MXPA99005643A - Blank model to produce a conformed element, the compormed element, a absorbent product that comprises the formed element, a method to produce a conformed element, and also metodoped to produce the absorbed product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a blank model (1) intended to constitute a shaped element (2) in an absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad or a panty liner, the blank model (1) of which is manufactured from a rigid material and initially has a flat and essentially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, two short sides (3, 4) and two long sides (5, 6), two end portions (7, 8) and a central portion (9), an end portion (7) being wider than the central portion (9) and having a width that increases toward the short side (3) of the blank model (1) and having the other portion end (8) a cutout portion (10). The invention also relates to a shaped element produced from the blank model, an absorbent product comprising this shaped element, and also methods for producing a shaped element and an absorbent product comprising the shaped element. (The publication of the Figure is requested

Description

"BLANK MODEL TO PRODUCE A CONFORMED ELEMENT, THE CONFORMED ELEMENT, AN ABSORBENT PRODUCT THAT UNDERSTANDS THE CONFORMED ELEMENT, METHOD TO PRODUCE THE ELEMENT CONFORMED, AND ALSO METHOD TO PRODUCE THE ABSORBENT PRODUCT " TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a blank model intended to produce the shaped element in an absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad or a panty liner, whose blank model is made of a rigid material and initially has a flat and an essentially elongate shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, two short sides and two long sides, a central portion and two end portions. The invention also relates to a shaped element for an absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad or a panty lining, which shaped element is made of a rigid material and has an essentially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, two short sides and two long sides, a central portion and two end portions, an end portion of which has a concave portion. The invention also relates to an absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad or a panty liner whose product has an essentially elongated shape with two end portions and a central portion placed between the end portions, and a longitudinal central line, which product comprises a shaped element and whose product has a concave portion in an end portion, and a raised portion similar to a flange in the other end portion. The invention also includes a method for producing a shaped element in accordance with the aforementioned, and also a method for producing an absorbent product such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad or a pantyliner.

BACKGROUND Conventional absorbent products of the type referenced above usually have a flat shape. Therefore, the genital area of the women does not have a corresponding flat appearance, therefore problems to adjust and use these products can arise. The support of the product against the body is not the best that could be desired and if loosening occurs, there is also a great risk of leakage or leakage. In order to solve this problem, it has been proposed that the absorbent products should be of a concave rather than flat design. Generally speaking, this form fits better against the contours of the body. A contour of concave shape can be achieved for example by placing an elastic on the product. Patent Number EP 155 515 describes the manner in which an absorbent product is imparted with a concave appearance having an elastic on one of the longitudinal side edges of the product. The Patent Number WO 96/20679 describes an absorbent product comprising a resilient component and tension members in order to provide the product with a concave appearance. A problem with the aforementioned type products that do not fit particularly well against the anatomy of the user but simply have a generally concave appearance. This shaped product therefore does not have a good fit against the body. In addition, there are open spaces between the wearer's body and the wearer's panties due to the fact that many women wear lower-quality panties, either from the beginning or as a result of aging during their menstruation. When neither the absorbent product nor the panties are able to maintain good contact with the wearer's body, the risk of escape or leakage of the menstrual fluid beyond the absorbent product and the panties becomes great. Patent Number EP 302 523 describes an absorbent product having an anatomically adapted shape designed three-dimensionally. The product has a planar or concave design end portion and an end portion that is provided with a raised portion. The flat or concave end portion is intended to be placed in front of the pubic mound of the wearer and the end portion comprising the raised portion is intended to fit against the wearer's gluteal prominence. The three-dimensional design of the product is obtained by folding a moderately rigid absorption body. In order to make the raised portion permanent, the back side of the product is provided with a gummed surface on the end portion that the raised portion will have. When the raised portion has been created, it is preserved with the help of rubber. A problem with a product of this type is that it tends to crush under the pressure of the user's body. Another problem is that the gummed seal of the raised portion loses its adhesion and the product is then flattened. In order to solve this problem, it has been proposed that the products be provided with rigid dimensionally stable members. These products are described in SE-A-9604223-9 and SE-A-9604221-3. Members, or shaped elements, that produce dimensional stability are three-dimensionally designed members made of a material that resists wrinkling and flattening when subjected to forces of the wearer's body, for example, when the wearer walks or sits on the product . A problem that is just as great as that constituted by the flat absorbent products when they will have to adapt to the three-dimensional anatomy of the wearer is that constituted by the three-dimensional absorber in the production process. The three-dimensional pieces are difficult to handle in a production process, for example when they are joined together to form an absorbent product.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to remedy the aforementioned problems and produce a shaped element for absorbent products that is easy to produce and also an absorbent product comprising the shaped element whose product is leak proof, comfortable and easy to produce.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A blank model of the type referred to in the introduction, wherein the problems associated with products such as those previously known essentially have been eliminated, is in accordance with the invention characterized in that an end portion in a blank model is wider than the central portion and has a width that increases toward the short side of the blank model and the other end portion has an elongated cut or crevice. According to one embodiment of the invention, the widest part of the end portion is 1.5 to 5 times as wide as the narrowest width of the central portion. According to another embodiment, the shaped element that has been joined to form a portion raised at an end portion from a flat blank pattern, and the concave portion has been created with the aid of a crease indication extending in the transverse direction of the shaped element. Additional fold indications can be placed essentially in the longitudinal direction of the blank model, in at least the central portion of the blank model on each side of a longitudinal centerline through the blank model. The invention also includes an absorbent product which is characterized in that the raised portion similar to a ridge on an end portion of the product is created by the shaped element which is joined to form a portion lifted from a flat blank pattern, and in which the concave portion has been created with the aid of a fold indication extending in the transverse direction of the shaped element. According to an alternative embodiment, the absorbent product has escape barriers positioned on both sides of the longitudinal center line. The invention also includes a method for producing a shaped element that is characterized in that a blank pattern