Patent Application
20230064927
The present invention pertains to the technical field of absorbent articles, and more in particular to packages comprising a bag and a stack of absorbent articles. The present invention also pertains to methods for manufacturing such packages for a stack of absorbent articles.
In recent years there has been a development towards the manufacturing of eco-friendly absorbent articles wherein less chemicals and more sustainable materials are used as compared to traditional disposable absorbent articles.
Typically, the packaging of absorbent articles is made of plastic material. Plastic packaging material is very flexible to be manipulated into different shapes and sizes of packaging, can be easily sealed and offers a lot of possibilities in view of coloring and/or branding of the absorbent article packaging. Although more eco-friendly, non-plastic packaging materials exist, these materials unfortunately do not provide the same benefits in view of flexibility and/or usability in terms of packaging as compared to plastic packaging materials.
The object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a package of absorbent articles which is both eco-friendly and user friendly. More in particular it is an object of embodiment of the invention to provide a package which offers protection against environmental influences to the absorbent articles, which can easily be handled by a user, and/or which can easily be opened by a caregiver when needed.
According to a first aspect there is provided a package comprising a bag and a stack of absorbent articles having a substantially rectangular shape, wherein the stack of absorbent articles is arranged in the bag. The bag is made of a paper material having a basis weight between 60 and 100 g/m2 measured according to the ISO 536 standard. The bag has a closed bottom, a closed top, and a peripheral wall between said bottom and said top, and the bag is provided at least on an inner surface of the bag near the top, with a sealable coating. The closed top is realized by a sealed portion of the sealable coating.
Embodiments of the invention are based on the inventive insight that a bag of paper material with a basis weight between 60 and 100 g/m2 provides a sufficient amount of protection against environmental influences to the stack of absorbent articles. In this manner, the absorbent articles are kept safe from any possible pollution or contamination before the package is actually opened. Although paper material is less flexible as compared to the commonly used plastic packaging material, it has been found that this particular range of basis weight allows that the paper material is manipulated in such a way as to fold and/or shape it into a bag, without the risk of the paper material being ripped or torn. In addition, by providing a sealable coating, e.g. a thermoplastic coating, on the inner surface of the bag near the top, the paper material bag can be efficiently sealed.
It is noted that the sealable coating can be provided only locally near the top, or alternatively over a larger portion of the inner surface or over substantially the entire inner surface of the bag. The sealable coating can be applied according to a continuous or discontinuous coating pattern.
It is noted that the bag, alternatively or in addition to comprising paper material, can comprise other non-plastic materials such as non-woven materials. Preferably the bag is made of a non-plastic material having a basis weight between 60 and 100 g/m2. In the context of this application a paper material is to be understood as a material produced by pressing together moist fibres of cellulose pulp, optionally in combination with other materials, and drying the fibres into preferably flexible sheets. Preferably the paper material is a single-layered material having a basis weight between 60 and 100 g/m2. Alternatively, the paper material is a laminated paper material. Single-layered material is preferred over laminated paper material as it does not require additional glue or adhesive to laminate at least two layers of the laminated paper material.
Preferably the coating is water based. In less preferred embodiments the coating may be acrylic or PE based. Preferably the coating is recyclable, e.g. in accordance with UNI 11743:2019. Preferably the coating is mineral-oil free, and more preferably fulfils the standard FDA 175.105-176.180.. Preferably, the coating has a seal temperature initiation between 70 and 110° C.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the peripheral wall comprises a front wall, a rear wall opposite said front wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall opposite said first side wall. Preferably, at the top, the first and the second side wall are folded inwardly such that two first wing portions are formed where the top joins the first side wall and such that two second wing portions are formed where the top joins the second side wall.
As will be further described in combination with the figures, the paper bag typically enwraps the stacked absorbent articles quite closely or narrowly. This, in combination with the higher stiffness of paper material as compared to plastic packaging material, results in a rather rigid package which is not easily pressed in, e.g. by a finger or a hand, and thus cannot be easily gripped. However, the formed wing portions provide gripping means for a user and allow the package of absorbent articles to be easily gripped. Since preferably two wing portions are provided near each side wall, the resulting package can be easily gripped or handled from many different directions and according to many different orientations. It is further noted that the provision of the wing portions also results in a dented corner area below the wing portions at each side wall, where the package can be easily gripped and the bag can be opened by pulling “open” the wing portions. In addition the resulting package can be stacked and/or displayed in a supermarket on any one of the faces of the package, e.g. on the bottom, on the top, or on any one of the sides of the peripheral wall, i.e. front, rear, first side, second side.
In further exemplary embodiments the length of the sealed first wings and the length of the sealed second wings is between 1 cm and 8 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 7 cm, more preferably between 3 cm and 6 cm. It has been found that wings having these dimensions are especially convenient to be gripped by shoppers and/or caregivers.
In further developed exemplary embodiments the length of the sealed portion between the first wings and the second wings is between 8 cm and 40 cm, preferably between 10 cm and 30 cm, more preferably between 12 cm and 20 cm.
According to a further embodiment, the sealable coating extends at least over a closed peripheral inner portion of the inner surface of the bag. In this manner a good and tight seal of the package is ensured. In addition this allows that each wing portion that is formed is also adequately sealed.
Preferably, the stack of absorbent articles is arranged such that each absorbent article extends in an upright direction between the bottom and the top. In this manner, when the package of absorbent articles is opened near the top, the absorbent articles can easily be taken out of the package.
