RU2368395C1 - Absorbing element and laminated material, containing connecting patterned element - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: personal utensils.

SUBSTANCE: invention pertains to absorbing product, such as a diaper, diaper-panty, sanitary napkin or protective towel used in incontinence, etc, whereat set product contains components joined together by a special connecting element with a pattern. Connecting element with the pattern (11, 12, 16, 18, dwg. 1, 2, 3) is capable of colour changing, due to heating and/or pressing when joined, whereat the above set colour changing properties are either irreversible or reversible. Colour changing properties may be secured by means of thermochromic pigments, thermochromic fibers and/or pigments sensitive to pressure.

EFFECT: invention pertains to laminated material formed of two and more layers of roll materials joined together by means of connecting element with a pattern capable of colour changing.

14 cl, 3 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to an absorbent hygiene product, such as a diaper, a diaper-panties, a sanitary napkin, an incontinence protector, etc., wherein said article contains components that are connected together by a connecting member to a pattern. In addition, the invention relates to laminates formed from two or more layers of roll materials that are joined together by a connecting element with a pattern and which, in addition to using them in a laminate, are used in any of the following disposable products: in absorbent hygiene products, means for wiping, surgical drape products, surgical gowns, protective clothing, protective coverings for beds or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent articles of the aforementioned type, intended for personal hygiene, contain many components similar to various layers of material, such as inner and outer covering sheets, absorbent structures, liquid transporting layers located between the inner covering sheet and the absorbent structure, belts, side panels, etc. etc., and other components like elastic elongated elements forming elastic bands for legs and waist, fastening elements, like tongues from adhesive tape, fastening elements in the form ryuchkov and loops, etc. which are connected to other components by gluing, thermobonding or welding, especially ultrasonic welding or laser welding. The layers of materials can either be joined together to form a laminate, or can be joined when placed next to the floor to form a seam between them.

Laminates formed from two or more layers of roll materials, in particular fibrous layers, foam layers, plastic films and combinations thereof, bonded together by bonding, heat bonding or welding, especially ultrasonic welding or laser welding, in addition to their use in absorbent products for personal hygiene products, are used in wipers, surgical drapes, surgical gowns, protective clothing, etc.

In the above cases, thermal bonding and welding are often performed by means of a profile (embossed) roller so that a connecting element with a pattern is formed. However, the visual effect created by the connecting element with the pattern is often quite weak. This makes it difficult to control the quality of the connecting element with the pattern in the process.

Objective and most important features of the invention

One object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article comprising at least two components that are connected together by means of a connecting element with a pattern formed by heat bonding or welding, wherein the connecting element with the pattern is easily visible for decorative purposes and / or in process control and quality control. In accordance with the invention, this was achieved due to the fact that said connecting element with a pattern has color-changing properties activated by heating and / or pressure acting during the bonding process, while said color-changing properties are either irreversible or reversible.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, at least one of said components comprises a thermochromic pigment, or a thermochromic pigment is applied between said components. In accordance with one embodiment, the thermochromic pigment is contained in thermochromic fibers.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, at least one of these components contains a pigment that changes color when it is exposed to pressure in excess of the selected value. In accordance with one embodiment, the pigment is microencapsulated, wherein the pigment is released upon exposure to a pressure in excess of said selected amount.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, said components comprise at least two layers of web materials that are joined together by a connecting member to a pattern having a color different from the color of the rest of said material layers. According to one embodiment, said roll material layers are bonded to form a laminate forming at least part of one or more of the following product components: an inner cover sheet, an outer cover sheet, a fluid transporting layer located between the inner cover sheet and the absorbent structure, combinations of an inner cover sheet and a fluid transporting layer. According to a further embodiment, said material layers are joined when placed next to their overlap to form a seam between them.

