MXPA97003881A - Diaper that has a top leaf with loc - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a diaper containing a liquid permeable topsheet coated with a lotion composition. The lotion composition reduces the adherence of the EI to the user's skin, thereby improving the ease of cleaning the EI. The lotion composition comprises a plastic emollient or fluid such as mineral oil or petrolatum, an immobilizing agent such as a fatty alcohol or paraffin wax to immobilize the emollient on the surface of the upper sheet of the diaper, and optionally a hydrophilic surfactant. to improve the wetting capacity of the coated upper sheet. Because the emollient is substantially immobilized on the surface of the top sheet, less lotion is required to impart the therapeutic or protective benefits of the loci coating.

Description

DIAPER THAT HAS A TOP LEAF WITH LOTION TECHNICAL FIELD This application relates to absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, adult incontinence devices, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to absorbent articles having a lotion coating on the outer surface of the topsheet that is transferable to the user's skin, through normal contact and movement of the wearer and / or body heat. The lotions disclosed in the present invention reduce the adhesion of the to the user's skin, thereby improving the ease of grooming the.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many types of disposable absorbent products are available, such as diapers, which have a high capacity to absorb urine. Disposable products of this type generally comprise some species of fluid-permeable top sheet material, an absorbent core, and a fluid-impermeable backsheet material. Although these types of absorbent structures can be highly efficient for fluid absorption, they can not absorb bowel evacuations (i.e., hereinafter referred to as El). Typically, the Els are trapped between the outer surface of the upper sheet permeable to the fluid and the wearer's skin, much of it adhering to the wearer's skin. To prevent the Els from adhering to the wearer's skin, the caregiver often applies protective or "repellent" products such as Vaseline or mineral oil to the buttocks and anal region, before placing the absorbent article on the wearer. This procedure usually involves caregivers pouring oil or lotion, for example, into one of their hands by rubbing both hands together to distribute the substance over it, and then rubbing it over the infant's skin. To eliminate the need for this uneconomical, dirty and easily forgotten procedure, there have been several previous attempts to prepare absorbent articles containing a protective or therapeutic substance for skin care on the topsheet. A substance that has been applied as a lotion to diaper products to impart a protective, comforting covering is mineral oil. Mineral oil (also known as liquid petrolatum) is a mixture of several liquid hydrocarbons obtained by the distillation of high boiling fractions (ie 300 ° 390 ° C) of petroleum. The mineral oil is liquid at ambient temperatures, for example 20 ° -25 ° C. As a result, the mineral oil is relatively fluid and mobile, even when applied to the upper sheet diapers. Because the mineral oil is fluid and mobile at ambient temperatures, it does not tend to remain localized on the surface of the upper sheet, but instead migrates through the upper sheet into the diaper. Accordingly, relatively high levels of mineral oil need to be applied to the top sheet to provide the benefits of the desired therapeutic or protective coating lotion.

This leads not only to the increased costs for these diaper products with lotion, but to other detrimental effects as well. One of these detrimental effects is a decrease in fluid handling properties as high levels of mineral oil tend to block openings in the top sheet. Also, as the mineral oil migrates into the diaper, it tends to act as a hydrophobic additive, thereby decreasing the absorbency of the underlying absorbent core, if used. This decrease in absorbency becomes more pronounced as the level of mineral oil applied increases. Even without increasing its level, the tendency of the mineral oil to migrate once applied, has another harmful effect. For example, the applied mineral oil can be transferred to and through the packaging or wrapping material of the diaper product with lotion. This may create the need for a wrapping or barrier-type wrapping films to prevent staining or other run-off of mineral oil from the diaper product. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide diaper products with lotion that: (1) have desirable therapeutic or protective coating lotion benefits (2) do not require relatively high levels of coatings that are liquid at room temperature (eg, mineral oil), ( 3) do not adversely affect the absorbent capacity of the diaper product; and (4) do not require special wrapping or barrier materials for packaging. U.S. Patent No. 3,585,998 to Hayford et al. Describes a disposable baby diaper, an inner liner of which contains an arrangement of capsules that are ruptured by pressure, containing baby oil. The patent teaches that it is desirable to break the capsules before using the diaper, applying pressure with such household items as a pastry roller, hand iron, etc. The same principle of pressure rupturing capsules is used in U.S. Patent No. 3,464,413 to Goldfarb et al. For making webs capable of delivering a medical material to a lesion. The articles described by both patents have a serious disadvantage. Namely, unless the capsules are broken by applying pressure before using the diaper or band, the skin care substance contained in the capsules is either not supplied at all or is not uniformly supplied leaving some areas of uncoated skin. U.S. Patent No. 3,896,807 to Buchalter teaches an article impregnated with a solid oil phase of cream formulation, which forms a cream upon the addition of moisture thereto. A major disadvantage of the article described by the reference is that the transfer of a beneficial substance from the absorbent substrate to the skin is delayed and only takes place when the bodily fluids are released. U.S. Patent No. 3,489,148 to Duncan et al. Teaches a baby diaper comprising a hydrophobic and oleophobic top sheet, wherein a portion of the top sheet is coated with a discontinuous film of an oleaginous material. A major disadvantage of the diapers described in the Duncan and others reference is that the hydrophobic and oleophobic top sheets are slow in promoting the transfer of urine to the underlying absorbent cores. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable diaper having a hydrophilic topsheet having superior fluid handling property. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hydrophilic diaper topsheet having a lotion coating on the outer surface of the topsheet, which is transferable to the wearer's skin and is effective in reducing the adhesion of the to the skin, thereby improving the ease of grooming them. It is still an object of the present invention, desirable, to provide diaper products with lotion that: (1) have the benefits of removable, cleansing, therapeutic lotion coating or protective, desirable (2) does not require relatively high levels of mineral oil, (3) does not adversely affect the fluid handling properties of the diaper; and (4) do not require wrapping materials or special barriers for packaging. These and other objects are obtained using the present invention, as it will become apparent easier from reading the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a disposable diaper having a lotion coating on the outer surface of the topsheet, which is semi-solid or solid at ambient temperatures (i.e., at 20 ° C) and is adapted to be transferred to the skin of user, where it acts to reduce the adhesion of the to the skin of the user, thereby improving the ease of grooming the. Briefly, the disposable diapers of the present invention comprise: A) a back sheet impervious to liquid; B) a hydrophilic upper sheet, permeable to the liquid, attached to said back sheet, said sheet having an inner surface oriented towards the interior of said diaper and a surface oriented towards the wearer's skin, when said diaper is being used, wherein at less a portion of said outer surface of the top sheet comprises an effective amount of a lotion coating which is semi-solid or solid at 20 ° C, and which is partially transferable to the wearer's skin, said lotion coating comprising : (i) from about 10 to about 95% of a substantially water-free emollient having a plastic or fluid consistency at 20 ° C, and comprising a member selected from the group consisting of petroleum-based emollients, emollients of esters of fatty acid, emollients alkyl ethoxylate, polysiloxane emollients, and mixtures thereof; (ii) from about 5 to about 90% of an agent capable of immobilizing said emollient on said outer surface of the topsheet, said immobilizing agent having a melting point of at least 35 ° C; and C) an absorbent core positioned between said top sheet and said back sheet. The amount of the lotion coating on at least a portion of the upper sheets of the diaper of the present invention preferably ranges from about 0. 1 mg / in2 to approximately 25 mg / in2, more preferably from approximately 1 mg / in2 to approximately 10 mg / purg. The upper sheets of the diaper with lotion according to the present invention provide the benefits of coating cleansing, therapeutic or protective lotions of the desirable. Because the emollient is immobilized substantially on the surface of the topsheet, less lotion composition is needed to impart the desired skin care benefits.

In addition, special barrier or wrapping materials in the packaging of diaper products with lotion of the present invention are unnecessary. As will be discussed hereinafter, the lotion compositions of the present invention preferably have a melting profile such that they are relatively immobile and located on the upper sheet of the diaper at room temperature, are transferable to the wearer at body temperature, and still not be completely liquid under extreme storage conditions. Importantly, the lotion compositions of the present invention are easily transferable to the skin by means of normal contact, user movement, and / or body heat. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the lotion composition changes the surface energy of the skin and / or forms a "barrier" that reduces the affinity of the skin to the El. The El, therefore, has a Reduced tendency to stick to the skin, and is easier to remove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic representation illustrating a preferred method for applying the lotion composition of the present invention to the diaper topsheet. Figure 2 is a schematic representation illustrating an alternative procedure for applying the lotion composition of the present invention to the upper sheets of the diaper. Figure 3 is an absorbent article in the form of a diaper, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "comprising" means that the various components, ingredients, or steps, may be used unitarily in the practice of the present invention. Accordingly, the term "comprising" includes the more restrictive terms "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of". All percentages, ratios and proportions used herein are by weight, unless otherwise specified.

