Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
  • A61F13/53—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium
  • A61F13/534—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad
  • A61F13/535—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having an inhomogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad, e.g. core absorbent layers being of different sizes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
  • A61F13/551—Packaging before or after use
  • A61F13/5513—Packaging before or after use packaging of feminine sanitary napkins
  • A61F13/55135—Packaging before or after use packaging of feminine sanitary napkins before use
  • A61F13/5514—Packaging before or after use packaging of feminine sanitary napkins before use each item packaged single
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
  • A61F13/45—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
  • A61F13/47—Sanitary towels, incontinence pads or napkins
  • A61F13/4702—Sanitary towels, incontinence pads or napkins having a reinforcing member
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
  • A61F13/45—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
  • A61F2013/4512—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape folded in special shape during use

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, a diaper, an incontinence guard or the like.
• an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a diaper, an incontinence guard or the like.
• Such an article includes a liquid-permeable first casing sheet, a liquid-impermeable second casing sheet and an absorbent body disposed between the two casing sheets.
• the article also has a transverse direction and a longitudinal direction and at least one fold line which extends through the article in the plane of said article and along which the article can be folded.
• absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, diapers, incontinence guards and like articles
• the article is folded for several different reasons. For instance, it is often desirable to reduce the article to a size and format which can be handled by the user.
• a suitably folded absorbent article can be carried readily by the user in a handbag or in a pocket, for later use.
• each napkin In the case of sanitary napkins in particular, it is usual for each napkin to be packaged individually in a separate envelope-like packaging unit. Such individual packages are easier to handle than packages which contain a large number of articles. Furthermore, individual packages are hygienic and prevent the article from being dirtied when kept, for instance, in a handbag prior to using the article. After use, the individual article packaging unit can be used to wrap the article when throwing the article away.
• One serious problem encountered when folding absorbent articles is that folding deforms the articles and impairs their absorption properties. Absorbent articles of the kind intended here are soft and pliable. As the article is folded, permanent pleats and wrinkles are formed in the article.
• Fold directives in an absor- bent article, in the form of heavily compressed parts or lines in an absorbent layer. This is generally referred to as compression. Fold directives of this kind generally extend longitudinally and function to give the article a desired shape in use. It is known in particular to provide fold directives at the edge parts of a sanitary napkin or a diaper. The article is compressed between the wearer's thighs in use. As a result of the fold directives, the article will therewith adopt a suitable basin-like configuration in which liquid is collected and which has upwardly folded edge-parts. Heavily compressed parts, or lines, are also used to provide for improved and controlled transportation of liquid in the article.
• the present invention provides an absorbent article of the kind mentioned in the introduction in which the negative effects of folding the article have been consider ⁇ ably reduced.
• An article constructed in accordance with the invention is mainly characterized in that the article has a layer of material which includes at least one fold directive in the form of an opening, slot or recess disposed along the fold line through the article.
• the absorbent body includes a first absorption layer which is disposed inwardly of the liquid-permeable outer surface, and a second absorption layer which is disposed between the first absorption layer and the liquid-impermeable outer surface, wherein the opening, slot or recess is provided in the second absorption layer.
• a suitable material for the second absorption layer is described in WO 94/10956, which teaches a method of manufacturing an absor ⁇ bent structure in an absorbent article, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, tampon, panty guard, incontinence guard, bed protector, dressings, saliva absorbent and like articles.
• the method is characterized by compressing particle-form material which includes flash-dried cellulose fibres that have been dry formed to a web having a surface weight of 30-2,000 g/cro 2 ' to a density of between 0.2-1 g/cra*, and by incorporating the web as an absorbent structure in an absorbent article without subsequent defibration and fluff formation.
• WO 94/10956 also describes a method for manufacturing a material suitable for the second absorption layer.
• the method according to WO 94/10956 is characterized by compressing an air-laid web of cellulose fibres to a dry-formed sheet having a first density of between 0.2-1 g/cm', and thereafter softening the sheet mechanically to a second density which is lower than the original density and herewith delaminated, so as to form a plurality of incompletely separated thin fibre layers having a density corresponding to the first density.
• the article includes a layer of relatively stiff non-absorbent material, wherein the opening, the slot, or the recess is formed in the nonwoven absorbent material layer.
• the opening, the slot, or the recess is provided in a layer of sheet of elastically pliable material, such as plastic or plastic foam.
• At least two openings, slots or recesses may be provided along one and the same fold line through the article.
