MXPA06014523A - Absorbent article with lotion-containing topsheet - Google Patents

Abstract

A sanitary napkin comprising a topsheet having a body-facing side and comprising aplurality of discrete tufts of fibrous material. The topsheet has a lotion composition appliedto at least a portion of the body-facing side thereof. An absorbent core is in fluidcommunication with the topsheet, the absorbent core having an average thicknessof less than about 10 mm, and a free absorbent capacity of from about 4 to about 125grams per gram.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH A TOP CANVAS CONTAINING A LOTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fibrous webs such as non-woven fabric webs suitable for use as a top canvas in a disposable absorbent article.

In particular, this invention relates to fibrous webs treated by mechanical forming to achieve better softness or bulk properties, to which a lotion is applied.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Disposable absorbent articles such as baby diapers, adult incontinence products, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, hemorrhoids treatment cloths, bandages and the like are well known in the industry.

Said articles generally have a liquid-permeable upper canvas, and a lower liquid-impermeable canvas, and an absorbent core placed between the upper canvas and the lower canvas to absorb the liquid exudates from the body. In some applications of disposable absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins and pantiliners, it is not only desirable to absorb body fluids, but also to minimize the amount of liquid on the body of the user. The liquid on the wearer's body can be minimized by ensuring that the liquid enters the absorbent article and does not get out of there when pressed or squeezed in the course of normal use of the absorbent article, that is, when sitting or walking. While much work has been done to minimize rewetting of the body, there still remains a need for a disposable absorbent article that helps keep the user's body clean and dry. Accordingly, there is a disposable absorbent article that helps to provide the benefit of keeping the body clean in the field of sanitary napkins and pantiliners. In addition, there is a need for a method for relatively inexpensive production of a disposable absorbent article that helps to provide the benefit of a clean body in the field of sanitary and panty protection pads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A sanitary napkin comprising an upper canvas having a side facing the body and including a plurality of different tufts of fibrous material is described. The upper canvas has a composition in the form of a lotion applied to at least a portion of the side facing the body. An absorbent core is in continuous communication with the upper canvas; said absorbent core has an average thickness of less than about 10 mm, and a free absorption capacity of about 4 to about 125 grams per gram.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame of the present invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the weft shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of section 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of the plot as indicated in Figure 3, 4-4. Figure 5 is a perspective view of an apparatus for forming the weft of the present invention. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the apparatus of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus for forming a frame mode of the present invention. Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the apparatus for forming the screen of the present invention. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of another embodiment of a frame of the present invention. Figure 10 is a plan view with a partial cut away of a sanitary napkin of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention can be used in any of the known disposable absorbent products. In a preferred embodiment, however, the present invention comprises a sanitary napkin for use as a menstrual cloth. The sanitary napkin of the present invention comprises at least three components: a top canvas, a lotion applied to the upper canvas, and an absorbent core in continuous communication with the upper canvas. Unexpectedly, it has been observed that, by using the combination of materials discussed below, a sanitary napkin of the present invention can provide the desired benefit of keeping the body clean. Specifically, the sanitary napkin of the present invention provides better liquid acquisition and retention, such that the amount of liquid remaining on the wearer's body, or the product expelling back into the wearer's body, is much less. It has been observed that the application of a semi-solid lotion in the form of a semi-solid lotion to the upper surface of a sanitary napkin can adjust the properties and conditions of the wearer's skin. It is believed that this is because the semi-solid lotion melts when the article is used against the body and the subsequent transfer from the upper canvas to the wearer's skin. In a preferred embodiment, the lotion is a semi-solid hydrophobic lotion which, when applied to the upper surface of a sanitary napkin, especially when the sanitary napkin has a hydrophobic surface, can afford the benefit of reducing the possibility that the article goes back to the user's body, keeping it dry. In one embodiment, a semi-solid hydrophobic lotion is applied to an absorbent article having a hydrophobic top surface of the canvas. Because such lotion can tend to adversely affect the acquisition of liquid in the absorbent article, which can cause the body and / or the user's garments to become soiled, the lotion is preferably applied in discontinuous patterns, such as, for example, in stripes or bands. In another embodiment, a hydrophobic semi-solid lotion is applied to an absorbent article having a surface of the hydrophilic top sheet. It has been observed that a material in the form of a semi-solid hydrophobic lotion, arranged on the extempore and lateral areas of a sanitary napkin having a hydrophobic upper canvas, enables a good acquisition of liquids, reduces rewetting and decreases the residual liquid on the body and its transfer to the user's body. For example, the lotion can be applied in longitudinal strips or bands. In one embodiment, the lotion is applied in two longitudinally oriented 22 mm strips, separated by a space without lotion of approximately 20 mm in the center of the article. Without being restricted by theory, it is believed that when used with the upper canvas and the core of the present invention, the benefit of less rewetting is achieved, while the acquisition is maintained, because the lotion can be transferred to the body of the body. user more efficiently, especially when the user's body is in motion. A hydrophobic coating can help prevent, for example, menstrual fluid from adhering to the body. In addition, the lotion can also be transferred back to the highest area of the article. This coating of the lotion on the surface of the article that was previously uncoated does not appear to compromise the operation of the surface of the article and of the absorbent materials that lie beneath it, as would be the case when the semi-solid material melts and it is then applied uniformly on the surface by spraying or slot coating. When the lotion of the present invention is applied as described and the user uses it, it has been observed that, surprisingly, only a small amount of the material of the semi-solid lotion transferred to the areas of the upper canvas that did not receive the application diminishes the possibility of rewetting, without adversely affecting the acquisition of the liquid. For example, in one embodiment, a lotion amount of about 7 grams per square meter (gm2) in the areas of the upper canvas (e.g., the strip) where applied is suitable for transferring sufficient quantities of lotion to the user's skin and hair. In other embodiments, the lotion can be added in a basis weight of approximately 8 to 20 gm2, with increments of one gram. In one embodiment, the lotion can be applied only on the tips of the tufts 6 using a roller that exerts a slight pressure, a printing roller or the like. Said upper canvas offers benefits for the care of the skin and for the handling of liquids, independently of the absorbent core that is underneath and of other components of the sanitary napkin. The following description will detail in this order: a top sheet of the present invention, a lotion of the present invention and an absorbent core of the present invention. Figure 1 shows a laminated weft 1 suitable for use as a top canvas in the present invention, hereinafter referred to as weft 1. The weft 1 may comprise a layer, but in a preferred embodiment comprises at least two layers. In