RU2366395C2 - Adsorbing panties and method for making - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: invention concerns medicine. Adsorbing panties having a crotch and front and back pieces containing an elastic rolled material, making an integral component of at least a part of front and/or back pieces. Further, the product has an elastic belt attached to the elastic rolled material. The belt contains the first and second layers of nonelastic rolled material in-between enclosing at least one extended elastic element wherein the first layer is attached to one side of the elastic rolled material, and the second layer is attached to the opposite side of the elastic rolled material directly opposite to the first layer. The first and second layers are attached to the elastic rolled material when it is stretched so that to fold the belt along seams when the elastic rolled material is in its primary position.

EFFECT: invention allows improving conformability and comfort of the products.

30 cl, 8 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to an absorbent article in the form of underpants, such as a diaper in the form of underpants, hygienic underpants or an incontinence garment, said article comprising an elastic roll material. The invention further relates to a method of attaching a separate elastic belt to an absorbent article in the form of pants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is believed that absorbent articles having certain core regions and frame regions have a snug fit on the wearer's body. For panty-shaped articles, such as panty diapers, hygiene pants or incontinence panties, it is also desirable for the articles to be able to be pulled up and pulled down the wearer's hips to allow the wearer or maintenance personnel to easily put on or remove the article after it pollution. It is known to manufacture such absorbent underpants with elastic stretchable side parts and a part of the waist, usually containing elastic elements, such as elastic threads, attached with pulling between the protective layer and the upper layer.

It is further known to manufacture parts of the skeleton of absorbent articles from an elastic material, such as tensile bonded laminates. Such laminates may include a layer of expanded elastomeric fibers that are stretched and inserted between the outer layers of the spun nets.

US 6,552,245 discloses a tensile outer coating for an absorbent article that provides a certain permanent deformation when subjected to tensile stress. The stretchable outer coating contains a neck laminate in the form of a single layer having a neck inelastic film and one layer of elastic film. Films can be breathable.

WO 03/047488 discloses an elastic laminate comprising an elastic film which, on opposite sides, binds to the first and second inelastic fibrous layers. Laminate is obtained by bonding inelastic fibrous layers with a layer of elastic film and, therefore, stretching the composite material, causing the destruction of inelastic materials. The elastic film material may be of breathable material. A laminate may be included in the absorbent article.

US 2004/0243086 discloses a panty-type disposable underwear having stretchable front and rear parts, for example, made of an elastic laminate. The elastic belt is attached to the distal edge of at least one of the front and rear parts, said elastic belt having a retracted length that is less than a retracted length of the part to which it is attached. The elastic belt contains a bent inelastic roll element containing one or more elongated elastic elements. An elastic belt is made at a separate manufacturing stage and is attached to the distal edge of the front and / or rear part in a half-stretched state on the side of the specified part facing away from the user.

Other examples of absorbent articles, which are partially made from elastic laminates, are described in US 6476289 and JP 10043235.

PCT / SE2004 / 001004, PCT / SE2004 / 001005 and PCT / SE2004 / 001415 international applications relate to absorbent articles containing an outer protective layer in the form of an elastic laminate having improved properties such as creating a sensation of clothing. An elastic waistband attaches to the waist edge of the outer protective layer.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-205053 discloses a panty-shaped diaper having an elastic belt attached separately to the diaper frame, the belt being folded over the distal edges of the diaper frame. The diaper frame contains a traditional liquid-permeable topsheet and a liquid-impervious backing layer, which are usually inelastic, and have an absorbent structure sandwiched between them.

However, there is still a need to improve the properties of absorbent articles containing an elastic roll material, such as an elastic laminate, as an external protective layer, especially their fit and feel in the region of the waist opening. The convenience and softness of the absorbent products of the type mentioned above is also important, as well as the cost aspect, including the cost of manufacturing disposable products that are discarded after a single use.

The task and the most important features of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article in the form of panties having a core region and front and rear parts comprising an elastic web material constituting a single component of at least a portion of the front and / or rear parts, said product further having an elastic waistband connected to the elastic web material so as to provide a perfect fit and feel around the waist opening. The belt comprises first and second layers of inelastic web material enclosing at least one elongated elastic element, in which a first layer of inelastic web material is attached to one side of the elastic web material at the waist edge of at least one of the front and rear parts, and a second layer of inelastic web material is attached to the opposite side of the elastic web material, directly opposite the first layer. The first and second layers are attached to the elastic web material while it is in a stretched state. The first and second layers of inelastic roll material with elastic roll material between them form a seam on the belt, on which the first and second layers of inelastic material form folds along the specified seam on the belt when the specified elastic roll material is in the initial (relaxed) position.

In one embodiment, the elastic belt is formed from a folded inelastic web material so as to form said first and second layers enclosing said at least one elongated elastic element.

In one aspect of the invention, the elastic web material constitutes a single carcass component of at least 20% of the total surface area of the article.

In accordance with one embodiment, the elastic web material is a laminate composed of the first and second layers of fibrous material and an elastic film layer located between said first and second fibrous layers.

In a further embodiment, the elastic film layer is breathable.

In one aspect of the invention, the elastic laminate has a Water Vapor Transmission Rate in accordance with Method D of ASTM E96-00 of at least 1,500 g / m ^{2 for} 24 hours, preferably at least 3,000 g / m ^{2 for} 24 hours.

According to one embodiment, said elastic laminate comprises first and second fibrous layers of spun material, each having a bulk of between 10 and 35 g / m ² , preferably between 12 and 30 g / m ² , more preferably between 10 and 25 g / m ² , and the breathable layer of the elastic film has a bulk of between 20 and 80 g / m ² , preferably between 20 and 60 g / m ² , said elastic laminate having a Water Vapor Transmission Rate in accordance with Method D of ASTM E96-00, at least least 1500 g / m ² 24h, preferably at IU e, 3000 g / m ² 24h.

