WO2010132001A1

WO2010132001A1 - An absorbent article for receiving a removable stiffening element, and an assembly comprising an article with a removable stiffening element

Info

Publication number: WO2010132001A1
Application number: PCT/SE2009/050529
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anette Romare
Original assignee: Sca Hygiene Products Ab
Priority date: 2009-05-12
Filing date: 2009-05-12
Publication date: 2010-11-18

Abstract

The present invention relates to an absorbent article (1), comprising a layered structure including an upper liquid-permeable layer (18) for facing the wearer during use, and a lower, liquid impermeable layer (20). The article comprises a compartment (24) located below said liquid impermeable layer (20) so as to be isolated from any liquid acquired by the article through said upper liquid-permeable layer (18); said compartment (24) being formed between an upper compartment wall (30) and a lower compartment wall (32), and said compartment (24) being accessible from the outside of said absorbent article (1) via an access opening (34), for receiving a removable stiffening element (200). The invention also relates to an assembly (100) comprising such an article (1) and a stiffening element (200), and to a kit comprising a plurality of articles (1) and at least one stiffening element (200).

Description

AN ABSORBENT ARTICLE FOR RECEIVING A REMOVABLE STIFFENING ELEMENT, AND AN ASSEMBLY COMPRISING AN ARTICLE WITH A REMOVABLE STIFFENING ELEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an absorbent article, comprising a layered structure including an upper liquid-permeable layer for facing the wearer during use, and a lower liquid impermeable layer. The invention also relates to an absorbent assembly comprising an absorbent article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent assemblies, such as sanitary napkins, incontinence protectors and panty shields for absorbing bodily fluids are subject to forces during use, for example when the wearer is walking. Typically, the absorbent assembly is then sheared between the thighs of the user. This might lead to the absorbent assembly becoming wrinkled, which in turn may cause leakage, as the wrinkles form channels in which liquid on the surface of the assembly can run out towards and over the edges of the assembly.

For diminishing the problem with wrinkle formation, and for improving the overall fit of absorbent assemblies, it has been found to be advantageous to enhance the stiffness and/or the shape of the absorbent assembly. To this end, specific material layers or stiffening elements have been introduced in the absorbent articles so as to render them not only absorbent but also sufficiently stiff for inhibiting leakage when in use.

Some stiffening elements may be adapted so as to substantially maintain the shape of the assembly when in use. Others may be adapted so as to control the deformation of the assembly when in use, e.g. creating a cup-shape or a hump being favourable to fluid uptake and/or to user comfort.

Stiffening elements may be flat, or may be initially flat but adapted to form a three- dimensional shape when in use if, as mentioned above, they are to control the deformation of the assembly when in use. Other stiffening elements may be thee-dimensional, e.g. forming a cup-shape or a hump in the assembly.

Documents describing absorbent articles comprising forming elements of shape stable material which can withstand stresses during use are described in, for example WO 98 22057, WO 98 22058, WO 98 22061 , and WO 98 22062.

A problem as perceived when forming absorbent articles is that the considerations necessary for providing the assembly with a desired stiffness or shape might be contradictory to the requirements as regards the absorptive properties. It might not be possible e.g. to select materials and manufacturing methods which are optimal for both absorption and stiffness/shape. The result may be that the final article displays a trade-off between the desired absorptive properties and the desired stiffness.

Moreover, as regards the stiffness and/or the shape of the absorbent article, it has been found that different wearers might have different needs, depending e.g. on personal preferences, physical activity, etc. Also, the amount of bodily fluids to be absorbed may vary over time, such that one and the same wearer might have different needs from one day to the other.

In view of the above, there is a need for improving absorbent articles so as to diminish the trade-off between absorption properties and properties relating to stiffness and/or shape.

Also, there is a need for improving the versatility of absorbent articles when it comes to stiffness and/or shaping, in particular to provide better customization possibilities.

Moreover, today there is an overall need for economical as well as environmentally friendly absorbent articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is therefore to enable the formation of absorbent articles being advantageous in view of one or more of the above-mentioned needs.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided an absorbent article, comprising a layered structure including an upper liquid-permeable layer for facing the wearer during use, and a lower, liquid impermeable layer. The article comprises a compartment located below said lower liquid-impermeable layer so as to be isolated from any liquid acquired by the article through said upper liquid-permeable layer; said compartment being formed between an upper compartment wall and a lower compartment wall, and said compartment being accessible from the outside of said absorbent article via an access opening, for receiving a removable stiffening element.

By means of an absorbent article as described above, an absorbent assembly may be formed comprising such an article and a removable stiffening element.

Advantageously, the absorbent article may be a single-use article, that is, it is intended to be used only once and disposed thereafter, rather than being cleaned and re-used. However, the invention is not limited to single-use absorbent articles but could be applied also to absorbent articles for multiple use.

Hence, in a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an absorbent assembly, comprising a single use disposable absorbent article in accordance with the above and a removable stiffening element being received in the compartment of the disposable absorbent article.

In such an assembly, the stiffening element is used to provide the assembly including the absorbent article with sufficient stiffness and a desired shape. Accordingly, the absorbent article per se does not need to display a certain stiffness in order to ensure correct shaping of the assembly when in use, which is why the absorbent article may be optimised for other purposes such as for optimum absorption or liquid uptake.

The desired stiffness of the assembly is instead controlled by the removable stiffening element, contained in the compartment of the article. The compartment is to be isolated from any liquid acquired by the article via the upper liquid-permeable layer. Accordingly, the introduction of the stiffening element into the compartment will have no or only a limited effect on the absorption properties of the absorbent article of the complete absorbent assembly. Hence, the absorptive properties and the stiffness/shaping properties may be separated and optimised one by one - the absorptive properties may be optimised in the absorbent article, and the stiffness/shaping properties may be optimised using the detachable stiffening element. Accordingly, the previous trade-off between different properties may at least be diminished.

