of the article. The continuous band or yarn may be superimposed, that is, with the halves crossing each other at the transition between the end portion having the cup-shaped portion and the central portion, at the transition between the central portion and the end portion thereof. It has the shoulder type elevation. According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the article can have at least one bent line. This bent line may be arranged on the underside of the article below the flange-type elevation at the end portion, to facilitate the formation of the flange-type elevation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: The aforementioned problems are solved by means of the present invention. This is achieved by the fact that the elastic is arranged in the article and gives the article a cup shape in one end portion and a flange-type elevation in the other end portion. When an article according to the invention is placed on the wearer with the cup-shaped end portion facing the front, ie, on the pubis, and with the shoulder-like end portion towards the rear, that is, towards the lower the user, the article will naturally adjust to the user's anatomy and therefore will be completely adjusted to the user's body. The cup shape of the front end portion will surround the pubis during use and the shoulder-like elevation of the posterior end portion will fit between the wearer's buttocks. In this way, obturation is obtained in the front, which is required in particular when the user bends forward or lies on her stomach, and also obturation in the back, in particular when the user bends back or he lies on his back. Thus, this design produces considerably better leakage protection compared to an absorbent article with a generally cup-like appearance that does not fully adapt to the user's genitals. An absorbent article according to the invention has an upper side and a lower side, the upper side being permeable to liquids and the lower side being impermeable to liquids. The permeability to liquids and the impermeability to liquids, respectively, are usually obtained by the respective side being provided with a layer that is permeable to liquids or impervious to liquids. The liquid-permeable upper side of the article is proposed during use to be directed towards the user, and the lower side impervious to liquids is proposed during use to be directed towards the opposite side of the user. It is the upper side of the article that will have a cup-shaped part in one end portion, a shoulder-type elevation in the other end portion and, if appropriate, a shoulder-like elevation in the central portion. The central portion also preferably has a shoulder-like elevation. Because the anatomical shapes are different in the different areas of the wearer's body against which the rear end portion and the central portion are to be adjusted, the shoulder-type elevation of the end portion has a stepped slope relative to the line central of the hygienic towel that makes the elevation type flange of the central portion. The centerline of the sanitary napkin means an imaginary line that is placed in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin, at an equal distance from both long sides of the sanitary napkin. Although the elevation of the central portion may be flat or lean very slightly relative to the center line, it is important that the elevation of the end portion be tilted more stepwise relative to the center line to ensure that the sanitary napkin will conform to the space between the wearer's buttocks. Since the wearer's vestibule will be the part of the body that will be against the central portion, the central portion of the article should have a cross section with an elevation in the center. An elevation in the central portion can be extremely important to avoid leaks, since the sanitary towel can take the menstrual fluid even when it leaves the body. Since the space to be filled by the elevation in the central portion has the approximate shape and size of the half of a walnut shell, then, according to the invention, more absorbent material may also be placed in the area around the nut. elastic in the central portion. It is also possible to place another separate absorption body on the upper part of the surface of the sanitary towel in its central portion. Another alternative is to allow the two elastic threads to run slightly away from each other through the central portion. In this way, a wider elevation is obtained that adapts better to the user's vestibule. The fact of an elevation being flat means that it practically follows a central line through the article when the latter is considered from a long side. That is to say, that the central line and the elevation are parallel as seen from a long side of the article. The fact of an elevation by bending with. The relation to the central line when the article is considered from a long side means that the central line and the elevation form an angle to each other. The greater the angle, up to 90 °, the greater the inclination of the elevation. If the elevation angle of the end portion relative to the center line is 45 °, for example, and the elevation angle of the central portion is 20 °, then the elevation of the end portion is tilted more than the elevation of the end portion. the central portion.

