SE508312C2 - Liquid absorbent article intended for single use - Google Patents

Abstract

Disposable liquid-absorbent article, such as a diaper (10), an incontinence guard, a sanitary napkin or the like. When in use, the liquid-absorbent article according to the invention is imparted a highly efficient collecting shape. This is achieved by means of pre-stressed, curved elastic members (23) which extend with at least one essentially continuously curved portion (24, 25) across at least one region of the absorbent body (12) of the article. When bending of the article is initiated by the user, the elastic members exert tensile forces which deform the article in order to form, in relation to the plane of the article, a transverse basin wall along the curved elastic portions. On the side of at least one curved portion of an elastic member against which said tensile forces are acting, the article is designed with a stiffer portion than on the other side of said curved portion.

Description

10 15 20 25 508 512 2 US 4,801,345 discloses a method of making diapers. The method is included application of elastic along the crotch portion of the diaper. This extends the elastic concave outwards along the long edges of the diaper and completely on the side absorption body. The purpose of the elastic is mainly to achieve a tight connecting the edge of the diaper to the wearer's legs. An additional effect will be also some contraction and creasing of the absorbent body over the crotch portion.

EP 0, 219,326 shows a diaper with elastic, which extends completely rectilinearly flat condition of the diaper and completely beside the absorbent body.

Elastic is arranged partly at the outer edge of the diaper on both sides the crotch portion and partly in an edging on either side of the absorbent body.

In addition to maintaining a raised, sealing edge using the edge band ensures the elasticity a certain creasing and traction of the absorbent body.

GB 2,234,157 refers to a trouser diaper with elastic, which extends partly around the waistband of the trousers, partly along the edge of the crotch towards the wearer's legs and partly across the crotch portion. The elastic for connection around the legs reduces the risk of leakage, while the elastic across the crotch portion is only arranged for to enable a rational application of continuous elastic threads.

The structure and method are specially adapted to diapers in the form of trousers.

Disclosure of the invention The object of the present invention is to produce a liquid disposable absorbent article, as in use mode imparted a highly efficient collecting form.

Then diaper with leg elastics according to US 3,860,003 became commonplace In the 1920s, countless patent applications regarding elastic on diapers have been filed around the world.

Elastic has been applied along and / or across the diaper in order to create a 3- dimensional shape or leakage barriers. 10 15 20 25 30 35 508 312 Elastic has also been applied in the curve shape along the edge portions of the housing outside the side edges of the absorbent body which curve shape has been chosen for better adaptation to the user's body shape.

The present invention has created in a very simple manner a completely new elastic effect that provides incredible product benefits.

The said purpose and the new effect are achieved by means of an article according to the present invention, the characteristics of which appear from the following claim 1.

Eigyrbçskrivning The invention will be described in more detail below with exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of an article according to the invention according to a first embodiment in the form of a diaper, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the diaper of Fig. 1, formed into mainly mode of use, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the article according to the invention in a second embodiment shaped for use mode, Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the diaper in a flat, stretched condition along the line IV-IV in Fig. 7, Fig. 5 is a corresponding longitudinal section through the diaper, formed into mode of use, along the line V-Vi Fig. 2, while Fig. 6 is a cross-section through the diaper formed to the position of use along the line VI-VI in Fig. 2 as well Figs. 7-9 schematically show further embodiments of the diaper.

Figs. 10-12 show three further advantageous embodiments. 10 15 20 25 35 508 312 Preferred embodiments An exemplary embodiment of the invention has been chosen as an exemplary embodiment article for collecting fluid and faeces, namely a diaper for incontinence, ie not for infants but for adults.

As can be seen from the first embodiment, see in particular Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the diaper 10 is made up of a cover 11, which encloses a core in front of an absorbent body 12. In a flat, elongated state, as shown in Fig. 4, the core has a relatively flat head shape with two facing away from each other main surfaces, namely an inside 13 intended to face inwards the user, and an outside 14, intended to face outwards. Otherwise shows the absorbent body 12 has a circumferential, rounded edge portion 15, which provides the absorbent body 12 an expedient, anatomical to the wearer's body custom outer contour. The absorbent body 12 is provided with a central lot 16 which is stiffer than the rest of the absorbent body. This has is achieved by the absorption body having a higher basis weight in it central portion 16 than the absorption body in the rest. The central party may be thicker than the absorption layer in general but has in the shown example the same thickness but is harder compressi the central party 16.