The term "layer" means in this context that there is a layer extending over at least a portion of the surface area of the article. The layers could, but need not, extend over the entire surface area of the article. For example, the upper liquid-permeable layer could extend only over a central region of the article, so as to allow liquid uptake via said region only. In such a case, the liquid-permable layer could form part of a material layer which per se could include regions having different properties, such as being liquid-permeable or impermeable, or hydrophilic or hydrophobic.

Likewise, the lower, liquid impermeable layer need not extend over the total surface area of the article. As will be explained in the following, the compartment may have various forms and shapes. The liquid impermeable layer need only extend over a surface corresponding to said compartment, so as to render the compartment isolated from any liquid acquired by the article.

However, in a preferred embodiment, the liquid-impermeable layer extends over essentially the entire surface area of the absorbent article. In such an embodiment, the necessary impermeability of the absorbent article as a whole is accomplished by means of said liquid-impermeable layer.

Moreover, the compartment need not completely enclose the stiffening element. What is required is that the compartment is isolated from acquired fluids. Hence, the compartment could be partially open from a garment facing side of the absorbent article.

Further, the provision of an absorption article including a compartment for removably receiving a stiffening element provides advantages in view of versatility. It will be understood that one design of absorbent article may be used with different types of stiffening elements, resulting in different absorbent assemblies. This is advantageous since only one type of absorbent article may be efficiently manufactured, and then provided with different stiffening elements so as to give rise to different types of absorbent assemblies.

Moreover, the provision of an absorption article including a compartment for removably receiving a stiffening element provides a possibility of letting the wearer personally select between different stiffening elements, or whether to use a stiffening element at all. Hence, a possibility of customising the absorbent article is provided.

For example, the absorbent assembly could be sold with the absorbent article including a stiffening element, but which the wearer may select to remove. Optionally, the absorbent article may be sold together with different stiffening elements, among which the wearer may select.

A stiffening element is considered to be anything which will render the assembly of the article and stiffening element stiffer than the article without said stiffening element.

Generally, the primary purpose, and preferably the only purpose, of the stiffening element should be to increase the stiffness of the article and/or to shape the article.

The stiffness of the element may be selected to the needs of different absorbent assemblies, and advantageously in similarity to stiffness elements incorporated in previously known absorbent assemblies. For the purpose of determining the stiffness of the materials forming the stiffening elements, the modified "circular bend procedure" as described e.g. in WO 93/21879 may be used. It is to be understood, that for stiffening elements being relatively large, the samples to be tested could be taken out of the stiffening elements. However, this is not possible for smaller stiffening elements. Accordingly, it may be preferred that the material of the stiffening element is tested by measurements on samples taken out of a larger material piece. For example, materials having a stiffness in the range 200 to 1500 g, preferably 500 to 1200 g may be suitable for forming a stiffening element.

The stiffening element may preferably be designed such that it promotes the proper placement of the absorbent element adjacent to the body of the wearer. Preferably the stiffening element has a size and stiffness such that it fits between the gracilis tendons of the user, and preferably it moreover functions so as to hold the absorbent article in place in the region between said tendons. In certain variants, the holding effect provided by the stiffening element may be sufficient for ensuring the correct placement of the absorbent article, such that no additional positioning means, such as adhesive on the garment facing side of the product, is required.

Advantageously, the stiffening element may be re-usable. When the stiffening element is re-usable, it may be removed from the compartment of a single-use absorbent article and introduced in a new single-use absorbent article. This presents economical as well as environmental advantages due to the material savings in relation to products where stiffening material is incorporated in and hence discarded with the single-use absorbent article.

The stiffening element may be re-usable for various numbers of times. For example, one stiffening element could be adapted to be used with a number of single-use absorbent articles as contained in a single package, meaning that the stiffening element might be used during e.g. 10-20 changes of absorbent articles. Alternatively, the stiffening element might be adapted to be used during a certain time period, e.g. for use during one day.

The access opening may be an open, non-closeable opening. Depending e.g on the size and the location of the stiffening element in the absorbent article, an open compartment may be sufficient for loosely holding the stiffening element in place in the absorbent article during use of the absorbent assembly.

However, when the compartment of the absorbent article comprises a non-closeable opening, it may be advantageous if the stiffening element is retained in the compartment by means of friction. The friction between the compartment walls and the stiffening element may be controlled e.g. by selecting the materials of the compartment walls and the stiffening element so as to enhance the adherence between the two. To this end, it would be conceivable that the stiffening element and/or a compartment wall may be made of nonwoven material or may be provided with embossments, so as to obtain friction between the stiffening element and the compartment wall. For example, a combination of a non-woven, fluffy materials in at least one of the compartment walls, and a stiffening element with a raised surface finish obtained e.g. by embossments may be used. Moreover, friction coatings may be used to increase the friction of the stiffening element or at least one of the compartment walls. Alternatively, only a portion of the compartment walls and/or the stiffening element may be provided with a friction enhancing material. Another measure for enabling the stiffening element to be retained in the compartment by means of friction is to use a stiffening element being larger than the compartment, such that the stiffening element is deformed when introduced therein. As the stiffening element, once it is in place in the compartment, will strive to resume its non-deformed shape it will bias towards the walls of the compartment, whereby the friction between the stiffening element and the compartment is increased.

Alternatively, at least one of the compartment walls may be formed by a resilient or elastic material, which yields when the stiffening element is introduced therein, so that the compartment wall will bias towards the stiffening element whereby the friction between the stiffening element and the compartment is increased. This may also be used for shaping the article as a hump or bulge may be crated on the extensible or elastic side of the compartment.