• the fold line extends generally in the transverse direction of the article, it is appropriate for the combined openings, slots or recesses to take-up at most about 50% of the extension of the article along the fold line.
• transverse fold lines it is also appropriate for each opening, slot or recess disposed along the fold line to take- up at most about 30% of the extension of the article along the fold line, and preferably at most 20% of said extension.
• the article will have at least two generally parallel fold lines.
• the article has two generally orthogonal fold lines.
• the article will include one opening or recess which surrounds the point at which the orthogonal fold lines intersect one another in the plane of the article.
• the article includes a front part, a rear part, and a crotch part disposed therebetween, wherein body liquid or fluid dis ⁇ charged to the article is intended to be taken-up primarily within a limited wetting area, located generally within the crotch part, said wetting area being free from fold lines that extend transversely across the article.
• the article When the article is intended to be folded together length- wise, the article will include generally a fold line which extends along the longitudinal centre line of the article.
• An article such as a sanitary napkin or like article is normally folded along two transverse fold lines placed essentially symmetrically on opposite sides of the article transverse centre line.
• openings, slots or recesses are provided within those regions of the article that are intended to be folded together.
• the openings will function as well-defined fold directives for folding the absorbent article.
• an opening in a layer of material is meant holes or pores which extend through the full thickness of the layer, from one surface of said layer to the other. A certain amount of material has been removed or displaced to one side from the layer in producing the opening.
• opening is also meant here all forms of indents, gashes or recesses in an edge-part where the gash, notch or recess extends through the full thickness of the layer and where material has been removed from the gash, notch or recess.
• gases, notches or recesses may have a V-shape or U-shape, or may have any other suitable form.
• a slit, or slot is a through-penetrating cut or a clip in the layer of material. Essentially no material has been removed from the layer in forming the slot or slit.
• recess as used here is intended to include holes, grooves or the like which do not penetrate through the layer and with which the thickness of the layer has been reduced by removing material within the region of the recess.
• fold directives can be mutually combined in a number of different ways within the scope of the Claims.
• the fold directives may have a number of different shapes and sizes within one and the same category.
• the openings When one or more openings are disposed along a fold line through the article, the bending resistance of the article at said openings is reduced, therewith making it easier to fold the article along the fold line.
• the more and/or the larger the openings along a given fold line the easier it is to fold the article along the fold line and the greater the precision and reproducibility of the fold.
• the openings When the openings are provided in an absorbent layer, however, the openings should not have such a size and shape, or be present in such numbers, as to substantially obstruct desired transportation of liquid in the article. In the case of such absorbent articles as sanitary napkins which have a relative ⁇ ly small transverse extension, but a comparatively large longitudinal extension, it is generally desired to obstruct longitudinal liquid transportation as little as possible.
• sanitary napkins for instance, which are normally folded together along two transverse fold lines to a length corresponding approximately to one-third of its original length, prior to packaging each sanitary napkin into an individual packaging unit, it has been found suitable to provide at least one opening at at least one fold line.
• the sanitary napkin will preferably include at least one opening at each fold line.
• the openings are disposed generally symmetrically on either side of a transverse centre line through the napkin.
• At least two openings are provided along one and the same fold line through the article.
• the invention is not restricted to openings of any particular shape.
• the openings may have a number of different shapes, for instance round, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, rho boidal, star-shaped, etc.
• the openings will preferably have a shape such that their extension in the transverse direction of the article will be equally as large or smaller than their extension in the longitudinal direction of the article.
• Elongated narrow openings, such as slots or slits are less suitable in the transverse direction of the article, since such openings intersect or cut the absorption channels in the absorbent body and therewith prevent disper ⁇ sion of liquid in the longitudinal direction of the article.
• the fold directives according to the invention may also be combined with a separate layer or insert which has at least one edge that extends along a fold line through the article.
• This edge functions as an extra fold directive for folding the article along the fold line and further enhances the accuracy and precision of the folding process.
• Figure 1 illustrates a sanitary napkin provided with inven ⁇ tive fold directives and shown in a flat state.
• Figure 2 is a sectional view of the napkin shown in Figure 1, taken on the line II-II.
• Figure 3 illustrates the napkin of Figures 1 and 2 folded to a packaging state.
• Figure 4 illustrates a further sanitary napkin provided with fold directives in accordance with the invention and shown in a flat state.
• Figure 5 illustrates a lower absorbent core in the napkin of Figure 4 and shows the napkin partially folded.
• Figure 6 illustrates the absorbent core of Figure 5 after being folded further.