According to typical embodiments, the absorbent articles are any one of the following: baby diapers, pants, adult incontinence garments.
Preferably, the absorbent article is a folded absorbent article, wherein a crotch portion of the absorbent article is located at the top of the bag, and wherein a rear and front end of the absorbent article are located at the bottom of the bag. In this manner, when the bag is opened near the sealed top side a caregiver can easily take one individual absorbent article out of the bag, while keeping the other absorbent articles intact and in the bag. Although less preferred, embodiments exist wherein the absorbent articles are folded and/or arranged in the bag in a different manner.
Preferably, the folded absorbent articles have a width between 7 cm and 20 cm, and a height between 15 cm and 40 cm.
According to an embodiment, the bottom has a width between 9 cm and 20 cm, preferably between 10 cm and 15 cm, and a length between 15 cm and 50 cm, preferably between 20 cm and 40 cm.
According to exemplary embodiment, the coating is made of any one of the following materials or a combination thereof: a polymer material such as a polyethylene material, e.g. as a low density polyethylene (LDPE), a bio coating, a printed lacquer, 1,4 succinic, fumaric and malic acids, 2,5 furan dicarboxylic acid, 3 hydroxy propionic acid, aspartic acid, glucaric acid, glutamic acid, itaconic acid, levulinic acid, 3-hydroxybutyrolactone, glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol/arabinito, tricarboxylic acid. In this manner a coating is provided which can be efficiently sealed by applying heat and/or pressure thereto. Preferably the applied sealable coating is biodegradable.
Preferably, the coating has a basis weight between 3 g/m2 and 25 g/m2, more preferably between5 g/m2 and 25 g/m2, even more preferably between 7 g/m2 and 20 g/m2, even more preferably between 8 g/m2 and 16 g/m2.
Preferred coating materials include, but are not limited to, LDPE, preferably having a basis weight between 3 g/m2 and 6 g/m2, biocoating, preferably having a basis weight between 13 g/m2 and 17 g/m2.
According to a preferred embodiment the paper material has a basis weight measured according to the ISO 536 standard between 65 g/m2 and 85 g/m2. It has been found that this particular range of basis weight allows that the paper material is manipulated in such a way as to fold and/or shape it into a bag, while reducing the risk that the paper material is ripped or torn during manufacturing of the package.
Preferably the paper material has a basis weight of about 70 g/m2, most preferably the paper material has a basis weight of about 80 g/m2.
It is clear to the skilled person that paper material having the required basis weight can be combined with one or more of the described coating materials, and that many combinations are possible.
According to a further embodiment the bottom is formed by folding and gluing a portion of the paper material, such that is has a substantially rectangular shape. Such substantially rectangular shaped bottom is preferred to support the stack of absorbent articles in the bag in terms of efficient use of space and/or material.
Preferably, the bottom is provided with a handle made of paper material. In this manner, the package can be even more easily gripped.
Preferably, the package further comprises a paper sheet with two cuts wherein the paper sheet is glued to the bottom of the bag in an area around the two cuts, such that an area of the paper sheet between the two cuts functions as the handle.
According to a possible embodiment the paper material is an unbleached paper material. This contributes to the eco-friendly character of the packaging, since fewer chemicals are used in manufacturing the packaging as compared to bleached paper. Preferably, the paper material is a full brown paper material, such as a calendared brown paper material, having a basis weight according to the ISO 536 standard between 65 g/m2 and 85 g/m2. More preferably the paper material has a basis weight of about 70 g/m2, most preferably the paper material has a basis weight of about 80 g/m2.
According to a preferred embodiment the paper material has any one or more of following properties, in test conditions as specified in ISO 554 -1976 (23 +/- 1° C. / 50 +/- 2%):
It has been found that any one these properties enable the paper material to be manipulated during a manufacturing process of a package filled with absorbent articles, while reducing the risk that the paper material is prematurely ripped or torn.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a package for a stack of absorbent articles, comprising the steps of:
It will be understood by the skilled person that the features and advantages disclosed hereinabove with respect to various embodiments of the package may also apply, mutatis mutandis, to various embodiments of the manufacturing method.
According to an embodiment, the peripheral wall comprises a front wall, a rear wall opposite to the front wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall. Preferably, before the step of sealing, the first and the second side wall are folded inwardly at the top, such that two first wing portions are formed where the top joins the first side wall and such that two second wing portions are formed where the top joins the second side wall.
According to a preferred embodiment, before the step of sealing, the open top end of the bag is provided with a manipulation part containing a plurality of holes, and, prior to the step of arranging of the stack of absorbent articles in the bag, the bag is arranged on a stack of bags, with a plurality of pins extending through the plurality of holes. Preferably, the step of arranging comprises opening the bag whilst the bag is held by the plurality of pins, and pushing the stack of absorbent articles in the bag. A hole may comprise e.g. a round hole with a diameter e.g. between 10 and 30 mm. The skilled person understands that other shapes (e.g. oval, polygonal, such as rectangular or square, etc) and sizes are also possible.
Preferably, the manipulation part containing the plurality of holes is a part made of a paper material, e.g. a paper material having a basis weight between 60 and 100 g/m2measured according to the ISO 536 standard, or of a polymer material, e.g. polyethylene material such as a low density polyethylene material.
Preferably, the manipulation part is a separate part glued to the bag or an integral part of the bag.