Another way of retaining the stiffening element in the compartment may be to form the stiffening element and at least one of the compartment walls such that they display smooth meeting surfaces, such that a contact adhesive effect may be obtained when the smooth surfaces are positioned in close contact to one another. Such a contact adhesive effect is believed to be due to the fact that no air will be present between the smooth surfaces.

Instead of using a non-closeable access opening, the access opening may be openable and reclosable. This enables retainment of the stiffening element simply by closing said compartment. The opening and closing of the compartment may be enabled by means of various fastening systems, including fastening tapes, buttons, hook and loop devices etc. Most preferred is however the use of a open and reclosable adhesive, such as a "Post-it" type adhesive or a press'n seal wrap.

As such, assemblies retaining the stiffening element by keeping it in a closable compartment are embodiments of absorbent assemblies wherein the stiffening element is retained in the compartment by a mechanical stop. However, other alternatives of absorbent assemblies where in the stiffening element is retained in the compartment by a mechanical stop are conceivable. For example, the access opening may be formed to be smaller than the corresponding stiffening element. The stiffening element may then be selected so as to be deformable to enable introduction thereof to the compartment through the access opening. Once inside the compartment, the stiffening element may resume its original shape, being larger than the access opening. The compartment walls surrounding the access opening will in this case form mechanical stops against undesired extraction of the stiffening element. Alternatively, the stiffening element may be deformed, e.g. folded, upon delivery to a user, and be inserted into the compartment in its deformed state. Once in the compartment, the stiffening element may fold out to a shape being larger than the access opening.

Also, mechanical stops in the form of e.g. a protrusion or knob may be formed in the absorbent article for hindering undesired extraction of the stiffening element from the compartment.

For forming an access opening, the lower compartment wall may advantageously be at least partly detachable from said upper compartment wall.

The lower compartment wall may be rendered detachable using e.g. a hook and loop system or a tape as mentioned above. However, it is preferred if the lower compartment wall is fastened to the upper compartment wall using an adhesive enabling detachable connection, such as a "Post-it" type adhesive or "press'n seal".

The entire lower compartment wall may be detachable from the upper compartment wall, in which case the lower compartment wall may be completely removed from the upper compartment wall for introduction of a stiffening element. The stiffening element will then be placed on the upper compartment wall or alternatively on the free lower compartment wall, before the walls are reunited to form the compartment.

Alternatively, at least a portion of the lower compartment wall may be detachable from the upper compartment wall, so as to form an open and reclosable access opening for introduction and removal of the stiffening element.

However, due to the risk of loosing the lower compartment wall during such a procedure, it might be advantageous if the lower compartment wall is somehow fixed to the upper compartment wall, either directly or indirectly. Moreover, the lower compartment wall may be at least partly fixedly attached to said upper compartment wall.

In this case, the lower compartment wall may be fixed to the upper compartment wall, forming for example a non-closable access opening. Alternatively, the access opening may be closable using some fastening means such as a separate tape.

In a preferred embodiment, the lower compartment wall may be partly fixedly attached to said upper compartment wall, and partly detachable from the upper compartment wall, such that said access opening is formed by detaching a portion of the lower compartment wall from the upper compartment wall.

The absorbent article may advantageously have an elongate shape defining two long sides and two short sides. In this case, the compartment may be accessible from the outside via an access opening located at one of said two short sides of the article. This could be advantageous as it enables introduction of a stiffening element using a relatively small access opening. Also, this may be advantageous for the cases when the compartment is primarily located over the front or end region of the article.

Alternatively, the compartment may be accessible from the outside via an access opening located at one of said two long sides of the article. This may be advantageous in particular if the width of the article and of the stiffening element varies such that introduction of a stiffening element via the short side is rendered difficult. Moreover, it may advantageous since the length along which the stiffening element should be introduced or removed is diminished.

In a preferred embodiment, the said upper wall is at least partly formed by said lower liquid-impermeable layer of the absorbent article. As mentioned above, the compartment should be isolated from any liquid acquired by the article via the upper, liquid-permeable sheet. As such, the article may conveniently be formed by attaching a lower compartment wall directly to the lower liquid-impermeable layer of the absorbent article, which liquid- impermeable layer will then form the upper compartment wall.

Moreover, the upper compartment wall and the lower compartment wall may formed from a continuous sheet of material, said sheet being folded so as to form the compartment. This may be advantageous in that a connection between the upper and the lower compartment wall is automatically formed by the fold.

The surface extension of the compartment may extend over the front portion, the crotch portion and the rear portion of the absorbent article. In this case, a stiffening element may be retained in the compartment, which will affect stiffness of essentially the entire absorbent article.

Alternatively, the compartment may extend over only a selected portion of the surface extension of the article. For example, the compartment may be located in at least one out of a front portion, a crotch portion or a rear portion of the absorbent article.

The surface area of the compartment may generally be less than the surface area of the absorbent article. In the case when the compartment extends over the front, crotch and rear portion of the absorbent article, it may be desired that the article forms a relatively soft edge around the circumference of the compartment, for the comfort of the wearer. In the case when it is only desired to add a stiffening element to one or several selected portions of the article, the surface extension of the compartment of compartments may naturally be smaller than the surface extension of the absorbent article.

The surface area of the compartment or the total surface area where there are several compartments, may be at least 20% of the surface area of the article, preferably at least 30%, most preferred at least 50%.

