MXPA01005849A - Creped materials for absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a resilient, three dimensional material having fibrous texture and appearance and capable of fluid handling. It consists of a top surface and a bottom surface wherein fiber-like elements typically extend from one surface to the other forming flat to undulating surfaces characterized by a multiplicity of interconnected fluid passageways. Deformed, discontinuous film-like or encapsulated regions connect fiber-like elements and stabilize the material. The material of this invention is unique based on the three principle characteristics which are communicated in this application:1) fibers orientation factor ff(&psgr;)<0.87, 2) surface area/void volumeSA/VV<186 cm2/cm3, and 3) caliper<0.150 inches. This material is useful for a number of purposes, such as for use as a liner for personal care products like diapers, absorbent underpants, swim wear, feminine hygiene products, adult incontinence products and the like. The properties of the material may be tailored within the ranges of this invention to deliver optimal material performance for use in specific personal care products.

Description

CREPED MATERIALS FOR ABSORBENT ARTICLE This application is a continuation in part of patent application of the United States of America N 08/9 (52,992 filed on October 31, 1997 and of the patent application of the United States of America 09 / 040.70 filed on October 18, 1997). March 1998 This application is being submitted on the same day as the granted application, which has the number of lawyer issue number 13493, entitled "Multiple Layer Liners for Personal Care Products".

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a material which can be used, for example, as a lining for a parental product, personal care such as diapers, underpants, swimwear, underpants, absorbent, adult incontinence products. , bandage and products for women's hygiene.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Personal care items, such as infant and woman care products, are typically composed of multiple components including the cover (also known as top sheet or liner), cap or absorbent layers, and a separator. The top sheet and conjunction with the absorbent layer or layers must provide softness and comfort, protection, good absorbency and properties of liquid absorption, dryness, visual distinctiveness and cleanliness The extent to which these characteristics are achieved depends on the fluid's interaction body with the structure and chemistry of the surface of the cover and of the absorbent as well as d the interface between the adjacent or interconnected materials Two approaches have been pursued typically to achieve the desired characteristics: perforated film covers and non-woven covers. Non-woven materials are soft and comfortable but often lack the required functional attributes (clean, dry absorbent) while perforated film covers can deliver the required functionality but are generally warm, plastic and not comfortable).

A number of perforated film covers have been described in the art of patents. These can vary widely in their functional performance. Several major categories of film covers are known based on their structure and manufacturing methods. For example, two dimensional film covers (using a method of stretch punching and slit cutting) were developed by Hovis et al. (U.S. Patent No. 5,262,107). Due to their structure, these perforated films have relatively slow absorption rates and high rewetting and staining compared to perforated films. Three-dimensional perforated film covers were described by Thompson et al. (United States Patent No. 3,929,135) and others using vacuum perforation and bolt perforation. These materials have a relatively fast absorption, or low rewetting and low staining due to their ready made structure including openings on the top and bottom surface, the depth of the opening and the tapered of the openings. Other structures have been created which have some characteristics of both two-dimensional and three-dimensional roofing materials. These are often characterized as two-dimensional films with extension appendages protruding from the bottom surface. These are often produced using bolt-hole drilling techniques.

Non-woven fabrics such as monocomponent fabrics have a poor functional performance due to their generally small average pore size, low permeability and two-dimensional nature. Other structures such as fabrics bonded with crimped conjugate yarn and carded and bonded fabrics through air may have three dimensions but also tend to have low permeability and a small average pore size. Permeability and pore size can be increased through, for example, increased fiber denier and decreased bas weight, but at extreme limits, softness and other aesthetic characteristics can be compromised. Additionally, under those conditions, one frequently see or exchange in properties; for example, so that an absorption rate increases with the increase in permeability, but rewetting and staining can also increase.

Composite composite structures are also described in the art and include perforated film / non-woven laminates and non-woven laminates. These structures frequently provide improvements in functional performance and smoothness, however, these structures are frequently more expensive due to their increased complexity and the incorporation of multiple layers of materials.

The cover is sometimes referred to as a body side liner or a top sheet when referring to diapers, and is usually adjacent to an emergence material. In the thickness direction of the article, the lining material is the layer against the skin of the wearer and thus is the first layer in contact with the liquid or other exudate of the wearer. The lining also serves to isolate the foot of the user from liquids maintained in an absorbent structure and must be docile, soft feeling and non-irritating.

A diaper-facing diaper body liner that functions properly should have good absorption properties so that the incoming liquid stream is transported through the material completely and therefore minimal stagnation and spreading of the liquid on the surface occurs. Stagnation and spreading on the surface can contribute to runoff and increase the hydration or moisture of the skin. Additionally, the side-to-body surface of the liner should have a minimum saturation so that the ridging of the skin does not increase. It is desirable that the personal care items be designed to minimize skin hydration as it is believed that it contributes to the occurrence of the diaper rash. If the liner has poor liquid absorption qualities and remains saturated, or has fluid spacing properties, the hydration of the skin will be increased.

There is still a need for a material which delivers the desired functional attributes of cleanliness, dryness and absorbency in a material, while still maintaining the softness and comfort normally associated with fibrous non-woven fabrics. It is an object of this invention to provide such material.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is a three-dimensional and elastic material having a fibrous appearance and texture and a fluid handling capacity. It has an upper surface and a lower surface and fiber type elements that can extend from one surface to the other, forming flat to non-corrugated surfaces, characterized by a multiplicity of interconnected fluid conduits. The deformed, discontinuous or encapsulated film regions connect the fiber type elements and stabilize the material. The material of this invention is unique and is based on three main characteristics which are: 1) ff (? P) < 0 81, 2) SA / W < 186 cm2 / cm3, and 3) caliber < 0.150 inches This material is useful for a number of purposes, such as for use as a liner for personal care products such as diapers, absorbent underpants, swimwear, products for women's hygiene, products for incontinence of the adult and similar. The material properties can be made within the ranges of this invention to deliver optimum material performance for use in specific personal care products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a process diagram for creping a fabric.

Figure 2 is a graph of a process size distribution of a fabric.

Figure 3 is an Electron Scanning Microscope Micrograph (SEM) of a material according to the invention.

Figure 4 is an electron scanning electron micrograph of a material according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a representation of a fabric having the coordinates X, Y and Z.

Figure 6 is a representation of a fabric having flat surfaces.

Figure 7 is a representation of a fabric having undulating surfaces.

Figure 8 has three views, a, b and c. Figure 8a depicts a fabric having a fiber orientation in the Z direction. Figure 8b depicts a fabric having a fiber orientation in the Y direction. Figure 8 depicts a fabric having a random fiber orientation.

Figure 9 is a representation of a cylinder having a Z axis along the center line of its length and angles phi and c in relation to the axis.

Figure 10 is a graph of ODF-I (f) on the y axis and against the azimuthal angle f on the x axis.

Figure 11 is a diagram of a fiber axis e against three axes X, Y and Z. Between the fiber and Z is the angle μ, between the fiber and Y is the angle? and between fiber X is at angle K.

Figure 12 is the projection of the angles Eule a, ES and? on the coordinated plans.

Figure 13 is a transmission geometry d intensity distribution of 2-D X-ray specimen: Control, vertical fiber axis, perpendicular X-rays to the paper plan.

Figure 14 is a transmission geometry, 2-D intensity distribution of X-rays for specimen: Cover O, direction of the vertical machine, rays perpendicular to the plane of the paper.

Figure 15 is a 2-D scan of polypropylene fiber bonded with spun yarn perpendicular to the fiber axis. The Y axis shows the intensity and the axis represents 2? .

Figure 16 is an Azimuth X-ray Intensity Distribution for the Specimen Control (040) planes transmission geometry.

Figure 17 is an Azimuth X-ray Intensity Distribution for Specimen Cover 0, planes (040 transmission geometry.

Figure 18 is a transmission geometry d 2-D intensity distribution of X-rays for specimen Cover 2, direction of the vertical machine, perpendicular X-ray to the plane of the paper.

Figure 19 is a transmission geometry d 2-D intensity distribution of X-rays for specimen Cover 6, direction of the vertical machine, rays perpendicular to the plane of the paper.

Figure 20 is a transmission geometry d 2-D intensity distribution of X-rays for specimen: Deck 7, direction of the vertical machine, perpendicular to the X-ray to the plane of the paper.

Figure 21 is a reflection geometry of 2-D intensity distribution of X-rays for the specimen: Deck 0, vertical machine direction.

Figure 22 is a 2-D intensity distribution reflection geometry of X-rays for the specimen: Deck 2, vertical machine direction.

Figure 23 is a 2-D intensity distribution reflection geometry of X-rays for the specimen: Cover 6, vertical machine direction.

Figure 24 is a 2-D intensity distribution reflection geometry of X-rays for the specimen: Deck 7, vertical machine direction.

Figure 25 is a drawing of a rate block used in the rate block absorption test.

DEFINITIONS "Disposable" includes being discarded after a single use and not being rewashed and used.

"Front" and "back" are used throughout the description to designate the relationships with the subject, rather than suggesting any position that the item assumes when it is placed on a user.

"Interior" and "exterior" refers to the positions in relation to the center of an absorbent garment, particularly in transverse and / or longitudinal form closer to the longitudinal and transverse center of the absorbent garment.

"Liquid" means a substance and / or material that flows can assume the inner form of a container in which it is poured or placed. It is meant to include but not limited to exudates from the body, menstrual discharge, menstrual fluids, urine, blood and bowel movements.

"Liquid communication" means that the liquid is capable of moving from one layer to another layer, or from one place to another within a layer.

"Longitudinal" and "transversal" have their usual meaning. The longitudinal axis lies in the plane of the article when it is placed flat and fully extended and is generally parallel to the vertical plane that divides a user standing on the left and right body halves when the article is used. The transverse axis lies in the plane of the article generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The article as illustrated is longer in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction.

As used herein and in the claims, the term "comprising" is inclusive or open ended and does not exclude additional non-recited elements, compositional components or method steps.