The flange-type elevations of the central portion and the end portion advantageously consist of a single continuous elevation of variable inclination. However, for reasons of convenience, some users may object to having an elevation in the central portion, and for this reason it may sometimes be appropriate to omit such elevation. As already described, the three-dimensional anatomical configuration of the article according to the present invention is obtained by means of the article being provided with elastic. Elastic means material that has such an elasticity that it can be elongated to at least 100% of its relaxed length, not stretched, that is, to a length that is at least twice its unstretched length, and can return, after the stretching force is released, at no more than 10% elongation of its original length not stretched. The elastic material may consist of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or a mixture of both, styrene block polymers, polyurethane rubber, elastic polyesters or elastic polyolefins. The elastic may advantageously be arranged between the surface layer of the article and the underlying layer closest to the surface layer, i.e., the absorption layer or absorption layer. However, it is also possible to arrange the elastic between other layers of material, for example, between the pickup layer of the article and its absorption layer. The elastic can also be arranged with different tension in different parts to obtain different inclinations of the elevations in the central and extreme portions. The elastic band or thread can also be found in different forms to obtain different effects. The elastic is advantageously arranged along a longitudinal center line on the end portion having a shoulder-like elevation. As already mentioned, the central portion also has a ridge-like elevation. The elastic in the central portion is conveniently arranged in a practically straight line along the centerline of the article. The modalities with elastic along the center line may be conveniently combined with the different variations of elasticity in the cup-shaped end portion. According to one embodiment of the invention, the elastic is arranged in a U-shape at the end portion which has a cup-like appearance. That is, the elastic, in a broad sense, follows the outer contour of the end portion, and the hole of the U-shape facing the central portion of the article. According to still another embodiment of the invention, the elastic is arranged in two specular loops which each follow the external contour of the long sides of the end portion having the cup-shaped part. The elastic at the end portions and at the central portion may consist of a single continuous loop, with the outer ends at the end portion which has the shoulder-like elevation. Otherwise, the elastic may consist of two elastic threads running in a mirror image in the longitudinal direction of the article. In this case, the elastic at the end portion having the cup shape can be arranged in a practically complete circle. Otherwise, the elastic at the end portion having the cup shape may have the shape of a semicircle, where this part of the end portion closest to the shortest side of the article has no elastic. As with the circle shape described above, the semicircle is also not complete, as it consists of the two elastic loops. In the case where the elastic consists of a continuous loop, then, in the central portion of the article and in the end portion having shoulder-type elevation, this may run in two parallel thread portions, otherwise, the elastic loop may overlap. in one or more points. For example, the loop may overlap at the transition between the central portion and the end portion having the cup-shaped part. The loop of the elastic can also be overlapped a second time in the transition between the central portion and the end portion that has the shoulder-type elevation. By crossing the elastic loop, it is possible to obtain an even better adaptation to the different parts of the wearer's anatomy. To ensure that the elastic can shape the article, the components included in the article should be relatively soft and foldable. A three-dimensional article that is produced by forming a rigid material can be perceived by the user as hard and uncomfortable. An advantage of obtaining the three-dimensional nature with the aid of elastic instead of forming a rigid material is that a softer and more collapsible, anatomically formed article is obtained. In addition, an even more improved adaptation for the body can be achieved by using the elastic together with soft materials. Such an article is resilient and is more foldable and can therefore be adapted in cases where the original form of the article does not have a completely perfect anatomical configuration. Such fine adjustment is not possible with a rigid article. A three-dimensional, elastic article also follows the user's movements more easily than a rigid article. In addition, it is difficult to pack and transport a stiff three-dimensional article. An article according to the invention provided with elastic bends advantageously in three parts at the time of packaging and therefore takes a smaller