The absorbent article may, if desired, comprise two or more compartments for receiving two or more stiffening elements. As such, a plurality of portions of the article may be stiffened, which increases the versatility and multiplies the possibilities of customising the product. For example, a first compartment may be provided in the rear region of the article, and a second compartment in the front region of the article. Alternatively, for an essentially rectangular article, each of the four corners may be provided with a compartment for receiving a removable stiffening element.

Moreover, the compartment may display a wide variety of sizes and shapes. The absorbent article may comprise a garment facing side which is provided with a fastening element for fastening the absorbent article to the undergarment of a wearer. Such a fastening element serves the purpose of securing the absorbent article in a correct position in relation to the wearer. As mentioned above, the fastening element could be dispensed with if the absorbent article with the stiffening element has a shape and stiffness being adapted to fit the anatomy of the wearer so as to maintain the article in a correct position.

As mentioned above, in a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an absorbent assembly, comprising a single use disposable absorbent article as described above and a removable stiffening element being received in the compartment of the disposable absorbent article. The assembly has already been discussed in the above, in particular in connection with the connection between the absorbent article and the stiffening element.

As regards the stiffening element to be introduced into an absorbent article, the stiffening elements may display a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

For certain applications, the stiffening element may be planar. The planar stiffening element may be form-stable so as to maintain its planar shape also when subject to forces as when the absorbent assembly is in use. Alternatively, the planar stiffening element may be formed so as to deform in a controlled manner when in use. Such controlled deformation may be created as is known in the art using e.g. weakening lines or various shapes of the stiffening element.

For other applications, in particular when the stiffening element is to provide the article with a certain shape such as a cup-shape or hump, the stiffening element may be three- dimensional. With three-dimensional is in this context meant a non-planar shape. A three- dimensional stiffening element may be form-stable, but may also be adapted so as to be additionally deformed when subject to forces during use.

As the compartment is to be isolated from any liquid acquired via the upper liquid- permeable sheet of the absorbent article, the stiffening element need not be absorbent so as to absorb any bodily fluids from the upper side of the article. However, the stiffening element could be absorbent so as to absorb e.g. moisture or water vapour in the compartment. However, it is believed to be advantageous if the stiffening element is non-absorbent. First, because non-absorbent materials are generally believed to better maintain their shape and stiffness. Second, because in the case of a reusable 5 stiffening element, the function of the element over time will not be impaired.

As the stiffening element is not intended to be in contact with the wearer, the material of the stiffening element may be selected without consideration of factors such as whether the material is soft or otherwise suitable for contact with the skin. 10

However, the stiffening element may include materials enabling e.g. odour control or perfumed materials.

The stiffening element may be formed from a large variety of materials, such as e.g. 15 paper, foam, aluminium foil, play wood, or plastic. Advantageously, the stiffening element may be formed from a plastic material.

Advantageously, the stiffening element may have a surface area being at least 20% of the surface area of the absorbent article, preferably at least 30%, most preferred at least 20 50%.

The shape of the stiffening element may generally correspond to the shape of the absorbent article, and extend over the front, crotch and rear portion thereof, for stiffening essentially the entire absorbent article.

25

However, the shape of the stiffening element may also differ from the shape of the absorbent article. For example, the stiffening element may extend over the front, crotch and rear portion, and be anatomically shaped, e.g. having a wider front portion than crotch portion, although the absorbent article may have a rectangular shape. With such an

30 embodiment, simple rectangular absorbent articles may be manufactured which may nevertheless form an anatomically shaped final assembly, by virtue of the stiffening element introduced therein.

Moreover, the stiffening element may include different regions having different 35 characteristics, for example the regions may display different bend indications, or may be thicker or thinner so as to provide more or less resistance to bending. Also, one or more holes may be provided in the stiffening element, or in different regions thereof.

Also smaller stiffening elements, e.g. extending over only one, or over parts of said front, rear and crotch portion of the article, may be anatomically shaped.

Other features of the stiffening element will be understood from the discussions above relating e.g. to the absorbent article with its compartment.

In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit comprising a plurality of absorbent articles as described above and at least one stiffening element for introduction in the compartments of said single-use absorbent articles.

Moreover, the kit may comprise a plurality of different stiffening elements for introduction in the compartments of said absorbent articles. As such, the user may selected between different stiffening elements and hence customise the absorbent assembly to their needs.

The stiffening elements may be different for example in shape or in degree of stiffness.

For example, stiffening elements of different thicknesses may be provided in order to create various degrees of stiffness between which the wearer may select. Moreover, it is conceivable to provide a number of similar stiffening elements, among which the user may select to introduce one, two or more of those elements into the absorbent article, in order to achieve a desired stiffness.

Advantageously, the absorbent articles in the kit may be single-use articles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following, the invention will be described in further detail in connection with example embodiments, with reference to the figures wherein

Fig 1 a is a top view of a first embodiment of an absorbent article in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 1 b is a section through the transversal axis X of the embodiment of Fig. 1 a;

Fig. 1 c is a bottom view of the embodiment of Fig. 1a;

Fig. 1 d is a top view of an embodiment of a stiffening element for introduction into the embodiment of an absorbent article as illustrated in Fig. 1 a; Fig. 1 e illustrates the introduction of a stiffening element into the absorbent article as illustrated in Fig. 1a,

Fig. 2 is another example of a stiffening element for instruction into an absorbent article; Fig. 3a is a bottom view of a second embodiment of an absorbent article in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 3b illustrates the introduction of stiffening elements into the absorbent article as illustrated in Fig. 3a;

Fig. 4a is a bottom view of another embodiment of an absorbent article in accordance with the invention, when in a closed position; Fig. 4b is a bottom view of the article of Fig. 4a, when in an open position;

Fig. 5a is a bottom view of another embodiment of a article in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 5b is a section through the transversal axis X of Fig. 5a.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention concerns an absorbent article 10 to form an absorbent assembly 100, such as a sanitary towel, a panty liner or an incontinence pad. Preferably, the absorbent assembly 100 is a sanitary towel. Such assemblies are commonly used for acquisition of bodily exudates such as urine, faeces or menstrual fluid.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an absorbent assembly 100 consisting of an absorbent article 10, in which a stiffening element 200 may be removably received (dotted). The absorbent assembly 100 is, in this case, a sanitary towel. The absorbent article 10 has transverse x and longitudinal y directions as indicated.

