RU2233148C2 - Disposable absorption article with elastic retaining flaps and collars formed as integral part - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine, in particular, absorption layers.

SUBSTANCE: absorption article includes rear sheet comprising pair of transversely opposed longitudinal side edges. Each side edge has outer concave contour of end side edge arranged in predetermined regions of openings for legs in intermediate part of side edge. Each concave contour of side edge is of predetermined longitudinal extension along article length. Upper moisture permeable sheet is joined in such a manner that it is positioned on top and faced toward rear sheet, and absorption core is arranged between upper sheet and rear sheet. Individually formed composite member of insert-flap is connected to at least one of sheets along each region adjoining openings for legs. Insert-flap member provides insert section for legs and retention flap section and is configured in predetermined manner in order to resist liquid leakage. Absorption article of such structure is readily adjustable.

EFFECT: increased absorptive capacity, improved resistance to liquid leakage and convenient use.

25 cl, 17 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to an article having one or more elastic peripheral edges. In particular, the present invention relates to an article which comprises a retention system in the form of stripes with pronounced elasticity properties in the legs and / or waist regions of the article and has a particularly proportional shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The designs of conventional absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers, contain various types of elastic bands for the waist and elastic bands for the legs or cuffs for the legs. The design of such products also includes additional elastic holding or barrier valves in the area of the legs and / or waist of the product. In particular, the design of the product includes a tensile outer coating made of an elastic sheet material, such as a laminate, the layers of which are bonded by stretching and which includes a layer of non-woven material. Other conventional designs include various elastic or inelastic side panel elements attached to the transverse side edges of the back sheet element or the outer cover element, and comprise fastening systems and fastening tabs attached to the side panels to secure the product to the user's body. Absorbent articles have a different shape, such as a rectangular shape, an hourglass shape, a T-shape and an I-shape. The absorbent pads of these products also have the same shape.

Products that contain elastic edges and barrier valves of conventional configurations in the form of strips in the area of the legs, however, have various disadvantages. For example, when using them, it is difficult to avoid reddening of the skin of the user and it is difficult to ensure the required functioning of the barrier valves in the process of wearing the product. Even when the barrier valves are made of an elastic material or have been given elasticity in another way, it is difficult to maintain contact between the movable edge of the barrier valve and the body of the user, while it is difficult to reliably hold the valve open to effectively receive and retain urine and feces. It is also difficult to ensure a neat, wrinkle-free fit of the article in the crotch area between the user's legs. In addition, it is difficult to ensure the correct, without the formation of lumps, fit of the elastic cuffs for the legs around the user's legs during the movements of the user while ensuring a neat fit of the appearance of the absorbent product. In addition, such a product is difficult to put on the user due to the increased width of the product in the crotch area. As a result, there is a continuing need to improve retention structures in various areas of absorbent articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a particular product having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. This product includes a back layer having a pair of laterally arranged lateral edges, so that each lateral edge forms an end contour of the lateral edges located in a specific region of the leg openings in each of the lateral edges. Essentially, a liquid-permeable topsheet is bonded to and superposed on the backsheet, the absorbent substrate being located and held between the topsheet and the backsheet. A separate elastic insert-valve member is attached to the article along each of the defined areas of the leg openings, and each insert-valve member has a foot insert section and a retention valve section. The foot insert section has such a configuration that it extends beyond the parts of one of the lateral contours of the back layer corresponding to each other at a certain distance and connects them.

In certain aspects, an article of the invention may include a backing layer having a pair of laterally opposed laterally extending laterally opposite edges so that each edge has an externally concave end edge contour located in specific areas of the leg openings in the intermediate part of the lateral edge. Each concave contour of the lateral edge has a certain length in the longitudinal direction along the length of the product. A substantially liquid-permeable outer layer is attached to the back layer overlaid so that the layers face each other, and the absorbent substrate is located between the top layer and the back layer. A separately affixed valve insert component is attached to at least one of the back and top layers along each of the leg hole regions, and the valve insert element forms a leg insert section and a retention valve section. The insert-valve mount is elongated in the longitudinal direction and secures each insert-valve member on the product, and an additional perimeter connection mount is located close to each insert-valve mount so that it extends laterally outward from it. Each perimeter connection is fastened in such a way that it attaches a corresponding leg insert section to the product next to the corresponding externally concave contour of the terminal lateral edge of the article along at least a portion of the length of the terminal contour of the lateral edge, and the peripheral coupling is terminal lateral edge of the back layer, close to the product connection area. The product connection region is located at the point where the overlapping part of the outer edge of at least one of the foot insert sections intersects with the contour of the terminal lateral edge of the back sheet and where this overlapping part of the outer edge of the at least one foot insert is with overlay on the surface of the back layer facing the body.

In another aspect, an article of manufacture of the present invention may include an end portion of a first arrangement of elastic elements in a foot insert section that is substantially unstressed so that it forms at least one end portion of an insert of each leg insert section, which is essentially made without assemblies in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the external attachment of the foot insert may attach at least one end portion of the insert of each section of the foot insert to the article.

In another aspect, an article of manufacture of the present invention may include an end portion of a second arrangement of at least one elastic member in a retention valve section that is substantially unstressed to form at least one end portion of the valve of each retention valve section essentially without forming assemblies in the longitudinal direction. In addition, in a retention valve, a plurality of distant fasteners may attach at least one end portion of the valve of each section of the retention valve to the article.

In yet another aspect, an article of manufacture of the invention may include a specially designed backing layer. The back layer may have a maximum width_A of the waist strip along the specified transverse direction and a minimum width_B of the crotch in the intermediate part of the specified back layer. The quotient of dividing the maximum width_A of the waist strip by the minimum width_B of the crotch of the specified back layer is at least one predetermined value, such as a minimum value of approximately 1.6. The back layer may also have a length K, along which the width in the transverse direction of the back sheet is no more than the value C, where the value C is determined by the formula

C = 0.8V + 0.2A.

In addition, the length_K can be at least about 30% of the total length of the specified product, and the back layer can have a rake angle_θ of expansion, selectable in a certain range, for example in the range of about 115-135 degrees.

In yet another aspect, an article of manufacture of the present invention may include a specially designed absorbent, retaining portion. The backsheet may have a maximum width_A of the waist strip along the transverse direction of the product, and the holding part may have a minimum width_P along the transverse direction in the intermediate part of the holding part. The quotient of dividing the width_A by the specified width_P is at least a predetermined value, such as a minimum value of about 3.3. The absorbent holding part may also have a longitudinal length Z, along which the width in the transverse direction of the holding part is not greater than Q value, where Q value is determined by the formula

Q = 0.8P + 0.2A.

In addition, the length Z can be at least about 30% of the total length of the specified product.

Configurations and arrangements in accordance with various aspects of the present invention allow the formation of a product having compliant, soft and more comfortable assemblies for the legs, and can provide the formation of a barrier valve structure that can more reliably and more effectively be held open when wearing such an absorbent article . In addition, an open valve configuration can be maintained while avoiding excessive skin irritation to the user. The resulting product has a less tendency to form gaps in the areas of the leg openings and can provide more convenient operation and appearance of the product. Such a product is also easier to put on by the user. In addition, this product allows you to form an assembly for the legs, which can move more independently of the main part of the absorbent product to form a more comfortable assembly for the legs. This product also allows you to form the configuration of the foot inserts and the retention valve, which form a more tortuous path, which contributes to better resistance to leakage of any free liquids in the absorbent product. The arrangement of the constituent components and the combination of operating parameters, such as controlled stiffness and controlled connection of the barrier valve, can advantageously allow the formation of an improved absorbent structure that has a lower leakage rate and allows for improved comfort for the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will be better understood and its further advantages will become apparent with reference to the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 schematically represents a top view in partial section of a product in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 schematically represents a cross-sectional view with an increase in the elastic waist system and the waist barrier valve system in accordance with the present invention, with a cut along the longitudinal center line of the product when the valve or pocket section is in the unfolded, uncompressed state.

Figure 3 schematically represents a cross-sectional view with an increase in the elastic waist system and the waist barrier valve system in accordance with the present invention when the valve or pocket section is in a compressed and open state.

Figure 4 schematically represents a view with an increase in cross section in the transverse direction of one of the elements of the insert-valve with a cross section through the crotch area of the product.

5 is a schematic view with an increase in cross section in the transverse direction of one of the elements of the insert valve and located in the immediate vicinity of the retention valve section, with a cross section through another part of the product.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view in the transverse direction of the configuration of an insert-valve member in which the insert-valve barrier layer extends into the retention valve section.

7 schematically represents a view with an increase in cross section in the transverse direction of an alternative configuration of one of the elements of the insert-valve, with a section through the section of the perineum of the product.

Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view in the transverse direction of another arrangement of an insert-valve member.

Fig.9 schematically represents a part of a view with an increase in cross section in the transverse direction, depicting the distribution of glue, which connects the elastic elements in the area of the foot insert of the insert-valve element.

Figure 10 schematically represents a part of a view with an increase in cross section in the transverse direction, depicting the distribution of individual adhesive strips that attach elastic elements in the area of the foot insert of the insert-valve element.

11 schematically represents part of a view with an increase in cross section in the transverse direction, depicting another distribution scheme of adhesive additives that attach elastic elements to a part of the foot insert of the insert-valve elements.

12 schematically depicts a top view that represents the specific dimensions of the back layer of an absorbent article.

13 schematically depicts a top view that represents the specific dimensions of the absorbent holding part.

14 schematically represents a top view of an insert-valve member and its structure.

Fig. 15 is a schematic view of a weakening structure in a portion of a foot insert of an insert valve member.

Fig.16 schematically represents a top view of the product in accordance with the present invention, depicting the elements of the insert-valve and another arrangement of fasteners of the connection along the perimeter along the side contours of the product.

17 schematically represents a drawing of the application of connection points, which can be used in accordance with the present invention.

Figa schematically represents another drawing of the connection points, which can be used in accordance with the present invention and

Figv schematically represents another variant of the pattern of drawing points of the connection, which can be used in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described with respect to the manufacture of an elastic retention system for absorbent articles, in particular for disposable absorbent articles. Such products can be located on the user's body or in close proximity to it to absorb and hold various body secretions and are designed to be discarded after a limited period of use. Such products are not intended to be washed or otherwise restored for reuse. Although the present description will in particular be made in the context of a diaper type product, it should be understood that the present invention is also applicable to other products, such as caps, dresses, curtains, bedspreads, clothing for patients with incontinence, sanitary napkins, panties for child training and the like.

In addition, the present invention will be described in the context of its various configurations and aspects. It should be understood that alternative arrangements of the present invention may comprise any combination that includes one or more different configurations and aspects of the present invention.

The product shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, such as a diaper 10, has a transverse dimension or transverse direction 24 and a longitudinal dimension or longitudinal direction 26. The product includes a front portion 12 of the waistband, a rear portion 14 of the waistband, an intermediate portion 16 , which connects the front and rear parts of the waist strips, and a pair of laterally opposed lateral edges 20. Along the lateral edges 20 are elements 19 of the valve inserts, which are formed separately and assembled together, which include a ud valve section 144 neigh and section 142 of the foot insert. The retention valve section 144 and / or the foot insert section 142 may be liquid permeable or may functionally resist the passage of fluid through them under normal conditions of use. In the desired arrangements, the retention valve section and / or foot insert section may be substantially liquid impervious. The product has a backsheet 30, a liquid permeable topsheet 28 connected to overlay on the backsheet, and an absorbent substrate structure 32 that is located between the topsheet and the backsheet. An elastic component, such as an elastic element 80 of the waist pocket, if necessary, can be attached to at least the back layer or to the upper layer of at least one end edge 22 of the product.

The presented example of the product includes a pair of laterally opposite end edges 22 and a pair of laterally opposite elastic lateral edges 20. An elastic waist pocket element 80 is attached and attached at least to the back layer or the upper layer along at least one of the end edges 22 of the product. The present waist pocket element 80 includes an elongated bead section 82 and an elongated pocket section 84. The pocket section 84 of the waist pocket / flap member 80 includes a substantially fixed edge portion 102 attached to the article and includes an elastic, assembly-formed, movable edge portion 104 that is located at some distance in the longitudinal direction from the fixed edge portion 102 . The pocket section also includes a substantially liquid impermeable sealed pocket barrier layer 106 and a pocket fabric layer 108 attached in the form of a layer that faces the pocket barrier layer. A plurality of individual transversely elongated pocket elastic elements 110 are disposed between the pocket barrier layer 106 and the pocket fabric layer 108 to form an elastic composite waist pocket material 112 that is substantially configured to form assemblies in the transverse direction.

