MXPA98010312A - Extendable absorbent article including a free agent - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an absorbent article that includes an absorbent pad and an outer cover. A release agent is applied to one of the outer surface of the absorbent pad and the inner surface of the outer cover. The release agent prevents at least a portion of the outer cover from adhering to the absorbent pad. In embodiments where the outer cover is extendable in a transverse direction and / or in a longitudinal direction, the release agent prevents the absorbent pad from resisting the mobility of the outer cover. Therefore, the absorbent pad has essentially no adhesion to the outer cover where the release agent is applied. Therefore, tearing the absorbent pad and damaging, or releasing, the super absorbent material of the absorbent pad during the extension of the outer cover is avoided. The release agent can be a silicone active agent or a powder material having properties that prevent adhesion between the adhesive and an absorbent pad tester or outer cover.

Description

EXTENDABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE INCLUDING A LIBERATING AGENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION Absorbent articles such as infant diapers, training underpants, adult incontinence products, and the like are well known. Such absorbent articles have achieved wide acceptance because of their ability to receive and absorb exudates from the body, either large or small amounts, and generally include an absorbent core there.

In typical absorbent articles, an absorbent pad has an absorbent core contained within a barrier tissue and a forming tissue. The absorbent pad is located between an outer cover and a side-to-body liner.

This invention pertains to the expandable absorbent articles for use in storage exudates. The outer cover comprises an expandable material in at least one direction. An adhesive is generally applied to a first interior surface of the outer cover. A releasing agent is applied to a first surface facing away from the forming tissue or a part of the inner surface of the outer covering over the adhesive. The releasing agent prevents the forming tissue, on the effective area, from being secured to the outer covering. Therefore, the absorbent pad is not adhered to the extendable outer cover, over the effective area, between the side-to-body liner and the outer cover. Therefore, the absorbent pad does not tear when the absorbent article is extended in at least the direction in which the outer cover is stretchable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general, absorbent articles should fit comfortably in a user's body. Most absorbent articles include an absorbent pad formed by an absorbent core contained in a wrapper comprising a barrier tissue and / or a forming tissue. The present invention describes an absorbent article and a method for making an absorbent article generally having extensibility in at least one direction, preferably in the transverse direction. Such extensibility allows an absorbent article to extend and expand around and conform to the user's body. Such extension and expansion around the user is possible because both the body-side liner and the outer cover are extendable in at least that one direction.

However, in conventional structures, the outer cover is typically secured in adhesive form to the tissue forming the absorbent pad. In talee incorporations, the cover that extends in the direcciór. cross section extends to the absorbent pad in the transverse direction. In such embodiments, the force used to extend the outer cover, and thus the absorbent pad, may tear or otherwise damage the absorbent pad. Since the absorbent pad is typically a sealed enclosure, such as an absorbent core enclosed within the combination of a forming tissue and a barrier tissue, the tearing of the absorbent pad, nominally either a forming tissue or the barrier tissue, It can release super absorbent particles and other materials to make contact with the body of the user. The particles can irritate the user's skin, and indicate a failure of the absorbent article to function properly. Therefore, it is critical, and essential, to find a way to avoid tearing or other structural failure of the absorbent pad.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, an absorbent article includes an absorbent pad having a first surface and a second opposing surface, an outer cover having a third surface and a fourth surface, a pattern of adhesive material placed on the first surface of the absorbent pad or on the third surface of the outer cover, and an effective amount of a release agent placed on one of the first surface of the absorbent pad and at least a portion of the third surface of the outer cover, the release agent prevents adhesion of the third surface of the outer cover to The first surface of the absorbent pad so that the absorbent core placed on the absorbent pad has essentially no adhesion to the outer cover on the surface effectively treated with the release agent.

In some embodiments, the absorbent pad includes a first tissue positioned in a surface-to-surface relationship with the first surface of said absorbent pad, so that the release agent is applied to the first tissue of the absorbent pad and at least one part of the third surface of said outer cover.

In most embodiments, the absorbent article includes a side-to-body liner, and a second tissue placed between the body-side liner and the absorbent core. The second tissue and the first tissue are preferably secured to one another around at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the absorbent core to thereby enclose the absorbent core.

In some embodiments, at least one of the side-to-body liner and the outer cover comprise an elastically extendable material. In some embodiments, the side-to-body liner and the outer cover are both elastically stretchable, they may have essentially the same amounts of extension one as the other in a given direction.

In some embodiments, the outer cover comprises a bonded and tapered laminate.

In some embodiments, the side-to-body liner and the outer cover are both extendable in at least the transverse direction.

In some embodiments, the absorbent article includes an emergence layer placed between the body-side liner and the second tissue. The tissue layer can be secured to the side-to-body liner by a hot melt adhesive.

In some embodiments, the absorbent article includes the first and second containment fins.

In some embodiments, the release agent comprises an active silicone material placed on one of the first tissue and the outer cover. The silicone active material may comprise an amino functional silicone.

In other embodiments, the release agent comprises powder material applied to one of the first tissue and the outer cover. The powder material may comprise, for example, corn starch, erucamide, sodium bicarbonate, talc, or calcium stearate, among other materials.

In the preferred embodiments, the adhesive material secures the outer cover to the side-to-body liner at locations positioned outwardly from an outer perimeter of the absorbent pad.

In some embodiments, the absorbent article is free of the elastic waist elements.

In some embodiments, the absorbent article includes the leg elastics placed in at least the crotch portion to provide extension and retraction in a longitudinal direction.

In some embodiments of the invention, the absorbent article comprises a side-to-body liner having a contact surface with the body and an opposite surface, the opposite surface being mounted in a surface-to-surface relationship in at least a portion of the body. the outer cover, the outer cover includes an adhesive material on an inner surface thereof, a release agent which interacts with the adhesive material and therefore avoids, on the surface effectively treated with the release agent the adhesion of the outer cover to the first tissue.