In accordance with another additional aspect of the invention, at least one of these components is an elastic element attached to a layer of roll material.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the connecting element with a pattern is an element with a pattern obtained by welding, such as an element with a pattern obtained by ultrasonic or laser welding. In another embodiment, the patterned connecting member is a thermally bonded patterned member.

In yet a further embodiment, the pattern connecting member is an adhesive pattern connecting member. In this case, the hot glue, when applied to a component containing a thermochromic pigment or fibers, will initiate a color change of the thermochromic pigment or fibers in accordance with the element with the pattern formed by the applied glue.

In accordance with one embodiment, thermochromic pigments or fibers change color at a temperature of from 45 to 150 ° C, preferably from 50 to 130 ° C, more preferably from 50 to 120 ° C and most preferably from 60 to 120 ° C.

According to a further embodiment, the thermochromic pigments or fibers change color at a temperature that is at least 10 ° C, preferably at least 20 ° C lower and most preferably 10-30 ° C lower than the temperature acting on the components during the process of connecting them together through the specified connecting element with the pattern. Since the pigment or fiber should preferably (should) change color only during connection operations, and not during other technological operations and not during high-temperature transportation and storage of products, the initiation (activation) temperature at which the color changes occurs should be relatively high and should be higher than temperatures that usually occur during other technological operations and during transportation and storage.

According to a still further embodiment, the invention relates to a laminate formed of two or more layers of web materials joined together by a connecting element to a pattern, said connecting element to a pattern having color-changing properties activated by heating and / or pressure acting during the joining process, wherein said color change properties are either irreversible or reversible.

According to one embodiment, at least one of said laminate layers formed from roll materials comprises a thermochromic pigment. In yet a further embodiment, the thermochromic pigment is contained in thermochromic fibers.

In an alternative embodiment, at least one of said laminate layers formed from rolled materials contains a pigment that changes color when it is exposed to pressure in excess of a selected value, or said pigment is applied between said components. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, said pigment can be microencapsulated, wherein the pigment is released upon exposure to pressure in excess of said selected amount.

In yet a further embodiment, the thermochromic pigment, thermochromic fibers and / or pressure-sensitive pigment is deposited (deposited) between at least two layers of materials in the laminate.

In accordance with one embodiment, the connecting element with a pattern is an element with a pattern obtained by welding, such as an element with a pattern obtained by ultrasonic or laser welding. According to another embodiment, the connecting element with a pattern is a thermally bonded element.

In yet a further embodiment, the pattern connecting member is an adhesive pattern connecting member. In this case, hot-melt adhesive, when applied to a web material containing a thermochromic pigment or fibers, will initiate a color change of said thermochromic pigment or fibers in accordance with an element with a pattern formed by the applied glue.

In accordance with one embodiment, thermochromic pigments or fibers change color at a temperature of from 45 to 150 ° C, preferably from 50 to 130 ° C, more preferably from 50 to 120 ° C and most preferably from 60 to 120 ° C.

According to a further embodiment, the thermochromic pigments or fibers change color at a temperature that is at least 10 ° C, preferably at least 20 ° C lower and most preferably 10-30 ° C lower than the temperature acting on the rolled materials during the process of joining them together through the specified connecting element with the pattern. Since the pigment or fiber should preferably (should) change color only during bonding operations, and not during other technological operations and not during high-temperature transportation and storage of laminates, the initiation (activation) temperature at which the color changes occurs should be relatively high and should be higher than temperatures that usually occur during other technological operations and during transportation and storage.

Laminate can be used in any of the following products: the laminate is used in any of the following disposable products: absorbent hygiene products, wipes, surgical drapes, surgical gowns, protective clothing, protective coverings for beds or the like.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, two or more layers of web materials are bonded in accordance with additional processing steps associated with said products.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a diaper;

figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a diaper-panties;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a sanitary napkin or incontinence guard.

Definitions

Absorbent product

The term “absorbent article” refers to articles that are placed on the skin of a carrier to absorb and retain body exudates, such as urine, feces, and menstrual fluid. The invention mainly relates to disposable absorbent articles, which are articles that are not intended to be washed or otherwise restored to their original condition, or reused as absorbent articles after use.