A. Absorbing article As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and contain exudates from the body, and more specifically, refers to devices that are placed against a user's skin to absorb and contain the various discharged exudates. of the body the term "disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles that are not intended to be washed or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article, after a single use. Examples of disposable absorbent articles include feminine hygiene garments such as sanitary napkins and pantiliners, diapers, incontinence briefs, diaper carriers, training pants and the like. Disposable absorbent articles typically comprise a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet attached to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. Disposable absorbent articles and their components, including the topsheet, the backsheet, the absorbent core, and any individual layers of these components, have a body surface and a garment surface. As used herein, "body surface" means that the surfaces of the article or component is intended to be worn towards or adjacent to the user's body, while "the garment surface" is on the opposite side, and is intended to be worn towards or positioned adjacent to the user's body or undergarment, when the disposable absorbent article is used. The following description generally discusses the absorbent core, top sheet and backsheet materials, which are useful in disposable absorbent articles. It should be understood that this general description applies to these components of the specific absorbent articles shown in Figure 3, and described further below, in addition to those of other disposable absorbent articles that are generally described herein. In general, the absorbent core is capable of absorbing or retaining liquids, for example, menstruation, urine, and / or other body exudates. The absorbent core is preferably compressible, conformable and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. The absorbent core can be made from a wide variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, oval, hourglass, T-shaped, dog bone, asymmetric, etc.). In addition to the absorbent blended materials of the present invention, the absorbent core can include any of a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in absorbent articles, such as crushed wood pulp, which is generally referred to as an air filter. Examples of other absorbent materials suitable for use in the absorbent core include folded cellulose wadding; melt blown polymers including coform; chemically hardened, modified or crosslinked cellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers such as entangled polyester fibers; peat moss, paper, including paper wrappers and paper laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges; super absorbent polymers, gelling absorbent materials; or any equivalent material or combinations of materials or mixtures thereof. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core can also be varied (for example, the absorbent core can have variable gauge zones and / or have a profile to be thicker in the center; hydrophilic gradients; gradients of the absorbent mixed material of the present invention, super absorbent gradients; or areas of lower average basis weight and lower average density, for example, acquisition zones; or may comprise one or more structure layers). The total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core must, however, be compatible with the design load and intended use of the absorbent article. In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core can be varied to suit different uses, such as diapers, incontinence pads, linings for panties, regular sanitary napkins, and nighttime sanitary napkins and to adjust to users varying from babies to adults. The absorbent core may include other absorbent components that are often used in the absorbent articles, for example, a dust removal layer, an impregnation or liquid acquisition or acquisition layer or a secondary upper sheet to increase user comfort. The top sheet is preferably deformable, of soft feel and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, the upper sheet is permeable to liquid, allowing liquids (eg, menstruation and / or urine) to easily penetrate through its thickness. An appropriate top sheet can be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as woven and nonwoven materials (e.g., a non-woven fiber web); polymeric materials, such as thermoplastic films formed with apertures, apertured plastic films, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; cross-linked foams; crosslinked thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic canvases. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials may be comprised of natural fibers (eg, wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (eg, polymer fibers such as polyester fibers, polypropylene or polyethylene) or a combination of natural fibers and synthetic. When the top sheet comprises a nonwoven web, the web can be manufactured from a large number of known techniques. For example, the weft can be linked by spinning, carded, wet-laid, melt-blown, hydroentangling, combinations of the above, or the like. The backsheet is impervious to liquids (eg, menstruation and / or urine) and is preferably manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid-impermeable materials may also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to materials that are deformable and will readily conform to the shape and contom and general of the human body. The backsheet prevents the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core from wetting articles that come into contact with the absorbent article, such as sheets, pants, pajamas and undergarments. The backsheet can, thus, comprise a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films such as polyethylene polypropylene thermoplastic films or mixed materials such as a film-coated nonwoven material. A suitable backsheet is 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 is preferably highlighted or embossed and / or finished in matte to provide a more fabric-like appearance. In addition, the backsheet can allow vapors to escape from the absorbent core (ie, the backsheet is breathable), while still preventing the passage of exudates through the backsheet. The size of the backsheet is dictated by the size of the absorbent core and the exact design of the selected absorbent article. The back sheet and the top sheet are placed adjacent to the garment surface and the body surface, respectively, of the absorbent core. The absorbent core is preferably bonded to the topsheet, backsheet, or both in any manner as known by means of attachment (not shown in Figure 3), such as those well known in the art. However, embodiments of the present invention contemplated where portions of the total absorbent core are unattached to either the topsheet, the backsheet or both.

For example, the backsheet and / or the topsheet can be secured to the absorbent core or to each other by a continuous, uniform adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, or an array of separate spirable lines or spots of adhesive. The adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota under the designation HL-1258 or H-2031. The attachment or attachment means will preferably comprise an open-pattern web of adhesive filament as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986, issued to Minetola et al., March 4, 1986, which is incorporated herein by reference. the present by reference. An illustrative attachment means of an open filament pattern network comprises several lines of adhesive filaments twisted in a spiral pattern as illustrated by the apparatus and method shown in United States Patent No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague. , Jr. on October 7, 1975, United States Patent No. 4,785,996 issued to Zwieker et al. On November 22, 1978; and U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference. Alternatively, the joining means may comprise heat bonds, pressure joints, ultrasonic joints, dynamic mechanical joints, or any other means of joining or combining these joining means or combination of these joining means as are known in the art. technique. A preferred disposable absorbent article, in which the top sheets with lotion of the present invention can be used are diapers. As used herein, the term "diaper" refers to an absorbent article generally worn by infants, and incontinent persons that is worn around the wearer's lower torso. In other words, the term "diaper" includes baby diapers, training pants, adult incontinence devices, etc. Figure 3 is a plan view of the diaper 50 of the present invention in its flattened state, non-contracted state (ie, with elastic induced contraction downward) with portions of the structures that are cut out to more clearly show the construction of the diaper 50, and with the portion of the diaper 50 that gives away from the wearer, the outer surface, facing the viewer. As shown in Figure 3, diaper 50 preferably comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 520; a liquid impermeable backsheet 530 bonded with the topsheet 520; an absorbent core 540, positioned between the upper sheet 520 and the back sheet 530, the absorbent core 540 having a garment facing surface 542, a body facing surface 544, side edges 546, waist edges 548, and ears 549. The diaper further comprises elastified leg folds 550; multiple elastic waist feature designated as 560, and a generally multiple fastening system designated 570. The diaper 50 is shown in Figure 3, having an outer surface 52, an inner surface 54, affixed to the outer surface 52, a first waist region 56, a second waist region 58, and a periphery 51 that is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 50, in which they are designated 55 to the longitudinal edges and are designated 57 to the extreme edges. (Although the skilled artisan will recognize that a diaper is usually described in terms of having a pair of waist regions and a crotch region between the waist regions, in this application, for simplicity of terminology, the diaper 50 is described as having only waist regions that include a portion of the diaper that would typically be designated as part of the crotch region).