In the preferred embodiments, the release agent allows the extension of the outer cover in the transverse direction without damaging the absorbent pad.

In the preferred embodiments, the side-to-body liner comprises an extendable material.

In some embodiments, the body side liner and the outer cover are both extendable in at least the transverse direction, the release agent allows the outer cover to extend to at least about 30 percent, and preferably to at least about 200 percent, in the transverse direction without damaging the absorbent pad. In addition, the release agent may allow the outer cover to extend at least about 30 percent in the longitudinal direction without damaging the absorbent pad.

In some embodiments, the first tissue defines a contact area in a surface-to-surface ratio with a surface of the outer cover, the silicone active agent acts as a coating distributed over essentially the entire contact area of the first tissue.

In many embodiments, the absorbent pad is not attached to either the side-to-body liner or the outer cover.

An embodiment for a method for making an absorbent article includes the steps of: applying a release agent to a first outer surface of a first tissue, the first tissue, in combination with a second tissue, essentially enclosing an absorbent core to thereby form an absorbent pad; applying the adhesive to a second inner surface of an extendable outer cover; and placing at least a first part of the first surface of the first tissue of the absorbent pad in a surface to surface relationship with at least a second part of the second surface of the outer cover so that the outer cover, including a part of the adhesive, interacts with the release agent, so that, on the surface effectively treated with the releasing agent, the releasing agent prevents the adhesive from adhering to the outer cover to the absorbent pad and thus allows the elastic extension of the adhesive. the outer cover in at least one direction without damage to the absorbent pad. The adhesive can be a hot-melt adhesive sprayed onto the outer cover.

In some embodiments, the method includes the step of applying a side-to-body liner to the second tissue so that the side-to-body liner lies on, and extends out of, the absorbent pad, and covers and contacts parts of the absorbent pad. the outer cover which extends outwardly from the absorbent pad, including that the side-to-body liner makes contact with at least part of the adhesive of the outer cover which is positioned outwardly of the outer perimeter of the absorbent pad.

In some embodiments, the method includes applying a longitudinally extending line of the hot-melt adhesive to a first surface of an emergence layer, and adhesively securing the emergence layer to the liner from side to body so that the emergence layer is located between the side-to-body lining and the absorbent pad.

In some embodiments, the method includes applying cold adhesive to secure the first tissue to the second tissue around essentially a full perimeter of the front portions of the first tissue and the second tissue so that the combination of first tissue and the second tissue provides an enclosure closed within which the absorbent number is received and retained.

In some embodiments, the step of applying the release agent comprises applying, on one of the first tissue and the outer cover, an effective amount of silicone active agent to prevent the adhesive on the outer cover from adhering to the first tissue.

In other embodiments, the step of applying the release agent comprises applying, on at least the first tissue and the outer cover, an amount of powdered material, for example talc or corn starch, effective to prevent the adhesive from adhering to the adhesive. the outer cover adheres to the first tissue.

In some embodiments, the release agent may be pre-applied to the first tissue before beginning the manufacturing process of the absorbent article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of the absorbent articles of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a cross section of the absorbent article taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment that does not have leg elastics.

The invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other incorporations or of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. As well, it should be understood that the terminology and phraseology used herein is for the purpose of description and illustration and not to be seen as limiting. Equal reference numbers are used to indicate the same components. The drawings are for illustration purposes and are not necessarily made to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED INCORPORATIONS The various embodiments of the present invention will be described in relation to their use in the absorbent articles, but it should be understood that the potential uses of the structures of the present invention do not need to be limited to the context of the absorbent articles.

As used herein and in the claims that follow, the phrase "absorbent article" is intended to include diapers, training pants, adult incontinence articles, women's hygiene products, and the like. Such articles generally receive and / or store urine and / or fecal matter or may have other significant absorbent function.

Figure 1 is a plan view representative of an absorbent article 8 of an embodiment of the present invention, in its non-contracted state (for example with all the folded induced elastic and removed contraction). The absorbent article 8, shown in Figure 1 includes a front part 10 having a front edge 12, a back part 14 having a trailing edge 16, and a crotch portion 18 between the front part 10 and the back part 14. The appendages 20 and 22 are secured to the side-to-body liner 24 on opposite sides of the back 14 of the absorbent article 8. The attachment lugs 20 and 22 extend outwardly from the sides of the backside 14. The cover The exterior 26 (shown in Figure 2) lies in a surface-to-surface relationship with the side-to-body liner 24. The leg elastics 28 generally provide a longitudinally retractable station in general shape and support in the crotch portion 18. containment fins 30 and 32 extend longitudinally along the extension of the absorbent article 8 into the respective side edges 34 and 36 of the absorbent article . The containment flaps 30 and 32 are typically secured to the body liner 24. The absorbent pad 38 may have an hourglass shape and be placed between the body side liner and the outer cover.

Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken at the point 2-2 of Figure 1. The absorbent pad 38 is located between the body-side liner 24 and the outer cover 26. The absorbent pad 38 includes a barrier tissue 40 and a forming tissue 42 surrounding an absorbent core 44. An adhesive 46 secures the barrier tissue 40 and the forming tissue 42 to each other. Thus the barrier tissue 40 and the forming tissue 42 enclose the absorbent core 44 and form an absorbent pad 38. The barrier tissue 40 includes a first surface 48 and a second opposing surface 50. Similarly, the forming tissue 42 includes a first inner surface 52 and a second opposed outer surface 54. The absorbent pad 38 receives and retains the exudates that pass through the liner from side to body 24. The adhesive 46 secures the first surface 48 and the barrier tissue 40 to the first surface 52 of the forming tissue 42 around an outer perimeter of the absorbent core 44.