Inner liquid-permeable coating element

The inner liquid-permeable cover element forms the inner cover element of the absorbent article and, when used, is placed in direct contact with the skin of the wearer. The liquid-permeable inner covering element may comprise a non-woven material, for example, a non-woven material of a spunbond production method, a non-woven fabric obtained by melt aerodynamically, obtained by carding, hydro-entangling, laying in a wet state, etc. Suitable non-woven materials may consist of natural fibers, such as wood pulp or cotton fibers, artificial fibers such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, viscose, etc., or a mixture of natural and artificial fibers. In addition, the material of the internal liquid-permeable, covering element may consist of fiber tows that can be bonded to form some configuration of the connection, such as, for example, disclosed in document EP-A-1 035 818. Additional examples of materials of internal liquid-permeable, the covering element are porous plastics, plastic films with holes, laminates of non-woven material / non-woven material or of film / non-woven material, etc. The layers in the laminate can be connected to each other by bonding, by ultrasonic welding, laser welding or by thermal bonding. Materials suitable as materials of the internal liquid-permeable covering element must be soft and non-irritating to the skin and must quickly pass the body fluid, such as urine or menstrual fluid. In addition, the internal liquid-permeable covering element may be different in different parts of the absorbent article.

External liquid impervious cover element

The outer liquid-impervious cover element forms the outer cover element of the absorbent article in at least its central zone. The outer liquid-impermeable coating element may comprise 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 material that prevents the penetration of liquids, or a laminate, for example, of a plastic film and non-woven material. The material of the outer liquid-impermeable coating element may be breathable so as to allow steam to escape from the absorbent structure while preventing the passage of liquids through it. Examples of breathable materials of external liquid-impermeable covering elements are porous polymer films, non-woven laminates from layers obtained by spunbond production method and aerodynamic method from melt, laminates from porous polymer films and non-woven materials.

Absorbent structure

An “absorbent structure” is an absorbent structure located between two coating elements of an absorbent article. The absorbent structure may be an absorbent structure of any conventional form. Examples of commonly occurring absorbent materials are fluff pulverized pulp, layers of tissue paper, highly absorbent polymers (so-called superabsorbents), absorbent foam materials, absorbent nonwoven materials, or the like. It is well known to combine fluff pulverized pulp with polymers with ultra-high absorption capacity in an absorption structure. Super absorbent polymers are water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic materials capable of absorbing an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride in an amount of at least about 20 times their own weight. Organic materials suitable for use as super-absorbent material may include natural materials such as polysaccharides, polypeptides and the like, as well as synthetic materials such as synthetic hydrogel-forming polymers. Such hydrogel forming polymers include, for example, alkali metal and polyacrylic acid salts, 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. The hydrogel-forming polymers preferably have a small degree of crosslinking in order to make the material substantially insoluble in water. In addition, preferred materials with ultra-high absorption capacity are provided with surface crosslinking, so that the outer surface or shell of the particle, fiber, flocculent element, sphere, etc. with ultra-high absorption capacity has a higher crosslink density (crosslink density) than the inside of the superabsorbent. Materials with ultra-high absorption capacity can be in any form that is suitable for use in absorbent composite materials, including particles, fibers, flakes, spheres and the like.

Greater absorption is ensured through the use of large quantities of material with ultra-high absorption. For an absorbent structure comprising a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as cellulosic fibers, and an ultra-high absorption material, the proportion of ultra-high absorption material is preferably from 10 to 90 weight percent, more preferably from 30 to 70 weight percent.

Typically, absorbent articles have absorbent structures containing layers with different properties in terms of liquid acceptability, liquid distribution ability, and retention capacity. Thin absorbent bodies, which are widely used, for example, in diapers for children and in incontinence protectors, often contain a compressed mixed or layered structure of fluff pulverized pulp and ultra-high absorbency polymers. The size and absorption capacity of the absorbent structure can be varied to suit different uses, such as for infants or for adults with incontinence.

