MXPA96005511A - Sanitary towel that has an elastic portion of adjustment in the cue - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an absorbent article for use in the crotch region of an undergarment, said absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline oriented in a longitudinal direction, a transverse centerline, a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between said end regions, the absorbent article comprising: a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet bonded to said topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet; characterized in that: the absorbent article comprises an elastic portion that is elastic to the inwardly oriented forces in a transverse manner, the elastic portion being located in the central region of the absorbent article, said elastic portion comprising a central body, a pair of lateral portions of side, a couple of b longitudinal side edges and a pair of end edges, wherein at least one of said end edges has points of maximum displacement in the longitudinal direction and said end edge has recesses that are longitudinally inwardly spaced from said points of maximum travel of said end edge , wherein the elastic portion has a longitudinally substantially continuous cross section inside the chinks and at least one of the end edges has an extension formed by the central body and at least one extension formed by one of the lateral portions of side, and at least a gap is formed between the extension formed by the central body and the extension formed by at least one of the lateral portions of the coast

Description

SANITARY TOWEL THAT HAS A ELASTIC PORTION OF AIUSTE IN THE BODY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, calf liners, and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to sanitary napkins having elastic fit portions or components in the body that are capable of continuously adjusting to provide increased comfort and fit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Absorbent items, such as towels "Sanitary, linings for underpants, and incontinence pads are devices that are typically used in the crotch region of underwear. These devices are designed to absorb and retain fluid and other debris from the human body and prevent body and clothing from getting stained. The sanitary napkins are of a type of absorbent article used by women in panties, which are usually placed between the legs of the wearer, adjacent to the perineal area of the body.

It has been found that it is desirable to keep *. absorbent articles in close contact with the wearer's body. The maintenance of close contact of said products with the perineal area is referred to herein as body contact. The importance of body contact is known in the art for its role in allowing the absorbent article to absorb exudates from the body at its source. Achieving good body contact limits the opportunity for body exudates to flow in or out of the body. "i / 'Absorbent article The sanitary napkin technique contains examples of sanitary napkins that have mechanisms to resist the distortion of the towel during use, as well as trying to maintain contact with the user's body.

Various types of absorbent products with elastic members are known and described in the patent literature. These usually fall into one of three classes. The first class of absorbent articles with inserts, are those that contain flat inserts that are primarily intended to resist the distortion of the absorbent product such as the articles described in British patent application 2,168,612, entitled "Sanitary Towel with Resilient Insert", published in the name of Fennimore on June 25, 1986, and in United States Patent 4,195,634 entitled "Sanitary Napkin with Resilient Stiffening Means ", awarded to DiSalvo and others on April 1, 1980.

The second class of absorbent articles contain preformed elastic structures or inserts such as those described in U.S. Patent 4,886,513 entitled "Absorbent Pad with Reinforcing Member to Resist Deformation", issued to Junior Mason and others on December 12, 1989. describes another example in PCT International Publication No. O91 / 03999 (assigned to Monlyke), published on behalf of Lindquist on April 4, 1991. These inserts generally do not allow continuous and comfortable contact with the body in which they are typically limited. to a shape that does not closely resemble the shape of a woman's anatomy.

These approaches suffer from the disadvantages that they generally do not provide continuous adjustment to the shape of the user's anatomy and contact with the user's body. Previous designs intended to promote body contact are also believed to be unsuitable when applied across a broad scale of dimensions and body size of women. The third class are sanitary napkins and other absorbent products that offer increased comfort and fit through a construction that promotes a self-adjusting anatomical continuous operation of the sanitary napkin to the body. Absorbent articles of this kind are disclosed in U.S. Patents 5,171,302 and 5,197,959 issued to Buell on December 15, 1992 and March 30, 1993, respectively. This cooperation continues «>Self-adjusting anatomical is achieved by a deformation element resistant to bending that causes the surface facing the body of the sanitary napkin to remain in contact with the body. The lateral compressive forces of the user's thighs are used to cause a convex upward formation of the sanitary napkin. In a preferred embodiment, the deformation element has a cross-section in the form of "w" with the center of the towel and sanitary "" that is convexly curved upwards in relation to the body of the user. Although the technology described in the Buell patents provides comfortable body contact, the search for alternative and improved absorbent articles has continued. In particular, it is desired to provide good body contact, such as that described above in a more comfortable way in sanitary napkins having a variety of shapes, sizes, and thicknesses, but especially in ultra-thin absorbent articles (that is, those with gauge less than about 3mm). Thus, there is a need for an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, that is provided with an improved mechanism for keeping the sanitary napkin in contact with the wearer's body, while offering increased comfort.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, that is provided with an improved mechanism for keeping the sanitary napkin in contact with the wearer's body. HE attempts that this improved mechanism increases the place for contact of the body, elevating the central area of the absorbent article with an elastic component that allows the absorbent article to maintain maximum body contact through several extensions of movement of the wearer, while - • ü still provides maximum comfort to the user, especially in an ultra-thin absorbent article. These and other objects of the present invention will be more apparent when considered when referring to the following description and when taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an absorbent article 20, such as a sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet attached to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The sanitary napkin 25 is provided with an elastic component or portion fitted in the body that preferably has multiple arcuate portions during use. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment component in the body of the sanitary napkin is an elastic insert. The insert is formed to provide a maximum area of contact with the user's body at the center, lateral side barriers, and improved comfort and minimizing the elasticity of the insert in particular areas of the sanitary napkin. The multiple arched portions can be either -. -.J preformed in the insert, or the insert may be a relatively flat insert that is provided with areas of different stiffness that form in the arcuate portions during use. The elastic insert is preferably placed in the central region of the sanitary napkin such that if the insert is used in a thin, flexible sanitary napkin, the end regions of the sanitary napkin will remain highly flexible. The elastic insert can be placed above the absorbent core, below the absorbent core, or it can comprise a part of the absorbent core. If the insert 0 comprises part of the absorbent core or is placed above the absorbent core, it is preferably liquid permeable and absorbent. If the insert is placed under the absorbent core, it can be waterproof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the insert 5 (or other adjustment feature on the body), has a "butterfly" shape seen in plan that comprises a central body, a pair of lateral side portions, a pair of longitudinal side edges. , and a pair of extreme edges. The insert shape differs from those of the inserts in the prior art in that at least one of said end edges has crevice points and maximum displacements between the central body and the lateral side portions. This configuration assists the ends of the sanitary napkin to conform to the shape of the wearer's body and ensures a uniform transition between the central region towards the end regions of the sanitary napkin. The insert is also provided with a novel combination of arched portions and / or lines of stiffness and compression that forces the sanitary towel to elevate in the center, in such a way that contact with the vaginal opening is maximized, allowing the sanitary napkin to adjust towards the body in the form of an arch without crowding. The insert has arcuate side barriers such that the edges of both the insert and the sanitary napkin are elastically folded laterally to form the side barriers during use. These arched shapes are designed to specific parameters to allow precise deformation around the set of dimensions by anatomically adjusting the anal and clitoral regions. This allows improved body contact with improved comfort for the user. Additional improvements over the previous technology, includes forming an outer insert of thermally bonded synthetic materials that are gauge / '"thin so that the insert can be used with ultrathin products." Preferred alternating modes of the present invention can be achieved through variations in the levels of elasticity and stiffness (ie, selective stiffeners) that can be obtained by heating or any other treatment of the sanitary napkin regions, expanding different materials (single layer or multiple layers), and / or by integrating the insert / core and fastener (joint) patterns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Since the specification concludes with the claims that particularly point out and indifferently claim the subject matter of the present invention, which is considered as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description, which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the sanitary napkin of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 1, before use. Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 1, before being used. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the arcuate insert. Figure 6A is a plan view of an alternate insert having grooves along one of its end edges. Figure 7 is a plan view of a flat insert. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the insert of the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 4, in a configuration of use. Figure 9 is a plan view of an insert of the prior art. Figure 10 is a full-body view of the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 1, in a usage configuration showing the shaped center and flexible ends. Figure 11 is a schematic sectional view showing the shape taken by the sanitary napkin of the present invention, adjacent to the region of the wearer.

Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the shape that the sanitary napkin assumes adjacent to the slit between the user's buttocks (groove of the buttocks). Figure 13 is a schematic, perspective view of a vacuum forming apparatus used to be a curved insert. Figure 14 is a perspective view of a wire screen used for vacuum forming the insert. Figures 15 to 21B are drawings in which the drawing number followed by the letter A are perspective views of sanitary napkins with various alternate insert configurations and the respective cross-sectional shapes of the inserts taken during use are designated with the letter B. Figure 22 is a plan view of an alternate sanitary towel component that is provided with selective reinforcement. Figure 23 is a plan view of the garment-facing side of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention showing a preferred pattern of adhesive fastener. Figure 24 is a plan view of the side facing the body of a sanitary napkin which is provided with a central junction pattern defining lines of weakness.

