WO2010117314A1

WO2010117314A1 - Absorbent article with integrated tab in order to facilitate disposal

Info

Publication number: WO2010117314A1
Application number: PCT/SE2009/050374
Authority: WO
Inventors: Solgun Drevik; Fredrik Karlsson
Original assignee: Sca Hygiene Products Ab
Priority date: 2009-04-09
Filing date: 2009-04-09
Publication date: 2010-10-14

Abstract

The invention provides an absorbent article with a garment-facing surface comprising a first region and a second region, and a cover sheet comprising a first cover sheet overlapping the first region and a second cover sheet overlapping the second region. The fastening ability of the first region to the first cover sheet is larger than the fastening ability of the second region to the second cover sheet which enables removal of only the second cover sheet prior to use. The remaining first cover sheet comprises disposal fastening means. The first cover sheet is arranged such that the absorbent article may be rolled and/or folded and retained in such a configuration by means of the disposal fastening means. The invention also provides methods for use and disposal of the absorbent article.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH INTEGRATED TAB IN ORDER TO FACILITATE DISPOSAL

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention provides an absorbent article which can be retained in a rolled and/or folded configuration for safe, hygienic disposal, as well as a method for use and a method for hygienic disposal of an absorbent article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent articles such as incontinence guards, sanitary napkins, diapers and panty liners are used for the absorption of bodily exudates, such as blood and urine. Such articles are usually disposable; i.e. the articles are not intended to be cleaned or reused, but are rather discarded after use.

After an absorbent article has been used and soiled, a user or caregiver is faced with the problem of safe, hygienic disposal of the absorbent article and its contents. Usually, the absorbent article is folded or rolled with the contents facing inwards, and disposed of. This technique tends to keep the exudate within the article, and is more aesthetically pleasing, as exudate such as blood is not visible from the outside of the article. A particular problem for incontinence guards, sanitary napkins and panty liners, is that the bodily exudate is present on one face of such products, and is therefore exposed to the environment and particularly susceptible to leakage. In addition, such products do not generally have fastening means as diapers do, which would allow them to be fastened in a rolled-up or folded state.

However, without specific means to prevent unfolding or rolling, folded or rolled absorbent articles are free to open up again, thus soiling waste receptacles and allowing the exudate to be released into the surrounding environment. Indeed, as bodily exudate may slowly be redistributed within an absorbent article after use, it is common that a redistribution of the forces within an absorbent article cause it to unfold or unroll.

A number of solutions are known in the art for securing an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin in a rolled or folded configuration for disposal. Certain sanitary napkin can be secured in a rolled or folded configuration for disposal using existing fastening means on the article For example, a sanitary napkin having wings comprising adhesive can be maintained in a folded configuration by adhering the wings to each other or to the body of the napkin (see e g US 5,358,499) However, particularly in small sanitary napkins and panty liners, adhesive wings are not always present

A disposal tab (of adhesive or hook material) may be present on absorbent articles to assist with disposal After the absorbent article has been folded up, the disposal tab is deployed to fix the absorbent article in the folded configuration Such a solution is illustrated in US 4,380,450, and similarly, US 5,484,636

US2007/0129942 discloses an expandable disposal tape for use in a disposable absorbent article EP 1 205 170 discloses a disposable pull-on diaper with disposable securing means

Another method for securing a soiled absorbent article in a rolled or folded configuration is by providing a pocket on the article into which the folded absorbent article is inserted However, this solution requires the formation of the pocket from extra materials

There remains a need for an absorbent article which can be maintained in a rolled or folded configuration for disposal, in a simple, effective manner, without the requirement for extra components, and with minimal changes to the manufacturing process

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore provides an absorbent article comprising a wearer-facing surface, a garment-facing surface, said garment-facing surface comprising at least one first region, and at least one second region, wherein said at least one first and at least one second regions do not overlap The absorbent article further comprises at least one cover sheet comprising at least one first cover sheet overlapping said at least one first region and at least one second cover sheet overlapping said at least one second region The fastening ability of said at least one first region to said at least one first cover sheet is greater than the fastening ability of said at least one second region to said at least one second cover sheet such that when said at least one second cover sheet is removed from said absorbent article before use, said at least one first cover sheet remains joined to said absorbent article. Said at least one first cover sheet comprises disposal fastening means. Said at least one first cover sheet is being arranged such that the absorbent article may be rolled and/or folded and retained in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means.

Suitably, said at least one first cover sheet and said at least one second cover sheet of said at least one cover sheet are separated by a perforation line.

In one embodiment of the invention, said at least one first cover sheet is permanently attached to said absorbent article at a portion thereof distal to said disposal fastening means by at least one seal.

More specifically, said at least one seal is a weld.

In another embodiment of the invention, said at least one first cover sheet comprises at least one gripping tab located at a point on said at least one first cover sheet distal from said at least one seal.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, said at least one first cover sheet has an extension in the longitudinal direction which is 20-100%, preferably 30-70%, more preferably 40-60% and most preferably about 50% of said at least one cover sheet in said longitudinal direction.

According to one aspect of the invention, said at least one cover sheet has longitudinal L and transverse T extensions and wherein each longitudinal and transverse extensions L, T of said at least one cover sheet are smaller than said longitudinal and transverse extensions of said absorbent article.