Receiving layer

The so-called receiving layer may be located between the inner liquid-permeable covering element and the absorbent structure. The receiving layer is configured to quickly receive and temporarily hold the recovered liquid before it is absorbed by the absorbent structure located beneath it. Such receiving distribution layers are well known in the art and may consist of porous fiber wool or foam materials. In addition, they can be attached to the inner liquid-permeable covering element by means of gluing or by means of a connecting element with a pattern formed by ultrasonic or laser welding or by thermal bonding.

Thermochromic pigments

Thermochromic pigments are organic compounds that change color in a reversible or irreversible manner when passing through a certain threshold temperature. Thermochromic pigment mainly contains three main components: (i) a coloring organic compound, which is an electron donor, (ii) a compound, which is an electron acceptor, and (iii) a solvent reaction medium that determines the temperature at which the staining reaction occurs.

A thermochromic powder material that can be used in accordance with the invention can be obtained from particles of a non-thermoplastic resin, comprising three components, which are a chromogenic electron donor substance, electron acceptor substance and solvent, by coating the particles with a high molecular weight hydrophilic compound. The thermochromic powder material, when incorporated into the polyvinyl chloride plastisol, remains free from the influence of a plasticizer, stabilizer, lubricant or the like contained in the plastisol, and retains very high stability even when heated.

The manufacturing process of a thermochromic polyvinyl chloride molded product is characterized by incorporating a thermochromic powder material into a polyvinyl chloride plastisol containing a vinyl chloride resin (polyvinyl chloride), a plasticizer, a stabilizer, a lubricant and a filler. After that, the resulting mixture is subjected to molding. A thermochromic powder material is obtained from particles of a non-thermoplastic resin into which three components have been encapsulated, which are a chromogenic electron donor substance, an electron acceptor substance and a solvent by coating the particles with a high molecular weight hydrophilic compound.

Thereby, a molded thermochromic polyvinyl chloride material can be made which is very likely to undergo a reversible color change with temperature. A material like this becomes surface colored when the temperature rises above about 40 ° C. The color change is reversible. This is further described in US Pat. No. 4,826,550.

Similar thermochromic pigments and a mechanism for triggering a temperature-induced color change are well known in the art and are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,826,550 and US Pat. No. 5,197,958.

Thermochromic fibers

Thermochromic or, as they are also called, thermosensitive color-changing fibers are known from the textile industry as used in clothing, sports equipment, etc. The fibers are either produced by interfering with the thermochromic pigment in the base resin from which the fibers were to be made, for example a polyolefin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, etc., or by using a thermochromic dyeing liquid for fibers. The manufacture of heat-sensitive color-changing fibers is disclosed, for example, in JP 2002138322 and JP 2001123088. The fibers change color at a selected temperature. The color change is either reversible or irreversible.

An example of a fiber that can be used in accordance with the invention is a thermochromic fiber, which is partially characterized in that the flexural modulus of the base resin is in the range of 300 to 1500 MPa for a thermally sensitive color-changing fiber. The fiber is formed by melt-mixing the thermally color-dispersed pigment in a dispersed state in a base resin of a polyolefin resin and / or a polyolefin resin mixed with a thermoplastic resin. This fiber was previously used in the textile industry. It has been found that fibers with this characteristic may also be suitable for use in absorbent articles, especially diapers. The fiber is further described in JP 2002-138322.

In another embodiment, the thermochromic fiber is a thermosensitive color-changing, acrylic synthetic fiber. Such fibers can be formed from a variety of long fibers or short fibers from a heat-sensitive color-changing, synthetic acrylic fiber having a fiber diameter of 1-100 microns. Fibers can be formed by dispersing 0.5-40 weight percent heat-sensitive pigment containing the three main ingredients of (A) a coloring organic compound, which is an electron donor, (B) a compound, which is an electron acceptor, and (C) a chemically active solvent determining the temperature at which a staining reaction occurs between ingredients A and B. This is described in more detail in JP 2001-055623.

