WO1997039711A1 - Serviette hygienique adaptable - Google Patents

Serviette hygienique adaptable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997039711A1
WO1997039711A1 PCT/US1997/006479 US9706479W WO9739711A1 WO 1997039711 A1 WO1997039711 A1 WO 1997039711A1 US 9706479 W US9706479 W US 9706479W WO 9739711 A1 WO9739711 A1 WO 9739711A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
article
absorbent
backsheet
undergarment
topsheet
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/006479
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Guido Bonelli
Original Assignee
The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The Procter & Gamble Company filed Critical The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority to DE19781777T priority Critical patent/DE19781777T1/de
Priority to DE19781777A priority patent/DE19781777B4/de
Priority to AU26755/97A priority patent/AU2675597A/en
Priority to GB9822957A priority patent/GB2328378B/en
Priority to JP9538200A priority patent/JPH11510717A/ja
Publication of WO1997039711A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997039711A1/fr
Priority to SE9803595A priority patent/SE521536C2/sv
Priority to LU90304A priority patent/LU90304B1/de

Links

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
    • A61F13/45—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
    • A61F13/474—Sanitary towels, incontinence pads or napkins adjustable
    • 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
    • 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
    • A61F13/15203—Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency
    • A61F2013/15284—Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency characterized by quantifiable properties
    • A61F2013/15365—Dimensions
    • A61F2013/15373—Calliper, i.e. thickness
    • A61F2013/15382—Reduced thickness
    • 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
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/49007—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers
    • A61F13/49009—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means
    • A61F13/4902—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means characterised by the elastic material
    • A61F2013/49033—Form-fitting, self-adjusting disposable diapers with elastic means characterised by the elastic material being elastic in transversal direction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to absorbent articles, particularly sanitary napkins or panty liners, made for joining to the undergarment of a wearer.
  • Such articles are typically joined to the undergarment of a wearer while the wearer has the undergarment lowered down and stretched between the legs
  • the undergarment is typically a pair of elastic, cloth or cloth-like underpants Underpants are available in different sizes according to the dimension of the wearer of such articles
  • the undergarment dimensions of an individual wearer can vary substantially
  • the absorbent articles are rendered adaptable at least in one direction to reduce wrinkling or folding of the absorbent article upon application to the undergarment and provide more consistently fitting articles despite the variation in undergarment dimensions
  • absorbent articles are typically not provided directly into the in-use wearing position, but are attached to the undergarment of a wearer before the undergarment is pulled into its final wearing position.
  • the undergarment is put into a special mounting or application position, to apply the absorbent article which is not at all similar to that in which the undergarment will be, once the undergarment has been pulled up into the wearing position.
  • sanitary napkins or panty liners are attached to an undergarment while that undergarment is in a pulled down position between the legs of a wearer.
  • Usual undergarments are able to stretch and retract, i.e. elastically stretch in order to provide good comfort and proper fit while putting the undergarment on and during use of such an undergarment.
  • the undergarment in the pulled down position can be in an extended configuration when the disposable absorbent article is applied the undergarment. This can have several effects including that the article crumples or delaminates which will cause an unacceptable fit already at the beginning of the usage period.
  • Another problem of disposable absorbent articles which are attached to the undergarment is due to the fact that one and the same wearer typically uses the same absorbent article with different pieces of undergarments.
  • different pieces of undergarments even though used by the same wearer have a variety of shape and size differentials, typically due to fashion, materials, the number of sizes of the particular undergarment kinds produced by undergarment suppliers, and their respective production variations.
  • the same wearer tends to apply the same absorbent article to undergarments having drastically different dimensions in particular different crotch widths (i.e. the closest distance between the right and the left leg opening of an underpants). The wearer will do this usually with the expectation to achieve the same result each time with out regard to the differences induced by the individual wearer.
  • the products will perform in their main characteristics, i.e. absorbency, leakage, or comfort and fit, differently depending on the size differentials found in the undergarments of a particular wearer of such articles.
  • This problem of performance variation in dependence of garment size variation of the individual wearer may cause the disposable absorbent article to be unacceptable for the respective wearer. It is hence desirable that the absorbent article behave consistently, or at least as close to consistently as possible, across the variations commonly found between the different shapes and sizes of undergarments which can be found on an individual wearer of such articles.
  • the present invention relates to an absorbent article which is joined in use to the undergarment of a wearer.