intended to constitute the shaped element is produced in planar form, with an essentially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, two short sides and two long sides, two end portions and a central portion, wherein one end portion is provided with a width that increases toward the short side of the blank model and another end portion is provided with a cut, the model being folded white in a double way along a longitudinal center line of the blank model so that two surfaces are formed in the blank model, the cut is joined and the joined parts are folded upwards to a three dimensional state. According to the invention, the fold indications can be placed in the longitudinal direction of the blank model before the cut-off portion is joined. The invention also includes a method for producing an absorbent product in accordance with which a blank pattern intended to constitute a shaped element in the absorbent product, is produced in planar form with an essentially elongate shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, two short sides and two long sides, two end portions and a central portion, wherein one end portion is provided with a width that increases toward the short side of the blank model, and the other end portion is provided with a portion cropped, the blank model is folded in a double fashion along a longitudinal center line of the blank model so that two surfaces are formed in the blank model, placed on each absorption layer surface and then an outer layer after which the side edges along the cutout portion formed, the absorption layers and also the outer layers are joined and the joined parts are folded out to a flat state. According to an alternative embodiment of the method for producing the absorbent product, essentially two fold indications are placed in the longitudinal direction of the blank model, in at least the central portion of the blank model, one on each side of the center line longitudinal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The aforementioned problems are solved by the present invention. This is accomplished by a blank model for a shaped element that is produced from a flat piece of rigid material. The blank pattern is cut, punched or cut from the piece of material so as to have an essentially elongated shape with two side sides and two short sides, two end portions and a central portion. An end portion has a width that is considerably greater than the width of the narrowest part of the blank model, which is the central portion. The other end portion has a longitudinal slot or portion cut away in the longitudinal direction of the blank pattern. The trimmed portion is placed along a longitudinal center line that extends through a blank model. The longitudinal centerline is in this respect an imaginary line that divides the blank model into two preferably symmetrical parts of the same size. The center line is placed in the longitudinal direction of the blank model at the same distance from its two long sides. The cutout or cut-out portion is positioned in such a way that, in the part where the cut-out portion is placed, the blank model adopts a shape with two elongated parts that diverge in relation to the longitudinal center line. The intention of placing a shaped element in an absorbent product is to be able to impart to the product a three-dimensional shape which is retained and possibly also accentuated during the use of the product. Suitable materials for producing the blank model for the shaped element should have adequate bending and torsional rigidity in order to resist deformation during use. Polyethylene or polypropylene laminates with a layer thickness of at least 0.4 mm can be mentioned as examples of plastic materials that have been found to have adequate bending stiffness and torsional stiffness to achieve the required dimensional stability. The stiffness of the material of a plastic film that is suitable for use as a shaped element in a product according to the invention must exceed 100 N, which is measured according to method D 4032-82 of the American Society for the Material Test "Circular Bending Procedure", the method of which is described in detail in Patent Number EP 336 578. In this regard, the stiffness of the material means the bending rigidity of a layer of flat material. After the blank model has been trimmed, it is folded in a double manner along the longitudinal center line and along the cutout portion. In this state, the trimmed portion is joined. This is carried out, for example, by welding or gumming. The shaped element has been formed in this way. That is, when the blank model has been cut out and attached so that it only needs to fold upward so that it adopts a three-dimensional shape, it is referred to as a shaped element. In this flat state, the shaped element can be packaged and supplied to the user then it can make an absorbent product providing in the formed element with absorption layers and that external layers are appropriate. In this way, a reusable shaped element can be produced which is economically advantageous. The user can replace the absorption layers and the outer layers, but use the shaped element a number of times. Many users, however, attach great importance to convenience and prefer to buy absorbent products ready to use. After the blank pattern has been bonded along the cutout portion to form a finished shaped element, the cornformed element is provided while still in a folded flat state, in an absorption layer and an outer layer at each side. The absorption layer and the outer layer are joined by means of, for example, welding or gumming. Alternatively, the outer and absorption layers are placed in the blank pattern before the cut portion is joined, and the cutout portion, the absorption layers and the outer layers are joined in one and the same step. A further alternative for joining the absorbent product is that the blank pattern is folded and the recessed portion is joined so that the shaped element is prepared. Then, a continuous absorption layer is folded around the shaped element while it is still folding, after which a continuous outer layer is folded in the same way around the folded shaped element. In this way a complete absorbent product is obtained without the outer and absorption layers having to be joined in two parts each. In conventional products, an impermeable layer is attached to the liquid on the back side of the absorption layer and the product, which is that side of the product that is intended to be oriented toward the wearer's inner garments during use, that is, away from the user. This is done to protect the wearer's inner garments against any leakage or leakage of fluid through the entire product. In an absorbent product according to the invention this extra layer impervious to liquid is not necessary. Since the shaped element is usually made of a material impervious to liquid, the shaped element constitutes the back side impervious to liquid. A product according to the invention is therefore simpler in this way than conventionally constructed absorbent products. All the production of the absorbent product is then carried out in a flat form and the production process in a three-dimensional, dimensionally stable product has therefore been simplified considerably in relation to the production processes in which a shaped element is molded such as, for example, in SE Patent, A, 9604224-7. When an absorbent product according to the invention, comprising a shaped element according to the invention is folded up to its state of use, it will fit well against the anatomy of the wearer. The end portions and the central portion in the blank model or shaped element do not constitute three delimiting parts of the same size of the blank model or the shaped element but are indicated in order to describe the three different appearances that have blank pattern in the longitudinal direction. An end portion, such as the front end portion, is intended to be oriented toward the user when used in a sanitary napkin. Forward in the user means that the short side of the end portion will be part of the towel that is facing the abdomen of the user. The front end portion has a concave portion. When the sanitary napkin comprising a shaped element according to the invention is placed with the concave end portion towards the user, this portion will surround the pubic mound of the user. The other end portion, the rear end portion, is intended to be oriented backward in the wearer during use.