Another thermochromic fiber in accordance with the invention is a two-component fiber, which has the ability to very well reversibly change color, brightness and durability. It can be obtained by using (1) a thermally color-changing polyester consisting of a heat-color-changing material, a thermoplastic polyester, and (2) a fiber-forming polyester in which ≥ 50 mole percent of the acid component is terephthalic acid; 0-50 molar percent of it is isophthalic acid and ≥70 molar percent of the diol component consists of butanediol and / or hexanediol, which are subjected to a process of forming bicomponent fibers in the melt. The resulting yarn is pulled to obtain a desired fiber containing a part consisting of component (1) connected to a part consisting of component (2) and having a fiber strength of ≥1.5 g / denier, elongation of ≤ 80%, and a shrink rate of ≤25% in boiling water. This is further described in JP 4241115.

Another fiber that has very high friction life and excellent mechanical properties that may be suitable for the invention can be obtained by using a low melting thermoplastic resin containing a thermosensitive, color-changing granular material as a core component and a high melting thermoplastic resin as a component, which is a shell, with their specific ratio.

The fiber is obtained by mixing an acid developing agent (e.g., 3,3'-dimethoxyflurane) with an acidic substance (e.g., phenol) and a solvent (e.g., octyl alcohol), granulating the resulting mixture and spinning the bicomponent fiber from a thermoplastic resin (e.g. polypropylene) having a melting point of ≤230 ° C and containing 1-40 weight percent of the resulting thermosensitive color-changing, granular substance. Granules are obtained having a grain diameter of 1-50 μm and a heat resistance of ≥200 ° C as a core component and a thermoplastic resin (e.g. nylon) having a melting point of ≤280 ° C in the quality of the composition representing the shell, with the weight ratio of the component representing the core and the component representing the shell, which is (1/9) - (9/1), while the fibers have a smooth surface and excellent mechanical characteristics at a high level vyp ying function color changes due to temperature sensitivity. This method is further described in JP 3161511.

The heat-sensitive pigment used in thermochromic fibers preferably has an average particle size of 0.5-50 microns, preferably 0.5-30.0 microns, even more preferably 0.5-15.0 microns, when measured in accordance with ASTDM method.

The heat-sensitive pigment may preferably be a microcapsule-type pigment, which is known in the field of heat-sensitive pigments.

Pressure Activated Pigments

The pressure activated pigment exhibits or changes color when it is exposed to pressure exceeding a certain threshold value. The pigment can be encapsulated in microcapsules, possibly together with a developing substance, wherein said microcapsules break when exposed to a certain pressure, at which the pigment is activated and released.

Laminate

The term “laminate” as used herein refers to a web material composed of two or more layers of web materials such as a fibrous layer, foam layers, plastic films and / or combinations thereof. The various layers are joined together by means of glue, thermal bonding or by ultrasonic or laser welding. Layers of rolled materials may be inelastic, elastic, or a combination of inelastic and elastic layers.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

The absorbent product shown in Fig. 1 is made in the form of a diaper 1 having a longitudinal direction y and a transverse direction x, and contains, when viewed in its longitudinal direction, a front part 2, a rear part 3 and a crotch part 4 located between them. In its most common form, the diaper comprises an absorbent structure 5 and a covering element covering the absorbent structure. Said covering element comprises an internal liquid-permeable covering element 6 on the side of the absorbent structure 5 facing the wearer and an external liquid-tight covering element 7 on the side of the absorbent structure facing the garment. The inner liquid-permeable covering element 6 is often called the top sheet, while the outer liquid-permeable covering element 7 is often called the back sheet. The receiving layer 8 is located between the inner liquid-permeable covering element 6 and the absorbent structure 5.