The inner surface 54 of the diaper 50 comprises that portion of the diaper 50 which is placed adjacent to the user's body during use (i.e., the inner surface 54 is generally formed by at least a portion of the upper sheet 520 and other components that can be attached to the upper sheet 520 and other components that can be attached to the upper sheet 520). The outer surface 52 comprises that portion of the diaper 50 that is positioned away from the wearer's body (i.e., the outer surface 52 is generally formed by at least a portion of the back sheet 530 and other components that may be attached to the back sheet 530). (As used herein, the portion of the diaper 50 or its component that faces the wearer is also referred to as the surface that faces the body.) Similarly, the portion that gives away from the wearer is also referred to as the surface that gives towards the garment). The first waist region 56 and the second waist region 58 extend, respectively, from the end edges 57 of the periphery 51 to the lateral centerline 53 of the diaper 50. Figure 3 also shows the longitudinal centerline 59. Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the diaper 50, wherein the topsheet 520 and the backsheet 530 have length and width dimensions generally greater than those of the absorbent core 540. The elasticized leg folds 550 and the backsheet 530 extend beyond of the edges of the absorbent core 540 for thereby forming the periphery 51 of the diaper 50. The diapers of the present invention can have a number of well-known configurations, with the absorbent cores thereof, being adapted to the present invention. Exemplary configurations are generally described in U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 issued to Buell on January 14, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell et al. on September 29, 1992; United States patent NO. 5,221, 274 issued to Buell et al. On June 22, 1993. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Another diaper configuration to which the present invention can be easily adapted is described in copending United States Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 203,456, filed February 28, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference. The absorbent cores of the diapers described in these patents can be adapted in light of the techniques herein to include the absorbent composite of the present invention as a gelling absorbent material described herein. A topsheet 520 that is particularly suitable for use in the diaper 50 is carded and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the art of fabrics. A top sheet satisfactory for the present invention comprises short length polypropylene fibers having a denier of about 2.2. As used herein, the term "short length fibers" refers to those fibers having a length of at least about 15.9 mm. Preferably, the topsheet has a basis weight of about 14 to about 25 grams per square meter. An appropriate top sheet is manufactured by Veratec, Inc. a division of International Paper Company of Walpole, Mass, under the designation P-8. The topsheet 520 of the diaper 50 is preferably made of a hydrophilic material to promote the rapid transfer of liquids (eg, urine) through the topsheet. If the upper sheet is made of a hydrophobic material, at least the upper surface of the upper sheet is treated so that it is hydrophilic, in such a way that the liquids will transfer more rapidly through the upper sheet. This decreases the likelihood that the body exudate will flow out of the top sheet instead of being conducted through the top sheet and being absorbed by the absorbent core. The top sheet can be made hydrophilic, treating it with a surfactant. Appropriate methods for treating the topsheet with a surfactant include spraying the top sheet material with a surfactant and immersing the material within the surfactant. A more detailed discussion of such treatment and hydrophilicity is contained in U.S. Patent No. 4,988,344 entitled "Absorbent Articles with Absorbent Layers of Multiple Layers", issued to Reising, et al. On January 29, 1991 and the patent of the United States No. 4,988,345 entitled "Absorbent Articles with Rapid Acquisition Absorbent Nuclei" issued to Reising on January 29, 1991, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. In a preferred embodiment of a diaper as described herein, the backsheet 530 has a modified hourglass shape extending beyond the absorbent core, at a minimum distance of about 1.3 cm to about 6. 4 cm around the total periphery of the diaper. The absorbent core 540 can assume any size or shape that is compatible with the diaper 50. A preferred embodiment of the diaper 50 has a modified, asymmetric T-shaped absorbent core 540 having ears in the first waist region, however, a generally rectangular shape in the second waist region.

Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core of the present invention which have achieved wide acceptance and commercial success are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,610,678 entitled "High Density Absorbent Structures", issued to Weisman et al. on September 9, 1986; U.S. Patent No. 4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent Articles with Two-Cores Layers ", issued to Angstadt on December 19, 1989, and U.S. Patent No. 4,834,735 entitled" Absorbent Core having a Dust-Free Layer ", issued to Alemany et al. On May 30, 1989. The absorbent core it may further comprise the dual core system containing an acquisition / distribution core of chemically hardened fibers placed on the storage absorbent core as detailed in U.S. Patent No. 5,234,423 entitled "Absorbent Article with Elastic Waist Characteristics and Increased Absorbency ", issued to Alemany et al. On August 10, 1993, and United States Patent No. 5,147, 345 entitled" High Efficiency Absorbent Articles for Incontinence Management ", issued to Young, LaVon and Taylor September 15, 1992. All of these patents are incorporated herein by reference In a preferred embodiment, the diaper 50 further comprises elasticized leg folds 550 to provide improved containment of liquids and other body exudates. An elastic waist feature 560 that provides improved fit and containment; and a fastening system 570 that forms a side closure that maintains the first waist region 56 and the second waist region 58 in an overlapping configuration, such that side tensions are maintained around the circumference of the diaper to maintain the diaper in the user. The diaper 50 may also comprise elasticized side panels (not shown) in the waist regions 56 and 58, to provide an elastically extensible feature that provides a greater contour fit and comfort, and more effective application of the diaper 50. Elasticized folds of leg 550 can be constructed in a number of different configurations, including those described in U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003; U.S. Patent No. 4,909,803 issued to Aziz et al. on March 20, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,695,278, issued to Lawson on September 22, 1987; and U.S. Patent No. 4,795,454, issued to Dragoo on January 3, 1989; each being incorporated herein by reference. The elasticized waist feature preferably comprises an elasticised waistband (not shown) that can be constructed in a number of different configurations, including that which is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,515,595 issued to Kievit et al., May 7 from 1985; U.S. Patent No. 5,026,364 issued to Robertson on June 25, 1991; and the above-referenced United States Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell et al. on September 29, 1992, each of these references being incorporated herein by reference. Elasticized side panels can be constructed in a number of configurations. Examples of diapers with elasticized side panels placed on the ears (ear flaps) of the diaper are described in United States Patent No. 4,857,067 issued to Wood et al. On August 15, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,381, 781, issued to Sciaraffa et al. on May 3, 1983; U.S. Patent No. 4,938,753 issued to Van Gompel et al. on July 3, 1990; and U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell et al. on September 29, 1992; each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Illustrative fastening systems 570 are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,846,815, issued to Scripps on July 11, 1989; United States patent NO. 4,894,060 issued to Nestegard on January 16, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 3,848,594 issued to Buell on November 19, 1974; U.S. Patent No. B1 4,662,875, issued to Hirotsu et al. on May 5, 1987; and U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell et al. on September 29, 1992; each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The diaper 50 is preferably applied to a user by placing one of the waist regions of the diaper, preferably the second waist region 58, under the user's back and the rest of the diaper is dire between the user's legs, in such a way that the other waist region, preferably the first waist region 56, is placed across the front of the user. The clamping system is then applied to effect the lateral closure. The upper lotion sheets of the present invention are also useful in training pants, the term "training pants", as used herein, refers to disposable garments having fixed sides and leg openings. The training pants are placed in position on the user by inserting the user's legs into the leg openings, and sliding the training pants into position around the user's lower torso. Appropriate training pants are described in the United States patent NO. 5,246,433, issued to Hasse et al. On September 21, 1993. Another disposable absorbent article to which the upper sheets with lotion of the present invention are useful are articles for incontinence. The term "incontinence article" refers to pads, undergarments (pads held in place by a suspension system of the same type, such as a belt or the like), inserts for absorbent articles, capacity reinforcements for absorbent articles, trusses, bed pads, and the like, regardless of whether they are used by adults or other incontinent people. Suitable incontinence articles are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,253,461 issued to Strickiand et al. On March 3, 1981; Patent No. 4,597,760 and 4,597,761 issued to Buell; the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 4,704,115; U.S. Patent No. 4,909,802 issued to Ahr et al .; U.S. Patent No. 4,964,860 issued to Gipson et al. on October 23, 1990; and in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07 / 637,090 filed by Noel et al. on January 3, 1991 (PCT Publication No. W0 92/11830 published July 23, 1992).

B.- Lotion Composition The lotion compositions of the present invention are solid, or more often semi-solid at 20 ° C, ie at ambient temperatures. By "semi-solid" it is implied that the lotion composition has a typical clockwork of pseudoplastic or plastic fluids. When no shear is applied, the lotion compositions may have the appearance of a semi-solid, but may be flowed as the shear rate increases. This is due to the fact that, although the lotion compositions contain primarily solid components, they also include some minor liquid components. The compositions of the present invention are at least semi-solid at room temperature, to minimize the migration of the lotion. In addition, the lotion compositions preferably have a final melting point (100% liquid) above the potential stress storage conditions which may be greater than 45 ° C (eg warehouse in Arizona, trailer in Florida, etc.). ) Specifically, the lotion compositions of the present invention should have the following melting profile: Feature Preferred scale Highly preferred% in liquid 2-50 3-25 room temperature (20 ° C)% in liquid 25-95 30- 90 at body temperature (37 ° C) final melting point (° C) > 38 > Four. Five Being solid or semi-solid at ambient temperatures, these lotion compositions do not have a tendency to flow and migrate into the upper sheet of the diaper, to which they apply. This means that less lotion composition is required to impart the benefits of therapeutic or protective coating lotion.