• Figure 7 illustrates the configuration of the napkin shown in Figure 4 when folded fully to its packaging state.
• the sanitary napkin shown in Figure l is seen from the side thereof that lies proximal to the wearer in use.
• a liquid- permeable first casing sheet 1 made for instance of fibre material, so-called nonwoven or woven material, perforated plastic film, net, open cell foam or like material, is mounted on that side of the napkin which is intended to lie proximal to the wearer in use.
• the two casing sheets 1, 2 embrace an absorbent body 3 and are mutually joined together by welding, gluing or similarly fastening those parts 4 of the casing sheets 1, 2 that project out around the absorbent body 3.
• the absorbent body 3 includes a first absorbent layer 5 which has a generally elongated hourglass shape and is mounted nearest inwardly of the liquid-permeable casing sheet 1.
• the first absorbent layer 5 is comprised of a soft, pliable material, suitably a material which has an intrinsic springi ⁇ ness and elasticity such as to enable the material to be folded together without causing cracks, fractures or sharp permanent pleats or folds to occur in the absorbent material.
• suitable material are different types of fibre wadding, preferably which have a given resiliency after being compressed, or cellulose fluff pulp which has been compressed to a relatively low degree. Mixtures of cellulose fluff pulp or other cellulose-based fibres with different types of synthetic fibres can also be used.
• cellulose fibres normally have a relatively low resilience when wet, it may be suitable to admix other materials which will increase the wet resilience of the material and therewith provide the first absorbent layer with a given resiliency even when in a wet state.
• materials are, for instance, different types of thermoplastic fibres or particles which when the layer is heated function as a binder to bind the fibres in the layer and therewith hold the fibres mutually in position, such that the layer will obtain a higher tensile strength and a greater resiliency both in a wet and in a dry state.
• the cellulose fibres may also be modified chemically so as to elevate their intrinsic resilience, or the cellulose fibres may be mixed with highly resilient synthetic fibres.
• the first absorbent layer 5 may also include a minor quantity of so-called superabsorbents, i.e. material in the form of fibres, particles, granules, film or the like, which are able to absorb and bind body liquid and fluid in quantities corresponding to several times the intrinsic weight of the superabsorbent, while forming a hydrogel.
• superabsorbents i.e. material in the form of fibres, particles, granules, film or the like, which are able to absorb and bind body liquid and fluid in quantities corresponding to several times the intrinsic weight of the superabsorbent, while forming a hydrogel.
• the first absorbent layer 5 When the napkin is in use, the first absorbent layer 5 is intended to receive and transport body liquid to a second absorbent layer 6 which lies inwardly of the absorbent layer and nearest the liquid-impermeable casing sheet 2.
• the liquid, or fluid, is passed to the second absorbent layer 6 by capillary action and by the force of gravity.
• the material in the first absorbent layer 5 will preferably have a high instantaneous absorption ability, so that discharged body liquid will be absorbed quickly into the layer 5 and accommo- dated therein until the liquid has gradually passed into the second absorption layer 6, which normally has a lower absorption rate but a higher body liquid affinity.
• the second absorbent layer 6 is comprised of a stiffer material having a higher density and a high liquid-dispersing and liquid-retaining capacity.
• a particularly suitable material of this kind is described in WO 94/10956.
• a similar type of material but one which has properties that are particularly suitable for blood absorption is described in WO 94/10953.
• Conventional compressed layers of cellulose fluff pulp, absorbent foam material or different types of tissue laminates are also usable.
• Absorbent material which has a high liquid-dispersion capacity and a high liquid- retention capacity often has a high density and is compara- tively flexurally rigid and relatively inelastic.
• Absorption layers comprised of such material are sensitive to compres ⁇ sion forces, since there is a danger that these materials will be deformed permanently by compression such as to form sharp pleats or folds and ruptures or discontinuities in the absorbent material.
• the liquid-dispersing ability of the material is therewith reduced, because a crack or a rupture in the layer forms a barrier against dispersion of liquid in a direction perpendicular to the crack or rupture.
• pleats or folds formed in the absorbent body will function as liquid-dispersing conduits which conduct liquid out of the absorbent body, resulting in leakage.
• the second absorbent layer is generally rectangular and has a smaller extension in the plane than the first absorbent layer.
• the second absorbent layer is hereby surrounded on all sides by a softer material having a lower liquid-dispersion ability.