According to a further embodiment, said elastic web material has a lateral elasticity of at least 30%, preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 70% when measured in accordance with an elasticity test, specified in the description.

In one aspect of the invention, the elastic web material has a bulk of not more than 100 g / m ² , preferably not more than 90 g / m ² .

In yet a further embodiment, a substantially inelastic web material is disposed on the gusset portion of the product, wherein the inelastic web material is attached to the front and rear parts containing said elastic web material.

According to one embodiment, the surface area of the absorbent core is not more than 30%, preferably not more than 20% of the total surface area of the product when measuring the product in a flat state. The term “flat state” in this document means an open unstretched state, as shown in FIG. 2, and in which any of the stretched elastic elements is deactivated.

The invention further relates to a method for attaching a separate elastic belt to a panty-shaped absorbent article, in which the elastic belt comprises first and second layers of a substantially inelastic web material enclosing substantially one elongated elastic element, and said first and second layers are substantially inelastic the roll material is attached to an elastic roll material constituting a single component of at least part of the front and / or rear parts of the product. The elastic web material and the substantially inelastic web material are fed substantially parallel in the feed direction (A), each of these web materials having a pair of longitudinal side edges, said elastic material being fed in a selectively stretched state;

the first longitudinal lateral edge of the elastic web material is adjusted so that it overlaps at a selected distance the first longitudinal side edge of the substantially inelastic web material and the overlapping side edges are connected to each other, the elastic web material extends to a length that exceeds its unstretched length, at least at least 10%, while connected to a substantially inelastic web material;

providing at least one elongated elastic member and attaching to a substantially inelastic web material;

the substantially inelastic roll material is folded in a direction generally transverse to the indicated feed direction (A) over at least one elongated elastic member, and the second longitudinal edge of the substantially inelastic roll material is overlapped to the first longitudinal edge of the elastic roll material to opposite to its side with respect to the first longitudinal edge of the substantially inelastic web material so that the first side edge of the elastic web material is held waiting for the first and second side edges of the essentially inelastic roll material, in which the elastic roll material is stretched to a length that exceeds its unstretched length by at least 10%, while joining the essentially inelastic roll material.

Alternatively, to bend the substantially inelastic roll material, a substantially inelastic roll material is further provided and is overlapped to the first longitudinal edge of the elastic roll material to its opposite edge with respect to the first substantially inelastic roll material, while the elastic roll material is held in said stretched state. and the free lateral edges of two essentially inelastic web materials are joined together at the preceding or following stage it.

The elastic web material and the substantially elastic web materials are bonded to each other by heat bonding, ultrasonic welding or adhesive, preferably ultrasonic welding.

Preferably, the elastic web material is stretched to a length that exceeds its unstretched length by at least 20% and more preferably at least 30% when attached to a substantially inelastic web material.

In a further aspect, a pair of continuous lengths of said substantially inelastic web material intended to form a belt are fed substantially parallel to said feed direction (A) and at a selected distance from each other, each of said essentially inelastic web materials having two longitudinal lateral the edges. A pair of continuous lengths of said elastic roll material intended to form at least a portion of the front part and the back part, respectively, are fed substantially parallel and at a selected distance from each other in the indicated feed direction (A), said elastic roll materials (each ) have two longitudinal lateral edges. Each of said substantially inelastic roll materials is brought to overlap at a selected distance of their longitudinal edges facing each other with a corresponding elastic roll material, and said overlapping side edges are connected to each other. The continuous length of the substantially inelastic web material for forming the web material of the crotch region is fed in the indicated feed direction (A) between the specified pair of elastic web materials in which the web material of the crotch region has a pair of longitudinal side edges and is connected to its longitudinal side edges with overlapping with corresponding longitudinal lateral edges of the elastic web materials. Each of said elastic web materials is stretched to a length that exceeds its unstretched length by at least 10% while attaching to the substantially inelastic web material of the crotch portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a diaper in the form of underpants.

Figure 2 shows a top view of a diaper in the form of pants in its flat uncompressed state before forming, as seen from the side facing the body.

Figure 3 is a corresponding top view from the opposite outer side of the diaper in the form of underpants.

4 is a top view of a portion of a waist region in a flat unstretched state in which the elastic elements of the waist are deactivated and the elastic web material is in a relaxed unstretched state.

Figure 5 is a cross section along the line V-V of Figure 4.

6 is a cross section along the line VI-VI of FIG. 3.

Fig.7 is a cross section of an elastic laminate along the line VII-VII of Fig.3.

Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a section of a production line for attaching an elastic belt to the front and rear parts of a panty-shaped article in accordance with the invention.

Description of preferred embodiments

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to some embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

Absorbent product

The term “absorbent article” refers to articles that are placed directly opposite the user's skin to adsorb and preserve physiological exudates, such as urine, feces and menstrual fluid. The invention relates mainly to disposable absorbent articles, which include articles that are not intended to be washed or otherwise reconstituted or reused as an absorbent article after use. According to the invention, panty-shaped absorbent articles are those which have a core region and a skeleton region surrounding the core region. Examples of such absorbent articles in the form of underpants are diapers in the form of underpants, hygiene underpants and incontinence underpants.