As used herein, the term "nonwoven fabric or fabric" means a fabric having a structure of individual fibers or threads which are interleaved, but not in an identifiable manner such as in a knitted fabric. Fabrics or non-woven fabrics have been formed from many processes such as, for example, meltblowing processes, spinning processes and carded and bonded weaving processes. The basis weight of the non-woven fabrics is usually expressed in ounces of material per square yard (osy) or grams per square meter (gsm) and useful fiber diameters are usually expressed in microns. (Note that to convert from ounces per square yard to grams per square meter, multiply ounces per square yard by 33.91).

As used herein, the term "microfibers" means small diameter fibers having an average diameter of no more than about 75 microns, for example, having an average diameter of from about 0.5 to about 50 microns, or more particularly, Microfibers can have an average diameter from about 2 microns to about 40 microns.Another frequently used expression of fiber diameter is denier, which is defined as grams per 900 meters of a fiber and can be calculated as diameter. fibr in square microns, multiplied by the density of the polymer d fiber in grams per cubic centimeter, multiplied by 0.00707. A lower denier indicates a finer fiber and a higher denier indicates a thicker or heavier fiber. of a given polypropylene fiber as of 15 microns, can be converted to denier by putting the square, multiplying the result by 0.91 grams per centimeter c úbic and multiplying by .00707. Therefore, a polypropylene fiber of 15 microns has a denier of about 1.45 (152 x 0.91 x .00707 = 1.45). Outside the United States of America, the unit of measurement is most commonly the "tex" which is defined as grams per kilometer of fiber. The tex can be calculated as denier / 9.

As used herein, the term "spunbonded fibers" refers to fibers of small diameter which are formed by extruding the molten thermoplastic material as filaments from a plurality of usually circular and thin capillary vessels of a spinner with diameter. of the extruded filaments then being rapidly redolored as, for example, indicated in United States of America Patent No. 4,340,563 granted to Appel et al., and in United States of America No. 3,692.61 issued to Dorschner et al., in the United States of America Patent No. 3,802,817 issued to Matsuki et al., in the United States of America Patent Nos. 3,338,992 3,341,394 issued to Kinney, in the United States of America Patent No. 3,502,763 granted to Hartman, and in the United States of America patent No. 3,542,615 granted to Dobo others. Spunbonded fibers are not generally sticky when they are deposited on the collector surface. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and have average diameters (from a sample of 10 to 10), larger than 7 microns, more particularly, between about 10 and 30 microns. The fibers may also have shapes such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,277,976 to Hogle et al., 5,466,410 issued to Hills and 5,069,970 and 5,057,368 to Largman et al. Which describe fibers with unconventional shapes.

As used herein, the term "co-melt blown fibers" means fibers formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of matrix capillaries, usually circular and thin as strands fused filaments into gas streams (e.g. d air) usually hot and high speed and converging which attenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce its diameter, which can be a microfiber diameter d. Then, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited on a harvester surface to form a meltblown fiber fabric and randomly dispersed. Such a process is described, for example, in United States Patent No. 3,849,241 issued to Butin et al. Melt-blown fibers are microfibers which can be continuous or discontinuous, are generally smaller than 10 microns in average diameter and are generally sticky when deposited on a collecting surface.

"Conjugated fibers" refer to fibers which have been formed from at least two extruded polymers from separate extruders but spun together to form a fiber. Conjugated fibers are also sometimes referred to as multi-component or dual-component fibers. The polymers are usually different from each other even though the conjugated fibers can be monocomponent fibers. The polymers are arranged in different areas placed in essentially constant form across the cross section of the conjugated fibers and extend continuously along the length of the conjugate fibers. The configuration of such a conjugate fiber can be, for example, a sheath / core arrangement e where one polymer is surrounded by another or can be a side-by-side arrangement, a cake arrangement or an arrangement of "islands in the sea" . Conjugated fibers are taught in U.S. Patent No. 5,108,820 issued to Kaneko et al .; 5,336,552 granted to Strack and others; in U.S. Patent No. 5,382,400 issued to Pike et al. For the two component fibers, the polymers may be present in proportions of 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, or any other desired proportions. The fibers may also have shapes such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,277,976 to Hogle et al., And 5,069,970 and 5,057,368 to Largman et al., And incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, which describe the fibers with unconventional shapes.

The "biconstituent fibers" refer to fibers which have been formed from at least two polymers extruded from the same extruder as a mixture. The term "mixture" is defined below. The biconstituent fibers do not have the various polymer components arranged in different zones placed relatively constant across the cross-sectional area of the fiber and the various polymers are usually non-continuous along the full length of the fiber, instead of this usually forming protofibril fibrils which start and end at random. Biconstituent fibr are sometimes referred to as multiple constituent fibers. Fibers of this general type are discussed in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,108,827 issued to Gessner. Bicomponent and biconstituent fibers are also discussed in textbooks Mixtures and Polymer Compounds by John A. Mans and Leslie H. Sperling, copyright 1976 by Plenum Pres a division of Plenum Publishing Corporation of New York, IB 0-306- 30831-2, on pages 273 to 277.

The "personal care product" means diapers, underpants, swimwear, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, bandages and products for women's hygiene. L "products for women's hygiene" means toall pads or sanitary pads, tampons and liners for panties.

The "target area" refers to the position area on a personal care product where a referral is normally delivered by a user.

"Absorbent articles" refer to materials which when used independently or in conjunction with other materials are capable of absorbing fluid, absorption, or permeation of fluid into the hollow spaces.

METHODS AND TEST MATERIALS Density (Test Method A) The density of a material is calculated by dividing the weight by the unit area of a sample in gram per square meter (gsm) by the material gauge. A total of five samples will be evaluated and averaged for the density values. The density is usually reported in units grams / cubic centimeter (g / cc) and is symbolized by the Greek letter p.

Pore Size Measurements (Test Method B) A pore radius distribution scheme is illustrated in Figure 2 which shows the pore radius in miera on the x axis and the pore volume (absorbed volume and cubic centimeters of liquid / gram of dry sample in and pore range) in the y axis. This was determined by using an apparatus based on the first porous plate method reported by Burgeni and Kapur in the Journal of Textile Research, volume 37, page 356, 366 (1967). The system is a modified version of the porous plate method and consists of a mobile Velmex phase interspersed with a programmable stepped motor and an electronic scale controlled by a computer. A control program automatically moves phase to the desired height, collects the data at a specified sampling rate until equilibrium is reached, then moves to the next calculated height. The controllable parameters of the method include sampling rates, criteria for equilibrium and the number of absorption / desorption cycles.

Data for this analysis were collected using mineral oil (Penteck Technical Mineral Oil with a viscosity of 6 centipoises manufactured by Penreco de los Angeles California in a desorption mode. That is, the material was saturated at zero height and the porous plate (and the effective capillary tension on the sample) was progressively elevated in discrete steps corresponding to the desired capillary radius. The amount of liquid pulled out from the sample was monitored The readings at each height were taken every 15 seconds and the equilibrium was assumed as if it reached when the average change of four consecutive readings was less than 0.00 grams. This method is described in greater detail in the patent of the United States of America No. 5,679,042 granted to Varona Perpieabilidad (Test Method C).

The permeability is obtained from a measurement of the resistance by the material to the flow of the liquid. A liquid of known viscosity is forced through the material of a given substance at a constant flow rate and the resistance to flow measured as a pressure drop is monitored. Darcy's Law e used to determine permeability as follows: Permeability = flow rate x thickness viscosity / pressure drop (Equation 1). where the units are: permeability: cm2 or darcy 1 darcy = 9.87 x 10"99 c" ~ 2 'flow rate: cm / second viscosity: pascal-sec pressure drop: pascals The apparatus consists of an arrangement in which a piston inside a cylinder pushes the liquid through the sample to be measured. The sample is gripped between two aluminum cylinders with the cylinders oriented vertically. Both cylinders have an outer diameter of 3.5 inches, an inner diameter of 2.5 inches and a length of about 6 inches. The tissue sample 3 inches in diameter is held in place by its outer edges and is therefore completely contained within the apparatus. The lower cylinder has a piston that is capable of moving vertically inside the cylinder at a constant speed and is connected to a pressure transducer that is capable of monitoring the pressure found by a column of liquid supported by the piston. The transducer is positioned to move with the piston so that there is no additional pressure measured until the column of liquid makes contact with the sample and is pushed through it. At this point, the additional pressure measured is due to the resistance of the material to the flow of liquid through it.

The piston is moved by a sliding assembly that is driven by a stepping motor. The test starts by moving the piston at a constant speed until the liquid is pushed through the mules. The piston is then stopped and the baseline pressure is noticed. This corrects for the effects of sample flotation. The movement is then resumed for an adequate time to measure the new sample pressure. The difference between the two pressures is the pressure due to the resistance of the material to the liquid flow and is the pressure drop used in Equation (1). The piston speed is the flow rate. Any liquid whose viscosity is known can be used, even when a liquid that moistens the material is preferred since this ensures that the saturated flow is achieved.

The measurements were carried out using a piston velocity of 20 centimeters / minute of mineral oil (Peneteck Technica Mineral Oil manufactured by Penreco de los Angeles, California) at a viscosity of 6 centipoise.

Alternatively, the permeability can be calculated from the following equation: Permeability = 0.051 * R '(1-Porosity)' (Porosity / 1-Porosity)): Equation (2) where R = fiber radius and Delinquency = 1- (tissue density / fiber density) Equation (3 The reference for Equation (2) can be found in the article "Quantification of Permeability of Unidirectional Fiber Bed by J. Westhuizen and JP Du Plessi in the Journal of Compound Materials, 28 (7), 1994. Note that the equations show that The permeability can be determined and the fiber radius the density of the fabric and the fiber density are known.

Conductance: This is calculated with permeability per unit thickness and a measure of the opening of a particular structure and thus an indication of the relative ease at which the material will pass the liquid. The units are darcys / thousandth of an inch.

Matter gauge (thickness) (Test Method D) The caliber of a material is the measure of thickness and is measured at 0.050 pounds per square inch with a Starret-type volume tester, in units of millimeters or inches. The foot of the volume tester used in these studies is a small acrylic cylinder that measures 3 inches wide by 0.5 inches thick. In practice, 10 repetitions of any measurement should be made.