The absorbent article 10 further has front 12, crotch 14 and rear portions 16 arranged in the assembly's longitudinal direction. In use, the front portion 12 of the article is intended to cover the pubic region of the wearer. The front portion 12 is defined by the front transverse edge of the assembly and extends a certain length along the assembly in the longitudinal direction. In a sanitary napkin of the type sown, the front portion 12 has a length in the longitudinal direction which is between 10-50%, more preferably between 25- 40%, most preferably between 30-35% of the total length of the article.

The crotch portion 14 of the article is located adjacent to the front portion 12 in the longitudinal direction. In use, the crotch portion lies between the legs of the user and covers the user's genital region and perineum. In a sanitary napkin of the type shown, the crotch portion 14 as a length in the longitudinal direction which is between 10-50%, more preferably between 25-40%, most preferably between 30-35 % of the total length of the article. Typically, the length of the crotch portion in the longitudinal direction is between 40-1 10 mm, more preferably between 50-105 mm, most preferably between 85-110 mm.

The rear portion 16 is located at the opposite end of the article from the front portion 12 and is located adjacent to the crotch portion 14 in the longitudinal direction, in use, the rear portion 16 extends towards the user's rear. The rear portion 16 is defined by the rear transverse edge of the article and extends a certain length along the article in the longitudinal direction. In a sanitary napkin of the type shown, the rear portion 16 has a length in the longitudinal direction which is between 10-50%, more preferably between 25- 40%, most preferably between 30-35% of the total length of the assembly.

The absorbent article 10 comprises a layered structure including an upper liquid- permeable layer 18 for facing the wearer during use, and a lower, liquid impermeable layer 20 (see Fig. 1 b)

The liquid-permeable upper layer 18 is intended to lie in direct contact with the wearer's body, and should therefore be soft and comfortable. The upper layer 18 can comprise a nonwoven material, e.g. spunbond, meltblown, carded, hydroentangled, wetlaid etc. Suitable nonwoven materials can be composed of natural fibres, such as wood pulp or cotton fibres, manmade fibres, such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, viscose etc. or from a mixture of natural and man-made fibres. The upper layer material 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 upper layer materials are porous foams, apertured plastic films etc. The materials suited as upper layer materials should be soft and non-irritating to the skin and be readily penetrated by body fluid, e.g. urine or menstrual fluid. The upper layer may further be different in different parts of the absorbent assembly.

The lower, liquid-impermeable layer 20 could partly or entirely lie in contact with the wearer's garments. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the liquid-impermeable layer 20 is not intended to be in contact with the wearer's garments. Instead, the lower liquid-impermeable layer forms a cover underneath the absorbent layers of the absorbent article 10, and hence inhibits any fluid acquired by the upper layer 18 from reaching further down, below the liquid-impermeable layer 20. Accordingly, a compartment being isolated from any liquid acquired by the article through the upper, liquid permeable layer may be formed below said liquid-impermeable layer 20.

The lower, liquid-impermeable layer 20 can comprise 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 of a plastic film and a nonwoven material. Other laminate materials which are suitable for use as the lower layer are laminates of a nonwoven material and high-loft wadding material. The lower layer material may be breathable so as to allow vapour to escape from the absorbent core, while still preventing liquids from passing therethrough. Examples of breathable lower layer materials are porous polymeric films, nonwoven laminates of spunbond and meltblown layers, foam, and laminates of porous polymeric films and nonwoven materials. Preferably, the lower layer comprises nonwoven material.

In the illustrated example, the absorbent assembly 10 comprises an absorbent core 22. The "absorbent core" is the absorbent structure of the assembly which acquires and stores bodily fluids. The absorbent core can be of any conventional kind. Examples of commonly occurring absorbent materials are cellulosic fluff pulp, tissue, highly absorbent polymers (so called superabsorbents), absorbent foam materials, absorbent nonwoven materials or the like. It is common to combine cellulosic fluff pulp with superabsorbent polymers in an absorbent core. Superabsorbent polymers are water-swellable, water- insoluble organic or inorganic materials capable of absorbing at least about 20 times their own weight of an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent of sodium chloride. Organic materials suitable for use as a superabsorbent material can include natural materials such as polysaccharides, polypeptides and the like, as well as synthetic materials such as synthetic hydrogel polymers. Such hydrogel polymers include, for example, alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acids, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl pyridines, and the like. Other suitable polymers include hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, and isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymers and mixtures thereof. The hydrogel polymers are preferably lightly cross-linked to render the material substantially water insoluble. Preferred superabsorbent materials are further surface cross-linked so that the outer surface or shell of the superabsorbent particle, fibre, flake, sphere, etc. possesses a higher crosslink density than the inner portion of the superabsorbent. The superabsorbent materials may be in any form suitable for use in absorbent composites including particles, fibres, flakes, spheres, and the like. A high absorption capacity is provided by the use of high amounts of superabsorbent material.

The absorbent core 22 may be formed from unitary material, or may comprise layers or laminates of different compositions.

The thin absorbent bodies, 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 polymers. The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core may be varied to suit different uses, such as infants or adult incontinent persons.

Certain thin absorbent bodies, such as panty liners, might not include a separate absorbent core 22, but the upper layer 18 may per se have the absorbency required for the product.