The body side liner 24 has a first surface 58 and a second opposing surface 60. The outer cover 26 includes a first outer surface 62 and a second opposed inner surface 64. A layer of adhesive 66 is placed on the second inner surface 64. and securing the outer cover 26 to the liner from side to body 24.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the outer cover 26 and the side-to-body liner 24 are extendable, preferably are elastically extendable elements. The outer cover 26 is preferably extendable at least in the transverse direction "C". In such an arrangement, the extension of the outer cover 26, if firmly secured to the absorbent pad 38 in the first forming tissue 42, can apply force to the absorbent pad causing the forming tissue and / or the barrier tissue 40 to tear. and therefore allow the super absorbent material to escape. Such a problem may cause discomfort to a user and will be considered to be a product failure. So, the invention generally prevents the adhesive layer 66 from being secured to the outer cover 26 to form the tissue 42 over a desired area of the interface between the outer cover 26 and the forming tissue 42. This objective is achieved by applying an amount effective of the release agent 70 on either or both of the forming tissue 42 and the adhesive layer 66. An effective amount of the release agent 70 prevents adhesion / securing of the adhesive layer 66 to the forming tissue 42. Thus the release agent 70 provides the absorbent pad 38 with essentially no adhesion to the outer cover 26 on that part of the fabric. surface effectively treated with the release agent.

In other embodiments, the release agent 70 may be applied such that a narrow portion of the adhesive layer 66 in the center of the absorbent pad 38 and extending in the longitudinal direction "L" receives no releasing agent. Thus the outer cover 26 can be secured to the absorbent pad 38 in a manner similar to the securing shown by the adhesive line 78 in Figure 2 by securing the emergence layer 72 to the side-to-body liner 24. Such an arrangement prevents the pad Absorbent 38 moves outward from a position centered on an absorbent article 8 and allows for the extension of the outer cover 26 in the transverse direction "C" without stretching or tearing the absorbent pad.

The releasing agent 70 is shown, for the purposes of illustration, as a layer of material located between the forming tissue 42 and an adhesive layer 66 of the outer cover 26. However, the release agent 70 may comprise a coating or other layer. of material applied to the second outer surface 54 of the forming tissue 42 before the absorbent pad 38 is placed over the adhesive 66, or a coating or other layer of material applied to the outer cover 26 over portions of the adhesive layer 66.

Figure 2 also illustrates the emergence layer 72 having a first surface 74 and a second surface 76. The first emergence layer surface 74 is placed in a surface-to-surface relationship with the second surface 50 of the barrier tissue 40. Since an adhesive is not directly applied between the lining to the body 24 and the absorbent pad 38, the absorbent pad has relatively free mobility with respect to the side-to-body liner 24.

A line of adhesive 78 located in the longitudinal direction "L" extends along the center of the liner from side to body 24. The adhesive 78 therefore secures the liner from side to body 24 to the second surface 76 of the layer emergence 72 along a longitudinal center line, thereby ensuring the emergence layer 72 at a location suitable for the side-to-body liner 24 for use on the absorbent article 8. Having a line of longitudinal adhesive 75 allows the liner to side to body 24 a freedom to extend outwardly in the transverse direction "C" without significant resistance of the emergence layer 72 whereby the integrity of the emergence layer is typically nc threatened by such extension.

The line of the adhesive 78 between the emergence layer 72 and the side-to-body liner 24 prefers the securing of the emergence layer to the liner from side to body. The adhesive 78 preferably comprises a hot-melt adhesive extending in a longitudinal "L" direction along the center of the emergence layer 72, as illustrated in Figure 2. Thus, the emergence layer 72 is secured to the liner. from side to body 24 and generally allows a relatively free movement of the absorbent pad 38 with respect to the emergence layer.

The fastening appendages 20 and 22 may comprise the hook and loop fasteners to secure the back 14 of the absorbent article 8 to the front . Other known securing elements can be used to hold the absorbent article 8 on the wearer. For example, a cohesive system, an adhesive fastener system, or the like can be used as securing elements with suitable cooperating elements on the front part 10, as necessary, to hold the absorbent article 8 on the user. An example of the fastening appendage is shown in the United States patent application serial number 421,640 filed April 13, 1995 by Zehner et al., Entitled "Multiple Union Fastening System" the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, to the extent that such a description is consistent (not contradictory) with the subject matter described herein. The fastening appendages 20 and 22 can be permanently secured to the back 14 of the absorbent article 8 by, for example, ultrasonic bonding, adhesives, sewing or other known and conventional securing means.

As representatively shown in Figures 1 and 3, a side-to-body liner 24 and the outer cover 26 are generally coextensive and have dimensions of length and width greater than the dimensions of the absorbent pad 38. Thus the lining of side to body 24 is generally over imposed on the entire surface of the outer cover 26, thereby defining the periphery of the absorbent article 8. The absorbent pad 38 is preferably positioned between the outer cover 26 and the side-to-body liner 24 inward from the periphery of the absorbent article 8.

The body side liner 24 includes the first skin facing surface 58 which is soft, gentle, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, the body side liner 24 must be sufficiently porous to be permeable to aqueous liquids, allowing such liquid to penetrate and pass through its thickness.

A suitable body side liner 24 can be manufactured from a wide selection of woven materials, such as porous foams, cross-linked foams, perforated plastic films, natural woven and / or non-woven fibers, synthetic fibers, or a combination of natural fibers and synthetic The body side liner 24 is typically employed to help isolate the user's skin from liquids maintained in the absorbent pad 38. Various woven and non-woven fabrics can be used for the side-to-body liner 24. For example, the The body side liner 24 may be composed of a meltblown fabric or bonded with polyolefin fiber yarn. The body side liner 24 may also be a bonded and carded fabric composed of natural and / or synthetic fibers.

The body side liner 24 can be composed of an essentially hydrophobic and essentially non-wettable material, with the hydrophobic material optionally being treated with a surfactant or being processed in another manner to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side-to-body liner 24 has an extensibility, preferably an elastic extensibility, in at least one direction. "Elasticly stretchable" can be defined as a material that is retractable to essentially its original length or width with the release of an extension force. For example, the body side liner 24 can be a polypropylene fabric bonded with non-woven yarn. See U.S. Patent No. 5,226,992 issued to Morman et al., And incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, to the extent that it is consistent with the description given herein for the teaching of various materials which may be used. in the formation of the liner from side to body 24. The fabric can be creped or narrowed so that it can extend into at least one, or both of the directions IIJ_.II and prj "(in the longitudinal direction" L "and / or the cross direction "C").