The inner covering element 6 and the outer covering element 7 extend outwardly beyond the peripheral edges of the absorbent structure 5, and their inner surfaces are connected to each other, for example, by gluing, heat bonding, or by heat welding or ultrasonic welding. In addition, the materials of the inner and outer coating elements can be attached, for example, by means of glue, to the absorbent structure.

The product areas adjacent to the leg openings along the longitudinal side edges are provided with elongated elastic elements or elastic threads 9, which are attached in a stretched state between the layers of materials of the inner covering element 6 and the outer covering element 7 so as to form elastic openings for the legs, prescribed in the diaper. The corresponding elastic elements 9 are arranged so that they extend in the transverse direction x in the front part 2 and the rear part 3 next to the transverse side edges forming the waist opening of the diaper.

The rear part 3 is provided with fastening elements 10 attached to it. The fastening elements are designed to attach them to the front area of the product to form a shape similar to the shape of underpants. The fastening elements 10 can be made in the form of adhesive tapes or elements with hooks, made with the possibility of attaching to the material with loops, for example, in the form of non-woven material forming the outer covering sheet of the diaper.

Figure 1 shows that the elastic filaments 9 are attached between the inner and outer covering materials 6 and 7 by means of a connecting element 11 with a pattern formed by thermal bonding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding or the like. The fastening elements 10 are attached to the outer covering element 7 or fixed between the outer and inner covering elements 7 and 6 by means of a corresponding connecting element 12 with the pattern. The connecting elements 11 and 12 with the pattern are made visible by the fact that they have a color that differs from the surrounding parts of the product. This visualization of the connecting element with the pattern can serve different purposes, such as decoration, such as controlling the quality of the connection, or a combination of both.

Visualization of the connecting element with the pattern can be provided in various ways. One method is to incorporate a thermochromic pigment into at least those parts of a component that are intended to be attached to another component. Thus, for the article of FIG. 1, a thermochromic pigment can be included in any of the following components: an inner covering element 6, an outer covering element 7, and fastening elements 10. Alternatively, the thermochromic pigment can be applied between the components to be joined together .

The thermochromic pigment is preferably colorless or has the same color as the surrounding material, at a temperature below a certain temperature, which preferably exceeds normal indoor temperatures, during transportation and storage, and also lower than the temperatures to which the products are exposed during manufacture, except for the join operation. When a certain threshold temperature is reached, the thermochromic pigment changes color and becomes visible and contrasts with the surrounding material. This threshold temperature should be slightly lower than the temperature that components are exposed to through the connection equipment during the connection process. “Slightly lower” in this context means at least 10 ° C, preferably 10-30 ° C lower than the indicated temperature to which the components are exposed during the joining process.

The corresponding threshold temperature may be in the range from 45 to 150 ° C, preferably from 50 to 130 ° C, more preferably from 50 to 120 ° C and most preferably from 60 to 120 ° C. As described above, the choice of the solvent reaction medium of the thermochromic pigment determines the temperature at which the staining reaction occurs. This, for example, is described in US Pat. No. 4,826,550 and in US Pat. No. 5,197,958. The components of the thermochromic pigment can be encapsulated to form microcapsules. The color change of the thermochromic pigment after passing through the selected threshold temperature value should be irreversible if constant visualization of the connecting element with the pattern is desired. In the event that the visualization is intended for quality control in connection with the connection process, there is the possibility of the presence of a reversible thermochromic pigment.

Another way of visualizing a connecting element with a pattern is realized by means of thermochromic fibers, which are simply fibers having a thermochromic pigment incorporated therein. A description of fibers having thermochromic pigments incorporated therein can be found in any of the following published Japanese patent applications: JP 2002-138322, JP 2001-123088, JP 2001-055623 and JP 08-027533. Thermochromic pigment can be included in the base resin of the fibers in the form of microcapsules or in the form of a coloring liquid for the fibers.