amount of space during transportation and at the point of sale. It is also an advantage when the user wants to transport the item, since it is easy to hide it in the hand, in a purse or handbag. The article can, of course, be bent in another way, for example, it can be folded into two or four parts. Instead of creating problems, as in the case of rigid articles, it is an advantage to fold an article containing elastic. The fold releases the elastic during storage, which means that the useful life of the elastic increases considerably. The absorbent article according to the invention advantageously has a surface layer proposed to be directed toward the body, a reverse layer and an absorbent layer located between the surface layer and the reverse layer. The article may also have a pick-up layer to increase the pick-up speed, which layer is arranged between the surface layer and the absorption layer. It may be useful to provide the article with so-called fold lines. These fold lines serve two purposes. On the one hand, they can stiffen a soft material so that, for example, the cup shape is held at the end portion, or so that the central portion does not bend under the strength of the thighs of the wearer. On the other hand, the fold lines can provide controlled deformation of the article, that is, the article is folded into a shape suitable for the application. This means, for example, that the end portion having the ridge-type elevation does not collapse and becomes a valley under pressure from the sides, but instead retains the ridge-like elevation against the wearer's body, whose elevation is adjusted against the buttocks. If the fold lines are arranged on the underside of the article, a controlled deformation is obtained along the fold lines and the article is folded so that the parts of the underside of the article, towards the side of a line of fold, are pushed together when the article is subjected to the pressure of the thighs of the user. For this purpose, that is, to obtain controlled deformation, the fold lines can be produced, for example, by compression or removal of absorbent material. The important point is to create a density in the area under the elastic that is different from the density in the surrounding areas. In this way, the area where the elastic is fixed will rise and form an elevation on the upper side of the article. If the purpose of fixing bending lines is to give stability and firmness to the article, the fold lines should be arranged on the top side of the article. In this case, the removal of material is not appropriate, but instead only with pressure, or other measures of stiffening to create the fold lines. The removal of material would weaken the article and would not fulfill the purpose. The absorbent article can be secured in a conventional way to the underclothes of the wearer with the aid of adhesive, for example. The adhesive can be arranged across the reverse side of the article, along the margins or completely covering it. However, it is more advantageous if the adhesive is only fixed at the end portions of the article. Such construction allows the central line to move freely and take the menstruation fluid closer to its point of discharge from the body. Another alternative means of securing the article is to provide securing wings along each lateral side of the article. Examples of safety wings are found in EP 134,086. These safety wings are provided with adhesive surfaces that can be secured to the wearer's underwear. That is, the rest of the article is not provided with adhesive. In this way, an article with good securing properties and at the same time with good movement capacity is obtained. Instead of adhesive, it is possible to use mechanical securing elements such as friction clips or press fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the illustrative modalities shown in the drawings. Figure 1 shows a sanitary towel according to the invention in a perspective view. Figure 2 shows a hygienic towel according to the invention from the side which during use is proposed to be directed towards the wearer. Figure 3 shows a sanitary towel according to the invention seen from a long side. Figure 4a shows a section along the line IVa-IVa through the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 2. Figure 4b shows a section along the line IVb-IVb through the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. Figure 2. Figure 4c shows a section along the line IVe-1Ve through the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 shows a sanitary towel folded according to the invention. Figure 6 shows a sanitary towel according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Figure 7 shows a sanitary towel according to a second alternative embodiment of the invention. Figure 8 shows a sanitary towel according to a third alternative embodiment of the invention. Figure 9 shows a sanitary towel according to a fourth alternative embodiment of the invention. Figure 10 shows a sanitary towel according to a fifth alternative embodiment of the invention. Figure 11 shows a sanitary towel according to a sixth alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND MODALITIES: Figures 1 to 4 show a hygienic towel 1 consisting of a liquid-permeable surface layer 2 arranged on this side of the sanitary towel 1 which during use is intended to be directed towards the user, a liquid obstructing layer 3 arranged on that side of the sanitary towel 1 that during use is intended to be directed towards the opposite side of the wearer. Fixed closer to the inside of the surface layer 2 is a pick-up layer 4, and between this and the liquid-obstructing layer 3 there is an absorption layer 5. The material in the surface layer 2 can be, for example, a film perforated plastic, a network of plastic or textile material, a nonwoven or a laminate of, for example, a perforated plastic layer and a nonwoven layer. The plastic can be a thermoplastic, such as polyethylene. The non-woven material may be natural fibers such as cellulose or cotton, or synthetic fiber, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, nylon or regenerated cellulose. The main use of the surface layer 2 of the sanitary towel is to direct the liquid towards the collection layer 4, it must be soft and comfortable against the user's body and avoid the so-called rewet, that is, the absorbed body fluid returning to the user's skin. For reasons of comfort, and in order to avoid irritation to the skin, it is important that the surface in this part of the sanitary towel that is against the wearer's skin is kept as dry as possible during use. The user will also find a dry surface on the towel fresher and more comfortable during use, and a dry surface is more acceptable than a wet surface, dirty from the purely visual point of view, and also when the sanitary towel is handled when It needs to be changed. The liquid obstruction layer or the reverse layer 3 consists of a liquid impervious material. Thin liquid impermeable plastic films are suitable for this purpose, but it is also possible to use materials that are permeable to liquids to begin with, but having provided a coating of plastic, resin or other liquid-tight material. This prevents the liquid from leaking the underside of the absorbent article. The barrier layer 3 can thus consist of any material that meets the criteria of liquid impermeability and has sufficient flexibility and compatibility with the skin for the purpose. Examples of suitable materials as barrier layers are plastic films, non-woven fabrics and laminates thereof. The plastic film can, for example, be made of polyethylene, polypropylene or polyester. The barrier layer may otherwise consist of a laminate of a plastic layer impermeable to liquids, directed towards the absorption body, and a nonwoven directed towards the wearer's underwear. Such a structure provides a leak barrier layer with a textile lug. The function of the pick-up layer 4 of the sanitary towel is, together with the surface layer 2, to transport the liquid towards the absorption layer. Its function is twofold: on the one hand, the liquid will be directed to the sanitary napkin in such a way that leaks will not occur, and on the other hand, the superficial layer 2 must be kept dry for the comfort of the wearer. It is convenient that the acquisition layer 4 has low density. A gradient of increasing density is preferably formed down the hygienic towel. That is, the surface layer 2 has a lower density than the acquisition layer 4, and the acquisition layer has a lower density than the absorbent layer 5. Suitable materials for the acquisition layer 4 are, for example, wadding material and pulp hairs exposed to low density air. The absorbent layer 5 is conveniently made of cellulose pulp. The latter can be provided in the form of rolls, bales or sheets that, with the manufacture of the sanitary towel, are defibrated dry and converted into a fluffy form for a continuous pulp material, sometimes with a mixture of the so-called super absorbers that They are polymers with the capacity to absorb several times their own weight of water or body fluid. An alternative to this is to dry-form a continuous pulp material as described in WO 94/10956. If a continuous dry-formed pulp material is used, it must be softened before being applied to a sanitary napkin according to the invention. Otherwise, a strip of almost rigid material, measuring at most 45 mm in width, can be applied to the center of a sanitary towel. Another material of lower stiffness is then applied over the entire width of the sanitary napkin between the dry-formed strip and the surface layer 2. The softer absorption material, which may consist, for example, of the collection layer 4, forms the cup, while the underlying strip gives stability to the hygienic towel. Examples of other absorbent materials that can be used are different types of natural fibers such as cotton fibers, peat moss or the like. Of course, it is also possible to use absorbent synthetic fibers or mixtures of natural fibers and synthetic fibers. The absorbent material may also contain other components, such as shape stabilizing elements, liquid spreading elements or binders such as, for example, thermoplastic fibers which have been heat treated to keep the short fibers and the particles together in a coherent unit. It is also possible to use