Absorbance Test or Block Rate Absorption Test (Test Method E) This test was used to determine the time taken for a known quantity of fluid in a material and / or material system. The test apparatus consists of a rate block as shown in Figure 25, and a stopwatch or time meter. A piece of absorbent 102 millimeters by 102 millimeters 14 and cover 13 were cut with matrix. The specific covers that are to be tested are described in the specific examples. The absorbent used for these studies consisted of an air-laid material of 250 grams per square meter made of 90% Coosa 0054 pulp and 10% Hoechst-Celanese T-255 conjugated binder fiber and the density for this absorber was 0.10 grams per cubic centimeter. The sample cover 13 to be tested was placed on the absorbent 14 and the rate block 10 was placed on top of two materials. For our work, 2 milli Liters of an artificial menstrual fluid as prepared below was delivered to the funnel of test apparatus 11 and s started timing. The fluid moved from the funnel 11 to a capillary vessel 12 where it was delivered to the material or material system. The stopwatch was stopped when all the fluid was absorbed into the material or the material system was observed from the chamber in the test apparatus. The absorption time for a known amount of test fluid was recorded for a given material or system of material. This value is a measurement of the absorbency of a material or material systems with a lower absorption time that represents "more absorbent" systems or materials. Five to ten repetitions were carried out to determine the average absorption time.

Rewet Test (Test Method F) This test was used to determine the amount of fluid that will return to the surface of a roof when a load is applied. The amount of fluid that returns through the surface is called the rewet value. The more fluid comes to the surface, the greater the rewet value, while the smaller the fluid quantity that returns to the lower surface will be the rewet value. The lower rewet values are associated with a drier material and therefore a drier product. In the consideration of rewetting, three important properties are: 1) absorption and the material / system does not have a good absorption then the fluid can rewet, 2) the ability of the absorbent to retain fluid, the more the absorbent retains the less available fluid for rewetting, and 3) the return flow, the more prohibitive the cover to the fluid the return through said cover the lower will be the rewetting.

In the test here, a roofing system is evaluated so that the absorbent remains constant. E absorbent is an air-laid material of 250 grams per square meter made of 90% Coosa 0054 pulp and 10% d HC T-255 binder with a density of 0.10 grams per cubic centimeter. Two milliliters of artificial menstrual fluids are discharged into the rate block apparatus and allowed to absorb into a 4 inch x 4 inch sample of cover material which was placed on top of a 4 inch x 4 inch absorbent piece. A flu: .do was left to interact with the system for a minute to rest the rate block on top of the materials. The material / cover and absorbent system) and placed on a closed bag, partially filled with a salt water solution. The fluid bag was placed on top of the laboratory cat. The pieces of the blotting paper are heavy and placed on top of the material system. The bag with the material system s raised against a fixed acrylic plate using the laboratory jack until a total of one pound per square inch was applied. The pressure remained fixed for 3 minutes after 1 h. the pressure was removed and the blotting paper weighed. The drying paper must retain any fluid that has been transferred to it from the cover / absorbent system. The difference in weight between the original secant and the secant after the absorption experiment is the rewet value.

Test Fluid Retention / Staining (Test Method G) This test allows the spot size, intensity and fluid retention in the components to be observed with the fluid flow rate and pressure. A material system (cover and absorbent core) measuring 4 inches x 4 inches was placed under an acrylic plate that has a 3-millimeter diameter hole punched in the center. A piece of 1/8 inch tube was connected to the hole with an accessory. The absorbent piece consisted of air-laid material of 250 grams per square meter hec of 90% Coosa pulp 0054 and 10% HC T-255 binder. The total density of the absorbent was 0.10 grams per cubic centimeter. Artificial menstrual fluids were delivered to the sample using a syringe pump at a specified rate and for a specific volume. In these experiments, the pump was programmed to deliver a total volume of 1 milliliter to samples where samples were under pressures of pounds per square inch, 0.008 pounds per square inch and C.8 pounds per square inch. These pressures were applied using a weight which was placed on the upper part of the acrylic plates and distributed evenly. The flow rate of the pump was programmed to deliver at rates of 1 milliliter / second. The size of spot (area) for the cover materials was measured manually and the amount of fluid in each component of the system was measured by weight before after the absorption of the fluid. The spot intensity was evaluated qualitatively by comparison of samples. The spotting information can also be registered using a digital camera and can also be analyzed with a standard image analysis. The fluid retention was measured by weighing the cover before and after the fluid discharge. The average size of the stain and the retention of fluid are determined by at least five repetitions at each pressure.

Fiber Bonding in the Unions with Polypropylene Spinning and in the Crepated Unions through an X-Ray Scattering of; Two Dimensional Width Angle (Test Method H) In a variety of materials, such as fabric bonded with spinning and blown with melt, papers, materials placed by air and others, control of fiber orientation distribution is an important task. A number of physical properties of the final product, such as resistance in the machine direction and cross machine (MD CD), porosity and fluffiness, depend on the global fiber orientation. The orientation of fiber can affect some other attributes of the product such as the aesthetics, the appearance of the type of the fabric and finally the satisfaction of the client.

Depending on the manufacturing process, the fiber orientation in fabrics bonded with polypropylene (PP) yarn can vary considerably. The quantitative analysis of the orientation of fiber in fibrous materials was carried out with the help of the "fiber orientation distribution function" (f-ODF) (see RE Mark e "Text of Physical Test and Mechanical of Paper and Cardboard ", by Marce Dek'-er, published 2, 283 (1984)). In the most general case, this is a three-dimensional function (3-D). To obtain the function of distributing fiber orientation, a variety of experimental methods have been proposed (see RE Mark, in "Text of Physical and Mechanical Testing of Paper and Cardboard", Marcel Dekker, published 2, 283 (1984)) and H Kawai, S. Nomura, in the obr "Developments in the Characterization of Polymer", JV Dawkins, editors, science publication Allied 4, 211, 1983)). The most frequently used techniques include mechanical and optical methods, electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Mechanical methods are simple to use, but convenience with more direct methods is generally not very good. A very detailed film of fiber orientation can be obtained by using microscopy methods, however, its application as a rule requires an extensive sample preparation, which is often tedious and time-consuming. In contrast, X-ray methods require very little sample preparation, and in the case of semi-crystalline fibers (which is the case with PP), the fiber orientation function can be obtained in a relatively short time. This is further simplified if one is interested in the average fiber orientation with respect to a chosen direction rather than the full fiber orientation (3-D) function. The method here works well for polypropylene which crystallizes in a stable form (monoclinic alpha-form crystals) with the c-crystal axis along the fiber axis. After minor modifications, this method can be applied to other crystalline forms of PP other types of polymer fibers and semicrystalline non-polymeric. The applicability of this method is demonstrated on a series of creped PP yarn joints.

Crystal orientation in a single polypropylene fiber In a polypropylene fiber containing a-shaped crystals that exhibit a c-axis orientation, the crystalline orientation with respect to the fiber axis is derived from the crystalline orientation distribution function (c-ODF) Assuming the fiber is aligned along one of the main reference axes (OZ axis in Figure 9) and taking into account the cylindrical symmetry with respect to the fiber axis, the crystalline orientation distribution function in the real space (or space r) is provide the number of crystals that have the specific orientation. The function of distribution of crystalline orientation in the diffraction space (or space K coincides with the distribution of X-ray intensity azimuth d a set of planes perpendicular to the axis OZ to crystal perfectly aligned. (For the simplest possible case d cubic crystals, (001) plans are more convenient for this purpose). The shape of such distribution is shown schematically in Figure 10. After an adequate normalization the value of the orientation distribution function an angle f is proportional to the number of specified crystallographic planes having angles (p / 2 -f) with the fiber axis. Since the size of the crystals does not vary considerably for given production conditions, for example the number of planes per crystallite is relatively constant, the crystalline orientation distribution function is proportional to the number of crystallites having a specific orientation. It is important to note that the distribution function of normalized crystal orientation can also be interpreted as the probability of finding a certain part of crystals with a specific orientation (see H. Kawai, S. Nomura, in "Developments in the Characterization of Polymers ", JV Dawkins, editors, Allied Science Publ., 4, 211 (1983)). A quantitative measurement of the average orientation of the crystalline phase is the Herman Orientation factor (See J.J. Hermans, P.H. Hermans, D. Vermaas, A. Weidinger in Rec. Trans. Chim., 65.427 (194)): fH = (3 < cos2 > -l) / 2 Equation (4) where p / 2 J 1 (0) eos2 0 without 0d0 < cos2 < > = 0_ tr / 2 / i (0) without 0d0 Equation 0 and f or fc z is the angle between the crystallographic axis and the fiber axis. The orientation factor Herman has a value of 1 pair perfectly aligned crystals, 0 for random orientation and -0.5 for crystals oriented perpendicular to the reference axis. In practice, the crystalline orientation in aligned polypropylene fibers -z is computed: < cos2fc z > = 1 - 1.099 < cos2f110 z > - 0.901 < cos2f040 z > Equation (6) where f110rZ is the angle between the normal a (110) crystallographic planes and the fiber axis f0_o, z is the angle between the normal a (040) crystallographic planes and the fiber axis. The coefficients 1099 and 0.901 reflect the monoclinic symmetry of the crystal.

In the more general case of a specimen oriented arbitrarily in space, the crystalline orientation requires being determined from the complete stereographic analysis (for example 3-C). In studies of textures in wire and sheet materials, the stereographic projections of the crystal orientation distribution function on specified sample planes are known as "pole figures". As indicated in the introduction we are interested in the average orientation, rather than in the full orientation distribution function. Instead of constructing pol figures, the following approach will be used.

From the 3-D crystalline orientation distribution function, the average spatial orientation can be computed with the help of a set of equations similar to equations (4) and (5) and at angles Euler K,? and μ as shown in figure 11. Similarly to equation (4) one can define three orientation functions: fHX = (3 < cos? > -l) / 2 fHY = (3 < COS2? > -l) / 2 Equations (7) fHZ = (3 < cos2μ > -l) / 2 where the average squares of the cosines are computed d by equation (5) by replacing f with the respective angle. Taking into account that: eos K + cos2? + cos2μ = 1 Equation (8) it can be seen that the following is true for any values of the Euler angles: ^ HX + fire + ^ HZ = 0 Equation (9) Equations (5) and (6) indicate that if one knows two of the orientation factors the third can be easily computed, and therefore the factor of crystalline orientation with respect to any reference axis can be determined.