According to another aspect of the invention, said at least one cover sheet has longitudinal L and transverse T extensions and wherein each longitudinal and transverse extensions L, T of said at least one cover sheet are substantially equal to or greater than said longitudinal and transverse extensions of said absorbent article.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, said at least one first cover sheet is defined by a first transverse edge and a second transverse edge; wherein said at least one second cover sheet is defined by a first transverse edge and a second transverse edge; and wherein at least one of said first and second transverse edges of said at least one first cover sheet does not coincide with at least one of said first and second transverse edges of said at least one cover sheet.

According to a further aspect of the invention, said at least one first cover sheet is defined by a first transverse edge and a second transverse edge; wherein said at least one cover sheet is defined by a first transverse edge and a second transverse edge; and wherein at least one of said first transverse edge and second transverse edge of said at least one first cover sheet coincide with at least one of said first and second transverse edges of said at least one cover sheet.

Suitably, said absorbent article is packaged within said at least one cover sheet prior to use.

The invention also provides a method for use of an absorbent article, said method comprises the steps of: a. providing an absorbent article according to the above; b. removing said at least one second cover sheet of said at least one cover sheet; c. fixing said absorbent article to the underwear of a wearer by means of said second region of the garment-facing surface.

Further, the invention provides a method for disposal of an absorbent article after use, said method comprises the steps of: a. carrying out steps a. to c. according to the above; b. removing said used article from the wearer's underwear; c. partly releasing said at least one first cover sheet from said absorbent article; d. rolling and/or folding said used absorbent article; e. retaining said absorbent article in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means on said at least one first cover sheet; wherein steps c. and d. can take place in any order. In one embodiment of the invention, step e according to the above comprises wrapping said at least one first cover sheet about said rolled and/or folded absorbent article in a direction similar to the direction in which said absorbent article is rolled and/or folded and subsequently retaining said absorbent article in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means

In another embodiment of the invention, step e according to the above comprises wrapping said at least one first cover sheet about said rolled and/or folded absorbent article in a direction opposite to the direction in which said absorbent article is rolled and/or folded and subsequently retaining said absorbent article in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means

Suitably, said retaining of said disposal fastening means of said at least one first cover sheet is made to said garment-facing surface of said absorbent article

DEFINITIONS

The term "absorbent article" is to be understood as meaning an article selected from the group consisting of male or female incontinence guards, sanitary napkins or panty liners (including articles for use with "string" underwear) Such articles are used for the absorption of bodily exudates, such as blood, urine, sweat and faeces

The term "fastening ability" is to be understood as the ability to fasten items or surfaces together

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed schematic Figures, in which,

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a sanitary napkin of the invention comprising a cover sheet, prior to use seen from the garment-facing surface Figure 2A shows a plan view of the sanitary napkin of Fig 1 , wherein the at least one second cover sheet of the cover sheet has been partly removed seen from the garment- facing surface Figure 2B shows a plan view of the sanitary napkin of Fig 1 ready for use Figure 3 shows a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a sanitary napkin of the invention comprising a cover sheet, seen from the garment-facing surface prior to use

Figure 4A shows a plan view of the alternative embodiment of the sanitary napkin of the invention wherein the at least one second cover sheet of the cover sheet has been partly removed

Figure 4B shows a plan view the alternative embodiment of a sanitary napkin of the invention ready for use

Figure 5A shows the at least one first cover sheet partly released from the sanitary napkin seen from the garment-facing surface Figure 5B shows the at least one first cover sheet partly released from the sanitary napkin seen from the wearer-facing surface

Figures 6 and 7 shows how the rolled and/or folded sanitary napkin can be retained in the rolled and/or folded configuration

Figure 8 shows a plan view of the sanitary napkin of the invention, prior to use seen from the wearer-facing side

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as male or female incontinence guards, sanitary napkins or panty liners, but is illustrated in the enclosed figures with reference to a sanitary napkin

Absorbent articles have a generally elongate form, and are designed to be worn in the genital region of a wearer, between the wearer's skin and the wearer's clothes to absorb bodily fluids They generally have two faces - one of which face the body of the wearer and acts to receive exudate, referred to herein as the wearer-facing surface 1 1 , and the other of which faces the wearer's clothes, referred to herein as the garment-facing surface 12 The bodily exudate in a used absorbent article is therefore present on one face of such products, and is therefore exposed to the environment and particularly susceptible to leakage

Figure 1 and 3 show two exemplary embodiments of the absorbent article 10 according to the present invention In its simplest embodiment, the absorbent article 10 comprises an at least one cover sheet 30 located on the garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article 10, as it would be when stored prior to use Absorbent articles typically have longitudinal L and transverse T extensions as shown in Figure 1 and 3 and are symmetric about a longitudinal centre line They may also be symmetric about a transverse centre line, although this is less common Absorbent articles 10 are usually planar, which allows for easier transport and packaging, but may even have a three-dimensional form, provided e g by extra components or elastics in certain regions In addition, absorbent articles 10 may comprise grooves or compression lines which assist liquid flow and spreading, and promote the formation of a three- dimensional form

The illustrated absorbent article 10 has a central region 19 and front 18 and rear 20 regions, said central region 19 being located between said front 18 and rear 20 regions in the longitudinal direction, see Figure 8 An absorbent article 10 such as a sanitary napkin of Figure 1-8 typically has an extension in the longitudinal direction L of between 200 and 300mm, and an extension in the transverse direction T of between 50 and 90mm

Absorbent articles in general, absorbent articles 10 according to the present invention included, comprise a liquid-permeable topsheet 15, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 16 and an absorbent core 17 located therebetween, also seen in Figure 8 However, not all absorbent articles comprise all of these components Certain small panty liners do not comprise an absorbent core 17 as such, but instead comprise additional layers of material, e g nonwoven material, in the certain regions thereof Certain sanitary napkins do not comprise a traditional combination of fluff pulp and superabsorbent material, but instead comprise foam material or NW laminate material