the present document, the layers are generally referred to as two-dimensional planar precursor frames, such as the first precursor frame 20 and the second precursor frame 21. Any of the precursor frames can be a film, a nonwoven fabric, but in a Preferred embodiment, both precursor plots are non-woven fabrics plots. The precursor webs 20 and 21 (as well as any additional webs) can be joined by adhesive, hot melt bonding, or ultrasonic bonding and the like, but preferably they must be joined with the use of adhesive or other bonding forms. As described below, the constituting precursor frames of the web 1 may be joined by the mechanical interlock coupling resulting from the formation of the tufts 6. The web 1 has a first side 3 and a second side 5, the term being used here "sides" according to their common use, of generally flat, two-dimensional wefts, such as paper and films that have two sides when they are generally flattened. Each precursor frame 20 and 21 has a first surface 12 and 13, respectively, and a second surface 14 and 15, respectively (shown in Figure 3). The frame 1 has a machine address (MD) and a cross machine direction (CD), as is commonly known in the frame manufacturing industry. Although the present invention can be made with polymeric films and woven webs, in a preferred embodiment both precursor webs are non-woven webs composed of fibers oriented in a substantially random manner. By "oriented in a practically random manner" it is understood that, due to the processing conditions of the precursor web, there may be a greater amount of fibers oriented in MD than in CD, or vice versa. For example, in the spunbond and meltblown processes, continuous strands of fibers are deposited on a support that moves in MD. Despite attempts to make the orientation of the fibers of the non-woven fabric spun by bonding or blown fusing actually "random", there is usually a slightly higher percentage of fibers oriented in MD as opposed to what happens with those oriented on CD. In a preferred embodiment, the first precursor web 20 is a relatively hydrophilic nonwoven web and a second web 21 is a nonwoven web that is a relatively hydrophobic nonwoven web. For all non-woven fabric webs, hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity can be achieved by using fibers having the appropriate characteristics, or the precursor webs can be treated to have the desired characteristics. In one embodiment, the first side 3 of the frame 1 is defined by the exposed portions of the first surface 13 of the second precursor frame 21 and at least one, although preferably a plurality of different tufts 6, which are integral extensions of the fibers of at least the first precursor frame 20 and preferably both precursor frames. As shown in Figure 3, each strand 6 can include a plurality of aligned linked fibers 8 that extend through the second precursor frame 21 externally from the first surface 13 thereof. In another embodiment, each strand 6 may comprise a plurality of unbonded fibers 18 (as illustrated in Figure 3) extending outwardly from the first surface 13. As used herein, the term "fabric weft" "non-woven" refers to a weft having a structure of individual fibers or threads that are interleaved, but do not follow a repeated pattern such as in a woven or knitted fabric that does not normally have fibers oriented in a random fashion. Many processes have been used to form the fabrics or webs of non-woven fabric, for example, melting and blowing processes, thermal consolidation, hydroentanglement, laying in the air and joining and carding processes, including thermowelding and carding. The fibers can be bicomponent, multi-component, multi-constituent and the like, as is known in the industry. The basis weight of non-woven fabrics is usually expressed in grams per square meter (gm2). The basis weight of the laminated web is the result of the combination of the basis weight of the constituent layers and any other aggregate component. The diameters of the fibers are usually expressed in micrometers; Fiber size can also be expressed in denier, which is a unit of weight per fiber length. The basis weight of the laminated webs suitable for use in the present invention may range from 10 gm2 to 500 gm2. The constituent fibers of the precursor web 20 or 21 of nonwoven fabric may be composed of polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and combinations thereof. The fibers may be composed of cellulose, rayon, cotton or other natural materials or combinations of natural and polymeric materials. The fibers can also be composed of a superabsorbent material such as polyacrylate or any combination of suitable materials. The fibers may be single-component, bicomponent and / or biconstituent, unrounded (e.g., capillary channel fibers) and may have important transverse dimensions (e.g., diameter of round fibers) ranging from 0.1 to 500 micrometers. For example, one type of fibers suitable for the nonwoven fabric web includes the nanofibers.Nanofibers are described as fibers that have an average diameter of up to 1 micrometer. All fibers or a portion of the fibers of a nonwoven fabric web can be nanofibers. The constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric precursor web can also be a mixture of different types of fibers, with different characteristics such as chemistry (for example, PE and PP), components (mono- and bi-), denier ( micro denier and> 20 denier), the shape (ie, capillary and round) and the like. The constituent fibers may vary from about 0.1 to about 100 denier. As used herein, "spunbond" refers to small diameter fibers that are formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as filaments of a plurality of thin, generally circular, single-strand capillaries, thereby rapidly reducing the diameter of the filaments. extruded filaments. In general, fibers spun by bond do not adhere when deposited on a collecting surface. The fibers spun by bonding are generally continuous and have an average diameter (of a sample of at least 10) greater than 7 micrometers and more specifically between about 10 and 40 micrometers. As used herein, the term "blown fibers" refers to fibers formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine, usually circular, capillaries, in a die, in the form of fused filaments or filaments in a gas stream (for example air) at high speed which attenuates the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce its diameter, which can be carried out until reaching the diameter of a microfiber. Then, the melted and blown fibers are transported by the gaseous stream of gas. high speed and are deposited in a collecting surface, usually while still retaining the adhesion to form a web of randomly dispersed melted and blown fibers. The blown fibers are microfibers which may be continuous or discontinuous, with an average diameter generally less than 10 microns. As used herein, the term "polymer" generally includes but is not limited to homopolymers, copolymers, such as copolymers, thermopolymers, etc., block, grafted randomly and alternately, and mixtures and modifications of the same. In addition, unless otherwise stated, the term "polymer" includes all possible geometric configurations of the material. Configurations include, but are not limited to, isotactic, atactic, syndiotactic and random symmetries. As used herein, the term "monocomponent" fiber refers to a fiber formed by one or more extruders that use only one polymer. This term is not intended to exclude fibers formed from a polymer to which small amounts of additives have been added to provide coloration, antistatic properties, lubrication, hydrophilicity, etc. These additives, for example titanium dioxide to provide coloration, are generally present in amounts of less than about 5 weight percent and more frequently to about 2 weight percent. As used herein, the term "bicomponent fibers" refers to fibers formed from at least two different polymers extruded from different extruders, spun together to form a fiber. Bicomponent fibers are sometimes also known as conjugated fibers or multicomponent fibers. The polymers are formed in practically different areas constantly positioned across the cross section of the bicomponent fibers and extend continuously along the length of the bicomponent fibers. The configuration of said bicomponent fiber can be for example a sheath / core type distribution where one polymer is surrounded by another or a side-by-side type configuration, of the pastel type or "archipelago". As used herein, the term "biconstituent fibers" refers to fibers formed from at least two extruded polymers from the same extruder as a mixture. The biconstituent fibers do not have the different polymeric components configured in different zones positioned relatively constant across the cross-sectional area of the fiber and the different polymers