  • the article has a longitudinal axis and a transverse or cross directional axis and comprises three main elements, namely a topsheet for liquid passage, a backsheet forming the outer surface which is facing the undergarment during use, and an absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet.
  • the absorbent article also has a panty fastening means which is provided on the outer surface of the backsheet in order to join the article to the undergarment of the wearer.
  • the article according to the present invention is adaptable in size at least in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, or parallel to the transverse axis, or a combination thereof. Since the adoption to the undergarment is particularly important in a direction substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the disposable absorbent article, they are preferred embodiments of the present invention.
  • Particularly preferred disposable absorbent articles are sanitary napkins or panty liners having a maximum thickness of less than 5 mm, preferably less than 2 mm thickness.
  • the whole absorbent article comprising topsheet, backsheet, and absorbent core, is corrugated or pleated with the corrugation or pleats being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article.
  • An absorbent article according to the present invention can comprise a release liner protecting the panty fastening means prior to use of the article. It is particularly preferred if this release liner is substantially non-extensible and non- contractible such that placing it on a corrugated or pleated absorbent article protects the corrugations or pleats during manufacturing, packaging, and transport of the absorbent article until it is put to use by delaminating the release liner prior to mounting the absorbent article into an undergarment.
  • topsheet, backsheet, and absorbent core are elastically extensible beyond the limits of adaptability while at least the non-elastically extensible element(s) is/are provided with corrugation or pleats substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the product.
  • This will provide the disposable absorbent article with the desired adaptability while also providing elasticity to the article.
  • all the main elements of the article mainly the topsheet, the absorbent core, and the backsheet, are individually and in their combination elastically extensible while the whole of the absorbent article is corrugated or pleated with the corrugation or pleats substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent article.
  • the panty fastening means is provided by pressure sensitive adhesives which is preferably provided only to the corrugated or pleated outward facing surface of the backsheet, if the absorbent article was corrugated or pleated as a means to render it adaptable.
  • sanitary napkins or pantyliners The present invention will be described by reference to sanitary napkins or pantyliners. It is however equally well applicable to sanitary napkins or adult incontinence products which are worn in an undergarment and are joint to the undergarment during wearing of the absorbent product.
  • Absorbent products according to the present invention comprise typically three main components: a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent core.
  • the absorbent core is enclosed by the backsheet and the topsheet and the product is worn such that the exposed surface of the topsheet faces the wearer of the absorbent product while the exposed surface of the backsheet faces the undergarment to which the product is joint by a panty- fastening attachment means.
  • this is an adhesive but could also be a mechanical attachment.
  • the present invention is concerned with the adaptability of the product.
  • the degree of adaptability is determined by the selection of the materials for the components of the product as mentioned above, their respective quantity and to which extend they have been treated to provide adaptability. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, in order to achieve the adaptability according to the present invention, the selection of kind, quantity and treatment of raw materials has to be balanced with other desired characteristics of the absorbent product such as for example absorbent capacity, absorption speed and surface dryness on the outside of the topsheet during use, and so on. Therefore the following description of typical materials of the main components of the absorbent product will allow to provide a large number of product variants which satisfy the requirements according to the present invention.
  • the absorbent articles according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention are elastically stretchable.
  • the term 'elastically stretchable' means that when the stretching forces are removed, the article will tend to return toward its unextended or unstretched (or 'original' dimensions). It need not return all the way to its unstretched dimensions, however. If the absorbent article is elastically stretchable it may be stretchable in one or two directions (which are not-parallel) within the plane of the product i.e. parallel to the garment facing surface.
  • Materials for contractible and elastically stretchable articles can be elastically stretchable per se or be treated so as to provide elastic stretchablility.
  • elastic backsheet material, elastic topsheet material, filamentary materials combined with elastic strands, threads or webs as well as shirring, pleating or ring rolling of the materials may be employed in this context.
  • Suitable material and methods are known in the art and e.g. disclosed in detail in US application 08/192240 of February 4, 1994 specifically referred to in order to facilitate selection of materials if elastically stretchable absorbent articles according to the present invention are made.
  • the absorbent core typically includes the following components: (a) optionally a primary fluid distribution layer; (b) optionally, but preferably, a secondary fluid distribution layer; (c) a fluid storage layer; (d) optionally a fibrous (“dusting") layer underlying the storage layer; and (e) other optional components.
  • Primary Fluid Distribution Laver One optional component of the absorbent cores according to the present invention is the primary fluid distribution layer.