The attachment system 40 is operatively coupled and attached to the article in one or both of the laterally opposite end regions 72 of at least one of the front or rear sections of the waist strip, such as the illustrated rear waist strip 14. The interacting element 56 of the side panel can be associated with each fastening system and can be made in such a way that it will not be elastic, or may be made so that it will stretch elastically, at least along the transverse direction 24 of the product. In addition, the fastening tab 36 can be attached and extend laterally beyond each of the side panel elements 56.

As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 4, specific configurations of the present invention may include a backsheet 30 having a pair of laterally opposite laterally extending laterally opposed sides 20. Each lateral edge has a concave end edge edge contour 15 that is located in certain areas 17 of the leg openings in the intermediate portion 16 of each of the side edges. Each concave side edge contour 15 has a specific length 54 in the longitudinal direction along the longitudinal direction 26 of the length of the product 10. The porous liquid-permeable top layer 28 has a transversely elongated width and elongated in the longitudinal direction and is connected to the back layer 30 superimposed on it . The absorbent substrate structure 32 is positioned and functionally attached between the back layer 30 and the top layer 28. A separately formed insert-valve component 19 is attached to at least one of the back and top layers of each of the leg hole regions 17. The insert-valve member 19 forms a foot insert section 142 and a retention valve section 144. Each leg insert section 142 is configured to extend beyond and connects a corresponding concave contour 15 of the terminal lateral edge of the backsheet 30 and is configured to form leg openings with assemblies that are elastic at the sides of the product. Each section 144 of the retention valve is formed integrally with the corresponding one of the sections 142 of the foot inserts and is located inward relative to it to form the element 19 of the insert-valve. Each section 144 of the retention valve has a substantially fixed edge 64 located in close proximity to one of the elastic side edges 20 and has an elastic with assemblies distant movable edge portion 66. In various configurations of the present invention, the insert-valve connection 172 secures each insert-valve 19 on the product. Each insert of the insert valve 172 may have a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction and may, for example, attach the corresponding insert valve element to the article along a fixed portion 64 of the edge of each retention valve section 144.

In separate aspects, each insert-valve member 19 may include a barrier layer 174 having a pair of transverse opposite to each other, longitudinally extending lateral edges of the barrier layer, and a first and second main outer surface. Preferably, the barrier layer may be substantially impervious to liquid. The tissue layer 176 is connected to the first outer surface of the specified barrier layer so that it faces it, and the tissue layer has a leg insert area and a retention valve region. In preferred arrangements, the fabric layer may also have an outer side portion 170 and an inner side portion 62. The outer side portion may be formed so that it is wrapped around at least one side edge of said barrier layer and extends inward from it along said the second outer surface of the specified barrier layer. The first arrangement of the first plurality of individual longitudinally extending elastic members 138 may be attached to the barrier layer 174 and fabric layer 176 within the leg insert section 142 of the insert-valve member. A second arrangement of at least one longitudinally extending elastic member 68 may be attached to at least a fabric layer within each section 144 of the valve holding the insert-valve member.

Products having separately formed insert-valve elements 19 are described in US Patent Application Serial Number 560,525, which was filed December 18, 1995 by DR Low and others under the name ABSORBING ARTICLES WITH IMPROVED ELASTIC EDGE AND HOLD SYSTEM (DRLaux et al. Entitled AN ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH IMPROVED ELASTIC MARGINS AND CONTAINMENT SYSTEM) (Patent Attorney Registration Number No. 11, 091), and U.S. Patent Application No. 954400, filed October 20, 1997 by P. St. Louis et al. SUMMER PRODUCT WITH IMPROVED ELASTIC DESIGN ACCESSION FOR IMPROVED AESTHETIC VIEW AND RETAINING (R. St. Louis et al. ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH ENHANCED ELASTIC DESIGN FOR IMPROVED AESTHETICS AND CONTAINMENT) (Patent Attorney Registration Number No. 13, 346).

A full description of these documents is provided here as a reference consistent with this description.

The insert-valve member 19 may include a barrier layer 174 having a pair of transverse opposite each other, longitudinally elongated lateral edges of the barrier layer 140 and 141 and having a first main outer surface 148 and a second main outer surface 149. Fabric layer 176 the valve insert can be made of nonwoven material and can be located and attached directly to the first outer surface 148 of the barrier layer 174 of the valve insert so that it faces towards it. The tissue layer 176 includes a foot insert region 136, an outer side portion 170 of the foot insert region, a retention valve region 63 and an inner side portion 62 of the retention valve. The outer side portion 170 of the fabric layer 176 may be configured such that it is wrapped around at least one side edge of the barrier layer 174 and extends inward from it along the second outer surface 149 of the barrier layer. In addition, either or both longitudinally extending end regions of the edges of the insert-valve fabric layer 176 can be attached to the rest of the insert-valve using one or more insert-valve fabric edge fasteners 126. These fastenings of the fabric edge can be made using various technologies known in the art, such as ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, embossing, bonding with glue and the like, as well as using a combination thereof.

The first arrangement of the first plurality of separate longitudinally extending elastic members 138 may be attached to the barrier layer 174 and the tissue layer 176 within each section of the valve 144 retention 144 element 19 of the insert-valve. The first and second arrangements of elastic elements 138 and 68 can thus form an elastic, integral longitudinally assembled insert-valve member 19.

Section 142 of the foot inserts of each insert-valve 19 can be made so that it extends beyond and through the concave contours 15 of the side edges of the back layer 30 to form an elastic cuff for the legs, at least in the intermediate part of the product. In addition, each section 142 of the insert is designed so that it connects opposite to each other at a certain distance of the parts 21 and 23 of the corresponding one of the concave contours 15 of the lateral edges of the back layer 30. In particular, each section of the leg insert is positioned so that it extends beyond the parts 21 and 23 located opposite each other at a certain distance and connects them in such a way that it fills the gap, in general, of a C-shaped gap formed by the end edges of the corresponding con round 15 lateral edge. Each insert-valve member 19 may be operatively attached to an inner body facing surface of the top sheet 28.

Various configurations of the present invention may include two or more interacting valve inserts 19, such as a pair of opposing valve inserts shown opposite. In relation to each other, these valve inserts can be installed parallel or not parallel to each other and each individual valve insert can be made straight and / or curved.

In specific configurations of the present invention, the inner side portion 62 of the insert-valve tissue layer 176 is set so that it folds and wraps around a certain fold line or in another area. The resulting wrapped portion can then be arranged in such a way that it will functionally enclose or otherwise enclose a second arrangement 68 of at least one longitudinally elongated elastic member.

In other configurations of the invention, the barrier layer 174 may be configured such that it can extend into the insert-valve retaining valve section 144, and the inner side portion 62 of the insert-valve fabric layer 176 can be set so that it wraps around the second the lateral edge 141 of the barrier layer 174 so that it will extend along the second major surface 149 of the barrier layer. In addition, a second set 68 of at least one longitudinally elongated elastic member may be attached between the retention valve region 63 and the tissue layer 176 and the retention valve region 61 of the barrier layer 174 within the retention valve section 144 of each insertion member 19 valve.

Other aspects of the present invention are directed to an absorbent article, in which the back layer 30 may include a crotch area, made in particular narrow. For example, the width of the crotch of the back layer at its narrowest point may not exceed a maximum of approximately 240 mm and preferably may be no more than approximately 160 mm. Other aspects of the present invention can be directed to a product in which the absorbent substrate 32 is made with a crotch width that is also quite narrow. For example, the crotch width of the absorbent element holding portion at its narrowest point can be no more than a maximum of about 102 mm and preferably can be no more than about 76 mm. In other aspects of the present invention, each separately formed elastic and assembled insert-valve 19 may be connected to at least one of the upper and lower layers with an insert attachment 172 that extends along each of the defined areas of the leg openings. Each insert connection 172 may be located at a distance from a corresponding, adjacent, longitudinally extending lateral edge of the absorbent substrate 32 at a distance of the insert gap of not more than approximately 51 mm. Alternatively, the spacing of the insert gap can be selected no more than about 25 mm, and if necessary, can be no more than about 13 mm, at least when measured within the area 18 of the crotch of the product. Various aspects and configurations of the present invention can provide exceptional softness, body fit, reduced clumping between the legs of the user, reduced red spots on the skin of the user, and improved protection against leaks.

Each valve insert has a valve insert connection 172 that extends longitudinally and attaches each valve insert element to the article along a fixed edge portion of each retention valve section, and may have an additional circumferential connection 130 that is in close proximity to and outward in the transverse direction from the corresponding connection 172 of the insert-valve. Each perimeter connection 130 is configured in such a way that it attaches the corresponding leg insert section 142 to the product next to the corresponding externally concave contour 15 of the terminal lateral edge of the article, in particular the contour of the lateral edge of the back layer, along at least part of the length contour of the terminal lateral edge. The connection 130 around the perimeter runs inside from the terminal lateral edge of the back layer, close to the area 52 of the connection of the product. The product connection region is located at the point where the overlapping part of the leg insert section extending beyond the edge 152 of the foot section 142 intersects with the outline of the terminal lateral edge of the back layer and where the overlapping part of the leg insert extending beyond the edge of the edge 152 is superimposed over the surface facing the body, back layer 30.

In another aspect of the present invention, an article of manufacture of the present invention may include at least one end portion 137 of a first arrangement of elastic members 138 in a leg insert section 142 that are substantially unstressed to form at least one the end portion 150 of the insert of each section 142 of the foot insert, which is essentially formed without the formation of assemblies along the longitudinal direction 26. In some embodiments, the external weakening assembly 158 (see, for example, FIG. 16) may It can be used to relieve stress at the end of the first arrangement of elastic elements.

In the foot insert, an external mount 160 may be used to attach at least one end portion 150 of the insert to each leg insert section 142 to the article. Preferably, the external mount attaches the outer side edge 152 of the foot insert section to a specific part of the product, such as the upper layer 28 of the product. If necessary, the external fastener 160 can be made in such a way that it can relieve stress in at least one of the end parts 137 of the first arrangement of elastic elements 138 in the foot insert section 142 for forming at least one end part 150 the insert of each leg insert section 142, which is essentially formed without forming assemblies.

In other aspects, at least one end portion 69 of the second arrangement of the at least one elastic member 68 in the retention valve section 144 may be substantially weakened to form at least one end portion of the valve of each retention valve section , which is essentially made without assemblies, along the longitudinal direction 26. In individual arrangements, the distant weakening assembly 78 can be used to relieve stress at the end portion of the second arrangement of elastic elements.

The product in accordance with the present invention may include a retention valve, a distant mount 79, which attaches at least one end portion 67 of the valve of each section 144 of the retention valve to the product. Preferably, the distal mount attaches the distal movable edge 66 of the retention valve section to a specific part of the product, such as the upper layer 28. In some retention valve configurations, the distal mount 79 can also relieve stress in at least one of the end portions 69 of the second arrangement, at least one of the elastic members 68 in the retention valve section 144 to form at least one end portion of the valve of each retention valve section, which is substantially non-assembled.

Another aspect of the product in accordance with the present invention may include a specially designed back layer 30 (see, for example, Fig.12). The back layer may have a maximum width_A of the waist strip in the transverse direction 24 and a minimum width_B of the crotch in the intermediate part of the back layer. The quotient of dividing the maximum width_A of the waist strip by the minimum width_B of the crotch of the back layer 30 is at least one predetermined value. The back layer may also have a length K, along which the width in the transverse direction of the back sheet is no more than the value C, where the value C is determined by the formula

C = 0.8V + 0.2A.

The length _K may be at least a minimum percentage of the entire length 180 of the product. The backing layer 30 may also include a rake angle θ of expansion, which is within a certain range, such as a range of approximately 115-135 degrees.

