RU2823317C1 - Hygienic article - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: hygiene.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to hygienic product (100) with a structure with channels (6), developed to ensure distribution of urine throughout the product and to eliminate problems associated with sagging and formation of lumps, by maintaining integrity in a wet state. Hygienic article (100), which is designed to absorb and retain body excrements, such as urine, comprises at least one absorbent core layer (7), which comprises front zone (3) corresponding to front side of user, rear zone (5) corresponding to rear side of user, middle zone (4) located in the longitudinal direction between front zone (3) and back zone (5), at least one channel (6), which is located in said absorbent core layer (7) to facilitate movement of liquid and which does not contain any absorbent material. Hygienic article contains a super-absorbent polymer (SAP) in back zone (5), maximum 20 wt.% from total amount of SAP in absorbent core layer (7), SAP in middle zone (4) or front zone (3), to 21–99 wt.% of the total amount of SAP in the absorbent core layer (7).

EFFECT: disclosed is a hygienic product.

12 cl, 20 dwg

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The invention relates to a sanitary product with a channel structure designed to provide urine distribution throughout the product and to eliminate problems associated with sagging and clumping by maintaining integrity when wet.

Prerequisites for creating the invention

Hygiene products are absorbent products that are designed to absorb and retain body waste such as urine. The sanitary product essentially comprises a top sheet forming a top layer, a back sheet forming a bottommost layer, and at least one absorbent core layer located between the top sheet and the back sheet. In the case of hygiene products manufactured using modern technology, skin disorders such as rashes, redness, irritation are especially visible on sensitive skin.

The reason for this is that body secretions reach the lower layer late and/or the degree of skin re-wetting due to backflow is high in the sanitary product. The place of first physical contact of a sanitary product with body secretions usually coincides with the middle zone of the product.

Failure to effectively optimize the distribution of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and cellulosic precursors in the absorbent layer causes a dense accumulation of body exudates to form in the middle zone of the absorbent layer and causes the SAP particles in this zone to swell too much over time due to excessive fluid loading.

This causes gelation and prevents the liquid from moving to other SAP molecules. Accordingly, problems arise when using the sanitary product, such as leakage and diaper dermatitis. In addition, when it is not possible to provide liquid permeability in the zones between the gelled SAP particles, the product is discarded without the use of the SAP container and cellulosic material provided in the front and rear zones of the sanitary product. Even though the technical solution used in recent years in industrially manufactured and commercially available hygiene products with channels has provided some improvement in terms of absorption time and rewet rate, it cannot meet the required characteristics because the channels limit the capacity of the product . In addition, even though urine easily moves back and forth through the channels in commercially manufactured and commercially available baby diapers with channels, still face the problem of leakage because the channels in the absorbent core area limit the required capacity .

Due to the lack of an optimal ratio of SAP and cellulose, excessive swelling of the absorbent layer makes it difficult to anatomically adapt the hygiene product to the body shape. Modern technologies lack a technology for producing an absorbent article and an absorbent layer that provides a combination of all these performance requirements.

US Patent Document No. 2015/065973 A1, a prior art application, discloses a fluid distribution control system. This application discloses an absorbent layer disposed between a back sheet, that is, the outermost layer of a sanitary product, and a top sheet, that is, the topmost layer that is in contact with the skin. The technical solution, defined as a fluid distribution control system, refers to one or more channels. It is stated herein that said channels provided in the absorbent core are configured such that they may or may not at least partially overlap.

US Patent No. US 9216116 B2, a prior art application, is directed to an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core that is disposed between a backsheet, which is the outermost layer of the sanitary article, and a topsheet, which is the topmost layer in contact with the skin and is enclosed in a wrapper. The core wrapper contains a first material and a second material. The first material forms a C-shaped wrap located at least partially around the second material. The weight of the superabsorbent polymer (SAP) performing the wicking function is at least 80% of the weight of the absorbent core. The absorbent core has a channel substantially free of ultra-high absorbency polymers and at least partially oriented in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary product. The channel has an arcuate part facing the longitudinal axis of the product. The angle between the line tangent to the specified arcuate part and the longitudinal axis is greater than or equal to 20 degrees.