The drawings show the embodiment of a diaper in the form of underpants 1 for children or adults with incontinence. The panty-shaped diaper typically comprises an absorbent core 2 located in the region of the core 3 of the article, and a frame 4 surrounding the core region. The frame includes a front part 5, a rear part 6 and an elastic belt 7. The core region 3 is located at least in the crotch region 19 of the product and extends a certain distance into the front 5 and rear part 6. The crotch region 19 is thus defined as a narrow part of the product intended for use in the user's gusset between the legs.

The product has a longitudinal direction y and a transverse direction x.

The product contains a liquid-permeable top layer 8 and a liquid-impervious protective layer 9, covering at least the region of the core 3. An absorbent core 2 is between the upper layer 8 and the protective layer 9.

Upper layer

A liquid-permeable topsheet 8 may consist of a nonwoven material, for example, spun, expanded, carded, hydro-entangled, wet laid, etc. Suitable nonwovens can be composed of natural fibers, such as wood pulp or cotton fibers, artificial fibers such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, rayon, etc., or a mixture of natural and artificial fibers. The material of the top layer can be further composed of tow fibers, which can be bonded to each other in a related pattern, as, for example, disclosed in EP-A-1035818. Further examples of topcoat materials are porous foams, aperture plastic films, etc. Materials suitable as topcoat materials should be soft and non-irritating to the skin and intended to be easily impregnated with physiological fluid, such as urine or menstrual fluid. The top layer may be different in different parts of the absorbent article.

Protective layer

A liquid impervious protective layer 9 covering the region of the core 3 on the side of the core facing the garment consists of a liquid impermeable material, such as a thin plastic film, for example, a polyethylene or polypropylene film, a non-woven material coated with a liquid-impermeable material, a hydrophobic non-woven a material that impedes the penetration of a liquid, or a laminate containing plastic films and non-woven materials. The material of the protective layer 9 of the core region can be breathable so as to allow vapor to escape from the absorbent core, while still preventing liquids from passing through it. Examples of breathable backing layer materials are porous polymer films, non-woven laminates of spun and expanded layers, laminates of porous polymer films and non-woven materials. The protective layer 9 is preferably inelastic.

Elastic roll material

The outer protective layer covering the front and rear parts 5 and 6 of the frame 4, contains an elastic roll material 10, which is elastic, at least in the transverse X-direction of the product. The elasticity in the X-direction should be at least 30%, preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 70%, as measured by the elasticity test below.

Preferably, the elastic web material is also elastic in the Y-direction of the article. However, the elasticity in the Y-direction is preferably lower than in the X-direction. Elasticity in the Y-direction should be at least 20%.

In the embodiment shown and described below, the elastic web material is an elastic laminate 10 composed of the first and second outer layers of the fibrous material 11 and 12 and the middle layer 13 of the elastic film located between the fibrous layers. However, it is understood that other types of elastic web materials can be used, such as elastic non-woven materials, non-woven materials which are themselves inelastic but which are elasticized by elastic threads, etc. The elastic web materials may contain one layer or two or more layers that are laminated.

In the elastic laminate shown and described below, it is preferable that the outer fibrous layers 11 and 12 be selected so that, in combination with the inner layer 13 of the elastic film, give the material a high puncture resistance. They also provide the laminate with a soft and clothing-like feel. Examples of suitable materials are carded meshes and spun materials. The bulk of the layers of fibrous materials should be between 10 and 35 g / m ² , preferably between 12 and 30 g / m ² , more preferably between 10 and 25 g / m ² . Examples of suitable polymers used in fibrous materials are polyethylene, polyesters, polypropylene and other polyolefin homopolymers and copolymers. Natural fibers, such as cotton fiber, can also be used as long as they provide the desired properties. A mixture of polymers can contribute to higher flexibility of the nonwoven layer and thereby give the nonwoven material a higher elongation at maximum load. It has been proven that a mixture of polymers of polyethylene and polypropylene provides good results in this regard. A mixture of fibers of various polymers is also possible.

The middle layer 13 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is an aperture elastic film having a bulk of between 20 and 80 g / m ² , preferably between 20 and 60 g / m ² . The film may be from any suitable flexible polymer, natural or synthetic. Some examples of suitable materials for an elastic film are low crystallinity polyethylene, low crystallinity polyethylene on a metallocene catalyst, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, polyurethane, polyisoprene, butadiene and styrene copolymers, styrene block copolymers such as styrene, isoprene and block copolymers styrene (SIS), styrene, butadiene and styrene (SBS), and styrene, ethylene butadiene and styrene. You can also use mixtures of these polymers, as well as other modified elastomeric or non-elastomeric materials. One example of a suitable film is the aperture three-layer elastomeric film PE-SEBS-PE.

The total bulk of the laminate is preferably 100 g / m ² or less, more preferably not more than 90 g / m ² .

The elastic laminate 10 can be made in accordance with the method disclosed in WO 03/047488, in which one spun layer 11 is applied to the film 13 in an adhesive state and thus bonded to the film layer, while the other spun layer 12 is adhesive laminated to the layer films 13 using, for example, a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive. Alternatively, the laminate is produced in accordance with a modified version of this known method, in which the modification includes that the laminate is pulled in steps (via hooking devices, IMG) to a point below elongation at peak load of at least one of the non-elastic non-woven layers to maintain some strength, at least for one of the nonwoven layers. Another layer can also be stretched to a point below its elongation at peak load or to a point at which it will tear during stretching.