When applied to the outer surface of the upper sheets of the diaper, the lotion compositions of the present invention are transferable to the user's skin through normal contact, user movement and / or body heat. Importantly, the lotions described in the present invention reduce the adhesion of the El to the user's skin, thereby improving the ease of grooming the El. The upper sheets of the diaper of the present invention contain an effective amount of the composition. of lotion. As used herein, the term "effective amount of a lotion coating" refers to an amount of a particular lotion composition which, when applied to an upper sheet of the diaper, will be effective in reducing the adhesion of the The to the user's skin. Of course, the effective amount of a lotion coating will depend to a large extent on the particular lotion composition used. The lotion compositions of the present invention comprise: (1) an emollient or emollients; (2) an immobilizing agent or agents for the emollient; (3) optionally a hydrophilic surfactant agent or agents; and (4) other optional components. The viscosity of the formulated lotion compositions, including emollient, immobilizing agent and optional components, should be as high as possible to keep the lotion from flowing into the diaper. Unfortunately, high viscosities also lead to lotion compositions being difficult to apply without processing problems. Therefore, a balance must be achieved in such a way that the viscosities are high enough to maintain the lotion compositions located on the surface of the upper sheets of the diaper, but not too high to cause processing problems. Appropriate viscosities for lotion compositions will typically vary from about 5 to about 2,000 centipoise, preferably from about 15 to about 100 centipoise measured at 60 ° C. 1. Emollient The key active ingredient in these lotion compositions is one or more emollients. As used herein, an emollient is a material that softens, with comfort, moisturizes and lubricates the skin. For the purposes of the present invention, these emollients have either a plastic or fluid consistency at 20 ° C, that is, at ambient temperatures. This particular consistency of the emollient allows the lotion composition to impart a smooth, lubricating and lotion-like feel. The emollients useful in the present invention are also substantially free of water. By "substantially free of water" it is meant that water is not intentionally added to the emollient. The addition of water to the emollient is not necessary in the preparation or use of the lotion compositions of the present invention, and may require an additional drying step. However, minor or almost no water in the emollient that is collected as a result of, for example, environmental humidity can be tolerated without adverse effect. Typically, the emollients used in the present invention contain about 5% or less of water, preferably about 1% less water, most preferably about 0.5% less water. Emollients useful in the present invention may be petroleum-based emollients, fatty acid ester emollients, alkyl ethoxylate emollients, fatty acid ester ethoxylate emollients, fatty alcohol type emollients, polyoloxano type emollients, or mixtures of these emollients. Petroleum-based emollients include those hydrocarbons, or mixtures of hydrocarbons, which have cinnamon lengths from 16 to 32 carbon atoms. Petroleum-based hydrocarbons that have these chain lengths include mineral oils (also known as "liquid petrolatum") and petrolatum (also known as "mineral wax", "petroleum jelly" and "mineral jelly"). Mineral oil usually refers to less viscous mixtures of hydrocarbons having from 16 to 20 carbon atoms. Petrolatum usually refers to more viscous mixtures of hydrocarbons having from 16 to 32 carbon atoms. Petrolatum and mineral oil are particularly preferred emollients for the lotion compositions of the present invention. Suitable emollients of the fatty acid ester type include those derived from the C 12 -C 28 fatty acids, preferably saturated C 16 -C 22 fatty acids, and short chain monohydric alcohols ICgC, preferably Q -C). Representative examples of such esters include methyl palmitate, methyl stearate, isopropyl laurate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, ethyl exyl palmitate, and mixtures thereof. Suitable fatty acid emollients thereof can also be derived from chain esters of longer chain fatty alcohols (C12-C28, preferably C12-C16) and shorter chain fatty acids, for example, lactic acid, such as lauri lactate and cetyl lactate. Suitable alkyl ethoxylate emollients include C12-C22 fatty alcohol ethoxylates having an average degree of toxication of from about 2 to about 30. Preferably, the fatty alcohol ethoxylate emollient is selected from the group consisting of lauryl ethoxylates. , cetyl ethoxylates, and aryl ester ethoxylates, and mixtures thereof, having an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from about 2 to about 23. Representative examples of said alkyl ethoxylates include laureth-3 (a lauryl ethoxylate having a average degree of toxilation of 3), laureth-23 (a lauryl ethoxylate having an average degree of ethoxylation of 23), ceteth-10 (a cetyl alcohol ethoxylate having an average degree of ethoxylation of 10), an ethoxylate of stearyl alcohol having an average degree of ethoxylation of 10). These alkyl ethoxylate emollients are typically used in combination with petroleum-based emollients, such as petrolatum, in a weight ratio of emollient alkyl ethoxylate to petroleum-based emollient of from about 1: 1 to about 1: 5, preferably from about 1: 2 to about 1: 4. Suitable fatty alcohol type emollients include C12-C22 fatty alcohols, preferably C16-C18 fatty alcohols. Representative examples include cetyl alcohol and aryl ester alcohol and mixtures thereof. These fatty alcohol emollients are typically used in combination with petroleum-based emollients, such as petrolatum, at a weight ratio of fatty alcohol emollients to petroleum-based emollients of from about 1: 1 to about 1: 5, preference of about 1: 1 to about 1: 2. Other suitable types of emollients for use in the present invention include the polysiloxane compounds. In general, polysiloxane materials suitable for use in the present invention include those having monomeric siloxane units of the following structure: R1 I - Yes - O - (1) R2 wherein R ^ and R2, for each monomeric independent siloxane unit can each independently be hydrogen or any alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, araalcaryl, arachidyl, cycloalkyl, halogenated hydrocarbon or other radical radical. Any of said radicals can be substituted without replacing. The radicals R1 and R2 of any particular monomer unit may differ from the corresponding functionalities of the next immediate monomer unit. Additionally, the polysiloxane can be either a straight chain, a branched chain or have a cyclic structure. The radicals R, and R, can additionally independently be other silicon functionalities such as, but not limited to siloxanes, polysiloxanes, silanes and polysilanes. The radicals R1 and R2 may contain any of a variety of organic functionalities including, for example, functionalities of alcohol, carboxylic acid, phenyl and amine. Illustrative alkyl radicals are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, exyl, opyl, decyl, octadecyl, and the like. Illustrative alkenyl radicals are vinyl, allyl, and the like. Exemplary aryl radicals are phenyl, diphenyl, naphthyl, and the like. Exemplary alkaryl radicals are toyl, guyl, ethyl phenyl, and the like. Illustrative aralkyl radicals are benzyl, atfa-phenylethyl, beta-phenylethyl, alpha-phenylbutyl, and the like. Exemplary cycloalkyl radicals are cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cycloexole, and the like. Illustrative halogenated hydrocarbon radicals are chloromethyl, bromoethyl, tetrafluoroethyl, fluoroethyl, trifluoroethyl, trifluorotyl, hexafluoroglyl, and the like. The viscosity of useful polysiloxanes can vary as widely as the viscosity of the polysiloxanes vary in a general manner, as long as the polysiloxane is flowable or can be made to be flowable for the application of the topsheet of the diaper. This includes, but is not limited to viscosity as low as 5 centisokes (at 37 ° C as measured by a glass viscometer), to approximately 20,000,000 centisokes. Preferably, the polysiloxanes have a viscosity at 37 ° C ranging from about 5 to about 5,000 centisokes, more preferably from about 5 to about 2,000 centisokes, most preferably from about 100 to about 1000 centisokes. The high viscosity polysiloxanes, which by themselves are resistant to flow, can be effectively deposited on the upper sheets of the diaper by such methods as, for example, emulsifying the polysiloxane in the surfactant, or providing the polysiloxane in solution with help of a solvent, such as exano, cataloged solely for illustrative purposes. Particular methods for applying polysiloxane emollients to the upper sheets of the diaper are discussed in more detail hereinafter. Preferred polysiloxane compounds for use in the present invention, are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,059,282 (Ampuiski et al.), issued October 22, 1991, which is incorporated herein by reference. Particularly preferred polysiloxane compounds for use as emollients in the lotion compositions of the present invention, phenyl functional compounds of polymethylsiloxane (e.g. Dow Corning 556 cosmetic grade fluid: polyphenylmethylsiloxane) and cetyl or functional stearyl dimethicones raised such as fluids of Dow 2502 polysiloxane and Dow 2503, in addition to said substitution with functional or alkyl phenyl groups, the effective substitution can be made with amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl, ether, polyester, aldehyde, cebuone, amide, ester, and lime groups. Of these effective substituent groups, the family of groups comprising phenyl, amino, alkyl, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, are more preferred than the others; and phenyl functional groups are very preferred. Other than the petroleum-based emollients, fatty acid ester emollients, fatty acid ester ethoxylates, fatty alcohol emollients, alkyl ethoxylate emollients, and polysiloxanes, the emollients useful in the present invention may include minor amounts, for example , up to about 10% of the total emollient) of other conventional emollients. These other conventional emollients include propylene glycol, glycerin, triethylene glycol, sparcium, or other waxes, fatty acids, and fatty alcohol ethers having from 12 to 28 carbon atoms in their fatty chain, such as stearic acid, propoxylated fatty alcohols; glycerides, acetoglycerides and ethoxylated glycerides of C12-C28 fatty acids; other fatty esters of polyhydroxy alcohols; lanolin and its derivatives. These other emollients should be included in a manner such that the solid or semi-solid characteristics of the lotion composition are maintained. The amount of emollient that can be included in the lotion composition will depend on a variety of factors, including the particular emollient involved, the similar lotion benefits desired, the other components in the lotion composition and the like. The lotion composition may comprise from about 10 to about 95% of the emollient. Preferably, the lotion composition comprises from about 20 to about 80%, most preferably from about 40 to about 75%, of the emollient. 2. Immobilization agent A particularly key component of the lotion compositions of the present invention is an agent capable of immobilizing the emollient in the upper sheet of the diaper, to which the lotion composition is applied. Because the emollient in the composition has a plastic or fluid consistency at 20 ° C, it tends to flow or migrate, even when subjected to annoying shear stress. When applied to an upper sheet of the diaper, especially in a molten or fused state, the emollient will not remain primarily on the surface of the upper sheet. Instead, the emollient will tend to migrate and flow into the diaper. This migration of the emollient into the diaper can cause undesirable effects on the absorbency of the diaper core, due to the hydrophobic characteristics of many of the emollients used in the lotion compositions of the present invention. This also suggests that much more emollient has to be applied to the upper sheet of the diaper to achieve the desired therapeutic or protective lotion benefits. By increasing the emollient by one level, not only does the cost increase, but it also exasperates the undesirable effect on the absorbency of the diaper core. The immobilization agent counteracts this tendency of the emollient to migrate or flow by keeping the emollient located primarily on the surface of the diaper upper sheet, to which the lotion composition is applied. This is believed to be due, in part, to the fact that the immobilization agent raises the melting point of the lotion composition above that of the emollient. Since the immobilizing agent is also miscible with the emollient (or solubilized in the emollient with the aid of an appropriate emulsifier), this entraps the emollient on the surface of the diaper upper sheet as well. This is also advantageous for "fixing" the immobilization agent on the surface of the upper sheet of the diaper. This can be achieved by using immobilization agents that crystallize rapidly (ie, solidify) on the surface of the top sheet. In addition, external cooling of the upper sheet of the diaper treated via blowers, fans, etc., can accelerate the crystallization of the immobilization agent. In addition to being miscible with (or solubilized in) the emollient, the immobilization agent needs to have a melting point of at least about 35 ° C. This is such that the immobilization agent by itself will not have a tendency to migrate or flow. Preferred immobilizing agents will have melting points of at least about 40 ° C. Typically, the immobilization agent will have a melting point in the range of about 50 to about 150 ° C. Immobilizing agents suitable for the present invention may comprise a member selected from the group consisting of C 14 -C 22 fatty alcohols, and C 12 -C 22 fatty alcohol ethoxylates, which have an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 2 to about 30. and mixtures thereof. Preferred immobilizing agents include C16-C1β fatty alcohols most preferably selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. Mixtures of ethyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol are particularly preferred. Other preferred immobilizing agents include C16-C18 fatty acids, most preferably selected from the group consisting of palmitic acid, stearic acid, and mixtures thereof. Blends of palmitic acid and stearic acid are particularly preferred. Still other preferred immobilizing agents include C16-C18 fatty alcohol ethoxylate having an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from about 5 to about 20. Preferably, the fatty alcohols, the fatty acids and the fatty alcohols are linear. In an important way, these preferred immobilizing agents such as the C16-C18 fatty alcohols increase the rate of crystallization of the lotion, causing the lotion to crystallize rapidly on the surface of the substrate. Lower levels of lotion, can, therefore, be used or a superior sensation of lotion can be supplied. Traditionally, greater quantities of lotion were needed to generate softness due to the flow of these liquids towards the diaper core. Other types of immobilizing agents can be used either alone or in combination with the fatty alcohols, fatty acids, and fatty alcohol ethoxylates described above. Examples of these other types of immobilizing agents include polydroxy fatty acid esters, polydroxy fatty acid amides, and mixtures thereof. The preferred esters and amides will have 3 or more free hydroxy groups in the polydroxy moiety, and are typically nonionic in character. Because of the possible skin sensitivity of those who use diaper upper sheets to which the lotion composition is applied, these esters and amides must also be relatively light and non-irritating to the skin. The polydroxy fatty acid esters suitable for use in the present invention will have the formula: wherein R is a C5-C31 hydrocarbyl group, preferably straight chain C, -C, 9 alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably straight chain C9-C17 alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably C2 alkyl or alkenyl? C17 straight chain; or their mixtures; Y is a polyhydroxy hydrocarbyl moiety having a hydrocarbyl chain with at least 2 free hydroxyls directly connected to the chain; and n is at least 1: appropriate Y groups can be polyol derivatives such as glycerol, pentaerythritol, sugars such as raffinose, maltodestroy, galactose, sucrose, glucose, gylose, fructose, maltose, lactose, mannose, and erythrose; sugar alcohols such as erythritol, gylitol, malitol, mannitol and sorbitol; of anhydrides of sugar alcohols such as sorbitan. Another class of suitable polydroxy fatty acid esters for use in the present invention comprise certain sorbitan esters, preferably the sorbitan ester of saturated C 16 -C 22 fatty acids. Because of the manner in which they are typically manufactured, these sorbitan esters usually comprise mixtures of mono, di, tri, esters, etc. Representative examples of suitable sorbitan esters include sorbitan palmitates (eg, SPAN 40), sorbitan stearates (eg, SPAN 60), and sorbitan behenates, which comprise one or more of the mono-di and triester versions of these sorbitan esters, for example, sorbitan mono, di- and tripalmitate, sorbitol mono- and di-tristeates, sorbitol mono-, di- and tri-behenate, also as sorbitol mono- and tri-esters of sorbitol mixed. Mixtures of different sorbitan esters can also be used, such as sorbitan palmitates with sorbitan stearates. Particularly preferred sorbitan esters are sorbitan stearates, typically as a mixture of monodo or tri-esters (plus some tetraester), such as SPAN 60 and sorbitan stearates sold under the trade name GLYCOMUL-S by Lanza, In. Although these sorbitan esters typically contain mixtures of mono-, di- and tri-esters, plus some tetraester, the mono- and di-esters are usually the predominant species in these mixtures. Another class of polyhydroxy fatty acid esters suitable for use in the present invention comprise certain glyceryl monoesters, preferably glyceryl monoesters of saturated C 16 -C 22 fatty acids such as glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl mono palmitate, and glyceryl monobehenate. Again, as the sorbitan esters, the glyceryl monoester mixtures will typically contain some di- and triester. However, such mixtures should predominantly contain the glyceryl monoester species that are useful in the present invention. Another class of polyhydroxy fatty acid esters suitable for use in the present invention comprise certain sucrose fatty acid esters, preferably the C12-C22 saturated fatty acid esters of sucrose. Sucrose monoesters and di-esters are particularly preferred, and include sucrose mono- and di-stearate and sucrose mono- and di-laurate. The polyhydroxy fatty acid amides suitable for use in the present invention will have the formula: OR R1 II I R2 - C - N - Z wherein R 1 is H, hydrocarbyl, -C, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl or a mixture thereof, preferably C 1 -C 4 alkyl, methoxyethyl or methoxypropyl, more preferably C alkyl, or Q or methoxypropyl, most preferably alkyl of O, (ie, methyl) or methoxypropyl and R is a hydrocarbyl group degC ^ C preferably C7-C19 straight-chain alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably C9-C17 alkyl or alkenyl straight chain, most preferably alkyl or alkenyl of straight Q 1 -C 7, or mixtures thereof; and Z is a polyhydroxydrocarbyl moiety having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain. See United States patent NO. 5, 174,927 (Honsa), issued December 29, 1992 (incorporated herein by reference), describes these polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, as well as their preparation. The Z portion will preferably be derived from a reduced sugar in an amination reaction most preferably glycityl. Suitable reduced sugars include glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose, and gylose. High dextrose corn syrups, high fructose corn syrups, and high maltose corn syrups can also be used, as well as individual sugars previously cataloged. These corn syrups can produce mixtures and sugar components for the Z-portion. The Z-portion will preferably be selected from the group consisting of CH2- (CH0H) N-CH20H, -CH CHHHCH2OH-CH2CH-, CH2OH- CH 2 - (CHOH) 2 (CHOR 3) (CHOH) -CH 2 OH, wherein n is an integer from 3 to 5, and R 3 is H or a synnic or aliphatic monosaccharide. Very preferred are glycityls wherein n is 4, particularly -CH2- (CHOH) 4-CH2OH. In the above formula, R1 may be, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl, N-methoxypropyl or N-2-hydroxypropyl. R2 can be selected to provide, for example, cocamides, esteramides, polyamides, lauramides, myristamides, capricamides, palmitamides, ceboamides, etc. The Z portion can be 1-deoxyglucityl, 2-deoxyfuctility, 1-deoxymaltityl, 1-deoxylactityl, 1-deoxyglactityl, 1-deoxymethyl, 1-deoxy-thiotriotityl, etc. The highly preferred polyhydroxy fatty acid amides have the general formula: wherein R 1 is methyl or methoxypropyl; R2 is a straight chain alkyl or alkenyl group of C? RC17. These include N-lauryl-N-methyl glucamide, N-lauryl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide, N-cocoyl-N-methyl glucamide, N-cocoyl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide, N-palmityl-N-methoxyrpyl glucamide, N-cocoyl -N-methoxypropyl glucamide, N-palmityl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide, N-tseboyl-N-methyl glucamide, or N-tseboyl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide. As previously noted, some of the immobilization agents require an emulsifier for solubilization in the emollient. This is particularly the case for certain of the glucamides such as N-alkyl-methoxypropyl glucamides having HLB values of at least about 7. Appropriate emulsifiers will typically include those having HLB values below about 7. In this regard, the sorbitan esters described previously, such as sorbitan stearates, which have HLB values of about 4.9 or less, have been found useful in the solubilization of these glucamide immobilization agents in petrolatum. Other suitable emulsifiers include steareth-2 (this from polyethylene glycol stearyl alcohol which conform to the formula CH3 (CH2) 17 (OCH2CH2) nOH, where n has an average value of 2, sorbitan triestarate, isosorbide laurate, and monostearate of The emulsifier can be included in an amount sufficient to solubilize the immobilizing agent in the emollient, such that a substantially homogeneous mixture is obtained, for example, a mixture of about 1: 1 N-cocoyl-N-methyl glucamide and Petrolatum, which normally will not melt in a single phase mixture, will melt in a single phase mixture upon addition of 20% of a 1: 1 mixture of Steareth-2 and sorbitan triestarate as the emulsifier. to be used as immobilization agents, either alone or in combination with the above-mentioned immobilization agents, include cedestals such as carnauba, beeswax, candelilla, paraffin, eresina, esparto, ouricuri, prayer wax, and other known waxes. Preferably, the wax is a paraffin wax. An example of a particularly preferred paraffin wax is S.P paraffin. 434 by Strahl and Pitsch In. P.O. Box 1098 West Babylon, NY 11704. The amount of immobilization agent that must be included in the lotion composition will depend on a variety of factors, including the particular emollient involved, the particular immobilization agent involved, if an emulsifier is required to solubilize the immobilizing agent in the emollient, the other components of the lotion composition and the like. The lotion composition may comprise from about 5 to about 90% of the immobilizing agent. Preferably, the lotion composition comprises from about 5 to about 50%, most preferably from about 10 to about 40%, of the immobilizing agent. 3. Optional hydrophilic surfactant As mentioned above it is highly desirable that the diaper topsheet be made of a hydrophilic material to promote the rapid transfer of liquids (eg, urine) through the topsheet. Similarly, it is important that the lotion composition is also capable of wetting sufficiently to ensure that liquids are transferred through the topsheet more rapidly. This decreases the likelihood that the body exudates will flow out or deviate from the lotion coating instead of being directed through the top sheet, and be absorbed by the absorbent core. Depending on the particular immobilization agent used in the lotion composition of the present invention, an additional hydrophilic surfactant (or a mixture of hydrophilic surfactants) may or may not be required to improve the wettability. For example, some immobilization agents, such as N-cocoyl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide have HLB values of at least about 7, and are capable of sufficiently wetting without the addition of hydrophilic surfactants. Other immobilization agents such as HLB fatty alcohols having HLB values of less than about 7 will require the addition of the hydrophilic surfactant to improve the wettability, when the lotion composition is applied to the upper sheets of the diaper. Similarly, a hydrophobic emollient such as petrolatum will require the addition of a hydrophilic surfactant.