  • This primary distribution layer typically underlies the topsheet and is in fluid communication therewith.
  • the topsheet transfers the acquired menstrual fluid to this primary distribution layer for ultimate distribution to the storage layer. This transfer of fluid through the primary distribution layer occurs not only in the thickness, but also along the length and width directions of the absorbent product.
  • a preferred component of the absorbent cores according to the present invention is a secondary fluid distribution layer.
  • This secondary distribution layer typically underlies the primary distribution layer and is in fluid communication therewith. The purpose of this secondary distribution layer is to readily acquire fluid from the primary distribution layer and transfer it rapidly to the underlying storage layer. This helps the fluid capacity of the underlying storage layer to be fully utilized.
  • a fluid storage layer Positioned in fluid communication with, and typically underlying the primary or secondary distribution layers, is a fluid storage layer comprising certain absorbent gelling materials and/or other absorbent materials, which can form the carrier matrix for the absorbent gelling materials.
  • Absorbent gelling materials are usually referred to as “hydrogels,” “superabsorbent” "hydrocolloid” materials.
  • Absorbent gelling materials are those materials that, upon contact with aqueous fluids, especially aqueous body fluids, imbibes such fluids and thus form hydrogels. These absorbent gelling materials are typically capable of absorbing large quantities of aqueous body fluids, and are further capable of retaining such absorbed fluids under moderate pressures. These absorbent gelling materials are typically in the form of discrete, nonfibrous particles.
  • the fluid storage layer can comprise solely absorbent gelling materials, or these absorbent gelling materials can be dispersed homogeneously or non- homogeneously in a suitable carrier or it can comprise solely an absorbent
  • Suitable carriers include cellulose fibers, in the form of fluff, tissues or paper such as is conventionally utilized in absorbent cores. Modified cellulose fibers such as the stiffened cellulose fibers can also be used. Synthetic fibers can also be used and include those made of cellulose acetate, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, acrylics (such as Orion), polyvinyl acetate, non-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides (such as nylon), polyesters, bicomponent fibers, tricomponent fibers, mixtures thereof and the like.
  • Preferred synthetic fibers have a denier of from about 3 denier per filament to about 25 denier per filament, more preferably from about 5 denier per filament to about 16 denier per filament. Also preferably, the fiber surfaces are hydrophilic or are treated to be hydrophilic.
  • the storage layer can also include filler materials, such as Perlite, diatomaceous earth, Vermiculite, etc., that lower rewet problems.
  • the storage layer can be locally homogeneous, i.e. have a distribution gradient in one or several directions within the dimensions of the storage layer.
  • Non-homogeneous distribution can also refer to laminates of carriers enclosing absorbent gelling materials partially or fully. If laminates are used they can be formed with or without absorbent gelling particles.
  • thermally bonded air laid fibrous sheets or laminates and/or thermally bonded wet laid sheets or laminates have been found useful, especially in the context of panty liners when no absorbent gelling material is used.
  • the storage layer comprises from about 15 to 100% absorbent gelling materials and from 0 to about 85% carrier. More preferably, the storage layer comprises from about 30 to 100 %, most preferably from about 60 to 100% absorbent gelling materials and from 0 to about 70 %, most preferably from 0 to about 40 %, carrier.
  • Suitable absorbent gelling materials for use herein will most often comprise a substantially water-insoluble, slightly crosslinked, partially neutralized, polymeric gelling material. This material forms a hydrogel upon contact with water.
  • Such polymer materials can be prepared from polymerizabie, unsaturated, acid- containing monomers. Suitable unsaturated acidic monomers for use in preparing the polymeric absorbent gelling material used in this invention include those listed in U.S.
  • Preferred monomers include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid. Acrylic acid itself is especially preferred for preparation of the polymeric gelling material.
  • the polymeric component formed from the unsaturated, acid-containing monomers can be grafted onto other types of polymer moieties such as starch or cellulose. Polyacrylate grafted starch materials of this type are especially preferred.
  • Preferred polymeric absorbent gelling materials that can be prepared from conventional types of monomers include hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, polyacrylate grafted starch, polyacrylates, maleic anhydride-based copolymers and combinations thereof. Especially preferred are the polyacrylates and polyacrylate grafted starch.
  • absorbent gelling materials are typically in particle form, it is also contemplated that the absorbent gelling material can be in the form of macrostructures such as fibers, sheets or strips.
  • An optional component for inclusion in the absorbent cores according to the present invention is a fibrous layer adjacent to, and typically underlying the storage layer.
  • This underlying fibrous layer is typically referred to as a "dusting" layer since it provides a substrate on which to deposit absorbent gelling material in the storage layer during manufacture of the absorbent core.
  • this fibrous "dusting" layer need not be included.
  • this "dusting" layer provides some additional fluid-handling capabilities such as rapid wicking of fluid along the length of the pad, its inclusion is typically preferred in absorbent cores according to the present invention.
  • the absorbent cores according to the present invention can include other optional components normally present in absorbent webs.