The method disclosed in WO 03/047488 involves stretching the laminate over the fracture point of the fibrous material so that the inelastic layers are completely destroyed. Therefore, as described in WO 03/047488, the extension of the laminate is not limited to the tensile modulus of the inelastic material.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one, preferably both of the fibrous layers that bind to the elastic film, in contrast to the method described in WO 03/047488, does not completely break when a laminate is formed in accordance with the present invention. The choice of fibrous materials that have an elongation at maximum load greater than the elasticity of the elastic laminate allows the elastic film to stretch without obstruction from the fibrous layers. This selection also ensures that the fibrous layers contribute to the puncture resistance of the laminate, as they do not completely delaminate or break during manufacture. Preferably, both fibrous layers or at least one of the fibrous layers have an elongation at maximum load, which is at least 10% higher than the elasticity of the laminate. This is described in more detail in PCT / SE2004 / 001005, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The opacity of the material layer is the characteristic ability of the material layer to hide visually from the side of the main object or pattern. Opacity is measured as a percentage, where 100% opacity means that nothing will be visible through the material layer, and 0% means that the material layer is completely transparent. The opacity is measured using the opacity test described below, which is based on the data of the index of reflection of light.

The opacity of the laminates can be obtained by introducing opaque fillers into the laminate, especially in an elastic film. Such pigments may be organic or inorganic dyes, coloring agents or bleaching agents. Inorganic materials such as titanium dioxide, inorganic carbonates, synthetic carbonates, talc, nypheline syenite, magnesium hydroxide, Siatomite earth aluminum trihydrate, mica, natural or synthetic silicic acids, calcined clays and mixtures thereof are preferred examples of opaque fillers.

Filler is preferably added as a masterbatch during film extrusion. One example of an approximate concentration is about 5% by weight of filler to the weight of the film.

It is further preferred that the elastic laminate 10 has breathability (water vapor transmission rate) in accordance with Method D of ASTM E96-00 of at least 1500 g / m ² 24 h, preferably at least 3000 g / m ² 24 h .

The open area of the elastic film layer is preferably at least 8%, more preferably at least 10%. The open area is measured by image analysis methods and is defined as the sum of the area of the holes divided by the total area of the film sample.

Absorbent core

An “absorbent core” is an absorbent structure located between two coatings of an absorbent article. The absorbent core 2 may be of any conventional kind. Examples of commonly occurring adsorbent materials are fluff pulp, tissue layers, highly absorbent polymers (so-called superabsorbents), absorbent foam materials, absorbent nonwoven materials, or the like. It is generally accepted to combine the fluff pulp with superabsorbent polymers in an absorbent core. Superabsorbent polymers are water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic materials, capable of adsorbing at least about 20 times their own weight and containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride in an aqueous solution. Organic materials suitable for use as a superabsorbent material may include natural materials such as polysaccharides, polypeptides and the like, along with synthetic materials such as synthetic hydrogel polymers. Such hydrogel polymers include, for example, alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acids, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, polyvinylpyridines and the like. Other suitable polymers include hydrolyzed starch grafted with acrylonitrile, starch grafted with acrylic acid and copolymers of isobutylene and maleic anhydride and mixtures thereof. Hydrogel polymers are preferably slightly crosslinked to convert the material to a substantially water-insoluble form. Preferred superabsorbent materials are further crosslinked so that the outer surface or shell of the superabsorbent particle, fiber, flake, sphere, etc. had a higher crosslink density than the inner part of the superabsorbent. Superabsorbent materials can be in any form suitable for use in adsorbent composites, including particles, fibers, flakes, spheres and the like.

High adsorption capacity is provided by the use of a large amount of superabsorbent material. For an absorbent core containing a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as cellulose fibers, and a superabsorbent material, the proportion of superabsorbent material is preferably between 10 and 90 wt.%, More preferably between 30 and 70 wt.%.

It is customary for absorbent articles to have absorbent cores containing layers with different properties with respect to liquid receiving ability, liquid distribution ability, and storage ability. Thin adsorbent core parts that are common, for example, in baby diapers and incontinence protectors, often contain a compressed mixed or layered structure of the fluff pulp and superabsorbent polymers. The size and adsorption capacity of the absorbent core may vary to suit various uses, such as for children or for adults with incontinence.

The absorbent core may further include a distribution and collection layer located at the top of the main absorbent portion and which is adapted to quickly receive and temporarily store the recovered liquid before it is adsorbed to the main absorbent core. Such distribution and collection layers are well known in the art and may consist of porous fibrous linings or foam materials.

Diaper

The panty-shaped diaper disclosed in FIG. 1 is intended to surround the lower abdomen of a user like a pair of lower panties. It contains a core region 3 located on a narrow crotch portion 19 of the product and elongated in the front 5 and rear parts 6 of the absorbent pants. The frame region 4 surrounds the region of the core 3. The region of the core 3 is defined as the surface area of the product occupied by the absorbent core 2 and the areas outside the core that are covered by a liquid-tight protective layer 9. The frame 4 comprises a front part 5, a rear part 6 and an elastic belt 7, attached to the front and rear parts. In an alternative embodiment, only one of the front 5 and rear parts 6 has an elastic belt 7 attached to it. Each of the front and rear parts 5 and 6 has a waist edge 5a and 6a, a crotch edge 5b and 6b and a pair of side edges 5c, 6c and 5d and 6d, respectively. The front 5 and rear 6 parts are connected to each other along their side edges 5 c, 6 c and 5 d and 6 d by ultrasonic welding 15, gluing or the like to form side seams. The elastic parts of the belt 7 attached to the front part 5 and the rear part 6, respectively, are also connected to each other along these side seams. The combined front and rear parts 5 and 7 and the parts of the belt 7 define a waist hole and a pair of panty holes for the legs of the diaper.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the surface area of the absorbent core 2 is not more than 30% of the total surface area of the product, preferably not more than 20%, as measured in the flat state of the product. The term “flat state” as used herein means in an open unstretched state, as seen in FIG. 2, and in which any stretched elastic elements are deactivated.