Suitable hydrophilic surfactants will be miscible with the emollient and the immobilizing agent to form homogeneous mixtures. Because of the possible skin sensitivity of those using the disposable absorbent products, to which the lotion composition is applied, these surfactants must also be relatively mild and non-irritating to the skin. Typically, these hydrophilic surfactants are non-ionic so that they are not only non-irritating to the skin, but also avoid other undesirable effects on any underlying laminate structure of tissue, for example, reduction in tensile strength. Suitable nonionic surfactants may be substantially non-migrating after the lotion composition has been applied to the upper sheets of the diaper, and will typically have HLB values in the range of about 4 to about 20, preferably about 7 to about 20. To be non-migratory, these nonionic surfactants will typically have melting temperatures higher than the temperatures commonly encountered during storage, shipping, sale, and use of the disposable absorbent products, for example, at least about 30 ° C. In this regard, the nonionic surfactants will preferably have melting points similar to those of the immobilization agents previously described. Suitable nonionic surfactants for use in the lotion compositions of the present invention include alkyl glycosides, alkyl glycoside ethers as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,011,389 (Langdon, et al.), Issued on April 8, March 1977; alkyl polyethoxylated esters such as Pegosperse 1000MS (available from Lanza, ln., Fair Lawn, New Jersey), mono-, di- and / or ethoxylated sorbitan tri-esters of C 12 -C 18 fatty acids having an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 2 to about 20, preferably from about 2 to about 10, such as TWEEN 60 (sorbitan esters of stearic acid having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 20) and TWEEN 61 (sorbitan esters of stearic acid having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 4), and the condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with from about 1 to about 54 moles of ethylene oxide. The alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol is typically in a straight chain (linear) configuration and contains from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred are the condensation products of the alcohols having an alkyl group containing from about 11 to about 22 atoms, with from about 2 to about 30 moles of ethylene oxides per mole of alcohol. Examples of these ethoxylated alcohols include the condensation products of the midistyl alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. The condensation products of coconut alcohol (a mixture of fatty alcohols having alkyl chains ranging in length from 10 to 14 carbon atoms), with about 6 moles of ethylene oxide. A number of suitable ethoxylated alcohols are commercially available including TERGITOL 15-S-9 (the condensation product of C 1 -C 4 linear alcohols with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), marketed by Union Carbide Corporation; KYRO EOB (condensation product of linear alcohols of C13-C15 with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), marketed by The Procter & Gamble Co., the NEODOL brand name surfactants marketed by Shell Chemical Co., in particular NEODOL 25-12 (condensation product of linear C12-C15 alcohols with 12 moles of ethylene oxide) and NEODOL 23- 6.5T (condensation product of linear alcohols of C12-C13 with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide that has been distilled (primary distillation to remove certain impurities), and especially the PLURAFAC brand name surfactants marketed by BASF Corp., in particular PLURAFAC to -38 (a straight chain alcohol condensation product of C18 with 28 moles of ethylene oxide). (Certain of the hydrophilic agents, in particular the ethoxylated alcohols such as NEODOL-25-12, may also function as alkyl ethoxylate emollients). Other examples of preferred ethoxylated alcohol surfactants include the ICI class of Brij surfactants and mixtures thereof, with Brij 72 (ie Steareth-2) and Brij 76 (ie, Steareth-10) which is especially preferred. Also, mixtures of ethyl alcohol and ethoxylated stearyl alcohol at an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 10 to about 20, can also be used as the hydrophilic surfactant. Another type of surfactant suitable for use in the present invention includes aerosol OT, a dioctyl ester of sodium sulfosuxinic acid marketed by the American Cynamid Company. Yet another type of surfactant suitable for use in the present invention includes silicone copolymers such as General Eletric SF 1188 (a copolymer of a polydimethylsiloxane and a polyoxyalkylene ether) and General Electric SF 1228 (a copolymer of silicone polyether). These cylindrical surfactants can be used in combination with other types of hydrophilic surfactants discussed above, such as ethoxylated alcohols. These silicone surfactants have been found to be effective at concentrations as low as 0.1%, more preferably from about 0.25 to about 1%, by weight of the lotion composition The amount of the hydrophilic surfactant required to increase the capacity of the lotion composition to a desired level will depend on the HLB value and the level of the immobilizing agent used, the HLB value of the surfactant used and the like. The lotion composition may comprise from about 1 to about 50% of the hydrophilic surfactant when it is required to increase the wettability properties of the composition. Preferably, the lotion composition comprises from about 1 to about 25%, most preferably from about 10 to about 20%, of the hydrophilic surfactant when it is required to increase the wettability. 4. - Other optional components The lotion compositions may comprise other optional components typically present in emollient, creams and lotions of this type. These optional components include water, viscosity modifiers, perfumes, antibacterial disinfectant actives, pharmaceutical actives, film formers, deodorants, dimming agents, astringents, solvents and the like. In addition, stabilizers may be added to increase the shelf life of the lotion composition such as cellulose derivatives, proteins and lecithin. All of these materials are well known in the art as additives to such formulations, and may be employed in appropriate amounts in the lotion compositions of the present invention.