The absorbent assembly may further include various layers for different purposes, such as an acquisition distribution layer (not shown) which is placed on top of the absorbent core and adapted to quickly receive and temporarily store discharged liquid before it is absorbed by the absorbent core. Such acquisition distribution layers are well known in the art and may be composed of porous fibrous wadding, SD plastic film, LDA (low density airlaid), multibond, latex bonded or foam materials.

In accordance with the invention, the layers or materials primarily intended to ensure the absorption of fluids is positioned above the lower, liquid-impermeable layer 20.

Underneath the lower layer 20 a compartment 24 is formed for removably receiving a stiffening element 200. The compartment 24 being located underneath the liquid- impermable lower layer 20 ensures that the stiffening element 200 will have no or little effect on the materials intended to provide absorption capacity to the assembly. The compartment 24 is formed between an upper wall 30 and a lower wall 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper wall 30 of the compartment is formed by the lowermost side of the lower, liquid-impermeable layer 20. However, it will be understood that additional layers could be provided underneath the liquid-impermeable layer so as to form an upper wall 30 for the compartment.

In the article of Figs 1a and 1 b, the lower compartment wall 32 is formed from a separate compartment forming layer 42, being attached to the upper compartment wall 30, that is to the liquid-impermeable layer 20.

Suitably, the compartment forming layer 42 forming the lower compartment wall 32 may at least partly form a lowermost layer of the absorbent article and hence it may advantageously be at least partly in contact with the garment of a wearer, when the assembly is worn.

The compartment forming layer 42 may be formed from a large variety of materials, in particular including those referred to above in connection with the lower liquid- impermeable layer 20. However, the lower compartment wall 26 need not be liquid impermeable, but could be permeable or even open towards the underside of the article. Nevertheless, the compartment 24 will be isolated from fluids acquired via the upper liquid-permeable layer 18.

As seen in Fig. 1 c, in the illustrated embodiment the lower compartment wall 32 is attached to the liquid-impermeable layer 20 along an attachment edge 36 extending along the majority of the circumference of the article 1 , leaving only a portion at a short end of the article 1 unattached, and hence forming an access opening 30 for introduction and removal of a stiffening element. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower compartment wall 32 is fixedly attached to the upper compartment wall 30 along said attachment edge 36.

The access opening 30 could be provided with a closing element, such as a tape, for forming a mechanical stop against removal of the stiffening element 20. Alternatively, the upper compartment wall 30 could be detachably connected to the upper compartment wall at the access opening 34, hence forming an open and reclosable access opening 34. In another variant, the lower compartment wall 32 may be detachably connected to the upper compartment wall 30 along at least a part of the attachment rim 36 so as to enable the lower compartment wall 32 to be at least partly detached from the upper compartment wall 30 for forming an access opening.

The absorbent article 10 includes fastening elements 40 for fastening of the absorbent article to the garment of the wearer. In the article illustrated in Figs. 1 a and 1 b, the fastening elements 40 are provided on the underside of the layer forming the lower wall 32 of the compartment 24. The fastening elements 40 may be of any type which is conventional in the art, in particular the fastening elements may be formed from an adhesive which may be initially covered by release paper. Alternatively, the fastening elements may comprise e.g. hooks, "Post-it" type adhesive or a friction coating.

Fig. 1 d illustrates an embodiment of a stiffening element 200 for introduction into an absorbent article as illustrated in Figs. 1a-1 c. Stiffening elements could be provided in a large variety of shapes, sizes, materials and degrees of stiffness. The stiffening element need not be made by a continuous material, but could be formed by a net material or could form a frame.

Fig. 1 e illustrates the introduction of the stiffening element 200 of Fig. 1 d into the absorbent article.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1a-1e, the stiffening element 200 extends over the front portion, the crotch portion, and the rear portion of the article 10. However, it does not completely mimic the contour of the article, which is wider in the front portion 12 than in the crotch portion 14 and rear portion 16. Instead, the width of the stiffening element 200 at the portion corresponding to the crotch portion is restricted to the smallest width of the crotch portion 14. This enables easy introduction of the stiffening element via the access opening 34, which is provide on a short side of the article 10. If it is desired to use a stiffening element which more closely corresponds to the shape of the article 10, having a wider front portion than crotch portion, the access opening could advantageously be provided on a long side of the article instead of on the short side. Alternatively, the lower wall 32 could be detachably connected to the upper wall along a portion of or the entire circumference of the compartment, enabling the lower wall 32 to be detached from the upper wall 30 so as to introduce the stiffening element 200. Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a three-dimensional stiffening element. The illustrated stiffening element will extend over the front portion, crotch portion and rear portion of a corresponding article. It is understood that a large variety of three-dimensional elements may be used in the context of the present invention.

A stiffening element as illustrated in Fig. 2 may be used for an absorbent article which is adapted so as to fit to the anatomy of a wearer, such that the article may be retained in a correct anatomical position in the pubic region of the wearer without need for additional fastening means. Moreover, the stiffening element as illustrated in Fig. 2 is an example of a stiffening element where different regions of the element has different stiffness, as obtained by different shapes and thicknesses of the regions.

Fig. 3a is a bottom view of another variant of an absorbent article in accordance with the invention. Fig. 3b is a perspective view of stiffening elements 200a, 200b, 200c to be selectably introduced into the absorbent article 10.