Thermochromic fibers can be included in at least those parts of a component that are intended to be attached to another component, or, alternatively, can be applied (used) between components that must be joined together.

The fiber can be completely dyed with a thermochromic pigment, or the fiber can be a bicomponent fiber, with either the core or the outer sheath of the fiber provided with a thermochromic pigment. The color change should occur in the same temperature range as described above, and should be irreversible if constant visualization of the connecting element with the pattern is desired, otherwise it is possible to use reversible thermochromic fibers.

Another additional way to visualize the connecting element with the pattern is a method implemented by means of a pressure-sensitive pigment that changes color when it is exposed to pressure exceeding the selected threshold value. This pressure-sensitive pigment can be microencapsulated, wherein the color-changing pigment is activated and is released when it is exposed to pressure in excess of the selected threshold value, for example, when it is subjected to a joint operation while compressing. This selected threshold value must exceed the pressures to which the product is subjected, for example, during transportation and storage and during other technological operations other than pressure joints.

Figure 2 shows the so-called diaper-panties, in which the front and rear parts 2 and 3 are connected to each other along their longitudinal side edges with the formation of side seams 13 to form a waist hole 14 and two holes 15 for the legs. The front and rear parts 2 and 3 are connected along the specified side seams 13, for example, by means of glue, ultrasonic welding or laser welding, thermal bonding or the like. The front and rear parts 2 and 3 can be connected along the specified side seams with the inner covering element 6 facing inward, as shown in the drawings. Alternatively, they are connected to provide overlap such that the inner covering element 6 of either the front or the back is facing the outer covering element 7 of the opposite zone.

Figure 2 shows that the side seams 13 are formed by connecting with a visible connecting element with a pattern 16, which may be a connecting element with a pattern obtained by ultrasonic or laser welding, or a connecting element with a pattern obtained by heat bonding. Visualization is provided by means of a thermochromic pigment, thermochromic fibers or pressure sensitive pigment in the same manner as described above with reference to the diaper of FIG. 1.

The waist zone, at least part of the zone of the leg openings and the side zones near the side seams 13 are elastic. Elastification is usually accomplished by a plurality of elastic elements, such as elastic threads 17, which are held together so that they can be stretched together between the outer covering element 7 and the inner covering element 6. Alternatively, elastic materials, such as an elastic laminate, can be used to form the base products in areas where elasticity is desired.

In figure 2, the elastic yarns 17 are made visible by the presence of a thermochromic pigment, thermochromic fibers or pressure sensitive pigment incorporated therein, which change color during the bonding process when the elastic yarns 17 are attached to the inner and outer covering elements 6 and 7.

Figure 3 shows an additional embodiment in the form of an incontinence protector or sanitary napkin intended to be worn in carrier shorts. The product includes a receiving layer 8 located between the inner covering element 6 and the absorbent structure 5. The receiving layer 8 is connected to the inner covering element 6 by means of a connecting element with a pattern (configuration) 18 formed by heat bonding, ultrasonic welding or laser welding. One or both of the inner coating element and the receiving layer comprise a thermochromic pigment, thermochromic fibers or a pressure sensitive pigment in at least those parts of the layers that are intended to be joined together. Alternatively, a thermochromic pigment, thermochromic fibers or pressure sensitive pigment is applied (superimposed) between layers that must be joined together.

Thermochromic / pressure sensitive pigments / fibers can be incorporated substantially uniformly into the entire material layer and mixed with other fibers in the layer. Alternatively, they are included only in part of the layer. An appropriate amount of thermochromic fibers, for example, in the inner cover sheet, the receiving layer, the absorbent structure or the layer in the absorbent structure or in the outer cover sheet is at least 1 weight percent, preferably at least 10 weight percent and more preferably from 20 to 70 weight percent of the weight of said fibrous layer in zones in which said thermochromic fibers are distributed. Thus, if thermochromic fibers are distributed only in part of the layer, the concentration in weight percent should be determined based on the weight of the mass of this part of the layer.

