Patent Application
20220192894
The present disclosure relates to an absorbent pad comprising a fluid permeable topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core and wherein an elastic element is disposed between the fluid permeable topsheet and the backsheet outside of a respective longitudinal side edge of the absorbent core.
Absorbent pads of the kind that is worn inside ordinary underpants includes absorbent napkins or pads for adult incontinence or feminine use.
The napkins or pads are generally provided with an absorbent core to receive and retain body liquids. The absorbent core may be shaped, such as for example having an hourglass shape or longitudinal edges being curved, for indication of correct positioning of the absorbent pad in the user crotch region. However, shaped absorbent core may be connected to a high amount of material spill during forming and cutting the absorbent core from material webs.
Absorbent pads may be provided with elastic elements along the longitudinal edges for shaping and forming the absorbent articles during use. This may be of particular interest for absorbent pads intended for night use or heavier bladder leakage, which may receive higher amounts of liquids and rapid insults of bodily fluids for reducing the risk of lateral leakages.
It is an aim of the present disclosure to provide an improved absorbent pad, which is simple and cost efficient to manufacture but which still has an improved absorbency performance.
One or more of the above purposes may be achieved with an absorbent pad in accordance with an absorbent pad having first and second longitudinal pad side edges and front and rear pad end edges, and comprising a fluid permeable topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core including a first core layer being located between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core having first and second longitudinal side edges and front and rear end edges, the absorbent core in its longitudinal direction having a front portion, a rear portion and an intermediate portion located between the front portion and the rear portion, the front portion, the rear portion and the intermediate portion being of equal lengths, wherein an elastic element is disposed between the fluid permeable topsheet and the backsheet outside of the respective longitudinal core side edges, wherein a width (w) of the absorbent core in front portion and intermediate portion varies no more than 25 mm along a length of the absorbent core extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core, and wherein the respective elastic elements each extends along at least a part of the front portion and over at least 30% of the intermediate portion. Further embodiments are set out in the following description and in the drawings.
The absorbent pad according to the invention has first and second longitudinal pad side edges and front and rear pad end edges. The absorbent pad comprises a fluid permeable topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core including a first core layer being located between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core has first and second longitudinal side edges and front and rear end edges. The absorbent core in its longitudinal direction has a front portion, a rear portion and an intermediate portion located between the front portion and the rear portion, the front portion, the rear portion and the intermediate portion being of equal lengths. An elastic element is disposed between the fluid permeable topsheet and the backsheet outside of the respective longitudinal core side edges. A width of the absorbent core in the front portion and the intermediate portion varies no more than 25 mm along a length of the absorbent core extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core. The respective elastic elements each extends along at least a part of the front portion and along at least 30% of the intermediate portion of the absorbent core.
Optionally, the width of the absorbent core varies no more than 25 mm along the entire length of the absorbent core, i.e., the width of the absorbent core varies no more than 25 mm along the front portion, the intermediate portion and the rear portion of the absorbent core.
When producing absorbent cores for absorbent articles, webs of absorbent material, such as for example fluff fibers, fluff fibers mixed with superabsorbent particles, nonwoven material or any other absorbent material suitable for use in an absorbent core in an absorbent pad, may be cut into a predetermined shape. For rectangular absorbent cores there is in generally no spillage of material during cutting manufacturing. However, for shaped absorbent core the spillage may be relatively high. Hence, with an absorbent core having a width in the front portion and the intermediate portion varying no more than 25 mm along a length of the absorbent core extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core, the material spillage is low.
It is also possible to produce absorbent cores for absorbent articles based on a core forming drum which comprises a rotating cylinder. A number of core molds may be arranged along the circumference of a cylinder. A supply of fibres of cellulosic fluff pulp, optionally mixed with superabsorbents may be arranged above the drum in a manner so that said material fills the core molds as they pass the position of the supply during rotation of the cylinder. In order to assist this procedure, a vacuum chamber including a vacuum source may be arranged in the cylinder so as to draw air through the core molds.