are generally not continuous along the total length of the fiber but usually form fibrils that start and end randomly. Sometimes the term multi-constituent fibers is used to refer to biconstituent fibers. As used herein, "non-round fibers" describes fibers having a non-round cross section and includes "shaped fibers" and "capillary channel fibers". These fibers can be solid or hollow and trilobal or delta-shaped; preferably, they are fibers that have capillary channels on their outer surfaces. The capillary channels can have different shapes in the cross section, such as "U", "H", "C" and "V". A preferred capillary channel fiber is T-401, designated as 4DG fiber, which is available from Fiber Innovation Technologies, Johnson City, TN. The T-401 fiber is a polyethylene terephthalate (PET polyester). As used herein, the term "integral" as in the phrase "integral extension", when used for the tufts 6, refers to the fibers of the tufts 6 that originated in the fibers of the precursor frames. For example, the fibers in strands 6 can be integral with the first precursor frame 20, ie originate therein. Accordingly, the bonded fibers 8 and the unbonded fibers 18 of the tufts 6 can be plastically deformed fibers extending from the first precursor web 20 and, therefore, are integral with the first precursor web 20. As used in US Pat. the present, "integral" should be distinguished from the fibers introduced or added to a separate precursor web for the purpose of tufting, as is commonly done, for example, in conventional carpet manufacturing. The amount, spacing and dimensions of the tufts 6 can be varied to provide various textures to the first side 3 of the frame 1. For example, if the tufts 6 are spaced close enough, the first side 3 of the frame 1 can have the Plush feeling for towel. Alternatively, the tufts 6 may be arranged in patterns such as lines or filled shapes so as to create portions of a laminated web that gives it greater texture, smoothness, volume, absorbency or visual design aspect. For example, when the tufts 6 are arranged in a pattern of one or more lines, the tufts may have the appearance of sewing. The strands 6 may also be arranged to form specific shapes, such as designs, words or logos. These forms can be used, for example, in laminates useful for towels or bathrobes of hotels and can include the name or logo of the hotel in them. In the same way, the size dimensions, such as height, length and width of the individual tufts can be varied 6. The individual tufts can have a length of up to about 3 cm and can be found alone or dispersed between tufts of various sizes. The first precursor web 20 can be a fibrous web of woven or non-woven fabric comprising fibers whose elongation properties are sufficient for some portions to be formed into strands 6, as described below in detail. The tufts are formed when the fibers are driven out of plane in the Z direction in different and localized portions of the first precursor web 20. This to force out of the plane can be achieved by the displacement of the fibers, i.e. the fiber is it can move relative to other fibers and, so to speak, it can be "pulled" out of the plane. However, and more frequently, most of the first nonwoven fabric precursor webs 20 are forced out of the plane because the fibers of the tufts 6 have been at least partially plastically stretched and permanently deformed to form the tufts 6. Therefore, in one embodiment, depending on the desired height of the tufts 6, the fibers constituting the first fibers of precursor webs of non-woven fabric 20 can have an elongation with breaking strength of at least about 5%; more preferably, at least about 10%; more preferably, at least about 25%; more preferably at least about 50%; and more preferably at least about 100%. The elongation of rupture can be determined by a simple stress test, for example, by using the Instron voltage test equipment, and it is possible to find material data sheets in the suppliers of such fibers or frames generally. It can be appreciated that suitable precursor webs should comprise fibers that can be plastically deformed and elongate by tension, or fibers that have sufficient mobility to form the bonded fibers 8. However, it is admitted that a certain percentage of the fibers forced out of the plane of the first surface 12 will not form loops, but rather will break to form loose ends. These fibers are referred to herein as "loose" fibers or "loose end fibers" 18 as shown in Figure 3. Loose end fibers 18 are not necessarily undesirable for the present invention, and in some embodiments, most of the fibers or tufts 6 can be loose-ends fibers 18. The loose-ends fibers 18 can also be the result of forming tufts 6 of non-woven fabric webs consisting of or containing fibers of cut strands. In such a case, a number of cut fiber ends may protrude into the strand 6, which will depend on factors such as the amount of cut strand fibers existing in the weft, the length of the cut of the fiber strands and the length of the fiber strand. height of the tufts. In some cases it may be convenient to mix fibers of different lengths in a precursor web or in different layers. This can be done to selectively separate the longer fibers from the shorter fibers. The longer fibers can predominantly form the lock 6 while the shorter fibers remain predominantly in the portion of the frame that does not form the lock 6. An illustrative blend of fiber lengths can include fibers of approximately 2 to 8 centimeters for the fibers longer and less than about 1 centimeter for the shorter fibers. The first precursor web 20 may be a woven fibrous web or a nonwoven web comprising elastic or elastomeric fibers. Elastic or elastomeric fibers can stretch at least about 50% and return to a dimension within 10% of their original dimension. The strands 6 can be formed of elastic fibers if the fibers simply move due to the mobility of the fibers within the non-woven fabric or, if the fibers are stretched beyond their yield point and plastically deformed. The second precursor web 21 can be virtually any web material, with the sole condition that it has sufficient integrity to become a web by the process described below. In one embodiment, the second precursor web may have sufficiently inferior elongation properties relative to the second precursor web 20, such that upon experiencing the tension of the fibers of the first precursor web 20 forcing movement out of the plane in the direction of the second precursor frame 21, said second precursor frame 21 is broken, for example, by tearing due to an extension fault, such that portions of the first precursor frame 20 can extend through (i.e., "through") , so to speak) the second precursor web 21 for forming tufts 6 of the first side 3 of the web 1. In one embodiment, the second web 21 is a polymeric film. The second precursor web 21 may also have sufficient elongation properties to form bonded fibers, as described above with respect to the first precursor web 20. A representative tussock 6 for the mode of the web 1 shown in Fig. 1 (where the second precursor web 21 is "traversed" by the first precursor web) an even more enlarged view is shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2 or 3, the tuft 6 comprises a plurality of linked fibers 8 that are substantially aligned with each other. so that the tuft 6 has a different linear orientation and a longitudinal axis L. The tuft 6 also has a transverse axis T, generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L in the MD-CD plane. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the longitudinal axis L is parallel to the MD. In one embodiment, all the strands 6 separated from each other generally have parallel longitudinal axes L. The amount of tufts 6 per unit area of plot 1, i.e. the density area of the tuft 6, can be varied from 1 tuft per unit area, for example, square centimeter, to as many as 100 tufts per square centimeter . There may be at least 10, or at least 20 strands 6 per square centimeter, depending on the end use. In general, the density of the area need not be uniform throughout the entire area of the frame 1, but the strands 6 may be in only certain regions of the frame 1, such as in the regions having predetermined shapes such as lines , stripes, bands, circles, and the like. As can be seen from the description herein, in many embodiments of the frame 1, the openings 4 of the second precursor web 21 will have a defined linear orientation and a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis L of its corresponding lock. 6. Likewise, the openings 4 also have a transverse axis, generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis in the MD-CD plane. As shown in Figures 1-4, the tufts 6 can extend through the openings 4 in the second precursor web 21. The openings 4 are formed by locally breaking the second precursor web 21 by means of the process described later in detail. The breaking may involve the second precursor web 21 being opened, so that the opening 4 remains as a simple two-dimensional aperture. However, in some materials, such as polymer films, the portions of the second precursor fiber 21 can be deflected or forced out of the plane (i.e., the plane of the second precursor web 21) to form structures such as fins, indistinctly referred to as "fins". fin or fins 7 in the present. The shape and structure of the fins 7 largely depend on the material properties of the second precursor web 21. The fins 7 may have the general structure of one or more fins, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. other embodiments, the flap 7 may have a structure more similar to a volcano, as if the tuft 6 were erupting from the flap 7. In other embodiments, the flaps 7 can virtually completely cover the locks 6, so that form a "cap" on the tufts 6. In one embodiment, the flaps 7 do not contribute significantly to the material of the tufts 6 and particularly do not contribute significantly to the tactile characteristics of the tufts 6. In one embodiment, therefore, the Laminar frame 1 is composed of at least two layers (ie, precursor frames 20 and 21), but at least one of the layers (i.e., precursor frame 21 in Figures 1-4) does not significantly affect the quali tactile dams of the tufts 6. In one embodiment, the flaps 7 can extend significantly out of the plane, even to a height similar, so to speak, to that of the same locks 6. In this embodiment, the flaps 7 can make the strands 6 are more flexible and less susceptible to flattening as a result of compression or flexion forces. In one embodiment, therefore, the laminated web 1 comprises at least two layers (i.e., the precursor webs 20 and 21), and both layers can affect the tactile characteristics of the tufts 6. The tufts 6 can compromise the linked fibers of the two precursor frames. Therefore, the strands 6 can be, in a sense, "traversed" by the second precursor frame 21 or "pushed in" the strands of the second precursor frame 21. In any case, it can be said that the first and the second precursor frame they can be "locked" in place by friction gearing with the openings 4. In some embodiments, for example, the lateral width of the opening 4 (that is, the dimension measured parallel to its transverse axis) may be less than the maximum width of the tooth that formed the opening (according to the process described below). This indicates a certain degree of recovery in the opening that tends to prevent the tuft 6 from going down through the opening 4. The frictional engagement of the tufts and the openings provides a laminar frame structure having a surface with permanent tufts on one side, which can be formed without adhesives or thermofusion. Because in some embodiments at least one of the layers (e.g., a polymeric film or relatively low elongation tissue paper 21 in Figures 1-4) does not significantly contribute material to the strands 6 (such as in the embodiments). shown in Figures 1-4) a web 1 comprising a first nonwoven fabric precursor web 20 which can be characterized as being predominantly fibrous on both sides of web 1 with the fibers being contributed only by a first web precursor web nonwoven fabric 20. Therefore, the spacing of the strands 6 can be the minimum necessary to effectively cover the first side 3 of the frame 1. In this embodiment, the two sides of the frame 1 look like non-woven fabric, but the two sides 3 and 5 have a different surface texture. Therefore, in one embodiment, the invention can be described as a sheet material of two or more precursor webs, wherein the two sides of the web are substantially covered by fibers of only one of the precursor webs. As shown in Figures 1-4, a feature of the tufts 6 may be the predominantly directional alignment of the fibers 8 or 18. For example, the aligned crimped fibers 8 may be described as having a significant principal vector component parallel to the plane Z-CD and the crimped fibers 8 have an almost uniform alignment with respect to the transverse axis T when viewed from a plan view, such as in Figure 4. By "crimped" fibers 8 it is understood that the fibers 8 are an integral part and start and end in the first precursor web 20 but extend outwardly in the Z direction from the first surface 13 of the second precursor web 21. By "aligned" with respect to the bonded fibers 8 of the tufts 6 it is understood that Bonded fibers 8 are generally oriented such that, from a plan view, as shown in Figure 4, each of the bonded fibers 8 has a vector component significant parallel to the transverse axis T and preferably a major vector component parallel to the transverse axis T. In contrast, the unriginated fibers 18 are integral to the first precursor web 20, but only begin therein and have a free end extending through out in the Z direction from the first surface 13 of the second precursor web 211. The loose fibers 18 may also have a generally uniform alignment described as having a significant or greater vector component parallel to the Z-CD plane. For both bonded fibers 8 and loose fibers 18, alignment is a feature of the tufts 6 prior to any post-manufacturing deformation due to rolling on a roll or to compression during the use of a finished article. As used herein, a bonded fiber 8 oriented at an angle greater than 45 degrees of the longitudinal axis L from a plan view, as shown in Figure 4, has a significant vector component parallel to the transverse axis T. As shown in FIG. used herein, a bonded fiber 8 oriented at an angle greater than 60 degrees of the longitudinal axis L from a plan view, as shown in Figure 4, has a larger vector component parallel to the transverse axis T. In a preferred embodimentat least 50%, more preferably at least 70%, and more preferably at least 90% of the fibers 8 of the tuft 6 has a larger vector component parallel to the transverse axis T. The orientation of the fiber can be determined by the use of a means of extension, if necessary, such as a microscope equipped with an appropriate accessory with a measuring scale. In general, for a non-linear fiber segment seen from a plan view, a straight line approximation can be used for both the longitudinal axis L and the linked fibers 8 in order to determine the angle of the linked fibers 8 of the axis longitudinal L. For example, in Figure 4 the fiber 8a is identified by a thick line and its linear approximation 8b is shown as a dashed line. This fiber forms an angle of approximately 80 degrees with the longitudinal axis (measured in a left-handed direction from L). The orientation of the crimped fibers 8 of the tufts 6 should be contrasted with the composition and orientation of the fibers in the first precursor web 20 whose fibers, in the case of the non-woven fabric webs, are oriented in a practically random manner. In a woven weft pattern, the crimped fibers 8 of the tufts 6 would be oriented in the same manner as described above, but the orientation of the fibers of the first precursor weft 20 could be associated with the specific tissue process used to make the weft, for example, a square weave pattern. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the longitudinal axes L of the tufts 6 are generally aligned in MD. The tufts 6 and, therefore, the longitudinal axes L, can, in principle, be aligned in any orientation with respect to MD or CD. Therefore, in general, it can be said that for each strand 6, the linked and aligned fibers 8 are generally aligned orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L such that they have a significant vector component parallel to the transverse axis T, and more preferably a larger vector component parallel to the transverse axis T. In some embodiments, due to the preferred method of forming the tufts 6, as described below, another feature of the tufts 6 comprising aligned and predominantly crimped fibers 8, may be their generally open structure characterized by the hollow open area 10 defined internally by the tufts 6, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The hollow area 10 may have a shape that is wider or longer at its distal end 31 of the lock 6 and narrower at the base 17 of the strand 6. This unlike the shape of the tooth that is used to form the strand 6. By "hollow area" it is not due to lay a totally fiber-free area; the term is applied to a general description of the overall appearance of the tufts 6. Therefore, it may be that in some tufts 6 there are loose fibers 18 or a plurality of loose fibers 18 in the hollow area 10. By hollow area " "open" it should be understood that the two longitudinal ends of the lock 6 are generally open and free of fibers, so that the lock 6 can form something like a "tunnel" -like structure in a non-compressed state, as illustrated by FIG.