Another aspect of the product, in accordance with the present invention, may include a specially made absorbent, holding part 48 (see, for example, Fig.13). The back layer 30 may have a maximum waist band width A of A along the transverse direction 24 of the product, and the absorbent holding part 48 may have a minimum width of P along the transverse dimension in the intermediate holding part 48. The quotient of dividing the width A by the width P is at least a predetermined amount, such as a minimum value of at least about 3.3.

The absorbent holding part may also have a longitudinal length Z, along which the width in the transverse direction of the holding part is no more than the value of Q, where the value of Q is determined by the formula

Q = 0.8P + 0.2A.

Length_Z represents at least a certain proportion of the total length 180 of the product, which provides improved fit and fit the shape of the body.

Figure 1 schematically shows a top view of the diaper 10 in accordance with the present invention, in the unfolded, not compressed state (that is, when removing all the elastic elements forming the assembly). Parts of the structure are partially presented with a cut for a clearer view of the internal structure of the diaper 10, and the surface of the diaper, which is in contact with the user's body, is located to the viewer. The outer edges of the diaper define the periphery, in which the longitudinally extending edges of the side edges are indicated by the number 20 and the laterally extending edges of the end edges are indicated by the number 22. The lateral edges form openings for the legs of the diaper, and, if necessary, are curved and contoured. The end edges are straight, but, if necessary, they can be made curved.

The diaper 10 typically includes a porous, liquid permeable topsheet 28; a substantially liquid impervious back sheet 30; an absorbent structure 32 located between the top sheet and the back sheet and attached to them; a liquid ejection absorbing portion 46 and elastic elements designed to elasticize the edges of the diaper in the regions of the leg and waist bands. The liquid ejection absorption part is arranged to couple fluidly with the absorbent structure, and the absorbent structure includes a holding portion 48. The top sheet 28, the back sheet 30, the absorbent structure 32, the liquid ejection absorption part 46, and the elastic members can be assembled into various well known diaper configurations. In addition, the diaper may include a system of inwardly mounted barrier valves, such as retention valve sections 144, located close to the diaper foot strips.

As shown in the drawing, the top sheet 28 and the back sheet 30 can be made generally of the same length and can have dimensions in length and width that are generally larger than the corresponding dimensions of the absorbent structure 32. The top sheet 28 is connected to the back sheet 30 and is located on top of it, due to which the periphery of the diaper 10 is determined. The regions of the waist strips contain the upper parts of the diaper 10, which, when worn, completely or partially cover or surround the waist or mid-lower body of the wearer. The intermediate region 16 is located between the regions 12 and 14 of the waist strips, connects them and includes the crotch region 18, which when worn is located between the legs of the user and covers the lower body of the user. Thus, the crotch region 18 is a region where repetitive ejections of fluid usually occur in the diaper or other disposable absorbent article.

The top sheet 28 contains a surface facing the body, which is supple, soft to the touch and does not irritate the skin of the user. In addition, the top sheet 28 may be less hydrophilic than the holding part 48, and made essentially porous so that it is permeable to liquid, allowing the liquid to pass through its thickness. Suitable tops 28 can be made from a wide variety of sheet materials, such as porous foam materials, mesh foam materials, perforated plastic films, natural fibers (e.g. wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. polyester or polypropylene fibers) or combinations of natural and synthetic fibers. The topsheet 28 is typically used to improve the isolation of the wearer's skin from liquids held in the absorbent structure 32. Various woven and nonwoven materials can be used for the topsheet 28. For example, the top sheet may be made of a web of polyolefin fibers obtained by spunbond production or from a melt blown. The top sheet may also be a bonded carding made from natural and / or synthetic fibers.

For the purposes of the present description, the term "nonwoven fabric" means a carded material that is formed without the use of a textile weave or knitting process. The term “fabrics” is used to mean all woven, knitted and non-woven fiber sheet materials.

The topsheet fabrics may be composed of substantially hydrophobic and substantially non-wettable materials, and these hydrophobic materials may, if necessary, be treated with surfactants or otherwise processed to give them the desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the top sheet 28 may be a non-woven material made of polypropylene fibers obtained by a spinneret production method, which is formed from fibers of the order of 2.8-3.2 denier (denier is the weight in grams of filament 9000 m long), of which a sheet material is formed having a unit weight of about 20 g / m ² and a density of about 0.13 g / cm ³ . The surface of the material can be treated with a specific amount of surfactant, such as approximately 0.28% of the TRITON X-102 surfactant, which is supplied by Union Carbide, based in Denbury, Connecticut ( Danbury, Connecticut). The surfactant can be applied by any conventional method, such as spraying, printing, brushing, and the like.

Material from a surfactant, such as a conventional wetting agent, can be applied in the middle section of the top layer 28 to provide greater wettability of the middle section compared to the rest of the top layer 28. In specific configurations, the width in the transverse direction of the middle section can be essentially equal or less than the width in the transverse direction of the liquid ejection absorption part 46. In alternative configurations, the width of the middle section may be substantially equal to or less than the transverse distance between the pair of adhesive strips or other joints used to attach the retention valve section 144 to the top sheet 28 and to form a barrier seal to prevent leakage on back sheet 30.

The middle section treated with the surfactant may be located approximately in the center with respect to the longitudinal center line of the diaper and may extend along substantially the entire length of the top layer. Alternatively, the middle section treated with the surfactant can be formed so that it extends along only a certain part of the length of the top sheet.

In various configurations in accordance with the present invention, the fabric layer used in the insert elements 19 of the valve and / or waist valves 84 may, for example, be made of a fiber material that is similar to the material of the top sheet 28, or similar to the material constituting the liquid ejection absorption part 46 . Examples of these materials include, but are not limited to, fabrics from fibers obtained by spinneret production, fabrics from fibers obtained by melt blasting, layered structures from fibers obtained by spinneret, and fibers obtained from meltblown, layered structures from fibers, obtained by the spinneret production method, fibers obtained by melt blasting, fibers obtained by the spinneret production method (SMS), layered structures from fibers obtained by the spinneret method — fibers obtained by blasting from ra melt (SM), twisted-laced web materials, carded web materials, thermal dots connected, carded web materials, joined by passing hot air flow simultaneously formed web materials and materials bound water. Other common materials, such as polymer films, can also be used as components of barrier valves. In certain aspects of the present invention, the components of the barrier valve may be made of a material that allows only gas to pass through, such as ambient air. Alternative configurations of the present invention may include barrier valves, which are made of a material that prevents the passage of water-based fluids, such as urine, through them. For example, the barrier valve sections of the insert-valve elements may include a fabric layer that is made of layered material from layers obtained by a spinneret method, material obtained by blasting from a melt, material obtained by a spinneret method (SMS). As a specific example, the barrier valve sections of the insert-valve elements may be made of SMS material having an area weight of approximately 0.60-0.75 ounces / yard ² (approximately 20-25 g / m ² ). The layers obtained by the spinneret method can be made of polypropylene fibers, and the layer of material obtained by melt blasting can be composed of polypropylene fibers obtained by melt blasting. Alternatively, the barrier valves may be made using a fabric layer prepared by a feeder method that has a unit area weight of about 0.4-1.0 ounces / yard ² (about 13-33 g / m ² ). The layer of material obtained by the spinneret method may consist of fibers made from polypropylene or from a polypropylene / polyethylene copolymer composition.

In those cases where a fabric with thermal bonds is used as the fabric layer, it is desirable to minimize the size of the fabric bond area to improve the tactile and visual softness of the insert-valve element. Preferably, the bond area of the fabric should be less than 25%.

More preferably, the bond area of the fabric should be less than 15%. The percentage of bond area can be measured by analyzing the fingerprint of the bond pattern, which is obtained using a mold applying a bond / embossing pattern.

In various configurations of the present invention, in which individual materials or components, such as barrier valves, formed by sections 144 of the retention valve and / or sections 84 of the waist pockets, are made so that they are permeable to gas, while they represent resistance and limited permeability to water-based liquids, these materials or components that are resistant to liquid penetration may be designed to withstand the pressure of the water column, at least approximately about 45 cm of water substantially without leakage therethrough. Suitable techniques for determining the resistance of a material to liquid penetration are Method 5514, 1978 of the Federal Test Method Standard FTMS 191 or equivalent methods (Federal Test Method Standard FTMS, Method 5514, 1978).

The backsheet 30 may be made of a liquid permeable material, but preferably contains a material that is made in such a way that it is substantially impermeable to liquid. For example, a conventional backsheet may be made of a thin thermoplastic film or other flexible, liquid-impervious material. Such “flexible” materials are malleable and can easily take on the general shape and contours of the user's body. The backsheet 30 can prevent contamination by the secretions contained in the absorbent structure 32 of the articles, such as sheets and outerwear, which are in contact with the diaper 10.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the backsheet 30 is a plastic film having a thickness of from about 0.012 millimeters (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 millimeters (2.0 mil). In the present embodiment, for example, the backsheet is a film having a thickness of about 0.032 mm (about 1.25 mil). Alternative backsheet designs may include a layer of woven or non-woven fiber sheet materials that have been wholly or partially designed or processed to provide the desired level of liquid impermeability in separate areas of the backsheet that are located in close proximity to or on top of the absorbent substrate. For example, a backsheet having the appearance of a fabric can be composed of polypropylene fabric obtained by a spinneret method having an area weight of approximately 0.5 ounces / yard ² (approximately 17 g / m ² ) that is thermally coated and finely stretched a polypropylene film having a thickness of approximately 0.0006 inches (approximately 0.015 mm) and a weight per unit area of the film is approximately 14.5 g / m ² . The backsheet 30 typically forms the outer cover of the article. If necessary, however, the product may contain a separate element of the outer coating, which is an addition to the back sheet.

The backsheet 30 may optionally include microporous, “air-permeable” material that allows vapors to escape from the absorbent structure 32, while preventing liquid secretions from passing through the backsheet. For example, an air-permeable backsheet may be composed of a microporous polymer film or of a non-woven fabric that has been coated or otherwise treated to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability. For example, a suitable microporous film is PMP-1 material, which is supplied by Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc. (Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc.), which has offices in Tokyo, Japan, or an XCO-8044 type polyolefin film, supplied by 3M Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota (3M Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota). The back sheet may also be embossed or otherwise processed to obtain a matte surface to form an aesthetically more pleasing appearance.

Parameters for determining the air permeability of a material or component may be the rate of transfer of water vapor (SPV) (WVTR). In cases where the material or component has a specific SSTV value, the SSS value for a sample can be calculated, in general, in accordance with ASTM E96-80 or its equivalent. When determining DSS, round samples with a diameter of three inches (7.62 cm) are cut from each of the test materials and a control sample, which is a piece of CELGARD® 2500 film, a microporous polypropylene film supplied by the Hoechst Celanese Corporation, which has offices in the city of Sommerville, New Jersey (Sommerville, New Jersey). Three samples are prepared for each material. For testing, test cups number 681 VAPOMETER are used, which are supplied by the Thwing-Albert Instrument Company, which has an office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). One hundred milliliters (ml) of distilled water is poured into each VAPOMETER cup, and individual samples of the test materials and control material are placed over the open edges of the individual cups. The screw-on flanges are then tightened to form a seal along the edges of each cup, without using sealing grease to put on the flange, so that the corresponding part of the test material or control material remains open to the surrounding atmosphere in the form of a circle with a diameter of more than 6.5 centimeters (cm), open area whose surface is approximately 33.17 square centimeters. The cups are then weighed and placed in a forced-air oven, which is set at 37 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). The furnace is kept at a constant temperature so that external air circulates through it to prevent the accumulation of water vapor inside the furnace. A suitable forced-blow oven is, for example, a Blue-M POWER-O-MATIC 60 oven supplied by the Blue M Electric Company, which has offices in Blue Island, Illinois . After 24 hours, the plates are removed from the oven and weighed again. The values of the water vapor transmission rate obtained in the preliminary tests are then calculated as follows:

Test WVTR value (g / m ^2/24 hrs) = (grams weight loss over 24 hours) × 315,5

Relative humidity inside the oven was not specifically controlled. When the predetermined condition of 37 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), the conventional RH WVTR CELGARD ® 2500 film was determined to be 5000 grams per square meter per 24 hours (g / m ^2/24 hours). Accordingly, a control sample was used in each test and preliminary test values were adjusted in relation to the established conditions using the following equation:

WVTR (g / m ^2/24 hour) = (experimental MVTR value) / (control sample WVTR) × 5000 g / m ^2/24 hours.