Additionally, certain absorbent articles do not comprise separate topsheets or backsheets Absorbent articles according to the invention may also comprise one or more elastic members (not shown) which are arranged so that the article adopts the appropriate form when in use Moreover, absorbent articles 10 comprising several layers and absorbent articles 10 with shaping elements are also included within the scope of the invention

The topsheet 15 of the article 10 is the layer which lies in contact with the wearer's body when the article is in use (wearer-facing surface 11) As such, it should be soft, non- irπtating and comfortable against the skin, and bodily fluid should be able to pass through it without hindrance The topsheet 15 can consist of a nonwoven material, e g spunbond, meltblown, carded, hydroentangled, wetlaid etc Suitable nonwoven materials can be composed of natural fibers, such as woodpulp or cotton fibres, manmade fibres, such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, viscose etc or from a mixture of natural and manmade fibres The topsheet 15 may further be composed of tow fibres, which may be bonded to each other in a bonding pattern, as e g disclosed in EP-A- 1 035 818 Further examples of materials suitable for topsheets are porous foams, apertured plastic films etc Combinations or laminates of the above products are also possible in the topsheet 15 The topsheet 15 may be different in different parts of the absorbent article 10 The topsheet 15 may further be extensible (it can be stretched without significant elastic forces being present which return it to its original dimensions) and/or elastic

The backsheet 16 of the article 10 is the layer which lies furthest from the wearer's body when the article is in use (garment-facing surface 12) To protect the wearer's garments from soiling, it should be liquid-impermeable, but is desirably gas-permeable (ι e breathable) to allow air and vapour to pass in and out of the article so that the warm, damp conditions which can arise in an article are reduced Typically, the backsheet 16 is of a liquid impervious material, such as a thin plastic film, e g a polyethylene or polypropylene film, a nonwoven material coated with a liquid impervious material, a hydrophobic nonwoven material, which resists liquid penetration or a laminate comprising plastic films and nonwoven materials Examples of breathable backsheet materials are porous polymeric films, nonwoven laminates from spunbond and meltblown layers, laminates from porous polymeric films and nonwovens The backsheet 16 may also comprise foam material, alone or in combination with one or more of the above-mentioned materials The backsheet 16 may be extensible and/or elastic The backsheet 16 may be different in different parts of the absorbent article 10

The absorbent core 17 of the article 10 acts to receive and contain liquid and other bodily exudates and can be of any conventional kind As such, it typically comprises absorbent material Examples of commonly-occurring absorbent materials are cellulosic fluff pulp, tissue layers, highly-absorbent polymers (so called superabsorbents), absorbent foam materials, absorbent nonwoven materials or the like It is common to combine cellulosic fluff pulp with superabsorbents in an absorbent body It is also common to have absorbent cores comprising layers of different material with different properties with respect to liquid receiving capacity, liquid distribution capacity and storage capacity The thin absorbent cores, which are common in for example baby diapers and incontinence guards, often comprise a compressed mixed or layered structure of cellulosic fluff pulp and superabsorbent The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 17 may be varied to be suited for different uses such as for infants or for incontinent adults

The absorbent core 17 may comprise one or more layers which are designed to improve the handling of bodily waste Such layers are designed to receive a large amount of liquid in a short space of time and distribute it evenly across the absorbent core They may include so-called transfer, distribution, surge or acquisition layers, and are usually located between the topsheet 15 and the absorbent core 17 So-called "all-in-one" absorbent cores comprise substantially the same material throughout the core

The topsheet 15 and backsheet 16 generally have a similar extension in the plane of the article, while the absorbent core 17 has an extension which is somewhat smaller The topsheet 15 and backsheet 16 are joined to one another around the periphery of the absorbent core 17, so that the core is enclosed within the envelope formed by the topsheet 15 and the backsheet 16 The absorbent core 17 is at least located in the central region 19 of the article 10, and may also extend somewhat into the front 18 and rear 20 regions The topsheet 15 and backsheet 16 may be joined to one another by any means common in the art, e g ultrasonic welding, thermal welding or gluing When the absorbent article 10 comprises an absorbent core 17, the central region 19 may be defined by the absorbent core 17 (ι e the edges of the central region and the absorbent core coincide) A peripheral region 21 may extend about at least a portion of the absorbent core, preferably about the entire absorbent core 17 The absorbent article 10 may comprise a liquid-permeable topsheet 15 and/or a liquid-impermeable backsheet 16, as described above, and thus, the peripheral region 21 is defined by the portion of said topsheet 15 and/or backsheet 16 which extends beyond the absorbent core (ι e the fringe of the article 10) Typically, therefore the peripheral region 21 comprises only topsheet 15 and/or backsheet 16, preferably both topsheet 15 and backsheet 16

The absorbent core 17 of the absorbent article 10 may be three-dimensional, with e g humps, cut-outs or other features which contribute to favourable liquid flow and good fit The absorbent core 17 may be elastic and comprise shaping elements

The garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article 10 comprises at least one first region 13 and at least one second region 14, which do not overlap Thus, the at least one first and second regions 13, 14 are separate regions on the garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article 10. The at least one first region 13 and the at least one second region 14 may abut. Preferably, the garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article 10 comprises one first region 13, see Fig. 5A. The absorbent article 10 may however also comprise several first regions 13. The absorbent article 10 may comprise one or several second region(s) 14 (Fig. 5A). The fastening abilities of the at least one first region 13 and the at least one second region 14 to the at least one cover sheet 30 are different. The fastening ability will be described in more detail below.