The width of the absorbent core in the front portion and the intermediate portion may vary from 3 mm up to 25 mm along a length of the absorbent core extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core. Optionally a width of the absorbent core along the entire length of the absorbent core varies from 3 mm up to 25 mm. Such a varying width may provide an absorbent core for which the material spillage is low during production but which still may improve fitting of the pad in the crotch region. An example is if the absorbent core has a varying transverse width, with a section somewhere in a transitional area between the front portion and the intermediate portion being narrower than the transversal width of the other parts of the absorbent core.
Optionally, a width of the absorbent core varies 0-25 mm along a length of the absorbent core, or 0-25 mm along the entire length of the absorbent core. Optionally the width of the absorbent core varies not more than 20 mm, 10 mm, 5 mm, or 2 mm along a length of the absorbent core or along the entire length of the absorbent core. The width of the absorbent core may be generally rectangular. By generally rectangular is meant that the width of the absorbent core may not vary more than 3 mm along the length of the absorbent core.
The area between the fluid permeable topsheet and the backsheet and outside of the respective longitudinal core side edges of the rear portion of the core may be free from elastic elements.
The fact that the elastic elements are disposed between the fluid permeable topsheet and the backsheet outside of the respective longitudinal core side edges and over at least a part of the front portion and over at least 30% of the intermediate portion, provides the longitudinal edges at the front and intermediate portions of the absorbent core with elasticity which helps shaping the absorbent pad to a cup-shape in a transition zone between the front portion of the intermediate portion. This has been seen to reduce lateral leakage significantly. Furthermore, as the absorbent pad is essentially rectangular, the fact that the elastic elements are arranged outwardly and along the longitudinal edge of the front portion of the absorbent core, provides indication of correct placement of the absorbent pad with respect to the front and rear sections of the absorbent pad. The fact that the elastic elements are closer towards the front end edge as compared to the rear end edge provides a visual cue to the user of a longer absorbent pad having a longer rear end. This may provide the user of a sense of security with respect to leakage from the absorbent pad rear end. For nigh pads user may often feel worried that the products will leak at the rear end. This may cause troubles sleeping due to for example fear of sleeping in certain positions or waking up repeatedly during the night to ensure that there has been no leakage from the pad.
By the transitional zone between the front portion and the intermediate portion, means a zone covering a rear section of the front portion and/or a front section of the intermediate portion, such as for example a zone extending 25 mm, or 10 mm in a direction towards the front core edge, or 25 mm, or 10 mm towards the rear core edge from the transition line between the front portion and the intermediate portion.
A further advantage of having the elastic elements arranged closer towards the front end edge of the absorbent core as compared to the rear end edge of the absorbent core is that the rear portion of the absorbent core and a rear portion of the absorbent pad is flattened out and the risk of the rear portion being folded or displaced is reduced, while the front/intermediate section is provided with a bowl-shape for improved leakage security.
The respective elastic elements may optionally extend along at least 40% of the intermediate portion of the absorbent core, as seen from a transition between the front portion and the intermediate portion and towards the rear portion. Optionally, the respective elastic elements may optionally extend along at least 50% of the intermediate portion of the absorbent core or at least 60% of the intermediate portion of the absorbent core. Optionally, the respective elastic elements do not extend along more than 95% of the intermediate portion of the absorbent core.
Optionally, at least 10% of the length of the intermediate portion, outside of the respective longitudinal core side edges, are free from elastic elements in the rear section of the intermediate portion.
The absorbent pad may have an interspace free from absorbent material located between the respective elastic elements and the absorbent core.
The fact that there is an interspace free from absorbent material located between the respective elastic elements and the absorbent core promotes the formation of a more distinct bowl shape of the absorbent pad, as the interspace free from absorbent material are easier to raise and thereby forming side walls along the longitudinal side edges of the absorbent core.