Backward on the user means the short side of the end portion will form that part of the towel that is facing the back of the user. The rear end portion has a raised portion similar to a flange. When a sanitary napkin comprising the shaped element according to the invention is placed with the end portion resembling a shoulder towards the back of the user, that is, towards the lower region of the user, the product will naturally adjust against the user's anatomy and therefore also will be tightly supported against the body by itself. The central portion in the shaped element has a raised portion. When a sanitary napkin comprises a shaped element according to the invention and is placed against the wearer's body, the portion raised in the central portion will fit against the wearer's vestibule. The portions raised in the central portion and the end portion may constitute a continuous raised portion. The central portion and the rear end portion have been folded upwardly so that they have raised portions similar to flanges on the upper side of the shaped element. A crease indication may be placed on the front end portion so as to facilitate that the end portion be folded up and turned from the inside outward so that the end portion assumes a concave shape on the top side. This crease indication may consist of perforations or a weakening of the material produced, for example by cold or hot stamping. By turning from the inside out, the concave portion is folded upwards to the upper side of the shaped element so that the portion, an angle with the other parts of the shaped element, seen from a long side of the shaped element. The angle shape and the concavity result in the shaped element fitting well against the pubic mound of a prospective user. The upper side of the element formed in this respect is the side that is intended to be oriented towards the user during use. The back side in the shaped element is the side that is intended to be oriented away from the user during use. Correspondingly for a complete absorbent product, the front end portion of the shaped element is the end portion that is intended to be facing the wearer during use, i.e., the end portion that is intended to be oriented toward the abdomen of the user. The rear end portion in the shaped element is then the end portion that is intended to be oriented backward in the wearer during use, i.e., the end portion that is intended to be oriented toward the back of the wearer . In order to further improve an absorbent product according to the invention, comprising a shaped element according to the invention. The shaped element can be provided with one or more longitudinal fold indications. These fold indications contribute to forming the shaped element and therefore the absorbent product in accordance with the wearer's anatomy. Another object of the fold indications is to create channels in the shaped element and thus escape barriers in the finished product. Since the shaped element and the finished product have raised portions similar to ridges in the central portion and an end portion, there is a risk that fluid flowing downward from the inclined lateral surfaces of the raised portions pass out of the lateral edges of the product, leading to escape or lateral leakage. Leakage barriers molded into a stable sizing hull for an absorbent product having raised portions similar to flanges are described in Patent Number SE, A, 9702398-0. These barriers to escape mean, however, that - l the shaped element has a three-dimensional shape throughout the production process of the absorbent product. In accordance with the present invention, the fold indicators are placed on the shaped element before it is bonded to the outer layer of the absorption layer to form the absorbent product. It is also possible to place the fold indications after joining. In this way, the shaped element has a flat shape therethrough, generally speaking, the entire production process of the absorbent product. The crease indications can be produced in a number of different ways. For example, the crease indications may consist of punched pieces or of qualifications in the material, such as grooves or the like produced by means of wheels or small rollers. Alternatively, the crease indications can be produced by compression molding. It is also possible to fold the finished product in the desired manner to produce permanent folds by heating or pressing. The crease indications serving as lateral escape barriers on either side of the raised portions similar to ridges in the central portion and the end portion, are advantageously placed in the longitudinal direction of the shaped element, starting from the longitudinal centerline where intersects a transverse fold line made in the front end portion, so as to create the concave portion in this portion. From this starting point, a fold line is placed on each side of the longitudinal center line and on both sides of the raised portions in the central portion and the end portion. The fold lines consist of straight lines that diverge from the centerline so that the channels are formed in the shaped element in the central portion and the relatively large portions of the end portion. The fold lines stop a few centimeters from the short side of the product, at the end portion that has the raised portion. The fold lines do not have to be straight but, for example, they can be folded away from the long sides of the shaped element. This results in a product with an additional improved body shape. Another way to obtain barriers against leakage and the increased adaptation of the absorbent product to the body, is to place a number of fold lines on the side of the longitudinal center line and on both sides of the raised portions on the central portion and the portion of end. For example, two or three fold lines can be placed on either side of the center line. The extra lines, in addition to one on each side of the longitudinal center line, can start from the same point as the first two fold lines. That is, from an imaginary intersection point between the longitudinal center line and the transverse fold line that makes the concave portion of the end portion possible. From this starting point they also diverge from the longitudinal center line. Additional lines may also be placed parallel to the two original fold lines. All the fold lines described are placed at a distance of at least several millimeters from the long sides of the shaped element, in order to create channels and consequently barriers against escape or leakage in the finished absorbent product. In order to obtain a better adaptation of the absorbent product to the body, additional fold lines can be placed in the shaped element. For example, arc-shaped crease lines that are concave toward