The size of the backsheet 30 is typically determined by the size of the absorbent structure 32 and the selected exact diaper design. The backing layer 30, for example, may have a generally T-shape, generally an I-shape or a modified hourglass shape, and may extend beyond the end edges of the absorbent structure 32 by a certain distance, such as a distance within a range of from about 1.3 centimeters to 5.0 centimeters (about 0.5 to 2.0 inches) to form side edges.

In specific aspects of the present invention, the backsheet may have a maximum width_A of the waist tape in the transverse direction 24 and a minimum width_B of the crotch in the intermediate portion of the backsheet, such as those schematically shown in FIG. The quotient of dividing the maximum width_A of the waist strip by the minimum width_B of the crotch of the back layer 30 is at least a predetermined value, such as a minimum value of at least about 1.6. Alternatively, this quotient can be at least about 1.8, and, if necessary, this quotient can be at least about 2 to provide improved functional properties.

The back layer may also have a length K, along which the width in the transverse direction of the back layer does not exceed C, where C is determined by the formula

C = 0.8V + 0.2A.

Length_K may be at least a minimum percentage of the total length 180 of the product, such as approximately 30% of the length of the product. Alternatively, K_length may be at least about 35% of the total length of the product and, if necessary, may be at least about 40% of the total length of the product to provide improved fit and fit the body. In other aspects, K_length may be no more than about 80% of the total length of the article. Alternatively, K_length can be no more than about 70% and, if necessary, can be no more than about 60% of the total product length to provide improved performance.

The narrow crotch width of the backsheet 30 preferably reduces the amount of material in the crotch area of the wearer and helps to reduce excessive clumping between the legs of the wearer. As a result, a denser, more leak-proof fit of the product with respect to the user's body in the crotch area can be provided.

The backing layer 30 may also include a rake extension angle θ, which is selected in a certain range. The angle θ can, for example, be determined from the tangent lines, as shown in FIG. Tangent lines can be drawn as a continuation of essentially segments of straight lines of the side contour 15, which lead to a curved cutout of the back sheet and from it close to the front of the waist strip of the product.

Alternatively, the angle θ can be determined by the value of D and the value of E, which are shown in Fig.12. The value of D is equal to 80% of the maximum distance of the transverse cut formed by the contour 15 of the side edges in front of the waist strip of the absorbent product. The maximum distance of the side cutout is the transverse distance measured from the narrowest crotch width of the back layer 30 and the distance from the edge of the back layer (at the narrowest place of the crotch width) to the line determined by the maximum width outside the back layer at the front of the waist of the product . In the presented product having bilateral symmetry, the value D corresponds to the distance between the longitudinal line defining the external boundary of the value C and the line defined by the maximum external width outward from the back layer at the front of the waist band of the product. Value_E measures the longitudinal distance from the beginning of the side edge contour 15 in front of the absorbent article to the longitudinal location, where the side edge contour 15 reaches 80% of the maximum side cutout distance in front of the article.

Value_H measures the distance in the longitudinal direction from the longitudinal point of the minimum cutout of the back sheet (the location where the back layer has the narrowest crotch width) to the location along the length in the longitudinal direction, where value_H measures the distance in the longitudinal direction from the longitudinal point of the minimum cutout of the back sheet (location , in which the back layer has the narrowest crotch width) to a location along the length in the longitudinal direction, where at an angle equal to the arctangent of the quotient (magnitude na_E / velichina_D), followed by subtracting an angle equal to the arctangent value ((velichina_G - velichina_V) / (2 × (velichina_N))).

In certain aspects of the present invention, the angle θ can be at least about 90 degrees and, if necessary, can be at least about 115 degrees. In other aspects, the angle θ can be no more than about 140 degrees and, if necessary, can be selected no more than about 135 degrees. A certain angle θ can preferably provide an improved fit to the user's body, in particular in the waist and legs of the user, and allows more efficient manufacturing of products using high-speed processing equipment.

The configurations of the backsheet 30 can form the desired degree of coverage for the buttocks of the wearer while at the same time ensuring the independent operation of the insertion valve members 19. As a result, the product can provide an improved combination of back sheet fitting and sealing with valve inserts. In particular, leg inserts sections 142 can better fit the wearer's body and improve leakage protection.

The top sheet 28 and the back sheet 30 are connected or otherwise connected together as necessary for their functioning. The term “coupled” as used herein encompasses configurations in which the top sheet 28 is directly connected to the back sheet 30 by attaching the top sheet 28 directly to the back sheet 30, and configurations in which the top sheet 28 is connected to the back sheet 30 by attaching the top sheet 28 to intermediate elements, which, in turn, are attached to the back sheet 30. The top sheet 28 and the back sheet 30 can be attached directly to each other in separate areas, such as areas along the periphery of the diaper with power suitable attachment mechanism (not shown) such as adhesive, sonic bonds, heat bonds, or any other coupling mechanism known in the art. For example, a uniform continuous adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, a sprayed adhesive pattern, or a combination of individual lines, spirals or stains of structural adhesive can be used to attach the top sheet 28 to the back sheet 30. Obviously, the above attachment mechanisms can also be used for interconnecting and assembling together various other constituent parts of the product described in the present invention.

In the presented embodiment of the present invention (see, for example, FIG. 1), the upper layer 28 is located and attached to the back layer 30 so that it is facing to hold the holding part 48 and the liquid ejection absorption part 46 between the rear and upper layer. The lateral regions of the edges of the top sheet layer 28 are functionally connected to the corresponding lateral regions of the edges of the back layer 30. Each of the connected lateral regions of the edges of the upper layer and the rear layer are located laterally outward from the corresponding region of the lateral edge of the liquid ejection absorption portion 46. In specific configurations of the present invention, the top layer 28 may include attached end regions of the edges that are located along a length outside the end regions of the end edges of the retention portion 48 and / or the liquid ejection absorption portion 46. Similarly, the backsheet 30 may include attached end regions of the edges, which may be arranged longitudinally outside the end regions of the retaining portion and / or the liquid ejection absorption portion.

Elastic elements for the legs, such as elements formed in the elastic sections 142 of the foot inserts, are located close to the periphery of the diaper 10 along each of the longitudinal regions 20 of the side edges. The elastic elements for the legs can be connected to one or both of the back and top layers to form the elastic side edges of the diaper product and can be arranged so that they press and hold the diaper 10 on the legs of the user to form elastic bands for the legs or cuffs legs. Elastic waist elements, such as elements installed in the flange section 82 of the waist element 80, can also be located close to one or both of the end edges of the diaper 10 to form elastic waist bands.

The elastic elements in the foot strip and waist strip sections of the product are attached to the product so that they can elastically contract so that in the normal, unstressed state, the elastic elements effectively contract together with the product. Elastic elements can be attached with the possibility of elastic reduction in various ways; for example, elastic elements can be stretched and attached to a specific component of the product, which is in an uncompressed state. Alternatively, the component can be compressed, for example, by creasing, and the elastic elements can be fixed and attached to the component so that the elastic elements are in a loose or unstretched state. Other means, such as a shrinkable elastic material under the influence of heat, can be used to form sections of certain product components.

Elastic elements, such as elastic elements 110, 118, 138, and 68, may have any of a variety of configurations. For example, the width of individual elastic elements may vary from about 0.08 millimeters (0.003 inches) to about 25 millimeters (1.0 inches) or more. The elastic elements may contain one strand of elastic material or may contain several parallel or non-parallel threads of elastic material, and these elastic elements can be installed in a straight line or curved. When multiple yarns are used, the individual yarns may be formed so that they form substantially equal elastic forces, or may be formed such that they form various elastic forces. For example, individual threads can have a different diameter or a different size or can be made with different elongations, so that a gradient or other variations of the elastic tensile are formed. In cases where the threads are not installed in parallel, two or more threads may intersect or interconnect in another way within the elastic element. The elastic elements can be attached to certain components of the diaper by any of a variety of methods known in the art. For example, the elastic elements can be attached using ultrasound, heat and pressure using various attachment schemes or can be glued to the diaper 10 with specific application patterns of hot-melt adhesive or other type of adhesive. For example, certain patterns of glue applied by spraying or in the form of a spiral can be used.

In particular embodiments of the present invention, for example, each elastic yarn is typically selected within a range of about 77-1500 decitex (dtx) (tex is a weight of yarn 1 km long). In addition, the elastic elements can be made generally straight or, if necessary, curved. For example, curved elastic elements may be curved inward toward the center longitudinal line of the diaper. In particular embodiments, the curvature of the elastic elements may or may not be performed or set symmetrically with respect to the transverse center line of the diaper. Curved elastic elements can have a curved inward and curved outward, mirrored curvilinear configuration, and the longitudinal center of the elastic elements can be displaced by a certain distance in the direction of either the front or rear strips of the waist of the diaper to form the desired fit and appearance.

Conventional products have various barrier valve structures, such as retention valves 144 and waist pocket sections 84 in the waistband and / or legband regions. For example, such products typically include a portion of a single-layer or multi-layer material, such as polymer films and laminate structures of films — nonwovens in a portion of the waistband of the article along the transverse direction to form a waist valve or septum. These materials, however, usually function the same. When materials stretch, they tend to stretch with narrowing, due to which their effective width decreases. As they narrow, they tend to form relatively large wrinkles or folds that extend substantially along the direction of extension. The presence of such wrinkles may cause the barrier valves, especially the waist valves, to close, thereby reducing the ability to remain open to receive and retain body materials. In addition, when conventional materials are compressed, they tend to decrease overall stiffness, and this decrease in composite stiffness can again lead to folding of the barrier valves or closing them, which reduces their effectiveness.

It has been found that individual barrier valve structures, such as layered structures including separate and disconnected elastic threads, can form structures in which the disadvantages of prior art structures can be overcome. When stretched, the laminate structures with elastic threads in accordance with the present invention essentially prevent unwanted wrinkles that are usually formed across the plane of the barrier valve and along the intended direction of stretching. Preferably, the amount of stretching does not exceed the amount of elongation at which the elastic threads were assembled into a layered structure. When fully stretched and elongated, the layered structure with elastic threads can be arranged essentially in a flat form. When a layered structure with elastic threads is released and elastic compression is applied, small folds of sufficient size and frequency can be formed with the formation of grooves or grooves of the folds, which are usually oriented in a direction essentially perpendicular to the direction of contraction. Small folds can improve the stiffness of the valve structure and can improve its ability to remain open to receive discharge materials. The layered elastic yarn structures of the present invention substantially prevent the material from narrowing when stretched. In addition, the geometry of the layered structures with elastic threads themselves can play an important role in the functioning of materials when used as a barrier structure, such as the illustrated structure of the waist and / or retention valve. The placement of threads also plays a role in the functioning of various configurations of the layers.

However, it was found that the identification of conventional types of materials or families of materials was not adequate to obtain barrier valve structures that would be sufficiently effective and reliable. It was found that the functioning and effectiveness of the barrier valve structure depends on specific combinations of the properties and behavior characteristics of the materials used to assemble and construct the composite barrier valves. For example, installing a valve made up of a polyurethane film or a film with a layered structure at the waist of the product and placing a valve made up of a layered structure in the form of SMS non-woven fabric (layer obtained by spinneret method, layer obtained by blasting from melt, layer obtained by spinneret method ), in the waist band of the product, did not allow to reliably form a sufficiently effective structure of the barrier valve. It is important to additionally perform materials with certain physical properties, and one of the desirable physical properties is the stiffness of the valve element.

The required stiffness of the barrier valve element can be achieved by various factors. For example, contributing factors include the weight per unit area of the valve materials, the stiffness or stiffness coefficient of the individual components, the presence of glue or other binders that are added to the layers of the valve element, the distribution structure of the applied glue or bonds, the presence of welds or the presence of ultrasonic treatment, quantity and length of individual elastic threads used in the structure of the barrier valve, geometry of the placement of threads within the barrier valve, the presence and orientation of folds in bar bier valve and the number of layers of components included in the barrier valve.