The front end of each elastic element may also coincide or being adjacent the respective longitudinal core side edge.
The topsheet may be attached directly to the backsheet in the interspace free from absorbent material located between the respective elastic elements and the absorbent core. This may stabilize the bowl shape and the material provided along the outer edges of the absorbent core.
Optionally, the front end of each elastic element is coinciding or being adjacent the respective longitudinal core side edge. By adjacent is meant that the length in the transversal direction between the front end of the elastic element and the longitudinal core side edge is 3-0.5 mm or 2-0.5 mm, which means that the interspace free from absorbent material located between the respective elastic elements and the absorbent core is also 3-0.5 mm or 2-0.5 mm.
Optionally, a width of the first core layer arranged in the front portion and the intermediate portion of the absorbent core varies 25 mm or less along a length of the first core layer extending in the longitudinal direction. Optionally the first core layer varies 25 mm or less along the entire length of the first core layer. The outer contour of the absorbent core may correspond to the outer contour of the first core layer.
The absorbent core may comprise a second core layer located between the topsheet and the backsheet. Optionally the second core layer is located between the topsheet and first core layer. The second core layer may have a smaller surface area than the first core layer and the absorbent core and a first and a second longitudinal side edge of the second core layer may be provided laterally inwards of the first and second side edges of the absorbent core. Optionally, a width of the second core layer varies 0-25 mm along a length of the second core layer, or 0-25 mm along the entire length of the second core layer. Optionally the width of the second core layer varies less than the width of the first core layer, for example not more than 25 mm, 10 mm, 5 mm, or 2 mm along a length of the second core layer or along the entire length of the second core layer. The second core layer may be generally rectangular.
The second core layer may extend over at least a part of the front portion and the intermediate portion of the first core layer and wherein the second core layer has a length which is shorter than the first core layer. A first and a second longitudinal side edge of the second core layer may be provided laterally inwards of the first and second side edges of the absorbent core. As the absorbent core comprises both a first and a second core layer in the transition zone between the front portion and the intermediate portion this zone may be relatively thick. The fact that the elastic elements are arranged closer to the front end edge of the absorbent core promotes better shaping of the absorbent articles at the desired area as the thicker absorbent core would otherwise render this area more difficult to shape.
Optionally, a width of the second core layer varies 0-25 mm along a length of the second core layer, or 0-25 mm along the entire length of the second core layer. Optionally the width of the second core layer varies less than the width of the first core layer. Optionally the second core layer is generally rectangular. By generally rectangular is meant that the width of the second core layer does not vary more than 3 mm along its length.
The absorbent core may have rounded front and end edges and these rounded edges are not considered as part of the core length when defining “generally rectangular”.
A thickness of the absorbent pad in the area where the absorbent core comprises a first and a second core layer could for example be 4 mm or more, such as from 4 mm to 25 mm, the thickness measurement being made at a load of 0.5 kPa with a 5.0×5.0 cm square plate.
The absorbent pad may in the area between the elastic elements have a thickness of 4 mm or more, such as from 4 mm to 25 mm, the thickness measurement being made at a load of 0.5 kPa with a 5×5 cm square plate.
The respective elastic elements extend laterally outboard a widest portion, as seen in a transverse direction, of the front portion of the second core layer. Such arrangement promotes better shaping of the absorbent articles, as the greater width of the absorbent core could otherwise render this area more difficult to shape.
Optionally, a width of the second core layer varies less than 25 mm along a length of the second core layer or less than 25 mm along the entire length of the second core layer. Optionally the width of the second core layer varies less than the width of the first core layer, for example not more than 10 mm, or 5 mm, along a length l of the second core layer extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core, or along the entire length of the second core layer.
Optionally, each of the areas between the topsheet and the backsheet and outside of the respective longitudinal core side edges along the rear portion of the absorbent core are free from elastic elements.