Figure 25 is a plan view of an alternate sanitary napkin having an arched insert with a cut-out window in the insert. Figure 26 is a perspective view of an extendable sanitary napkin having an insert of less extension capacity with a low coefficient of friction on its side facing the garment. Figure 27 is a perspective view of an instrument for measuring compressive force and elasticity of a catamenial pad. Figure 28 is a plan view of the compression plate assembly used to measure the compressive force and elasticity of the catamenial pad. Figure 29 is a side view of the compression plate assembly shown in Figure 28. Figure 30 is a top plan view of the upper compression plate of the compression plate assembly shown in Figures 28 and 29. The Figure 31 is a side view of the upper compression plate assembly shown in Figure 28.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. General Characteristics of the Absorbent Article All the characteristics of the absorbent article of the present invention will be discussed first. Figures 1-5 show a preferred embodiment of a disposable absorbent article 20 of the present invention. The present invention relates to absorbent articles having elastic fit portions or components in the body that are capable of continuously adjusting to provide increased comfort and fit. The term "absorbent article," as used herein, refers to articles that absorb and contain body exudates. More specifically, the term refers to articles that are placed against or close to the wearer's body to absorb and contain the various exudates discarded from the body. The term "absorbent article" may include sanitary napkins, linings for underpants and incontinence pads (and other articles used in the crotch region of a garment). The term "disposable" refers to articles that are intended to be discarded after a single use and are preferably recirculated, arranged or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner. (That is, they do not intend to be washed, or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article). In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the absorbent article is a sanitary napkin designated 20. The term "sanitary napkin," as used herein, refers to an article that is worn by women, adjacent to the pudendal region (genital organs). ), which aims to absorb and contain the various exudates that are discharged from the body (eg, blood, menstruation and urine). Although the present invention is shown and described in the form of a sanitary napkin, it should be understood that the present invention can also be applied to other feminine or catamenial hygiene pads, such as panty liners, or other absorbent articles such as pads for incontinence, and the like. The sanitary napkin 20 has two surfaces, a contact surface with the body, permeable to the liquid or "body surface", 20A, and a liquid impervious surface, 20B. The sanitary napkin 20 is shown in Figure 1, seen from its body surface 20A. The body surface 20A is intended to be used adjacent to the body of the wearer. The garment surface 20B of the sanitary napkin 20 (shown in Figure 2) is on the opposite side, and is intended to be located adjacent the underclothes of the wearer, when the sanitary napkin 20 is used. The sanitary napkin 20 has two central lines, a longitudinal center line, L, and a transverse center line, T. The term "longitudinal", as used herein, refers to a line, axis or direction in the plane of the sanitary napkin 20, which it is generally aligned with (eg, approximately parallel to) a vertical plane that divides a user standing in two body halves, left and right, when the sanitary napkin is used 20. The terms "transverse" or "lateral" used herein are interchangeable and refer to a line, axis or direction that lies within the plane of the sanitary napkin 20, that is to say generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Figure 1 shows that the sanitary napkin 20 has two separate longitudinal edges 22, two transverse edges or separate ends 24 (or "ends"), and four corners 27, which together form the periphery 26 of the sanitary napkin 20. The towel sanitary 20 also has two end regions, which are designated as the first end region 28 and second end region 30. A central region 32 is disposed between the end regions 28 and 30. The end regions 28 and 30 extend outwardly from the edges. from the central region 32 from about 1/8 to about 1/3 of the length of the sanitary napkin 20. A detailed description of the central region 32 and the two end regions 28 and 30 is contained in the US patent 4, 690,680, issued to Higgins el lo. September 1987. The sanitary napkin 20 may have any thickness, including relatively thick, relatively thin, or too thin. The embodiment of the sanitary napkin 20, shown in Figures 1-5 of the drawings, is intended to be an example of a relatively thin sanitary napkin, preferably an "ultra-thin" sanitary napkin. However, it should be understood, when these figures are seen, the number of layers of material shown makes the sanitary napkin 20 look much thicker than it actually is. An 20"ultra-thin sanitary napkin, such as that described in the U.S.A. 4,950,264 and 5,009,653, issued to Osborn, preferably have a caliber less than about 3mm. The thin sanitary napkin 20, shown, • -. J should also be preferably, relatively flexible so that it is comfortable for the user. Figure 4 shows the individual components of a modality of the sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention. The sanitary towel shown in Figure 4 generally comprises four primary components. These include a liquid pervious topsheet 38, a liquid impervious backsheet 40 (or "barrier means"), an absorbent core 42 positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and an elastic insert, such as an arcuate shaped insert 44. In other embodiments, the function of the insert can be managed by modifying one of the other components of the sanitary napkin, and the insert is omitted from the structure of the sanitary napkin. 2_¡_ Individual Components of the Sanitary Towel and the Assemble of the same.

The individual components that may be useful for the various embodiments of the sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention will be seen in greater detail with reference to Figures 1-5. A. The Top Sheet The top sheet 38 comprises a first liquid-permeable component. When the sanitary napkin 20 is used, the topsheet 38 is very close to the skin of the wearer. The ?.? upper sheet 38 is preferably as comfortable, soft feeling and non-irritating to the wearer's skin as possible. The topsheet 38 further must exhibit good penetration and a reduced tendency to re-wet, allowing the body discharges to quickly penetrate into and flow to the core 42, but does not allow such discharges to flow back through the body. upper sheet 38 towards the wearer's skin. The topsheet 38 has two sides (or faces or surfaces) that include a side 38A that faces the body and a side 38B that faces the garment (or side facing the core). The side 38A facing the body of the topsheet 38 generally forms at least a portion of the contact surface with the body ("body surface") 20A of the sanitary napkin 20. The topsheet 38 has two longitudinal edges 25 38C and two end edges 38D.

(A similar numbering system is applied to the other components of the sanitary napkin, that is, the side of the component facing the user's body may be designated with the component number and a reference letter "A." Looking at the wearer's underwear can be designated with the component number and the letter "B." The side and the end edges can be designated with the component number and the reference letters "C" and "D" , respectively). A suitable top sheet 38 can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials including, but not limited to, woven and nonwoven materials, thermoplastic films formed with openings, apertured plastic films, hydroformed films, porous foams, cross-linked foams , reticulated thermoplastic films, and thermoplastic films. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials may be composed of natural fibers (eg, wood or cotton fibers), synthetic or modified natural fibers (e.g., polymer fibers, such as polyester, polypropylene fibers, and polyethylene, or polyvinyl alcohol fibers, resins based on starch, polyurethane, cellulose esters, nylon and rayon), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. When the topsheet 38 comprises a non-woven web, the web can be spun bonded, carded, humerus spun, meltblown, hydroentangled, combinations of the above, or the like. Films with openings for the topsheet 38 are generally preferred, since they are permeable to liquids and, if properly opened, have a reduced tendency to allow liquids to pass through and re-moisten the user's skin . Films with openings, suitable, are described in the patent of E.U.A. 3, 929, 135 issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975; patent of E.U.A. 4,324,426 issued to Mullane et al. On April 13, 1982; patent of E.U.A. 4,342,314 issued to Radel et al. On August 3, 1982; patent of E.U.A. 4,463,045 issued to Ahr et al. On July 31, 1984; and patent of E.U.A. 5,006,394 issued to Baird on April 9, 1991. A particularly suitable topsheet 38 is made in accordance with the US patent. 4,342,314 issued to Radel et al. And the patent of E.U.A. 4,463,045 issued to Ahr et al. An upper sheet 38 made of a film formed with openings of the model X-3265 or model P1552 sold by Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana has been found to work well. In preferred embodiments, the topsheet 38 is made hydrophilic so that liquids are transferred, more rapidly, through the topsheet 38. This will decrease the likelihood that the body exudates will flow out of the topsheet instead of being carried. through the upper sheet and be absorbed by the absorbent core. The topsheet can be made hydrophilic by treating it with surfactants. Suitable methods for applying surfactants are described in the patents of E.U.A. 4,950,254 and 5,009,653 issued to Osborn. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, the inner surface 38B of the topsheet 38 is secured, in a contact relationship, with an underlying absorbent layer. This contacting ratio results in the liquid penetrating more quickly to the topsheet 38. The topsheet 38 can be maintained in a contact relationship with an underlying layer by attaching the topsheet to the underlying layer. However, it is not absolutely necessary to join the face of the topsheet 38 to the face of the underlying layer. The topsheet 38 can be maintained in contact with an underlying absorbent component by applying adhesives between the topsheet and the underlying component, entangling the fibers of the underlying layer with the topsheet, fusing the topsheet 38 to an underlying absorbent layer by a plurality of individual, discrete fusion links, or by any other method known in the art. For example, the topsheet 38 can be secured to the underlying absorbent component by a uniform, continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines, coils, or spots of adhesive.

The adhesives sue have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, United States, under the designation HL-1258 or H-2031. The joining means preferably will comprise an open pattern network of adhesive filaments, as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986, issued to Minetola et al. On March 4, 1986. Exemplary joining means comprising an open-pattern network of filaments comprise various - - lines of adhesive filaments in a spiral pattern, such as is illustrated by the apparatus and method shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,911,173, issued to Sprague, Jr., on October 7, 1975, and by the patents of the United States.

United States Nos. 4,785,996, issued to Zieker et al. On November 22, 1978; and 4,842,666, granted to Werenicz on 27 June 15, 1989.

B. The Absorbent Core The absorbent core 42 is positioned between the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40. The absorbent core 42 provides the means for absorbing menstruation and other body fluids. The absorbent core 42 does not need to have an absorbent capacity much greater than the total amount of body fluids that are to be absorbed. The absorbent core 42 is generally compressible, conformable and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. The absorbent core 42 may comprise any material used in the art for such purposes, including natural materials and synthetic materials. Non-limiting examples of such materials include natural materials such as crushed wood pulp (which is generally referred to as air felt), curled cellulose filler, hydrogel-forming polymer gelling agents, curled paper or fibers containing non-woven fibers curls composed of absorbent or superabsorbent polymers, interlaced, modified cellulose fibers (such as those described in US Patent 5,217,445 issued to Young et al. on June 8, 1993), capillary channel fibers (ie, fibers having channels capillaries between fibers, such as those described in US Patent 5,200,248, issued to Thompson et al. on April 6, 1993), absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, synthetic short fibers, polymer fibers, swamp moss or any equivalent material or combinations of materials. The polymeric gelling agents listed above may also be referred to as "absorbent gelling materials" ("AGM"), or "superabsorbent materials". Polymeric gelling agents are those materials that, upon contact with liquids such as water or other body fluids, imbibe said liquids and thus form hydrogels. In this way, liquids discharged to the absorbent core 42 can be acquired and maintained by the polymeric gelling agent, thus providing the articles herein with improved absorbent capacity and / or improved liquid retention performance. The polymeric gelling agent, which is employed in the absorbent core 42, will generally comprise particles of a substantially insoluble, slightly interlaced, partially neutralized hydrogel-forming polymer material. The polymeric gelling agent can be in many forms, including the form of particles, flakes, or fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent core 42 is a laminar unit. The laminar unit is composed of a layer of superabsorbent polymer material, such as in the form of particles, disposed between two air-laid papers, first and second layers of paper. The first and second paper layers provide containment of the superabsorbent polymer material, improve lateral movement by wicking the absorbed exudates through the entire absorbent core 42 and provide a certain degree of absorbency. The paper layers may be composed of a single paper web, which is bent with the particles of superabsorbent material, or two sheets separately from the same paper (or different).

A suitable laminar unit is a superabsorbent sheet unit known as WATER-LOCK L-535 available from Grain Processing Corporation of Muscatine, Iowa (WATER-LOCK trademark by Grain Processing Corporation). Said superabsorbent laminar units are described in the patent of E.U.A. 4,467,012, issued to Pedersen et al. On August 21, 1984, patent of E.U.A. 4,260,443, issued to Lindsay et al. On April 7, 1981 and patent of E.U.A. 4,578,068 issued to Kramer et al. On March 25, 1986. The absorbent cores particularly preferred for use in the sanitary napkin of the present invention comprise thermally bonded layers of a mixture of hydrophilic cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic material, wherein the thermoplastic fibers in each layer are joined and thermally densified. Some of the thermally preferred absorbent materials bonded in greater detail below are described in conjunction with the description of the elastic insert. Absorbent cores made from such materials are further described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 141,156, entitled "Catamenial Absorbent Structures Having Thermally Bonded Layers for Improved Handling of Menstrual Fluids, and Their Use in Catamenial Pads Having Improved Fit and Comfort "(catamenial absorbent structures that have thermally bonded layers to improve the management of menstrual fluids, and their use in catamenial pads that have improved comfort and fit), presented on behalf of Richards et al., October 21, 1993 ( Case of P &G 5051).