The elastic web material 10 may cover the entire product, including the core region 3 and the entire skeleton region 4. However, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, a substantial portion of the crotch portion 19 of the product is free of elastic web material 10. The “essential portion” used herein refers to at least 50%, preferably at least 75%.

The gusset part 18, which is preferably an inelastic material, more preferably an inelastic nonwoven material, is located in the gusset part of the product and is overlapped by the elastic front and back parts 5 and 6. The gusset part 18 along its transverse side edges 18a and b is connected to the overlap with the front and rear parts 5 and 6, respectively, by ultrasonic welding 17, bonding or the like.

The elastic waist 7 comprises a substantially inelastic nonwoven material 22, which is elasticized by elongated elastic elements 14a, such as elastic threads, compressively attached between layers of material, such as nonwoven materials. Elastic yarns 14b may also be placed around the leg openings of the article.

The elastic belt 7 comprises first and second layers 20 and 21 of a substantially inelastic nonwoven material surrounding at least one elastic thread 14 and preferably two or more elastic threads. The substantially inelastic web material is preferably non-woven. The first layer 20 of the belt is attached to the body side of the elastic roll material 10 at the edges of the waist 5a and 6a of the front and rear parts 5 and 6, respectively, and the second layer 21 of the belt is attached to the opposite outside of the elastic roll material 10 directly opposite the first layer 20. This is best illustrated in FIG. 5.

The first and second layers 20 and 21 are attached to the elastic web material 10, while it is in a stretched state. The first and second layers 20 and 21 with elastic roll material 10 held between them form a seam on the belt 16 connected by ultrasonic welding, gluing or the like, while at the same time holding the elastic roll material in a stretched state. This will cause the first and second layers 20 and 21 of inelastic material to form folds 29 along the seam on the belt 16 when the elastic web material 10 is in a relaxed state. This is illustrated in FIG. 4, showing the elastic yarns 14a of the belt 7 in an inactive state, and the elastic web material 10 is in a relaxed unstretched state.

The elastic belt 7 is preferably formed from a half-bent essentially inelastic roll material, however, it can also be formed from two separate layers 20, 21, which are joined together to surround the elastic threads 14.

The seam thus formed on the belt 16 provides a very smooth connection between the front and rear parts 5, 6 and the belt 7, both on the surface facing the user and on the opposite external surface of the product. No annoying or unpleasant connecting edges appear on either side, internal or external, of the product, since only one single layer of web material is attached to each side of the inner elastic web material 10 at the seam on the belt 16, as best illustrated in FIG. 5. The seam on the belt 16 will then have a certain degree of elasticity.

In an alternative embodiment, only one of the front and rear parts 5 and 6 is connected to the elastic belt 7, on which the elasticity of the elastic web material 10 is sufficient to hold the other part in place above the user's hips.

The material of the liquid-impermeable protective layer 9 lies beneath the absorbent core 2 and adjacent areas immediately outside the absorbent core 2. The area covered by the liquid-impermeable protective layer 2 is defined as the region of the core 3. The gusset non-woven material 18 is located on the side facing the garment liquid impervious protective layer 9 in the crotch portion of the product. The core region 3 extends into the front and rear parts 5 and 6 so that the elastic web material 10 and the liquid tight barrier layer overlap on the outer parts of the core region 3, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, on which the elastic web material 10 is located on facing the garment side of the liquid impervious protective layer 9.

The elastic web material constitutes a single component on the parts of the front and rear parts 5 and 6 of the frame 4. At least 20%, preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 30% and most preferably at least 40% of the total surface area of the product, as seen in a flat state in accordance with FIGS. 2 and 3, the elastic web material 10 constitutes a single frame component.

There is no need for additional elasticized side parts connecting the front and rear parts 5 and 6 when using the elastic web material 10 in accordance with the invention. If desired, additional elasticized side parts can of course be provided, especially in cases where the elastic web material 10 is located on parts of the front and / or rear parts.

As described above, the elastic web material 10 has an opacity of at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, and more preferably at least 60%. The opacity of the elastic web material provides the product with a sensation similar to clothing, which is especially important when the product is a diaper in the form of underpants. Especially in this case, when the elastic web material forms a single component on large areas of the diaper’s surface area in the form of panties, such as large areas of the front and back inserts, and the absorbent core covers only relatively small areas, 30% or less, the sensation of the elastic web material has great importance for the whole diaper sensation. Thus, upon receipt of an opaque elastic roll material with an opacity of at least 40%, the panty diaper will look more like clothes and more like a “normal” garment than if the elastic roll material had a higher degree of transparency . Opacity is measured by the opacity test disclosed in PCT / SE2004 / 001415.

It is further desirable that the elastic web material has a puncture resistance of at least 15H, as measured in accordance with ASTM designation D3763-02. Preferably, the elastic web material of the present invention has a puncture resistance of at least 20 N and more preferably at least 30 N.

The flexible web material should preferably have a softness in accordance with Kawabata of at least 20, preferably at least 30 and most preferably at least 40. It is further desirable that it has a formability in accordance with Kawabata no more than 50, preferably not more than 30, more preferably not more than 20, and most preferably not more than 10. It is also desirable that the elastic web material has a drape in accordance with Kawabata of not more than 40. Softness, shape spine and drapability according to Kawabata is measured according to the test methods given in PCT / SE2004 / 001004.

Elasticity test

The method measures how an elastic material behaves during repeated loading and unloading cycles. The sample is stretched to a predetermined extension, and a cyclic movement is made between 0 and the specified predetermined extension. The desired loading and unloading forces are recorded. The constant is measured, i.e. remaining, lengthening of relaxed material.