different types of absorbent foam material in the absorbent layer. The sanitary napkin 1 has a substantially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and has two long sides 6, 1 and two short sides 8, 9, two end portions 10, 11 and a central portion 12 located between the end portions, and a central line 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin. The central portion 12 and the end portions 10, 11 in each case represent approximately one third of the entire length of the sanitary napkin 1. A normal sanitary napkin is 18 to 30 cm long. This means that the respective lengths of the central portion 12 and the end portions 10, 11 are 6-10 cm. These values refer to a product that has been lengthened to make it flat. Deviations from this model are certainly possible. For example, the end portion 10 may represent 4/10 of the length of the sanitary napkin, and the central portion 12 and the second end portion 13 each can represent 3/10 of the length of the sanitary napkin. In the case where the length of the sanitary napkin 1 is 20 cm, this means that the one end portion 10 is 8 cm and the second end portion 11 and the central portion each have a length of 6 cm. Figure 1 shows a hygienic towel according to the invention seen in perspective. The sanitary towel 1 has a cup-shaped part 14 at the end portion 10 which during use is intended to be directed towards the wearer. It is proposed that forward of the user means that the short side 8 of the end portion 10 will be that part of the sanitary towel facing the abdomen of the wearer. The opposite end portion 11 is of the end portion that is intended to be directed towards the back of the wearer, has a shoulder-like elevation 15. Towards the back of the wearer is meant to mean that the short side 9 of the end portion 11 will be that part of the hygienic towel that is toward the back of the wearer. The cup-shaped part 14 and the shoulder-like elevation 15 will be arranged on that side of the article having the surface layer 2 and which during use is intended to be directed towards the wearer's body. The central portion 12 also has a ridge-like elevation 16, the lime representing a contiguous extension of the ridge-like elevation 15 of the end portion 11. The presence of a ridge-like elevation in the central portion 12 is advantageous since the vestibule of the The user will be the part of the body that is against the central portion 12. An elevation in this portion can be particularly important to avoid leaks, since the sanitary towel in a first stage can take the fluid from the menstruation that leaves the body. Figure 3 shows a sanitary napkin 1 viewed from a long side 6. The cup-shaped front end portion 10, the shoulder-like elevation 16 of the central portion 12 and the shoulder-like elevation 15 of the rear end portion 11 are shown in FIG. this case. As can be seen in the Figure, the ridge-like elevation 15 of the end portion 11 has a stepped inclination with respect to the center line 13 of the sanitary towel that makes the ridge-like elevation 16 of the central portion 12. adapts to the curvatures of the corresponding female anatomy. Although the contour of the elevation 16 of the central portion may be essentially parallel with the center line 13 or lean slightly relative to the center line 13, it is important that the elevation 15 of the end portion 11 be tilted more stepwise relative to the centerline 13, as can be seen from a long side 6 of the sanitary napkin, so that the sanitary napkin 1 fits the space between the wearer's buttocks. For the central portion 12 of the sanitary napkin to conform to the vestibule, the curvature in the transverse direction of the article is more important, that is, the cross section has a shoulder-like elevation. Figures 4a to 4c show a cut through the sanitary napkin, seen from the short front side 8. The two outer layers 2, 3 are connected to each other outside the pick-up layer 4 and the absorbent layer 5 in a seam 17 located along the periphery of the sanitary towel. For purposes of simplicity, only the actual cross-sectional area and not the backward projecting parts are shown. Figure 4a shows a cut through the end portion 10 of the sanitary napkin 1 having a cup-like appearance or portion 14. Figure 4b shows a cut through the central portion 12. The shoulder-like elevation 16 of the central portion and in the same way the ridge-like cut of the central portion can be observed here. Figure 4c shows a section of the end portion 11, which has the shoulder-like elevation 15. Arranged between the pick-up layer 4 and the absorbent layer 5 of the sanitary napkin 1 there is an elastic thread 18. To obtain the anatomical, three-dimensional configuration described above around the wearer's pubis, the Elastic yarn 16 is arranged in a loop 19 in the end portion 10 which during use is intended to be directed towards the front of the wearer. To obtain the anatomical adjustment in the end portion 11 that during use is proposed to be directed toward the back of the user, that is, the end portion that is to be adjusted in the space between the wearer's buttocks, the thread elastic 18 is arranged in a substantially straight line along the