The body side liner 24 may comprise a multiplicity of components, layers or partial layers which correspond to any of the materials described herein, as well as others known in the art. The fabric can be treated with a selected amount of surfactant, such as about 0.28 percent Triton X-102 surfactant available from Rohm and Haas Corporation of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The surfactant can be applied by any conventional means such as spraying, printing, brush coating or the like.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the body side liner 24 may comprise a stretched / bonded laminate having an elasticity and appropriate widths to create a general surface contact between the absorbent article 8 and the body of a wearer. The stretched-attached laminate comprises at least one two-layer composite in which one layer is a foldable layer and the other layer is a stretchable layer. The layers are joined together when the stretchable layer is in a stretched condition so that when the composite of the joined layers relaxes, the foldable layer is collected. The stretchable layer may be a film of stretchable material, such as a styrene-ethylene-styrene-styrene or other elastomeric polymer copolymer layer, or a plurality of optionally spaced yarns of a stretchable material such as latex. Other materials with similar properties can also be provided integral with the body-sided liner 24 or subject to it. Such materials should not interfere with the smooth texture of the side-to-body liner 24 against a user's skin.

The body side liner 24 preferably has an extensibility of at least about 30 percent, more preferably at least about 200 percent, in the transverse direction "C". In some embodiments, the side-to-body liner 24 may additionally have a similar extensibility in the longitudinal "L" direction. In other embodiments, the body-side liner 24 may be extendable only in the longitudinal direction. The outer cover 26 preferably comprises a first material that extends over and around essentially the entire general area of the absorbent article 8, and is capable of be extended in at least the transverse direction "C". Such materials include loosely woven and woven fabrics, carded and bonded fabrics, spin-linked fabrics and meltblown fabrics. A meltblown fabric typically includes meltblown microfibers. The material may also have multiple layers such as, for example, multiple spun bonded layers and / or melt blown layers. The material can be made of polymers such as, for example, polyolefins. Exemplary polyolefins include polypropylene, polyethylene, and copolymers of ethylene and propylene copolymers. See U.S. Patent No. 5,226,992 issued to Morman et al., And incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to the extent that it is consistent (not inconsistent) with the same, to teach various materials which may be used to form the outer cover 26. A preferred material for the outer cover layer 26 may comprise an extendable film laminated to a material bonded with nonwoven and tapered yarn.

The alternate constructions of the outer cover 26 may include a layer of woven fibrous fabric or woven fabric which has been constructed in whole or in part to impart the desired levels of liquid impermeability to selected regions thereof, such as the regions that are adjacent to each other. or close to the absorbent pad 38. Optionally, in some embodiments, an additional outer cover layer may cover the outer cover 26.

The outer cover 26 may optionally be composed of a breathable and microporous material that allows vapors to escape from the absorbent article while preventing liquid exudates from passing therethrough. For example, a suitable microporous film is a material known as PMP-1, which is available from Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc., a company having offices in Tokyo, Japan, - or a polyolefin film known as XKO-8044 and available of 3 M Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In another embodiment of the invention, the outer cover 26 can be a polypropylene fabric bonded with non-woven yarn. The fabric can be creped or tapered so that it is stretchable in at least one of the "L" and "C" directions or in both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction "C". The outer cover 26 may have an extensibility of at least about 30 percent and preferably at least about 200 percent in the transverse direction "C". In some embodiments, the outer cover 26 may additionally have a similar extensibility in the longitudinal direction "L".

Other materials having other advantageous features are also useful as the outer cover 26. For example, the outer cover 26 may comprise a stretched-attached laminate. The methods for making such materials are known to those skilled in the art.

Preferably both the outer cover 26 and the side-to-body liner 24 are expandable materials. Such extensibility should allow both layers to extend in some direction. At least one side facing body 24 and outer shell 26 are preferably elastically extendable, for example retractable to essentially their original width or length with the release of the extension force. In such embodiments, at least one of the side-to-body liner 24 and the outer cover 26 can return the absorbent article 8 to essentially its original shape and size with the release of the fastening appendages 20 and 22 or other such restrictions. . In such a case, the element that is merely extendable may follow the cover / liner retractable to the restoration size with the release. In other embodiments, both the side-to-body liner 24 and the outer cover 26 can be elastically stretched, and thus can and assist one another to return the absorbent article 8 to its former relaxed size and shape with the release of the appendages fastening 20 and 22.

The leg elastics 28 can be formed of separate materials which are fastened to the outer cover 26 and / or the side-to-body liner 24. Suitable materials for forming the leg elastics include the LYCRA® yarns, ribbons, or a or more layers of a polymeric and / or elastomeric material that can adhere to the absorbent article 8, thereby forming the leg elastics 28, while in a stretched or extended position. The leg elastics 28 provide for the limited extension of the absorbent article in a longitudinal "L" direction, from and to a relaxed condition. Alternatively, the material forming the leg elastic 28 can be fastened, in a relaxed condition, to the absorbent article 8 while the article is folded, so that the elastic constrictive forces are imparted to at least the crotch portion 18 of the absorbent article 8 when the leg elastic is elongated along the length of the absorbent article.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, wherein the outer cover 26 and / or the side-to-body liner 24 are formed of at least stretchable materials in the longitudinal direction "L", the extendable leg elastics 28 need not be provided for the absorbent article 8.

The opposing left and right spaced containment fins 30 and 32 extend longitudinally along the length of the absorbent article 8 into the respective side edges 34 and 36 of the absorbent article. In such embodiments as in Figure 3, the containment fins 30 and 32 are typically secured to the side-to-body liner 24. The dotted lines 56 indicate where the entire surface of the containment fins facing the liner is side to body 24 are secured to the liner from side to body outwardly from the crotch portion 18. Inward from the dotted lines 56, the containment flaps 30 and 32 are secured to the side-to-body liner 24 only at the inner edges of them, and therefore can be stopped or otherwise opened to receive and restrict exudates.