  • a reinforcing scrim can be positioned within the respective layers, or between the respective layers, of the absorbent cores.
  • Such reinforcing scrims should be of such configuration as to not form interfacial barriers to fluid transfer, especially if positioned between the respective layers of the absorbent core.
  • reinforcing scrims are usually not required for the absorbent structures according to the present invention. If used however they have to allow the desired contractability.
  • odor control agents are odor control agents. These can be selected from active carbon or coated active carbon to conced the color, suitable zeolite or clay materials, are optionally incorporated in the absorbent core also absorbent gelling material in combination with certain zeolites have been found useful. These components can be incorporated in any desired form but often are included as discrete, non-fibrous particles.
  • the topsheet is compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. As indicated above the topsheet material also can be elastically stretchable in one or two directions. Further, the topsheet is inherently fluid pervious permitting fluids (e.g., menses and/or urine) to readily penetrate through its thickness.
  • a suitable topsheet can be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as woven and nonwoven materials; polymeric materials such as apertured formed thermoplastic films, apertured plastic films, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; reticulated foams; reticulated thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic scrims. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials can be comprised of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., I I
  • polymeric fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers
  • polyethylene fibers or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers.
  • Preferred topsheets for use in the present are selected from high loft nonwoven topsheets and apertured formed film topsheets.
  • Apertured formed films are especially preferred for the topsheet because they are pervious to body exudates and yet non-absorbent and have a reduced tendency to allow fluids to pass back through and rewet the wearer's skin.
  • the surface of the formed film that is in contact with the body remains dry, thereby reducing body soiling and creating a more comfortable feel for the wearer.
  • Suitable formed films are described in U.S. Patent 3,929,135; U.S. Patent 4,324,246; U.S. Patent 4,342,314; U.S. Patent 4,463,045; and U.S. 5,006,394.
  • microapertured formed film topsheets are disclosed in U.S. patent 4,609,518 and U.S. patent 4,629,643.
  • the preferred topsheet for the present invention is the formed film described in one or more of the above patents and marketed on sanitary napkins by The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as "DRI-WEAVE.”
  • Topsheets having not a homogeneous distribution of liquid passage ways but only a portion of the topsheet comprising liquid passage ways are also contemplated by the present invention. Typically such topsheets would have the liquid passage ways oriented such that they result in a centrally permeable and peripherally impermeable topsheet for liquids.
  • the body surface of the formed film topsheet can be hydrophilic so as to help liquid to transfer through the topsheet faster than if the body surface was not hydrophilic.
  • surfactant is incorporated into the polymeric materials of the formed film topsheet such as is described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/794,745, filed on November 19, 1991.
  • the body surface of the topsheet can be made hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactant such as is described in the above referenced U.S. 4,950,254.
  • the backsheet prevents the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core from wetting articles that contact the sanitary napkin inparticular undergarments.
  • the backsheet is preferably impervious to liquids (e.g., menses and/or urine) and is preferably manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials can also be used.
  • the backsheet needs to be compliant and will readily conform to the general shape and contours of the human body.
  • the backsheet preferably also can have characteristics allowing it to elastically stretch in one or two directions.
  • the backsheet can comprise a woven or nonwoven material, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene or polypropylene, or composite materials such as a film-coated nonwoven material.
  • the backsheet is a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm.
  • Exemplary polyethylene films are manufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation P18-0401 and by Ethyl Corporation, Visqueen Division, of Terre Haute, Indiana, under the designation XP-39385.
  • the backsheet is preferably embossed and/or matte finished to provide a more clothlike appearance. Further, the backsheet can permit vapors to escape from the absorbent structure (i.e., be breathable) while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet.
  • apertured hydrophobic, polymeric films having directional liquid transport - such as those disclosed above for topsheets - towards the absorbent structure, as breathable backsheets.
  • Adaptability according to the present invention can be provided by creating a series of corrugations or pleats in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the product is desired to be adaptable.
  • a sanitary or pantiliner having corrugations or pleats in longitudinal direction will provide the ability to be stretched in transverse direction in order to accommodate a crotch width of an undergarment upon application of the sanitary napkin or pantiliner which is wider than the article width at the crotch as delivered to the user.
  • These corrugations or pleats can also provide the ability to reduce the width of the article in order to result in the usual wearing position in the undergarment.
  • the ability to adapt to the desired extend upon application can be provided in longitudinal or transverse direction. It can be employed to provide synergistic effects together with elastically extensible materials in the construction of the absorbent article. It is of course also possible to use inherent material adaptability with the structural contractability provided by corrugations or pleats.