C. The Backsheet The backsheet 40 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core 42 from wetting the articles that are in contact with the sanitary napkin 20, such as pants, pajamas and underwear. The backsheet 40 is impermeable to liquids (e.g., menstruation and / or urine). The backsheet 40 is preferably made from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may be used. The backsheet 40 may comprise a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films, such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or mixed materials such as nonwoven material coated with a film. A suitable mixed material of the backsheet is the nonwoven film / film unit described in the U.S. Patent. 5,007,906 issued to Osborn on April 16, 1991. Preferably, the backsheet 40 is a thin plastic film, such as a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Exemplary polyethylene films are manufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation P18-1401 and by Tredegar Film Products of Terre Haute, Indiana, under the designation XP-39385. The backsheet 40 is preferably etched and / or mat finished to provide an appearance more of the fabric type. In addition, the backsheet 40 can allow the vapors to escape from the absorbent core 42 (ie, the backsheet 40 can be breathable), while still preventing the exudates from passing through the backsheet 40. Plates can also be used. subsequent leveling or biodegradable, v.gr. , such as underpants, described herein.

D. Elastic Component of Adjustment in the Body The elastic component of adjustment in the body is a continuously element that serves to adapt to the shape of the user's body when the user moves and to maintain the surface facing the body of the sanitary garment and the underlying absorbent material in close proximity towards the user's body. The elastic adjustment component in the body can, as noted above, be provided in a number of ways, including separate inserts, or in other components of the sanitary napkin that are modified to provide the function of the separate inserts. The following description discusses various non-limiting variations of said component. (1) Curved Inserts The sanitary pad 20 shown in Figures 1-5 is provided with a curved elastic insert 44 which is a preferred configuration. The shape, seen in plan, which encompasses all of the elastic insert 44 can be considered as resembling the shape of a butterfly. In the plan view (Figure 1), the insert 44 has a pair of longitudinal side edges, oriented inwards, concave, 44C, and a pair of end edges, in the form of "W", curved, 44D. The butterfly-shaped insert 44 comprises a central body 46 and a pair of wings (or lateral side portions) 48. The central body 46 is defined by a longitudinal edge 58 adjacent to each of the wings 48 and a pair of ends 56. Each of the wings 48 has a near edge 70, where a distant edge 62 spaced away from the central body emanates from the longitudinal edges 58 of the central body 46, and a pair of ends 64. The end edges 44D of the insert 44 comprise both ends 56 of the central body 46 of the butterfly-shaped insert and the ends 64 of the wings 48.

The configuration of the insert 44, particularly the configuration of the end edges 44D of the insert, is important for the way the insert works. As shown in Figure 1, the end edges 44D of the insert can also be considered as defining a base (shown in the form of an imaginary baseline base, B, at the base of the W-shaped ends) , and three projections beyond the baseline B. These three projections include a central projection (the hump portion of the W) 66 and two extreme projections of wings (or end portions of wings) 68. The end edges 44D of the insert are preferably arranged in such a way that the base D of the end edges 44D, are at the points or the end edges which are located in the vicinity of the transverse center line T, of the sanitary napkin, and the central projection, or Hump portion 66 is located along the longitudinal center line L. Figure 1 shows that the ends 64 of the wings 48 of the insert 44 comprise the legs of the "W" shape. The legs extend from the base of the "W" shape to the tips of the wings 70 (wing tips). These legs or ends 64 of the wings 48 are slightly curved in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 shows that in cross section, the insert 44 comprises 3 arched portions. These include an arcuate central portion 50 and two side, arcuate side portions 52 and 54. The shape encompassing the cross section of the insert 44 can be considered as a sinusoidal curve-like. This conoced curve shape has a curved portion with a relatively large wavelength and a large radius of curvature and two curved portions (one on each side of the large curve), with shorter wavelengths and smaller radii of curvature. The arcuate central portion 50 comprises at least part of the central body 46 of the insert that was shown in plan view. The arcuate central portion 50 is said to comprise "at least part of the central body 46 shown - »- in the plan view, since the curvature of the central portion arched 50 and the lateral side portions, arched, 52 and 54, do not necessarily terminate and originate (respectively), precisely at the longitudinal edges 58 of the central body 46. There is preferably a gradual transition between the curvature of the arcuate central portion 50 and the side, arcuate, side portions 52 and 54, which occur in the transition areas 59 that are located between the midpoint, P, of the arcuate central portion 50 and the longitudinal edge 58 of the central body 46. Therefore, , the lateral side portions, arched, 52 and 54, comprise the wings 48 of the butterfly and a portion of the central body 46 of the insert when shown in a plan view. The relationship between the arcuate portions of the insert 44 and the portions of the insert identified in the plan view are shown in greater detail in the perspective view of the figure 6.

The arcuate central portion 50 and the arcuate side portions 52 54 of the insert 44 serve different functions when the sanitary napkin 20 is used. The arcuate central portion 50 forms a raised center portion. The arcuate central portion 50 defines an arc that is convex towards the body of the user during use. The arched central portion 50 is bent towards the introitus of the wearer, adjacent to the perineal area to provide maximum body contact.

The arcuate side portions (the arcuate left side portion 52 and the arcuate right side portion 54) are located on either side of the arcuate central portion 50. The arcuate side portions 52 and 54 are concave towards the user's body during use. The arcuate portions 52 and 54 form barriers for the flow of the body exudates in the transverse direction. This is the type of movement of the exudate that can lead to the staining of the wearer's panties, and can be referred to herein as "lateral staining". The arcuate side portions 52 and 54 and the arcuate central portion 50 of the insert 44 are configured such that the insert 44 forms a discrete cross-sectional shape "W" during use. (see Figure 8). The insert 44 shown in figure 1 as being symmetrical about the longitudinal center line "L". The insert 44 is preferably symmetrical around the longitudinal center line in such a way that it behaves similarly on both longitudinal edges 22 of the sanitary napkin 20, when the sanitary napkin is compressed by the user's thighs. The longitudinal edges 44C of the insert 44 are preferably concave, as shown in Figure 1, but it is also within the scope of the present invention for the longitudinal edges 44C of the insert to be straight, or to have some other appropriate configuration seen in plan . The insert 44 is also preferably symmetrical about the transverse center line "T2, but need not be, For example, the insert 44 can only have an end edge 44D with the preferred W-shape shown in Figure 1. The other end edge 44D may be a straight line, a curved line, etc. However, at least one of the end edges 44D of the insert 44 preferably has the three projections beyond the imaginary base line B described above. An alternate way of describing the configuration of the end edge 44D of the insert 44 is to see the end edge 44D in terms of the spaces or gaps between the three projections, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, instead of using the line imaginary base, B, as the reference line, a straight imaginary line, N can be drawn between the point or points on the end edge 44D of the insert 44 that is most longitudinally remote from the line transverse center T. Line N must be parallel to the transverse center line. If the line N is seen as being the end line of the insert 44, then the end edge 44D of the insert 44 can be considered as having at least two holes (indentations, or hollow areas) 72 along the end line N, of insert 44. These recesses 72 may also be of any suitable configuration. Suitable configurations include, but are not limited to, slits (shown in Figure 6A), and samples, including triangular-shaped samples, and preferred curve indentations shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a preferred configuration in which the line The end of the insert in N runs between the tips of the wings 70 of the insert. It should be understood that this is a preferred configuration and that other configurations are also possible. For example, in other alternate embodiments, the hump portion 66 of the end edge 44D may also project outward from the transverse centerline than from the tips of the wings 70. In such case, the end line, N, would run through the apex of the hump portion 66. The holes 72 along the end line of the insert 44 are preferably located between the central body 46 of the insert and the 48 of the insert (in others). words, the holes 72 are located in the area of the longitudinal edges 58 of the central body 46). In this manner, the recesses 72 typically located in the region where the insert 44 changes from a convex curvature upwards to a concave curvature upwards. However, the location of the recesses 72 is not confined to the longitudinal edges 58 of the central body 46 of the insert 44. The recesses 72 can be located in those areas as well as in the surrounding areas, including, but not limited to, the regions. of transition 59. The importance of the location of the holes 72 is described below (in conjunction with the discussion of the dynamic characteristics during the use of the insert). Figure 1 shows that the insert 44 is preferably placed in the central region 32 of the sanitary napkin. The insert 44 can be located above the absorbent core 42, below the core (as shown in Figure 4), or within the core, (and can thus be considered as part of the core) of the sanitary napkin 20 The elastic insert 44 may be absorbent or non-absorbent, liquid-permeable, semi-permeable or liquid impervious (if it falls below the absorbent core 42), with a preferred embodiment being absorbent. Thus, in the preferred embodiment when the insert is absorbent, the insert 44 can provide additional absorbent capacity in the central region of the sanitary napkin 20, where it is most needed. Further, although the insert 44 is shown as having a length that is only a portion of the length of the sanitary napkin, in other embodiments, the insert 44 may be up to the total length of the sanitary napkin and may comprise substantially all of the material absorbent in the sanitary napkin, in such a way that the insert 44 in effect, serves as the absorbent core of the sanitary napkin 20. The elastic insert 44 can be of any size, however the size of the insert 44 is preferably less than or equal to approx. 1.25 mm, more preferably less than approx. 1 mm or less, such that the total caliber of the ^ ú sanitary napkin 20 is not greater than approx. 3 mm. It should be understood, however, that the thickness of the inserts and the thickness of the sanitary napkin can also be provided within the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that several calibers referred to herein, are measured as is shown in Figure 8 from a point on a surface of the article or element in question to the nearest point on the opposite surface of the article or element (i.e., instead of between a plane passing through the portions of the insert and a plane that passes through of the lower portion or portions of the insert. Figure 8 shows the proper way to measure the caliber, C, of the insert. The arcuate central portion 50 (or central body 46) of the insert 44 preferably varies in length from approx. 25 mm to approx. 25 mm as measured along the longitudinal centerline. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the arcuate central portion 50 is approx. 85 mm long. The total width of the insert 44 can vary up to 80 mm, or more. The total width of the insert 44 is preferably approx. 5.7 cm in its narrowest portion. Preferably the arcuate central portion 5 varies in width from approx. 5 mm to approx. 80 mm, and in a particularly preferred embodiment is approx. 40 mm wide. The arcuate central portion 50 preferably varies in height up to approx. 20 mm, in a particular mode -. preferred the arcuate central portion 50 has a height of approx. 10 mm to approx. 13 mm. These measures of. width and height may also establish variations for the radius of the curvature of the arcuate central portion 50. In addition, the radius of the curvature of the arcuate central portion 50 may be greater than the height of the arcuate central portion (such as so that the arcuate central portion defines a flatter curve). In a preferred embodiment, for example, the arcuate central portion 50 has a radius of curvature of ca. 24 mm. It must be understood that it is so well within the reach of the present invention for the adjustment component in the body that is flat, such that its central body 46 and the lateral side portions 48 do not initially define any type of arched structure. The initial height of these portions of said one component will be essentially zero.