The absorbent article 1 of Fig. 3a is similar to the article of Figs 1 a-1 c, but has been provided with three compartments 24a, 24b, 24c, as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 3a. One compartment 24a is located in the rear portion 16 of the article, and has an access opening 24a located at a short side of the article 1. The other two compartments 24b and 24c are positioned opposite to one another, at the longitudinal ends of the article 1 , and longitudinally at a junction between the crotch portion 14 and the front portion 12 of the article. The two compartments 24b 24c have access openings 30b, 30c each of which opens towards one longitudinal side of the article 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, three-dimensional stiffening elements 200a, 200b, 200c as depicted in Fig. 3b are to be introduced into the respective compartments 24a, 24b, 24 c. The three-dimensional stiffening elements are slightly larger than the respective compartments, and are formed from a resilient material. Hence, the stiffening elements may be deformed for introduction into the compartments, and will strive to reassume their original shape once released in the respective compartments. This causes the stiffening elements to bias towards the upper and lower compartment walls 30, 32, enabling the stiffening elements to be retained in the respective compartments by means of friction. The compartments 24a, 24b, 24c may be formed between a compartment forming layer 42 extending over substantially the entire lower surface of the article 10, and forming a lowermost layer thereof, and a liquid-impermeable upper layer 20, which likewise extends over substantially the entire surface of the article 10. In this case, the upper layer 20 and 5 the compartment forming layer 42 are attached to each other so as to form the plurality of compartments 24a, 24b 24c.

Alternatively, the liquid impermeable layer 20 could be formed substantially only at the compartments, overlapping or corresponding to the shape of the respective compartments 10 24a, 24b, 24c. The liquid impermeable layer 20 could be formed by several separate layer items, up to one for each of the plurality of compartment 24a, 24b, 24c, in this case being.

Alternatively, the liquid impermeable layer 20 could cover substantially the entire surface 15 of the article 10, and the compartment forming layer 42 could be provided as a plurality of separate items, up to one for each compartment 24a, 24b, 24c.

The article 10 is provided with fastening elements 40 for fastening the article 10 to the garment of a wearer. Alternatively, the wearer-facing side of the article could be provided 20 with e.g. an adhesive for attachment of the article 10 to the body of the wearer.

Figs 4a and 4b illustrate an embodiment where the lower compartment wall 32 extends over only the crotch portion 14 of the article 1. The lower compartment wall 32 is attached to the liquid-impermeable layer 20 along an attachment edge 36, which in this case 25 extends along the circumference of the lower compartment wall 32. Hence, only a portion of the liquid-impermeable layer 20 corresponding to the lower compartment wall 32 will form an upper compartment wall 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lower compartment wall 30 is fixedly attached to the 30 upper compartment wall 32 along a transversal side portion 36a of the attachment edge. The lower compartment wall 30 is detachably attached to the upper compartment wall 32 along the remainder of the attachment edge 36. Accordingly, the lower compartment wall 30 may be partly detached from the upper compartment wall and folded out over the fixedly attached edge, which will form a hinge connecting the upper and lower 35 compartment walls 32, 30. When the lower compartment wall 30 is detached from the upper compartment wall 32, an access opening 34 is formed, enabling access to the compartment 24 and to the stiffening element 200.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lower compartment wall 32 is formed by a compartment forming layer 42, being attached under the liquid-impermeable layer 20 so as to partly cover the liquid-impermeable layer 20.

In the embodiment of Figs 4a and 4b, a plurality of fastening elements 40 is present on the underside of the article. In this case, one fastening element 40 is provided at the liquid-impermable layer 20 at each of the front and rear portions 12, 16 of the article 10. Another fastening element 40 is attached to the compartment forming layer 42, at the crotch portion of the article 1.

Figs 5a and 5b illustrate an embodiment where, similarly to the embodiment of Figs 4a and 4b, the lower compartment wall 30 is partly fixedly attached and partly detachably attached to the upper compartment wall 32. However, in this case, the fixed attachment between the upper and lower compartment wall 32, 30 is achieved by the upper and the lower compartment wall 32, 30 being formed from one and the same sheet of material 38, as illustrated in Fig. 5b. In this case, the sheet of material 38 also forms the liquid- impermeable layer 20, and, with the denomination as used for the previous embodiments, the compartment forming layer 42.

The article 10 depicted in Figs 5a and 5b has a generally rectangular shape. The stiffening element 200 for introduction in the compartment 24 has, in this case an anatomically adapted shape.

It is understood that a similar arrangement with the upper and lower compartment walls 30, 32 being formed from one sheet of material may also be used to form smaller compartments, such as e.g. a compartment extending over the front or rear portion of the article 10.

Surface area

For determining the relative surface areas of regions or layers as described in the above, a method may be used where the article, the device (layer, article, assembly or stiffening element etc) is positioned on a horizontal surface, upside up. An image taken vertically from above (a top view) is used to outline the borders of the device, and the surface area is determined to be the area on the image as encircled by the borders of the device. Hence, the flat image is used for the evaluation, although the devices to be evaluated may have a three-dimensional configuration. The devices are to be evaluated before use thereof, that is, before any subsequent deformation.

It will be understood that a wide variety of embodiments and alternatives are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, the articles are provided with fastening elements for fastening the article to the garment of a wearer. Alternatively, the wearer-facing side of the article could be provided with e.g. an adhesive for fastening to a wearer.

The absorbent articles could be provided with wings extending from the longitudinal sides of the article.

The lower compartment wall is often described as being attached to the upper compartment wall. This is considered to include also embodiments where the particular point of attachment is located elsewhere than on the particular walls. For example, a lower wall could be formed by a compartment forming sheet which is positioned adjacent to the upper wall, then folded over the upper wall and attached e.g. on the upper side of the layer forming the upper compartment wall, or on the top side of the article itself. Also in this case, an attachment between the upper compartment wall and the lower compartment wall is created.