center line 13 of the article. The elastic yarn 18 consists of a single continuous yarn. This means that the elastic thread is double along the central portion 12 and the end portion 11 having the shoulder-like elevation 15. This is a simple way of arranging the elastic. Another advantage is that it is easy to produce a sharp rise in the end portion 11 having the shoulder-like elevation 15. Of course, it is possible to arrange the elastic in another form. For example, it is possible to use two separate elastic strands, where one strand forms the loop at the cup-shaped end portion 10 of the sanitary napkin and the other strand is straight through the central portion 12 and the end portion 11 at length of the center line 13. The elastic thread 18 can be made of traditional elastic material. The material of the elastic yarn 18 needs to be elastic per se, and instead the elastic property can be achieved by working a non-elastic material. The elastic does not have to be formed as a thread and may be in the form of a band, for example. Figure 5 shows a sanitary towel according to the invention which has been bent upwards so that it can be placed, for example, in a single package. The sanitary towel 1 is bent at 3, the front end portion 10 with the cup-shaped part 14 being first bent inwardly through that side of the sanitary towel having the surface layer 2. After this, the end portion rear 11 with the shoulder-type elevation is bent inwardly through the front end portion 10 so that the surface layer 2 at the rear end portion 11 is facing the reverse layer 3 of the front end portion 10. When bending the hygienic towel so that the reverse layer 3 faces the outer side, the tension of the elastic relaxes and the useful life of the product extends. Figure 3 shows the sanitary towel 1 with the elastic yarn 18 arranged between the collection layer 4 and the absorbent layer 5. This is the only example where the elastic yarn 18 can be arranged in the sanitary towel 1. It is possible to place the elastic yarn 18 anywhere between the surface layer 2 and the reverse layer 3. Of course, this also applies if the elastic was arranged in a different form than a yarn. The elastic is secured to the sanitary napkin with the aid of adhesive, for example, or by ultrasonic welding. The elastic is secured to the sanitary napkin in the previously stretched state or otherwise actuated so that it can be tensioned, for example, by heating, after application. Figures 6 to 8 show alternative embodiments of the invention in which the elastic does not constitute a continuous loop. Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the invention according to which the elastic 18 is arranged in a U-shaped loop 20 at the end portion 10 having the cup-shaped part 14. That is, the elastic 18 follows the outer contour of the end portion 10 and the hole of the form U facing the central portion 12 of the sanitary napkin 1. In the central portion 12 of the sanitary napkin, and in the end portion 11 having the shoulder-like elevation 15, the elastic is arranged as a straight thread 21, that is, as a straight line along the longitudinal centerline 13 of the sanitary napkin. Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the invention according to which the elastic 18 is arranged in two mirror-image loops 22, 23, each of which follows the external contour of the long sides of the end portion 10 having the cup-shaped part 14. In the central portion 12 of the sanitary napkin, and in the end portion 11 having the shoulder-like elevation 15, the elastic 18 is arranged, along a longitudinal centerline 13 of the sanitary napkin , in two parallel straight threads 22a, 23a which are in each case adjacent to the respective loop 23, 22 in the other end portion 10 of the sanitary napkin. The two elastic loops 22, 23 are symmetrically arranged around the longitudinal centerline 13 through the entire sanitary napkin. Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the invention according to which the elastic 18 is arranged in two loops 24, 25 in a mirror image at the end portion 10 of the sanitary towel having the cup-shaped part 14. In the central portion 12 and the end portion 11 having the shoulder-like elevation 15, the elastic is arranged in a straight thread 26 running along the longitudinal center line of the sanitary napkin. Figures 9 to 11 show embodiments of the invention in which the elastic is arranged as a single continuous loop. The sanitary towel according to Figures 9 a 11 is hourglass-shaped with a narrower central portion and wider end portions. Figure 9 shows a sanitary towel according to the invention in which the elastic 18 is arranged in a practically circular loop 27 at the end portion 10 having the cup-shaped part 14. At the transition between the end portion 10 that it has the cup-shaped part 14 and the central portion 12, the elastic thread 18 crosses over and then runs parallel along a longitudinal centerline 13 of the sanitary napkin. According to this embodiment, the central portion 12 has no ridge-like elevation as the elastic yarn 18 has not been prestressed through the central portion 12. The sanitary towel in Figure 9 has a fold line 28 arranged