A Lloyd LRX dynamometer is used, capable of cyclic movements and equipped with a printer / recorder or software. The sample is obtained by cutting it to a width of 25 mm and a length that is preferably 20 mm longer than the distance between the clamps of the dynamometer.

The dynamometer is calibrated in accordance with the instrument instructions. The parameters required for the test (load and unload forces) are adjusted to:

slide speed: 500 mm / min,

distance between clips: 50 mm,

preload: 0.05 N.

The sample is placed in the clamps in accordance with the marks, and you should make sure that the sample is centered and attached perpendicular to the clamps. The dynamometer is turned on and performs three cycles between 0 and a predetermined elongation equal to the highest defined ^1st load. Before the last cycle, the sample rests for 1 minute, then the constant elongation is measured by stretching the sample until a force of 0.1 N is reached and the elongation is read.

Permanent elongation after relaxation (attenuation) should be less than 10% and is measured by the above method. Thus, an elasticity of 30% is defined as the fact that the laminate must have permanent relaxation after elongation of less than 10% after exposure to elongation of 30% on the above dynamometer. Elongation of 30% means elongation to a length that is 30% longer than the original length of the sample.

Preparation method

A diaper in the form of pants can be made by the method that is illustrated in Fig. 8. The various components of the absorbent article are connected (not shown) on a conveyor belt running in the direction of motion indicated by arrow A. A pair of continuous lengths (lengths) of substantially inelastic web material 22 for forming belt 7 are fed in parallel and at a selected distance from each other along the conveyor belt. The inelastic web materials 22 have two longitudinal side edges 22a and b and, along their longitudinal edges 22a facing each other, are brought together with a pair of continuous lengths of elastic web material 10 intended to form the front part 5 and the back part 6, respectively. The elastic web material 10 has two longitudinal side edges 10a and b. The inelastic and elastic web materials 22 and 10 are brought together and joined with overlapping so that their respective longitudinal side edges 10 and 22a overlap by at least about 5 mm and preferably not more than 20 mm. The elastic web materials 10 are delivered in a selectively stretched state when attached to non-elastic nets 22. The elastic nets 10 are stretched to a length that exceeds their unstretched length by at least 10%, preferably at least 20% and more preferably at least 30%. The overlapping edges of the inelastic mesh 22 and the elastic mesh 10 are joined together by gluing, ultrasonic welding, or the like using the device indicated by the number 23. Inelastic roll materials 22 are overlapped by elastic roll materials 10 on their back side in accordance with FIG. The free longitudinal edges 10b of the two elastic web materials 10 are arranged at a selected distance from each other, used to hold the crotch web material 18 between them.

A plurality of elongated elastic members 14a are then supplied and attached to each of the inelastic web materials 22 in any suitable manner known in the art, for example by gluing 24. The elongated elastic members 14a are delivered selectively stretched, or they can alternatively be delivered substantially unstretched and therefore , activated to a stretched state, for example, by heating. In the latter case, the elongated elastic elements 14a are a specific type of elastomeric material related to a material that is heat-elasticized.

After the elongated elastic elements 14a are supplied to the inelastic roll materials 22, said roll materials each pass through a bending strip 25, which constantly bends the corresponding inelastic roll material 22 transversely to the feed direction A along the bend line 26 and above the elongated elastic elements 14. Free longitudinal edges 22b of each inelastic web material 22 are sequentially attached to the corresponding elastic web material 10 to its longitudinal edge 10a with overlapping against its positive side (the upper side in accordance with Fig. 8), as well as the other longitudinal edge 22a of the inelastic web material that is already attached to the elastic web material 10. Joining the overlapping edges of the inelastic web 22 and the elastic web 10 is obtained by gluing, ultrasonic welding or the like with the aid of the number 27.

The elastic laminate 10 is held in a constant selectively stretched state through the connecting device 27, as described above. The connecting effect, for example, ultrasonic welding provided by the second connecting device 27, can be significantly stronger than the connecting effect provided by the first connecting device 23, which can only provide, for example, a light tack weld sufficient to hold the overlapping edges of the two networks of materials 10 and 22 together to the next connecting position 27. The bent inelastic web material 22 with elongated elastic elements 14 enclosed therein forms an elastic st 7 times the absorbent article.

Alternatively, to bend the inelastic web material 22, you can add additional inelastic web material and overlap with the longitudinal edge 10a of the elastic laminate 10 on its opposite side to the first inelastic web material 22, while the elastic web material is held in said stretched state. The free lateral edges of two inelastic web materials are joined to each other at either the preceding or the subsequent stage. In this case, each of the inelastic web materials 22 has a width corresponding to the width of the belt 7.

In the following position, the continuous length of the second substantially inelastic web material 180 intended to form the gusset piece 18 is also delivered at its longitudinal side edges 180 a and b, connected to the longitudinal edges 10 b of the elastic web material 10. The web material 180 of the gusset and elastic web materials 10 are connected to the overlap by gluing, ultrasonic welding or the like using the connecting device 28 in the manner described above. Preferably, the elastic web materials 10 are held in their selectively stretched state as described above, i.e. stretch to a length that exceeds their unstretched length by at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, and more preferably at least 30%, while attaching to the roll material 180 of the crotch part. The elastic webs 10 with belts 7 attached thereto and the roll material 180 of the crotch part form a production web that is further processed to form the article in the form of underpants.

Said production web is thus formed from various roll materials joined together at various stages of the process in which the elastic web 10 is attached to the substantially inelastic roll materials 22 and 180 in a selectively extended and elongated state. Certain variations in the width of this selectively stretched elastic web 10 may occur during the process, however, such variations in width can be compensated since the joining of the elastic web 10 to the substantially inelastic web materials 22 and 180 occurs at several different stages of the process.