Figure 3. Further, as a consequence of a preferred method of making the frame 1, the second side 5 of the frame 1 exhibits discontinuities 16 characterized by a generally linear indentation defined by fibers previously in a random form of the second surface 14 of the first frame precursor 20 having been directionally forced (ie, in the "Z-direction" generally orthogonal to the MD-CD plane as shown in Figures 1 and 3) in tufts 6 by the teeth of the forming structure, described in detail below . The abrupt change of the orientation exhibited by the fibers previously randomly oriented of the first precursor web 20 defines the discontinuity 16, which presents a linearity such that it can be described as a longitudinal axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the lock 6. Due to the Given the nature of many nonwoven webs useful for the first precursor webs 20, the discontinuity 16 may not be clearly distinguished as tufts 6. For this reason, the discontinuities 16 of the second side 5 of the web 1 may go unnoticed and may, generally, not detected unless frame 1 is subjected to a thorough inspection. As such, the second side 5 of the weft 1 may have the appearance and feel of a first precursor weft 20 without tufts. Therefore, in some embodiments, the weft 1 may have a similar appearance and feel to the towel plush on the first side 3 and a relatively uniform and smooth appearance and feel on the second side 5; both sides are composed of fibers from the same nonwoven fabric web, ie, the first precursor web 20. In other embodiments, the discontinuities 16 may appear as openings and may be openings through the web 1 through the ends of the webs. 6 strands that resemble a tunnel. From the description of the frame 1 comprising a first precursor web of non-woven fabric 20 it can be seen that the fibers 8 or 18 of the looped yarn 6 can originate in the first surface 12 or in the second surface 14 of the first precursor web 20 and extend from said surface. Of course, the fibers 8 or 18 of the tuft 6 can also extend from the interior 28 of a first precursor web 20. As shown in Figure 3, the fibers 8 or 18 of the tufts 6 extend as they were forced out from the generally two-dimensional plane of the first precursor frame 20 (ie, forced in the "Z direction" as shown in Figure 3). In general, the fibers 8 or 18 of the strands 6 comprise fibers integral with the fibers of the first precursor web 20 and extending therefrom. Therefore, from the above description it is understood that a modality of the frame 1 can be described as a laminar web formed by selective mechanical deformation of at least a first and a second precursor frame; at least the first precursor web is a nonwoven web; the laminar web has a first side comprising the second precursor web and a plurality of distinct tufts, each of which comprises a plurality of tuft fibers as integral extensions of the first precursor web through the second precursor web and a second web side that comprises this first plot. The extension of the fibers 8 or 18 can be accompanied by a general reduction of the dimension of the fibers in the transverse direction (for example, the diameter of the round fibers), due to the plastic deformation of the fibers and the effects of the relationship of Poisson. Therefore, the aligned crimped fibers 8 of the loop yarn 6 can have a smaller average fiber diameter than the fibers of the precursor web 20. It is believed that this reduction in the diameter of the fiber contributes to the feeling of softness perceived in the fiber. first side 3 of the weft 1, softness comparable with the plush cotton towel, which depends on the properties of the material of the first precursor web 20. It has been found that the reduction in the transverse dimension of the fiber is the major intermediate between the base 17 and the distal portion 31 of the lock 6. It is believed that this it is due to the preferred method of manufacture, as described in more detail below. Briefly, as shown in Figure 3, it is believed that the portions of the fibers in the base 17 and in the distal portion 31 of the tufts 6 are adjacent to the tip of the tooth 110 of the roller 104 described in detail below and They lock and immobilize by friction during processing. Therefore, the intermediate portions of the strands 6 are more free to stretch or elongate and, consequently, may undergo a corresponding reduction in the dimension of the fibers in the transverse direction. Some fibers of the first precursor web 20 can laterally tighten the base 17 of the tuft 6. The base 17 of the tuft 6 can even be closed (if the fibers of the tuft 6 are close enough to touch) or remain open. In general, any opening in the base 17 is narrow. By closing, tapering or compressing other fibers of the base 17, the strands 6 and the second precursor web 21 can be stabilized more easily. Figure 5 shows an apparatus and a method for making a frame 1 of the present invention. The apparatus 100 comprises a pair of engaging rollers 102 and 104, each of which rotates about an axis A; the A axes being parallel in the same plane. The roller 102 comprises a plurality of ridges 106 and corresponding grooves 108 that extend continuously around the entire circumference of the roller 102. The roller 104 is similar to the roller 102, but rather than having ridges extending continuously around of the entire circumference, the roller 104 comprises a plurality of rows of ridges extending in the direction of the circumference that have been modified to become rows of teeth spaced in the direction of the circumference 110 extending in a space relationship at least about one part of the roller 104. The individual rows of teeth 110 of the roller 104 are separated by corresponding grooves 112. During operation, the rollers 102 and 104 are engaged in such a manner that the flanges 106 of the roller 102 are extend into the slots 112 of the roller 104 and the teeth 110 of the roller 104 extend into the slots 108 of the roller 102. Coupling is shown in more detail in the cross-sectional view of Figure 6, which is discussed below. Both or any of the rolls 102 and 104 can be heated by means known in the industry such as the use of cylinders loaded with hot oil or cylinders that are electrically heated. In Figure 5, the apparatus 100 is shown in a preferred configuration having a patterned roller, e.g., the roller 104, and a non-patterned grooved roller 102.

However, in certain embodiments, it may be preferable to use two pattern rollers 104 having the same or different patterns, in the same or in different corresponding regions of the respective rollers. Such an apparatus can produce plies with tufts 6 protruding on both sides of the web 1. An appliance could also be designed with teeth pointing in opposite directions on the same roller. The weft produced with this apparatus would have strands 6 on both sides. The method for making a frame 1 of the present invention in a commercially viable continuous process is represented in Figure 5. The frame 1 is made by mechanically deforming the precursor frames, such as the first and second precursor frames, 20 and 21 that can Each one is described as being generally flat and two-dimensional before being processed by the apparatus shown in Figure 5. By "plane" and two-dimensional "it is simply understood that the frames start the process in a generally flat condition with respect to the finished frame 1 having a distinct three-dimensionality outside the plane in the Z-direction due to the formation of the tufts 6. "Plane" and "bidimmensional" do not imply a particular flattening, uniformity or dimensionality The process and apparatus of the present invention is similar in many aspects to a process described in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801 entitled "Weft materials exhibiting a behavior elastic type "and are mentioned in the later patent literature as" SELF "plots, which represents" Elastic structural film ".