Preferably, the manipulation part is substantially rectangular and has a length between 20 cm and 35 cm and a width between 4 cm and 15 cm.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises, after or during the step of sealing, the step of cutting of an end part of the top of the bag.
Preferably, the end part comprises the manipulation part containing the plurality of holes.
According to an embodiment, the stack of absorbent articles is arranged in the bag such that each absorbent article extends substantially perpendicular to the closed bottom of the bag.
Preferably, the closed bottom is formed by folding and gluing a portion of the paper material, such that is has a substantially rectangular shape.
According to typical embodiments, the absorbent articles are any one of the following: baby diapers, pants, adult incontinence garments.
According to a preferred embodiment, the paper material has a basis weight measured according to the ISO 536 standard between 65 and 85 g/m2.
According to an embodiment the coating has a basis weight between 5 g/m2 and 25 g/m2, preferably between 7 g/m2 and 20 g/m2, more preferably between 8 g/m2 and 16 g/m2.
According to a further embodiment, the bottom or the top is provided with a handle.
According to a further developed embodiment, the method further comprises providing a paper sheet with two cuts, and gluing said paper sheet to the bottom of the bag in an area around the two cuts, such that an area of the paper sheet between the two cuts functions as the handle.
According to a preferred embodiment the absorbent articles are folded absorbent articles having a width between 7 cm and 20 cm, and a height between 15 cm and 40 cm.
Preferably, the plurality of pins comprises a plurality of retarding elements, wherein during opening of the bag the plurality of holes of the manipulation part are guided over the plurality of retarding elements. When the manipulation part is pulled up and the plurality of holes are guiding along the plurality of retarding elements, the manipulation part and the part of the bag to which the manipulation part is attached is retarded or slowed down during the upward movement thereof. This causes the bag to be opened in a controlled manner and reduces the risk of premature and/or uncontrolled tearing or ripping of the bag during opening of the bag.
Preferably, each retarding element of the plurality of retarding elements comprises a first portion having a first cross-section and a second portion having a second cross-section, wherein the first cross-section is smaller than the second cross-section. In this manner the retarding element comprises different portions with corresponding different guiding properties for the plurality of holes. Preferably the plurality of holes is dimensioned in such a way that the manipulation part will be more easily guided along the first portion as compared to the second portion.
Preferably, during opening of the bag, each hole of the plurality of holes is guided over the first portion of the respective retarding element before being guided over the second portion of the respective retarding element. In this manner, the manipulation part and the corresponding part of the bag is efficiently retarded.
Preferably, a cross-section of the retarding element gradually increases from the first cross-section to the second cross-section.
In a preferred embodiment, the first portion is a cylindrical portion having a first diameter, and the second portion is a conical portion having a diameter which increases from the first diameter to a second larger diameter, wherein the manipulation part is first guided along the first portion and next along the second portion. More preferably, the plurality of holes comprises a plurality of round holes having a diameter between the first and the second diameter.
Preferably, each hole of the plurality of holes comprises at least one tear inducing element which allows the manipulation part to be pulled of the respective pin whilst being torn in a controlled manner according to an intended tear direction.
Preferably, the tear inducing element extends from the hole in a direction away from the bag. The tear inducing element may extend substantially in the direction of a free outer edge of the manipulation part such that it extends in a direction substantially opposite to the movement direction of the bag when being pulled or pushed off of the plurality of pins.
Preferably, the at least one tear inducing element comprises at least one tear cut which is substantially aligned with the intended tear direction. Preferably, the intended tear direction is opposite to the direction of the pull/push force exerted on the bag.
Preferably, a hole comprises a round hole and at least one tear inducing element extending from the round hole in the direction away from the bag, wherein an opening formed by the combination of the round hole and the at least one tear inducing element is such that the manipulation part cannot be pulled over the second portion of the retarding element without tearing material of the manipulation part.
In a preferred embodiment where the hole comprises a substantially round hole with a diameter and at least one tear inducing element with a length, the sum of the diameter and the length is smaller than 1.25 times the largest dimension of second portion of the retarding element, for example smaller than the largest dimension of the second portion of the retarding element. For example, if the second portion of the retarding element is substantially conical with a largest diameter d2, then preferably the sum of the diameter dh of the substantially round hole and the length of the tear cut lc is smaller than 1.25 times the largest diameter d2, i.e. lc + dh < 1.25 d2. For example, lc + dh < d2.
Preferably, the tear inducing element has a length which is at least 5% of the diameter of the substantially round hole, more preferably at least 10%, even more preferably at least 20%.
In a simple preferred embodiment, exactly one cut is provided, which extends in a direction opposite to and parallel to the pull/push direction of the pull/push force exerted on the bag.
Preferably, one or more holes of the plurality of holes comprises at least one hole enlarging element which allows the respective hole to be enlarged in a controlled manner while being guided along a corresponding retarding element. In this manner, the risk of premature and/or uncontrolled tearing or ripping of the manipulation part during opening of the bag is reduced. Especially while the respective hole is guided along a portion of the retarding element having a cross-section which is larger than the cross-section of the hole, there is a risk of the hole being torn of the pins and/or manipulation part during opening of the bag. By providing at least one hole enlarging element, the hole is enlarged in a controlled manner, thereby avoiding that the hole and/or manipulation part is pulled of the pins and/or manipulation part prematurely.