  • corrugated or corrugations designates the existence of a series of continuous changes of the normal direction of a plain of a sheet.
  • the "normal direction" of a plain is the direction perpendicular to that plain. While corrugations are a continuous change of the normal direction in the plain of a sheet the term “pleats” or pleated” as used herein refers to foldings along a specific line or, in other words, an uprupt change in the normal direction of a plain of a sheet.
  • a series of pleats can also be used to simulate corrugations and from a theoretical point of view corrugations are approached by an infinite number of pleats.
  • ring-rolling can be employed upon the whole product to provide structural corrugations allowing for adaptability of the product as desired.
  • Such ring-rolling at least in a high speed manufacturing operation does require the materials to be carefully selected by a man skilled in the art which however is no problem given the above material choices and a desired adaptability in mind.
  • Ring-rolling of individual materials prior to combination can also be useful in order to provide products in addition to their adaptability having a flexibility and softness improvement over usual products.
  • corrugating is well-known and will be easily usable for those skilled in the art. Corrugations may be present in both longitudinal and transverse direction of the absorbent article, however, corrugation techniques have been developed to provide corrugations which are transverse to the direction of material transport during manufacturing of an article. Hence a ring-rolling operation can be considered to provide corrugation in the direction of transport of a material during manufacturing while a corrugation process would typically provide only corrugation in the pe ⁇ endicular direction.
  • corrugations or pleats does refer to the result of ring-rolling or corrugating irrespective of whether the process was used in the direction of transport of a material during manufacturing or pe ⁇ endicular thereto.
  • corrugation or pleats defined by amplitude and frequency
  • amplitude and frequency can easily be defined by simple trial and error to accommodate the required adaptability. It will depend on the combined thickness and flexibility of the article. Those skilled in the art will also realize that the same corrugation or pleats can be provided such that they allow different extends of adaptability depending on whether they have been partially flatered again or not.
  • the backsheet typically forms the garment facing surface on which the optional but preferred panty fastening means is placed.
  • the panty fastening means can be an adhesive and would then provide the usual panty fastening adhesive.
  • Panty-fastening-adhesives can comprise any adhesive or glue used in the art for such purposes with pressure-sensitive adhesives being preferred.
  • Suitable non-extensible adhesives are Century A-305-IV manufactured by the Century Adhesives Corporation, Instant Lock 34-2823 manufactured by the National Starch Company , 3 Sigma 3153 manufactured by 3 Sigma, and Fuller H- 2238ZP manufactured by the H.B. Fuller Co.
  • Suitable adhesive fasteners are also described in U.S. Patent 4,917,697.
  • Other suitable panty-fastening- adhesives are shown in PCT International Patent Publication No. WO 92/04000; WO 93/01783 and WO 93/01785.
  • panty fastening adhesives are preferably applied in intermittent patterns such as for example intermittent dots, intermittent strips, random or designed filamentary patterns to permit the sanitary napkin to adapt.
  • panty fastening means is provided by adhesive it is in the context of the present invention important that not the whole backsheet surface be provided with the adhesive. In particular if pleats are formed it is important that only the outwardly pointing area of the backsheet which ultimately comes into initial contact with the undergarment upon attaching the absorbent article to the undergarment is provided with the adhesive and not the portion of the pleats where one adhesive surface would face another adhesive surface risking that the product adheres to itself and is rendered unsuitable for use. In order to best accommodate this application of adhesive as panty fastening adhesive it is possible to apply the adhesive to the panty fastening adhesive protection means such as the release paper and transfer it only to the backsheet where the release paper touches the panty fastening adhesive.
  • fasteners In addition to adhesives, other types of fasteners can be used instead of , or in addition to adhesives. These other types of fasteners are arranged in patterns similar to those of the adhesive. Such fasteners include, but are not limited to conventional VELCRO hook material or similar fasteners.
  • the optional protective side flaps can have optional fasteners thereon for additional security.
  • the optional protective side flap fasteners can be any of the types of fastening materials herein above.
  • the fasteners assist the protective side flaps in staying in position after they are wrapped around the edges of the crotch surface of the protective side flaps.
  • the side flap fasteners can be provided in addition or instead of the panty fasting means described above.
  • panty fastening adhesive Prior to use of the absorbent article the panty fastening adhesive is typically protected from contamination and from sticking to any surface where this is not desired, by a protective cover means such as a silicone coated release paper, a plastic film or any other easily removable cover.
  • the protective cover means can be provided as a single piece or in a multiude of pieces e.g. to cover the individual adhesive areas.
  • the protective cover means is preferably a non-extensible and non-contractible material. It will then protect the adhesive and maintain the article in its corrugated or pleated condition ready to adapt until removal of the cover means.
  • release papers have been found most useful.