When the sanitary napkin is compressed, the different portions of the adjustment component on the body may preferably bend into arcuate shapes, which have dimensions on the scales described above. In addition, since the body adjusting component is capable of dynamically adjusting during use to fit the user's body, it should be understood that the dimensions of the body fitting component preferably vary within the specified ranges with body movements of the user. The arcuate side portions 52 and 54, preferably vary in length from ca. 25 mm to approx. 270 mm In a particularly preferred embodiment, the arcuate side portions 52 and 54 are of approx. 125 mm long. The arcuate side portions 52 and 54 preferably have a width that is between approx. 5 mm and approx. 40 mm The radius of curvature of the arcuate side portions 52 and 54 preferably varies from ca. 1 mm up to approx. 5 mm, and preferably it is approx. 3 mm. The elastic insert 44, as noted above, is intended to form a rounded shape, of W-shaped cross-section, during use. Preferably, the insert 44 changes its cross-sectional configuration prior to compression by the user's thighs of those shown in Figure 4, in the more pronounced cross-sectional configuration W shown in Figure 8, when compressed by the user's thighs. The cross section of the insert 44 shown in Figure 8 is formed when the arcuate central portion 50 of the insert assumes a narrower upward convex configuration (i.e., a lower radius of curvature), and the arcuate side portions 52 and 54 assume Concave configurations up narrower. The multiple arcuate cross section shape of the insert 44 provides various advantages. Many of these advantages involve comfort and fit of the sanitary napkin. The fact that the insert 44 comprises a smooth curve, which is free of articulation lines, is believed to provide a sanitary towel more comfortable for the user. The use of arched sections instead of articulation lines, is also believed to provide the sanitary towel with a greater capacity of adjustment of various sizes of users, and to be comfortably self-adjusted in the event that the sanitary napkin is properly born, Initially placed / applied against the user's body. The fact that the insert 44 is comprised of a continuous assembly of uninterrupted arcuate portions by articulation lines is believed to provide the insert with greater elasticity when subjected to lateral compression. The arched structures are generally more resistant to lateral compression and more elastic after they have undergone lateral compression than these articulated structures due to the absence of joints, since the joints dissipate much of the applied compressive forces. This characteristic allows an elastic structure to be created by the thinner materials and by materials that have lower inherent elasticity than the articulated structures. The butterfly shape seen in plan of the elastic insert 44 serves at least two main purposes. The butterfly shape facilitates the formation of the desired "W" shaped cross section in the central region 32 of • "- The sanitary napkin 20. This happens because the insert 44 0 does not have any restriction material between the arcuate portions that tends to resist the capacity of the insert to form in the desired configuration of cross section in the form of" W ". This can be contrasted with the insert shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 shows an example of a flexure-resistant deformation element of the prior art in the form of an insert having a flexing means. such as bending joints 23, a protrusion 71, and a restriction material 45 between those sections of the insert that are intended to bend in different directions of use.The restriction material 45 is shaded in Figure 9. The insert in shape of butterfly 44 of the present invention differs from this insert in that it does not have restricting material between sections that bend in different directions.This allows a section of the insert to be to (such as 5 the central body) double in one way (convex upward) and the other sections (such as the wings) bend in an opposite manner (concave upwards) more easily. The butterfly shape also helps the end regions 28 and 30 of the sanitary napkin to assume the desired shapes during use. Figures 8 and 10 to 12 show that the sanitary napkin 20 preferably takes a number of different cross-sectional configurations when used, depending on the location along the length of the sanitary napkin 20 through which the sections are taken. cross-sectional Preferably, the sanitary napkin 20 conforms to the three very distinct forms of the wearer's body. From the front of the user's body, the first of the three regions can be considered as the region of mons, M, which, as shown in Figure 11, has a convex curved shape. The second region is defined by the main lips and resembles a W-shaped contour. The third region is determined by the cleft between the user's buttocks (or the "gluteal groove", G) and is generally in cusp shape and is defined by two diverging outward and convex lines. Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the manner of the first end region 28 of the sanitary napkin of the present invention could fit adjacent to the mons, M, region of the wearer. The cross-sectional configuration of the central region 32 of the sanitary napkin is preferably similar to the cross-sectional configuration of the W-shaped cross-sectional configuration of the insert previously shown in Figure 8. Figure 12 is a sectional view transverse, schematic, showing the manner in which the second end region 30 of the sanitary napkin of the present invention could fit into the slot between the wearer's buttocks ("gluteal groove") G. The arcuate central portion 50 helps the second end region 30 of the sanitary napkin in forming said shape. This occurs because the fold of the sanitary napkin in inverted or U-shaped cross-sectional shape through the arcuate central portion frequently extends to the second end region 30 of the towel, which is maintained. in the second end region 30 due to the shape of the gluteal groove of the wearer. The central projections (or hump portions) 66 of the W-shaped plan view of the insert 44 provide extensions that also serve various particular purposes. The central projections 66, as noted above, are those portions of the central body 46 of the insert 44 extending from the base of the W-shape defined by the end edges 44D of the insert 44, to form the ends of the central body 46. of the butterfly shape. They are designed to be central projections 66 for be easier to bend down than the insert portion in the arcuate central portion 50 that forms a hump. Also the extensions are more easily compressed laterally due to their smaller width. These aspects are important because the central projections 66 are generally the portions of the insert 44 that are closest to the clitoris of the wearer at one end and the wearer's anus at the other end. The ease with which central projections 66 can bend and compress, reduces any tendency for the elastic insert to irritate these sensitive areas of the wearer's body. Also the taper of the central body 46 of the insert 44 in the end extensions provides the sanitary napkin with a more gradual transition in flexibility between the central region 32 of the sanitary napkin and the end regions 28 and 30. The sanitary napkin 20 (as shown in FIG. described in more detail below) preferably has end regions 28 and 30 that are highly flexible. This gradual transition in flexibility differs from the type of transition in flexibility provided by many previous types of inserts. For example, Figure 9 shows an insert having end edges 33"unbalanced". If the insert shown in Figure 9 is relatively rigid, the sanitary napkin will tend to form bending shafts running transversely through the sanitary napkin at the ends 33 of the insert. It can • • - present a sanitary napkin with a relatively abrupt transition in flexibility along the length of the sanitary napkin. The shape of the ends of the insert 44 of the present invention, on the other hand, tends to provide a sanitary towel with a more even transition in flexibility between the different regions of the sanitary napkin, since the end edges 44D of the insert 44 are tapered How the extreme regions of the towel are approaching. The entire elastic insert 44 should preferably be flexible. The flexibility of the insert 44 should be sufficient for the sanitary napkin to be comfortable when used. The flexibility of the insert 44 is not unlimited, however, since the insert 44 must resist sufficient flexibility to maintain the sanitary napkin in the desired wear configurations without crushing under the forces associated with the use of the towel. The insert 44 is preferably resistant to bending, reformable, and moisture stable, as these terms are defined in the US patent. 5,171,302, issued to Buell. The insert 44 and sanitary napkin can also be made to assume many of the transverse configurations described in the aforementioned patent. However, it should be understood that the insert 44 of the present invention is an improved configuration on the inserts described in Buell's Patent. More particularly, the insert described herein has an improved structure, which is designed to obtain the desired configurations of use, even more efficient in the thinnest, and more pleasant executions to the consumed due to its butterfly shape seen in plan and configuration multiple arched cross section. The insert 44 must be laterally compressible under relatively low forces, so that the sanitary napkin is comfortable to use. When used, sanitary napkin and other related catamenial products are subjected to lateral compression forces. The insert 44 must be sufficiently elastic that the sanitary napkin should preferably return to its uncompressed state when these compressive forces are removed. This ensures that the insert 44 will cause the sanitary napkin 20 to cover a large portion of the wearer's panties during use and minimize the lateral spillage of the exudates around the sides of the sanitary napkin, which leads to staining of the wearer's panties (which may be referred to as "side dirt"). Also important is the manner in which the sanitary towel reacts to these compressive forces, since it affects the visual appearance of the sanitary napkin after use. The compressive forces are preferably measured as the amount of force required to keep the central portion of the sanitary napkin compressed in the transverse direction (ie, width) in both dry and wet states. The elasticity of the sanitary napkin can be measured as much by the J. percentage of recovery of the initial width of the sanitary napkin, as per the absolute width recovered in the central portion of the sanitary napkin after it has been subjected to compression in the transverse direction. The absolute width recovered after compression refers to the ability of the sanitary napkin to sufficiently cover the underpants in order to protect it from staining. It has been found that the recovery rate of the sanitary napkin after compression 0 correlates with the visual appearance of the product after use. For example, in the later case, users of the sanitary napkin have evaluated that sanitary napkins that have relatively narrower widths at the time of removal (related to sanitary pads 5 before use) as being poorly unwound due to their perception of its tendency to bulge. Although compression and recovery forces are measured in both dry and wet states, many users have perceptions of comfort, which seems to be formulated as if the towel is being used for the first time. This means that compression and recovery forces in the dry state may be more relevant to users' perception of comfort, than those in the wet state. It has been found that thin sanitary napkins having 5 compression force values of approximately 300 gr. or less, preferably about 200 gr. or less, in the dry state they are considered to be comfortable when used. Preferably, the sanitary napkins according to the present invention have compressive force values, in the dry state, in the scale of from about 50 to about 300 g, and more typically from about 100 to about 200 g. Most sanitary pads suffer a loss *. in their recovery properties, while they get wet.