It is often much easier to obtain the experimental X-ray intensity distributions in some of the coordinate planes (XOY, XOR or YOZ) rather than the 3D intensity distribution. In Fig. 12, the projections of the Euler angles (marked a, jß and?) On the coordinate planes are shown. Geometric considerations show that in this case, instead of equation (5), the following relationship is true. tga x tg3 x tg? = 1 Equations (10) Equation (10) shows that if the distribution of experimental intensity in two mutually perpendicular planes is known, the orientation factors co resp > ecto to any of the coordination axes may be derived. Similar to equation (7), the orientation factors are written as: fx = (3 < cos2a > -1) / 2 fv = (3 < cos2 / S > -D / 2 Equations (11) f2 = (3 < cos2? > -1) / 2 It can also be shown that the averaged squares of the cosines of the Euler angles and their respective orientation factors can be computed from, ß and y Fiber Orientation on a Fabric Joined with Yarn (SB) Although there are many ways to define an orientation distribution function, we will use the following approach: Assume that the ith fiber in the SB fabric is divided into straight fiber segments p1 with a constant length. The choice of this unit length is not critical as long as it is large enough, so that each segment contains approximately the same number of crystallites, per sufficiently small to closely follow the tortuous path of the fiber within the spun bond. Since the typical SB fiber diameter is lOμ or greater and the crystallite size is less than 100 Á, a unit length of fiber diameter is an appropriate choice. I assume that the segments m. (mx =.) reside within a solid unit angle dxd? dμ having the Euler coordinates (?,?, μ). (Figur 11). The sum: Sm (?,?, Μ) =? M, Equation (12) i-I Where n is the total number of fibers in the fabric, gives the total number of fiber segments aligned along the direction in space with the coordinates Eulerian (?,?, Μ). The total number of fiber segments with the SB fabric is therefore: Equation (13 The ratio of the two sums, which gives the relative number of chain segments aligned along the space direction (k, l, m) is the fiber orientation distribution function, for example: f-ODF,?, μ) = S-d-.?.tt) S "Equation (14 Equation (14) can also be interpreted as the probability of finding a certain part of chain segment with specific orientation. Since the unit of specific length is much smaller than the overall length of the fibers, the sums in (12) - (14) can be replaced by integrals when necessary. Since each chain segment contains the same number of crystallites, it is evident that the fiber orientation distribution function is correlated to the crystallite orientation distribution function.

As discussed above, in order to determine in a single form the average spatial orientation, it is sufficient to determine the orientation distribution in two mutually perpendicular planes.

Fiber Orientation in the Plane of the Fabric (XOZ) in Figure 5) The distribution of X-ray intensity assimilated experimentally, from an appropriate set of crystallographic planes, of the SB fabric will depend on both, the function d distribution of crystal orientation and the function d distribution of fiber orientation. To continue further we will presume that the distribution of fibr orientation and the distribution of crystalline orientation in an "average" fibr are independent of one another. Keeping in mind the interpretation of probabilities of the orientation distribution, it is evident that in space r the probability of finding a certain part of crystals along a specified direction is given by the product of the orientation distribution function. Mathematically this dependency in space k is expressed as a Fourier convolution: Isß (F) = le (F)? WF) Equation (15) Where lSB (f) is the experimental intensity of SB cloth, le (f) is the crystalline X-ray intensity for a single fiber (see section 1) lE (f) is the enlargement resulting from the orientation distribution of the fibers. Is it fibr and e? symbol Q indicates a Fourier convolution. To compute the fiber orientation factor we need to obtain lf (f), to solve equation (15) with respect to l £ f). The approach to derive the fiber orientation factor d experimental data will depend on the level of crystalline orientation. a) Crystals perfectly aligned along the length of the fiber e (f = 0, fH = 1, please note that the angle in Figure 5 corresponds to the angle? in Figure 12) It can be shown that for a perfect orientation the crystal orientation distribution function is a Dirac d function centered at the origin. It can also be seen that the Fourier convolution of a reasonably smooth function with the Dirac function gives the function itself. As a result, the normalized X-ray intensity scattered at an angle f e directly proportional to the number of line segments aligned in that direction. Therefore the use of equations (4) - (7) directly gives the average orientation of the axes of the fiber segments. In this extreme case the experimentally measured f? SB = ff. (ffSB is the plane orientation factor computed from the diffractograms of the fabric in the transmission and ffF is the respective orientation factor of the fibers). b) Non-perfect crystal alignment To obtain lf (f), we will use the Fourier convolution theorem declaring that a convolution of two functions is a product in the inverse space, for example: SSB (f *) = ic (f *) x if (f *) Equation 16 where f * = f is the azimuthal angle in the inverse space and? x (f *) are the Fourier transformations of the respective quantities of equation (15). It should be noted that the inverse of the diffraction space (or space k) is the real space (or space r) and vice versa. To derive the fiber orientation distribution function it is first necessary to separately record the experimental 112c (f) and 112SB (f), secondly execute the Fourier transformation and divide them: if (f *) = SSB (f *) / íc (f *) Equation (17) if (f *) is subsequently transformed back and the plane fiber orientation distribution function thus obtained (l £ (f)) can be used to compute the average orientation of equations (4) - (6).

The orientation of fiber in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the fabric (YOZ in Figure 5) All the relationships given in section 11.1 (equations (15) - (17)) are applicable in this case, however the rectangle needs to be replaced by the angle? (in the figure , please note that the angle to copy in this figure runs: sponde to the angle (? T2 - ß) in figure 12).

Although in practice it is very feasible to have a meiterial with fH = 1, very often the orientation of the crystalline phase within the fibers is much greater than the orientation of the fibers with respect to some characteristic directions. In such cases the direct use of equations (4) - (6) will not introduce substantial errors.

Since the Fourier transformation of a constant is a Dirac d function, it is evident that the approach described here is not applicable in the case of fibers exhibiting random crystalline orientation. However, this situation is never found in spun polypropylene fibers. materials The following materials were used in the present study: A control of approximately 3.5 denier per fiber of polypropylene fibers having about percent by weight of concentrate AMPACET 51438 Ti02 as well as cover 0, cover 2, cover 6 and cover 7 (these coverings are defined in table 1).

Experimental and equipment procedures The measurements were carried out on a Siemens GADDS diff actometer with a three-circle goniometer, in Co Kc radiation. The diffraction intensity was recorded with a two-dimensional Hi-Star multi-wire detector. (2-E1). The shape of the ray of X-rays is circular with a diameter of 200μ and the sample to detect the distance was 60 millimeters.

To obtain the function of fiber orientation distribution in the plane of the fabric, the 2 D intensities of all the fabrics were recorded in a transmission geometry. To determine the initial crystalline orientation distribution function, for example lc (f), a set of parallel fibers was fixed on a frame. This specimen was also studied in transmission geometry.

To obtain the function of distribution of fiber orientation in the plane perpendicular to the plane of the fabric, the materials were studied in reflection geometry, with the incident ray perpendicular to the direction of the machine. The angle between the incident ray and the plane of the sample (?) Was chosen at 5o. Keeping in mind that for polypropylene all crystalline reflections are at 2S angles greater than 10 °, this choice is appropriate.

Fiber ene distribution in the plane of the fabric (XOZ in Figure 5) In Figures 13 and 14 are shown the density patterns 2-D of the fiber specimen (control) and the fabric SB (cover 0) respectively in transmission geometry. The crystallographic indices of the planes that give rise to the respective maximum X-ray intensity are labeled in Figure 15. The amorphous antecedent was subtracted from the 1-D intensity distributions in radial directions, which correspond to 2? fixed asymmetric angles. An example of such intensity curve is shown in Figure 15 (cover 0 of specimen, equatorial exploration) in figure 16 and in figure 17 are given the distributions of asimutal intensity from the planes (040) for the two samples. It is evident that the crystal orientation distribution function is much sharper than the fiber orientation distribution function in the fabric pLano. The orientation factors for the two samples were computed from equations (4) - (6) and the results are fH = 0.81 and ff = 0.34. If we correct the fabric scattering curves SB for the crystal distribution through equation (17) the result is ff = 0.37. Therefore the error in the computation of ff (f), resulted from the non-perfect crystalline alignment that is less than 10%. In view of the relatively small error this correction was not applied in the computation of the orientation factors of the specimens of cover 2, cover 6 and cover 7. The intensity transmission patterns 2-D for these samples are shown in figures 18 , 19 and 20, respectively. The orientation factors in the plane (ff (f)) of the SB samples are summarized in Table A.

TABLE A Specimen f f (F) Control 0.81 Cover 0 0.34 Cover 2 0.21 Cover 6 0.05 Cover 7 0.18 The flat fiber orientation factor of the creped fabrics (Cover 2 - Cover 7) is generally lower than the non-creped fabric (Cover 0). This denotes that the material joined with creped yarn has more fiber elements or components of fiber elements that are oriented in the X direction compared to a yarn bonded material. Since the value of the plane fiber orientation factor is approaching 0 for some creped yarn joints (Cover 6) this is an indication that the linear creping is randomizing the fibers. For fiber elements that were truly random in the plane of the fabric f £ (f) = 0.

The fiber axis distribution perpendicular to the plane of the fabric (YOZ in Figure 5) Figure 2 shows the 2-D pattern of the sample covered 0 in reflection geometry. The sharpness of the maximum intensity reflects the fact that the fiber axis lies in the plane of the fabric. A comparison with FIG. 22, which shows the 2-D pattern of the specimen cover 2, indicates that after the fabric was creped a substantial portion of the fiber segments exhibit a perpendicular orientation. L same is true for the samples covered 6 and cover (Figures 23 and 24 respectively). Asymmetric curves were corrected for absorption and amorphous antecedents. The computational procedures are similar to the previous case and the orientation factors are summarized in Table B.

