SE517074C2 - Belief protection and the use of low-hygroscopic materials to make a panty protection - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a panty liner which includes active additives, such as lactobacilli, wherein the article comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet which lies proximal to the wearer in use,a liquid-impermeable backing sheet which lies distal from the wearer in use, possibly an intermediate absorbent layer, and possibly fastener means. The panty liner is manufactured in a manner such that the active additives, preferably lactobacillus, are given a sufficiently effective and dryenvironment to ensure a healthy survival rate of said additives until the product is used.

Description

517 074 2 Since the lactobacillus is a living organism, and must be so in order to carry out its desired function, it is important that the iiiiijö in which it behaves does not adversely affect its survival. This has proven to be a problem in the development of products with lactobacilli as an active component. Above all, a high moisture content has been shown to have a negative effect on the survival of lactobacilli at room temperature.

To ensure that the lactobacilli have a good environment during storage, a package has been developed that is tight enough so that moisture does not penetrate into the product during the storage period (PCT / SE00 / 01207). In addition, a drying step is performed just before the packaging of the product, in order to ensure that the product has a sufficiently low moisture content when the packaging is closed. However, this extra process step is cumbersome and costly, which is why there is a need for another production process or another product containing lactobacilli, which can provide such a good and dry environment for the lactobacilli during storage that they show a good survival. The object of the invention is to provide an absorbent article, in particular a panty liner, which exhibits properties which, without further treatment, such as drying, or with less drying, enable the active additives not to lose their activity before the product is used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This object is achieved by a pantiliner containing active additives, such as lactobacilli, which pantiliner comprises a liquid-permeable surface layer, in use directed towards the user, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, in use possibly an intermediate , and optionally a fastening device, characterized in that the panty liner is mainly made of one or more low hygroscopic materials, selected from non-woven, batting, tow and other synthetic fiber materials, the moisture content of the panty liner being lower than 2.5. 3% after 24 hours at 22.5 ° C and 46% humidity, preferably lower than 2.0%, most preferably lower than 1.0 ° / island.

Under normal conditions, such panty liners will not absorb more moisture than the lactobacilli show a good survival during storage. Furthermore, the panty liner may optionally comprise added superabsorbent, to absorb the fluid that must be absorbed, such as menstrual fluid, normally 2-4 g of fluid. In this way, the superabsorbent material, which is applied to the core of the product, will absorb the liquid that must be absorbed in order for the product to fulfill its function during use.

The other synthetic tow or wadding material has no appreciable hygroscopic capacity, but very good dry content at room temperature, which gives the lactobacilli a dry environment during storage.

Normal products usually use different forms of paper-based material in products of this kind. For example, pulp fibers are most often used in the core, as they are hydraulic, absorb moisture and liquid well and are inexpensive. By avoiding paper fibers as in the invention, a lower moisture content in the product is achieved and thereby a good survival for the lactobacilli. A sufficiently good absorption capacity in the product is achieved by using superabsorbents, which have the capacity to absorb the expected amount of liquid during use, ie typically about 0-4 ml. This concentrates the fluid uptake into the core, and the rest of the panty liner is formed of materials that are not prone to absorb moisture.

The superabsorbent material used can be in the form of small SAP grains, large SAP grains, or SAF (superabsorbent fibers). Thus, the product has a sufficient absorption capacity for body fluids, without being able to absorb unnecessarily much humidity for that purpose.

In one embodiment, the product does not comprise a superabsorbent, which is functional in cases where no liquid is intended to be absorbed in use. This is especially true in cases where it is only desired that the lactobacilli be transferred to the user. Furthermore, it is suitable if the product is equipped with a breathable back, so that the carrying of the product becomes less sweaty for the user. , and so that the product itself does not absorb unnecessary moisture.

Detailed description of the invention Low hygroscopic materials refer to materials which have a capacity for absorbing moisture from air which is low enough to be able to maintain a substantially dry environment under normal storage conditions, such as for example tow, cotton wool and other synthetic materials.

By tow is meant here a synthetic material which consists of long polypropylene fibers, and which is bound by transverse welding to keep the material together.

Wadding is a synthetic “high loft” material, which is, for example, needled, made of thin air, is resin bonded, “therinobonded” or bonded from carded fibers. Wadding is commercially available from, for example, Libertex.

The panty liner according to the invention is built up of a liquid-permeable surface layer, a liquid-impermeable backing layer, and possibly an intermediate absorbent body. The active additives, preferably lactobacilli, are applied in close proximity to the surface layer. In order for the lactobacilli to survive well, and maintain their activity, until the product is used, it is important according to the invention that the material the panty liner is made of attracts as little moisture as possible. Experiments have shown that a moisture content of 2.5% by weight is a limit below which the survival of lactobacilli is good. Thus, a panty liner according to the invention is made of material 10 which exhibits lower moisture uptake than this under tested conditions (see Example 1), such as, for example, wadding and tow.