The example containment fins are set forth in U.S. Patent No. 4,704,116 issued November 3, 1987 to K. Enloe, the descriptions of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety in the extension in that it is consistent (not contradictory) with it.

The waist elastics (not shown) generally extend around the waist of the absorbent article 8. The front waist elastics and the rear waist elastics (not shown) generally comprise threads, tapes or one more layers of a polymeric material and / or elastomeric which may adhere or otherwise be mounted on the absorbent article 8 while the elastic is in a stretched condition. The waist elastics can comprise one or more individual threads of the elastomeric material, preferably in a generally parallel and spatially separated arrangement.

In some embodiments, which comprise the extendable outer covers 26 and / or the expandable side-to-body liners 24, the waist elastics can be omitted. The side lining to the extendable body 24 and the extendable outer cover 26 may obviate the need for the waist elastics while retaining the appropriate stretch function.

The absorbent pad 38 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, trapezoidal, T-shaped, I-shaped, hourglass-shaped, etc.) and a wide variety of materials. The size, and absorbent capacity, of the absorbent pad 38 must be compatible with the size of the intended user and the anticipated liquid load imparted by the intended use of the absorbent pad.

The absorbent pad 38 contains the absorbent core 44 enclosed by the barrier tissue 40 and the forming tissue 42. The adhesive 46 preferably comprises cold adhesive applied to the barrier tissue 40 and / or the forming tissue 42 around at least the outer perimeter of the absorbent core 44. Other known adhesives or bonding techniques can be used in place of the cold adhesive to secure the first surface 48 of the barrier tissue 40 to the first surface 52 of the forming tissue 42.

Barrier tissue 40 typically comprises creped wadding of porosity from a single stratum or the like. Other tissues may also function as barrier tissue 40 provided that adequate porosity and other characteristics are present. An example barrier tissue has a basis weight of 12.5 lbs / ream (one ream comprises about 3,000 square feet), a porosity of approximately 90 cubic feet per minute per square foot, and a dry strength of about 500 grams. .

The forming tissue 42 typically comprises a material similar to barrier tissue. An example forming tissue 42 has a porosity of approximately 400 cubic feet per minute per square foot, and a dry strength of about 730 grams. Other forming tissues made of materials having suitable characteristics can be used.

In some manufacturing processes of the absorbent article, the forming tissue is placed between the absorbent core 44 and the side-to-body liner 24. In such processes, the barrier tissue is positioned between the absorbent core 44 and the outer cover 26. both, in the claimed invention, the tissue placed between the absorbent core 44 and the outer cover 26 can be considered a first tissue (comprising a forming tissue or a barrier tissue) and the tissue placed between the absorbent core 44 and the side lining to the body 24 can be considered a second tissue (comprising a forming tissue or a barrier tissue).

In the second surface 54 of the forming tissue 42 it defines a contact area in a surface-to-surface ratio with the second inner surface 64 of the outer cover 26. The release agent 70 acts as a coating distributed over essentially the entire area of contact or a necessary part of said contact area on the second surface 54 of the forming tissue 42 which may potentially come into contact with the adhesive layer 66 on the second inner surface 64 of the outer cover 26.

The absorbent core 44 suitably comprises a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a cellulose fluff fabric, preferably in combination with a high absorbency material commonly known as a super absorbent material. In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent core 44 comprises a mixture of a super absorbent hydrogel-forming material and wood pulp fluff. Instead of the wood pulp fluff, one can use synthetic, polymeric, meltblown fibers or a combination of meltblown fibers and natural fibers. The super absorbent material can be mixed in an essentially homogeneous way with the hydrophilic fibers or can otherwise be combined in the absorbent core.

Alternatively, the absorbent core 44 may comprise a laminate of fibrous fabrics and the super absorbent material of other suitable means for maintaining a super absorbent material in a localized area.

The high-absorbency material in the absorbent core 44 may be selected from polymers and natural, synthetic and modified natural materials. The high-absorbency materials may be inorganic materials such as silica gels or organic compounds, such as crosslinked polymers. The term "crosslinked" refers to any means to effectively render the materials normally water-soluble essentially insoluble but swellable in water, whereby the absorbent properties are available but the swollen material is essentially immobile after absorbing the liquids based of water. Such means may include, for example, physical entanglement, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, complexes and ionic associations, hydrophilic associations such as hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic associations or Van der alls forces.

The body side liner 24 is secured to the outer cover 26 around at least one outer perimeter of the absorbent pad 38. Typically, such securing is provided by the adhesive 66. The adhesive 66 may comprise a full-width adhesive applied to the second surface 64 of the outer cover 26 as shown in Figure 2. The adhesive 66, however, may comprise a set of spaced lines of adhesive extending in a longitudinal direction "L". Adhesive 66 may preferably comprise the overlapping swirls of adhesive that follow the central distance between the spray guns of spaced adhesive applicators (not shown) aligned through a product direction. Such an arrangement decreases the amount of adhesive required and maintains the securing of the second surface 64 of the outer cover 26 to the second surface 60 of the side-to-body liner 24.

In cases where the body side liner 24 and the outer cover 26 are both transverse extendible in the "C" direction and in the "L" longitudinal direction, the adhesive 66 may comprise other patterns not including solid lines of adhesive in the adhesive. the longitudinal direction. For example, the adhesive 66 may comprise an angled pattern of adhesives or non-connected and spaced areas of adhesive. Such patterns prevent or limit the adhesive 66 from "closing" the stretching of the outer cover 26 in the longitudinal direction "L" or in the transverse direction "C". As used herein, "closure" means an adhesive or gum that prevents an expandable material from spreading for the designated amount because the adhesive creates a bond on at least one surface of the spreadable material.