the longitudinal centerline may be placed on each side of the longitudinal center line at the end portion having a raised portion. That is, the arc-shaped fold lines are placed around the raised portion. These fold lines can of course also be placed in the central portion or they can be placed in otherwise common lines running through both the central portion and the end portion. In order to obtain an additional improved adaptation to the body of the end portion against the pubic mound of the user, that end portion of the product that is going to form the concave portion in the shaped element can also be cut with a cutout portion. In this way, a greater rounding of the concave portion can be obtained. The production process is of course more complicated because two cuts must be joined before the shaped element can be folded up towards its final shape. The invention also includes an absorbent product comprising the shaped element according to the invention. The designations used for the product and for the shaped element are similarly applied for the absorbent product as well. For example, the front end portion in the blank model is intended to constitute the front end portion of the shaped element that is placed in the front end portion in the absorbent product. An absorbent product comprising a shaped element according to the invention does not require any fastening arrangements such as gummed surfaces on the back side of the product. A product according to the invention remains in place naturally by means of its anatomical design. These products are described in Patent Number SE, A, 9604222-1 and SE Number, A, 9604224-7. The decisive factor with respect to the product remains in place by itself is the rigidity of the shaped element and the design of the shaped element. The end portion that is intended to be oriented toward the user during use is that it is wider than the central portion. It is likewise an advantage and the other end portion is somewhat wider than the central portion, but this is not crucial for fastening. Preferably, the widest part in the front end portion of 1.5 to 5 times as wide as the smallest width in the central portion. In order that the shaped element and therefore the product does not cause discomfort for the wearer and possibly leakage or leakage, it is important that the cross section or width of the central portion be adapted in accordance with the anatomy of the wearer. The most critical area in the crotch region of the user from the point of view of comfort in what refers to the width of the product, is where the muscle group passes that has its origin inside the pelvic diaphragm and its fixation along the thigh. This muscle group consists of the adductor brevis, adductor longus, gracilis and adductor magnus muscles. Measurements have shown that the distance in the crotch region of the user between adductor muscle groups on the left side and on the right side is surprisingly similar for all people and is around 30 millimeters. The fat certainly has influences on the width between the thighs but the width between the muscle groups in the crotch region is equal and it is this width which determines whether a product can feel as it is rubbed. The fatty tissue sits on the outside of the muscles but does not contribute to any sensation of discomfort. If the product is made of a very rigid material, the width of the central portion, therefore, should not exceed 35 millimeters, at least in the area that will fit between the muscle groups. This critical area is approximately 5 to 15 millimeters long in the longitudinal direction of the product. A product according to the invention, which remains in place without any special fastening arrangements, comprises a shaped element made of a rigid material, whose shaped element comprises a front end portion that is 1.5 to 5 times as wide in its wider portion as is the central portion in its narrowest portion. The back end portion is advantageously also wider than the central portion in order to prevent the absorbent product from "wandering" in any direction. The central portion in the shaped element is 35 millimeters or narrower, within at least one area of the central portion that is 5 to 15 millimeters long. The front end portion is wider in that part of the end portion that faces the short front side of the product, that is, the side that is intended to be facing forward in the user during use, and in the part that remains oriented towards the central portion. The front end portion may have, for example, a triangular shape. The central end portion is 52.5 to 175 millimeters wider at its widest part. The front end portion is advantageously also shaped so as to have an angle in relation to the other parts of the shaped element as seen from a long side of the shaped element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a blank form in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a blank shape in accordance with the invention double folded, seen from one side of its long sides; Figure 3 shows a shaped element according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a shaped element according to the invention seen from one of the long sides of the shaped element; Figure 5 shows a shaped element in accordance with the embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows a shaped element in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 shows a shaped element in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 shows a shaped element in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 shows the blank model of the shaped element in Figure 8; Figure 10 shows a sanitary napkin according to the invention; Figure Ia shows a section along line XIa-XIa through the sanitary napkin in Figure 10; Figure 11b shows a section along the Xlb-Xlb line through the sanitary napkin in Figure 10, and Figure 11c shows a section along the XIc-XIc line through the sanitary napkin in the Figure 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND THE MODALITIES Figures 1 and 2 show a blank model 1 for a shaped element intended to be placed in an absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad or a panty liner. The blank model 1 is the description of the shaped element before it has been joined to create its final three-dimensional shape. Figures 3 and 4 show the shaped element 2 as it appears when placed in an absorbent product. The blank model 1 shown in Figure 1 has a flat and essentially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, two short sides 3, 4 and two long sides 5, 6 two end portions 7, 8 and a central portion 9. An end portion 7 has a width that increases toward the short side 3 of the blank pattern and the other end portion 8 has a cutout portion 10. The cutout portion 10 is positioned along