The absorbent article 10 further comprises at least one cover sheet 30 as mentioned above. The at least one cover sheet 30 extends in the longitudinal L and transverse T directions and has a first longitudinal edge 42, a second longitudinal edge 43, a first transverse edge 36 and a second transverse edge 37.

The at least one cover sheet 30 may function as a release material only. Generally, release material is a sheet that covers the region of the garment-facing surface of an absorbent article treated with e.g. adhesive before use. Commonly, the release material is coated with e.g. silicone to facilitate the release of the release material from the absorbent article 10. Moreover, the at least one cover sheet 30 of the invention may also function as release material and packaging material at the same time. The packaging material, within which the absorbent article may be wrapped, may function as a release material according to the above and at the same time protecting the absorbent article from the environment before use. The at least one cover sheet 30 may further function as a packaging material only and as a consequence not necessarily be coated and/or prepared with any material.

The at least one cover sheet 30 may take the form of a ribbon, which does not cover the entire garment-facing surface of the absorbent article 10, see Fig. 1. Typically, in the embodiment of Fig 1 the at least one cover sheet 30 comprises a substantially square or rectangular material, the longitudinal L and transverse T extensions of which are slightly smaller (e.g. 1-3cm smaller at each edge) than those of the absorbent article 10.

The at least one cover sheet 30 of the absorbent article 10 may also have longitudinal L and transverse T extensions such that the at least one cover sheet 30 covers the absorbent article 10 substantially entirely prior to use, see Fig. 3. The at least one cover sheet 30 may then be wrapped about the absorbent article 10 prior to use, and protect it from the environment In such an absorbent article, the article 10 and at least one cover sheet 30 may be placed together, and then the article 10 and at least one cover sheet 30 are folded together, so that a portion of the at least one cover sheet 30 usually lies interfolded with the article In the packaged state, the at least one cover sheet 30 is sealed about the edges of the absorbent article 10 Sealing methods include ultrasound, adhesive, laser, crimping, cold rolling, mechanical or thermal sealing, and the best method is selected depending on the material of the at least one cover sheet 30 It should be possible to open the at least one cover sheet 30 from the absorbent article 10 by breaking the edge seal Suitably, the at least one cover sheet 30 is arranged such that a fold or edge of the at least one cover sheet 30 is located on one face of the absorbent article 10 when folded, allowing for easy opening of the at least one cover sheet 30 Typically, the at least one cover sheet 30 comprises a substantially rectangular or square piece of material, the longitudinal L and transverse T extensions of which are equal to or slightly greater (e g 1-4cm greater at each edge) than those of the absorbent article 10 (see e g Figure 3) It is further possible to package the absorbent article 10 within the at least one cover sheet 30 according to the above without folding of the absorbent article 10

There is also a further possibility according to the present invention that the extension in longitudinal direction of the at least one cover sheet 30 is equal to or greater than the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 10 and at the same time that the extension in the transversal direction of the at least one cover sheet 30 is smaller than absorbent article 10 Moreover, the extension in longitudinal direction of the at least one cover sheet

30 may be smaller than the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 10 and at the same time the extension in the transversal direction of the at least one cover sheet 30 may be equal to or larger than absorbent article 10

The at least one cover sheet 30 may comprise a range of suitable materials Preferably, the material of the at least one cover sheet 30 should be liquid-impervious, recyclable and/or biodegradable Suitable materials include plastic films, nonwoven webs and laminates thereof Plastic films are preferred, as are laminates of plastic films and nonwoven materials Treated or embossed paper materials are also suitable materials as cover sheets 30 The at least one cover sheet 30 may show varying elasticity and/or stiffness in different parts of the at least one sheet 30 Importantly, the at least one cover sheet 30 comprises at least one first cover sheet 31 and at least one second cover sheet 32 Each first cover sheet 31 overlaps each first region 13 of the garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article 10 Each second cover sheet 32 overlaps each second region 14 of the garment-facing surface 12 of the 5 absorbent article 10 The at least one first region 13 is thus covered prior to use by at least one first cover sheet 31 and the at least one second region 14 is thus covered prior to use by the at least one second cover sheet 32 The at least one first cover sheet 31 and the at least one second cover sheet 32 of the at least one cover sheet 30 may be separated by a perforation line 33 in the at least one cover sheet 30 The at least one first 10 cover sheet 31 and the at least one second cover sheet 32 may be separate in the at least one cover sheet 30 Alternatively, the at least one first cover sheet 31 and the at least one second cover sheet 32 may abut

The fastening ability of the at least one first region 13 to the at least one first cover sheet

15 31 and the fastening ability of the at least one second region 14 to the at least one second cover sheet 32 differ according to the present invention The fastening ability of the at least one first region 13 to the at least one first cover sheet 31 is preferably larger than the fastening ability of the at least one second region 14 to the at least one second cover sheet 32 To achieve different fastening abilities between the at least one first region 13 to

20 the at least one first cover sheet 31 and the at least one second region 14 to the at least one second cover sheet 32 different actions may be taken e g coating the at least one first and second regions 13, 14 evenly with e g adhesive material, coating only the at least one first region 13 with e g adhesive materιal(s), coating the at least one first and second regions 13, 14 with different types of materials, e g adhesive materials, coating