In either case, any part of the adhesive layer 66 placed in a surface-to-surface relationship with the forming tissue 42, thereby to contact or adhere the outer cover 26 to the absorbent pad 38, except along the center line longitudinally in some embodiments, it should be avoided that it makes contact or adheres to the outer cover by means of the release agent 70.

The release agent 70 comprises a material applied either to at least a portion of the second outer surface 54 of the forming tissue 42 or to at least a portion of the second surface 64 of the outer cover 26 either before or after the application of the adhesive 66 to the outer cover and thus to the adhesive layer 66. Applying the release agent 70 the outer cover 26 before the application of the adhesive layer 66 allows the release agent to be applied and dried over the outer cover before the manufacture of the absorbent article 8.

Even though the release agent 70 appears to be a relatively thick layer in Figure 2, the release agent 70 may be a coating of relatively thin material so that the material may not be visible for visual observation without help in the cross section of Figure 2. The cross section of Figure 2 is for illustration purposes only. None of the dimensions shown in Figure 2 are necessarily accurate for any of the elements illustrated there.

In some embodiments, the release agent 70 comprises a silicone active agent. The silicone active agent preferably comprises an amino functional silicone. The silicone active agent can be sprayed or otherwise applied, preferably to a second surface 54 of the forming tissue 42 prior to the placement of the absorbent pad 38 in contact with the adhesive 66 on the outer cover 26. The active agent of Silicone can be sprayed as an emulsion / liquid solution including silicone, water and other materials. There are many silicones that will work. adequately. However, a silicone having an active amino content generates superior results. A preferred silicone emulsion is known as Dow No. 2-8153 manufactured by Dow Corning Corporation of Midland, Michigan. Dow Emulsion No. 2-8153 contains 35 percent by weight solids, and dry after application on the absorbent article 8. The amino functional silicone allows the silicone to bind to the forming tissue 42, preferably without migration through of the forming tissue to the absorbent core 44 or to the opposite surface 52 of the forming tissue. Thus the silicone release agent is attached to the forming tissue 42, but functions to repel the fastening between the outer cover 26 and the absorbent pad 38.

Another preferred silicone emulsion is known as Dow No. 7224 manufactured by Dow Corning Corporation of Midland, Michigan. Dow No. 7224 emulsion contains 32 percent by weight solids, and operates in a manner similar to emulsion 2-8153 described above.

The release agent 70 may also comprise an effective amount of a powder material such as corn starch, applied to at least one of the second outer surface 54 of the forming tissue 42 and the second inner surface 64 of the outer covering 26 The powder material has properties that prevent adhesion of the outer cover 26 to at least a portion of the second surface 54 of the forming tissue 42. The powder material preferably comprises corn starch. Other materials that can also be used as a release agent 70 include talc, talcum powder, certain baby powders, bicarbonate soda, super absorbent material, calcium stearate, and erucamide. None of the materials used above migrate through the forming tissue 42. Other products having similar properties can be used in place of the powder materials listed above.

The emergence layer 72 is generally located between the barrier tissue 40 and the side-to-body liner 24. The emergence layer 72 helps to spread the exudates over a substantial portion of the absorbent pad. 38. Thus, the emergence layer 72 helps the absorbent pad 38 absorb a large amount of urine or other exudates from the body. The first surface 74 of the emergence layer 72 is in a surface-to-surface contact with a second surface 50 of the barrier tissue 40 and a second surface 76 of the emergence layer is in a surface-to-surface contact with a second surface 60 of the lining from side to body 24.

The emergence layer 72 may comprise the materials set forth in U.S. Patent No. 5,486,166 issued January 23, 1996 to C. 'Ellis and D. Bishop entitled, "Fibrous Non-Woven Fabric Emergence Layer. for Absorbent Articles for Personal Care and Similar "; and U.S. Patent No. 5,490,846 issued February 13, 1996 to C. Ellis and R. Everett, entitled, "Fibrous Non Woven Fabric of Improved Emergence Handling for Absorbent Personal Care Products and the Like "; whose descriptions are incorporated herein by reference to the extent to which the descriptions are consistent (not contradictory) with the information described herein. In addition, other emergence layer materials known in the art can also be used.

Optionally, a line of adhesive (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction "L" in a manner similar to the adhesive line 78 can be located between the emergence layer 72 and the absorbent pad 38. Such a line of adhesive prevents the pad absorbent 38 changes laterally by a significant distance, while allowing the liner from side to body 24 to extend, at least in the transverse direction "C", by a desired distance. Such an arrangement ensures that the absorbent pad 38 remains centered in the absorbent article 8.

In another embodiment of the invention, the line of adhesive 78, and any adhesive placed between the emergence layer 72 and the absorbent pad 38, can be located at intervals spaced along the longitudinal direction "L". For example, a line of adhesive 78 may comprise a broken line of intermittently sprayed adhesive sections on the emergence layer 72 or the side-to-body liner 24. Thus, for the incorporations having a side-to-body liner 24 and cover outer 26 both stretchable in the transverse direction "C" and in the longitudinal direction "L", the adhesive 78 will not significantly close, or prevent the extension of the liner from side to body in the longitudinal direction. Any adhesive between the emergence layer 72 and the absorbent pad 38 can be applied in a similar manner.

In a preferred manufacturing operation, the release agent 70 is applied to the second outer surface 54 of the forming tissue 42. The release agent can be pre-applied to the forming tissue 42 prior to starting the manufacturing process of the absorbent article 8. The release agent 70 comprises a coating relatively thin silicone or powder material on the second outer surface 54. The pre-application of the silicone coating allows the silicone to dry on the forming tissue 42 before manufacturing the absorbent article 8. At a different place in the process of manufacture, the adhesive 66 is applied to the second inner surface 64 of the outer cover 26. The adhesive 66 can cover (i) the entire surface of the outer cover 26, (ii) the conventional patterns or (iii) the patterns described previously here. Upon completion of the above-mentioned steps, the absorbent pad 38 including the forming tissue 42 is applied to the outer cover 26 so that the second release-coated outer surface 54 of the forming tissue is in a surface-to-surface relationship with at least one part of the second surface 64 of the outer cover, so that the outer cover, including a portion of the adhesive 66, interacts with a release agent 70. Thus on the part of the forming tissue 42 wherein the release agent 70 interacts with the adhesive 66, the release agent prevents the adhesive from adhering to at least a portion of the outer cover 26 to the absorbent pad 38. Thus, elastic extension of the outer cover 26 is allowed in at least cross direction "C", without damage to the absorbent pad 38.