Preferably, the at least one hole enlarging element extends from the hole in a direction towards the bag. The hole enlarging element may extend substantially in the direction away from a free outer edge of the manipulation part such that it extends in a direction substantially along the movement direction of the bag when being pulled or pushed off of the plurality of pins.
Preferably, the at least one hole enlarging element comprises at least one enlarging cut which is substantially aligned with the direction of the pull/push force exerted or to be exerted on the bag.
Preferably, a hole comprises a round hole and at least one hole enlarging element extending from the round hole in the direction towards the bag, wherein an opening formed by the combination of the round hole and the at least one hole enlarging element is such that the manipulation part can be guided over the second portion of the retarding element without pulling of the manipulation part from the retarding element and/or without tearing material of the manipulation part in a direction away from the bag.
Preferably, the hole enlarging element has a length which is at least 5% of the diameter of the substantially round hole, more preferably at least 10%, even more preferably at least 20%. In further preferred embodiments, the hole enlarging element has a length which is at least 30% of the diameter of the substantially round hole, preferably at least 50% of the diameter of the substantially round hole, more preferably at least 70% of the diameter of the substantially round hole, even more preferably at least 90% of the diameter of the substantially round hole.
In a simple preferred embodiment, exactly one enlarging cut is provided, which extends in a direction towards the bag and parallel to the pull/push direction of the pull/push force exerted on the bag.
Preferably the plurality of holes and/or the at least one hole enlarging element and/or tear inducing element are provided my means of laser cutting.
It is clear to the skilled person that each hole of the plurality of holes can comprise at least one tear inducing element and at least one hole enlarging element.
Any of the features described above in connection with the package of absorbent articles are also applicable for embodiments of the method.
The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate presently preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments of devices of the present invention. The above and other advantages of the features and objects of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
At least near the open top 120' the bag is provided with a sealable coating 140 which is configured to be sealed at least along a portion thereof to form a closed top 120 of the bag, as is further illustrated in
Before sealing the bag near the top 120' thereof a stack of absorbent articles 200 is inserted in the bag 100'. The absorbent articles 200 preferably have a rectangular shape as illustrated in
Before the stack of absorbent articles 200 is inserted in the bag 100' it is preferred that the bag 100' is adequately opened and is held in an open position until the absorbent articles 200 are inserted in the bag. This is important since non-plastic materials such as paper material or non-woven material, in contrast to plastic materials, are highly susceptible to the risk of being ripped or torn during the filling and manufacturing process of the package. To reduce this risk, the open top end (120') of the bag is preferably provided with a manipulation part 160 containing a plurality of holes 161. The function of this manipulation part will be further described with reference to
As illustrated in
Preferably an end part 170 of the top 120' is removed from the bag 100 during or after sealing. Typically the end part 170 comprises the manipulation part 160. The illustrated manipulation part 160 containing two holes 161 is preferably made of a paper material, e.g. a paper material having a basis weight between 60 and 100 g/m2 measured according to the ISO 536 standard. Alternatively, the manipulation part 160 can be made of a polymer material, e.g. polyethylene material such as a low density polyethylene material. It is noted that the manipulation part 160 can either be a separate part which is attached, e.g. glued, to the bag 100' or an integral part of the bag. In the illustrated embodiment the manipulation part 160 is substantially rectangular and has a length 1 m between 20 cm and 35 cm and a width wm between 4 cm and 15 cm. As will be described with reference to
The bags 100' in the stack have a closed bottom 110 and an open top 120'. During or briefly after being pulled up, the respective bag 100' is opened up, for example by an air flow, and a stack of absorbent articles 200 is inserted into the bag 100' via the open top 120'. The stack of absorbent articles 200 is prearranged between two holding means which are configured to insert the prearranged stack of absorbent articles 200 into the bag 100'. During filling of the bag 100' each of the holding means passes in close proximity to the respective first and second side wall with the stack of absorbent articles 200 arranged there between. A pushing means is configured to push the prearranged stack of absorbent articles 200 from between the holding means, such that the stack of absorbent articles is arranged in the bag 100' such that each absorbent article 200 extends substantially perpendicular to the closed bottom 110 of the bag 100'. Preferably the pushing means are further configured to push the bag 100' with the stack of absorbent articles towards a sealing means, thereby ripping the holes 161 and releasing the bag 100' from the pins. Consequently the open bag 100' containing the stack of absorbent articles 200 is moved trough or passed a sealing means and preferably adjacent cutting means. Preferably a folding means, not shown, is provided which is configured to, before the bag is sealed, fold the first and/or the second side wall inwardly at the top 120', such that two first wing portions 121 are formed where the top 120 joins the first side wall 131 and/or such that two second wing portions 122 are formed where the top 120 joins the second side wall 132. The sealing means are configured to seal the bag 100' at the top 120' thereof by sealing at least a portion of a sealable coating 140 provided near the top of the bag, preferably on an inner surface of the bag. The cutting means are configured to, during or after sealing, cut away an end part of the top 120' of the bag.
Preferably, during or after the step of sealing the bag, an end part 170 of the top 120' of the bag is cut off. For example, the cut of end part 170 may comprise the manipulation part 160 or at least a part thereof comprising the holes 161 which may or may not be ripped open at that moment in the manufacturing process, depending on the respective embodiment. Preferably the cut is executed along a cutting line which is at least partially serrated. In this manner a serrated portion remains near de sealed top of the package, which serrated portion allows for a user to easily tear open the package. Alternatively or in addition the cutting line may comprise any one of a substantially straight line, waved line, ribbed line or a combination thereof.