in the end portion having the cup-shaped part 14. The fold line 28 follows the outer contour of the sanitary napkin at the end portion 10 having the cup-shaped part 14 and the central portion 12. In these portions the fold line 28 is made on the upper side 29 of the sanitary napkin. This guarantees a controlled deformation of the end portion 10 in a cup shape. In the central portion 12 where the elastic 18 is not tensioned, the fold line 28 gives increased stability and functions as a barrier against leaks. In an end portion 11 having the shoulder-like elevation 15, a fold line 30 is arranged along the elastic 18. However, here the fold line is arranged on the underside 31 of the sanitary towel to ensure a deformation controlled of the end portion 11 so that the elevation 15 is obtained against the wearer's body. Figure 10 shows a sanitary towel according to the invention in which the elastic 18 is arranged in a practically circular loop 32 at the end portion 10 having the cup-shaped part 14. At the transition between the end portion 10 that has the cup-shaped part 14 and the central portion, the elastic thread 18 crosses over to form another loop 33 through the central portion 12. The loop 33 through the central portion 12 has approximately the same extension or length in the longitudinal direction 34 of the sanitary napkin as the loop 32 at the end portion 10, but a smaller extent in the transverse direction 35 of the sanitary napkin. The loop 33 in the central portion 12 has an oval shape. In the transition to the end portion 11 having the shoulder-like elevation 15, the distance between the portions of the elastic thread 18 decreases to run in parallel threads 36, 37 through the end portion 11 along the longitudinal center line 13. of the hygienic towel. The sanitary towel in Figure 10 has fold lines 38, 39 in its central portion. The fold lines 38, 39 follow, or have the same contour, as the outer contour of the sanitary napkin and are arranged approximately equidistant between the long sides of the sanitary napkin and the elastic loop 33. The sagging lines 38, 39 are arranged on the upper side 29 of the sanitary towel at its central portion 12 and give the latter increased stability and at the same time function as barriers against leakage. In the end portion 11 having the shoulder-like elevation 15 a fold line 40 is arranged on the underside 31 of the sanitary napkin and along the longitudinal centerline of the sanitary napkin. The fold line 40 helps to ensure that the shoulder-like elevation 15 is formed. Figure 11 shows a sanitary towel according to the invention in which the elastic 18 is arranged in a substantially circular loop 41 at the end portion 10 that has the cup-shaped part 14. At the transition between the end portion 10 having the cup-shaped part 14 and the central portion 12, the elastic yarn 18 crosses to form another loop 42 through the central portion. The loop 42 through the central portion 12 has approximately the same length or extension in the longitudinal direction 34 of the sanitary napkin as the loop 41 at the end portion 10 but has a smaller extent in the transverse direction 35 of the sanitary napkin in comparison with the loop 41 in the end portion 10. The loop 42 in the central portion 12 has an oval shape. The sanitary towel in Figure 11 has fold lines 43, 44 in its central portion. The fold lines 43, 44 follow, or have the same contour as the outer contour or seam 17 of the sanitary napkin and are arranged approximately equidistant between the long sides of the sanitary napkin and the elastic loop 42. The fold lines 43, 44 are arranged on the upper side 29 of the sanitary napkin at its central portion 12 and provide the latter with increased stability and at the same time function as barriers against leakage. In the end portion 11 having the shoulder-like elevation 15, a fold line 45 is arranged on the underside 31 of the sanitary napkin and along the longitudinal centerline 13 of the sanitary napkin. The fold line 45 helps to ensure that the shoulder-like elevation 15 is formed. The sanitary towel according to Figure 11 has two securing wings 46, 47 arranged along the long sides 6, 7 of the sanitary napkin in the central portion 12 of the sanitary napkin. The securing wings 46, 47 each are provided with adhesive areas 48, 49 arranged on the underside 31 of the sanitary napkin. These adhesive areas are proposed to be secured in the underclothes of the wearer. The other parts of the bottom side 31 of the sanitary napkin are free of adhesive. Since the sanitary napkin is secured to the underclothes of the wearer only on the securing wings 46, 47, the central portion 12 of the sanitary napkin with the shoulder-like elevation 16 has good mobility to conform to the body. This also facilitates that the cup-shaped part 14 in the end portion 10 surrounds the pubis and facilitates that the shoulder-like elevation 15 in the end portion 11 fits against the buttocks of the user under the effect of the cut that occurs when the user is walking or cycling In all the embodiments of the invention illustrated, the sanitary napkin may have insulating wings with adhesive thereon only. Otherwise, according