the longitudinal center line 11 of blank model. The longitudinal center line 11 of the blank model means an imaginary line that is placed in the longitudinal direction of the blank model, at the same distance from the two long sides 5, 6 of the blank model. Figure 2 shows the blank model 1 seen from a side 5 of its long sides. The blank model 1 has been folded in a double manner along its longitudinal central line 11, that is, along the cutout portion 10. In this state, the cutout portion 10 is joined. This is carried out, for example, by welding or gumming. The shaped element 2 has been formed in this way. The shaped element 2 shown in Figure 3 has a substantially elongated three-dimensional shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, an upper side 12 and a lower side 13, two short sides 14, 15 and two long sides 16, 17, two end portions 18, 19 and a central portion 20. The end portions 18, 19 and the central portion 20 do not constitute three delimiting portions of the same size of the blank model but are indicated in order to describe the three different appearances that it has the element formed in the longitudinal direction. An end portion, the front end portion 18, is intended to be oriented toward the user, when used in a sanitary napkin. Forward in the user, means that the short side 14 of the end portion will be that part of the towel that is facing the abdomen of the user. The front end portion 18 has a concave portion 21. When a sanitary napkin comprising the shaped element 2 according to the invention is placed with the concave end portion 21 forward of the user, that portion will surround the pubic mount of the user. The other end portion, the rear end portion 19, is intended to be oriented backward in the wearer during use. Backward on the user means that the short side 15 of the end portion will be that part of the shaped element and therefore of the towel facing the back of the wearer. The rear end portion 19 has a raised portion 22 similar to a flange. When a sanitary napkin comprising the element 2 formed in accordance with the invention is placed with the rear end portion 19 backward in the wearer, that is, towards the lower region of the wearer, the product will naturally adjust against the anatomy of the wearer. the user, and therefore also will be more closely supported against the body by itself. The central portion 20 in the shaped element 2 has a raised portion 23. When a sanitary napkin comprising a shaped element 2 according to the invention is placed against the wearer's body, the portion 23 raised in the central portion 20 is will fit against the user's vestibule. Figure 3 shows the shaped element 2 folded up or folded apart, ie, with the front portion angled upwards and also with the central portion and the rear portion folded outward, the position of the shaped element then remains inward when It is used in an absorbent product. A crease indication 24 has been placed in the front end portion 18 and the end portion 18 has been folded up and turned from the center outwardly so that the end portion 18 has a concave portion 21 on its upper side 12. The bend indication 24 shown is not critical in order to carry out the upward folding of the front end portion 18 but is merely an advantageous means to facilitate this folding. The central portion 20 and the rear end portion 19 have been folded upwardly so that they have raised portions similar to flanges 22, 23 on the upper side 12 of the shaped element. Upon turning from the inside out, the concave portion 21 folds upwardly to the upper side 12 in the shaped element 2 so that the portion 21 forms an angle with the other parts of the shaped element, seen from a long side 16 of the element conformed. The angle and the concave portion result in the shaped element 2 being adjusted against the pubic mound of a prospective user. The upper side 12 in the shaped element 2 is that side in the shaped element that is intended to be oriented towards the wearer during use. The lower side 13 in the shaped element 2 is the side to which it is intended to be oriented away from the user during use. As mentioned above, the front end portion 18 on the shaped element 2 is the end portion that is intended to be oriented towards the wearer during use, i.e., the end portion that is intended to be oriented towards the pubic mountain of the user. The rear end portion 19 of the shaped element 2 is therefore the end portion that is intended to be oriented backwards in the wearer during use ie the end portion which is intended to be oriented towards the gluteal prominence of the user. The rear end portion 19 in the shaped element 2 in Figure 3 has on the short side 15 a small wedge-shaped cutout 25, placed symmetrically about a longitudinal center line 26 of the shaped element 2. A longitudinal central line of the element formed means an imaginary line extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaped element, whose line divides the formed element into two essentially symmetrical parts of the same size. The cutout portion 25 has a triangular shape. The object of the cutout portion 25 is to increase the body adaptation and comfort for the wearer. Figure 4 shows the shaped element 2 seen from a side 16 of its long sides. The three-dimensional shape of the shaped element is now evident. The lower side 13 in the shaped element 2 is scored. The front end portion 18 of the shaped element has a concave portion 21 that forms an angle relative to the longitudinal center line 26 of the shaped element 2 and towards the central portion 20 and the rear end portion 19 of the shaped element. The central portion 20 of the shaped element has a raised portion 23 which is intended to fit against the wearer's vestibule during use. The rear end portion 19 also has a raised portion 22 adapted to fit against the gluteal prominence of the wearer. The two raised portions 22, 23 constitute a continuous raised portion relative to the long sides 16, 17 of the shaped element. However, as will be seen in the figure, there is a valley-shaped portion 27 midway between the portion 23 raised in the central portion 20 and the raised portion 22 in the rear end portion 19. The portion in the form of Valley 27 is to fit against the user's perineum within the use. It is possible for the raised portions 22, 23 of the central portion and the end portion to constitute a single continuous raised portion that gradually rises towards the rear end portion. This lifted portion does not have the same adaptation to the user's body but is easier to produce. Some users also experience discomfort in sanitary napkins that are well adapted to the body as a result of which there may be a cause due to this reason to also employ a more simple construction of the raised portions 22, 23.