In
At the time of
In
As can be seen in
In the course of the different steps as illustrated in
Preferably the retarding element 810 comprises two parts, which can be separated from each other as indicated by the dashed separation line SL in
In the embodiments of
In the embodiments of
As used in the present application, the following terms have the following meanings:
“A”, “an”, and “the” as used herein refers to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, “an edge barrier” refers to one or more than one edge barrier.
“About” as used herein referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of +/-20% or less, preferably +/-10% or less, more preferably +/-5% or less, even more preferably +/-1% or variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosed invention. However, it is to be understood that the value to which the modifier “about” refers is itself also specifically disclosed.
“Absorbent article”, “absorbent garment”, “absorbent product”, “absorbing article”, “absorbing garment”, “absorbing product” and the like as used herein are used interchangeably and refer to devices that absorb and contain bodily exudates, and more specifically, refers to devices that are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various liquids discharged from the body. Absorbent articles include but are not limited to feminine hygiene garments, baby diapers and pants, adult incontinence garments, various diaper and pants holders, liners, towels, absorbent inserts and the like.
“Absorbent core” as used herein refers to a three-dimensional part of the absorbent structure, comprising liquid-absorbing material, useful to permanently absorb and/or retain bodily exudates. “Absorbent component” as used herein refers to a structural constituent of an absorbent article, e.g., a piece of an absorbent core, such as one of multiple pieces in a multi-piece absorbent core. “Absorbent element” as used herein refers to a part of a functional constituent of an absorbent structure, e.g., an acquisition layer, a dispersion layer, core layer or a release structure formed of a material or materials having particular liquid handling characteristics suitable for the specific function.
“Absorbent fibrous polymer material” as used herein refers to an absorbent polymer material which is in threadlike from such as fibers, filaments, and the like so as to be less flowable in the dry state than particulates.
“Absorbent insert” as used herein refers to a device adapted for insertion into an “Absorbent layer” as used herein refers to a term referring to a discrete, identifiable sheet-like or web-like element of an absorbent article which may remain detached and relatively movable with respect to another such element or may be attached or joined so as to remain permanently associated with another such element. Each absorbent layer may itself include a laminate or combination of several layers, sheets and/or webs of similar or diverse compositions.
“Absorbent polymer material”, “absorbent gelling material”, “AGM”, “superabsorbent”, “superabsorbent material”, “super absorbent polymer”, “SAP” and the like as used herein are used interchangeably and refer to any suitable particulate (e.g., flaked, particulate, granular, or powdered) or fibrous cross linked polymeric materials that can absorb at least 5 times and preferably at least about 10 times or more its weight of an aqueous 0.9% saline solution as measured using the Centrifuge Retention Capacity test (EDANA 441.2-01).
“Absorbent polymer material area” as used herein refers to the area of the absorbent structure wherein adjacent layers are separated by a multiplicity of absorbent polymer material. Incidental contact areas between these adjacent layers within the absorbent particulate polymer material area may be intentional (e.g bond area’s) or unintentional (e.g. manufacturing artifacts).
“Absorbent particulate polymer material” as used herein refers to an absorbent polymer material which is in particulate form such as powders, granules, flakes and the like so as to be flowable in the dry state.
“Absorption” as used herein refers to the process by which a liquid is taken up within a material.
“Absorption rate” as used herein refers to the rate of absorption of liquid, i.e. the amount of liquid which is absorbed per unit of time, typically by an absorbent component, element and/or absorbent layer of the absorbent article, structure and/or core.
“Acquisition layer”, “acquisition region”, “acquisition surface” or “acquisition material” and the like as used herein refer to the layer overlying the absorbent core having a faster liquid uptake and/or distribution capability.
“Absorbency” is the ability of a material to take up fluids by various means including capillary, osmotic, solvent, chemical and/or other action.
“Adult incontinence garment” as used herein refers to absorbent articles intended to be worn by incontinent adults, for absorbing and containing bodily exudates.
“Adhesion” as used herein refers to the force that holds different materials together at their interface.
“Adhesive” as used herein refers to a material, which may or may not be flowable in solution or when heated, that is used to bond materials together.
“Adsorption” as used herein refers to the process by which a liquid is taken up by the surface of a material.
“Airlaying” as used herein refers to forming a web by dispersing fibers or particles in an air stream and condensing them from the air stream onto a moving screen by means of a pressure and/or vacuum; a web of fibers produced by airlaying is herein referred to an “airlaid”; an airlaid web bonded by one or more techniques to provide fabric integrity is herein referred to an “airlaid nonwoven”.
“Apparent density”, “density” as used herein refers to the basis weight of the sample divided by the caliper with appropriate unit conversions incorporated therein. Apparent density used herein has the unit g/cm3.
"Attach", "attached" and "attachment" as used herein are synonymous with their counterparts of the terms "fasten", "affix", "secure", "bind", "join" and "link".
“Baby diaper” as used herein refers to absorbent articles intended to be worn by children, for absorbing and containing bodily exudates which the user draws up between the legs and fastens about the waist of the wearer.
“Baby pants” as used herein refers to absorbent articles marketed for use in transitioning children from diapers to underwear intended to cover the lower torso of children, so as to absorb and contain body exudates which article is generally configured like a panty garment and manufactured with a completed waist encircling portion, thereby eliminating the need for the user to fasten the article about the waist of the wearer.