Certain aspects of the present invention may include representative combinations of component size and component stiffness. For example, the stiffness of the retention valve may have a Gurley stiffness value, which is measured on a sample taken along the transverse direction 24 of the article, and which should be at least about 10 milligrams (mg). In other aspects, the Gurley lateral stiffness in the retention valve section can be no more than about 250 mgs and, if necessary, can be no more than about 60 mgs to provide improved properties. In addition, the leg insert section may have a Gurley stiffness value that is measured on a sample taken along the transverse direction 24 of the article, and which is at least about 11 milligrams-force (mg) and preferably is at least approximately 30 mg. In other aspects, the Gurley lateral stiffness in the leg insert section can be no more than about 250 mgs and, if necessary, can be no more than about 120 mgs to provide improved properties. In various configurations of the present invention, the Gurli stiffness of the foot insert section (which is measured with respect to a sample taken along the transverse direction of the absorbent article) is substantially equal to or greater than the Gurley stiffness in the transverse direction of the valve section of the insert-valve component retention section.

As can again be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the diaper product 10 shown may optionally have an elastic waist band formed by the waist pocket element 80, which may include a flange section 82 extending in the transverse and longitudinal directions and extending into lateral and longitudinal section 84 of a barrier valve or pocket. The flange section may, for example, be attached to the body facing surface of the top sheet 28. The flap or pocket section 84 of the waist pocket element 80 includes a substantially fixed edge portion 102 that is attached to the product along and in close proximity to the section boundary 82 of the flange, and includes an elastic, movable edge portion 104 with assemblies that is located at a certain distance in the longitudinal direction from the fixed edge portion 102. The pocket section thus forms the functional structure of the waist partition and the waist valve. The pocket section also includes a substantially liquid-impermeable pocket barrier layer 106 and a pocket fabric layer 108 that is attached to the pocket barrier layer so that it faces it. The pocket fabric may, for example, be composed of a woven or non-woven fabric, and in the depicted embodiment, the fabric layer is essentially non-woven. A plurality of individual laterally extending pocket elastic members 110 are sandwiched between and functionally connected to the pocket barrier layer 106 and the pocket tissue layer 108 to form an elastic waist pocket component 112 that has assemblies substantially along the transverse direction 24 and can stretch elastically, at least along the transverse direction. Similarly, elastic members 118 may be formed with composite member 112 to impart functional elasticity to flange section 82. The illustrated arrangement includes elastic elements that are oriented substantially parallel to each other, but, if necessary, may include other individual configurations and arrangements of elastic elements. Preferably, the tissue layer 108 is configured to be located directly on the skin of the user, although the barrier layer 106 can, if necessary, be placed directly near the skin of the user. Suitable configurations of the waist pocket element 80 are described in US Patent Application, Registration Number 560524, which was filed December 18, 1995 by DR Lowe et al. WITH IMPROVED WAIST ELASTIC AND CONTAINMENT SYSTEM) (patent attorney registration number 12, 122), the full description of which is given here as a reference so that it is consistent with this description.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, it can be seen that the valve insert barrier layer 174 can be composed of various materials, such as polymer films, fabrics, and combinations thereof, having relatively low permeability to water-based fluids. Preferably, the barrier layer is substantially liquid impervious. The barrier layer may also be permeable to air. Thus, the polymer films can be made permeable to air or impermeable to air and can, for example, be composed of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides and the like, as well as combinations thereof.

The fabrics may be permeable to air or impermeable to air, woven, as well as nonwoven materials, which include materials obtained by a spinneret method of production, materials obtained by blasting from a melt, materials obtained by a spinneret method, materials obtained by blowing from a melt (SM), materials obtained by the spinneret method, materials obtained by melt blasting, materials obtained by the spinneret method (SMS), calendared non-woven sheets, etc., as well as combinations thereof. With respect to the passage of fluid through its thickness, the barrier layer is designed in such a way that it exhibits resistance to the pressure of the water column, which is sufficient to provide a functionally effective barrier to the passage of fluids such as urine.

In particular aspects, the barrier layer may have a definite water vapor transmission rate (MVTR) such as WVTR, of at least at least 300 grams per square meter per 24 hours (g / m ^2/24 hours). Barrier layer 174, alternatively, may have a WVTR of at least about 800 g / m ^2/24 hours and can, if necessary, have a WVTR of at least about 3000 g / m ^2/24 hours to provide improved properties.

The insertion valve barrier layer 174 may, for example, be composed of an embossed cast film having a thickness of approximately 0.015 mm (approximately 0.0006 inches), such as CT XEM400.1 film, or a blown film having a thickness of approximately 0.010 mm (approximately 0.0004 inches), such as XSF-367 film. Suitable films are supplied by Huntsman Packaging, formerly Consolidated Thermoplastics, which has offices in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. The barrier layer can also be composed of stretch-thinned film having a thickness of approximately 0.0089 mm (approximately 0.00035 inches), such as XP1024A film, supplied by Hanston Packaging (formerly Edison Plastics) (Huntsman Packaging (formerly Edison Plastics)) , a company with other offices in Macalester, Oklahoma (Macalester, Oklahoma). Alternatively, the barrier layer may be provided with a breathable film having a thickness of approximately 0.0050 mm (approximately 0.0002 inches), such as a BF-303 film supplied by Exxon Plastics, having offices in Houston, Texas (Houston, Texas).

The insert-valve tissue layer 176 is preferably a substantially continuously elongated layer, and the tissue layer insert region 136 is preferably adjacent to the retention valve region 63. In addition, the fabric layer 176 may be substantially segmentless as a single layer. The valve insert fabric can be composed of various materials, such as non-woven fabric material with low denier (low linear density), low weight unit area. Examples of suitable nonwoven materials include materials obtained by a spinneret method from polypropylene, bicomponent materials obtained by a spinneret method from polypropylene-polyethylene, materials obtained by blasting from a melt, SMS materials, thin-sheet carded materials connected by air transmission, thin-sheet materials connected at points connected in a carded manner, etc., as well as combinations thereof. In separate arrangements, the material may be composed of spunbond polypropylene fibers that comprise about 0-8% polyethylene copolymer and preferably include about 3% polyethylene copolymer.

In preferred arrangements, the insert-valve fabric layer 176 may have a unit area weight of at least about 3.4 g / m ² (about 0.1 ounces / yard ² ). Alternatively, the weight per unit area may be no less than about 10.2 g / m ² (about 0.3 oz / in ² ) and, if necessary, may be no less than about 13.6 g / m ² (about 0.4 oz / inch ² ). In other aspects, fabric layer 136 may have a unit weight of not more than about 272 g / m ² (about 8 ounces / inch ² ). Alternatively, the weight per unit area can be no more than about 136 g / m ² (about 4 ounces / inch ² ) and, if necessary, can be no more than about 34 g / m ² (about 1 ounce / inch ² ) .

For example, the insert-valve fabric layer may be a non-woven fabric composed of polypropylene fibers with a linear density of about 5 denier, and a unit area of fabric weight of about 17 g / m ² (about 0.5 ounces / inch ² ). Alternatively, the linear density of the fibers in the tissue layer can be no more than about 3 denier and, if necessary, can be no more than about 2.5 denier.

Preferred product configurations in accordance with the present invention can be made with each insert valve 19 attached directly or indirectly to a specific section facing inwardly the surface facing the body of the top sheet layer 28. If necessary, the insert-valve can be attached directly or indirectly to a specific area of the surface of the layer 30 of the back sheet. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the elastic insert flaps 19 extend along substantially the entire length of the intermediate region 16 of the diaper 10. Alternatively, the elements of the insert flap can extend along the entire length of the diaper 10 or any other length suitable to ensure the layout of the elastically contracting lines needed for a particular diaper design.

In particular, each valve insert is connected along its corresponding externally concave contour 15 of the terminal lateral edge of the back sheet layer. Each of the side edge contours may have a length 54 in the longitudinal direction, which preferably extends completely through the crotch region 18 and which may extend at least along about 20 percent of the total longitudinal length 180 of the article. In other configurations, the length of the lateral contour 54 in the longitudinal direction can be at least about 30 percent, alternatively, can be at least about 40 percent and, if necessary, can be up to 100 percent of the total length 180 of the product longitudinal direction.

The leg elastic members of the diaper 10 may be formed by special sections 142 of the foot inserts of the valve inserts 19. Each section 142 of the foot inserts may have a length that extends along at least about 20 percent of the total longitudinal length 180 of the article. In other configurations, each leg insert section 142 may extend along at least about 30 percent and, alternatively, at least about 40 percent along the longitudinal length 180 of the article to provide improved performance. If required, each section of the foot insert can extend along a length that can be up to 100 percent of the total longitudinal length of the product to provide additional compaction and retention. Alternatively, each section of the leg insert may extend along a length that is not more than about 80 percent and, if necessary, not more than about 70 percent of the total longitudinal length of the product to ensure the required functioning.

In addition, each leg insert section 142 may be configured to connect its corresponding concave contour 15 of the lateral edge of the back layer along a length 182 that is at least about 20 percent of the longitudinal length 180 of the article. In other configurations, each leg insert section 142 may connect a corresponding concave contour 15 of the lateral edge of the posterior layer along a length 182 that is at least about 30 percent and alternatively at least about 40 percent of the longitudinal length 180 products for improved performance. If required, each section of the foot insert can connect a length that can be up to 100 percent of the total longitudinal length of the product to provide additional sealing and retention. Alternatively, each leg insert section may connect a length that is not more than about 80 percent and, if necessary, not more than about 70 percent of the total longitudinal length of the product to provide the required performance and cost effectiveness.

It has also been found that the length of the effective elastic leg assembly of the leg insert section 144 of the leg valve insert 19 may be an important factor for the functioning of the absorbent article. Accordingly, the leg insert section may have an effective, free elastic length 156, which is the average of the continuous longitudinal length of the first arrangement of elastic elements 138 that are not cut or otherwise weakened by an external weakening set 158 or using any attachments that could significantly weaken the first elastic element 138. The effective free elastic length 156 of the leg insert section is determined in a state where and the diaper is unfolded in a fully extended form. In certain aspects, the effective free elastic length 156 may be at least about 44% of the total length 180 of the article. An effective free elastic length of 156 may alternatively comprise at least about 52% of the total length of the article 180 and, if necessary, may be at least about 60% of the total length of the article to provide improved performance. The effective free elastic length 156 may be substantially equal to the total length 180 of the product, but such a configuration may cause excessive twisting of parts of the waist strip of the product. In preferred aspects, the effective free elastic length 156 can be no more than about 90% of the total length of the product. Alternatively, the effective free elastic length can be no more than about 80% of the total length of the product to provide additional improved properties of the product.

In specific aspects of the present invention, the insert flaps 19 may be configured such that substantially intersecting the locations of the waist pocket elements 80 is prevented. Accordingly, the insert flaps can be designed so that they end in positions that are located at some distance from the end edges of the waist pocket element section 84.

Figures 1, 4 and 6 show that each of the lateral edges of the back layer 30 generally defines its configuration in plan, and each of the leg insert sections 19 is designed so that it extends beyond and at a certain distance from the corresponding concave contour 15 of the side edge of the back layer 30 at a certain distance 184 of the side, and with such a layout in which it lies essentially within and essentially parallel to the plane of the corresponding side edge of the back sheet.

In various embodiments of the present invention, each leg insert section 142 may include an leg leg region 134 of the barrier layer 174, leg leg region 136 of the fabric layer 176, and a first arrangement of a first plurality of separate longitudinally extending elastic members 138 sandwiched between the leg leg region of the barrier layer and interacting corresponding parts of the areas of the inserts for the legs of the fabric layer to form an elastic composite material that has essentially longitudinal assemblies. In certain embodiments, the barrier layer region 134 and the tissue layer region 136 may have substantially the same length. The elastic elements can be installed in any desired orientation or configuration, such as parallel, non-parallel, straight, curved, or using a combination thereof. Alternatively, the entire portion of the insert for the legs of the insert-valve, or the parts of the valve to hold the insert-valve, or the entire insert-valve can also be placed in the absorbent product in parallel, not parallel, straight, curved, or using a combination thereof. Preferably, the tissue layer region 136, in particular the wrapped outer side portion 170, is positioned so that it is located directly on the skin of the user. If necessary, the region 134 of the barrier layer can be placed in close proximity to the skin of the user.