The hot-melt adhesive 78 is applied to the second surface 60 of the side-to-body liner 24, and the sprouting layer 72 is applied thereto. Thus, the second surface 76 of the emergence layer 72 is secured by the adhesive in a surface-to-surface relationship with the second surface 60 of the side-to-body liner 24.

The manufacture of the absorbent article 8 can, of course, include applying the side-to-body liner 24 to the second surface 50 of the barrier tissue 40 so that the side-to-body liner lies on and extends outwardly from the pad. absorbent 38. Thus the body-facing liner 24 lies on and contacts parts of the outer cover 26 that extend outward from the absorbent pad 38 as illustrated in Figure 2. The adhesive 66 therefore secures the perimeter outside of the. outer cover 26 to the edge from side to body 24.

The manufacture of the absorbent article 8 having a release agent 70, applied as shown in Figure 2, has no adhesion of the absorbent pad 38 in relation to the side-to-body liner 24 and the outer cover 26. Therefore, the incorporation of Figures 1 and 2 allows the side-to-body liner 24 and the outer cover 26 to be stretchable, preferably elastically extendable, without applying tension during the extension which could potentially break the absorbent pad 38 and release the super absorbent material therefrom.

Those skilled in the art will now see that certain modifications can be made to the invention described herein with respect to the illustrated embodiments, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. And while the invention has been described above with respect to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is adapted to numerous rearrangements, modifications, and alterations, and all such arrangements, modifications, and alterations are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.

To the extent that the following claims use the media language plus function, this does not mean that it includes there, or in the present description, anything that is not structurally equivalent to what is shown in the embodiments described in the description.

Claims (50)

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

1. An absorbent article which includes a back, a front part and a crotch portion connecting said front part and said back part, said absorbent article having a transverse direction extending through the absorbent article and a longitudinal direction extending through the front, crotch and back portions, said absorbent article comprises: (a) an absorbent pad having a first surface and a second opposing surface; (b) an outer cover having a third outer cover surface and a fourth outer opposing cover surface; (c) a pattern of adhesive material placed on the first surface of said absorbent pad or on the third outer cover surface of said outer cover; Y (d) an effective amount of a release agent placed on one of the first surface of said absorbent pad and at least a portion of the third surface of said outer cover, said release agent prevents adhesion of the third surface of said outer cover to the first surface of said absorbent pad so that the absorbent pad has essentially no adhesion on the surface actually treated with said release agent with respect to said outer cover.

2. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said absorbent pad includes a first tissue having a fifth surface and a sixth opposite surface, the fifth surface of said first tissue being placed in a surface-to-surface relationship with the first surface of said absorbent core, the sixth surface of said first tissue being placed in a surface-to-surface relationship with the third cover surface, such that said release agent is applied to one of said first tissue of said absorbent pad and at least a portion of the third surface of said outer cover.

3. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 2, characterized by including a side-to-body liner, and including a second tissue placed between the body-side liner and said absorbent core.

4. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that said second tissue and said first tissue are secured to one another around at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the absorbent core, said second tissue and said first tissue enclose said absorbent core.

5. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that at least one of said body side liner and said outer cover comprise an elastically stretchable material.

6. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that said outer cover comprises a joined and tapered laminate.

7. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that the body side liner and said outer cover are both elastically stretchable, and have essentially the same amount of extension in a given direction.

8. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that said body-side liner and said outer cover are both extendable in at least the transverse direction.

9. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that said absorbent article includes an emergence layer placed between said side-to-body liner and said second tissue.

10. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said absorbent article includes the first and second containment fins.

ll. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said release agent comprises a silicone active agent placed on one of the first surface of said absorbent pad and the third surface of said outer cover.

12. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that said silicone active agent comprises an amino functional silicone.

13. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said release agent comprises a powder material applied to one of the first surface of said absorbent pad and the third surface of said outer cover.

14. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said powder material comprises corn starch.

15. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said powder material comprises erucamide.

16. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said powder material comprises bicarbonate soda.

17. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said powder material comprises super absorbent material.

18. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that said powder material comprises calcium stearate.

19. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said absorbent pad has an outer perimeter, said adhesive material secures said outer cover to said liner from side to body in places placed outwardly of the outer perimeter of said absorbent pad.

20. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said absorbent article is free of the elastic waist elements.

21. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said absorbent article includes the leg elastics placed at least in the crotch portion of said absorbent article, said leg elastics provide extensibility and retraction in the longitudinal direction.

22. An absorbent article that includes a back, a front, and a crotch portion connecting said back portion and said front portion, said absorbent article having a transverse direction extending through the absorbent article and a longitudinal direction extending through the front, back and crotch portions, said absorbent article comprises: (a) an outer cover having a first inner surface and a second opposed outer surface; (b) a liner side to the body having a third body contact surface and a fourth opposing surface, the fourth surface of said body side liner is mounted in a surface to surface relationship with at least a part of the first interior surface of said outer cover; (c) an absorbent pad located between said side-to-body liner and said outer cover; said absorbent pad comprises an absorbent core having a first tissue placed on a fifth surface of said absorbent pad on one side of the outer cover, and a second tissue placed on a sixth surface of said absorbent pad on one side of the side liner on the other side. body; (d) the adhesive material placed on at least a portion of the first surface of said outer cover or on at least a portion of said first tissue; Y (e) a release agent applied to at least one of said first tissue and said first surface of said outer cover, said release agent interacts with said adhesive material and thus prevents adhesion of the adhesive material to one of the outer cover and said first tissue.

23. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that said outer cover comprises an extendable material, said releasing agent therefore allows the extension of said cover in the transverse direction without damage to said absorbent pad.

24. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that said outer cover comprises a narrow and joined laminate.

25. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that said side-to-body liner comprises an extendable material.

26. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 25, characterized in that said body side liner and said outer cover both are extendable in at least the transverse direction, said release agent allows said outer cover to extend at least by about 30 percent in the transverse direction without damaging said absorbent pad.

27. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 26, characterized in that said releasing agent allows said outer cover to extend at least about 200 percent in the transverse direction without damaging said absorbent pad.

28. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that said releasing agent allows said outer cover to extend at least about 30 percent in the longitudinal direction without damaging said absorbent pad.

29. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that said absorbent article includes an emergence layer secured to at least said liner from side to body, said emergence layer being placed between the lining from side to body and said absorbent pad.

30. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that the absorbent article includes the leg elastics placed at least in the crotch portion of said absorbent article.

31. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that said absorbent article includes the first and second containment fins.

32. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that the release agent comprises a silicone active agent placed on said first tissue prior to the assembly of said absorbent article.

33. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that said first tissue defines a contact area thereof in a surface to surface ratio with said first interior surface of said outer cover, said active agent of silicone acts as a coating distributed over essentially the entire contact area of said first tissue.

34. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that said release agent comprises powder of material applied to one of said first tissue and of the first surface of said outer cover.

35. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that said first tissue has a seventh surface in a surface-to-surface ratio with said absorbent core and an eighth opposing surface receiving said release agent.

36. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that said first tissue and said second tissue are secured to one another around said absorbent core, such that said absorbent core is enclosed by the combination of said first tissue and said second tissue to thereby form said absorbent pad.

37. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that said absorbent pad has an outer perimeter around it, said release agent prevents securing between said outer cover and said absorbent pad so that the absorbent pad has no essentially adhering to said outer covering on the surface effectively treated with said release agent.

38. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said adhesive material secures said outer cover to said liner from side to body in places placed outwardly of the outer perimeter of said absorbent pad.

39. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that said absorbent pad is not attached to any of the side-to-body liner or the outer cover.

40. A method for making an absorbent article that has extensibility in at least one direction, the method includes the steps of: (a) applying a release agent to a first outer surface of a first tissue, the first tissue, in combination with a second tissue essentially enclosing an absorbent core to thereby form an absorbent pad wherein the first outer surface of the first tissue, having the release agent on it, corresponds to another surface of the absorbent pad; (b) applying adhesive to a second inner surface of an extendable outer cover; Y (c) placing at least a first part of the first surface of the first tissue of the absorbent pad in a surface to surface relationship with at least a second part of the second surface of the outer cover so that the outer cover, including a part of the adhesive, interacts with the release agent; so on that part of the first tissue where the release agent interacts with adhesive, the release agent prevents the adhesion of adhering the outer cover to the absorbent pad, and thus allows the elastic extension of the outer cover in minus one direction without damage to the absorbent pad.

41. A method as claimed in clause 40, characterized in that the second tissue has a third surface on one side of the absorbent pad opposite the first surface of the first tissue, the method includes the step of applying a liner from side to body to the third surface of the second tissue so that the body-side liner lies on, and extends outwardly of the absorbent pad, and covers and contacts parts of the outer cover which extend outwardly from the absorbent pad , including the body side liner that contacts at least part of the adhesive on the outer cover which is positioned outwardly from an outer perimeter of the absorbent pad.

42. A method as claimed in clause 41, characterized in that it includes applying a longitudinally extending line of hot-melt adhesive to a first surface of an emergence layer, and adhesively securing the emergence layer to the liner from side to body. so that the emergence layer is located between the side-to-body liner and the absorbent pad.

43. A method as claimed in clause 40, characterized in that the method includes applying the cold adhesive to secure the first tissue to the second tissue around essentially a complete perimeter of the front portions of the first tissue and the second tissue so that the combination of the first tissue and the second tissue provides a closed enclosure within which the absorbent core is received.

44. A method as claimed in clause 40, characterized in that the adhesive applied to the outer cover comprises a hot-melt adhesive sprayed onto the second surface.

45. A method as claimed in clause 40, characterized in that the application of the release agent comprises applying, on one of the first surface of the first tissue, and of the second surface of the outer cover, an amount of an active agent of effective silicone to prevent the adhesive on the outer cover from adhering to the first tissue.

46. A method as claimed in clause 40, characterized in that the application of the release agent comprises applying, on at least one of the first surface of the first tissue and the second surface of the outer cover, an amount of material in effective powder to prevent the adhesive on the outer cover from adhering to the first tissue.

47. A method as claimed in clause 46, characterized in that the powder material comprises corn starch.

48. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 46, characterized in that said powder material comprises erucamide.

49. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 46, characterized in that said powder material comprises calcium stearate.

50. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 40, characterized in that the release agent is pre-applied to the first cisú before starting the manufacturing process for the absorbent article. R E S U E N An absorbent article that includes an absorbent pad and an outer cover. A release agent is applied to one of the outer surface of the absorbent pad and the inner surface of the outer cover. The release agent prevents at least a portion of the outer cover from adhering to the absorbent pad. In additions where the outer cover is extendable er. In a transverse direction and / or in a longitudinal direction, the release agent prevents the absorbent pad from resisting the mobility of the outer cover. Therefore, the absorbent pad has essentially no adhesion to the outer cover where the release agent is applied. Therefore, tearing the absorbent pad and damaging, or releasing, the super absorbent material of the absorbent pad during extension of the outer cover is prevented. The release agent can be a silicone active agent or a powder material having properties that prevent adhesion between the adhesive and an absorbent pad forming tissue or outer covering.