The elastic elements may have an extension in the longitudinal direction of from 20% to 50% of the total length of the absorbent core, as measured when the elastic elements is in a relaxed condition.
The length in the longitudinal direction between the front end edge of respective elastic element and the front end edge of the absorbent core may be not more than 66% of the total length of the front portion of the absorbent core. Such arrangement promotes better shaping of the pad in a front section of the pad and indicates to the user which portion is the front and rear portion of the article, which could otherwise be an issue for an absorbent pad with a fairly rectangular shape.
Optionally, the length in the longitudinal direction between the front end edge of respective elastic element and the front end edge of the second core layer may be not more than 20% of the total length of the front portion of the absorbent core.
Optionally, the backsheet is provided with adhesive means on a garment-facing side thereof. For absorbent pads provided with adhesive means on a garment-facing side thereof and being intended to be attached to a wearer undergarment there is a risk that the rear portion of the absorbent pad folds itself in the rear section and that different adhesive sections of the backsheet stick together instead of adhering to the undergarment. The fact that the elastic elements are arranged more towards the front portion of the absorbent pad is that the rear portion of the absorbent core and a rear portion of the absorbent pad is flattened out and the risk of the rear portion being folded or displaced is reduced, while the front/intermediate section is provided with a bowl-shape for improved leakage security.
The absorbent pad may be an over-night pad.
The topsheet may be printed in a printed central absorption zone arranged over the front portion, the rear portion and the intermediate portion of the absorbent core. The printed central absorption zone may be provided with a first printed pattern comprising first print element. The printed central absorption zone may have a varying transverse width, with a narrow portion of the printed central absorption zone coinciding, as seen from above, with the transition area between the front portion and the intermediate portion of the core. The narrow portion being narrower than the transversal width of the rest of the central absorption zone and the transverse width in the narrowest section is from 50% to 80% of a widest section of the absorbent core.
When measuring the width of the printed central absorption zone, a line is drawn around the first printed pattern along the outermost first printed elements and thereby forming an outer contour line.
The fact that the absorbent core has a rectangular or modified rectangular shape within at least the front and the intermediate portion may lead to that the user has greater difficulty in identifying the front and the rear part of the absorbent pad. However, when the transverse width of the printed central absorption zone is more narrow in a portion of the topsheet being arranged over a transition zone of the front portion and the intermediate portion, this gives the user the impression of an shaped article and thereby supports correct placement of the article, such as which part of the absorbent pad that is intended to be arranged at level with the tendons and also the intended direction of the absorbent pad.
The printed central absorption zone may be enclosed by a printed contour line(s) following the contour of the central absorption zone. Such print further accentuates the contour of the central absorption zone and this further accentuates which part of the absorbent pad that is intended to be arranged at level with the tendons and thus the intended direction of the absorbent pad.
The topsheet may be provided with a printed peripheral security zone arranged at least over the rear portion of the absorbent core. The printed peripheral security zone comprising a second printed pattern comprising second print elements and a degree of coverage of the second printed pattern may be at least 30% greater than a degree of coverage of the first printed pattern. The printed peripheral security zone may also be arranged in the topsheet being arranged over the front portion and/or the intermediate portion of the absorbent core. The printed peripheral security zone may enclose the printed central absorption zone over each of the front portion, intermediate portion and the rear portion of the absorbent core.
The degree of coverage may be measured by taking measuring over an area of 20×20 mm within the respective printed pattern, in an area relatively centralized within the pattern.
The coverage of the first printed pattern may be from 5% or more, optionally from 5% to 25%.
The coverage of the second printed pattern may be from 10% or more, optionally between 10% and 55%.
The present invention will be further explained hereinafter by means of non-limiting examples and with reference to the appended drawings wherein:
The invention will be described more closely below by reference to an exemplary embodiment. The invention may however be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth in the drawings and the description thereto.