Figure 5 shows a shaped element 2 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The shaped element 2 according to Figure 5 has all the characteristics that the shaped element 2 has in Figure 3. The shaped element 2 has a crease indication 24 in the front end portion 18, placed in the transverse direction of the element conformed. Two additional fold indications, or fold lines 28, 29 are placed essentially in the longitudinal direction of the shaped element. These two fold lines 28, 29 have at their starting point at point 30 where the longitudinal center line 26 of the shaped element intersects the transverse fold line 24 at the front end portion 18. From this point, the lines of fold 28, 29 run in a divergent manner, one on each side of the longitudinal center line 26. Alternatively, for example in the embodiments where the transverse fold line has been omitted, the fold lines 28, 29 can diverge from a point placed slightly further back or more forward on the shaped element. The longitudinal fold lines 28, 29 in this manner can be positioned so that they start from the narrowest portion of the shaped element. It is also possible to place fold lines that do not run together at one point but are placed at a distance from each other at their equally placed ends. The fold lines 28, 29 shown in Figure 5 run rectilinearly through the entire central portion 20 on each side of the raised portion 23 and stop at the transition between the central portion 20 and the rear end portion 19 Alternatively, of course it is possible to make fold lines 28, 29 shorter or longer than those shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6, fold lines 31, 32 on both sides of the portion 23 raised can be placed on lines that are not straight, placed essentially in the longitudinal direction of the shaped element. The fold lines 31, 32 in Figure 6 start from the point of intersection 30 between the longitudinal center line 26 of the shaped element and the transverse fold line 24 at the front end portion 18. From this point 30 the two lines of fold 31, 32 run in an arc-shaped manner one on each side of the longitudinal center line 26, through the central portion 20 of the shaped element, to end in the rear end portion 19 of the shaped element a few millimeters from the sides or longs 16, 17 of the shaped element, the fold lines 31, 32 diverge from the longitudinal centerline 26. Figure 7 shows a further alternative embodiment of the invention. This figure shows the shaped element 2 having, in addition to the two rectilinear fold lines 28, 29 placed essentially in the longitudinal direction of the shaped element, four extra fold lines 33-36 placed in the longitudinal direction. That is, the shaped element 2 has six longitudinal fold lines 28, 36, three on each side of the longitudinal centerline 26. These fold lines 33-36 are also rectilinear and two run on each side of the longitudinal centerline 26 Two of the additional fold lines 33, 34 start from the same starting point as the two original fold lines 28, 29, namely, the intersection point 30 between the longitudinal centerline 26, and the crease line 24. transverse in the front end portion 18. The two lines 33, 34 then run to the outside of the two original lines 28, 29 in the same way as these. That is, they diverge from the center line 26 as they run through the central portion 20 of the shaped element, toward the rear end portion 19. The two additional fold lines 33, 34 are placed on either side of the line 26 centered outside the original fold lines 28, 29 seen from the centerline 26. Placed outside of the additional fold lines 33, 34 are two other fold lines 35, 36, one on each side of the longitudinal center line 26. These crease lines 35, 36 are placed parallel to the two fold lines 33, 34 that are closest to them. Consequently, they do not start from the same points as the other, or to the other fold lines 28, 29, 33, 34. Figure 8 shows a shaped element 2 according to still another embodiment of the invention. As in the previous figures, the shaped element 2 has a transverse fold line 24 placed in the front end portion 18 of shaped element and also two fold lines 25, 29 placed essentially in the longitudinal direction of the shaped element. The two longitudinal fold lines 28, 29 start from the intersection point 30 between the longitudinal centerline 26 and the transverse fold line 24. From this point 30, the fold lines 28, 29 diverge from the longitudinal centerline 26 as they run through the shaped element 2. The longitudinal fold lines 28, 29 stop at the transition between the central portion 20 and the center portion 20. rear end portion 19.