However, there are significant differences between the apparatus and the process of the present invention and the apparatus and process described in the '801 patent, and the differences are evident in the respective frames produced in that way. As described below, the teeth 110 of the roller 104 have a specific geometry associated with the leading and trailing edges which allow the teeth to virtually "traverse" the precursor webs 20 and 21 as opposed to essentially deforming the web. In a two-layered web 1, the teeth 110 force the fibers from a precursor web 20 simultaneously out of plane and through the second precursor web 21, which is punctured, as it were, by the teeth 110 which force the fibers 8 to form the tufts 6. Therefore, a weft 1 of the present invention can have locks 6 of loose fiber ends 18 and / or "tunnel type" strands 6 of aligned crimped fibers 8 that extend across the surface from a first side 3 and far from it, unlike the "tent-shaped" rib-type elements of the SELF frames, each of which has continuous side walls associated therewith, ie a continuous "transition zone". and where none of the layers penetrates through another. The precursor plots 20 and 21 are supplied directly from their respective processing processes of the weft or indirectly from feeding rollers (none is shown) and are moved in the machine direction to the grip point 116 of the counter-rotating rollers that 102 and 104 are coupled. The precursor frames are preferably maintained with a frame tension sufficient to enter the grip point 16 in a generally flattened condition according to means which are well known in the frame handling industry. As each precursor web 20, 21 passes through the grip line 116, the teeth 110 of the roller 104 meshed with the slots 108 of the roller 102 simultaneously force the portions of the first precursor web 20 out of the plane of contact. said web and through the second precursor web 21 to form the tufts 6. Actually, the teeth 110"push" or cause the fibers of the first precursor web 20 to "pierce" the second precursor web 21. As the tips of the teeth 110 pass through the first and the second precursor web 20, 21, the teeth 110 force the portions of the fibers of the first precursor web 20 oriented mostly in the CD transverse to the teeth 110 outside the plane of the first precursor web 20. The fibers can be forced out of the plane due to the fiber mobility or they can be forced out of the plane by stretching and / or plastic deformation in the Z direction. The portions of the first precursor web 20 forced out of plane by the teeth 110 traverse the second precursor web 21 which breaks due to its relatively smaller extensibility and thus tufts 6 are formed on the first side 3 of the weft 1. The fibers of the first precursor weft 20, generally mostly parallel to the longitudinal axis L, that is, in the MD of the precursor weft 20 as shown in Figure 1, they are simply spaced apart by teeth 110 and remain practically in their initial random orientation. This is the reason why the crimped fibers 8 can exhibit the unique fiber orientation in embodiments such as those shown in Figures 1-4, which is that a high percentage of fibers of each strand 6 has a vector component significant or main parallel to the transverse axis T of the strand 6. From the preceding description it can be seen that when the fiber 1 is made by the apparatus and method object of the present invention, the precursor frames 20 and 21 may have different material properties with respect to the capacity of elongation precursor frames to failures, for example, failures due to stress. In particular, the mobility of fibers and / or the elongation characteristics of a first precursor web 20 of non-woven fabric can be greater than those corresponding to the second precursor web 21, so that the mobility or elongation of the fibers of the first frame is sufficient to form locks 6 while the second precursor frame 21 is broken, ie not stretched sufficiently to form locks. However, in other embodiments, both precursor webs have sufficient elongation such that their fibers can be moved or stretched sufficiently to form tufts 6. The degree to which the fibers of the nonwoven web precursor webs can extend out of the web. Flat without plastic deformation may depend on the degree of union between the fibers of the precursor web. For example, if the fibers of a non-woven fabric precursor web are woven together loosely, they will have a greater possibility of sliding side by side (i.e., moving relative to adjacent fibers by dragging) and, therefore, spreading. more easily out of the plane to form locks. On the other hand, the fibers of a nonwoven fabric precursor web that are more strongly bonded, for example, by high thermal junction, hydroentangling, or the like, possibly need a higher degree of plastic deformation for the extension of Locks off the plane. Therefore, in one embodiment, the first precursor web 20 may be a nonwoven fabric web whose fibers are relatively closely joined together and the second precursor web 21 may be a nonwoven fabric web whose fibers are fairly joined together, so that the fibers of the first precursor web can extend out of plane, unlike the fibers of the second precursor web 21. When the force applied in the first precursor web 21 is sufficient, the fibers thereof tend to extend, while that the fibers of the second precursor web are broken by not being able to spread. The amount, spacing and size of the tufts 6 can vary by changing the amount, spacing and size of the teeth 110 and make the corresponding changes in dimension as needed in the roller 104 and / or the roller 102. This variation, together with the possible modification in the precursor frames 20, 21 allows to elaborate many varieties of frames 1 for different purposes. For example, when the web 1 is made with a first precursor web 20 comprising a woven fabric with a relatively high basis weight and plastically stretchable woven filaments in MD and CD and a second precursor web 21 with a relatively high basis weight, the material The non-woven synthetic polymer of relatively low stretch fabric could be used to make a porous and resistant soil cover, as an erosion control device useful to reduce the deterioration of the slope path and allow the growth of native vegetation in an unstable soil. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the gear rollers 102 and 104 and the ribs 106 and teeth 110. As illustrated, the teeth 110 have a tooth height TH (note that TH can also be applied at the height of the flanges; in a preferred embodiment the height of the tooth and the height of the flange are the same), and it refers to the spacing between the teeth (or to the spacing between the flanges) as the step P. As illustrated, the depth of the latch E is a Measurement of the level of coupling of the rollers 102 and 104 and measured from the tip of the flange 106 to the tip of the tooth 110. The depth of the coupling E, the height of the tooth TH, and the step P can be varied as desired in function of the properties of the precursor frames and 21 and the desired characteristics of the web 1. For example, in general, the higher the gear level E, the greater the characteristics of elongation or mobility between fibers that the fibers of the first precursor web 20 must have. , the greater the desired density of the strands 6 (strands 6 per unit area of the frame 1), the smaller the step must be, and the smaller the length of the TL and the distance of the tooth TD, as described then. Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a roller 104 having a plurality of teeth 110 useful for making a weft 1 similar to a terry cloth with a first precursor weft 20 of nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of approximately 60 grams per meter square to 100 grams per square meter, preferably from 80 grams per square meter and a second precursor web 21 of polyolefin film (eg, polyethylene or polypropylene) having an approximate density of 0.91 to 0.94 and a basis weight of approximately 20 grams per square meter. An enlarged view of the teeth 110 is shown in Figure 8. In this embodiment of the roller 104 the teeth 110 have a uniform dimension of circumferential length TL generally measured from the leading edge LE to the trailing edge TE at the tip of the tooth 111 of approximately 1.25 mm and are evenly spaced from one another circumferentially by a distance TD of about 1.5 mm. To make a terry toweling 1 from a weft 1 having a total basis weight in the range of about 60 to about 100 grams per square meter, the teeth 110 of the roller 104 may have a length TL within the range of about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm and a TD spacing of about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, a TH tooth height in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, and a P pitch of about 1 mm (0.040 inches) to approximately 5 mm (0.200 inches). The engagement depth E can be from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 5 mm (up to a maximum equal to the height of the TH tooth). Of course, E, P, TH, TD and TL can be varied independently from each other to achieve the desired size, spacing and density of area for the tufts 6 (number