In the current state of the art, in sanitary products manufactured in accordance with the prior art, the hot melt adhesives in the sanitary product lose their functionality within a short time of their physical contact with body secretions, which results in the absorbent layer not maintaining its integrity, SAP and The cellulosic raw materials present in the sanitary product form clumps, and the product has a problem of sagging due to gravity. This prevents liquid distribution and limits the effective use of the product's capacity. In addition, a product whose compatibility with the anatomy is impaired due to the formation of lumps causes discomfort to the user.

Hygienic products used in the art make extensive use of uniformly distributing SAP and cellulose as one unit in the layer forming the absorbent core. In this case, the capacity of the absorbent core is used primarily in the middle and front areas of the product, which are more heavily exposed to urine, and the product is discarded during product replacement in most cases without wetting the areas of the absorbent layer at the rear of the product. Since the integrity of the absorbent layer between the wetted and non-wetted zones of the article is disrupted, tears occur, the wetted zone in the absorbent layer separates from the non-wetted zone, and this causes a sagging/lumping problem when the article is worn by the user.

In addition, even though liquid absorption time and rewet rate have been slightly improved in manufactured and commercially available channeled hygiene products in recent years, the strength of hot-melt adhesives in the areas between the channels of the absorbent layer is reduced due to urine. Hot melt adhesives lose their functionality and the channels separate from each other due to swelling of the SAP particles. This situation leads to disruption of the integrity of the absorbent layer and causes the disappearance of channels. In addition, even if the channel partially retains its integrity, the fact that the optimal ratio of SAP and cellulose is not used causes excessive swelling of the absorbent layer of the sanitary product, which makes it difficult to adapt the product to the anatomy. As a result, the characteristics of the absorbent structure are degraded and the freedom of movement of the user is limited. In addition, the capacity of the absorbent article, limited due to the channels, cannot meet the needs of the market.

No technology has been found in the literature that meets the requirements for a diaper that absorbs urine quickly, has high absorbency and retention capacity, is anatomically compatible, and does not sag during use when worn by the child.

The essence of the invention

The main object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary product that allows urine to be distributed throughout the product. The absorbent core region of the present invention, which allows urine to be distributed throughout the article, also improves critical performance parameters such as absorption time and degree of rewet.

The object of the invention is to provide more efficient utilization of the diaper capacity in the front and rear areas of the absorbent layer compared to prior art products by allowing liquid/urine to move back and forth throughout the entire article. Movement of liquid/urine back and forth throughout the product is possible due to the new absorbent core zone created by the invention.

The objective of the invention is to obtain a hygiene product with improved characteristics. The skin contact time with urine is reduced and problems associated with rashes and leakage that may arise from the product are eliminated by the sanitary product of the present invention. In addition, additional fluid absorption and retention capabilities are provided, which are required in the anterior and middle zones due to the accumulation of additional body secretions, which may vary depending on gender, in these zones.

The object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary product that maintains its integrity when wet. Within the scope of the invention, by means of hot-melt adhesives applied in the channel areas, the structure of the absorbent core is better maintained on the surface of the nonwoven material, and the integrity of the sanitary product is prevented from being compromised when wet. This eliminates problems associated with sagging and lumps.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A "multi-phase capacitance control system by means of a distribution channel for sanitary products" designed to accomplish the objects of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a drum used to make a sanitary product.

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of SAP feeders for distribution purposes.

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 14 is a schematic representation of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 15 is a schematic illustration of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 16 is a schematic representation of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 17 is a schematic illustration of an alternative channel configuration of a channeled sanitary product.

Fig. 18 is a schematic illustration of a nonwoven core wrapper folded in a G shape.

Fig. 19 is a schematic illustration of a nonwoven core wrapper folded to form a sandwich structure.

Fig. 20 is a schematic illustration of a nonwoven core wrapper folded in a C shape.

The components shown in the figures are designated by reference numerals as follows:

100. Hygienic product

1. Vertical edge

2. Horizontal edge

3. Front zone

4. Middle zone

5. Back zone

6. Channel

7. Absorbent core layer

8. Drum

9. Shaping element

10. Wrapping material (core wrapper)

The hygiene article (100), which is designed to absorb and retain body waste such as urine, contains

- at least one absorbent core layer (7), which contains a front zone (3) corresponding to the front side of the user, a rear zone (5) corresponding to the rear side of the user, a middle zone (4) located in the longitudinal direction between the front zone ( 3) and rear zone (5),

- at least one channel (6), which is located in the specified absorbent core layer (7), to ensure the movement of liquid and which does not contain any absorbent material,

- SAP in said rear zone (5) in an amount of maximum 20% by weight. of the total amount of SAP in the absorbent core layer (7),

- SAP in the middle zone (4) or front zone (3) in an amount of up to 21-99% by weight of the total amount of SAP in the absorbent core layer (7).