“Back region” as used herein refers to the portion of an absorbent article or part thereof that is intended to be positioned proximate the back of a wearer.
“Backing” as used herein refers to a web or other material that supports and reinforces the back of a product.
“Basis weight” is the weight per unit area of a sample reported in grams per square meter, g/m2 or gsm.
"Bodily exudates", "body exudates", "bodily fluids", "body fluids", "bodily discharges", "body discharges", "fluid(s)", " liquid(s)", "fluid(s) and liquid(s) and the like as used herein are used interchangeably and refer to, but are not limited to urine, blood, vaginal discharges, breast milk, sweats and fecal matter.
“Binder”, “adhesive”, “glue”, “resins”, “plastics” and the like as used herein are used interchangeably and refer to substances, generally in a solid form (e.g. powder, film, fiber) or as a foam, or in a liquid form (e .g. emulsion, dispersion, solution) used for example by way of impregnation, spraying, printing, foam application and the like used for attaching or bonding functional and/or structural components, elements and materials, for example including heat and/or pressure sensitive adhesives, hot-melts, heat activated adhesives, thermoplastic materials, chemical activated adhesives/solvents, curable materials and the like.
“Bond strength” as used herein refers to the amount of adhesion between bonded surfaces. It is a measure of the stress required to separate a layer of material from the base to which it is bonded. “Capillary action”, “capillarity”, or “capillary motion” and the like as used herein are used to refer to the phenomena of the flow of liquid through porous media.
“Chassis” as used herein refers to a foundational constituent of an absorbent article upon which the remainder of the structure of the article is built up or overlaid, e.g., in a diaper, the structural elements that give the diaper the form of briefs or pants when configured for wearing, such as a backsheet, a topsheet, or a combination of a topsheet and a backsheet.
“Cellulose fibers” as used herein refers to naturally occurring fibers based on cellulose, such as, for example cotton, linen, etc; wood pulp fibers are one example of cellulose fibers; man-made fibers derived from cellulose, such as regenerated cellulose (rayon), or partially or fully acetylated cellulose derivatives (e.g. cellulose acetate or triacetate) are also considered as cellulose fibers.
“Cluster” or the like as used herein refers to an agglomeration of particles and/or fibers.
"Chemically stiffened fibers", chemically modified fibers", "chemically cross-linked fibers", "curly fibers" and the like as used herein are used interchangeably and refer to any fibers which have been stiffened by chemical means to increase stiffness of the fibers under both dry and aqueous conditions, for example by way of addition of chemical stiffening agents (e.g. by coating, impregnating, etc), altering the chemical structure of the fibers themselves (e.g. by cross-linking polymer chains, etc) and the like.
“Cohesion” as used herein refers to the resistance of similar materials to be separated from each other.
“Compartment” as used herein refers to chambers, cavities, pockets and the like.
"Comprise," "comprising," and "comprises" and "comprised of" as used herein are synonymous with "include", "including", "includes" or "contain", "containing", "contains" and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specify the presence of what follows e.g. a component and do not exclude or preclude the presence of additional, non-recited components, features, elements, members, steps, known in the art or disclosed therein.
“Coverstock” as used herein refers to a lightweight non-woven material used to contain and conceal an underlying absorbent core material; examples are the facing layer or materials that cover the absorbent cores of feminine hygiene garment s, baby diapers and pants and adult incontinence garments.
“Crotch region” of an absorbent article as used herein refers to about 50% of the absorbent article’s total length (i.e., in the y-dimension), where the crotch point is located in the longitudinal center of the crotch region. That is, the crotch region is determined by first locating the crotch point of the absorbent article, and then measuring forward and backward a distance of 25% of the absorbent article’s total length.
“Cross direction (CD)”, “lateral” or “transverse” and the like as used herein are used interchangeably and refer to a direction which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and includes directions within ±45° of the transversal direction.
“Curing” as used herein refers to a process by which resins, binders or plastics are set into or onto fabrics, usually by heating, to cause them to stay in place; the setting may occur by removing solvent or by cross-linking so as to make them in soluble.
“Diaper”, “conventional diaper”, “diaper-like”, “diaper-like garment” and the like as used herein are used interchangeably and refer to disposable absorbent articles, which typically include a front waist portion and a back waist portion which may be releasable connected about the hips of the wearer during use by conventional fasteners such as adhesive tape fasteners or hook and loop type fasteners. In use, the article is positioned between the legs of the wearer and the fasteners are releasable attached to secure the back waist portion to the front waist portion of the diaper, thereby securing the diaper about the waist of the wearer. The front waist portion and a back waist portion are connected by relatively non-stretchable or stretchable members (the term “stretchable” as used herein refers to materials that are extensible when forces are applied to the material, and offer some resistance to extension). Hence, such articles are generally not configured to be pulled up or down over the hips of the wearer when the fasteners are attached.
“Dispersion layer”, “dispersion region”, “dispersion surface” or “dispersion material” and the like as used herein refer to the layer overlying the absorbent core having a faster liquid uptake and dispersion capability.
“Disposable” is used herein to describe articles that are generally not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused (i.e., they are intended to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner).