C- Treatment of the upper sheets of the diaper with the lotion composition In the preparation of the diaper products with lotion according to the present invention, the lotion composition is applied to the outer surface, (i.e., the surface that gives towards the body) of an upper sheet of the diaper. You can use any of a variety of application methods that evenly distribute lubricating materials that have a molten or liquid consistency. Appropriate methods include spraying, embossing (eg, flexographic printing), coating (e.g., gravure coating), extrusion, or combinations of these application techniques, for example spraying the lotion composition on a rotating surface, such as a roller. calendering, which is then transferred the composition to the outer surface of the upper sheet of the diaper. The manner of applying the lotion composition to the upper sheet of the diaper should be such that the top sheet does not become saturated with the lotion composition. If the upper sheet becomes saturated with the lotion composition, there is a greater potential for the lotion to block the openings of the upper sheet, reducing the ability of the upper sheet to transmit the fluid to the underlying absorbent core. Also, saturation of the top sheet is not required to obtain the benefits of therapeutic and / or protective lotion. Particularly suitable application methods will apply the lotion composition primarily to the outer surface of the diaper upper sheet. The minimum level of lotion that is applied to the upper sheets of the diaper is an effective amount to reduce the adhesion of the to the user's skin. The lotion composition is preferably applied to the upper sheets of the diaper of the present invention in an amount ranging from about 0.1 mg / in2 to about 25 mg / in2 more preferably from about 1 mg / in2 to about 10mg / in2 (milligrams of lotion per square inch of top coated sheet). Because the emollient is immobilized substantially on the surface of the topsheet, less lotion composition is needed to impart the desired skin care benefits. Such relatively low levels of the lotion composition are suitable for imparting the desired therapeutic lotion and / or protective benefits to the top sheet, still not saturating the properties of absorbency and wettability of the upper leaves. The lotion composition can be applied to the total surface of the top sheet or parts thereof. Preferably, the lotion composition is applied on a strip lined with and centered on the longitudinal centerline of the disposable absorbent article. Most preferably, as described in the examples herein below, the lotion composition is applied to a discrete version of the top sheet, eg, a patch 3.75 inches wide (lateral direction of the diaper) and 7 inches long. (longitudinal direction of the diaper), generally disposed toward the second waist region. The lotion composition can also be applied non-uniformly to the outer surface of the diaper upper sheet. By "non-uniform" it is implied that the quantity, distribution pattern, etc. of the lotion composition may vary on the surface of the top sheet. For example, some portions of the treated surface of the topsheet may have a greater or lesser amount of lotion composition, including portions of the surface that do not have any lotion composition thereon. The lotion composition can be applied to the top sheet at any point during assembly. For example, the lotion composition can be applied to the top sheet of the finished disposable absorbent article before it has been packaged. The lotion composition can also be applied to the top sheet before it is combined with other raw materials to form a finished disposable absorbent product. The lotion composition is typically applied from a molten substance thereof to the upper sheet of the diaper. Because the lotion composition melts significantly above ambient temperatures, it is usually applied as a hot coating to the top sheet. Typically the lotion composition is heated to a temperature in a range of about 35 ° to about 100 ° C, preferably 40 ° to about 90 ° C, before being applied to the upper sheet of the diaper. Once the molten lotion composition has been applied to the upper sheet of the diaper, it is allowed to cool and solidify to form solidified coating or film on the surface of the upper sheet. Preferably, the application process is designed to help the cooling / setting of the lotion. When applying the lotion compositions of the present invention of the upper sheets of the diaper, the methods of spraying, gravure coating and extrusion coating are preferred. Figure 1 illustrates 1 of said preferred methods involving spraying the coating on the top sheet of the diaper before the top sheet is assembled with the other raw materials in a finished product. Referring to Figure 1, a web of the nonwoven top sheet 1 is unwound from a roll of the top top sheet 2 (rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow 2a) and advanced to the spray station 6 where a side of the weft is sprayed with a hot, molten lotion composition (eg 65 ° C). After it leaves the spray station 6, the weft of the non-woven upper sheet 1 becomes an upper weave sheet with lotion indicated by 3. The weft of the upper sheet with lotion 3 is then advanced around the rotating roller 4 and of the rotating roller 8, and then winding on the main roller of the top sheet with lotion (rotating in the direction indicated by arrow 10a). Figure 2 illustrates a preferred alternate method involving intermittent continuous spraying of the lotion composition on a diaper topsheet during the conversion operation. With reference to Figure 2, the conveyor belt 1 advances in the direction shown by the arrows on the rotating rollers 3 and 4, and arrives back to the conveyor belt 2. The conveyor belt 1 brings the no-nourishing diaper 5 to the spray station 6, where the patch of the upper sheet 7 is sprayed with a hot, molten lotion composition (e.g. 65 ° C). After leaving the spray station 6, the diaper without lotion 5 becomes a diaper with lotion 8 having a top sheet with lotion. The amount of the lotion composition transferred to the top sheet patch 7 is controlled by: (1) the rate at which the molten lotion composition is sprayed from the spray station 6; and / or (2) the speed at which the conveyor belt 1 travels under the spray station 6.