TABLE B Specimen t? X) Control 0.81 Cover 0 0.34 Cover 2 0.21 Cover 6 0.05 Cover 7 0.18 The fiber orientation factor for the covered specimen 1 was obtained after correction of the experimental curve for the crystal orientation distribution. In view of the orientation factors (table B) this correction was not applied to the rest of the specimens. Rapidly decreasing peridicular fibril orientation distribution function is a manifestation of 3-D randomization with creping. The off-plan fiber orientation factor (ff i?) Of the creped fabrics (Cover 2- Cover 7) is generally lower than that of the non-creped fabric (Cover 0 this denotes that the material joined with creped yarn has more fiber elements or components of fiber elements that are oriented in the Y direction compared to a spunbonded material.For the covers studied, the crepe of the union with spinning causes some fiber elements to be oriented outside the plane of the fiber. cloth.

Since the randomization as a rule leads to increase the volume of the specimen, while the volume of the fibers (for example the occupied volume) remains constant, this should lead to increase the average pore size.

As shown above, the average fibr orientation along with any specified direction of a tel SB can be derived from the X-ray intensity distribution of two dimensions in at least two mutually perpendicular planes. The method here is consistent and theoretically firm. This is particularly suitable for X-ray studies using a 2-D X-ray detector.

Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL) (Test Method 1) The hydration values of the skin are determined by measuring the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and can be determined by using the following test procedure.

The test is carried out on adults on the forearm. Any medications should be checked to ensure that these do not affect the test results and the subject's forearms should be free of any skin conditions such as rashes or abrasions. The subjects should relax in the test environment, which should be around 22 ° C with a humidity of around 40% for about 15 minutes before the test and the movement should be kept to a minimum during the test. Subjects should wear short sleeve shirts, not bathe or shower for about 2 hours before the test, and should not apply any perfumes, lotions, powders etc. to the forearm.

The measurements are taken with an evaporimeter, such as an evaporimeter EP1 an instrument distributed by Servomed AB, from Stockholm Sweden.

A baseline reading should be taken on the subject's forearm and should be less than 10 g / m2 / hr. Each test measurement is taken over a period of two minutes with the values of evaporative water loss taken one ve per second (a total of 120 water loss values). The digital output of the evaporimeter EP gives the evaporative loss water rate (TEWL) in g / m / hr.

For the test, the end of a spout tube is col- lated on the middle forearm. An arm band is placed on the forearm of the subject directly on the forearm of the subject directly on the end of the tube. The eye of the tube must face the target load area.

Hold the product in place with undamaged tape that comes in contact with the user's skin. For the test given here, the product was a HUGGIES ULTRATRIM Step 3 diaper that has 8.9 gms of superabsorbent placed in an area around (63.6 millimeters) wide and a standard liner was replaced with the fabric to be tested.

Place a stretchable net such as that available from Zens Industrial knit Products of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the product to help keep it in place.

Three equal loads of 60 milliliters of physiological salt water available from VWR Scientific Products (800-932-500) at about 95 ° F (35 ° C) are delivered to the product at a 45 second interval by a pump such as a pump Assortment / Load MASTERFLEX Digi-Static. After 60 minutes, the product is removed from the subject's forearm and the e-vaporimeter readings are taken immediately on the skin where the product had been.

Transepidermal water loss values are reported as the difference between the values of 1 hour and l baseline in g / m2 / hr.

Preparation of Artificial Menstrual Fluids (Test Method J) The artificial menstrual fluid used in the test was made of blood and egg white by separating the blood in plasma and red cells and separating the clear in the thick and thin part, where "thick" means that it has a viscosity after from the homogenization of about 2 centipoise to 150 sec "1, combine the thick egg white with the plasma and mix thoroughly, and finally add the red cells and again completely mix the blood, in this example defibrinated pig blood, was separated by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 30 minutes, although other methods or speeds and times may be used if they are effective.The plasma was separated and stored separately, the curdled Linfa coating was removed and discarded and the packed red blood cells stored. separately, it should be noted that the blood should be treated in some way so that it can be processed without coagulation. p those skilled in the art, such as defibrining the sang to remove coagulated fibrous materials, the addition of anticoagulant chemicals and others. Blood should not be coacted in order to be useful and whatever method it achieves is without damaging plasma and red blood cells is acceptable.

The large chicken eggs were separated, yolk and the chalazas were discarded and the egg white was retained The egg white was separated into the thick and thin parts by casting the clear through a nylon mesh 10C0 microns around 3 minutes, and the thinnest part discarded. The thick part of the egg white which was retained on the mesh was collected and pulled in a 60 cm3 syringe which was then placed on a programmable syringe pump and homogenized by ejecting and refilling the contents 5 times. The amount of homogenization was controlled by the syringe pump cup of around 100 milliliters / min. , and the inner diameter of the tube of about 0.12 inches. After homogenization, the thick egg white had a viscosity of about 20 centipoise at 15 seconds and was then placed in the centrifuge and turned to remove debris and air bubbles at about 3000 rpm for about 10 minutes. .

After centrifugation, the thick and homogenized egg white, which contained ovamucin, was added to 300 c of a FENWAL® transfer pack container using a syringe. Then 60 cubic centimeters of the pig plasma were added to the FENWAL® transfer package container. The FENWAL® transfer pack container was grasped, all air bubbles were removed and placed in a Stomacher laboratory mixer where it was mixed at a normal (or average) speed for about 2 minutes. The FENWAL® transfer pack container was then removed from the mixer, 60 cm3 of red pig blood cells were added, and the contents were mixed by kneading by hand for about 2 minutes or until the contents appeared homogeneous. A hematocrit of the final mixture showed a red blood cell content of about 30% by weight and should generally be at least within a range of 28-32% by weight for artificial menstrual fluids made according to this example. The amount of egg white was around 40% by weight.

The ingredients and equipment used in the preparation of artificial menstrual fluids are readily available. Below is a list of the sources for the items used in the example, although of course other sources can be used provided they are approximately equivalent.

Blood (pig): Cocalico Biologicals, Inc., 44 Stevens Rd., Reamstown, PA 17567, (717) 336-1990.

Fenwal® Transfer Pack Container 300 milliliters, with coupler, code 4R2014: Baxter Healthcar Corpioration, Fenwal Division, Deerfield, IL 60015.

Programmable syringe pump Harvar model No. 55-4143: Harvard apparatus, South Natick, MA 01760.

Stomacher 400 laboratory mixer model No. BA 7021, series No. 31968: Seward Medical, London, England, UK. 1000 micron mesh, item No. CMN-1000-B: Small Parts, Inc., PO Box 4650, Miami Lakes, FL 33014-0650, 1-800-220-4242.

Hemata Stat-II Device for Measuring Blood Cells, Series No. 1194Z03127: Separation Technology, Inc., 1096 Raine Drive, Altamont Springs, FL 32714.

Contact angle measurement (Test Method K) Static contact angle measurements were carried out using artificial menstrual fluids on film surfaces. These surfaces were either treated or not modified as described in this work. The drops which measured 0.5 to 2 millimeters in height were applied to the surface of the film with a tapered tip using a syringe and a programmable pump (Harvard PHD 2000 device). A Leica Wild M3Z stereomicroscope was tilted on one side to see the fluid drop as it was applied to the surface of the film. A digital Sony DKC-5000 3CCD photo camera registers the fluid application to the surface. Then, the contact angle measurements were made on the individual fluid droplets by contacting the surface using an image analysis program. Five measurements of the contact angle on each side of the drop were made and averaged. A total of 5 to 10 drops were measured for each film and averaged.

Detailed description of the invention The object of this invention is a unique material whose structure and surface energy can be made for use in absorbent articles. More preferably, this invention relates to a selective design of a "material to be used as a cover or liner for absorbent articles wherein the article delivers improved fluid functionality and aesthetics and comfort associated with the fibrous materials.

The object of the invention is provided, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, by a material which can be defined by two surfaces, an upper region which is commonly referred to as the upper surface (1) and a lower region the which can be mentioned as the surface 2 (not visible in figure 4). The elements essentially d type of fiber 3 define each of these surfaces and extend from one surface to the other, presumably intercepting one or both of these planes. The discontinuous and deformed film tip regions 4 connect the individual fibers and act as stability regions. These are denoted as areas of stress concentration increased when subjected to an applied load. These stability regions are noted by the intersection, continuity or fusion of one or more of the fiber type elements. These regions can be created through one or both of the following typical methods: physical or chemical bonding which can be produced through traditional means such as thermal bonding or adhesive bonding. The deformation as described in this invention may be the result of physical or chemical forces. An example of the trainer may be included but is not limited to mechanical pulling.

The material of this invention is uniquely different based on 3 key features: 1) orientation of fiber type element 2) the relationship of the fiber type elements in relation to each other in a three dimensional space, and 3) the size of the fiber material. These elements are more adequately described using the following parameters over the ranges described here as 1) f £ (?) < 0.87, 2) SA / W < 186 CM2 / CM3, Y 3) Caliber < 0.150 inches A representative material defined by this invention is a spun and creped bond material and a detailed explanation of this material is given in Example 1.

The dimensionality of a material can be characterized by three coordinated axes X, Y and Z which are mutually orthogonal and normal one with respect to another. A dimensional feature can be described as a line, a two-dimensional feature as a plane and a three-dimensional feature as an object. The materials described herein are three-dimensional and can best be represented by the illustration of Figure 5. As noted, three coordinated axes are discussed X, Y and Z which are mutually orthogonal and normal with respect to each other. The Z axis is chosen arbitrarily to represent the machine direction of the material while the X direction represents the cross direction of the material. The coordinated axes X and Z therefore define the plane of the material. The coordinate axis Y defines the volume or thickness of the material. The X and Y axes and the Z and Y axes define the exterior of the coordinate coordinate system.