“Drylaying” as used herein refers to a process for making a nonwoven web from dry fiber; these terms apply to the formation of carded webs, as well as to the air laying formation of random webs; a web of fibers produced by drylaying is herein referred to as a “drylaid”; a drylaid web bonded by one or more techniques to provide fabric integrity is herein referred to a “drylaid nonwoven”.
“Dry strength” as used herein refers to the strength of ajoint determined in dry state conditions, immediately after drying under specified conditions or after a period of conditioning in the standard laboratory atmosphere.
“Essentially cellulose free”, “substantially fluffless” or “little to no cellulose fibers” as used herein refers to an absorbent article, structure, core component and/or element containing less than 20% by weight cellulosic fibers, less than 10% cellulosic fibers, less than 5% cellulosic fibers, no cellulosic fibers, or no more than an immaterial amount of cellulosic fibers which do not materially affect the thinness, flexibility or absorbency thereof.
“Essentially fluffless” or “little to no fluff pulp” as used herein refers to an absorbent article, structure, core, component and/or element containing less than 20% by weight fluff pulp, less than 10% fluff pulp, less than 5% fluff pulp, no fluff pulp, or no more than an immaterial amount of fluff pulp which do not materially affect the thinness, flexibility or absorbency thereof.
“Fabric” as used herein refers to a sheet structure made from fibers, filaments and/or yarns. “Feminine hygiene garments” as used herein refer to absorbent hygiene articles intended to be worn by woman, for absorbing and containing body exudates.
“Fiber” as used herein refers to the basic threadlike structure from which nonwovens, yarns and textiles are made. It differs from a particle by having a length at least 4 times its width; “Natural fibers” are either of animal (wool, silk), vegetable (cotton, flax, jute) or mineral (asbestos) origin, while “Man-made fibers” may be either polymers synthesized from chemical compounds (polyester, polypropylene, nylon, acrylic etc.) or modified natural polymers (rayon, acetate) or mineral (glass). “Fiber” and “filament” are used interchangeably.
“Fluff pulp” or “Pulp fluff” as used herein refers to wood pulp specially prepared to be drylaid. The fibers can be either natural or synthetic or a combination thereof.
“Front region” as used herein refers to the portion of an absorbent article or part thereof that is intended to be positioned proximate the front of a wearer.
“Garment facing layer” as used herein refers to elements of the chassis that form the outer surface of the absorbent article, such as the backsheet, the side panels, the waist fasteners, and the like, when such elements are present.
“Heat activated adhesive” as used herein refers to a dry adhesive that is rendered tacky or fluid by application of heat or heat and pressure to the assembly.
“Heat sealing adhesive” as used herein refers to a thermoplastic adhesive which is melted between the adherent surfaces by heat application to one or both of the adjacent adherent surfaces.
“High loft” as used herein refers to general term of low density, thick or bulky fabrics.
“Hot-melt adhesive” as used herein refers to a solid material that melts quickly upon heating, then sets to a firm bond upon cooling; used for almost instantaneous bonding.
“Hydrophilic” as used herein refers to having an affinity for being wetted by water or for absorbing water.
“Hydrophobic” as used herein refers to lacking the affinity for being wetted by water or for absorbing water.
“Immobilization layer” as used herein refers to a layer able to be applied to the absorbent polymer material or absorbent polymer material area with the intent to gather, bond and/or immobilize absorbent material and/or absorbent layer.
“Join”, “joined” and “joining” as used herein refers to encompassing configurations wherein an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element, as well as configurations wherein the element is indirectly secured to the other element by affixing the element to an intermediate member or members which in turn is or are affixed to the other element.
“Knitting” as used herein refers to the technique for interlocking loops of fibers with needles or similar devices.
“Layer” refers to identifiable components of the absorbent article, and any part referred to as a “layer” may actually comprise a laminate or combination of several sheets or webs of the requisite type of materials. As used herein, the term “layer” includes the terms “layers” and “layered.”
“Upper” refers to the layer of the absorbent article which is nearest to and/ or faces the wearer facing layer; conversely, the term “lower” refers to the layer of the absorbent article which is nearest to and/or faces the garment facing layer. “Layer” is three dimensional structure with a x dimension width, y dimension length, and z-dimensions thickness or caliper, said x-y dimensions being substantially in the plane of the article, however it should be noted that the various members, layers, and structures of absorbent articles according to the present invention may or may not be generally planar in nature, and may be shaped or profiled in any desired configuration .
“Machine direction (MD)”, “longitudinal” and the like as used herein are used interchangeably and refer to a direction running parallel to the maximum linear dimension of the structure and includes directions within ±45° of the longitudinal direction.
“Major surface” as used herein refers to a term used to describe the surfaces of greatest extent of a generally planar or sheet-like structural element and to distinguish these surfaces from the minor surfaces of the end edges and the side edges, i.e., in an element having a length, a width, and a thickness, the thickness being the smallest of the three dimensions, the major surfaces are those defined by the length and the width and thus having the greatest extent.
“Mass flow” as used herein refers to the flow of a liquid from one absorbent element or component to another absorbent element or component by channel flow action.
“Mechanical bonding” as used herein refers to a method of bonding fibers by entangling them. This can be achieved by needling, stitching with fibers or by the use of high-pressure air or water jets and the like.