That means that the wet state of the sanitary napkin is more critical for the extension of the panty's sustained area than the dry state. Sanitary pads that have an absolute width after wet compression of at least 48 mm (preferably, at least approximately 55 mm) cover sufficiently the area of the panty, to have an impact on the prevention of spotting of the panties. Preferably, sanitary napkins according to the present invention have a width (or compression recovery value) in the center after wet compression, on the scale of from about 48 to about 70 mm, and are more typically on the scale of from about 55 to about 65 mm. Similarly, because users of sanitary napkins do a visual evaluation of the towel After the sanitary napkin has been used for a period of time (that is, when checking or removing the sanitary napkin), the sanitary napkin is more than likely to contain some amount of liquid body exudates. In this way, the wet state is important for the visual appearance of the product after use. The sanitary napkins that are recovered (in the center) from the compressed wet state, at least 65% (preferably 75%) of their initial width draw the attention of users of catamenial products for their visual appearance after use. The sanitary napkins according to the present invention preferably recover, after wet compression, from about 55 to about 90% (more typically from about 75 to about 85%) of the initial width of the sanitary napkin. The procedure for measuring the values of the compressive force in an absorbent article in the dry state, and the relative and absolute recovery of compression (ie, elasticity) in the wet state, are set forth in the Test Methods section of this description. The insert 44 can be formed from the various types of materials used in the various components of the sanitary napkin (such as the types of materials used in the absorbent core and in the backsheet), or combinations thereof). For example, the insert 44 may be formed of absorbent material such as webs or laminar units of absorbent material (with or without absorbent gelling materials), or of impermeable materials. Examples of suitable absorbent materials include interlaced cellulosic fiber webs and melt blown webs. Alternatively, the insert can be made of fluid impervious materials. Examples of some suitable non-absorbent materials include thermoplastic polyethylene, polypropylene, synthetic foams, films or suitable blends of the types of materials described herein. A preferred foam material for use in the insert is a polyethylene foam known as VOLARA 2a, obtained from Voltek Corp., Lawrence, Mass. However, it is preferred to form the insert from an absorbent material, and such a material as a band stretched to the air, thermally bound (which can be called in the present as "TBAL", to summarize) that has some elasticity. The insert 44 preferably contains at least some thermoplastic material. The use of thermoplastic material has the advantage that by melting, at least a portion of this thermoplastic material migrates to the intersections of the fibers, typically due to capillary gradients between fibers. These intersections become binding sites for the thermoplastic material. When cooled, the thermoplastic material, at these intersections, solidifies to form the bonding sites that hold the band or fiber matrix. The junction at these fiber intersections increases the total modulus of compression and the strength of the resulting matrix. The insert preferably comprises a matrix containing from about 10 to 90% cellulosic fibers and from about 10 to about 90% fibers or thermoplastic material. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the insert 44 is made of a thermally bonded absorbent material made from a mixture of cellulose and synthetic fibers. Said preferred material for the insert 44 is described in the aforementioned US patent application, Series No. 08 / 141,156 entitled "Catamenial Absorbent Structures Having Thermally Bonded Layers for Improved Handling of Menstrual Fluids, and Their Use in Sanitary napkins Having Improved Fit and Comfort ", presented on behalf of Richards and others on October 21, 1993. Such material is preferred because, unlike many foam materials, it is absorbent, and has an inherent elasticity, and can be formed into structures elastic without having cells that are crushed in the procedure (which happens regularly with foam materials). Said thermally bonded absorbent material, particularly preferred, is obtained as the DANWEB material # 1079-2338 and 2339 from Dan Web of Aarhus, Denmark. The DANWEB # 1079-2338 material comprises a homogeneous mixture of approximately 70% fluff of "Flint River" (cellulose), 15%, / v- of two-component fibers DANAKLON ES-C of 1.7 dtex x 6 mm, and approximately 15% particles of Nalco 1180 absorbent gelling material. DANWEB # 1079-2338 material is formed to a web having a basis weight of approximately 152 in grams / m2, a gauge of approximately 1.2 mm measured under a load of 0.01406 kg / cm2, and a density of approximately 0.13 g / cc. The material DANWEB # 1079-2339 comprises a mixed two-layer material. The first layer has the same composition as that of material # 1079-2338. The second layer comprises a homogenous blend of approximately 85% flint fluff and 15% DANAKLON ES-C two-component fibers of 1.7 dtex x 6 mm. The mixed material web has a basis weight of approximately 290 grams / m2, a gauge of approximately 2.3 mm, and a density of approximately 0.13 g / cc. The elastic insert 44 may also comprise a laminar unit of a thermally bonded absorbent material and other materials. A particularly preferred laminar unit comprises a laminar unit of the material DANWEB # 1079-2338 and one or more layers of a non-woven material of 0 polypropylene joined by spinning (21.5 g / m2), known as CELESTRA available from Fiberweb, North America of Simpsonville, SC, which is then recorded with the pattern described in the U.S. patent. 4,781,710 issued to Megison et al. On November 1, 1988, which is internally termed in 5 P & amp;; G as P-9. Both layers of the P-9 material are preferably fused to the back of the DANWEB material.

, /, The thermally bonded, airlaid material can be formed by dosing an air flow containing the fibers and the thermoplastic material, in a substantially dry condition, onto a wire forming screen that typically moves horizontally. Systems and apparatuses suitable for laying mixtures of fibers and thermoplastic material to the air are described in, for example, the US patent. 4,157,724 (Persson) issued on June 12, 1979 and reissued on November 25, 1984 as Re. 31,775; patent of E.U.A. 4,278,113 (Persson issued July 14, 1981; US patent 4,264,289 (Day) issued April 28, 1981; US patent 4,352,649 (Jacobsen et al.) Issued October 5, 1982; US patent 4,353,687 (Hosler et al. others) issued October 12, 1982, US Patent 4,494,278 (Kroyer et al.) issued January 22, 1985, US Patent 4,627,806 (Johnson) issued December 9, 1986, US Patent 4,650,409 (Nistri et al. ) issued March 17, 1987, and U.S. Patent 4,724,980 (Farley) issued February 16, 1988. A particularly desirable system for laying air blends of fibers and thermoplastic material in accordance with the present invention is disclosed in the patent. US 4,640,810 (Laursen et al.) issued February 3, 1987. The elastic insert 44 can be formed at the same time as the absorbent core 42, or it can be made separately from the absorbent core. it can, either, be made as a separate component, or it can be made integrally with the absorbent core. The following will describe a preferred, non-limiting way of making an elastic bent insert from thermally bonded air-laid material and a sanitary napkin as shown in Figures 1 to 5, with said insert lying below the absorbent core. . In the sanitary towel described below (thinking that the inserts are located below the core can be non-absorbent) an absorbent insert will be used. The components of the insert are obtained. The components used in this method comprise two layers of polypropylene nonwoven material bonded by P-9 spinning, described above, and a single web of thermally bonded air-laid material product ("TBAL") No. 1079-2338, obtained from Dan Web of Aahus, Denmark. The components must be larger in size than the final size of the desired insert. The equipment needed to form the insert 44 includes a plate capable of heating at about 149 ° C, a die (preferably in the form of a wire screen), a jig and a vacuum former. An example of a suitable vacuum former is shown in Figure 13. Vacuum former 100 may be a suitable vacuum former for making bladder packages such as a QVac machine obtained from QVac of Santa Fe Springs, California. The vacuum former 100 comprises a base 104, a heat source 108, a wire screen 110, and a vacuum source 112. Preferably the vacuum former is also provided with a plunger 114 having a pair of curved projections 116. The two layers of P-9 material are placed on the TBAL material. The two layers are used to give the insert the desired rigidity. The P-9 material is covered with a TEFLON sheet to prevent the plate from sticking to the P-9 material. Slide the iron over the TEFLON to melt the P-9 material over the TBAL screen. The melting of the P-9 material causes the non-woven material P-9 to form inside the model insert 44 ', an air impermeable film (and impervious to liquids). This air impermeability is used to direct a vacuum against the model insert 44 * to vacuum the insert. The model insert 44 'is placed in the vacuum former 100 at the top of the wire screen 110. The wire screen 110 essentially comprises a three-dimensional matrix through which the vacuum is directed to form the model insert 44'. . Preferably, the wire screen 110 is placed face up on the vacuum source, in such a way that the central convex portion 118 is convex upwards. Then the model insert 44 'is formed on the wire screen 110. The edges of the model insert are tapered towards the surface of the base 104 of the former., Vacuum 100, so that the air will not be able to enter under the edges of the insert model 44 '. The model insert 44 'is preheated to approximately 343 ° C. The heating source 108 is then brought down on the model insert 44 'to heat the model insert 44', so that it will be sufficiently operable to be rotated against the wire screen by vacuum. The heat is applied for approximately 25 seconds. During the heating phase, the plunger 114 is lowered 0 in such a way that the curved projections 116 press down slightly on the insert model 44 *, and the portions of the insert insert 44 'to a greater degree in the curved areas suspended 120 in the wire screen 110. This ensures that the model insert 44 'fits closely into the mold in those regions. The vacuum is applied approximately four seconds before reaching the end of the 25 seconds of the heating phase. The vacuum is applied for approximately 10 seconds. After the vacuum is applied, a fan cools the preformed insert 44 'formed thereby. Then, the preformed insert 44 'is cut to the desired size using the butterfly-shaped template. The template is sized to cut the preformed insert 44 'along the lines corresponding to the seams 122 in the wire screen 110, and along the 5W lines at the end edges of the preformed insert. The formation of the insert 44 is now complete.

It should be understood that the vacuum formation of the insert is only a preferred way of forming the insert. A suitable insert can be formed by molding, styling, or by any of the other means described in U.S. Patents 5,171,302 and 5,197,959, issued to Buell. However, vacuum forming is preferred because it generally does not create densified regions in the insert. (Although portions of the insert that were placed in contact with the curved projections of the plunger may be slightly densified). This provides insert 44 with improved overall elasticity, since hump points in the form of recesses and the like will not be created. This also avoids the compression of the absorbent material of TBAL, in such a way that the interfiber separation of the same is not affected. In this way, the good absorbent properties of the TBAL material remain unaffected and relatively uniform over the total insert. The assembly of the sanitary napkin using the insert described above is as follows. A weft of the same type of TBAL material (# 2338) is cut in the absorbent core configuration. The complete insert 44 is hermetically glued to the underside of the TBAL web, used for the absorbent core. Preferably, the glue is applied in a spiral or spray pattern which is permeable, so as to allow the liquids to transfer through the core 42 to the insert 44. A sheet of polyethylene film is then cut to the shape of the back sheet. Tape is applied around only the central portion of the body 46 of the insert 44. The insert 44 with the underlying core material attached is then attached to the backsheet using the tape around the perimeter of the central body portion 46 of the insert 44 This ensures that the insert 44 will not be attached to the back sheet on its lower total surface. This is allowed for some decoupling between the insert 44 and the back sheet 40. (The concept of decoupling is described in greater detail in US Pat. No. 5,007,906, issued to Osborn et al., April 16, 1991). A perforated formed film web is cut into the desired shape for the upper sheet to be placed on the composite product of the absorbent core, insert and backsheet. The face of the topsheet is bound to the face of the absorbent core by one (or more) of the joining methods described herein. The topsheet is then peripherally bound to the backsheet by adhering, bending or the like. A panty clip is applied to the backsheet. The side facing the body of the topsheet is then sprayed with a surfactant to complete the sanitary towel assembly. Numerous variations of this process are also possible. For example, different or additional components may be vacuum formed as described above. In ^ ?. Still other modalities, the total sanitary towel can be vacuum formed after its components have been assembled. In other versions of this process, the vacuum formation of several components of the towel is carried out sanitary for directing a vacuum against a semipermeable component to the air. Alternatively, air-permeable components can be used until the vacuum pressure differential is applied to the component or / --- components of the sanitary napkin that are being formed at vacuum, be sufficiently large to direct said component or components against the vacuum forming matrix.