25 the at least one first and/or second cover sheet 31 , 32 with for example silicone and/or preparing the at least one first and second regions 13, 14 and/or the at least one first and second cover sheet 31 , 32 with mechanical fastening means e g hook elements or snap fasteners etc By using certain material combinations the fastening ability between the at least one second region 14 and the at least one second cover sheet 32 may be zero, e g

30 when the at least one second region 14 is a foam material or comprises hook elements and the at least one cover sheet 30 is of plastic material Thus, the fastening ability between the at least one second region 14 and the at least one second cover sheet 32 may be zero and the fastening ability between the at least one first region 13 and the at least one first cover sheet 31 may be larger than zero

35 Taking the adhesive materials as an example, only the at least one first region 13 could be coated with one type of adhesive material, the at least one first region 13 could be coated with one type of adhesive material while the at least one second region 14 could be coated with a different adhesive material Alternatively, different wt % of the same adhesive material can be coated on to the at least one first region 13 compared to the at least one second region 14 The adhesive material could be coated in a continuous layer throughout the at least one first and second regions 13, 14 and/or partially distributed in a more sparse pattern, e g one stripe or several stripes in the longitudinal, transversal, diagonal or any other direction not covering the entire region, dots and/or in any other suitable pattern by using e g spiral spraying Adhesive materials that may be used according to the present invention are e g FULLER hotmelt Lunamelt® PS364/11 ZP, NATIONAL hotmelt Dispomelt 8638 (Duro-Tak H 1538) and/or 3M Post it, see more information in US 3691 140 These before-mentioned adhesive materials may preferably be coated onto the at least one first region 13 on the garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article 10 and when the at least one first cover sheet 31 is partly released the adhesive material may stay onto the at least one first region 13 or follow the at least one first cover sheet 31 Thus, the at least one first cover sheet 31 is reclosable Another adhesive material is e g FULLER hotmelt NW1053 As an example, this material may be coated onto the at least one second region 14 on the garment-facing surface 12

A way to further vary the fastening abilities of the at least one first region 13 to the at least one first cover sheet 31 and the at least one second region 14 to the at least one second cover sheet 32, apart from varying the adhesive materials and/or the wt % of the adhesive materials, would be to coat the at least one cover sheet 30, and thus the at least one first cover sheet 31 and/or the at least one second cover sheet 32, with additional materials located in various regions thereof The at least one cover sheet 30 may be at least partly coated with a layer of e g silicone or similar agent which provides the at least one cover sheet 30 with release properties In one embodiment the entire at least one cover sheet 30 may be evenly coated in a continuous layer with e g silicone In another embodiment the at least one first and second cover sheets 31 , 32 of the at least one cover sheet 30 are coated with different wt% of e g silicone The at least one first cover sheet 31 may have a greater wt% of e g silicone than the at least one second cover sheet 32 In an alternative embodiment the at least one second cover sheet 32 may have a greater wt% of e g silicone compared to the at least one first cover sheet 31 The silicone could be evenly coated in a continuous layer throughout the at least one first and second cover sheets 31 , 32 and/or partially distributed in a more sparse pattern, e.g. one stripe or several stripes in the longitudinal, transversal, diagonal or any other direction not covering the entire region, dots and/or in any other suitable pattern.

Consequently, the fastening ability of the at least one first region 13 to the at least one first cover sheet 31 and the at least one second region 14 to the at least one second cover sheet 32 can be varied due to coating of e.g. adhesive material (evenly or partially) to the at least one first and/or second regions 13, 14, or due to coating of e.g. adhesive material (evenly or partially) to the at least one first and/or second regions 13, 14 and in addition coating of silicone (evenly or partially) the at least one first and/or second cover sheets 31 , 32.

A different way to achieve a difference in fastening ability between the at least one first region 13 to the at least one first cover sheet 31 and the at least one second region 14 to the at least one second cover sheet 32 may be to prepare the at least first region 13 and/or the at least one first cover sheet 31 evenly or partly with mechanical fastening means, e.g. hook elements, snap fastener etc.

According to the invention, only the at least one second cover sheet 32 is removed from the absorbent article 10 prior to use and substantially the entire at least one first cover sheet 31 remains joined to the absorbent article 10 during use. An at least one first cover sheet 31 , previously an integrated part of the at least one cover sheet 30, has thereby been created, functioning as a tab. By removing the at least one second cover sheet 32, the at least one second region 14 is exposed, and thus e.g. adhesive, and the absorbent article 10 is thereby prepared to be fixed to the undergarment of the wearer. The fact that the at least one first and at least one second cover sheets 31 , 32 can be removed from the absorbent article 10 at separate occasions is mainly possible due to the different fastening abilities of the at least one first region 13 to the at least one first cover sheet 31 and the at least one second region 14 to the at least one second cover sheet 32.

The perforation line 33, illustrated in Fig. 1 and 3, in the at least one cover sheet 30 separate the at least one first cover sheet 31 and at least one second cover sheet 32 and holds the at least one cover sheet 30 intact prior to use but are meant to be broken when the user is about to use the absorbent article 10. The perforation line 33 comprises perforations which are typically spaced at regular intervals (e.g. 1-15mm intervals) separating the at least one first cover sheet 31 and the at least one second cover sheet 32 The provision of the perforation line 33 provides the wearer with visual reassurance of a "complete" at least one cover sheet 30 Alternatively, weaknesses or embossments may separate the at least one first cover sheet 31 and the at least one second cover sheet 32 with the at least one cover sheet 30