In addition to the indicated fold lines 28, 29, the shaped element also has, according to FIG. 8, two fold lines 37, 38 placed essentially parallel to the original longitudinal fold lines 28, 29, and to the outside of these in relation to the central line 26. These additional fold lines 37, 38 are considerably shorter than the original fold lines 28, 29, remaining within them and running between the transition between the front end portion 18 and the central portion 20 and a centerline 39 imaginary transverse of shaped element 2. A transverse central line 39 is a line placed in the transverse direction of the shaped element at the same distance from the two short sides 14, 15 of the forming element. The fold lines 40, 41 are also placed in the rear end portion 19 of the shaped element. These fold lines 40, 41 are symmetrically placed in an arc-shaped manner along the longitudinal center line 26 of the shaped element. The fold lines 40, 41 are therefore placed in a convex manner around the longitudinal center line 26. Figure 9 shows a blank model 1 for the shaped element 2 in Figure 8. The blank model 1 has fold lines described above in relation to Figure 8. That is, crease lines 24, 28 , 29, 37, 38, 40, 41 have been made before joining the blank model 1. As an alternative to this, fold lines 24, 28, 29, 37, 38, 40, 41 can be placed after that the blank model 1 has been joined to form the shaped element 2. The blank model 1 has a cutout portion 42 in the total end portion 7. This cutout portion 42 is joined after the blank model 1 is it has bent in the same manner as the cutout portion 10 in the rear end portion 9. Placing a cutout portion 42 in the front end portion 7 of course complicates the production process but makes possible an even better fit in the body. The concave portion formed in the element shaped in this way can be adapted to the wearer's pubic mound. Figure 10 shows a sanitary napkin 43 comprising a shaped element 2 according to the invention. The sanitary napkin 43 has an upper side 44 and a lower side 45, the upper side 44 being permeable to the liquid and the lower side 45 being impermeable to the liquid. The upper side 44 permeable to the liquid in the sanitary napkin 43 is intended to be oriented towards the wearer's body during use, and the lower side impermeable to the liquid 45 is intended to be oriented away from the wearer's body during use. Liquid permeability and liquid impermeability are achieved in conventional sanitary napkins by each side 44, 45 being provided with layers that are liquid permeable and liquid impervious, respectively. In the sanitary napkin 43 according to the invention there is not a layer impervious to the separated liquid but the formed element 2 is made of a material impervious to the liquid and therefore constitutes the back side impervious to the liquid in the sanitary napkin 43. upper side 44 in the sanitary napkin 43 has a concave portion 46 in an end portion 47, and a raised portion similar to a flange 49 in the other end portion 48. The central portion 50 has a raised portion 51 resembling a flange on the upper side 44 of the sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin 43 in Figure 10 has an outer layer permeable to liquid 52 placed on that side of the sanitary napkin 43 which is intended to be facing the wearer during use. An absorption layer 53 is immediately placed inside the outer layer 52. The shaped element 2 is placed adjacent to the other side of the absorption layer. Layers 52, 53, 2 are joined to one another, for example, by ultrasonic gumming or welding.

The material in the outer layer 52, for example, can be a perforated plastic film, a net made of plastic or fabric, a non-woven material or a laminate made for example of a perforated plastic layer and a non-woven layer. The plastic can be a thermoplastic such as polyethylene. The non-woven material can be made of natural fibers, such as cellulose or cotton, or synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, nylon or regenerated cellulose. The main functions of the outer layer 52 in the sanitary napkins are to guide the fluid towards the sanitary napkin 43 for soft and pleasant feeling against the user's body, and to prevent the so-called against wetting, that is, the fluid of the absorbed body is He has struggled back against the wearer's skin. Due to reasons of comfort and in order to avoid skin irritation, it is important that the surface in that part of the sanitary napkin that rests against the wearer's skin is kept as dry as possible during use. A dry surface on the sanitary napkin also has a colder and more pleasant feeling for the user during use, and is more acceptable, both in purely visual terms and during the handling of the sanitary napkin when the latter is to be changed, and a surface dirty wet. The absorption layer 53 is suitably manufactured from cellulose pulp. This can be in the form of rolls, bundles or sheets that are defibrated dry and converted into spongy form, in a paste mat, sometimes with the addition of so-called superabsorbents that are polymers with the ability to absorb several times their own weight of water or body fluid. Examples of other materials that can be used are various types of natural fibers, for example cotton, peat or similar fibers. Of course, it is also possible to use absorbent synthetic fibers or mixtures of natural fibers and synthetic fibers. The absorption material may also contain other components such as dimensionally stabilizing means, liquid dispersion means or binders such as for example heat-treated thermoplastic fibers in order to retain together the short fibers and the particles as a coherent unit. It is also possible to use different types of absorbent foam material in the absorption layer. Along the periphery of the sanitary napkin 54, the outer layer 52 and the shaped element 2 are joined by a piece of long narrow material that has been folded to form a seam 55 around the edge of the sanitary napkin at its periphery 54 The material used for stitching 55 is preferably a hydrophobic material in order to prevent leakage or lateral leakage. It is also important that the material used for the seam 55 have a soft and pleasant feeling against the skin of the wearer. An example of a material suitable for stitching 55 is a hydrophobic nonwoven material. The sanitary napkin 43 has an essentially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and has two long sides 56, 57, two short sides 58, 59, two end portions 47, 48 and a central portion 50, positioned between the portions at the end and also joins the longitudinal centerline 60. FIGS. 11a to 11c show a cross-section through the sanitary napkin 43 in FIG. 10. FIG. 1a shows a cross-section through the front end portion 47 of FIG. the sanitary towel. The front end portion 47 is the portion that is intended to be facing forward in the wearer, during use, the front end portion 47 has a concave portion 46 that will fit against the pubic mound of the wearer. Figure 11b shows a cross section through the central portion 50 of the sanitary napkin. The central portion 50 has a raised portion similar to a flange 51 intended to fit against the wearer's vestibule. Figure 11c shows a cross section through from the rear end portion 48 of the sanitary napkin. The rear end