The housing 11 is in the example shown formed by two layers 17, 18 with each other different properties, which are located against the inside 13 of the absorbent body 12 respectively outside 14 and closes the absorbent body by the two the layers are connected to each other outside the absorbent body edge portion 15 and forms a circumferential fl similar edge portion 19 for the diaper as a whole. The two layers 17, 18 are laid in the edge portion 19 against each other and interconnected by means of adhesives.

The specific components used to form the diaper shown can be any components commonly used for such purpose. The layer 17 applied to the inside 13 can be any preferably soft, flexible, liquid-permeable material, such as fi woven) or a soft perforated plastic film of polyethylene or the like. Layer 18 on the outside 14 is of a liquid-tight material, such as thin (e.g. 20 μ) 10 15 20 25 30 35 508 312 plastic film of polyethylene, propylene, polyvinyl chloride or similar.

The absorbent body 12 may consist of cellulose fibers, different types of superabsorbent material etc.

As best seen in Fig. 1, the diaper in the example shown has one main shape of an asymmetrical hourglass or a peanut shell with a waist or crotch portion 20 extending in one direction toward a rear portion 21 and a front portion 22, which portions are intended to be in the position of use connect to the corresponding portions of the carrier. Absorption body 12 tapers to a greater degree than the outer contour of the diaper 10 which gives a greater width at the edge portion 19 of the diaper at the height of the crotch portion 20.

In order to impart to the diaper 10 its position of use the appropriate shape is the diaper 10 provided with contractile elastic 28, which is provided with a configuration and location specific to the invention. Appropriate shape is such a shape that the diaper in use position can accommodate large amounts of liquid and solid outlet products from the body, partly through absorption and partly through the formal retention of the products, whether they consist of urine, blood or other body fluids or faeces. For for this purpose, the elastic 23 is at least partially arranged with an arcuate shape curved portions 24, 25 extending over the absorbent body 12. In it shown example are arranged two arcuate continuously curved elastic portions 24, 25 which via edge elastic (see below) meet mainly in its ends at two intersections 26, 27 in the vicinity of the diaper long edge portions 28, 29.

The elastic 23 is connected to at least one of the layers 17, 18 in the housing 11 and is connected to it in the first embodiment the liquid-permeable layer 17. In the example shown, the elastic is arranged on the inside of the layer 17, i.e. between the absorbent body 12 and the layer, but can of course as an alternative be applied to the layer outside. The elastic consists of elongate elastic members, which have, for example a wire or band-shaped elastic core of a highly elastic material, for example rubber, and a spun wire casing which can be connected by means of adhesive and enable anchoring of the elastic core in the diaper layer 17, while the elastic core allows elastic movements. The elastic tends to contract and the elastic threads or bands are for this purpose prestressed, ie stretched to a certain degree before anchoring takes place in 508 312 10 15 20 25 35 6 diaper layer 17. The anchoring is done by means of adhesive 30 which is applied in certain sections of the elastic stretch or its entire stretch. In it shown example is each of the arcuately curved portions 24, 25 arranged with double elastic, ie with two contiguous elastic members 30, 31, 32, 33, of which one elastic member 33 in one curved portion 25 passes over edge elastic 34, 35, i.e. extends along one sections of the two long edges 28, 29 of the diaper up to the junction 26, 27 with the elastic members 30, 31 in the opposite curved portion 24. In the shown In the example, the edge elastic 34, 35 extends substantially straight but can also have an arcuate, but slight curvature, ie with a large radius of curvature.

The diaper is shown in Fig. 1 in a mainly plan view, ie extended, but in one such a condition that the astringent action of the elastic is visible.

Fig. 2 shows the diaper shaped to the condition of use. This form is thus formed as soon as you start handling the diaper, which effect is described in more detail below. So as long as the diaper is flat, there is essentially no shaping other than that the absorbent body is slightly compressed. The desired shape can also forcibly initiated by holding the hand while bending the diaper depresses the area 38 within the elastic before the diaper applied to use mode. Through the curved elastic striving to contract and by anchoring one layer of the casing 17 together with the connection of the layer to the absorption core has the elastic in interaction with the deformation of the casing and the absorbent body 12 properties created in relation to the flat inside of the article substantially perpendicular basin walls 39 '. The casing portions outside the absorption the side edge of the body the branch portion of the article forms the basin walls 39 "as together with the pool walls 39 "enclose a pool-like space.