The boundaries of the geometric configuration of the sanitary product (100) of the present invention are defined by two vertical edges (1) located opposite each other along the longitudinal direction and two horizontal edges (2) located opposite each other along the transverse direction. The sanitary product (100) has at least one absorbent core layer (7) between a top sheet, which is the topmost layer, and a back sheet, which is the bottommost layer. The absorbent core layer (7) is divided into three zones along its longitudinal direction. These zones are a front zone (3) corresponding to the front side of the user, a rear zone (5) corresponding to the rear side of the user, and a middle zone (4) located between the front zone (3) and the rear zone (5). In this sense, the front zone (3), the middle zone (4) and the rear zone (5) are respectively located between the two horizontal edges (2). In the sanitary product (100), the areas occupied by the front zone (3), the middle zone (4) and the rear zone (5) are preferably the same.

In the sanitary product (100) of the present invention, the amount of SAP (super absorbent polymer) in said rear zone (5) is at most 20% by weight of the total amount of SAP used in the absorbent core layer (7). This proportion is preferably in the range of 5-15% by weight. The amount of SAP used in the middle zone (4) or the front zone (3) is in the range of 21-99% by weight. of the total amount of SAP used in the absorbent core (7). The specified limits are valid only for one of the middle zone (4) and the front zone (3). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the amount of SAP used in the middle zone (4) or the front zone (3) is preferably in the range of 25-40 wt%.

In the sanitary product (100) of the present invention, at least one channel (6) is formed in the absorbent core layer (7) to perform a fluid transfer function. Said channel (6), on the surface of which a layer of hot-melt adhesive is applied, may extend along a longitudinal axis (y-axis) or a transverse axis (x-axis) or along both a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis (both x-axis and y-axis) hygiene product (100).

The number of channels (6) in the sanitary product (100) may be one or more. In sanitary products (100) having more than one channel (6), said channels (6) may be configured such that they do not intersect each other, and they may also have one or more intersection points. The channels (6) having intersection points preferably intersect at 1-6 points.

In the sanitary product (100), the channels (6) in the absorbent core are preferably located such that they are in the area in which body secretions first come into contact with the sanitary product (100). The channels (6) may differ from each other in structure and length. General types of sanitary products (100) with different channel structures (6) are illustrated in FIG. 3-fig. 17. The starting point of the channel (6) should be below the end point of the front zone (3) (at which it begins) in the absorbent core layer (7), preferably at a distance from this end point of 1-5% of the length of the absorbent core layer (7). The end point of the channel (6) should be above the end point of the rear zone (5) (at which it begins) in the absorbent core layer (7), preferably at a distance from this end point of 8-15% of the length of the absorbent core layer (7 ).

Said channels (6) do not contain any absorbent material and have a width of at least 2 mm. The hot melt adhesive used to secure the channels (6) may be a rubber or polyolefin based adhesive.

In the manufacture of the sanitary product (100) of the invention, equipment called a drum (8) is used. The structure of said drum (8) is shown schematically in FIG. 1. SAP and cellulosic raw materials included in the structure of the absorbent core layer (7) in the sanitary product (100) are mixed in the drum (8). There are different numbers of forming elements (9) on the drum (8) depending on the size of the product. Each forming element (9) carries a mixture of SAP and cellulose, forming an absorbent core layer (7) of only one sanitary product (100). SAP and cellulose are supplied to the drum (8) separately and mixed while filling the forming element (9) of the drum (8) using a vacuum to form an absorbent core layer (7). The vacuum system in the drum (8) varies depending on the zones. While the amount of vacuum at the point where the SAP and pulp are fed into the drum (8) by mixing is high, the amount of vacuum is minimized at the bottom of the drum (8) at which the mixture is released onto the surface of the nonwoven material that will surround the absorbent material. core layer, and therefore allows the mixture to be released from the forming element (9) of the drum (8) onto the surface of the non-woven material, which is a wrapper for the absorbent core.