of tufts 6 per unit area of the plot 1). As illustrated in Figure 8, each tooth 110 has a tip 111, a leading edge LE and a trailing edge TE. The tip of the tooth 111 is elongated and has a generally longitudinal orientation, corresponding to the longitudinal axes L of the tufts 6 and the discontinuities 16. It is estimated that to obtain the locks and bundles 6 of the plot 1 that can be described as similar To towel terry, the LE and the TE must be almost orthogonal with respect to the local peripheral surface 120 of the roller 104. Likewise, the transition of the tip 111 and the LE or the TE must be at a very sharp angle, such as a right angle, having a radius of curvature small enough so that the teeth 110 traverse the second precursor frame 21 in the LE and the TE. Unrestrained by the theory, it is estimated that the transitions of the tips with relatively sharp angles between the teeth 110 and the LE and the TE allow the teeth 110 to traverse the precursor fibers 20 and 21"clearly", ie locally and differentially. , so that the first side 3 of the resulting frame 1 can be described more as "tufted" than "deformed". When processed in this manner, no particular elasticity is imparted to the frame 1 beyond what the precursor frames 20 and 21 may have originally had. The punching through the precursor web 21 can cause "confetti" or small pieces to form in a reduced portion of the web 21. Without being limited by theory, it is estimated that if the fibers of the precursor webs have a very curvilinear shape, for example, crimped fibers, the resulting strands 6 will have more bonded fibers 8 and fewer broken fibers 18 compared to the more linear fiber conformations. It is estimated that such fiber configurations have less possibility of connecting between two adjacent teeth and, as a result, have a lower tendency to stretch beyond their breaking point and, therefore, have a greater possibility of forming structures of complete ties. Moreover, such curvilinear shaped fibers can be made by the use of eccentric bicomponent fibers, or bicomponent fibers side by side, such as bicomponent fibers formed by polyethylene and nylon. In preferred embodiments, the first and second precursor webs are non-woven webs with a minimum of inter-fiber linkages. For example, the precursor web may be a non-woven fabric web having a pattern of different thermal junctions, as is commonly known in the industry for nonwoven webs. However, in general, it is desirable to minimize the number of heat sealing points and maximize the spacing to allow optimal mobility and movement of the fibers during the formation of the strands 6. In general, the strands 6 are formed better and are more defined when fibers of relatively large diameter and / or a relatively high fiber break and / or fiber mobility are used. Although the frame 1 is described in the preferred embodiments as a two-layer frame made of two precursor frames, it is not necessary that it be limited to having two layers. For example, a laminate of three or more layers can be made with three precursor webs, provided that one of the precursor webs can extend and pass through the openings of another layer to form tufts. For example, frame 1 could include the upper canvas, the secondary canvas and the core of the hygiene products. In general, it is not necessary to use adhesives or other joining means to make a laminated web 1. The constituent layers of web 1 (for example, precursor webs 20 and 21 and any other layer) can be maintained in expensive laminate condition with face by the "locking" effect of the strands 6 that extend through the openings 4 in the second precursor frame 21. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to employ adhesives or thermal bonding, as well as any other attachment means, depending on the final use of the application of the weft 1. For example, a weft 1 comprising non-woven fabric webs of bicomponent fibers can be joined with pass-through air after the formation of the strands 6 to adhere the layers and increase the resistance taken off. In addition, it may be convenient to apply adhesive on at least a portion of one of the precursor webs. For example, in some embodiments, adhesive, chemical bonding, bonding with resin or powder or heat sealing between the layers may selectively be applied in some or all regions of the precursor webs. In the case of adhesive application, for example, the adhesive can be applied continuously, such as by slot coating, or discontinuously, such as by spraying, extrusion and the like. The discontinuous application of adhesive can be done in the form of stripes, bands, droplets and the like. In a multi-layered web 1, each precursor web has different material properties, giving the web 1 beneficial properties when used as a top web in a disposable absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin.

For example, the frame 1 comprising two (or more) precursor frames, for example, the first and second precursor frames, may have beneficial properties for fluid handling. For better handling of the fluids, for example, the first precursor web 20 may comprise relatively hydrophilic fibers. The second precursor web 21 may be composed of relatively hydrophobic fibers. The tufts 6 of said frame could form an upper canvas having a relatively hydrophobic body-facing surface, with hydrophilic strands to attract body fluid and make it pass through the upper canvas. The liquid deposited in the relatively relatively hydrophilic upper tufts can be rapidly transported out of the relatively hydrophobic layer towards the portion of the article which lies below the layer of the second precursor web (eg, the absorbent core). Without being limited by theory, it is believed that one of the reasons for the rapid transport of fluids is the capillary structure formed by the generally aligned fibers 8, 18 of the strands 6. Fibers 8, 18 form directionally aligned capillaries between the adjacent fibers and the capillary action is intensified by the general convergence of the fibers near the base 17 of the strands 6. It is estimated that this rapid transfer is further increased due to the ability of the fluid to enter the frame 1 through the gaps 10 defined by the linked locks 6. This capacity of "lateral entry" and / or capillary action and / or the hydrophilicity gradient of the structure of the frame 1 makes said frame an ideal material to handle the fluids optimally in the disposable absorbent articles. In particular, the fluid handling characteristics in a multi-layered frame 1 can be much better. Figure 10 shows a plan view with a partial cut of a sanitary napkin, wherein a weft 1 of the present invention is one of its components. In general, the sanitary napkin 200 comprises a lower canvas 202, an upper canvas 206 and an absorbent core 204 disposed between the upper canvas 206 and the lower canvas 202 that can be joined around the periphery 210. The sanitary napkin 1 may have extensions laterals, commonly called "fins" 208, designed to wrap the sides of the crotch region of the wearer's panties of sanitary napkin 1. Sanitary napkins, including upper cloths for use as a body-facing surface, are Well known in the industry and do not need detailed description of the various alternatives and optional designs. In addition to using pattern 1 in sanitary napkins, it can be used in a diaper or incontinence product in adults or other disposable hygiene products. However, it should be noted that the pattern 1 can be used as a component or as one or more materials of the lower canvas, core, upper canvas, secondary upper canvas or wings. The frame 1 can also have multiple layers and can be composed of a top canvas, secondary top canvas, core, bottom canvas or any number of layers. The weft 1 is especially useful as the upper canvas 206 of a sanitary napkin 200. The weft 1 is especially beneficial as an upper sanitary napkin 206 because during use it combines optimum properties of fluid acquisition and distribution to the absorbent core 204 and also it avoids the rewetting of the surface of the upper canvas oriented towards the body 206. The rehumidification can be the result of at least two causes: (1) the displacement of the fluid absorbed due to the pressure on the sanitary towel 200; and / or (2) the moisture trapped within the upper canvas 206 or on it. In a preferred upper canvas 206, the two properties, ie the acquisition and retention of fluids are maximized and the rewetting is minimized. In other words, preferably, an upper canvas will present high rates of fluid uptake and low levels of rehumidification. A top sheet 206 can be made with a first precursor web 20 of nonwoven fabric and a second precursor web 21 of liquid impermeable polyethylene film. The basis weight of the component frames may vary; however, generally due to cost and benefit considerations it is preferred that the total basis weight of the plot 1 is from about 20 grams per square meter to 80 grams per square meter. When a sanitary napkin having an upper canvas 206 is used which comprises a weft 1 whose first side 3 is oriented towards the body and whose second side 5 is in continuous communication with an underlying absorbent core, the strands 6 of the first side 3 of the 1 can