In certain aspects, the depicted barrier layer region 134 is substantially the same length with the corresponding leg insert section 142, at least in the portion of the leg insert section that connects and overlaps the C-shaped gap formed by the end edge of the corresponding lateral contour of the back sheet 30. The barrier layer 174, if necessary, may or may not extend into an adjacent valve holding section 144 of the insert-valve member.

When considering the layout schematically shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, it can be seen that the leg insert region 136 of the fabric layer 176 can be located and connected directly adjacent to the first barrier layer 174 located relatively inside the surface 148. The outer side portion 170 of the fabric layer extends outside the first lateral edge 140 of the barrier layer 174 located relatively outside, and the fabric layer has a defined first line or fold region 188, which is located generally close to the lateral edge 140 of the barrier layer. The side portion 170 of the side of the fabric layer is functionally folded and wrapped around the side edge 140 of the barrier layer to thereby close the resulting wrapped edge of the barrier layer. The side portion 170 of the fabric layer then extends along the second major surface 149 of the barrier layer 174 toward the center of the article. Preferably, the tissue side portion 170 covers substantially the entire second main surface 149 of the barrier layer region 134 in the foot insert section 142 and substantially completely covers the second main surface of the barrier layer portion that is located in the leg insert section 142. Accordingly, the side portion 170 of the tissue may be located between the barrier layer and the skin of the user.

The fold line 188 is located at a distance of 190 from the first edge 140 of the barrier layer (FIG. 6), which is not more than approximately 8 mm. Alternatively, the crease line 188 is located from the first edge 140 of the barrier layer at a distance of not more than about 4 mm and, if necessary, not more than about 2 mm to provide improved performance. Preferably, the distance 190 is substantially zero. If the distance 190 is chosen too large, excessive leakage of fluid or leakage of fluid around the edge of the barrier layer may occur.

Each of the elastic elements 138 of the leg insert section 142 is positioned between the barrier layer 174 and at least a portion of the tissue layer 176 in the leg insert section of the valve insert 19. Each elastic element is attached to at least the barrier layer or tissue layer using a specific wiring diagram, such as a glue application circuit. In particular embodiments, the elastic members 138 may be attached using one or more separate strips of glue 74, as shown schematically in FIGS. 9 and 10. Each adhesive strip 74 is configured to adhere one or more elastic members 138, at least to the barrier layer or the fabric layer, the adhesive strips can also be made in such a way that the adhesive strips 74 will cover part or all of the circumference of the elastic elements 138.

In a specific aspect of the present invention, each individual adhesive strip can be spatially separated from the laterally adjacent adhesive strips by a certain distance, such as schematically depicted in FIG. 10. In the illustrated arrangement, each adhesive strip 74 is positioned so that it attaches substantially one of the elastic members 138 to at least the fabric barrier layer, and the barrier layer 174 and fabric layer 176 in the leg insert section 142, essentially are not attached to each other in the intermediate regions 90 located between adjacent elements of the first set of elastic elements 138. Thus, each elastic element of the first set of elastic elements 138 in each of the sections 142 of the foot inserts can be attached to at least the barrier layer 174 and / or the fabric layer 176 using a substantially separate adhesive strip 74. The individual, spatially separated adhesive strips are substantially not in contact with each other. As a result, substantially unconnected intermediate regions 90 can form a configuration similar to a quilted configuration and more effectively form an elastic topography.

In other configurations of the invention shown schematically in FIG. 11, the adhesive distribution pattern 76 may be such that the placement of the adhesive is concentrated at the locations of the elastic elements 138 when applying a substantially reduced amount of adhesive in the areas between the elastic elements 138, at a boundary location 164 between the elastic elements of the retention valve and the elastic elements of the foot insert, and / or in the bend line region 188. Adhesive strips can also be designed so that adhesive strips 74 cover part or all of the circumference of the elastic elements 138. In further aspects, the barrier layer 174 and fabric layer 176 in the foot insert section 142 can be attached to each other using a smaller, reduced amount glue in one or more intermediate areas that are located between adjacent elements of the first set of elastic elements 138, compared with the amount of glue located at the locations of the per a plurality of elastic elements for attaching and applying a layer of the first plurality of elastic elements. Similarly, in those places where the barrier layer extends into the retention valve section 144, the barrier layer 174 and the fabric layer 176 in the retention valve section 144 can be attached to each other with a reduced amount of glue in one or more intermediate areas that are located between next to each other by the elements of the second set of elastic elements 68, compared with the amount of glue located at the positions of the second set of elastic elements for attaching the layer of the second set of elastic egg elements.

Adhesive strips 74 or glue application structure 76 can also be used to attach elastic elements 68 in which elastic elements are attached only to fabric layer 174. Adhesive strips or glue structure can be applied around the entire or at least part of the circumference of the elastic elements 68, when the elastic elements 68 are attached only to the fabric layer 176. This method of attaching the elastic members 68 allows an elastic topography to be created in the retention valve section 144 of the insert-valve 19 when the retention valve section does not contain a barrier layer 134.

With respect to the holding valve section 144, the second arrangement of the at least one elastic member can be attached to at least one insert-valve barrier, and the fabric layers 174, 176 have an increased amount of glue compared to the amount of glue applied in place 164 the boundary between the first layout of the elastic elements 138 of the foot inserts and the second layout of the elastic elements 68 of the retention valve. In those places where the retention valve section 144 includes a second arrangement having a second plurality of elastic elements, the elastic elements can be attached to at least the barrier layer and the fabric layer of the insert valve 174, 176 (in particular the fabric layer) with using increased, more glue than the amount of glue placed in the intermediate areas that are located between adjacent elements of the second set of elastic elements of the retention valve. Where the barrier layer 174 extends into the retention valve section 144 and the second arrangement of the retention valve elastic members includes a second plurality of resilient members 68, the second plurality of resilient members can be applied as a layer to the barrier layer and the retention valve fabric layer with a large amount of glue compared with the amount of glue placed in the intermediate areas between adjacent elements of the second set of elastic elements of the retention valve.

Although such arrangements may or may not have isolated gaps between the region of the applied adhesive 76, it has been noted that such an arrangement can provide sufficient adhesive bonding without excessively increasing stiffness with the leg portion of the composite valve insert. Such an arrangement may also form a softer surface in the area of the foot insert of the valve insert.

Suitable technologies for applying the desired glue pattern are described in US Pat. No. 5,340,648, entitled ELONGATED ELEMENT COMPRISING HELICALLY PATTERNED ADHESIVE, issued August 23, 1994 to N. Rollins et al. ); in American patent No. 5501756, issued March 26, 1996 to the authors N. Rollins and others, and in American patent No. 5507909, issued on April 16, 1996 to the authors N. Rollins and others. A full description of these documents is given here as a reference that it is consistent with this description.

All elastic members 138 can be attached to a single surface of the leg insert region 134 of the barrier layer 174. For example, all elastic members 138 can be attached to the first main surface 148 and coated with the primary, main part of the leg insert region 134 of the fabric layer 176 (FIG. 7). Alternatively, all elastic elements 138 can be attached to the second main surface 149 and covered with the outer side portion 170 of the fabric layer (Fig. 8).

In another aspect, each of the leg insert sections 142 may be configured with a first arrangement of elastic members 138, including a first subset of laterally divided elastic members attached to a first main surface 148 of the barrier layer 174 and a second subset of laterally divided elastic elements attached to the second main surface 149 of the barrier layer (FIGS. 4 and 6). In preferred embodiments, the first subset of elastic members can be laterally offset and zigzagged with respect to the second subset of elastic members. In particular, a first subset of elastic elements can be arranged with a first set of gaps between adjacent elements and a second subset of elastic elements can be arranged with a second set of gaps between adjacent elements. When considering the thickness of the barrier layer 174, the first subset of elastic elements is substantially aligned with the second set of gaps, and the second subset of elastic elements is substantially aligned with the first set of gaps.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the elastic members 138 adjacent to each other may have a gap distance 139 (FIG. 6) between them, which is at least about 1 mm. Alternatively, the gap distance may be at least about 3 mm and, if necessary, can be at least about 4 mm. In other aspects of the present invention, the elastic members 138 adjacent to each other may have a gap distance 139 between them, which will be no more than approximately 45 mm. Alternatively, the gap distance can be no more than about 35 mm and, if necessary, can be no more than about 25 mm.

The elastic members 138 within each leg insert section 142 can be configured to provide a composite elastic stress of at least about 50 grams force when the leg insert section is stretched to a length that is 90 percent of it, creature, decomposed, uncompressed, stretched length. Alternatively, elastic elongation can be at least about 75 grams force and, if necessary, can be at least about 100 grams force to provide an improved combination of comfort and retention. In other aspects of the present invention, the elastic members 138 within each leg insert section 142 may be configured to provide a composite elastic stretch of not more than about 300 gram-force when the leg insert section is stretched to 90 percent of its expanded uncompressed length. Compound elastic stretching, alternatively, can be no more than about 250 gram-force and, if necessary, can be no more than about 200 gram-force to provide the desired combination of comfort and retention.

In the required configurations, each leg insert section 142 can extend laterally beyond its corresponding contour 15 of the lateral edge of the back layer 30 to a side 184 of at least about 3 mm. Alternatively, the spacing of the rim can be at least about 6 mm and, if necessary, can be at least about 9 mm, at least within the section 18 of the crotch of the product. In other aspects of the present invention, each leg insert section 142 can extend laterally beyond its corresponding contour 15 of the lateral edge of the back layer 30 to a rim distance of not more than about 100 mm. Alternatively, the flange distance 184 may be no more than approximately 50 mm and, if necessary, may be no more than approximately 35 mm, at least within the crotch section 18 of the article to provide improved comfort and sealing. It is also preferable to perform the distance of the side so as to provide essentially complete coverage of the buttocks of the user.

The various configurations of the leg insert section 142 can provide a plurality of individual longitudinally elongated elastic members that are spaced transversely beyond the longitudinally extending end lateral edge of the backsheet at a predetermined distance of at least within the crotch area of the product. Such laterally separated elastic elements can substantially prevent a direct connection with said back layer and can substantially prevent the formation of immediate folds of said back layer in its crotch region.

As shown schematically in FIGS. 4 and 6, each leg insert section 142 is connected to the product, in particular to the surface facing the body of the top sheet 28, using a leg insert connection, such as an insert-valve attachment 172. The foot insert connection holds the insert section 142 substantially parallel to a plane generally defined by its corresponding lateral edge of the back sheet 30. In particular, the insert connection includes a product joint that secures the foot insert section 142 on the product close to its corresponding , an externally concave contour 15 of the terminal lateral edge of the backsheet 30 along substantially the entire length of the contour of the lateral edge with which the foot insert 142 and its corresponding lateral contour 15 have the same length. In specific aspects of the present invention, the attachment of each section of the insert to the product essentially ends at a position that is outside the transverse direction of the absorbent substrate structure 32, at least within the crotch portion 18 of the product. Accordingly, the attachment of the leg insert section to the crotch portion of the article substantially ends at a position that is laterally outside the holding portion 48. Furthermore, the attachment of the insert section 142 to the crotch portion of the article may substantially end at a position that is outside the lateral direction of the wrapper sheet 70. In the presented arrangements, for example, the attachment of the foot insert may have a generally U-shaped configuration such that the lower part of the U-shaped extends generally in the longitudinal direction and the two U-shaped arms extend in generally in the transverse direction. The depicted U-shape is made oblique, but it can, if necessary, be performed without an inclination. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, other aspects of the present invention may include an additional mount 130 around the perimeter of the insert, which connects the terminal lateral edge of the top sheet 28 and / or the back sheet 30 of the leg insert section 142, at least in the crotch area . A perimeter connection mount 130 is located close to and outside in the transverse direction of each insert-valve connection. Each perimeter connection 130 is configured in such a way that it secures a corresponding leg insert section 142 to the article close to its corresponding externally concave contour 15 of the end lateral edge of the article along at least a portion of the length of the end lateral edge of the back layer 30. A perimeter connection 130 extends generally inside the terminal lateral edge 50 of the backsheet 30 close to the product connection region 52. As shown, the overall direction inward from joining the perimeter connection may include at least a longitudinal component of the vector, and may include lateral and longitudinal components of the vector. The product connection regions 52 are located at the point where the overlapping part of the outer edge 152 of each leg insert section 144 intersects the corresponding contour 50 of the terminal lateral edge of the back layer and where the overlapping part of the outer edge 152 of the leg insert section overlays on top of the back surface of the body layer 30.