Abstract

L'invention concerne des articles absorbants, en particulier, des serviettes hygiéniques ou des protège-slips, conçus pour être joints aux sous-vêtements. Ces articles sont joints aux sous-vêtements alors que ces derniers sont abaissés et étirés entre les jambes. Les sous-vêtements sont commercialisés en différentes tailles selon la taille de l'utilisateur de ces articles. De ce fait, le même utilisateur appliquera des articles absorbants identiques à des sous-vêtements de dimensions différentes et peut éventuellement essayer d'appliquer l'article sans faire attention à ces différences. L'invention permet de rendre ces articles absorbants adaptables au moins dans un sens, de manière à limiter les plis ou le froissement de l'article absorbant lorsqu'on l'applique au sous-vêtement et d'obtenir des articles bien placés en permanence indépendamment de la variation de la taille du sous-vêtement.
PCT/US1997/006479 1996-04-24 1997-04-11 Serviette hygienique adaptable WO1997039711A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19781777T DE19781777T1 (de) 1996-04-24 1997-04-11 Anpaßbare Damenbinde
DE19781777A DE19781777B4 (de) 1996-04-24 1997-04-11 Anpaßbare Damenbinde
AU26755/97A AU2675597A (en) 1996-04-24 1997-04-11 Adaptable sanitary napkin
GB9822957A GB2328378B (en) 1996-04-24 1997-04-11 Adaptable sanitary napkin
JP9538200A JPH11510717A (ja) 1996-04-24 1997-04-11 適応性のある衛生ナプキン
SE9803595A SE521536C2 (sv) 1996-04-24 1998-10-21 Absorberande alster anpassningsbart genom korrugeringar försett med icke töjbart/sammandragningsbart släppsikt
LU90304A LU90304B1 (de) 1996-04-24 1998-10-23 Anpassbare Damenbinde