Furthermore, in the vacuum formation of the total sanitary napkin, a screen similar to that described which is curved can be used. The screen can be as long as the towel , and the entire sanitary napkin can also be vacuum formed in a stooped configuration from the back to the front, or in any other suitable manner. (2) Flat Inserts. The elastic insert 44 may alternatively be relatively flat as shown in Figure 7. In such a case, the arcuate portions may be omitted from the insert 44 and a substantially three-dimensional insert 44 may be provided in the plan view form of Figure 1 (or r? ~ - some suitable variation thereof). Such an insert can be formed by simply cutting a piece of (preferably elastic) material to the desired shape. Flat inserts are particularly preferred for use in ultra-thin sanitary napkins (ie, gauge less than about 3 mm), because they can provide the sanitary napkin with the desired wearing configuration without substantial addition of the thickness of the towel. The insert 44 is preferably provided with deformation lines to assist in assuming the desired form of use. Both inserts, flat and tridimenisional bent, can be provided with lines of deformation, points of deformation (or areas of deformation that have other configurations) to help the inserts assume the desired form of use. The deformation lines 80 (examples of which are provided on flat inserts are shown in Figures 15A to 18B), however, are more typically essential for inserts that are formed flat and must be bent into the desired configuration of use. The flat inserts preferably assume a form of use that is as close as possible to the shape of the curved inserts having multiple arched portions of the above described. (3) Alternate configurations of the insert j- Figures 15A to 2IB show several sanitary napkins having altered insert configurations, and the cross sectional shapes of the insert are assumed in use. Figure 15A shows a sanitary towel having a flat insert with a hexagonal shape. The length of the two sides of the hexagonal insert, which are oriented in the longitudinal direction, are greater than the other sides. The sides of the insert that are oriented in the direction '""'. longitudinal are preferably approximately twice the length of the other sides. The insert is provided in a hexagonal shape with a longitudinally oriented groove 78 on its side facing the garment. The slot 78 only passes part of the way through the thickness of the insert. Although slot 78 is hidden from the view of the Figure 15A, and therefore should be represented by a dotted line, this is shown as a solid line to differentiate it from the modalities that have tapered deformation lines, shown in the Figures that follow. Figure 15B shows the configuration in cross section in inverted V shape, said insert is taken when in use the sanitary towel is compressed. Figure 16A shows a sanitary napkin with an insert 44 having a hexagonal shape and a longitudinally oriented tapered centerline (or "compression line") 80A formed on the underside of the insert. The longitudinally oriented centerline of compression 80A assists the center of the insert in bending to a convex upward configuration when compressed. This compression line is shown as a dotted line in Figure 16A because it is hidden from view. This compression line can be a continuous line. Figure 16A shows the inverted "V" shape with a rounded cross-sectional configuration of the apex of this insert taken in use. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to embodiments having continuous lines of compression (or grooves), and that any of the compression lines (or grooves) shown in these figures may be intermittent. It should also be understood that any of the inserts described herein that are provided with simple compression lines (or grooves) in a given region of the insert may be provided with multiple compression lines (and / or grooves) in said regions. Multiple compression lines (or grooves) are particularly useful if it is desired to provide an insert with a tendency to form a more rounded folded structure. These multiple compression lines (or slots) are oriented in the same direction, these can be substantially parallel, but it is also possible to create modalities where they are not parallel. Figure 17A shows a sanitary napkin with a flat insert 44 having a hexagonal center ("central body") with small wings. It is insert shown in Figure / >; * - 17A is provided with a central compression line 80A, longitudinally oriented, tapering on the underside of the hexagonal portion of the insert, similar to the insert shown in Figure 16A. However, the insert shown in Figure 5A is also provided with two compression lines 80B, longitudinally oriented, between the central body 46 and the wings 48 that are tapered on the side facing the body of the insert, to assist the wings 48 to bend upwards. Figure 17b shows the shape that this insert forms during use and the barriers formed by the wings 48 of the insert Figure 18A shows a sanitary pad with an insert 44 having a hexagonal center with wider wings (as measured in the transverse direction) and compression lines similar to those shown in Figure 17A Figure 15B shows that this insert forms a W shape with steeper (or larger) legs. sanitary napkin with an insert 44 having a hexagonal center 46 similar to the insert shown in Figure 18A, however, the hexagonal center of the insert 44 shown in Figure 19A is provided with an arcuate cross section Figure 19B shows the configuration in cross section that said insert takes during use.

- »*. Figures 20A and 20B show the preferred preformed insert of Figures 1 to 5, and the rounded, "W" shaped configuration that it takes during use. Figures 21A and 2IB show a sanitary napkin with a flat "X" shaped insert 44 which is preferred for use in thicker sanitary napkins (e.g., greater than or equal to about 5mm thick) and the configuration in Cross section similar to a boat that takes, during use. The X-cut insert provides these thicker sanitary napkins with sides that rise when the sanitary napkin is compressed by the wearer's thighs. The central portion of the X-shaped insert does not require the features of the inserts shown above (e.g., thinness, arcuate central body, extensions at the ends 5 of the central body) because the lateral compression of the sanitary napkin together with the additional absorbent material found in the sanitary napkins should cause the portion of the sanitary napkin along the longitudinal center line L to warp upwards without providing the insert cut in X with these aspects. The inserts shown in Figures 15A to 20B can be considered as representative of a gradual evolution, from the most basic inserts (Figure 15A) to the most preferred inserts (Figures 19A and 20A). Inserts shown as 5 being more remote in evolution (Figures 15A and 16A) can r-deform to provide a central raised portion, but do not provide the desired cross-sectional use in the form of W that allows the sanitary pad to form barriers and to provide maximum extension on the inner sides of the wearer's thighs. The curvature of the cross-sectional shape of the most preferred inserts provides improved comfort and allows an easier adjustment of the sanitary napkin in the position in relation to the wearer's body, and if the sanitary napkin, etc., is inadvertently misapplied. (for example, if the sanitary napkin is not placed exactly along the centerline of the wearer's body). (4) Selective reinforcements The adjustment portion or component in the body of the present invention can alternatively comprise a selective reinforcement. As used herein, the term "selective reinforcement" refers to a portion or component of the sanitary napkin with regions that have different stiffness. Selective reinforcement has at least one region (e.g., a first region) that is more rigid than one region (e.g., a second region). These regions are used to help bend the component in certain desired configurations. The component will generally bend around its second, less rigid regions.

- Figure 22 shows an example of an adjustment component in the body that is provided in the form of a selective reinforcement 82. The selective reinforcement 82 includes a first reinforced region 84 and a second non-reinforced region 86. Selective reinforcement 82 shown in Figure 22 has a reinforced first region pattern 84 which are in the shape similar to the butterfly shape of the inserts described above. Selective reinforcement 82 is tried to bend »", Around the second most flexible regions 86 and deform in the same way as the inserts described above. The selective reinforcement 82 shown in Figure 22 can be formed in a number of ways. A non-limiting number of ways are as follows. Preferably, these ways use a base material (i.e., starting material) from which the thermal bonding of the material can be formed, or to which material other materials can be thermally bonded. Most preferably, such methods utilize a thermally bondable absorbent material such as TBAL materials Preferred ones, described above. Selective reinforcement 82 can be formed of a base material comprising a separate component, or the base material can comprise the topsheet, the backsheet, or the absorbent core. A preferred way to create reinforced regions 84 is by heating selected regions of the thermally bondable material without applying pressure to the material. and - This can be done, for example, by covering the base material with a jig and heating the base material with a hot air gun. Another way to create reinforced regions is by joining a reinforcement material to the selected portions of the base material. In a preferred embodiment of this method, a thermoplastic material is used as the reinforcing material, and the thermoplastic reinforcing material is melted on one side of the base material by heating the thermoplastic reinforcing material x3. Several advantages are provided by selective reinforcements. A primary advantage is that the selective reinforcements which are very thin can be created, and are still capable of assuming the usage configurations similar to those of the bent inserts described above. This is of particular interest for ultra-thin absorbent articles. In addition, a component of the sanitary napkin, such as the absorbent core, can be formed in a selective reinforcement. This has the advantage of eliminating the need for 0 adding a separate component to the sanitary napkin, and avoiding the costs of associated material and processing. Another primary advantage of selective reinforcement is that if no pressure is applied during the selective reinforcement manufacturing process, the reinforced regions will not be densified to any significant degree. This is particularly important if it is desired to create a selective reinforcement outside the absorbent material, so that the absorbency and impregnation properties are not affected by the creations of the reinforced regions. The selective reinforcement can, in this way, be provided with uniform absorbency and impregnation properties on its total surface.

E. Combinations of Materials for the Superior Sheet, Posterior Sheet and Core, and Assembly of the Same in the Main Body Portion of the Sanitary Towel. The components of the sanitary napkin described above (the topsheet, the backsheet, and the absorbent core) can be assembled in any suitable manner. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1-5, the components of the sanitary napkin are assembled in a "walled" configuration with the components sized so that the edges of the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40 extend outwardly further. beyond the edges of the absorbent core 42. The topsheet 38 and the backsheet 0 are preferably bonded, partially peripherally, using known techniques. The term "join", as used herein, encompasses configurations in which one element is directly secured to another element by attaching the element 5 directly to the other element; configurations in which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by fixing • * • the element to intermediate members, which in turn are fixed to the other element; and configurations in which one element is integral with the other element, that is, one element is essentially part of the other element. The components of the sanitary napkin 20 can be joined together by means of adhesives, stitches, joints by heat and / or pressure, dynamic mechanical joints, ultrasonic joints, interlacing or entangling the fibers or other • ',. structural elements comprising the components of the sanitary towel, such as blowing under melting the fibers comprising one component onto another component, extruding one component onto another, or by any of the other means known in the art. Suitable means for joining the components of the sanitary napkin are described in the patent application of E.U.A. Series No. 07 / 944,764, filed in the name of Cree and others on December 14, 1992, and its continuation (publication No. WO 93/11725 published June 24, 1993). As shown in Figure 1, the topsheet is preferably secured to the backsheet 0 along a liquid-tight seam 90. The seam 90 can be formed by any means commonly used in the art for this purpose, such as by gluing, bending, or sealing with heat. The sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention may also be comprised of different combinations of backsheet, topsheet and core materials. The sanitary towel 20 can, for example, be comprised of all the extensible components. The sanitary napkin 20 may also be comprised of any of the types and combinations of top sheets, backsheets and absorbent, extensible or non-stretch cores, which are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07 / 915,133 filed on July 23, 1992, in the name of Osborn et al. (PCT Publication No. WO 93/01785). When the sanitary napkin 20 is comprised of extensible components, the components can be joined together in any suitable manner that allows the sanitary napkin to be spread. In a preferred example of said structure, the backsheet 40 comprises a stretchable film of adhesive. The core 42 is positioned between the topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40. The portions of the edges of the topsheet 38 that extend outward beyond the edges of the core are secured to the corresponding portions of the backsheet using the Adhesive film of the backsheet disposed around the perimeter of the absorbent core. It has been found that such construction suitably secures the components of the sanitary napkin without additionally securing the faces of the components adjacent to one another. Although, as noted above, it is often also preferred to secure some of the components to their faces.