An additional alternative is to apply thermochromic / pressure sensitive pigments / fibers between the layers that must be joined together.

One problem may arise in processes in which, for example, the inner covering element 6 and / or the receiving layer 8 undergoes an additional bonding process for attaching the material before attaching to other components. If the layer contains thermochromic pigment / fibers that are characterized by an irreversible color change, this color change can be initiated by any heat-activated bonding process and remains in the form of a constant color change of the given material layer. However, this problem is avoided through the use of other bonding technologies designed to bond the individual layers, such as resin bonding, needle technology, hydro-entangling, etc.

The absorbent articles shown in the drawings are only examples of some common types of absorbent articles for personal care, and the invention can be applied to any type of absorbent articles falling within the definition given above.

The invention is also applicable to various types of laminates in which two or more layers of roll materials, in particular fibrous layers, foam layers, plastic films or the like, are joined together by heat bonding, or ultrasonic welding, or laser welding. Such laminates, in addition to absorbent personal care products, can be used in wipers, surgical drapes, surgical gowns, protective clothing, etc. Visualization of the connecting elements with the pattern, either permanent or temporary, in all these types of laminates can be achieved by incorporating thermochromic pigments, thermochromic fibers or pressure sensitive pigments in one or more of the layers of materials or between layers of materials as described above with reference to absorbent articles.

Claims (14)

1. An absorbent article for hygiene purposes, such as a diaper, a diaper-panties, a sanitary napkin, an incontinence protector, and the like, said article comprising components that are connected together by a connecting element to a pattern, said components being selected from different layers of material, elastic elongated elements attached to other components of the product, and fastening elements attached to other components of the product, characterized in that second connecting member (11, 12, 16, 18) with a pattern has properties color change activated by heat and / or pressure exerted during the bonding process, the properties of color or changes are irreversible or reversible. 2. The absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of these components contains a thermochromic pigment, or in that a thermochromic pigment is applied between these components. 3. An absorbent article according to claim 2, characterized in that said thermochromic pigment is contained in thermochromic fibers. 4. The absorbent product according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of these components contains a pigment that changes color when exposed to pressure exceeding the selected value, or that the pigment is applied between these components. 5. The absorbent product according to claim 3, characterized in that the pigment is microencapsulated, while the pigment is released when exposed to pressure in excess of the specified selected value. 6. An absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that said components comprise at least two different layers of roll materials that are joined together by a connecting element with a pattern having color-changing properties. 7. An absorbent product according to claim 6, characterized in that the said layers of rolled materials are connected to form a laminate forming at least part of one or more of the following components of the product: inner cover sheet (6), outer cover sheet (7 ), a fluid receiving layer (8) located between the inner cover sheet and the absorbent structure (5), a combined inner cover sheet and a fluid receiving layer. 8. An absorbent product according to claim 5, characterized in that said layers of materials are joined when placed next to the overlap to form a seam (13) between them. 9. An absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one of these components is an elastic element (9) attached to the product layer (6, 7) formed from the rolled material. 10. An absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one of these components is a fastening means (10), such as a tongue from adhesive tape or a fastening element in the form of hooks and loops, attached to the product layer formed from the web material. 11. An absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said connecting element (11, 12, 13) with a pattern is an element with a pattern obtained by welding, such as an element with a pattern obtained by ultrasonic or laser welding. 12. An absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connecting element (11, 12, 13) with the pattern is an element with a pattern obtained by thermal bonding. 13. An absorbent product according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connecting element to the pattern is an adhesive connecting element to the pattern. 14. An absorbent product according to any one of claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the thermochromic pigments or fibers change color at a temperature of from 45 to 150 ° C, preferably from 50 to 130 ° C, more preferably from 50 to 120 ° C. and most preferably from 60 to 120 ° C.