It is understood that various stages of the process of joining various webs of materials 10, 22, and 180 can occur in any order.

In subsequent stages (not shown), the core region 3 containing the absorbent core 2 and the upper layer 8 and the protective layer 9 is attached at stepwise intervals to the resulting web formed by the roll material 180 of the crotch portion and the elastic roll materials 10. Further components, like elongated elastic the elements forming the leg gum are attached to the resulting web in a suitable manner known in the art. Holes for the legs are cut out in the resulting fabric, and a diaper in the form of underpants is formed by bending the resulting fabric by half in the obtained direction, attaching a folded production fabric, for example, by ultrasonic welding, interrupting transversely to the feed direction from the waist hole to the leg holes to form side seams and then cutting along the side seams to form individual products in the form of underpants.

It is understood that, although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, some modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Therefore, the invention is intended to cover any variations and equivalents that are within the scope of known or habitual implementations in the technical field to which it belongs.

Claims (30)

1. An absorbent article in the form of underpants (1), such as a diaper in the form of underpants, hygiene pants or a protective tool for incontinence in the form of underpants, said article having a core region (3) containing an absorbent core (2) and a frame (4 ), and the frame contains a front part (5), a back part (6) and an elastic waistband (7), each of the front and back parts having a waist edge (5a, 6a), a crotch edge (5b, 6b) and a pair of side edges (5c, 6c; 5d, 6d), in which the front and rear parts are connected to each other along two opposite points the edges to form a hole for the waist and a pair of holes for the legs, while at least one of the front and rear parts (5; 6) contains an elastic roll material (10) that makes up a single component of at least part of the front and / or back parts, the elastic belt (7) attached to the edge of the waist (5a; 6a) of at least one of the front and rear parts (5; 6), in which the elastic belt (7) contains the first and second layers ( 20, 21) of a substantially inelastic web material (22) comprising at least one elongated elastic elastic element (14), said product having longitudinal (y) and transverse (x) directions, characterized in that the first layer (20) of substantially inelastic roll material is attached to one side of the elastic roll material (10) at the edge (5a; 6a) the waist of at least one of the front and rear parts (5; 6), and that the second layer (21) of substantially inelastic web material is attached to the opposite side of said elastic web material directly opposite the first layer (20), moreover, the first and second layers are attached to the elastic roll material (10) while it is in a stretched state, the first and second layers (20, 21) of a substantially inelastic roll material (22) with the elastic roll material (10) held between them, form a seam (16) on the belt in the cat rum first and second layers of substantially inelastic material to form folds (29) along a seam (16) on the belt, where the elastic web material (10) is in the initial state. 2. An absorbent article in the form of pants according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic belt (7) is formed from a bent, essentially inelastic roll material so as to form the first and second layers (21, 22) surrounding said at least at least one elongated elastic element (14). 3. An absorbent article in the form of pants according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastic roll material (10) constitutes a single component of the frame (4) by at least 20% of the total surface area of the product. 4. An absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic roll material is a laminate (10) composed of the first and second layers of fibrous material (11, 12) and a layer (13) of elastic film located between the first and second fibrous in layers. 5. An absorbent product according to claim 4, characterized in that said layer (13) of elastic film is breathable. 6. An absorbent product according to claim 5, characterized in that the elastic laminate (10) has a Water vapor transmission rate of at least 1,500 g / m ^{2 for} 24 hours. 7. An absorbent product according to claim 5, characterized in that the elastic laminate (10) has a Water vapor transmission rate of at least 3000 g / m ^{2 for} 24 hours. 8. An absorbent product according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the elastic laminate (10) contains first and second fibrous layers (11, 12) of spun material, each having a bulk of between 10 and 35 g / m ² , and the breathable layer (13) of the elastic film has a bulk of between 20 and 80 g / m ² , the elastic laminate (10) having a Water vapor transmission rate of at least 1,500 g / m ^{2 for} 24 hours. 9. An absorbent product according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the elastic laminate (10) contains the first and second fibrous layers (11, 12) of spun material, each having a bulk of between 12 and 30 g / m ² , and the breathable layer (13) of the elastic film has a bulk of between 20 and 60 g / m ² , wherein the elastic laminate (10) has a Water vapor transmission rate of at least 3000 g / m ^{2 for} 24 hours. 10. An absorbent product according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the elastic laminate (10) contains the first and second fibrous layers (11, 12) of the spun material, each having a bulk of between 10 and 25 g / m ² . 11. An absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic roll material (10) has a bulk of not more than 100 g / m ² . 12. The absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic roll material (10) has a bulk of not more than 90 g / m ² . 13. The absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic roll material (10) constitutes a single component of the frame (4), at least 25% of the total surface area of the product. 14. The absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic roll material (10) constitutes a single component of the frame (4), at least 30% of the total surface area of the product. 15. The absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic roll material (10) constitutes a single component of the frame (4), at least 40% of the total surface area of the product. 16. An absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic roll material (10) has an elasticity in the transverse direction of the product of at least 30% when measured in accordance with the elasticity test described in the description. 17. An absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic roll material (10) has an elasticity in the transverse direction of the product of at least 50% when measured in accordance with the elasticity test described in the description. 18. An absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic roll material (10) has an elasticity in the transverse direction of the product of 70% when measured in accordance with the elasticity test described in the description. 