The absorbent core 8 furthermore includes a second core layer 28 located between the topsheet 6 and the first core layer 18. The second core layer 28 has a smaller surface area than the first core layer 18 and the second core layer 28 has a length which is shorter than the length of the first core layer 18 and a first and a second longitudinal side edge of the second core layer 28 are provided laterally inwards of the respective first and second longitudinal side edges 8a,8b of the absorbent core 8.
The absorbent core 8 illustrated in
The topsheet 6 may include or consist of fibrous nonwoven layer(s) being spunbonded, meltblown, carded, hydroentangled, wetlaid etc. Suitable nonwoven materials can be composed of natural fibers, such as wood pulp or cotton fibres, synthetic thermoplastic fibres, such as polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides and blends and combinations thereof or from a mixture of natural and synthetic fibres. The materials suited as topsheet materials should be soft and non-irritating to the skin and be readily penetrated by body fluid, such as urine or menstrual fluid. The topsheet material may essentially consist of synthetic thermoplastic fibers, such as polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides and blends and combinations thereof. The synthetic fibers may be monocomponent fibers, bicomponent fibers or multicomponent fibers including polyesters, polyamides and/or polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene.
The absorbent core 8 may be of any conventional kind. 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 structure. It is also common to have absorbent structures comprising layers of different material with different properties with respect to liquid acquisition capacity, liquid distribution capacity and storage capacity. Components for improving various properties of the absorbent core can also form part of the absorbent core. Examples of such component are binding fibers, various types of fluid-dispersing layers or fibers, dimensionally stabilising component, reinforcing fibers or like. This is well-known to the person skilled in the art and does therefore not have to be described in detail. The thin absorbent bodies, which are common in today's sanitary articles, often, comprise a compressed mixed or layered structure of cellulosic fluff pulp and superabsorbent. The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent structure may be varied to be suited for different uses such as sanitary articles, panty liners, adult incontinence pads and diapers, baby diapers, pant diapers, etc.
The backsheet 7 may consist of 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. Laminates of plastic films and nonwoven materials may also be used. The backsheet material can be breathable so as to allow vapor to escape from the absorbent structure, while still preventing liquids from passing through the backsheet material.
The elastic elements 12,13 can consist of one or more elastic threads, elastic ribbon, elastic film and/or elastic foam.
As may be seen in the figure, the respective elastic elements 12,13 each extends along at least a part of the front portion 9 and over at least 30% of the intermediate portion 10, such as in this figure almost 90% of the intermediate portion 10, leaving a portion along the intermediate portion of the absorbent core closest to the rear end edge of the absorbent pad free from elastic elements 12,13. The elastic elements 12,13 are arranged at a distance from the longitudinal side edges 8a,8b of the absorbent core 8, such that there is an interspace free from absorbent material located between the absorbent core 8 and the elastic elements 12,13. The elastic elements 12,13 furthermore extend laterally outboard a widest portion in the front portion 9, as seen in a transverse direction T, of the second core layer (28).
In
The printed central absorption zone 14 has a varying transverse width wp with a narrow portion of the printed central absorption zone 14 arranged over a part of the topsheet being arranged above the transition zone between the absorbent core front portion 9 and the absorbent core intermediate portion 11, i.e., in a rear section of the front portion 9, or alternatively in a front section of the intermediate portion 11. The narrow portion being narrower than the transversal width wp of the rest of the printed central absorption zone 14 and wherein the transverse width wp in the most narrow section is from 50% to 80% of a widest section of the absorbent core 8.
The topsheet 6 is furthermore provided with a printed peripheral security zone 19 provided around the printed central absorption zone 14 and over the front portion 9, the intermediate portion 11 and the rear portion 10 of the absorbent core 8. The printed peripheral security zone 19 comprises a second printed pattern 20 comprising second print elements 21, here in the form of a floral pattern. A degree of coverage of the second printed pattern 20 is at least 30% greater than a degree of coverage of the first printed pattern 15.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SE2019/050502 | 5/29/2019 | WO | 00 |