In order to meet the absorption needs that may exist during use, superabsorbent (SAP) can preferably be used. With the use of superabsorbent, it also becomes advantageous to apply a spreading layer below the surface layer, in order to ensure that liquid emitted by the user is led to the superabsorbent material.

In one embodiment, the low hygroscopic material is tow.

In another embodiment, the low hygroscopic material is batting.

In yet another embodiment, the surface layer and the batt are connected to each other in dots or lines forming a pattern. This is applied by welding or high pressure in dots, lines or other patterns, the width of the pattern's dots or lines being approximately 1-7 mm. This then provides a combination of larger and smaller capillaries that promote fluid uptake and transport to lower layers.

In another embodiment, the low hygroscopic material is thick nonwoven, such as carded, spunbond, or a white or brown non-woven, "Evolon" with splittable es bres, with a basis weight of 80-140 g / m2, available from Freudenberg , or microbrewery.

The superabsorbent material used in the panty liner according to the invention may be in the form of SAP granules, for example Hysorb C 700 from BASF, acidic SAP, or SAF fibers. The superabsorbent material is applied in an amount to be able to absorb 0-6 g of liquid, preferably 2-4 g of liquid. This requires 0.1-1.5 g of superabsorbent.

In one embodiment, the panty liner does not include a superabsorbent. The panty liner according to the invention should have a moisture content on co-conditioning for 24 hours, 22.5 ° C and 46% humidity, which is lower than 2.5%, preferably lower than 2.0%, most preferably lower than 1.0%.

By an active additive is meant a substance, an agent or a composition, which is added to the absorbent article during manufacture, and which is intended to alter or improve the function of the article in some way. Examples of active additives are deodorants such as zeolite and silica, plasticizers such as lotions, lactobacilli to inhibit the formation of other microorganisms, as well as acids such as lactic acid and citric acid, and acidic SAP, and partially neutralized SAP, which are intended to lower pH and the like. - by inhibiting bacterial growth. The active additive may be, for example, a microorganism. According to a preferred embodiment, the active additive is an acid-producing microorganism. According to an even more preferred embodiment, the active additive is a lactobacilli. Most preferably, the active additive is a lactobacilli of the strain Lactobacillus plantarum LB 931 (Deposit No. (DSM): 11918).

In case the active moisture-sensitive additive is lactobacilli, the application can be in the form of a lyophilized powder containing lactobacilli or in the form of a suspension containing lactobacilli. In this case, it is advisable to keep as low a water content or high concentration as possible in the suspension so as not to add unnecessary water, which then has to be dried off. Lactobacilli should be applied in an appropriate amount of 104-1011, preferably 106-1010 CFU / product (CFU: Colony forming unit).

The liquid-permeable surface layer consists of a soft skin-friendly material. This surface layer can be a layer of different types of nonwoven fabric, so-called non-woven material, or most advantageously by tow or wadding. Other useful materials are perforated plastic films, plastic nets, knitted, crocheted or woven textiles as well as combinations and laminates of specified material types. The plastic can be a thermoplastic, eg polyethylene (PE). The non-woven material may consist of synthetic fibers, such as poly-), polyurethane (PU), a polyester, iiyluii or regenerated ethylene (PE), polypropylene (cellulose, or a mixture of different fibers). Articles, such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners or incontinence guards, can be used for the liquid-permeable surface layer and the above materials are given by way of example only, provided they exhibit good insertion properties.

The liquid impermeable backing layer consists of an ibexable material, preferably a thin plastic mlm of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or a polyester, but may be a laminate of a liquid-permeable material, such as a non-woven material, wadding or tow, and a liquid impervious material. All materials used as liquid-tight surface layers for absorbent articles can be used. The surface layer can advantageously be air-permeable.

When using superabsorbents, a spreading layer is normally needed in the absorbent article to divert the liquid to be absorbed from the surface to the superabsorbent polymers. In most cases, these are made of paper fibers (cellulose fl uff), which are partly hydro- and partly capillary. In the invention, spreading layers of synthetic vad fibers are suitably used, which is not hydraulic, and thus does not absorb liquid to the same degree as cellulose fl uff. Furthermore, such a spreading layer has capillaries for spreading the absorbed liquid. Wadding contains relatively large capillaries or pores, and when these are welded with a surface material, for example, smaller capillaries / pores are created, which have a greater holding capacity for liquid. The presence of a spreading layer reduces the risk that discharged liquid may run on the surface of the panty liner, reach the edge of the panty liner and then discolour the panty or other garments. Although the surface layer itself has good liquid-receiving properties, it may be appropriate to apply a liquid-receiving layer (spreading layer). 10 15 20 25 30 5187 074 For packaging of the panty liner according to the invention, please refer to the packaging and procedures specified in PCT / SE00 / 01207.