Required configurations of the present invention may include a perimeter connection 130 that is at least partially located in the intermediate part 16 of the product and is located close to the side edge contour 15. In certain embodiments, the perimeter mount 130 can have a substantially straight shape (for example, FIG. 1). In other configurations, the perimeter connection of the connection may substantially follow the shape of the deepest concave section of the side edge contour 15, and each longitudinal end of the connection of the connection around the perimeter may then have a substantially rectilinear shape along the longitudinal direction 26, as shown schematically in FIG. .16. In addition, the perimeter connection fixture 130 in accordance with the present invention may include a foot insert located outside attachment 160 and / or distal attachment 79 of the retention valve. In specific configurations, the external attachment 160 and / or the distant attachment can be made as a separate attachment and can be made separately from the mount 130 around the perimeter. In other aspects, the present invention may have an external attachment 160 or a distant attachment 79 attached to their respective perimeter mount 130. In preferred embodiments of the arrangement in accordance with the present invention, the external attachment 160 of the foot insert and the distal attachment 79 of the retention valve may connect the valve to the product insert 19 with arrangements in which the attachments do not have reduced functionality in parts of the waist band of the product.

Each external attachment 160 at the front of the waist strip of the article may be laterally positioned inside or outside of a corresponding perimeter mount 130 located nearby. Preferably, the external attachment 160 at the front of the waist strip is located laterally in the transverse direction of the corresponding attachment 130 around the perimeter. In other preferred configurations, an external attachment 160 at the front of the waist strip may be located close to the outer side edge 152 of the insert-valve. Other arrangements may have an external attachment 160 attached to the corresponding mount 130 around the perimeter using an additional connecting segment, but this additional connecting segment must be designed so that this additional connection does not intersect or otherwise weaken the elastic elements 138, which could lead to a decrease in the required, effective free elastic length in the part of the foot insert of the valve insert 19.

Each external attachment 160 of the foot insert at the rear of the waist strip of the article may be located inward or outward in the transverse direction from its corresponding adjacent connection 130 around the perimeter. In specific aspects, the external attachment 160 at the rear of the waist strip is laterally outward from the corresponding connection 130 around the perimeter, as schematically shown in FIG. In preferred embodiments, the external attachment 160 at the rear of the waist strip may be located close to the insert-valve edge 152. In other embodiments, the external attachment 160 at the rear of the waist strip can be attached to its corresponding connection 130 around the perimeter using an additional connecting segment, but this additional connecting segment must be designed so that this additional connection does not cross or weaken otherwise elastic elements 138 so that the required effective free elastic length in the leg insert portion of the valve insert 19 is reduced.

In specific aspects, the perimeter connection 130 can end laterally from and at the same level as the connection region 52, in particular at the intersection point at which its corresponding side edge contour 15 intersects the outer side contour 152 of its corresponding foot insert section. This arrangement of the joint 130 around the perimeter of the intermediate region can give a preferred combination of providing a seal in the intermediate part 16 of the article, eliminating the area of the absorbent substrate 32 and allowing the leg insert section 142 to maintain the desired fit to the wearer's body.

In other aspects, the perimeter connection 130 can be located inside of the intersection of the corresponding connection region 52 and can extend longitudinally beyond the inflection point to a certain tab distance 154, which is no more than a maximum value of approximately 80 mm. Alternatively, the insertion distance may be no more than about 60 mm and, if necessary, may be no more than about 40 mm to provide improved performance. Other preferred configurations may have a tab distance of not more than about 20 mm. An effective limit to the perimeter of the joint outside the joint region 52 may be the point at which the perimeter joint will intersect the absorbent substrate 32. In preferred aspects, the circumferential joint 130 is configured to substantially prevent extrusion beyond the region of the absorbent substrate. 32, in particular the holding portion 48 to prevent excessive leakage. If the absorbent pad 32 is configured in such a way that extending the circumference of the joint 130 does not substantially intersect the absorbent core 32, another effective perimeter limit of the length of the joint 130 may be the edge of the front waist band of the article. For example, the perimeter joint 130 may include a straight line segment that extends to the approximately longitudinal end edge 94 of the article, and this straight line segment will not intersect the absorbent core.

Each leg insert section 142 may have an effective width 186 in the transverse direction (for example, FIG. 6), and this lateral width 186 of the insert is preferably greater than the transverse width 58 of its corresponding retention valve section 144. To ensure improved independence of movement of the outer edge 152 of the leg insert section 142, the circumferential connection 130 is spaced along the transverse dimension 24 inward in a transverse direction from the outer edge 152 of the corresponding leg section 142 of the leg insert at a distance of 128 of the perimeter attachment gap (see , for example, figures 6 and 16), which is at least a minimum value of approximately 15 mm Alternatively, the perimeter distance 128 of the attachment gap may be at least about 20 mm and, if necessary, may be at least about 25 mm to provide improved performance. If the distance of the mounting gap around the perimeter is too small, the leg insert section 142 may be less adapted to fit snugly against the wearer's body, and may form excessive gaps during use.

In other aspects of the present invention, each leg insert section 142 may have a perimeter distance 128 of not more than approximately 104 mm (see, for example, FIG. 6). Alternatively, the transverse width of the leg insert section may be no more than approximately 76 mm and, if necessary, may be no more than approximately 51 mm. In addition, in certain aspects, the present invention can be configured such that each leg insert section has a perimeter distance 128 of a mounting distance that is greater than the transverse width 58 of the corresponding retention valve section 144.

In additional aspects, the required perimeter mounting distance 128 can be maintained along a separate portion of the longitudinal length 180 of the article. In specific configurations, the selected minimum distance 128 of the gap between said perimeter connection 130 and the outer lateral edge 152 of the foot insert section can be substantially maintained with respect to a substantially continuous distance of at least about 3 cm along the longitudinal direction 26 of the product. Alternatively, this substantially continuous longitudinal distance may be at least about 5 cm and, if necessary, may be at least about 10 cm to provide improved fit and leakage protection.

In other aspects, the perimeter distance 128 between the perimeter connection 130 and the outer side edge 152 of the foot insert section can be maintained at a certain minimum value, essentially along a continuous longitudinal distance that is approximately equal to the length of the perimeter 130. In specific configurations, the perimeter distance 128 of the attachment gap can be maintained at a predetermined minimum amount with respect to a substantially continuous distance of at least 20% of the longitudinal length 180 of the article. Alternatively, the distance 128 of the gap can be maintained along a substantially continuous longitudinal distance, which is at least about 30% of the longitudinal length 180 of the product and, if necessary, can be maintained along a substantially continuous longitudinal distance, comprising at least about 40% of the length 180 of the product to provide improved performance. If the longitudinal distance of the maintained perimeter distance of the mounting gap is too short, sufficient control cannot be provided in the foot insert section.

The perimeter connection 130 can preferably be made so that it provides a functional seal against fluid leakage between the insert-valve member 19 and the top sheet 28, and between the top sheet 28 and the back sheet 30 along at least a substantial longitudinal length intermediate part 16 of the product. In specific aspects, the length of the seal may be at least about 2.5 cm. Alternatively, the length of the seal may be at least about 5 cm and, if necessary, it may be at least about 10 cm to provide improved leakage resistance. In particular aspects, the length of the seal may be at least about 20% of the longitudinal length 180. Alternatively, the length of the seal may be at least about 30% of the longitudinal length 180 and, if necessary, may be at least approximately 40% of the longitudinal length of 180 to provide improved resistance to leakage.

The functional seal of the perimeter fastener 130 can also be improved by varying the density and type of fastener pattern. For example, a perimeter mount 130 may be a substantially continuous seal. Other arrangements may include an ultrasonic connection to form a perimeter connection 130, and this ultrasonic connection may include dots in various densities, such as schematically shown in Figures 17-17B. These dotted patterns can be arranged closer to each other to provide a more winding path that provides greater leakage resistance. Alternatively, the dots can be replaced with other shapes, such as sticks, lines, s-shaped lines, zigzag lines, etc., as well as combinations thereof. In addition, other conventional methods can be used to form a functional tortuous path, which essentially prevents the leakage of liquids through the side edges of the product.

In various aspects of the present invention, perimeter fastenings 130 and an external foot insert 160 can allow the outer edge 152 of the foot insert 142 to operate substantially independently of the back and top layers, in particular in the joint areas 52 in which each from parts 12 and 14 of the waist strip passes into the intermediate part 16 of the product and in which the overlapping part of the outer edge 152 of each section 142 of the foot inserts is superimposed on at least the back layer 30. The resulting construction can This allows for a better fit of the leg insert section 142 to the user's body.

In specific aspects of the present invention, the external attachment 160 of the insert at the front 12 of the product waist strip may extend from approximately the edge 94 of the front waist strip of the product to approximately the location of its corresponding product joining region 52, in particular to the inflection point of this joining region. In other aspects of the present invention, the external attachment 160 of the insert may extend from approximately the edge 94 of the front waistline to a location that ends close to and is displaced in the longitudinal direction from the joint region 52, in particular to the inflection point of the joint region, by a distance of not more than than approximately 40 mm. Alternatively, the external attachment 160 of the insert may extend from approximately the front edge 94 of the waist strip to a location that is offset longitudinally from the corresponding joint region 52 by a distance of not more than about 30 mm and, if necessary, not more than about 20 mm.

In other aspects, the external attachment 160 of the insert in the back waist portion 14 of the article may extend from approximately the end edge 94 of the back waist of the article to approximately the location of the corresponding article joining region 52, in particular to the inflection point of the joining region. In other aspects of the present invention, the external attachment 160 of the insert may extend from approximately the edge 94 of the rear waistline to a location that ends close to and is displaced in the longitudinal direction from the corresponding joint region 52, in particular to the inflection point of the joint region by a distance of not more than than approximately 40 mm. Alternatively, the external attachment 160 of the insert may extend from approximately the edge 94 of the rear waist strip to a location that is offset longitudinally from the joint region 52 by a distance that is not more than about 30 mm and, if necessary, not more than about 20 mm

As indicated previously, it may be desirable to place the outer insert attachment 160 on or near the outer edge of the foot insert 152. External attachments 160 may, for example, include glue, such as hot melt adhesive or the like. External attachments may, for example, be used in conjunction with additional attachments, such as adhesive joints, that further attach the end portion region of the leg insert portion 137 to the absorbent article. To further improve the functioning of the absorbent article, the outer edge 152 of the leg insert section 142 can be substantially unattached to the article along the length of the free edge 162 at a distance of at least about 14 cm (see, for example, FIG. 16). The length of the free edge may alternatively be at least about 16 cm and, if necessary, may be at least about 30 cm to further improve performance. In other aspects, the length of the free edge 162 may be not more than approximately 45 cm. Alternatively, the length of the free edge may be not more than approximately 40 cm and, if necessary, the length of the free edge may be not more than approximately 35 cm to provide improved product characteristics.

In further aspects, the outer edge 152 of the leg insert section 142 may be substantially unattached to the product along the length of the free edge 162, which is at least about 44% of the total length of the product. Alternatively, the length of the free edge may be at least about 52% of the total length of the article and, if necessary, may be at least. approximately 60% of the total product length to provide improved performance. In some aspects of the present invention, the length of the free edge 162 may be substantially equivalent to the longitudinal length 180, but this is undesirable in some other embodiments, due to the twisting of the waist region on the user's body. In other additional aspects, the length of the free edge 162 may be no more than approximately 90% of the total length of the product. Alternatively, the length of the free edge may be no more than about 80% of the total length of the product to provide further improvement in product performance.