Fig. 3 shows a view corresponding to Fig. 2 of a second embodiment of the diaper where the elastic, here referred to as 23 ', has the same configuration as in it first embodiment, but is connected to the outer layer 18 of the housing, i.e. the liquid-tight layer. Even in this case, the elastic threads can be advantageous or the tapes be applied by adhesive to the inside of the layer 18.

This, in turn, must be associated with the absorption the body. The corresponding appropriate pool is mainly achieved 10 15 20 25 508 312 7 also in this embodiment. It is extra important here that those of them the curved portions of the elastic on the diaper acting forces get help of external forces, before these elastic portions provide it for the formation of the vertical pool walls required deformation of the diaper.

In both embodiments, it is raised in the center of the crotch portion 20 wider section of the edge portion 19 through the elastic of the elastic to contract itself, ie reduce its length. The raised long edges 36, 37 seek sigi position of use for abutment against the wearer's body, in practice inside thighs, to thereby form a highly liquid-tight connection to the body.

Especially in the first embodiment according to Fig. 2, they occur inside the curved elastic portions markedly substantially vertical basin walls.

In addition, a certain creasing occurs due to the fusion of the elastic drawing the layer also laterally. The curved pool walls can, as mentioned above, be substantially perpendicular to a line along the substantially flat bottom of the basin. The curved ones the pool walls can by selection of the elastic bias and the deformation tendency of the absorbent body to form pointed or blunt angle with said line along the pool bottom. When the angle is acute phase a similar space closest to the elastic. The circumferential elastic 23 thus forms an upper edge to the basin 39, which serves as one collection space for body products, which is particularly valuable at more severe cases of incontinence where the volumes can be relatively large. Faeces can be accommodated in this space without the risk of it passing outside the diaper catchment area. The absorbent body 12, in particular the part which located within the elastic 23, has the task of absorbing liquid, while the pool walls have the task of also preventing leakage of liquid outside the diaper, before the absorbent body 12 has fully absorbed the entire volume of liquid. The raised edge portions 19 also retain liquid which is not immediately absorbed by the absorbent body 12 due of the position of the diaper, for example when the wearer is lying sideways. So as soon as the wearer changes body position, the liquid can be absorbed by absorption body.

The longitudinal section in Figs. 4 and 5 and the cross section in Fig. 6 are illustrated the forming effect of the elastic, which will be explained in more detail. Elastic shaping effect arises because the elastic is contractile and 10 15 20 25 35 508 312 8 thus striving to reduce its length. Through the elastic anchoring in the housing this is brought about by the contractile movement of the elastic. The casing layers are in turn over its surfaces connected to the absorbent body, whereby traction in the plane of the casing layers is transmitted to the absorbent body. Through that the elastic over the main part of its stretch over the absorbent body laid in a curved shape has the astringent effect that the elastic in each point over the curved portion applies a force component 40, 41, see Figs. 1 and 4, which are directed towards the curved portion for each point current center of curvature. If the curved portions have varying curvature radii there are different curvature centers for each particular point. However, the absorbent body 12 of the diaper has a certain compression resistance, as illustrated in Fig. 4 by means of reaction force components 42, 43 which thus counteract the elasticity of the elastic tensile forces 40, 41. The compression resistance is greater than the deformation resistance across the disc-shaped absorption body plane of symmetry 44, i.e. transverse to the direction of force 42, 43 in the plane of the paper, i this is particularly the case in the transition to the stiffer central party 16.

The absorbent body is, as mentioned above, stiffer inside them curved elastic portions than the absorbent body in general and deformed therefore in the areas around and outside the elastic lighter than in the stiffer one central portion 16. The absorbent body 12 suitably consists of so-called fluff pulp of cellulose and is together with the casing 11 relative easily flexible, but exhibits some compression resistance, especially in the stiffer central portion 16. These properties imply that the torques caused by the power pairs 41, 43 resp. 40, 42 ger en deformation of the article in areas of arcuate elastic, which deformation is symbolized by the circular arc lines 48, 49, 50, 51 as schematically represents the local bending direction. Through the placement of the elastic outside the plane of symmetry 44 already occurs in the plane condition a bending moment on the absorbent body 12. However, the article has one such a degree of rigidity that it does not deform in a flat state without it deformation is initiated only when handling the article.