The fiber type elements are arranged in a three-dimensional space and define a structure consisting of an upper and lower surface and preferably interconnected paths between them. The configuration of these elements as seen from the plane is important for the movement of the fluid. The elements can be as flat as shown in Figure 6 or undulatory as shown in Figure 7. It is believed that the organization of these elements can be optimized for the intended application. For example, materials with undulating surfaces can provide the most ideal fluid handling for fluids with a viscous or viscoelastic film, fluids at low volumes discharged so that they have a low momentum or with a low external pressure applied to the material at the absorbent article. Conversely, flat surface materials can provide better fluid handling for elastic fluids, fluids at higher volumes and discharged so that they have a reasonable time or high external pressure applied to the material in an absorbent article.

The degree of orientation of the elements describes an important scoop of the invention and can be described in two dimensions using the Hermann orientation factor which is represented by the following equation. f1 = (3 < cos2? / < -l) / 2 Equation (18) where ff is the orientation and where f is the angle between the two arbitrary coordinate axes. The orientation can be denoted as "ff" with a subscript that defines the two axes, for example, f £ _y, or as a "" f £ "with a subscript defining the angle between the two axes, for example, ft (in where the angle between the axes Z and Y is the angle F. The application of this function is described in three situations model in the figure using the Z and Y axes as a reference Figure 8 shows a case where fy = 0, eos (f) = 1 where all elements are oriented in the direction of the Z-axis. Figure 8b shows a case where f =) / 2, eos (f) = 0, and tt (f) -1 / 2 where all the elements are oriented in the direction of the Y axis. Figure 8c represents the isotropic case where f = 54.7 degrees, eos (f) = 0.578, and f £ (f) = 0. In this case an equal number of elements or element components are oriented in the directions of Y and Z.

Another important characteristic of the material is the configuration or distribution of the fibr type surfaces in three dimensions. Since the fluid moves along the fiber surfaces but moves in the hollow volume of the material, a means for this characterization is the use of the surface area (SA) / void volume (W). This definition is defined by incorporating denier since this is an eloquent way to account for essentially round or shaped fibr type elements. A deviation of the parameters for this evaluation is given below: dpf = tr * r * 9xl05 *? £ Equation (19) r = [dpf / (p * 9 x 10E 1/2 Equation (20) where; r = radius of fiber in cm, p £ = fiber density, 1 fiber length, pte: ldo = density of the fiber, dpf = denie per fiber and i = 3.14159.

SA / mass = (2 * TG * r * l) / (tr * r2 * 1 * pf) = 2 / (r *? £) Equation (21) W / mass = (l / pte31do) - (l / pf) Equation (22) SA / W = 2 / ([dpf / (go * 9 x 105 * pf)] 12 * [(p £ / pweb) - 1]) Equation (23) From equation 23, one observes that SA / W is a function of the fiber denier, the density of the fabric and the density of the fiber.

The caliber of material is also essential for the definition of this material since it defines the distance qu necessary for a fluid to move before it finds other components of the absorbent article. For the purpose of this invention, this distance has been found to be essentially equivalent to or less than 0.150 inches.

The fiber type elements of this invention can be produced from but are not limited to polyolefin polymers, plastomers, elastomers, foams, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or mixtures / combinations of these components. The elements typically have a denier between 10 denier per fiber and a basis weight between about 0. and 4.0 ounces per square yard (3.4 and 136 gsm).

The use of f £ (p), SA / W, and the gauge has adequately defined the material of this invention by the distribution, orientation and organization of the fiber tip elements in three dimensions. Two extensive properties which are directly related to the intensive properties described above are permeability and pore size. These parameters also define the material of this invention. The out-of-plane permeability and pore size are defined by the test method described in this application. A preferable material would have an out-of-plane permeability greater than 1000 darcies and more preferably greater than 2000 darcies. A preferable material would have less than 80% pores based on cubic centimeters / grams with a radius of less than 1000 microns and more preferably 40% (based on cm3 / grs) with a radius of less than 100 microns. In the most preferred case, the preferable material would have less than 20% pores (based on cubic centimeters / grs) with the radius less than 100 microns.

Another important feature of this invention is surface energy. The surface energy is characteristically defined by the contact angle that a fluid makes with the surface of the material. A contact angle greater than 90 ° represents a hydrophobic material while one with a contact angle of less than 90 ° represents a hydrophilic material. A preferred material should consist of at least some fiber type elements or regions of fiber type elements, for example having a wettable character or a contact angle of less than 90 °.

The structure can be made wettable by conventional means such as the application of a surfactant. Commercial surfactants such as Ahcovel Base N-62 (ICI Surfactants, Willmington Delaware), Atme 8174 (ICI), Masil SF-19 (PPG Industries, Gurnee, Ill.), Mapeg ML 400 (PPG) have been found to be acceptable Whatever the applied surfactant, the contact angle of the menstrual stimulant on the surface should be lower than that of an untreated structure. The surface should preferably have a contact angle measured with a menstrual simulator of less than 90 °.

Additionally, the material can be made wettable through an application of surfactants either topically or internally, from surface modification or treatment, from surface chemistry, from polymer chemistry, from fiber chemistry - type - element, of the surface graft or methods commonly known in the art to change the modification of surface chemistry to make a wettable material. In this case, the materials which are wettable are distinguished from those which are not wettable in the sense that the contact angle is less than that of an unmodified surface and that these have a contact angle of less than 90 °.

In another embodiment, the surface characteristics are modified to provide the properties beyond those anticipated with the additional treatments which make the structure wettable. One of such treatment reduces and promotes rapid intake and reduces protein deposition. The surface of such materials can be modified to alter the fluid, thereby altering its properties. One such treatment which has demonstrated these properties is polyolefin oxide. The surface regions can be treated with, for example, polyethylene oxide and / or polypropylene oxide or block copolymers of these oxides. Typical commercial chemicals are block copolymers of ezylene oxide and propylene oxide sold under the trademark Pluronics® (BASF, Germany) and SYNPERONIC® (ICI Surfactants of Wilmington, Delaware).

In yet another embodiment, the surface is modified with treatments which are transferred to the skin and promote well-being. These treatments may include substantial which can be used in conjunction with the surfactants. Such treatments may include those known in the art to promote improvements in the condition of the skin such as aloe, petrolatum, dimethicone, vitamin K, etc.

In yet another embodiment, the surface energy of the upper material surface is lower than the surface energy of the lower surface that creates a gradient of surface energy between the surfaces. Such a gradient can promote the movement of fluid from the upper surface to the lower surface. The pore size gradients can also be generated so that the average pore size of a first volume of material incorporates the upper surface different from the average pore size of a second volume of material incorporating the lower surface where the volumes first and second are exclusive of each other. The nature and timing of the fluid will avoid whether it is preferential to have the average pore size of the first volume that is larger or smaller than the average pore size of the second volume. In the case of viscoelastic fluids, it may be preferable to have the average pore size of the second volume being larger than that of the first volume. The materials can also be created with a pore size and wettability gradients.

The materials mentioned above can be made specifically for use in applications for personal use or care. The material can be used as a top sheet in products for infant care, woman care, adult care, health care. These may include applications for handling Newtonian fluids such as urine, viscoelastic fluids, such as menstrual fluid and stool (bowel movements) or viscous fluids such as blood.

In a preferred embodiment, the material of this invention is especially useful for absorbent articles for the care of women to handle menstrual fluid or discharge. These typical women's care products such as pads, panty liners and t-shirts, are made of multiple materials and generally consist of a cover, also known as top sheet side-to-body lining. Beneath the cover, one or more absorbent layers are usually present for functions such as distribution, absorption, retention or conformation to the body. Beneath the absorbent is usually a fluid impermeable layer called a separator, which can be made of film.

The handling of fluid suitable for a top sheet in absorbent articles for the care of women requires a good intake (absorbency), a low staining (cleaning), low rewet (dryness) and low fluid retention (dryness). The material must also deliver these attributes under a wide range of pressure and flow conditions. A product can, for example, experience a variable flow consisting of both low continuous flow or sudden heavy flow. The product can also experience conditions without pressure, light or low pressure or high pressure. Additionally, the cover must also be capable of handling a menstrual discharge which may exhibit a wide range of viscosity and elasticity.

The material of this invention is preferred to be used as a cover, which, in conjunction with an absorbent core, allows superior handling of viscoelastic viscous fluids, such as menstrual discharge for personal care items, while being delivered unacceptable aesthetic properties such as softness. Comparison to non-wovens, such as yarn-binding, and the material of this invention is particularly suitable for handling thickened fluid from the upper sheets or high-functioning lining in absorbent articles for the care of women or women. to replace expensive materials / emergence. Low SA / W, out-of-plane fiber orientation, and the caliber of material in conjunction with the appropriate surface wettability helps overcome many of the limitations associated with nonwovens. For example, out-of-plane fiber orientation can improve transmission to absorbent layers and may also increase permeability by providing better absorption. The materials with a low SA / W are typical of highly permeable structures with a large average pore size. Tale materials generally promote excellent absorbency, or low staining and low fluid retention. By providing the other characteristics of the material in conjunction with some critical thickness, the wetting can be reduced to promote a barrier to the return tube. Additionally, the use of the material of this invention in an absorbent article for women's care offers the aesthetic and comfort properties which are inherent to nonwovens and therefore not achievable with perforated film covers.

By making the SA / W, the orientation of f out of plane, the caliper and wettability in this material within the ranges specified in the invention of materials, the functional properties of a liner / absorbent system, such as those in the articles for the care of women can be optimized. The examples in this application denote some means by which these material characteristics are made to provide optimum fluid functionality However, one should note that typical exudates from menstrual discharge are highly variable throughout the menstrual cycle and from each woman. A fully optimized roofing material will be designed around the average and extreme properties typical of these fluids. Therefore, optimal material properties should be calibrated based on the use of menstrual simulators which represent or mimic typical menstrual properties.

In a preferred embodiment, the material used in infant care products as a forr or other upper diaper. A typical diaper is made of multiple materials and generally consists of a top sheet or a lining near the user. Under the cover, one more absorbent layer is usually present for operation such as absorption, distribution, retention. Under the absorbent is usually a fluid impermeable layer called an outer separator or cover, which can be made of film.

Proper functioning as a diaper liner requires good absorption properties so that the incoming liquid is completely transported therethrough and therefore, minimal stagnation and minimal spreading of the liquid on the upper surface occurs. The stagnation and spreading of liquid on the surface can contribute to runoff and hydration of the skin. Additionally, the contact surface to the body of the liner should have a minimum saturation so that the hydration of the skin does not increase. It is desirable that personal care items be designed to minimize skin hydration as this contributes to the occurrence of the diaper rash.