• This arrangement provides several advantages. Firstly, no sharp or hard edges on the second absorbent layer can come into contact with the wearer's body and chafe or irritate the wearer's skin; and, secondly, it counteracts the passage of liquid to the edges of the napkin in the second absorbent layer, thereby greatly decreasing the risk of body liquid leaking from the napkin. Furthermore, the permanent pleats or folds that are formed in the absorbent body when folding the napkin are less pronounced in the softer, more resilient first absorbent layer.
• the absorbent body is able to return essentially fully to its non-folded state, thereby preventing sharp pleats or folds in which liquid is able to run from extending right out to the side-edges of the napkin.
• the edges of the second absorbent layer also form fold directives around which the napkin is able to fold when compressed in the crotch region between the wearer's thighs in use.
• the napkin will herewith adopt in use a more three-dimensional form which better coincides with the body shape of the user in the crotch region.
• the second absorbent layer may also conveniently contain some form of superabsorbent.
• the amount of superabsorbent in the second absorbent layer 6 is suitably greater than the amount in the first absorbent layer, as the second absorbent layer 6 is intended to absorb and retain the major part of the body liquid discharged.
• the sanitary napkin also includes a front part 7, which is intended to lie forwardly of the wearer in use, a rear part 8, which is intended to lie rearwardly of the wearer in use, and a crotch part 9 disposed between the front part 7 and the rear part 8. Similar to the first absorbent layer 5, the napkin also has a generally elongated hourglass shape, wherein its front part 7 and rear part 8 are wider than the crotch part.
• the napkin also includes two longitudinally extending side-edges 10, 11, a front transverse edge 12 and a rear transverse edge 13.
• the second absorbent layer 6 includes two fold lines 14, 15 which are formed from rows of small circular openings 16 arranged generally symmetrically on respective sides of a transverse centre line 17 through the second absorbent layer 6.
• the openings 16 form fold directives for folding the napkin to a format or size suitable for packaging purposes.
• Each row of openings 16 takes-up at most about 50% and preferably at most 40% of the width of the second absorbent layer, such that the layer will retain its integrity. This also enables liquid to communicate relatively unimpeded between the crotch part 9 of the napkin and the rear napkin part 8 and front napkin part 7 respectively.
• FIG 3 illustrates the configuration of the napkin shown in Figures 1 and 2 after having been folded along the fold lines 14, 15 in the second absorbent layer 6.
• the rear napkin part 8 was first folded in over the liquid-permeable casing sheet 1, i.e. over that side of the napkin which is proximal to the wearer in use.
• the front napkin part 7 was then folded in over the same side of the napkin, so that in the ultimate folded state of the napkin, the front part 7 is located outside the rear part 8.
• the sanitary napkin shown in Figures 1-3 is advantageously provided with conventional fastener means (not shown) for fastening the napkin inside the wearer's panties.
• the fastening means used comprises one or more regions of self-adhesive melt glue, so-called hot melt, provided on the liquid-permeable casing sheet.
• suitable fastener means are high friction surfaces, Velcro* strips and other types of mechanical fastener means such as straps, press studs, clamps or the like.
• the napkin may also be provided with separate fastener flaps which, in use, are intended to be folded around the leg edges of the wearer's panties, or underpants, and fastened to the outer surface thereof.
• the fastener flaps may also be produced from separate pieces of material or may comprise extensions of one or both casing sheets.
• the flaps may have any suitable form and size whatsoever and may be fastened to the napkin in a number of different ways.
• Figure 4 illustrates another sanitary napkin which includes a liquid-permeable casing sheet 101, a liquid-impermeable casing sheet 102, and an absorbent body 103 enclosed between the casing sheets 101, 102.
• the absorbent body 103 includes a first absorbent layer 105 and a second absorbent layer 106 in the same way and of the same construction as the layers of the absorbent body 3 in the napkin shown in Figures 1-3.
• the napkin shown in Figure 4 is provided with fastener means (not shown) comprised, for instance, of self-adhesive glue on that side of the liquid-impermeable casing sheet 102 which lies distal to the wearer in use.
• the napkin has a generally elongated trapezoidal shape with a broader front part 107, a narrow rear part 108 and a crotch part 109 disposed between the front part and the rear part.
• the napkin is delimited in the plane by two longitudinally extending side-edges 110, 111, a front transverse edge 112 and a rear transverse edge 113.
• the second absorbent layer 106 has a rectangular shape and includes two slots or slits 119, 120, which extend along the longitudinal centre line 121 of the napkin, one from each transverse edge 112, 113 on the absorbent layer 106 along roughly a quarter of the length of said absorbent layer 106, and terminate in a respective oval opening 122, 123.