portion 48 has a raised portion similar to a flange 49 which is intended to fit against the gluteal prominence of the wearer during use. Of course it is possible to combine the different fold lines shown in the different modalities freely with each other as long as the object of the fold lines is not compromised, namely, that of creating a shape adapted to the body and / or to create barriers to escape or leakage. For example, a number of curved fold lines may be placed along the shaped element. Two or more curved fold lines in the central portion, which are concave in relation to the longitudinal center line, can advantageously be combined with two or more fold lines curved in the rear end portion, which are convex with respect to the center line longitudinal. The front end portion may also have longitudinal fold lines that are convex relative to the longitudinal center line of the shaped element. These fold lines allow the configuration of the concave portion in the front end portion. The different embodiments with fold lines may also be freely combined with a shaped element having a continuous raised portion in the central portion and the rear end portion and with a shaped element having a raised portion in the central portion and a portion raised in the middle portion. the end portion separately by a valley. The shaped element has to constitute the liquid-tight back side in the absorbent product according to the invention. A liquid blocking layer, separated for example from polyethylene, may constitute the back side that is liquid-tight of the product. This may be appropriate in a case where the shaped element is not liquid tight. The shaped element does not have to be adjacent to the back side of the product but for example can be between the outer layer and the absorption layer. In this case, the shaped element can be perforated in order to allow the body fluid through it. Of course, then a separate liquid blocking layer is necessary. The invention should not be considered as being limited to the embodiments described herein, but a number of additional variants and modifications are possible within the scope of the patent claims presented below.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS:

1. A blank model intended to constitute the shaped element (2) in an absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad or a panty liner, whose blank model is made of a rigid material and has a flat shape and an essentially elongate shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, two short sides (3,4) and two long sides (5,6), a central portion (9) and two end portions (7,8), characterized in that an end portion (7) is wider than the central portion (9) and has a width that increases toward the short side (3) of the blank shape and the other end portion (8) has an elongated cut-out portion or crevice (10) .

2. A blank form according to claim 1, characterized in that the widest part and the end portion (7) is 1.5 to 5 times as wide as the narrowest width of the central portion (9).

3. A shaped element for an absorbent product such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad or a pantyliner, which shaped element is made of a rigid material and has an essentially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, a longitudinal center line (26), two short sides (14,15) and two long sides (16,17), a central portion (20) and two end portions (18, 19), an end portion (18) of which has a concave portion (21), characterized in that the shaped element (2) has been joined to form a raised portion (22) in an end portion , from a flat blank model (1), and in which the concave portion (21) has been created with the aid of a fold indication (24) extending essentially in the transverse direction of the shaped element (2). A shaped element according to claim 3, characterized in that the two fold indications (28, 29) are placed essentially in the longitudinal direction of the blank shape in at least the central portion (20) of the shape in white, one on each side of the longitudinal center line (26). 5. An absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad or a panty liner, which product has an essentially elongated shape with two end portions (47, 48) and a central portion (50) placed between the portions of end, and also has a longitudinal center line (60) whose product comprises a shaped element (2) and has a concave portion (46) in an end portion (47) and a raised portion similar to a flange (49) in the other end portion (48), characterized because the raised portion (49) of the end portion of the end portion has been created by a shaped element (2) that has been joined to form a portion raised from a flat blank (1), and in that portion concave (46) was created with the help of a fold indication (24) which extends essentially in the transverse direction of the shaped element (2). 6. An absorbent product according to claim 5, characterized in that the absorbent product (43) has leak or leak barriers placed on both sides of the longitudinal center line (60). . A method for producing a shaped element (2) characterized in that a blank model (1) intended to constitute the shaped element (2) is produced in planar form with an essentially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, two short sides (3,4) and two long sides (5,6), two end portions (7,8) and a central portion (9), wherein an end portion (7) is provided with a width that increases toward the short side (3) of the blank model and a cutout portion (10) is placed on the other end portion (8), the blank model (1) is folded in a double manner along a longitudinal centerline (11). ) of the blank model (1) the cutout portion (10) is joined and the joined parts are folded up in a three dimensional state. 8. A method for producing a shaped element (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the fold indications (28, 29) are placed in the longitudinal direction of the blank pattern before the cutout portion (10) is joined. 9. A method for producing an absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad or a panty liner, characterized in that the blank pattern (1) intended to constitute the shaped element (2) in the absorbent product ( 43) is produced in planar form with an essentially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, two short sides (3, 4) and two long sides (5, 6), two end portions (7, 8) and one central portion (9), wherein an end portion (7) is provided with a width that increases toward the short side (3) of the blank pattern and a cutout portion (10) is made in the other end portion (8). ), the blank model (1) is that apart from folding double along a longitudinal center line (11) of the blank model, an absorption layer (53) and then an outer layer (52) are placed on each surface after which, the lateral edges at the length of the trimmed portion (10) formed, the absorption layers (53) and also the outer layers (52) are joined and the joined parts are folded up in a flat state. A method for producing an absorbent product according to claim 9, characterized in that the two fold indications (28, 29) are placed essentially in the longitudinal direction of the blank shape, in at least the central portion (9). ) of the blank form, one on each side of the longitudinal centerline (11).