High conductance (permeability divided by thickness) is required for a complete transmission of the liquid through the liner / cover material. It has been found that for typical insult discharge rates of 20 cubic centimeter / second a liner conductance greater than 10 darcies / thousandths of an inch is required for all liquid to pass. This means that for a liner with a thickness of 1 mil, its permeability must be greater than 10 darcies. It has also been established that the lowest skin hydration levels as measured by transepidermal water loss are achieved with liners having a conductance greater than 100 darcies / thousandth of an inch.

A further example of the use of the material of this invention is in a diaper in conjunction with various outer covers and other materials. The outer cover is sometimes referred to as the lower sheet cover and is the furthest cap from the user. The outer cover is typically formed of a thin thermoplastic film, such as a polyethylene film, which is essentially impermeable to liquid. The outer cover functions to prevent the exudates of the body contained in an absorbent structure from wetting or soiling the wearer's clothing, fame clothes or other materials in contact with the diaper. The outer cover can be, for example, a polyethylene film having an initial thickness of from about 0.012 millimeters to about 0.12 millimeters. The outer cover of polymer film can be etched and / or matte finished to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Alternate construction for the outer cover includes woven or non-woven fibrous fabrics that have been constructed or treated to impart the desired level of liquid impermeability, laminates formed of a woven or non-woven fabric, and of a thermoplastic film. The outer cover can optionally be composed of a microporous "breathable capacity" material permeable to vapor or gas, which is permeable to vapors or gas but which is essentially impervious to the liquid. The ability to breathe can be imparted to polymer films by, for example, using wood cutters in the film polymer formula, extruding the filler / polymer formula into a film and then stretching the film sufficiently to create voids. around the particles of the filler, thereby making the film capable of breathing. Generally, the more filler is used and the greater the degree of stretch, the greater the degree of breathing capacity. The lower sheets may also serve the function of a member that makes play for mechanical fasteners in the case of, for example, when a non-woven fabric is the outer surface. The material of this invention has been found to work well in a dual-layer incorporation where the other layer is hydrophobic Such a dual-layer structure can be used as a liner in a diaper with the hydrophobic layer towards the wearer or moving away from the wearer, through even when the user orientation is preferred.

The material of this invention can also be used in health care products such as surgical suits and covers, windowing materials and bandages for wound care and applications.

In wound care dressing applications, the material of this invention can be used to provide an absorbent but dry top surface which provides comfort and softness. An absorbent but dry top surface which reduces stickiness to the wound when removed may also be provided. A careful selection of the composition of the fiber type elements can also help to reduce stickiness.

Pre-creased Denier Cover Treatment Level Cremation Caliber Density Radio SA / mass w / mass SA / W Permea Target Radius BW Real Creping B w Real Real Fiber cm ~ 2 / g cm "3 / gc" 2 / cm "3 bil Pore (dpf) (osy) (%) (oay) (in) (g / cc) (microns) microns 0 3 5 0 4 N ot A NA u u? _? 11 fab 1 3 2 0 6 N 0% A NA 0 O0B 0 100 11 15 1970 8 89 221 7 511 116 3 5 0 4 Y 30% A 0 64 0 026 0 033 11 67 18B4 29 33 64 24 3953 310 3 0 4 Y 30% None 0 63 0 026 0 032 9 04 2432 29 81 ß 60 2189 24B 4 3 5 0 4 and 30% None 0 64 0 026 0 033 11 67 18S4 29 33 64 24 3953 310 S 5 0 4 Y 30% None 0 71 0 031 0 031 13 94 1576 31 61 49 Bß 7593 395 6 2 1 0 4 Y 30% A 0 63 0 026 0 032 9 04 2432 29 81 81 60 2389 24S 107 5 0 4 Y 30% A 0 71 0 031 0 031 13 94 1576 31 61 49 6B 7593 395 s 2 1 0 2 Y 30% A 0 46 0 02 0 031 9 04 2432 31 47 77 31 3367 256 9 2 1 0 6 Y 30% A 0 83 0 032 0 034 9 04 2432 28 66 84 81 1535 226 3 S 0 6 Y 30% A 0 89 0 033 0 036 11 67 1B84 26 67 70 64 3125 283 11 5 0 6 Y 30% A 0 SB 0 037 0 032 13 94 1576 30 39 51 87 4669 383 15u 3 5 0 4 Y 30% A 0 64 0 026 0 033 11 67 1884 29 33 64 25 3953 310 Table 1 2: § Calculated using the reff -2 (W / Sa) equation is Dunstan and Whi The "A" treatment refers to 0.3 percent by weight of AHCOVEL® Base N-62 (ICI Surfactants, Wilmmgton, Delaware) added to the gone The treatment Example 1 A representative material of this invention is a spunbonded fabric which has been creped in a manner similar to that of a tissue. For the purposes of this examples this material will be known as a material bonded with creped yarn. The creped yarn bonded material was prepared using the following process method even when alternative methods are conceivable. As shown in Figure 1 a nonwoven fabric such as a spunbonded fabric, which can be pretreated with a surfactant to make it wettable is unwound. For the purpose of these examples, the tissues were untreated before creping. An adhesive and applied to the fabric by printing, spraying or other application process preferably deposited on the side which will make contact with the roller. (2.) . In this way, latexes or melted adhesives can be used. The fabric passes over a creping roll (4.) where it sticks to the surface due to a thin layer of adhesive. The tissue is then creped using a doctor blade (5) and a speed less than the entry speed is taken. The creped level d is defined as the percent difference in the input and output speed.

Eleven samples of creped yarn bonded material were prepared for the purposes of this example and to demonstrate the characteristics of the material and the functional differences between the creped yarn bonded materials and the yarn bonded materials as well as to illustrate the differences within the class of materials joined with creped yarn. These materials are summarized in Table 1. Note that creped yarn bonded materials (covers 2-12) differ in the target level, the creped base weight, and the treatment. All creped yarn materials creped for this example were prepared at a creping level of 30% even though other creping levels are easily attainable. Additionally, all fabrics bonded with spinning were produced using 92% by weight of polypropylene E5D47 (Union Carbide) and 8% by weight of concentrate Ampacet 41438 Ti02. The fiber density for all fabrics in the examples was 0.91 g / cc. The creping adhesive was Hycar 26684 latex (B.F. Goodrich) at 36% emulsion of solids applied at 0.5-1, 0% by weight of wet aggregate on a rotogravure printing. The input line speed was 300 feet / minute on a crepe roll 40 inches in diameter at 71 ° C with a doctor blade holder angle of 28 °. The fabrics were subsequently treated with surfactant, as specified in the examples, with the surfactant either by vacuum / embedment or spray extraction methods.

As shown in Table 1, cover 2 is a fabric attached with 3.5 denier yarn per 0.4 oz. Fiber per square yard that has been creped at a level of 30% giving material bonded with creped yarn with a creped base weight. of 0.64 ounces per square yard, a thickness of 026 inches, a density of 0.033 grams / cubic centimeter. The fabric was subsequently treated to give a bonded material with 0.3% by weight of Ahcovel® Base N-62 (ICI Surfactant of Wilmington, Delaware). Similarly, the information for the covers 3-12 can be obtained from Table 1. The covers 0 and 1 are fabrics bonded with yarn which are not creped were added to this table by reference to demonstrate the effects of the creped bond on both structural and functional property.

Representative materials of the Table were chosen to illustrate the effects of creping on the structural characteristics of the spun bond. For this exercise, the cover 0 and the cover 1 will be representative of the fabrics bonded with yarn and the cover 2 will be a woven joined with representative creped yarn. As shown in Table A and Table B, the creped yarn-bound material has more fiber elements or components of fibr elements oriented along the X direction compared to the spin yarn when the plane is observed XZ (in the plane) of the cloth. For the Y-Z plane (outside the plane) of the fabric, the material joined with spinning and creping has more fibr elements or components of fiber elements oriented along the direction and compared to a material joined with spinning. Thus, the fiber type elements are being oriented out of the plane of the fabric when the hilad material is creped to produce the material joined with creped yarn. These trends are shown quantitatively by the values of f £ (f) for the cover 0 of 0.34 and cover 2 of 0.21. and stop the values of ft (f) for cover 0 from 0.87 for cover 2 from 0.25.

As shown in Table 1, the materials joined with spinning and creping have a caliper much higher than the yarn bound material. For example, cover 0 has a caliber of 0.006 inches compared to that of 0.02 inches for cover 2.

SA / W is much lower for creped yarn joints than for spinning joints as illustrated by a value of 185.89 for cover 0 compared to 64.2 for cover 2.

The pore size distribution and the permeability are also vastly different for the spunbonded material and the creped yarn bonded material. A result which is expected based on the change in the intensive properties of the material caliber, the orientation of the fiber and the SA / W. Figure 2 shows the pore size distribution for covers 1 and 2 using method d test B. The graph in figure 2 shows the pore volume (cc / g) of material which has a particular pore radius As it was exhibited by the area under the curves, one notes that the cover 2 has a larger hollow volume than the cover 1.

Additionally, the cover 2 has a peak pore size much larger than the cover 1 with few pores of less than 10 microns in radius. One also notes that the pore size distribution is extended when the yarn-bound material is creped as exhibited by the width of the curve.

The permeability of the tissues was measured using the test method C, and the resulting values are shown in Table 1. One notes that the cover 1 has a permeability of only 511 darcies compared to 3953 darcies for the cover 2.

Within the family of creped yarn-bonded fabrics, Table 1, one also notes that SA / W and permeability are directly related to the initial target denier and to the basis weight of the tissue bonded with pre-creped yarn. By increasing fiber denier from 2.1 denier per fiber to 5.0 denier per fiber to a basis weight of bonded with constant pre-creped yarn, the SA / W decreases and the permeability out of plane increases. Conversely, by increasing the basis weight of material bonded with pre-creped yarn from 0.2 oz per square yard to 0.6 oz per square yard to a constant fibr denier, the SA / W increases and decreases the permeability out of d flat. The average pore size typically increases with the increase in fiber denier, but is only modestly affected by the pre-cleared basis weight.