The stiffening element need not be completely enclosed by the compartment. Instead, the stiffening element may be larger than the lower compartment wall, such that the stiffening element is displayed even when it is in place in the compartment. For example, the lower compartment wall may comprise one or more individual wall members, each of which is adapted to extend over a portion of the stiffening element so as to maintain the stiffening element in said compartment. Such individual wall members could for example be band shaped, and extending between the longitudinal sides of the absorbent article. In another example, the individual wall members could be provided in the corners of the absorbent article, so as to maintain the stiffening element in the compartment by gripping the corners thereof. Moreover, the compartment may be provided with a perforation or tear line in order to enable it to be torn open for simplifying removal of the stiffening element. This may be particularly advantageous for cases where the stiffening element is relatively difficult to access, such as variants where the compartment does not include a lower compartment wall being wholly or partly detachable from the upper compartment wall.

The stiffening element may display a large variety of forms and sizes. Also, the stiffening element may comprise different regions having mutually different sizes, stiffness, and/or elasticity, or the different regions may be provided with different folding lines.

Moreover, the stiffening element may be provided with a gripping member, such as a flap or handle portion, for facilitating gripping thereof. Preferably, the gripping member may be adapted such that it sticks out of the compartment when the stiffening member is positioned in the absorbent article. The provision of a gripping member on the stiffening element may be particularly advantageous for embodiments where the compartment covers essentially the entire stiffening element.

Claims

1. An absorbent article (10), comprising a layered structure including an upper liquid- permeable layer (18) for facing the wearer during use, and a lower, liquid impermeable layer (20), characterised in that the article (1 ) comprises a compartment (24) located below said liquid impermeable layer (20) so as to be isolated from any liquid acquired by the article (1 ) through said upper liquid-permeable layer (18); said compartment (24) being formed between an upper compartment wall (30) and a lower compartment wall (32), and said compartment (24) being accessible from the outside of said absorbent article (1 ) via an access opening (34), for receiving a removable stiffening element (200).

2. An absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein said access opening (34) is openable and reclosable

3. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said lower compartment wall (32) is at least partly detachable from said upper compartment wall (30), for forming said access opening (34).

4. An absorbent article according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said lower compartment wall (32) is at least partly fixedly attached to said upper compartment wall (30).

5. An absorbent article according to claims 3 and 4, wherein said lower compartment wall (32) is partly fixedly attached to said upper compartment wall (32), and partly detachable from the upper compartment wall (32), such that said access opening (34) is formed by detaching a portion of the lower compartment wall (32) from the upper compartment wall (30).

6. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said article (1 ) has an elongate shape defining two long sides and two short sides, wherein said compartment (24) is accessible from the outside via an access opening (34) located at one of said two short sides of the article.

7. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said article (1 ) has an elongate shape defining two long sides and two short sides, wherein said compartment (24) is accessible from the outside via an access opening (34) located at one of said two long sides of the article.

5

8. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said upper wall (30) is at least partly formed by said lower liquid-impermeable layer (20).

9. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said upper 10 compartment wall (30) and said lower compartment wall (32) are formed from a continuous sheet of material (38), said sheet being folded so as to form said compartment (24).

10. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

15 surface area of the compartment (24) is at least 20% of the surface area of the article, preferably at least 30%, most preferred at least 50%.

1 1. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface area of the compartment (24) extends over the front portion (12), the crotch

20 portion (14) and the rear portion (16) of the absorbent article.

12. An absorbent article according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the surface area of the compartment (24) is less than the surface area of the absorbent article.

25 13. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compartment (24) is located in at least one out of a front portion (12), a crotch portion (14) or a rear portion (15) of the absorbent article.

14. An absorbent article according to any one of the previous claims, comprising two or 30 more compartments (24) for receiving two or more stiffening elements (200).

15. An absorbent article according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said absorbent article (1 ) comprises a garment facing side which is provided with a fastening element (40) for fastening the absorbent article to the undergarment of a wearer.

35

16. An absorbent assembly, comprising an absorbent article (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1-15 and a removable stiffening element (200) being received in the compartment of the absorbent article.

5 17. An absorbent assembly according to claim 16, wherein said stiffening element (200) is reusable.

18. An absorbent assembly according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said stiffening element (200) is planar.

10

19. An absorbent assembly according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said stiffening element (200) is three-dimensional.

20. An absorbent assembly according to any one of the claims 16-19, wherein said 15 stiffening element (200) is non-absorbent.

21. An absorbent assembly according to any one of the claims 16-20, wherein the stiffening element (200) is formed from a plastic material.

20 22. An absorbent assembly according to any one of the claims 16-21 , wherein the stiffening element (200) has a surface area being at least 20% of the surface area of the absorbent article (1 ), preferably at least 30%, most preferred at least 50%.

23. An absorbent assembly according to any one of the claims 16-22, wherein the 25 stiffening element (200) is retained in the compartment by means of friction.

24. An absorbent assembly according to claim 23, wherein the stiffening element (200), when in a relaxed state, is larger than the compartment (24), such that the stiffening element (200) is deformed when introduced therein, so as to be biased towards the walls

30 of the compartment (24) for increasing the friction between the stiffening element (200) and the compartment (24).

25. An absorbent assembly according to any one of claims 16-22, wherein the stiffening element (200) is retained in the compartment (24) by a mechanical stop.

35

26. An absorbent assembly according to claim 25, wherein the stiffening element (200) is retained in the compartment (24) by the access opening (34) being closable.

27. A kit comprising a plurality of absorbent articles (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1-15 and at least one stiffening element (200) for introduction in the compartments (24) of said absorbent articles (1 ).

28. A kit according to claim 27 comprising a plurality of different stiffening elements (200) for introduction in the compartments (24) of said absorbent articles (1 ).