Fig. 5 illustrates the pool formed by the elastic, which is bounded by the substantially rectangular basin walls in relation to the plan of the article 39 'along the arcuate elastic along with the pool walls 39 "as formed by portions of the casing extending outside the absorbent body. 10 15 20 25 35 Sos 312 9 These portions are raised by the action of the edge elastic 34, 35 in combination with the arcuate elastic.

The cross section according to Fig. 6 shows that the basin is relatively deep and therefore able to retain large amounts of outlet products.

In the embodiments shown in Figs. 1-6, the elastic as a whole forms one closed loop in each finished diaper.

Fig. 7 schematically shows an embodiment of the diaper where the elastic extends across the crotch portion 20 with a curved elastic portion 60 forming it delimiting transverse wall 61. In this case a delimitation is achieved between the back portion 21 of the diaper and the front portion 22, whereby faeces and urine separated and a larger volume is given for the collection space for faeces.

Fig. 8 shows a further variant, where the rear portion 21 and the front portion 22 has each formed of two curved elastic portions 62, 63, 64, 65 similar space 66, 67 with transverse basin edges 68-71 inside each curved portion.

Fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment, in which the main shape of the diaper is flat condition can be substantially rectangular. Hourglass shape with tapered crotch portion 20 is obtained by the contractile action of the elastic. Also here, transverse basin edges 72, 73 are formed, which provide an effective barrier against edge leakage.

The article in the embodiment of Figure 10 has asymmetric hourglass similar shape with a front portion 74, a rear portion 75 and an intermediate one crotch portion 76. The absorbent body consists of one closest to the liquid-tight one the outer layer applied hourglass-like lower layer 77, preferably of chemical pulp of cellulose, and a substantially elliptical and closest to the liquid-permeable inner layer 78 disposed on top absorption layer 79, which extends over the branch area of the article and is a material that is porous and resilient and has the ability to quickly receive and let liquid through to the underlying the absorption layer 77. Examples of suitable materials for the upper the absorption layer is a mechanical pulp of cellulose or a cotton wool. 10 15 20 25 508 312 10 The upper substantially elliptical absorption layer '79 has side portions 82, 83 which laterally extend beyond the lower hourglass-like layer and forms easily foldable side portions 82, 83. The article is in the crotch area compressed in a pattern, formed by compression grooves arranged in the mold of three oblong, closed loops 84, 85, 86. The compression pattern is applied through the inner layer, the upper absorption layer and deep into the the lower absorption layer. In lot 87 For the compression pattern becomes the article is substantially stiffened by the compression grooves and this batch becomes stiffer than the rest of the article. Elastic threads 88, 89, 90 are applied in a tight manner around the stiffer portion with two threads 88, 89 extending in one arcuate path from one side of the article into the front of the article opposite side and with an elastic thread 90 extending on the corresponding put over the back. The curved elastic portions 88 ', 89', 90 'act the article in a similar way as described in connection with previously described exemplary embodiments for forming the pool wall along the curved ones elastic part. The easily foldable side portions 82, 83 are raised at the product use of the elastic threads and form barriers to prevent leakage in the lateral side of the article.

Figure 11 shows an embodiment in which a lower hourglass-like absorption layer 91 is proliferated with different thickness in different portions. IN the branch area of the article has the lower absorption layer two from it hourglass-like shape deviating side portions 92, 93 projecting laterally and are thinner and more flexible than the rest of the hourglass-like absorption layer in the crotch portion of the article. The easily foldable side portions 92, 93 is raised by the use of the elastic threads 94, 95 and 96, which surrounds a, in relation to alstreti otherwise, stiffer lot 97. l utíörings- the shape according to fi g. 11 includes a substantially rectangular topsheet 98 of mechanical íluffmassa or of ñbervadd. As in previously described In exemplary embodiments, pool walls are formed along the curved elastic portions.

Figure 12 shows an additional embodiment. The article has a cover consisting of an inner layer and an outer layer. Absorption body 99 consists of a single layer of cellulose fluff pulp. The product is equipped with a compression pattern, formed by a number of compression grooves 100, which increase the stiffness of the absorption layer in this portion. The stiffer party is enclosed by a number of elastic threads 101, 102, 103, which have curved 10 15 20 25 35 sus 312 1] batches for the formation of basin walls during use of the article. In absorption the body is arranged in the branch area two through recesses 104, 105 on both sides of the stiffened part. Recesses 104, 105 forms folding instructions for the laterally located outside the recesses the portions 106, 107 of the absorbent body. When using the article, fold it along the recesses so that side leakage protection is formed by the outer portions 106, 107 of the absorbent body.