acquire the fluids and absorb them by capillarity through the second precursor web 21 to the second side 5 of the web 1 where they can then be desorbed to the absorbent core 204. The rewet can be minimized because the tufts 6 are different and are spaced apart and separated by a second liquid-impermeable precursor web 21. In another alternative of the frame 1, the first side 3 may be the side of continuous communication and the second side 5 may be the side facing the body. In this way, the discontinuities 16 could allow the transport of fluids into or through the tufts 6. In a sanitary napkin of the present invention, upper canvas 206 has a composition applied in the form of a semi-solid lotion. The composition in the form of a lotion may be any of the known lotions, such as lotions that include petrolatum, which may be beneficial to the wearer's skin. In a preferred embodiment, the lotion is also beneficial to keep the user's body clean. That is, the lotion preferentially covers the body and makes the menstrual flow less susceptible to adhering to the body, skin and hair. Therefore, the lotion is preferably hydrophobic and makes the hair and skin hydrophobic. The lotion can be applied in any of the ways known in the art to apply lotions to non-woven fabrics. The lotion can be applied in any of the ways to apply lotions to non-woven fabrics known in the industry. It has been found that applying the lotion at the tips allows an efficient transfer of the lotion to the wearer's skin. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that the tufts act as small brushes that apply the lotion on the user's body when the user is in motion, such as walking. The lotion of the present invention may include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. 5,968,025; 6,627,787; 6,498,284; 6,426,444; 6,586,652; 3,489,148; 6,503,526; 6,287,581; 6,475,197; 6,506,394; 6,503,524; 6,626,961; 6,149,934; 6,515,029; 6,534,074; 6,149,932 WO 2000038747; or EP-A 927,050. In addition to (or in place of) lotion-like treatments, the upper canvas 206 (or portions thereof) can be treated with other materials or compositions to make it sufficiently hydrophobic. For example, the upper canvas can be treated with silicone treatments, low surface energy treatments, fluorinated hydrocarbon treatments. In general, "relatively hydrophobic" refers to a material or composition having a contact angle with the liquid of at least about 70 degrees, preferably at least about 90 degrees. In general, the low surface energy means between about 2 and about 6 Pa (20 and about 60 dynes per square centimeter), preferably about 2 to about 5 Pa (20 to about 50 dynes per square centimeter), and more preferably to about 2-4 Pa (20-40 dynes per square centimeter). In a preferred embodiment, the weft 1 is used as upper canvas 206 together with an absorbent core of high capacity and absorption 204. In general, a preferred absorbent core is an airlaid core of the type described in US Pat. . num. 5,445,777 or 5,607,414. In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent core 204 is of the type generally referred to as HIPE foams, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. num. 5,550,167; US 5,387,207; US 5,352,711; and 5,331, 015. In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent core 204 has a capacity after desorption at 30 cm of less than about 10% of its free absorbent capacity; a capillary absorption pressure of about 3 to about 20 cm; a capillary desorption pressure of about 8 to about 25 cm; a resistance to compression deflection from about 5 to about 85% when measured under a confining pressure of 5.102 kPa (0.74 psi); and a free absorbent capacity of about 4 to 125 grams / gram. Each of these parameters can be determined as set forth in U.S. Pat. no. 5,550,167. granted on August 27, 1996 of DesMarais. One of the advantages of using HIPE foam or air laying cores as described is that they allow the absorbent core to be very thin. For example, an absorbent core of the present invention may have an average gauge (thickness) of less than about 20 mm, preferably less than about 10 mm, and the thickness may be less than about 5 mm. As will be understood from the foregoing description of the frames 1 and the apparatus 100 of the present invention, many different frame structures 1 may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, as expressed in the claims. For example, the upper sheet 206 may additionally be coated or treated with medicaments, cleaning liquids, antibacterial solutions, emulsions, fragrances or surfactants. Also, the apparatus 100 can be configured to form tufts 6 only in a portion of the weft 1 or to form various sizes or area densities of the tufts 6. Another advantage of the described process for making the wefts of the present invention is that the wefts can be produced in line with other weaving equipment or disposable absorbent articles. Also, other processes of solid state formation may be applied before or after the process of the present invention. For example, a web could be processed in accordance with the present invention and then perforated by means of a stretching process, such as that described in U.S. Pat. no. 5,658,639 issued to Curro et al. Alternatively, a material could be made to a compound through a variety of processes, such as the one described in U.S. Patent Publication. no. 2003/028, 165A1 of Curro et al. or by annular roller, for example as in U.S. Pat. no. 5,167,897 to Weber et al. and then processed in accordance with the present invention. In this way, the obtained frames can exhibit the combined benefits provided by the multiple modifications of the materials. All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the invention are, in part relevant, incorporated herein by reference; The citation of any document should not be construed as an admission that it constitutes a prior industry with respect to the present invention. While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the industry that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. It has been intended, therefore, to cover in the appended claims all changes and modifications that are within the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. A sanitary napkin characterized by: A top cloth having a body-facing side comprising a plurality of tufts other than a fibrous material, a lotion-like composition applied to at least a portion of the side facing the body of the top canvas , and an absorbent core in continuous communication with the upper canvas, wherein the absorbent core has an average thickness of less than about 10 mm, and a free absorption capacity of about 4 to about 125 grams per gram. The sanitary napkin according to claim 1, further characterized in that the upper canvas comprises a nonwoven fabric weft. 3. The sanitary napkin according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that the upper canvas comprises a polymeric film web. The sanitary napkin according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the upper canvas comprises a nonwoven fabric weft and a polymeric film weft. The sanitary napkin according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the upper canvas comprises at least two precursor frames, and the different tufts comprise fibers of each precursor screen. The sanitary napkin according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the upper canvas comprises a first precursor screen and a second precursor screen, wherein the first precursor screen comprises a non-woven fabric and the second precursor screen comprises a film polymer, and wherein the tufts comprise fibers of the nonwoven fabric web of the first precursor web. 7. A sanitary napkin characterized by: An upper cloth having a side facing the body and comprising 10 to 50 different tufts of fibrous material per square centimeter; a composition in the form of a semi-solid lotion applied on at least a portion of the side facing the body of the upper canvas; and an absorbent core in continuous communication with the top canvas, wherein the absorbent core is a HIPE foam and has an average thickness of less than about 10 mm. 8. The sanitary napkin according to claim 7, further characterized in that the lotion comprises petrolatum. The sanitary napkin according to claims 7 or 8, further characterized in that the upper canvas comprises a first precursor web and a second precursor web, wherein at least one of the precursor webs is relatively more hydrophobic with respect to the other web. the precursory plots. A sanitary napkin characterized by: A top canvas comprising a first precursor web and a second precursor web, characterized in that at least one of the precursor webs is relatively more hydrophobic with respect to the other of the precursor webs, and wherein the The upper canvas also comprises different tufts of fibrous material from the first and second precursor frames; a composition in the form of a semi-solid hydrophobic lotion comprising petrolatum disposed on at least a portion of the upper canvas; and an absorbent core in continuous communication with the upper canvas, wherein the absorbent core has an average thickness of less than about 7 mm; and a lower canvas attached to the upper canvas.