Figure 2A and 4A show how the perforation line 33 may be broken to remove the at least one second cover sheet 32 of the at least one cover sheet 30 from the absorbent article 10 as the wearer prepares the absorbent article 10 for use A characteristic that may affect the difference in fastening ability that is needed in order to remove only the at least one second cover sheet 32 from the garment-facing surface 12 preparing the absorbent article 10 for use is the extension of the perforations of the perforation line 33 Thus, the longer extension of the perforations, the lower difference in fastening ability between the at least one first cover sheet 31 and the at least one second cover sheet 32 is needed in order to remove only the at least one second cover sheet 32 from the garment-facing surface 12

In the embodiment of Fig 1 and 3 the at least one first cover sheet 31 comprises a first transverse edge 34, a second transverse edge 35, a first longitudinal edge 40 and a second longitudinal edge 41 In one embodiment none of the transverse edges 34, 35 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 coincide with any of the transverse edges 36, 37 of the at least one cover sheet 30, see Fig 3 and 4A Fig 1 and 2A illustrate another embodiment wherein at least one of the first and second transverse edges 34, 35 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 coincide with at least one of the first and second transverse edges 36, 37 of the at least one cover sheet 30 However, there is no limitation according to this embodiment as to which transverse edge 36, 37 of the at least one cover sheet 30 coincides with the second transverse edge 35 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 In yet another embodiment the longitudinal edges 40, 41 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 coincide with any of the longitudinal edges 42, 43 of the at least one cover sheet 30 and in another embodiment they do not coincide These embodiments mentioned above are limited by the fact that the at least one first cover sheet 31 overlaps the at least first region 13 of the garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article 10

The at least one first cover sheet 31 of the at least one cover sheet 30 comprises disposal fastening means 44 The disposal fastening means 44 may be located anywhere on the at least one first cover sheet 31 , however in one embodiment, the disposal fastening means 44 is located adjacent one of the first and second transverse edges 34, 35 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 In yet one further embodiment, the disposal fastening means 44 is located adjacent one of the first and second transverse edges 34, 35 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 at the same time as the other transverse edge 34, 35 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 coincides with one transverse edge 36, 37 of the at least one cover sheet 30 In another embodiment, the disposal fastening means 44 is located adjacent one of the first and second transverse edges 34, 35 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 which transverse edge 34, 35 also coincides with one transverse edge 36, 37 of the at least one cover sheet 30 In yet another embodiment, the disposal fastening means 44 is located adjacent one of the first and second transverse edges 34, 35 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 at the same time as the transverse edges 34, 35 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 does not coincide with any of the transverse edge 36, 37 of the at least one cover sheet 30 In yet a further embodiment the disposal fastening means 44 may be located adjacent anyone of the first and second transverse edges 34, 35 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 at the same time as the transverse edges 34, 35 coincide with the transverse edges 36, 37 of the at least one cover sheet 30

The at least one first cover sheet 31 is arranged such that the absorbent article may be rolled and/or folded and retained in a rolled or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means 44 The disposal fastening means 44 may comprise for example an adhesive tab and/or mechanical fastening means, e g hook elements, or snap fastener etc, for retaining the absorbent article in a rolled and/or folded configuration The adhesive tab may be coated with adhesive on one or two sides of the disposal fastening means 44 One side of the disposal fastening means 44 faces the garment of the wearer and the other side faces the garment-facing surface 13 of the absorbent article 10 If the adhesive tab is facing the garment of the wearer, a release material may be used to protect the adhesive area of the disposal fastening means 44 before use If the disposal fastening means 44 is coated with adhesive on both sides, the disposal fastening mean 44 is able to retain the absorbent article 10 in a folded and/or rolled configuration by wrapping the at least one first cover sheet 31 about the absorbent article 10 and fasten the disposal fastening mean 44 either way The disposal fastening means 44 may preferably comprise a hook component on one or both sides as an alternative The disposal fastening means 44 may alternatively comprise an adhesive tab on one side and e g the hook component on the other side If the disposal fastening means 44 comprises e g hook component on both sides or the hook component on one side and adhesive on the other the disposal fastening mean 44 is able to retain the absorbent article 10 in a folded and/or rolled configuration by wrapping the at least one first cover sheet 31 about the absorbent article 10 and fasten the disposal fastening means 44 either way The 5 disposal fastening means 44 may comprise a hole wherein adhesive material or mechanical fastening means such as hook components are located The adhesive tab and the hook components may be protected by release material and corresponding hook components respectively if facing the garment of the wearer prior to use In one embodiment the disposal fastening means 44 comprises an adhesive tab for retaining the

10 absorbent article in a rolled or folded configuration which is fastened to e g a plastic film on the garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article 10 In another embodiment the disposal fastening means 44 comprises mechanical fastening means, e g hook component, for retaining the absorbent article in a rolled or folded configuration which attaches to a nonwoven material on the garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article

15 10 Another way of retaining the absorbent article 10 in a rolled or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means 44 may be by using e g magnetic forces

The disposal fastening means 44 may comprise at least one gripping tab 45 which makes it easier for the wearer to get a hold of the at least one first cover sheet 31 when partly 20 releasing the at least one first cover sheet 31 during preparation of the absorbent article 10 for disposal, see Fig 1 , 2A, 2B, 3, 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B The at least one gripping tab 45 is preferably located at a point on the at least one cover sheet 31 distal from an at least one seal 38 described in more detail below 5 According to one embodiment the at least one first cover sheet 31 comprises at least one seal 38 The at least one seal 38 may be located anywhere on the at least one first cover sheet 31 , however preferably distal from the at least one gripping tab 45 and disposal fastening means 44 In one embodiment, the at least one seal 38 is located adjacent one of the transverse edges 34 35 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 Furthermore, when 0 the disposal fastening means 44 is located adjacent the first or the second transverse edges 34, 35 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 , the opposite transverse edge of the at least one first cover sheet 31 may comprise at least one seal 38 In another embodiment the at least one seal 38 is located substantially in the central region between the transverse edges 34, 35 of the at least one first cover sheet 31 such that two ends are 5 formed One or two of the ends of the at least one first cover sheet 31 may be wrapped about the absorbent article 10 and the used absorbent article retained in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means 44