to all modalities, the entire underside of the sanitary napkin may be provided with adhesive, or the adhesive is applied to the areas only under the end portions. In the illustrative embodiments, the fold lines are shown on the sanitary napkins with a continuous loop of elastic. Of course, the fold lines work equally well in the split elastic modes. For simplicity, the elastic is indicated as an elastic yarn in the illustrative modalities. However, it is also possible to choose the elastic in another form, for example, in the form of a band, for all modalities. All of the sanitary napkins illustrated in accordance with the invention may have a ridge-like elevation in the central portion if desired, since there is an elastic in the central portion of the sanitary napkins in all the examples shown. The elevation will be observed differently since the arrangement of the elastic is different. The perfect fit to the body is weighted against the factors of production and, as already mentioned, the comfort of the user. It is also possible to have elastic only in the two end portions if elevation is not desired in the central portion. For purposes of simplicity, the sanitary napkin shown in the Figures is of traditional structure with a liquid-permeable surface material, a liquid obstructing inverse layer, a pick-up layer and an absorbent layer. However, this is not essential for the invention. It is possible to omit the capture layer and have only one surface material, the absorption layer and the reverse. It is also possible to omit the liquid obstructing layer, for example, when a pantiprotector is produced where the quantities of excreted fluid are not so great. In certain applications it is also possible to exclude a conventional surface layer. In this case, the acquisition layer is arranged in such a way that the necessary surface dryness is still achieved. Different combinations of the illustrative embodiments described are also possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims (3)

REI INDICATIONS

1. An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence protector or a panty-protector, whose article has a substantially elongated shape, with a longitudinal direction (34) and a transverse direction (35), an upper side which is proposed for the use to be directed towards a user, and a lower side that is proposed during use to be directed towards the opposite side to the user, and having two end portions (10, 11) and a central portion (12) located between the portions end (10, 11), the article also having a cup-shaped part in the one end portion (10) and a ridge-like elevation (15) in the other end portion (11), is characterized in that the article is provided with elastic (18), the elastic being arranged in a practically straight line along the center line (13), of the article on the end portion (11) having the shoulder-like elevation (15) and consisting of elastic co (19; 20; 24, 25; 27) being arranged in a crescent-shaped loop on either side of the longitudinal center line of the article at the end portion (10) having the cup-shaped part (14) .

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic (18) is arranged in a loop (19) in the end portion (10) having a cup-shaped part (14).

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the central portion (12) has a ridge-like elevation (16). 4, The absorbent article according to claim 3, characterized in that the elastic (18) in the central portion (12) is arranged in a substantially straight line along the center line (13) of the article. The absorbent article according to claim 3 or 4 and having two long sides (6, 7) extending in the longitudinal direction and two short sides (8, 9) extending in the transverse direction, characterized in that the flange-type elevation (15) in the end portion (11) has a stepped inclination towards the center line (13) of the article that makes the shoulder-like elevation (16) in the central portion (12), as seen from the long side (6) from the article. 6, The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic (18) is arranged as a continuous thread or band running in a loop through the article. The absorbent article according to claim 6, characterized in that the elastic (18) is superimposed on the transition between the end portion (10) having the cup-shaped part (14) and the central portion (12) . The absorbent article according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the elastic (18) is superimposed on the transition between the central portion (12) and the end portion (11) having the shoulder-like elevation (15). 9. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the article has at least one fold line (30). 10. The absorbent article according to claim 9, characterized in that the fold line (30) is arranged on the underside of the article below the shoulder-type elevation (15) at the end portion (11). 11. The absorbent article according to claim 9 6 10, characterized in that the fold line (28) is arranged on the upper side of the article, practically following the contour of the elastic (18) of the cup-shaped elastic (19).; 20; 24, 25; 27) in the extreme portion (10) having the cup-shaped part (14).