• the oval openings are disposed symmetrically on respective sides of the transverse centre line 117 of the napkin and form fold directives for folding the napkin along two transverse fold lines 114, 115 through the openings 122, 123.
• Figure 5 illustrates the configuration of the second absor ⁇ bent layer 106 after having folded the napkin along the rear transverse fold line 115 that extends through the oval opening 123 at the rear napkin part 108.
• the rear napkin part 101 has been folded in over the napkin crotch part 109 on that side of the napkin which is covered by the liquid-permeable casing sheet 101.
• Figure 6 illustrates the second absorbent layer 106 after having also folded the front napkin part 107 onto the liquid- permeable casing sheet 101, along the front transverse fold line 114 that extends through the oval opening 122 at the front napkin part 107.
• the napkin is then finally folded to the packaging format shown in Figure 7.
• This final folding procedure is effected along a third fold line 124 which extends through the longitudinal centre line 121 of the napkin and through the two slits 119, 120 and the oval openings 122, 123 in the second absorbent layer 106.
• the napkin is held in its folded state by means of a fastener tape 125, which is removed or torn-off when the napkin is to be used.
• the thus folded napkin is very small and compact and can be easily accommodated in a pocket or a handbag.
• the folding precision and repeatability of the folding process is extremely good, due to the longitudinally extending slots and the oval openings in the second absorbent layer 106.
• the undesired and uncontrolled deformation of the sanitary napkin caused by folding the napkin is a minimum. This is due partly to the resilient material in the first absorbent layer 105, but primarily because the precision at which folding is effected imparts to the napkin a predetermined form which is the same for all sanitary napkins having the same positioning of the slots 119, 120 and the oval openings 122, 123. This circumstance can be utilized so that the slots 119, 120 and the openings 122, 123 are placed and formed such that when the napkin is removed from its packaging unit for use and unfolded, the napkin will assume an attractive and anatomically adapted three-dimensional shape.
• oval openings 122, 123 ensure that no sharp, chafing fold corners are formed in the relatively stiff second absorbent layer 106. Because the oval openings are placed in the intersection points between the two transverse fold lines 114, 115 and the longitudinal fold line 124, these openings will be located precisely at the fold corners 125, 126 in the folded state of the napkin. This avoids the gathering of material with subsequent pleat formation and deformation of the material that normally occurs at a fold corner.
• the openings 122, 123 also provide a certain expan ⁇ sion space for the first absorbent layer 105, whereby this layer 105 will not be deformed to the same extent as in the case of conventionally folded sanitary napkins.
• a sanitary napkin that has been folded in the manner illus ⁇ trated in Figure 7 will have a particularly suitable form when taken into use, since the longitudinally extending last fold will cause the napkin to retain, to some extent, at its crotch part 109 the curvature imparted thereto by folding the napkin.
• the unfolded napkin will hereby present at the crotch part 109 a soft or gentle raised part on that side of the napkin which lies proximal to the wearer in use. This ensures good contact with the wearer's body and effective transfer of body liquid between the wearer's body and the napkin.
• the front part 107 and the rear part 108 are curved longitudinally, so that the sanitary napkin will also have a shape which coincides particularly well with the body shape of the user also in the longitudinal direction of the napkin.
• openings and holes in accordance with the invention can also be used to facilitate folding of other absorbent articles, such as diapers and incontinence guards for children and adults, bed protectors, seat protec ⁇ tors, absorbent dressings or like articles.
• the absorbent articles embraced by the inven- tion be considered limited to the structural design described with reference to exemplifying embodiments of the invention. A number of further embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the Claims.
• the absorbent article may include elastic devices which assist in shaping the article and/or create leakage barriers.
• a sheet of elastically bendable material such as a plastic, plastic foam or like material beneath the absorbent body of the napkin.
• the delimiting edges of the sheet will suitably coincide in the long direction of the napkin with fold lines extending transverse ⁇ ly through the napkin.
• the delimiting edges hereby function as additional fold directives, which further ensure con ⁇ trolled folding of the napkin.
• such a sheet will mean that the rise or curvature which remains at the crotch part after folding out the napkin will be resiliently formable to the shape of the wearer's body.

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Cited By (15)

Citations (2)

• 1994
  • 1994-12-27 SE SE9404520A patent/SE9404520L/sv not_active Application Discontinuation
• 1995
  • 1995-12-22 AU AU43613/96A patent/AU4361396A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1995-12-22 WO PCT/SE1995/001576 patent/WO1996020668A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (2)

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