The length of one molding element (9) in the transverse direction (x-axis direction) is typically in the range of 60-150 mm, more often in the range of 65-140 mm, preferably in the range of 70-125 mm. The length of one molding element (9) in the longitudinal direction (y-axis direction) is generally in the range of 250-600 mm, more often in the range of 250-550 mm, preferably in the range of 260-500 mm.

In the manufacturing method of the present invention, SAP and cellulose are uniformly mixed in a drum (8) and fed into the system with the same density in each part of the molding element (9). Since the first point of contact of liquid with a sanitary product (100), in particular for boys, is closer to the abdominal area than for girls, in accordance with consumer needs, the anterior zone (3) and the middle zone (4) should have a higher ability to absorption and retention of liquid in the sanitary product (100) compared to the rear zone (3). By means of a sanitary product (100) having a container management system through channels (6) developed within the scope of the present invention, the required additional liquid absorption and retention capabilities are provided by supplying SAP in different quantities to the front zone (3) and the middle zone ( 4), which may, in particular, vary depending on gender.

The absorbent layer "coming out" from each forming element (9) of the drum (8) sequentially adheres to the surface of the polyethylene film, which is the original material of the back sheet. The non-woven wrapping material (10) covers the absorbent layers extending from the forming elements (9) and adhering to the surface of the backsheet. Said wrapping material (10) may have different shapes. A schematic representation of the wrapping materials (10) folded in a G-shape is illustrated in FIG. 18, a schematic view of the wrapping materials (10) sandwiched one on top of the other is illustrated in FIG. 19, and a schematic diagram of the wrapping materials (10) folded in a C-shape is illustrated in FIG. 20.

In the sanitary product (100) of the present invention, an ADL layer (acquisition and distribution layer) is provided to assist the channels (6) in moving liquid. Said acquisition and distribution layer (ADL) is located between the absorbent core layer (7) and the top sheet. The Acceptance and Distribution Layer (ADL) is produced by through-air bonding technology, and its mass per unit area is in the range of 20-200 g/m ² . This value is preferably in the range of 60-100 g/m ² .

Claims (17)

1. A hygiene product (100) that is designed to absorb and retain body waste such as urine containing - at least one absorbent core layer (7), which contains a front zone (3) corresponding to the front side of the user, a rear zone (5) corresponding to the rear side of the user, a middle zone (4) located in the longitudinal direction between the front zone ( 3) and rear zone (5), - at least one channel (6), which is located in the specified absorbent core layer (7) to ensure the movement of liquid and which does not contain any absorbent material, and characterized in that it contains - ultra-high absorbency polymer (SAP) in the specified rear zone (5), maximum 20% by weight. of the total amount of SAP in the absorbent core layer (7), - SAP in the middle zone (4) or front zone (3), up to 21-99% of the mass. of the total amount of SAP in the absorbent core layer (7). 2. Hygienic product (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear zone (5) contains SAP in the range of 5-15 wt%. of the total number of SAPs. 3. Hygienic product (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the middle zone (4) and the front zone (3) contains SAP in the range of 25-40 wt%. of the total number of SAPs. 4. Hygienic product (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains at least one channel (6) extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis and/or in the direction of the transverse axis of the layer (7) forming the absorbent core. 5. Hygienic product (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains a plurality of channels (6) intersecting with each other. 6. Hygienic product (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains a plurality of channels (6) that do not intersect with each other. 7. Hygienic product (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains a plurality of channels (6) intersecting each other at 1-6 points. 8. Hygienic product (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains a channel (6) having a width of at least 2 mm. 9. Hygienic product (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains at least one acquisition and distribution layer (ADL) located between the absorbent core layer (7) and the top sheet to assist the channels (6) in moving liquids. 10. Hygienic product (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains an acquisition and distribution layer (ADL) obtained through a through-air bonding technology. 11. Hygienic product (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that it contains an acquisition and distribution layer (ADL) having a weight per unit area of 20-200 g/m ² . 12. Hygienic product (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that it contains an acquisition and distribution layer (ADL) having a weight per unit area of 60-100 g/m ² .