The panty liner has a length of 60-260 mm. The absorbent body has a maximum width of 30-80 mm, preferably about 70 mm and a minimum width at the rear end of 5-20 mm, preferably about 10 mm.

The panty liner is manufactured, for example, in a conventional manner in longitudinal production in a 1- or 4-lane continuous production line.

To attach the panty liner to the panty, there are a number of devices that can be used, such as fl ikar, adhesive strings or friction surfaces. The panty liner may preferably be provided with fl ices to fold around the edge of the panty and thereby hold the cap in place. Furthermore, the kans can be provided with adhesive strands, which in the packaging state are covered by a protective layer, e.g. a so-called release paper, which consists of a silicone-coated paper and which protects the adhesive strands against contaminants, such as dust and the like, as well as drying, before use. It is also conceivable to replace the adhesive strands in the area of the absorbent body with friction coatings or the like. In addition, only one fl ik can be provided with adhesive strings, whereby the fl ikama must then be given such dimensions that they overlap each other after the folding towards the underside of the panty after being folded around the edges of the panty. Fasteners other than adhesive can be used to attach the panty liner to a panty, e.g. Velcro-type hooks, which can interact with textile-like panties.

The invention primarily relates to a panty liner, but also other absorbent articles, in which active additives are used, are covered by the invention concept.

The invention is described below with examples, which are not to be seen as limiting the scope of protection, but as examples of the invention. Example 15 The moisture uptake of a number of material combinations was examined by conditioning the tested material samples for 24 hours, at 22.5 ° C and 46% humidity (Table 1). For each material sample, two independent experiments were performed. As a reference, the currently commercial product “Grace” (also called Libresse Air) was used, which has polypropylene nonwoven surface material, 140 grams of thermobonded LDA (low density air-laid, and a breathable back of microporous polyethylene. All material selections, except for the reference material selection, showed values below 2.5% moisture content (by weight).

Sample Sample content Moisture content 1 NW ** + tow material with 1 g size 0.65%; 0.76% SAP grain 2 NW ** + tow material with 1 g small 1.10%; 1.00% SAP grain NW ** + tow material with SAF 2.42%; 2.18% NW ** + tow 0.70%; 1.43% 2.39%; 1.04% 2.34%; 2.42% 3.78%; 3.72% NW * + surface material with batting Brown Evolon (also non-woven) \ lO \ kl1- |> UJ Reference * - Libresse Air * NW is carded material Terpol (26 g / m2) from Tenotex ** NW is spunbond 20 g / m2 from BBA NW Table 1. Moisture uptake test. Conditioning of the samples for 24 hours at 22.5 ° C and 46% humidity. All panty liners in the table have a PE back. The percentage values refer to% by weight.

Claims (12)

10 15 20 25 517 074 10 Patent claims A panty liner containing active additives, such as lactobacilli, which panty liner comprises a liquid-permeable surface layer, in use directed towards the user, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, in use directed away from the user, optionally an intermediate absorption layer, and optionally an attachment device , characterized in that the panty liner is mainly made of one or fl your low hygroscopic materials, selected from wadding, tow, nonwoven or other synthetic fi base materials, the moisture content of the panty liner being less than 2.5% by weight after 24 hours at 22.5 ° C and 46 % humidity, preferably lower than 2.0%, most preferably lower than 1.0%. . The panty liner of claim 1, wherein the low hygroscopic material is tow. . The panty liner of claim 1, wherein the low hygroscopic material is a batt. . The panty liner of claim 1, wherein the low hygroscopic material is thick nonwoven or is made of slits or microfibers. . A panty liner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panty liner further comprises a spreading layer. . Panty cover according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface layer is patterned with batt. . A panty liner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panty liner further comprises a superabsorbent material with a total absorption capacity of 0 - 6 ml of liquid per panty liner, preferably 2 ~ 4 ml of liquid. . The panty liner of claim 6, wherein the superabsorbent material is in the presence of SAP grain. . The panty liner of claim 6, wherein the superabsorbent material is in the form of superabsorbent (SAF). A panty liner according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the active additive is lactobacilli, preferably lactobacilli of the strain Lactobacillus plantarum LB 931 (DSM 11918). 517 074 11 Panty cover according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the backing layer is made of breathable material. Use of one or more low hygroscopic materials, such as tow and wadding, to make a panty liner according to claims 1-11, which has a moisture content of less than 2.5% by weight after 24 hours at 22.5 ° C and 46% humidity, preferably lower than 2.0%, most preferably lower than 1.0%.