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96106418 1996-04-24
EP96106418.5 1996-04-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997039711A1 true WO1997039711A1 (fr) 1997-10-30

Family

ID=8222706

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/006479 WO1997039711A1 (fr) 1996-04-24 1997-04-11 Serviette hygienique adaptable

Country Status (12)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH11510717A (fr)
KR (1) KR20000010623A (fr)
AU (1) AU2675597A (fr)
CA (1) CA2252120A1 (fr)
DE (2) DE19781777B4 (fr)
ES (1) ES2149123B1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2328378B (fr)
ID (1) ID16676A (fr)
LU (1) LU90304B1 (fr)
SE (1) SE521536C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1997039711A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA973358B (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005067845A1 (fr) * 2003-12-30 2005-07-28 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Article absorbant adaptable a couches extensibles
US7252656B2 (en) 2004-02-18 2007-08-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable absorbent articles with wings having corrugated regions and methods of manufacturing thereof
US8043274B2 (en) 2007-12-05 2011-10-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable undergarment with stretch areas for optimal fit
US8348917B2 (en) 2007-12-05 2013-01-08 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Stretched, necked, unitary garment and a method of manufacturing same

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4911701A (en) * 1988-02-26 1990-03-27 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Sanitary napkin having elastic shaping means
US4940462A (en) * 1988-02-26 1990-07-10 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Sanitary napkin with expandable flaps
US4950264A (en) * 1988-03-31 1990-08-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Thin, flexible sanitary napkin
US5037417A (en) * 1986-12-23 1991-08-06 Molnlycke Ab Sanitary napkin
US5389094A (en) * 1991-10-01 1995-02-14 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article having flaps and zones of differential extensibility

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3921385C1 (fr) * 1989-06-29 1990-12-20 Blendax Gmbh, 6500 Mainz, De

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5037417A (en) * 1986-12-23 1991-08-06 Molnlycke Ab Sanitary napkin
US4911701A (en) * 1988-02-26 1990-03-27 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Sanitary napkin having elastic shaping means
US4940462A (en) * 1988-02-26 1990-07-10 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Sanitary napkin with expandable flaps
US4950264A (en) * 1988-03-31 1990-08-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Thin, flexible sanitary napkin
US5389094A (en) * 1991-10-01 1995-02-14 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article having flaps and zones of differential extensibility

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005067845A1 (fr) * 2003-12-30 2005-07-28 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Article absorbant adaptable a couches extensibles
EP2074975A3 (fr) * 2003-12-30 2009-09-30 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Article absorbant personnalisable avec des couches extensibles
US7252656B2 (en) 2004-02-18 2007-08-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable absorbent articles with wings having corrugated regions and methods of manufacturing thereof
US8043274B2 (en) 2007-12-05 2011-10-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Disposable undergarment with stretch areas for optimal fit
US8348917B2 (en) 2007-12-05 2013-01-08 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Stretched, necked, unitary garment and a method of manufacturing same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2252120A1 (fr) 1997-10-30
DE19781777B4 (de) 2007-11-22
ES2149123B1 (es) 2001-06-01
SE9803595D0 (sv) 1998-10-21
ZA973358B (en) 1997-11-20
DE19781777T1 (de) 1999-06-17
SE9803595L (sv) 1998-12-07
JPH11510717A (ja) 1999-09-21
KR20000010623A (ko) 2000-02-25
LU90304B1 (de) 1998-12-07
ES2149123A1 (es) 2000-10-16
GB2328378B (en) 2000-09-27
AU2675597A (en) 1997-11-12
GB2328378A (en) 1999-02-24
GB9822957D0 (en) 1998-12-16
SE521536C2 (sv) 2003-11-11
ID16676A (id) 1997-10-30

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