“Nonwoven” as used herein refers to manufactured sheet, web or batt of directionally or randomly orientated fibers, bonded by friction, and/or cohesion and/or adhesion, excluding paper and products which are woven, knitted, tufted, stitch-bonded incorporating binding yarns or filaments, or felted by wet-milling, whether or not additionally needled. The fibers may be of natural or man-made origin and may be staple or continuous filaments or be formed in situ. Commercially available fibers have diameters ranging from less than about 0.001 mm to more than about 0.2 mm and they come in several different forms: short fibers (known as staple, or chopped), continuous single fibers (filaments or monofilaments), untwisted bundles of continuous filaments (tow), and twisted bundles of continuous filaments (yarn). Nonwoven fabrics can be formed by many processes such as melt blowing, spun bonding, solvent spinning, electrospinning, and carding. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usually expressed in grams per square meter (gsm).
“Pant”, “training pant”, “closed diapers”, “prefastened diapers”, “pull-on diapers” and “diaper-pants” and the like as used herein are used interchangeably and refer to absorbent articles which are typically applied to the wearer by first leading the feet into the respective leg openings and subsequently pulling the pants from the feet to waist area over the hips and buttocks of the wearer and which are capable of being pulled up or down over the hips of the wearer. Typically, such articles may include a front waist portion and a back waist portion which may be connected about the hips of the wearer by integral or releasable members. A pant may be preformed by any suitable technique including, but not limited to, joining together portions of the article using refastenable and/or nonrefastenable bonds (e.g., seam, weld, adhesive, cohesive bond, fastener, etc.). A pant may be preformed anywhere along the circumference of the article (e.g., side fastened, front waist fastened).
“Polymer” as used herein refers to but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc. and blends and modifications thereof. Unless otherwise specifically limited, the term “polymer” includes all possible spatial configurations of the molecule and include, but are not limited to isotactic, syndiotactic and random symmetries.
“Rear” as used herein refers to the portion of an absorbent article or part thereof that is intended to be positioned proximate the back of the wearer.
“Release structure”, “release region”, “release surface” or “release material” and the like as used herein are used interchangeably and refer to a structure in fluid communication with the absorbent core having a larger relative liquid absorption capacity and/or rate allowing it to quickly take up, temporarily hold and releasing liquids.
“Resin” as used herein refers to a solid or semisolid polymeric material.
“Thermobonding” as used herein refers to a method of bonding fibers by the use of heat and/or high-pressure.
“Thermoplastic” as used herein refers to polymeric materials that have a melting temperature and can flow or be formed into desired shapes on the application of heat at or below the melting point.
“Ultrasonic” as used herein refers to the use of high frequency sound to generate localized heat through vibration thereby causing thermoplastic fibers to bond to one another.
“Water-absorbing”, “liquid-absorbing”, “absorbent”, “absorbing” and the like as used herein are used interchangeably and refer to compounds, materials, products that absorb at least water, but typically also other aqueous fluids and typically other parts of bodily exudates such as at least urine or blood.
“Wearer facing layer” as used herein refers to elements of the chassis that form the inner surface of the absorbent article, such as the topsheet, the leg cuffs, and the side panels, etc., when such elements are present.
“Weaving” as used herein refers to the process of interlacing two or more sets of yarns at right angles to form a fabric; a web of fibers produced by weaving is herein referred to as a “woven”.
“Web material” as used herein refers to an essentially endless material in one direction, i.e. the longitudinal extension or the length, or the x- direction in Cartesian coordinates relative to the web material. Included in this term is an essentially unlimited sequence of pieces cut or otherwise separated from an essentially endless material. Often, though not necessarily, the web materials will have a thickness dimension (i.e. the z-direction) which is significantly smaller than the longitudinal extension (i.e. in x-direction). Typically, the width of web materials (they-direction) will be significantly larger than the thickness, but less than the length. Often, though not necessarily, the thickness and the width of such materials is essentially constant along the length of the web. Without intending any limitation, such web materials may be cellulosic fiber materials, tissues, woven or nonwoven materials and the like. Typically, though not necessarily, web materials are supplied in roll form, or on spools, or in a folded state in boxes. The individual deliveries may then be spliced together to form the essentially endless structure. A web material may be composed of several web materials, such as multilayer non-woven, coated tissues, nonwoven/film laminates. Web materials may comprise other materials, such as added binding material, particles, hydrophilizing agents and the like.
“Wet burst strength” is a measure of a layer’s ability to absorb energy, when wet and subjected to deformation normal to the plane of the web.
“Wet strength” as used herein refers to the strength of a joint determined immediately after removal from a liquid in which it has been immersed under specified conditions of time, temperature and pressure. The term is commonly used in the art to designate strength after immersion in water.
“Wetlaying” as used herein refers to the forming a web from an aqueous dispersion of fibers by applying modified paper making techniques; a web of fibers produced by wetlaying is herein referred to as a “wetlaid”.
“Wood pulp” as used herein refers to cellulosic fibers used to make viscose rayon, paper and the absorbent cores of products such as feminine hygiene garments, baby diapers and pants and adult incontinence garments.
“X-y dimension” as used herein refers to the plane orthogonal to the thickness of the article, structure or element. The x- and y-dimensions correspond generally to the width and length, respectively, of the article, structure or element.
“Z-dimension” as used herein refers to the dimension orthogonal to the length and width of the article, structure or element. The z-dimension corresponds generally to the thickness of the article, structure or element.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20157757.4 | Feb 2020 | EP | regional |
| 20182614.6 | Jun 2020 | EP | regional |
| 20215173.4 | Dec 2020 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/053884 | 2/17/2021 | WO |