The at least one seal 38 permanently attaches at least a portion of the at least one first cover sheet 31 to the garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article 10 Thus, the at least one seal 38 ensures that the at least one first cover sheet 31 is only partly released from the absorbent article 10 when the at least one first cover sheet 31 is wrapped about the absorbent article 10 and the used absorbent article is retained in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means 44 Sealing methods include ultrasound, adhesive, laser, crimping, cold rolling, mechanical or thermal sealing, e g welding etc Partly released according to the present invention means that the at least one first cover sheet 31 may be released from the absorbent article 10 to such an extent such that it is possible to wrap the at least one first cover sheet 31 about the absorbent article 10 and that the used absorbent article is retained in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means 44

According one embodiment of the present invention the at least one first cover sheet 31 has an extension in the longitudinal direction which is 20-100%, preferably 30-70%, more preferably 40-60% and most preferably about 50% of the at least one cover sheet 30 in the longitudinal direction The choice of the extension in the longitudinal direction of the at least one first cover sheet 31 may vary depending on for example where the seal 38 of the at least said first cover sheet 31 is located (adjacent the first or second transverse edge 34, 35 or in the central region of the at least one first cover sheet 31 and/or if the at least one first cover sheet 31 after being partly released is meant to be wrapped in the direction of or in the opposite direction to the direction in which the absorbent article is rolled and/or folded so as to maintain the rolled and/or folded absorbent article 10 in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of the disposal fastening means 44, see Fig 6 and 7

According to another embodiment of the present invention the at least one first cover sheet 31 has an extension in the transversal direction which is 20-100%, preferably 30- 70%, more preferably 40-60% and most preferably about 50% of the at least one cover sheet 30 in the transversal direction In yet another embodiment the at least one first cover sheet 31 may be e.g. half-moon, zigzag, serpentine shaped or shaped in any other suitable form, which may allow for a greater extension in the longitudinal direction of the at least one first cover sheet 31 compared to a substantially straight at least one first cover sheet 31.

It is also possible according to the present invention that the at least one cover sheet 30 is folded about a folding axis before being fastened to the garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article 10. The folding axis is also traversing the at least one first cover sheet 31. Consequently, the at least one first cover sheet 31 may be unfolded and thus elongated before wrapping up the absorbent article 10.

According to the present invention the at least one cover sheet 30 and/or absorbent article 10 may comprise indications, which indicate to a user how the at least one cover sheet 30, including the at least one first and second cover sheets 31 , 32 of the at least one cover sheet 30, should be used. For instance, the indications may comprise e.g. arrows, colour, printed text or icons which indicate in which direction and where, how or how much a user should pull the at least one cover sheet 30. Alternatively, indications may comprise one or more dotted or dashed lines printed on the at least one cover sheet 30. Indications may be instructions, see e.g. Fig. 5-7.

The present invention may also include faeces and /or urine indicators.

The present invention provides a method for use of an absorbent article 10. The method comprises the steps of: a. providing an absorbent article 10 according to the above; b. removing the at least one second cover sheet 32 of the at least one cover sheet 30 from the absorbent article 10; c. fixing the absorbent article 10 to the underwear of a wearer by means of the second region 14 of the garment-facing surface (12).

The present invention also provides a method for disposal of an absorbent article 10 after use. The method comprises the steps of: a. carrying out steps a. to c. according to the above; b. removing the used article 10 from the wearer's underwear; c. partly releasing the at least one first cover sheet 31 from the absorbent article 10; d rolling and/or folding the used absorbent article 10, e retaining the absorbent article 10 in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means 44 on the at least one first cover sheet 31 , wherein steps c and d can take place in any order

Rolling and/or folding for disposal takes place with the wearer-facing surface 11 located on the inside Most commonly, the absorbent article is rolled Figure 5B, 6 and 7 illustrates how the absorbent article 10 may be rolled up Alternatively, the absorbent article 10 could be folded along two or more fold lines, to form a triple-fold or quadruple- fold The article 10 could be folded or rolled in two or more different directions, e g folded into quarters A combination of folding and rolling could be used e g by folding the absorbent article 10 in half in one direction, then folding in half again in the same or a perpendicular direction, or folding in one direction and the rolling the folded article

Rolling and folding takes place so that the at least one first cover sheet 31 is not incorporated into the folded or rolled napkin 10, but rather remains outside the folds/rolls, so that the at least one first cover sheet 31 can be used as per the invention

After the at least one first cover sheet 31 has been partly released from the absorbent article 10 and the absorbent article 10 has been rolled an/or folded the at least one first cover sheet 31 may be wrapped in the direction of or in a direction opposite to the direction in which said absorbent article is rolled and/or folded depending on the extension in the longitudinal direction of the at least one first cover sheet 31 and the absorbent article 10 and the wearers choice The absorbent article 10 is thereby secured in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means 44, see Fig 6 and 7