19. An absorbent product according to any one of paragraphs.16-18, characterized in that the elastic roll material (10) has an elasticity in the longitudinal direction of the product of at least 20% when measured in accordance with the elasticity test described in the description. 20. An absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that the crotch part (18) of the substantially inelastic web material (180) is located on the crotch part (19) of the product, the crotch part (18) attached to the front and rear parts ( 5, 6) containing elastic roll material (10). 21. The absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface area of the absorbent core (2) is not more than 30% of the total surface area of the product as measured in the flat state of the product. 22. The absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface area of the absorbent core (2) is not more than 20% of the total surface area of the product as measured in the flat state of the product. 23. The method of attaching a separate elastic belt to an absorbent article in the form of pants according to claim 1, in which the elastic belt (7) contains the first and second layers (20, 21) of essentially inelastic roll material (22), interconnecting, at least one elongated elastic element (14) and said first and second layers (20, 21) of substantially inelastic roll material (22) are attached to the elastic roll material (10) constituting a component of at least a portion front and / or rear parts (5, 6) of the product, characterized by of said elastic roll material (10) and said substantially inelastic roll material (22) substantially parallel to the direction of feed of material (A), each of these roll materials having a pair of longitudinal side edges (10a, 10b; 22a, 22b), wherein said elastic web material is fed in a selectively stretched state;
bringing the first longitudinal side edge (10a) of the elastic roll material (10) to overlap at a certain distance the first longitudinal side edge (22a) of the substantially inelastic roll material and attaching said overlapping side edges to each other, in which said elastic roll material is stretched to a length that exceeds its unstretched length by at least 10% when joining, essentially, inelastic roll material (22);
providing at least one elongated elastic member (14) and attaching it to said substantially inelastic web material (22);
bending the substantially inelastic web material (22) in a direction generally transverse to the indicated material supply direction (A) over at least one elongated elastic member (14) and attaching a second longitudinal edge (22b) essentially inelastic web material (22) overlapping to the first longitudinal edge (10a) of the elastic web material (10) on its opposite side with respect to the first longitudinal edge (22a) of the essentially inelastic web material (22) so that the first side edge (10a) the elastic web material (10) was held between the first and second side edges (22a, 22b) of the substantially inelastic web material (22), wherein said elastic web material is stretched to a length that exceeds its unstretched length by at least 10% upon joining, essentially, to inelastic roll material (22);
or alternatively by bending the substantially inelastic roll material (22), providing additional substantially inelastic roll material and attaching it to the first longitudinal edge (10a) of the elastic roll material (10) on its opposite side with respect to substantially inelastic roll material (22), while the elastic roll material is held in a stretched state, and by joining the free side edges of two essentially inelastic roll materials. 24. The method according to item 23, wherein the elastic roll material (10) is stretched to a length that exceeds its elongated length by at least 20% when joining essentially to inelastic roll materials (22). 25. The method according to item 23, wherein the elastic roll material (10) is pulled to a length that exceeds its elongated length by at least 30% when joining essentially to inelastic roll materials (22). 26. The method according to item 23, wherein the essentially inelastic roll material (22) and elastic roll material (10) are connected by heat bonding, ultrasonic welding or adhesive. 27. The method according to p. 26, characterized in that the essentially inelastic roll material (22) and elastic roll material (10) are connected by ultrasonic welding. 28. The method according to any one of paragraphs.23-27, characterized in the supply in the specified direction of supply of material (A) of continuous length of the second, essentially inelastic roll material (180), said roll material (180) having a pair of longitudinal side edges (180a , b) and at its first longitudinal lateral edge (180a) is connected with overlapping with the second longitudinal lateral edge (10b) of the elastic roll material (10);
feeding a second elastic web material (10) in a specified direction of material supply (A);
joining with overlapping the second longitudinal lateral edge (180b) of the second substantially inelastic web material (180) to the second elastic web material (10);
in which each of these elastic roll materials (10) is stretched to a length that exceeds its unstretched length by at least 10% when attached to a second, essentially inelastic roll material (180);
in which two elastic roll materials (10) are intended to form at least a portion of the front (5) and rear parts (6) of the absorbent article in the form of underpants, and the second substantially inelastic roll material (180) is intended to form crotch parts (18) of the specified absorbent product in the form of pants. 29. The method according to p. 28, characterized in that the elastic belt (7) is attached to the second elastic roll material (10) as disclosed in any one of paragraphs.23-27. 30. The method according to item 23, wherein the supply of a pair of continuous lengths of essentially inelastic roll material (22) designed to form a belt (7), essentially parallel to the direction of supply of the material (A) and at a selected distance from each other, moreover, essentially inelastic roll materials (22) each has two longitudinal side edges (22a, b);
by supplying a pair of continuous lengths of elastic web material (10) designed to form at least a portion of the front part (5) and the rear part (6), respectively, essentially parallel to and at a selected distance from each other in the material supply direction (A ), moreover, the elastic roll materials (10) each have two longitudinal side edges (10a, b);
bringing each of the substantially inelastic web materials (22) to overlap at a selected distance on their longitudinal edges (22a) facing each other, corresponding elastic web material (10) and joining the overlapping side edges with each other;
by supplying a continuous length of substantially inelastic web material (18) for forming the web material of the crotch portion in the direction of supply of the material (A) between the pair of elastic web materials (10), wherein the web material (18) of the crotch portion has a pair of longitudinal side edges (18a, b) and at its longitudinal lateral edges (18a, b) joins with overlapping elastic roll materials (10) to the corresponding longitudinal lateral edges (10b);
in which each of these roll materials (10) is stretched to a length that exceeds its unstretched length by at least 10% when attached to a substantially inelastic roll material (18) of the crotch portion.

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