"* The above ways of joining the components are preferred for ease of construction. (Other means of joining the various components can be used). For example, the present invention also includes the so-called "tube" products. In these products, a liquid-permeable cover material (such as the top sheet material) can be completely wrapped around the absorbent core and the backsheet, and then the components can be secured together. In alternate arrangements, the topsheet can be wrapped around the core, and the wrapped core can be placed on and secured to the backsheet.

F. Alternative Modalities and Alternate Aspects. The sanitary napkin may have several modalities and / or alternate aspects. A preferred alternate embodiment is to combine the insert into a sanitary napkin with additional design features to assist in lifting the center such as a side facing the garment with a concave portion as shown in Figure 2, or the decoupled cores described in FIG. U.S. Patent 5,007,906, issued to Osborn et al., on April 6, 1991. Figure 23 shows that in other Alternate embodiments, the sanitary napkin 20 may be provided with a V-shaped pantyliner pattern. modified, related to that described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07 / 915,201, filed July 23, 1992, in the name of Olsen et al., and its corresponding international application, PCT Publication No. WO 93 / 10783, published February 4, 1993. Said panty fastener may comprise an adhesive or any other type of fastener known in the art, which is suitable for said purpose. Said fastener pattern allows the portions of the sanitary napkin, both along the longitudinal centerline and the transverse centerline, to disengage from the wearer's panties. This provides a sanitary pad that adjusts more easily to the mons regions of the wearers, introitus, and the gluteal groove. Figure 23 shows that another preferred embodiment may resemble the insert in the sanitary napkin having a component, such as the absorbent core which is predisposed to deform to a convex upward configuration. Sanitary napkins having components that are predisposed to deform in a convex upward configuration are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 122,114, entitled "Sanitary Napkin Having Core Predisposed to a Convex Upward Configuration" (Towel health service that has the nucleus predisposed to a convex configuration upwards), presented on September 16, 1993, in the name of Hiñes et al. The absorbent core of said products may be predisposed to deform in said configurations by providing the sanitary napkin with lines of weakness around which it can bend. In the version of this embodiment shown in Figure 24, the sanitary napkin has an absorbent core 42 with at least one transversely oriented line of weakness 130, such as the first weakness line 13OA, formed on its side facing the body (or "first maface") 42A. Line of weakness 130 is concave forward of the transverse centerline T. Preferably, the sanitary napkin also has a second line of weakness 130B concave forward of said first line of weakness 13OA (and concave forward of the transverse centerline T ). Preferably, as shown in Figure 24, the first and second lines of weakness are connected by intermediate lines, longitudinally oriented, preferably parallel, of weakness 130C. The sanitary napkin may still have additional lines of weakness, such as lines of weakness 130D that are concave away from the longitudinal centerline L. The first and second lines of weakness 130A and 130B, assist the sanitary napkin 20 in the deformation towards a convex configuration upwards in the vaginal orifice and the gluteal groove, and the deformation in a concave configuration upwards around the pubis of the wearer. The additional lines of weakness allow the sanitary napkin * ^ - * to deform in a W-shaped cross-sectional configuration in the central region of the towel in response to the lateral pressure of the wearer's thighs. In a preferred embodiment, the lines of weakness 130 are formed by a series of weak discrete sites (a little of which are shown in Figure 24). The discrete sites may comprise ligatures joining the topsheet and the core by heat, compression or a combination thereof. Suitable technologies for forming said discrete linked sites are described in PCT Publication No. WO 93/11725, published in the name of Cree et al. Figure 25 shows another alternate embodiment in which the sanitary napkin 20 is provided with a curved absorbent insert 44, having a raised (eg arched) portion 50 that covers the absorbent core 42. The sanitary napkin shown in Figure 25 is provided with a material 138 that fills the space below the arcuate portion 50. The space below the arcuate portion 50 is preferably filled with an absorbent elastic material, or at least one material that has liquid distribution capacity and that is of also elastic preference. Suitable materials for filling the space below the arched portion include many of the materials described as being useful in the absorbent core, including, but not limited to, capillary channel fibers, and the like. Figure 25 also shows that this alternate embodiment can have a window 136 cut away from the arcuate portion 50 of the insert 44. The window in the arcuate portion 50 of the insert can be used to position the liquid distribution / acquisition material 138, in close proximity. close to the vaginal orifice of the user. The size of said window 136 and preferred materials for positioning with the window are described in United States Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 084,048, filed in the name of Doak et al., On June 28, 1993. In another alternate embodiment shown in Figure 26, the topsheet, the backsheet, and the absorbent core 42, may comprise extensible components, and the insert 44 is positioned at the top of the absorbent core. In this embodiment, the insert 44 of the present invention may be less extensible than the other components of the sanitary napkin and function similarly to the less extensible elements described in United States Patent Application Serial No. 07 / 915,133. (PCT Publication No. WO 93/01785). The lamination of the material P-9 on the lower part of the insert 44, in said embodiment, provides the insert 44 with a smooth bottom surface (that is, one having a lower coefficient of friction), such that the absorbent core underlying 42 is stretched, the insert 44 and the core will be able to slide more easily in relation to one another. This is believed to improve the ability of the core 42 to stretch and cause the less extensible insert 44 to suddenly appear. In the embodiments where the insert 44 has a plastic layer for its bottom surface, it is important for the insert 44 to avoid interference with the absorbent function of the sanitary napkin. There are several ways that this can be done. In a version of such embodiment, the upper surface 44A of the insert 44 may comprise sufficient absorbent material that the insert 44 serves as the primary absorbent component of the sanitary napkin, in which case it will not be necessary for the liquids to be transported through the insert 44. In other versions of said embodiment, the insert 44 can be made semi-impervious to liquids, or impermeable to liquids and provided with passages for the transport of liquids to an underlying absorbent component. For example, the insert 44 can be formed of a laminate of TBL material and a simple layer of material P-9, and the material P9 is not heated until the insert is completely impermeable. Alternatively, the insert 44, or the molten P-9 material, may be provided with slits shown as 140, in Figure 26, or have punch holes in this or a window cut out thereof, in such a way that the liquids can traveling through the insert 44 to an underlying absorbent component, such as the absorbent core 42.

In other alternate embodiments of the present invention, the sanitary napkin 20 can be provided with fins extending outwardly from each longitudinal edge 22 of the sanitary napkin 20. The vanes can be of any suitable configuration. Suitable fins can, for example, be made in accordance with the teaching of United States Patents 4,589,876, issued May 20, 1986 to Van Tilburg and 4,687,478, granted on 18 • '' .. August 1987 to Van Tilburg, U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 07 / 769,891, entitled "Absorbent Article Having Flaps and Zones of Differential Extensibility " (Absorbent article having fins and zones of differential extension capacity) filed on October 1, 1991 in the name of Lavash et al. (PCT Publication No. WO 93/06805 5 published April 15, 1993), the Application for U.S. Patent Serial No. 07 / 832,246 entitled "Absorbent Article Having Inwardly-Folded Pleated Flaps", filed on February 7, 1992 in the name of 0 Niihara et al., "Absorbing article having folded, folded-in fins" 07 / 707,233 entitled "Sanitary Napkin Having Laterally Extensible Means for Attachment to the Undergarment of the Wearer" (Sanitary towel having laterally extensible means for attachment to the wearer's undergarment), filed May 21, 1991, on behalf of Osborn et al., * .- 'and United States Patent 5,267,992 issued to Van Tilburg on December 7, 1993. 3. TEST METHOD - TEST OF ELASTICITY AND 5 COMPRESSION STRENGTH The following test method was used to measure the lateral compressibility properties of a sanitary napkin.

The sanitary towel is compressed by means of a pair of plates - *, _ designed to similar the forces and repressions experienced or during its use. In this test, the center of a sanitary napkin underwent 6 compression cycles along its width, followed by the release of the compression force.

(This test can also be used with other absorbent articles such as incontinent products and 5 pantiliners). The travel distance of the plates and the resulting force are measured.

(A) PREPARATION OF THE SAMPLE AND APPARATUS This test requires a constant velocity of the elongation resistance test apparatus, such as a tension (and compression) test instrument Instron Model # 1122 or EME 599A. Figure 27 shows this test that is developed with an EME 599A instrument obtained from EME Inc., PO Box 187, Newbury, OH, generally indicated as 5 150.

*. * Test instrument 150 includes a fixed inferring staple 154 to secure one of the compression plasters and an upper reciprocating staple 158 to secure the other compression plate. The instrument 150 also includes a weight (4000 grams) generally indicated as 162 to predispose the staple 158 downwardly. * The compressive forces are applied to the sanitary napkin 20 by an assembly comprising a pair of plates 166 and 170. The upper compression plate 166 stimulates either the opposite thigh of a user and the portion of the sapper which contacts the sanitary napkin 20 during use (perineal area). The lower compression plate 170 also contains two separate cylindrical posts 174 and 178, one on each side of the lower body portion 182 of the lower plate 170, also as a PLEXIGLAS 186 view screen mounted on the body portion 182. These posts 174 and 178 are kept in the crotch portion of a pantyhose 186 for joining the sanitary napkin 20. (The crotch portion of a suitable pantyhose is cut from a pantyhose and is provided with a tube stitched to either end to join to posts 174 and 178). Plates 166 and 170 are shown in greater detail as assembly 164 in Figures 28 and 29. Referring to those figures, the lower plate 170 comprises a base 171 in which a pair of spaced apart slots 172a and 172b are formed which are used to secure the plate 170 to the staple 154 of the instrument 150. As particularly shown in Figure 28, the plate 170 it has a upper body portion 173 which is provided with a convexly curved face 175. As particularly shown in Figures 30 and 31, the upper plate 166 has a body portion 157 which is provided with a curved, concave face 169. Attached to the body portion 167 is a generally rectangular mounting bracket 168 for securing the upper plate 166 to the reciprocating staple 158 of the instrument 150. As particularly shown in Figure 28, the curved convex face 175 of the lower plate forms a grid configuration with the curved concave face 169 of the top plate 166. This interlocking configuration allows the top plate 166 to move past the bottom plate 170 in the prox imity of it, but without making contact. The plates 166 and 170 (and their constituent parts) can be made of any suitable material that can be formed in the required shape (e.g., aluminum, Lexan, Plexiglas). The weight of the plates 166 and 170 together must be significantly lower than the limit of the load cell of the instrument to allow a sufficient scale for the measurement of the force. The plates 166 and 170 should also be centered with the curvatures of the lower and upper parts aligned in opposite manner to each other. When the plates come together during compression, there should be no physical contact between them. During the test, the crosshead speed is 22 inches / minute (cm / minute). The opening between the plates 150 and 170 begins at a distance of 4 inches, and then narrows to an opening distance of one inch when the sanitary napkin 20 is fully compressed. This corresponds to an initial value of 20cm and a final value of 12.5 when the dimensions of the device are taken into account. The samples of the sanitary napkin 20 are equilibrated for a minimum of two hours at 22 ° C ± 0.5 ° C, and 50 ± 2 relative humidity. Samples of sanitary napkins should be completely finished, including the placement of the adhesive and the release paper on the bottom of the sanitary napkin. Avoid undue bending of the sample while it is being prepared.