The retaining of said absorbent article 10 in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of the disposal fastening means 44 on at least one said first cover sheet 31 is made possible by fastening said disposal fastening means 44 to the garment-facing surface 12 of said absorbent article 10 The fastening of the at least one first cover sheet 31 to the garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article 10 may be performed using for example an adhesive tab or mechanical fastening means, e g hook component, as mentioned above Fastening of an adhesive tab for retaining the absorbent article 10 in a rolled or folded configuration is made to e g a plastic film on the garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article 10 and fastening of mechanical fastening means, e.g. hook component is made to nonwoven on the garment-facing surface 12 of the absorbent article 10 for retaining the absorbent article in a rolled or folded configuration the disposal fastening means 44.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a number of embodiments and Figures, it should not be considered as being limited thereto. In particular, the invention is equally applicable to absorbent articles other than sanitary napkins, such as diapers, incontinence guards and panty liners. Variations of materials, components, elements and their locations will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art. The scope of protection should therefore be defined by the enclosed claims.

Claims

7 An absorbent article (10) comprising a wearer-facing surface (11 ), a garment-facing surface (12), said garment-facing surface (12) comprising at least one first region (13), and at least one second region (14), wherein said at least one first and at least one second regions (13, 14) do not overlap, said absorbent article (10) further comprising at least one cover sheet (30) comprising at least one first cover sheet (31) overlapping said at least one first region (13) and at least one second cover sheet (32) overlapping said at least one second region (14), characterised in that the fastening ability of said at least one first region (13) to said at least one first cover sheet (31) is greater than the fastening ability of said at least one second region (14) to said at least one second cover sheet (32) such that when said at least one second cover sheet (32) is removed from said absorbent article (10) before use, said at least one first cover sheet (31) remains joined to said absorbent article (10), said at least one first cover sheet (31 ) comprising disposal fastening means (44), and said at least one first cover sheet (31 ) being arranged such that the absorbent article (10) may be rolled and/or folded and retained in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means (44)

2 An absorbent article (10) according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one first cover sheet (31) and said at least one second cover sheet (32) of said at least one cover sheet (30) are separated by a perforation line (33)

3 An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first cover sheet (31) is permanently attached to said absorbent article (10) at a portion thereof distal to said disposal fastening means (44) by at least one seal (38) An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one seal (38) is a weld

An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first cover sheet (31) comprises at least one gripping tab (45) located at a point on said at least one first cover sheet (31) distal from said at least one seal (38)

An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first cover sheet (31) has an extension in the longitudinal direction which is 20-100%, preferably 30-70%, more preferably 40-60% and most preferably about 50% of said at least one cover sheet (30) in said longitudinal direction

An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one cover sheet (30) has longitudinal L and transverse T extensions and wherein each longitudinal and transverse extensions L, T of said at least one cover sheet (30) are smaller than said longitudinal and transverse extensions of said absorbent article (10)

An absorbent article (10) according to any of claims 1-6, wherein said at least one cover sheet (30) has longitudinal L and transverse T extensions and wherein each longitudinal and transverse extensions L, T of said at least one cover sheet (30) are substantially equal to or greater than said longitudinal and transverse extensions of said absorbent article (10)

An absorbent article (10) according to any preceding claims, wherein said at least one first cover sheet 31 is defined by a first transverse edge (34) and a second transverse edge (35), wherein said at least one second cover sheet (30) is defined by a first transverse edge (36) and a second transverse edge (37), and wherein at least one of said first and second transverse edges (34, 35) of said at least one first cover sheet (31) does not coincide with at least one of said first and second transverse edges (36, 37) of said at least one cover sheet (30)

An absorbent article (10) according to any preceding claims, wherein said at least one first cover sheet (31) is defined by a first transverse edge (34) and a second transverse edge (35), wherein said at least one cover sheet (30) is defined by a first transverse edge (36) and a second transverse edge (37), and wherein at least one of said first transverse edge (34) and second transverse edge (35) of said at least one first cover sheet (31) coincide with at least one of said first and second transverse edges (36, 37) of said at least one cover sheet (30)

An absorbent article (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said absorbent article (10) is packaged within said at least one cover sheet (30) prior to use

A method for use of an absorbent article (10), said method comprising the steps of a providing an absorbent article (10) according to any of claims 1-11 , b removing said at least one second cover sheet (32) of said at least one cover sheet (30), c fixing said absorbent article (10) to the underwear of a wearer by means of said second region (14) of the garment-facing surface (12)

A method for disposal of an absorbent article (10) after use, said method comprising the steps of a carrying out steps a to c of claim 12, b removing said used article (10) from the wearer's underwear, c partly releasing said at least one first cover sheet (31 ) from said absorbent article (10), d rolling and/or folding said used absorbent article (10), e retaining said absorbent article (10) in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means (44) on said at least one first cover sheet (31), wherein steps c and d can take place in any order

A method according to claim 13, wherein step e thereof comprises wrapping said at least one first cover sheet (31 ) about said rolled and/or folded absorbent article (10) in a direction similar to the direction in which said absorbent article (10) is rolled and/or folded and subsequently retaining said absorbent article (10) in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means (44)

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein step e thereof comprises wrapping said at least one first cover sheet (31) about said rolled and/or folded absorbent article (10) in a direction opposite to the direction in which said absorbent article (10) is rolled and/or folded and subsequently retaining said absorbent article (10) in a rolled and/or folded configuration by means of said disposal fastening means (44).

16. A method according to any of claims 13-15, wherein said retaining of said disposal fastening means (44) of said at least one first cover sheet (31) is made to said garment-facing surface (12) of said absorbent article (10).