The invention is not limited to those described above and shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments, but may be varied within the scope of the following patent claims. Articles other than diapers for incontinence may be relevant, such as baby diapers, pant diapers, sanitary napkins or the like. The concept mainly continuously curved portion refers primarily to arcuate or curved curved portion, but also includes a combination of a plurality of rectilinear parties, preferably at least three straight-line parties as a replacement for one half circular arc or similar.

Claims (10)

508 512 10 15 20 25 12 Patent claims A disposable liquid absorbent article, such as a diaper (10), incontinence guard, bandage or the like having a substantially elongate shape and comprising an absorbent body (12) having an inwardly facing inner surface (13) and an outwardly facing outer surface (14) and an absorbent body enclosing housing (11) having a liquid-permeable inner layer (17) facing the inside of the absorbent body and an outer layer (18) facing the outside of the absorbent body and contracting elastic members (23) communicating with at least one layer to bring the article into shape , characterized in that at least the cover layer on which the elastic members are applied is connected to the inner resp. said elastic member (23) extending with at least a substantially continuously curved portion (24, 25) over at least an area of the absorbent body (11) and said elastic member, by its tendency to contract and by its connection to any of said layers (17, 18), exerts a tensile force on said layer towards the center of curvature of the elastic member, whereby this force is transmitted and absorbed by the absorbent body, that the absorbent body is formed of a material which makes it easily flexible but at least highly resistant to compression at occurring tensile forces towards the curvature center of the curved elastic portion, that the elastic members are arranged with such prestress that when bending of the article is initiated by the user said tensile forces caused by the prestress and radius of curvature deform the article to form a basin wall transverse to the plane of the article. The article on the side of at least one curved portion of an elastic member against which said tensile forces act is formed with a stiffer portion than on the other side of said curved portion. Article according to claim 1, characterized in that the stiffer portion has been obtained by compressing the absorbent body in this portion (87) (fi g. 10). Article according to claim 2, characterized in that the compression took place in a pattern. 10 15 20 25 30 sus 312 13 Article according to claim 3, characterized in that the compression pattern consists of at least one compressed groove running along a closed elongate loop (84, 85, 86) (Fig. 10). Article according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that the absorbent body consists of at least two layers (77, 79) and that the compaction has taken place in at least one of these layers. An article according to claim 5, and which in its entirety has an asymmetrical hourglass-like shape with a narrow crotch portion (76) and wider front and rear portions (74 and 75, respectively), the crotch portion being arranged at the user's branch during use of the article and and the rear portion abuts corresponding parts of the user, characterized in that one of the absorption layers (77) has an asymmetrical hourglass-like shape with its narrowest portion substantially in front of the branch portion 7 of the article, that on top of this and closest to the liquid-permeable inner layer (78) absorbent layer (79), which extends at least over the crotch portion (76) of the article but is shorter in length than the hourglass-like lower absorbent layer (77) and which is made of a material which is porous and resilient and capable of rapidly receiving and transmitting liquid to the underlying absorption layer. Article according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper absorption layer in the crotch portion (76) of the article has side portions (80, 81) which laterally extend beyond the lower hourglass-like layer and form easily foldable side portions which are raised by the elastic members ( 88, 89, 90) (ñg. 10) for the formation of leakage barriers. Article according to claim 6, characterized in that the lower hourglass-like layer (91) (Fig. 11) is profiled with different thicknesses of different portions, at least so that the layer in the branch area of the article has side portions deviating from the hourglass-like shape (92, 93 ), which project laterally and are thinner and more flexible than at least the rest of the hourglass-like absorption layer in the crotch portion of the article and that said side portions are raised by the elastic members (94, 95, 96) to form leakage barriers. 508 312 10 Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the absorbent body has elongated recesses (104, 105) on either side of the stiffer portion, which recesses are preferably continuous and form folding instructions for the outer portions (106, 106) located laterally outside the recesses. 107) of the absorbent body, so that the article, in its use, folds said recesses to form side leakage protection of said outer portions (106, 107). 10. An article according to claim 1, characterized in that the stiffer portion is obtained by the absorbent body being formed thicker in said portion or by the absorbent body in this portion having an extra layer of the same or other material.