SPECIFIC ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE PREPARATION OF THE UPPER LEAVES OF THE DIAPER WITH LOTION ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT INVENTION The following are specific illustrations of treatment of the upper sheets of the diaper with lotion compositions according to the present invention: Example 1 A. Preparation of the Lotion Compositions A water-free lotion composition is made by mixing together the following molten (i.e., liquid) components: mineral oil (bedding white mineral oil, 8U USP, made by Witco Corp.), cetearyl alcohol (a linear, mixed C16-C18 primary alcohol made by The Procter &Gamble Co., under the name TA-1618); Steareth-2 (Brij 72, a linear alcohol ethoxylate of C18 that has an average degree of ethoxylation of 2, made by ICI America). The percentages by weight of these components are shown in the following table 1: CUADR0 1 B. Preparing the top layer of the diaper with lotion by spraying the hot melt state Lotion composition A is placed in a heated tank operating at a temperature of 125 ° F. The composition is subsequently sprayed (using a Dynatec E84B1758 spray head operating at a temperature of 165 ° F and a spray pressure of 2.40 psig) on the top sheet of a diaper with an area of 3.75 inches in width (lateral direction of the diaper) and inches in length (longitudinal direction of the diaper), the patch starting one inch forward of the lateral center line and extending toward the back of the product. Add level = (9.3 g / m2).

Example 2 The composition lotion A (prepared according to the procedure of example 1) is subsequently sprayed onto the top sheet of a diaper on a strip 3.75 inches wide (lateral direction of the diaper) centered on the longitudinal center line and extending to the total length of the product. Add level = (9.3 g / m2) EXAMPLE 3 The lotion composition A (prepared according to the procedure of example 1) is subsequently sprayed onto the top sheet of a diaper on a strip of 3.75 inches in width (lateral direction of the diaper) centered on the longitudinal centerline and a area 7 inches long (longitudinal direction of the diaper), starting the patch an inch forward of the lateral center line and extending towards the back of the product. The level of adding = (4.65 g / m2).