(B) PROOF PROCEDURE A minimum of six samples of each sanitary napkin 20 are required for the test. The release paper is removed from the sanitary napkin 20 and then the sanitary napkin is centered in the crotch portion of the panty with respect to the seams. The sanitary towel 20 is then compressed slightly to ensure that it is secure. The tubes sewn into the ends of the crotch portion are then slid into the poles of the lower compression plate 170. The sanitary napkin 20 should be in the configuration of an arc with its ends pointing towards the front of the instrument 150, and they should be comfortably confined between the crotch of the pantyhose and the lower front portion of the plate 170. The sanitary napkin 20 is oriented such that it is standing on an edge. Plates 166 and 170 should now be separated 4 inches. The plate 166 is then moved toward the plate 170 by the downward movement of the reciprocating top clip 158 until the sanitary napkin 20 has been compressed to 1 inch (total compression) .The compression is then maintained for 30 seconds. The distance at which the upper compression plate 166 makes contact with the edge of the sanitary napkin 5 20 is determined when a force of 10 g is reached This is the initial width of the sanitary napkin. the 30 seconds, after full compression is reached, and immediately before the compression is released, it is recorded as the compression force 0 After 30 seconds of total compression, the compression forces are released by moving the plate 166 to its initial position (separated 4 inches) The sanitary towel 20 is left uncompressed for 60 seconds.At the end of the 60 seconds, a second compression cycle is started. edimiento described above. This procedure ,,, - is repeated until the sanitary napkin 20 has been subjected to 6 compression / release cycles. Three dry samples of sanitary napkin 20 are tested by this procedure. Three additional samples of sanitary napkin 20 are then tested in the wet state by pouring 7.5 ml. of a 0.9% saline solution in the center of the samples (allowing the samples to distribute the fluid by themselves), followed by 10 minutes before the - test start. The wet samples were subjected to the same procedure as the dried samples.

(C) CALCULATIONS After 3 dry samples and wet samples are run, the following values were determined: 5 (1) The average compressive strength of the 6 cylinders in the three dry sanitary pads; (2) The width of the average initial sanitary napkin of the 6 cycles in the three wet sanitary napkins; 0 (3) The average percentage of the width in the three wet sanitary pads is calculated using the following equation: Sanitary towel width% = 100 * (towel width 5 initial sanitary cycle 6, width of initial sanitary towel cycle 1) The description of all patents, patent applications (and any patents that have been issued from the same, also as any applicable published foreign patent application), and the publications mentioned throughout this patent application are therefore incorporated by reference herein. It is expressly not admitted, however, that none of the documents incorporated by reference herein teach or describe the present invention. It is also expressly disallowed that none of the commercially available materials or products described herein teach or describe the present invention. While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art and various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1. An absorbent article for use in the crotch region of an undergarment, said absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline oriented in a longitudinal direction, a transverse centerline, a first end region, a second end region, and a region central disposed between said end regions, the absorbent article comprising: a liquid-permeable topsheet, said topsheet being extensible or inextensible; a liquid-impermeable backsheet bonded to said top sheet, said backsheet being extensible or inextensible; and an absorbent core disposed between said upper sheet and said back sheet, said absorbent core being extensible or inextensible, and having a side facing the body and a side facing the garment; characterized in that an elastic portion is located in the central region of the absorbent article, said elastic portion being resistant to the forces transversely oriented inwardly, said elastic portion comprising a central body, a pair of lateral side portions, a pair of side edges longitudinal and a pair of end edges, where at least one of said end edges has points, - / of maximum displacement in the longitudinal direction and said end edge has recesses that are longitudinally inwardly spaced from said maximum displacement points of said end edge, wherein said preferably recesses comprise slits or grooves. The absorbent article according to claim 1, further characterized in that said elastic portion comprises at least one component of said absorbent article, preferably said component is provided with first regions and second regions, wherein said first regions are more rigid that said second regions, and said second regions are sufficiently flexible in such a way that said component can be bent around said second regions, more preferably said first regions of said elastic component has a material attached to them in such a way that said first ones regions are more rigid than said second regions, most preferably said first regions of said elastic component are at least partially fused in such a way that said first regions are more rigid than said second regions. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said elastic portion comprises an elastic insert placed between said upper sheet and said absorbent core 5 in at least said central region of said absorbent article, preferably said insert elastic is less extensible than said absorbent core, more preferably said elastic insert further has a side facing the body and a side facing towards the garment, wherein said side facing the garment is provided with a coefficient of friction lower than said absorbent core, such that said insert can slide against the side facing the body of said absorbent core when said absorbent article is extended. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said end edge has an extension formed by said central body and an extension formed by said lateral side portions, and a gap is formed between said extension formed by said central body and said extension formed by said side portions of side, preferably one or both of said end edges of said elastic portion has a butterfly shape seen in plan, more preferably said one or both of said end edges has a shape of " W "when said elastic portion is viewed from a plan view, preferably where both of said end edges of said elastic portion being" W "shaped, most preferably said" W "shaped end has a hump portion formed by said central body and said hump is rounded and convex away from said transverse central line . 5. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said elastic portion is generally planar before it is subjected to the forces when said absorbent article is in use, preferably said main body of said elastic portion assumes a convex configuration upwardly and said lateral side portions bend upwards when said absorbent article is subjected to lateral compression forces, more preferably said elastic portion assumes a rounded "W" shaped cross section configuration when subjected to said article. absorbent to lateral forces of compression. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said elastic portion is preformed into a three-dimensional shape, preferably said elastic portion comprises three arcuate portions when viewed in a cross section taken along the line transverse, said arcuate portions having transition areas therebetween and comprising: a) a central arcuate portion, convex upwards, comprised of at least a portion of the central body of said elastic component, wherein said arcuate central portion defines a hump; »< * - b) a first arcuate side portion, concave upwards, comprising a first lateral side portion and at least a portion of the transition between said central body and said first side side portion; c) a second arcuate side portion, concave upwards, comprising the other lateral side portion and at least a portion of the transition between said central body and said second side portion of side; preferably said arcuate portions define a rounded "0" shaped cross section which comprises a continuous curve from a longitudinal side edge of said elastic component to the other longitudinal side end, more preferably said central body has a front end and a rear end, and said central body has an arched configuration, convex upwards, from said front end towards said rear end, even more preferably said absorbent article further comprises material placed below said hump to fill the space below said hump, preferably said material is 0 placed below said hump is elastic, more preferably said material placed below said hump is absorbent, most preferably said arcuate central portion has a window trimmed therein. 7. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said absorbent article is provided with at least one deformation zone, preferably said deformation zone comprises a deformation line, said line being deformation, whether continuous or intermittent, more preferably said elastic portion comprises a component of said absorbent article such as said topsheet, backsheet, absorbent core, or a separate insert positioned between said top sheet and said backsheet, said elastic component preferably having a longitudinal center line, a body surface, and a garment surface, and said central body of said elastic component has a pair of ends, and said at least one line of deformation is formed on said garment surface of said insert, and extends between said s ends of said elastic component, most preferably said elastic portion further has at least one deformation line formed on its body surface, and said deformation line of the body surface is oriented in the longitudinal direction and runs between said central body of said elastic component and one of said lateral side portions of said elastic component, more preferably there are two such deformation lines of the body surface, one between said central body of said elastic component and each lateral side portion and - "" 'said deformation lines of the body surface are concave towards said body. longitudinal central line. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that at least part of said central body of said elastic portion covers at least one underlying component of said absorbent article and said at least part of said body The central portion of said elastic portion is not attached to said central body, such that said unattached portion of said central body can uncouple from said underlying component, preferably said absorbent article has a side facing the garment, and further comprises a fastener on said side that faces towards the garment for fastening the absorbent article to the crotch region of said undergarment, where said fastener is provided in two patterns in the form of "V", modified, each having a pair of legs, one of which is located in each end region of said absorbent article and being oriented in such a said modified "V" shaped patterns are centered in relation to said longitudinal center line and each modified "V" pattern has a base that is closer to said longitudinal center line than other portions of said pattern in the form of "V", and an open space between each of the legs in said pair of legs. (, 9. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said elastic portion comprises an insert that is positioned between said upper sheet and said absorbent core 5, or between said absorbent core and said posterior sheet, or said elastic portion comprises at least a portion of said absorbent core 10. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized or in that said elastic portion at least partially comprises an absorbent material, preferably said material The absorbent comprises a weft laid in thermally bonded air 11. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said elastic component has a gauge of less than or equal to about 1.25 mm, more preferably said absorbent article. buy a sanitary napkin having a caliber of less than or equal to 3 mm. 12. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said longitudinal end edges of said elastic portion are concave inwards. «13. A method for producing a three-dimensional elastic component for an absorbent article characterized by the following steps: a) providing a model of elastic component substantially impermeable to air; b) provide a three-dimensional air-permeable matrix; c) provide a vacuum source; d) placing said elastic component model on said matrix, and heating said elastic component model; e) directing said elastic component model against said matrix, using said vacuum source; preferably said elastic component model at least partially comprises absorbent material. 14. A method for selectively stiffening an absorbent component for an absorbent article, said method characterized by the following steps: a) providing an absorbent component; and b) heating the portions of said absorbent component in the absence of pressure. Extract An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin having an adjustment portion or component in the body that is capable of continuously adjusting, is provided. The adjustment component in the body, in one embodiment, is in the form of an elastic insert having multiple arcuate portions of use. The insert has a central arched portion that provides the sanitary napkin with an upwardly convex shape of use and a pair of arched side portions that form barriers for the flow of liquid exudates. The multiple arcuate portions may be either preformed in an insert, or the insert may be provided in the form of a relatively flat piece that is provided with areas of different stiffness that form the arcuate portions during use.