Ejenplo 2 Covers 1 and 2 were evaluated using the test methods E, F and G. The results are given in Table 2 Table 2 Functional properties for a material bonded with yarn and a material bonded with creped yarn It can be seen that Deck 2 has a faster absorption time, a smaller rewet, a smaller average spot size and average fluid retention than what Deck 1 did. These considerable improvements were directly related to the material structure, including the SA / W plus the orientation of the fiber outside the upper plane and the upper caliber in comparison to the material joined with spinning. The creping of the yarn cover material joined with spinning, therefore, improved the performance of the global cover, moving closer to an ideal cover. The Cubiert 2 also has a spot intensity lower than that of the Cover 1, presumably due to the high permeability which provided a rapid absorption, a large average pore size which gave a low capillarity, and a major matter which provided fluid masking.

Example 3 Untreated creped covers were compared to the treated creped covers to understand the moisture: critical surface area required for absorption. The surface energy for these treatments was quantified using Test Method K and the absorption properties were quantified using the Method of Test E. The untreated surface is a polyolefin surface which is known in the art to be relatively hydrophobic. The AHCOVEL® treatment on this surface makes it slightly moist. By comparison, the contact angles were measured with menstrual fluid simulators (for 0.5% of AHCOVEL® treatment on a polyethylene model surface (XP;? L34a, from Edison Plastics, NewPort News, Virginia) and compared with a surface of untreated polyethylene The contact angle of the untreated surface was about 87 degrees while that of the treated surface was about 75 degrees.

As can be seen from the data in Table 3, the untreated Covers 3, 4 and 5 had excessively long absorption times compared to the Covers treated, 2, 6 and 7. This suggests that the fabrics attached with creped yarn should be humidifying to allow the absorption of fluid without applying external pressure. It is interesting to note that even applying surfactants such as Ahcovel® Base N-62 which have a low moderate wettability still results in a substantial reduction in the intake time.

Table 3 Impact of surface characteristics of joined structures with creped yarn Example 4 The creped covers were produced from a matrix of spin-linked fabrics which varied in basis weight and fiber denier to determine their impact on permeability. The effect of permeability is related to functional performance. The covers with the variable fiber deniers and the fabric base weights were tested for permeability according to Test C. As shown in Table 4, the permeability increased with the increase in fiber denier and decreased in weight base.

Table 4 Effect of the fiber denier and the basis weight of the yarn-bonded fabric on the permeability and the thickness of the creped yarn bond. Impact of structural characteristics on functional properties In general, the take-up time, average rewetting and average fluid retention decrease with the increase in permeability or decrease in SA / W for the creped yarn bonded covers.

Example 5 Cover 2 and Cover 12 were compared according to Test E and F to demonstrate the impact of treatment chemistry on fluid handling properties. As seen in Table 5, Deck 12 has a much shorter absorption time than Deck 2 with only a modest increase in rewet.

Table 5 Impact of chemical treatment on functional performance Example 6 Yet another cover, Deck 13 was developed to show the impact of both pore size gradients and surface treatment gradients on fluid handling properties. Cover 13 was a woven fabric co-crushed with a final basis weight of 0.4 ounces per square yard. This was made of two layers which formed a material. The top layer was a section of 3.5 denier po fiber treated with 0.35 percent by volume and the bottom surface consisted of a section of 5.0 denier per fiber treated with 1.0 percent by volume of SF-19. The 1.0 percent by volume of SF-19 is known to be more humid than 0.3 percent by volume based on previous work. Covers 2 and 13 were evaluated using the test methods and F and the results are shown in Table 6.

Table 6 From this Table 6 one observes that the pore size and that the wettability gradients may improve the intake but typically increase rewet. An optimal gradient structure can be developed by making the structure and surface chemistry of the creped material in one or more of the layers of the material.

Example 7 The covers made according to the invention were tested for hydration of the skin according to the transepidermal water loss test as indicated above, specifically for its applicability in diapers or where urine is the fluid of concern. Deck 14 was a woven fabric bonded with two-layer yarns of 0.45 ounces per square yard (15.26 grams per square meter) made of Exxon 3315 polypropylene. The top layer was 2.5 denier fibers of 0.15 ounces per square yard (5 grams per square yard). square meter) and the lower layer was 0.3 ounces per square yard (10.2 grams per square meter) 4 denier fibers. The lower layer also had about 1.25 percent by weight of surfactant Masil SF-19 of PPG added. Deck 14 was creped to 20 percent according to the process described above. The creping adhesive was HYCAR 26684 applied at about 0.3 percent by weight added on the fabric. Deck 14 had a permeability of 4335 darcies, a caliber of 0.023 inches and a conductance of 188 darcies / thousandth of an inch. Deck 15 was a single layer of 0.4 oz. Per square yard (13.6 grams per square meter) of 3.2 denier made of Union CarbJ.de E5D47 polyethylene that was topically treated with about 0.3 percent by weight of AHCOVEL surfactant and then crepó to around 30%. Its permeability, caliber and conductance were 4103 darcies 0.028 inches and 146 darcies / thousandths of an inch respectively. Another cover (Deck 16) was a polypropylene fabric bonded with yarn of 17 grams per square meter with 2.2 denier fibers having a percent by weight of 0.3 of AHCOVEL surfactant. This had a permeability of about 645 darcies, a caliber of 0.009 inches and a conductance of about 70. Deck 16 was not creped and was used as a control to test Decks 14 and 15. The results of the loss test of transepidermal water are given in -Table 7 and show positive results against the non-creped control cover.

Table 7 Although only a few example embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications to the example embodiments are possible without departing materially from the teachings and novel advantages of this invention. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. In the claims, the claims of more function means try to cover the structures described here as carrying out the recited function and not only the structural equivalents but also the equivalent structures. So much, even though a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in the sense that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure the wood parts together, while a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of the fastening of parts of the wood. wood, a screw and a key can be equivalent structures.

It should also be noted that any patents, applications or publications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims (32)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A three-dimensional material comprising an upper and a lower surface, each having a surface energy, wherein said material is defined by the fiber-type elements which can extend from one surface to the other, wherein said material has a ff (f) of less than 0.87, an SA / W of less than 186 cm2 / cm3 and a gauge of less than 0.150 inches.

2. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that at least a part of said fiber type elements is wettable.

3. The material as claimed in clause 1, further characterized by comprising regions of stability which are defined by an intersection of one or more fibers which create deformed and discontinuous type of film regions.

4. The material as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that said at least a part of said fiber type elements is wettable.

5. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said fiber type elements are made of polyesters, polyamides, acrylics, polyolefins, plastomers, elastomers, foams, natural fibers, synthetic fibers and mixtures thereof.

6. The material as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that said polyolefin is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene and copolymers and mixtures thereof.

7. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said permeability in the Z direction is greater than 2000 darcies.

8. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the average pore size for a first volume covering the upper surface is not the same as the average pore size for a second volume covering the lower surface.

9. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the surface energy of the lower surface is greater than the surface energy of the upper surface.

10. A diaper comprising the material as claimed in clause 1 as a liner.

11. The diaper as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that it comprises a hydrophobic fiber fabric adjacent to said material.

12. The diaper as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that said material is oriented in said diaper so that one outward side of a user is h.Ldrofóbico.

13. The diaper as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that said material is oriented in said diaper so that one side towards a user is hydrophobic.

14. The diaper as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that it also comprises an outer covering with capacity to breathe.

15. A training underpants comprising the material as claimed in clause 1 as a lining

16. A product for incontinence that comprises the material as claimed in clause 1 as a liner.

17. A bandage comprising the material as claimed in clause 1 as a liner.

18. A sanitary napkin comprising the material as claimed in clause 1 as a liner.

19. A top sheet for personal care products comprising the material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that at least some of the fiber type elements are wettable.

20. A diaper comprising the material as such is claimed in clause 19.

21. The diaper as claimed in clause 19, further characterized in that it comprises a hydrophobic fiber fabric adjacent to said material.

22. The diaper as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that said material is oriented in said diaper so that one side facing away from the wearer is hydrophobic.

23. The diaper as claimed in clause 21, characterized in that said material is oriented in said diaper so that one side towards a user is hydrophobic.

24. The diaper as claimed in clause 20, characterized in that it also comprises an outer cover with breathing capacity.

25. A training underpants comprising the material as claimed in clause 19 as a lining.

26. A product for incontinence comprising the material as claimed in clause 19 as a liner.

27. A bandage comprising the material as claimed in clause 19 as a liner.

28. A sanitary napkin comprising the material as claimed in clause 19 as a liner.

29. The topsheet as claimed in clause 28, characterized in that it has a take time for simulating menstrual fluids of less than 20 seconds according to the block absorption test rate test.

30. The topsheet as claimed in clause 28, characterized in that it has a rewet of less than 0.30 grams as measured using the re-wetting test.

31. The topsheet as claimed in clause 28, characterized in that it has an average manch size of less than 700 mm 2 as measured using the retention / fluid spot test.

32. The topsheet as claimed in clause 28, characterized in that it has an average fluid retention of less than 0.040 grams as measured using the retention test / fluid stain. SUMMARY A three-dimensional and elastic material is provided which has a fibrous texture and appearance and is capable of fluid handling. This consists of an upper surface and a lower surface wherein the fiber type elements typically extend from one surface to the other forming flat to wavy surfaces characterized by a multiplicity of interconnected fluid conduits. The film-like or connected fiber type elements of encapsulated-discontinuous and deformed regions stabilize the material. The material of this invention is unique based on the three main characteristics which are reported in this application: 1) fiber orientation factor f £ (f) < 0.87, 2) hollow volume / surface area SA / W < 186 cm2 / em3, and 3) caliber < 0.150 inches This material is useful for a number of purposes such as for use as a liner for personal care products such as diapers, absorbent underpants, swimwear, women's hygiene products, adult incontinence products and the like. . The properties of the material can be confined within the ranges of this application to deliver optimal material performance for use in specific personal care products.