Example 4 A. Preparation of Lotion Compositions A water-free lotion composition is made by mixing together the following molten (i.e., liquid) components: mineral oil (incarnate white mineral oil, USP made by Witco Corp), and cetearyl alcohol (a C16-C18 primary alcohol made by Procter &Gamble Co. under the name TA-1618. The percentages by weight of these components are shown in Table II below: Table II B. Preparation of the tissue with lotion by hot melt spraying. Lotion composition B is placed in a heated tank operating at a temperature of 125 ° F. The composition is subsequently sprayed (using a Dynatec E84B1758 sprayer, which operates at a temperature of 165 ° F and a spray pressure of 2.40 psig) on the top sheet of a diaper in an area of 3.75 inches in width (lateral direction of the diaper ) and 7 inches long (longitudinal direction of the diaper), started in patch 1 inch forward of the lateral centerline and extending towards the back of the product. The level of adding = 9.3 gr / m2 (0.006 gr / in2).

EXAMPLE 5 A. Preparation of Lotion Composition A water-free lotion composition (Lotion D) was made by mixing together the following molten (i.e. liquid) components: White Protopet® 1S (white petrolatum made by Witco Corp.); cetearyl alcohol (a linear, mixed C16-C18 primary alcohol, made by The Procter &Gamble Co., under the name TA-1618); Steareth-2 (Brij 762, a C1β linear alcohol ethoxylate having an average degree of ethoxylation of 2, made by ICI America). The percentages by weight of these components are shown in Table I below: A water-free lotion composition (Lotion C) was made by mixing together the following molten (i.e., liquid) components, in the percentages by weight shown in the Table III below, according to the procedure of Example 2: Picture lll B. Preparation of tissue with lotion by hot melt spraying. The lotion composition C is placed in a heated tank operating at a temperature of 125 ° F. The composition is subsequently sprayed (using a Dynatec E84B1758 sprayer, which operates at a temperature of 165 ° F and a spray pressure of 2.40 psig) on the top sheet of a diaper in an area of 3.75 inches in width (lateral direction of the diaper ) and 7 inches long (longitudinal direction of the diaper), started in patch 1 inch forward of the lateral centerline and extending towards the back of the product. The level of adding = 9.3 gr / m2 (0.006 gr / in2).

EXAMPLE 6 A. Preparation of lotion composition A water-free lotion composition (Lotion C) was made by mixing together the following molten (i.e. liquid) components: White Protopet® 1S (white petrolatum made by Witco Corp.); Cosmetic Grade Fluid Dow Corning 556 (a polyphenylmethylsiloxane made by Dow Corning Corporation); An example of a particularly preferred paraffin wax is Paraffin S.P. 434 (a paraffin wax made by Strahl and Pitsch Inc.); cetearyl alcohol (a linear, mixed C16-C18 primary alcohol, made by The Procter &Gamble Co., under the name TA-1618); PEG 2000 (a polyethylene glycol having a MW of 200, made by Sigma-Aldrich Corp.). The percentages by weight of these components are shown in Table IV below: Table IV B. Preparation of tissue with lotion by hot melt spraying. The lotion composition D is placed in a heated tank operating at a temperature of 150 ° F. The composition is subsequently sprayed (using a Dynatec E84B1758 sprayer, operating at a temperature of 170 ° F and a spray pressure of 2.40 psig) on the top sheet of a diaper in an area of 3.75 inches in width (lateral direction of the diaper) ) and 7 inches long (longitudinal direction of the diaper), started in patch 1 inch forward of the lateral centerline and extending toward the back of the product. The level of adding = 9.3 gr / m2 (0.006 gr / in2).

Claims (10)

1. A disposable diaper characterized in that it comprises: a) a backsheet impervious to liquid; b) a hydrophilic upper sheet, permeable to the liquid, attached to said back sheet, said sheet having an inner surface oriented towards the interior of said diaper and a surface oriented towards the wearer's skin, when said diaper is being used, wherein at less a portion of said outer surface of the upper sheet comprises an effective amount of a lotion coating which is semi-solid or solid at 20 ° C, and which is partially transferable to the wearer's skin, said lotion coating comprising : (I) from 10 to 95% of a substantially water-free emollient having a plastic or fluid consistency at 20 ° C, and comprising a member selected from the group consisting of oil-based emollients, emollients of fatty acid esters , alkyl ethoxylate emollients, polysiloxane emollients, and mixtures thereof; (ii) from 5 to 90%, preferably from 5 to 50% of an immobilizing agent capable of immobilizing said emollient on said outer surface of the upper sheet, said immobilizing agent having a melting point of at least 35 ° C, preference at least 40oC; wherein said immobilizing agent is selected from polyhydroxy fatty acid esters, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, C14-C22 fatty alcohols, fatty acids of,, C12-C22 fatty alcohol ethoxylates, and mixtures thereof; and C) an absorbent core positioned between said top sheet and said back sheet.

The disposable diaper according to claim 1, wherein said emollient contains 5% or less of water, and comprises a petroleum-based emollient selected from mineral oil, petrolatum, and mixtures thereof, preferably petrolatum.

3. The disposable diaper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the amount of the lotion coating on said portion of said outer surface of the top sheet varies from 0.1 mg / inch2 to 25 mg / inch2, preferably 1 mg. / inch2 to 10 mg / inch2.

4. The disposable diaper according to claim 1 or 3, wherein said emollient comprises a fatty acid ester emollient selected from methyl palmitate, methyl stearate, isopropyl laurate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, ethylhexyl, lauryl lactate and cetyl lactate, and mixtures thereof, or an alkyl ethoxylate emollient selected from C12-C18 fatty alcohol ethoxylates, which have an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 2 to 30.

5. The diaper disposable according to any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein said immobilizing agent comprises a C 14 -C 22 fatty alcohol, preferably a fatty alcohol de-selected from cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and mixtures thereof.

6. The disposable diaper according to any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein said immobilization agent comprises a fatty acid ester of polyhydroxy having the formula: wherein R is a C5-C3I hydrocarbyl group; Y is a polyhydroxy hydrocarbyl moiety having a hydrocarbyl chain with at least 2 free hydroxyls directly connected to the chain; and n is at least 1, preferably said polyhydroxy fatty acid ester is selected from sorbitan esters of saturated C 16 -C 22 fatty acids, glyceryl monoesters of saturated C 16 -C 22 fatty acids, and sucrose esters of acid C12-C22 saturated fatty acids, most preferably said polyhydroxy fatty acid ester is selected from sorbitan palmitates, sorbitan stearates, sorbitan behenates, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl monopalmitate, glyceryl monobehenate, mono- and di-stearates of sucrase, and sucrose mono- and di-laurate.

7. The disposable diaper in accordance with any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein said immobilization agent comprises a fatty acid amide of polyhydroxy having the formula: or R1 II I R2 - C - N - Z wherein R1 is H, hydrocarbyl of C1-C4, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl or a mixture thereof, preferably R1 is N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl, N-methoxypropyl or N-2-hydroxypropyl; R2 is a C5-C31 hydrocarbyl group, preferably R2 is straight-chain alkyl or alkenyl of C? C17, or a mixture thereof; and Z a polyhydroxycarbyl portion having a linear hydrocarbon chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, preferably glycityl, most preferably said polyhydroxy fatty acid amide is selected from N-lauryl-N-methyl glucamide, N- lauryl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide, N-cocoyl-N-methyl glucamide, N-cocoyl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide, N-palmityl-N-methoxyphopyl glucamide, N-cocoyl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide, N-palmityl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide, N-tseboyl-N-methyl glucamide, or N-tseboyl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide.

The disposable diaper according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said lotion coating further comprises 1 to 50%, preferably 1 to 25%, of a hydrophilic surfactant, said hydrophilic surfactant being preferably nonionic, said hydrophilic surfactant having a HLB value of at least 4, preferably from 4 to 20.

The disposable diaper according to claim 8, wherein said hydrophilic surfactant comprises an ethoxylated alcohol having a chain alkyl of from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably from 11 to 22 carbon atoms, and having an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 54, preferably from 2 to 30.

10. The disposable diaper in accordance with Claim 9, wherein said hydrophilic surfactant comprises an ethoxylated sorbitan ester of a C12-C18 grade acid, having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 2 to 20.