The perimeter connection 130 can extend along the entire longitudinal length of the diaper 10. The perimeter connection 130 can, if necessary, be made in such a way that it does not exceed the total overlap length of the insert section 142 with the terminal edges of the side edges of the upper and back layers, which correspond to each of the sections 142 of the insert. In specific aspects, the connection 130 around the perimeter of the insert has a longitudinal length 132, which is not more than approximately 90% of the total length 180 of the product. Alternatively, the longitudinal length 132 of the connection perimeter of the insert can be no more than about 80% and, if necessary, can be no more than about 60% of the product length. As a result, a part of any of the longitudinal end parts 150, or both parts of each insert section 142, can move essentially independently of the parts of the lateral edge of the upper and rear layers located in the immediate vicinity so that they cause the movement of the side edges of the upper and rear layers within the crotch section of the product, essentially, respectively, and consistent with the part of the insert section 142 located in the crotch section.

The connection 130 around the perimeter of the insert can be a substantially continuous connection or, alternatively, can be made in the form of discontinuous bonds composed in the form of a regular or incorrect pattern of connections. In the described configuration, for example, fastening around the perimeter of the insert can be made in the form of a specific pattern of individual connections made by sound, which are distributed over a specific area of the connection. The joining region may have a width in the transverse direction that is at least about 0.2 cm and, alternatively, is at least about 1 cm. In other aspects, the transverse width of the joining region can be up to about 8 cm and, if necessary, can be up to approximately 15 cm to provide improved performance. The connection around the perimeter of the insert can be made essentially straight or can be bent so that it essentially follows the end edges of the upper and / or back layers. In addition, the laterally outer edge of at least a portion of the perimeter fastening 130, in particular within the crotch region of the article, can be made substantially so that it ends in one place with the transverse end edges of the upper and / or back layers to provide a more aesthetic appearance and improved product performance.

A perimeter mount 130, an external attachment 160 of the foot insert, a distant attachment 79 of the valve and other additional attachments that extend between them can be made using any functional attachment mechanism. For example, the attachment mechanism may include ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, mechanical embossing, thermal stamping, stud piercing, glue bonding and the like, and combinations thereof.

Each leg insert section 142 may include a first arrangement of a first plurality of two or more separate longitudinally extending elastic members 138 that are laterally spaced apart from a contour 15 of a lateral edge of a back layer 30 at a predetermined distance at least in the crotch region 18 products. In preferred arrangements, laterally spaced elastic members substantially prevent the need for attaching to or creating another direct or indirect connection to the backsheet 30 and thus substantially prevent the need to create an immediate backsheet assembly at least in the region 18 crotch products.

In certain aspects of the present invention, the leg insert section 142 may have a composite stiffness of at least about 5 mg. Alternatively, this composite stiffness can be at least about 10 mg and, if necessary, can be at least about 15 mg. In other aspects of the present invention, the leg insert section 142 may have a composite stiffness that is not more than about 250 mg. Alternatively, the composite stiffness can be no more than about 200 mg and, if necessary, can be no more than about 170 mg.

The stiffness of the various components and sections of the product in accordance with the present invention can be determined using the TAPPI T543 OM-94 test method, using the Guriey Digital Stiffhess tester Model 4171-D, a device supplied by Teledine Gurley ( Teledyne Gurley), whose offices are located in the city of Troy, New York (Troy, New-York). Accordingly, the stiffness values of the various sections of the product, such as the waist pocket element 80, represent bending stiffness. The stiffness can be expressed in milligrams (mg), which correspond to milligrams of force, or can be expressed in equivalent digital values of the standard Gurley units (SGU). For the purposes of the present invention, the axis along which a bending moment is applied to the specimen during the stiffness test is a bending axis that is set essentially parallel to the direction of elastic stretching and the formation of assemblies that occurs under the action of corresponding elastic elements, such as elastic elements 138 and / or 68. For example, the stiffness of the foot insert section 142 is measured with respect to the transverse direction of the article. This stiffness is determined in relation to the bending moment, which is applied around the axis of the bend, which, in General, is located along the longitudinal direction 26 of the product. A suitable device for stiffness measurements is the Gurley Digital Stiffness Tester Model 4171-D, which is supplied by Teledine Gurley, which has offices in Troy, New York, or with an equivalent device. A suitable test procedure is TAPPI T543 OM-94.

As can be seen in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, the product in accordance with the present invention may include at least one end portion 137 of the first arrangement of elastic elements 138 in the foot insert section 142, which is substantially unstressed, for forming at least one end portion 150 of the insert of each of the leg insert sections 142, which are essentially formed without assemblies, along the longitudinal direction 26. Preferably, each end part 137 of the first arrangement of elastic elements 138 in each section 142 of the foot insert you olnena, essentially, not strenuous. In certain embodiments, an external attenuation assembly 158 may be used to attenuate a specific end portion of the first arrangement of elastic members.

The end portion 137 of the first arrangement of elastic elements 138 may, for example, be loosened in a first plurality of longitudinally spaced positioning points to form at least one end portion of an insert of each leg insert section, which are essentially made without assemblies. In certain aspects, loosening the end portion of the first arrangement of elastic members may include segmenting the end portion of the first arrangement of elastic members 138 in a first plurality of longitudinally spaced position points to form at least one end portion of the insert of each leg insert section, which are essentially made without assemblies. Obviously, the aforementioned segmentation can be performed using any of numerous conventional techniques, such as cutting, melting or the like, as well as using a combination thereof.

It should also be understood that the configuration of the weakening population 158, which segments a specific end portion 137 of the first arrangement of the elastic elements 138, does not have to be cut or otherwise segmented by the elastic elements 138 in each of the plurality of positioned locations. In some of the locations that are separated from each other, the elastic elements may remain unsegmented by the weakening aggregate, but nevertheless, their elastic properties can be effectively weakened so that they are given an inoperative state.

In addition to separately segmenting the elastic elements 138 at a certain plurality of positional positions separated from each other, the external weakening assembly 158 of the foot insert can be designed so that it forms a region of the flat zone of the foot insert. In the region of the flat zone, the elastic elements 138 (and their corresponding components) can, for example, be ironed or otherwise flattened without cutting or segmenting, whereby the elastic elements are effectively loosened in the part of the flat zone of the foot insert, outside weakening aggregate 158.

Suitable technology for loosening the first arrangement of elastic elements 138 at the end of the leg insert section may include the use of a loosening assembly 158 formed by a pattern of ultrasound-made joints having a specific pattern, which are shown schematically in FIG. 15. In preferred configurations, sound made joints may allow at least one end portion 150 of each leg section 142 to be attached to the article and may also weaken the end portion of the first arrangement of elastic elements by overheating the elastic elements and / or by cutting the elastic elements . Technologies suitable for weakening elastic elements may include thermal bonding technology, sound bonding technology, adhesive bonding technology, breaking adhesive bonded joints between the elastic elements and the fabric material of the leg section, applying hot polymer or polymer blend with an established pattern for loosening threads and the like, as well as combinations thereof. If necessary, the elastic elements can be effectively weakened in the end parts 150 of the foot insert section, since functional joints of the elastic elements with constituent layer materials in the end parts of the foot insert section will not be formed. As a result, any reduction in the elastic elements will not be able to form assemblies of layer materials at their end parts.

The product may further include a foot insert, wherein an external attachment 160 attaches at least one end portion 150 of the insert of each leg insert section 142 to the product. Preferably, each end portion 150 of the insert of each section 142 of the foot insert is attached to the product using a corresponding external attachment. If necessary, the external attachment 160 of the foot insert can also functionally weaken the end portion of the first arrangement of elastic elements.

Other aspects of the present invention may form an external foot insert attachment 160 in a configuration in which the leg insert section 142 is attached to the article in a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart positions and which also weakens (e.g., segments) end portions 137 of the first arrangement elastic elements 138 in a plurality of longitudinally spaced position points, thereby forming at least one end portion 150 of the insert of each leg section 142 of the foot insert, The otorium is made essentially without assemblies.

The various configurations of the insert valves 19 may preferably include elastic, barrier valves, such as the depicted valve sections 144 in the regions of the foot strip of the diaper. The configurations depicted, for example, include two retention valve sections 144 that are operatively connected so that they extend above and over the body facing surface of top layer 28. Alternative designs and arrangements of the retention valve section 144 are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,704,116 issued November 3, 1987 to the author C. Enloe, which is described here as a reference, so that it matches (does not contradict) this description. Other alternative configurations of the retention valve sections 144 are described in US Pat. R. Everett et al.) (Patent Attorney Registration Number 11, 375), the description of which is incorporated herein by reference in such a way that it complies with the present description.

The retention valve sections 144 may be attached to the top layer 28 along longitudinally extending fixed areas, such as fixed edges of the 64 valve sections. The movable edges 66 of each section of the retention valve include a separate second arrangement of the elastic element 68 of the valve, which may contain one or more individual threads of elastic material. For example, a plurality of elastic yarns may be arranged in a spatially divided, generally parallel arrangement, and a suitable elastic yarn may, for example, be made of 470 decitex LYCRA elastic material, which is supplied by E.I. DuPont de Nemours ( EIDuPont de Nemours), which has offices in Wilmington, Delaware. Alternatively, the elastic yarns may be made of 700 denier dense spandex GLOSPAN S7 material supplied by Globe Manufacturing, which has offices in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Each elastic member 68 is connected to the movable edge region of the retention valve section 144 so as to be elastically compressible so that the compression of its elastic components forms assemblies and shortens the edge of the retention valve section. As a result, the movable edge of each section of the retention valve tends to be located at a certain distance from the surfaces facing the body, the upper sheet 28 and / or the liquid ejection absorption part 46 towards the configuration located generally upward and approximately perpendicularly, especially in section 18, perineal diaper. In the depicted embodiments, for example, the movable edge of the retention valve section is functionally attached to the elastic elements of the valve by partially bending or duplicating backwards in another way a limited amount of valve material that is sufficient to surround a separate arrangement of elastic elements 68 located in the valve section 144. In particular, part 62 of the inner side of the fabric layer may be folded or otherwise wrapped around a defined second fold line 189. The elastic elements 68 may then be sandwiched or otherwise enclosed between two layers of fabric 176. In addition, the inner layer portion 62 of the fabric layer and the primary body of the fabric layer retention valve section 63 may be substantially unconnected to each other in the intermediate region 90 located between the elements of the first plurality of elastic elements 138 installed in close proximity to each other. For example, each elastic element of the first plurality of elastic elements 68 in each of the retention valve sections 144 The tape can be attached to the corresponding parts of the fabric layer 176 using essentially separate adhesive strips. Separate, spatially separated strips of glue, essentially, do not touch each other. As a result, substantially unconnected intermediate regions 90 can overhang and more effectively form a soft surface.

In other configurations of the present invention, the spray applied adhesive can be made so that it is applied by more concentrated spraying of the adhesive at the locations of the elastic elements 68, while applying a minimum amount of adhesive in the spaces 90 between the elastic elements 68 in the space 164 separating the elastic elements 68 valve retention from the elastic elements 138 of the insert for the legs, and / or in the area 189 of the fold line. Although the individual gaps between the glue application regions in this embodiment may or may not be formed, it has been noted that such an arrangement forms a sufficient adhesive bond without unnecessarily increasing the stiffness of the valve portion of the retention component of the insert-valve member. Such an arrangement may also help to form a softer surface on the insert-valve retention valve portion.

At least a pair of sections of the retention barrier valve 144 are connected and located along transversely mounted opposite each other, longitudinally extending regions of the upper layer 28, and these connected regions of the upper sheet are generally adjacent to the transverse the direction of the areas of the lateral edges of the middle sections of the upper layer 28. The connected regions of the upper layer are located essentially in the transverse direction inward from the foot insert section 142 of the foot 10 znika but part connected topsheet regions can, optionally, be mounted outside the insertion sections for the legs.

Each retention valve section 144 includes at least one of the elastic members 68 attached to the retention valve section at a position that is in close proximity to the movable edge 66 of the retention valve section. In certain configurations, at least one of the elastic members 68 is attached to the retention valve section at a position that is located substantially adjacent to the fixed edge 64 of the retention valve section.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, each section 144 of the retention valve 144 may include one or more elastic elements, so that at least one base elastic member 68a is attached to the section of the retention valve 144 in position between the movable edge portion 66 and, a substantially fixed edge 64 of the retention valve section. In certain configurations, the main elastic member 68a may be attached to the retention valve section 144 at a location that is in close proximity to the movable edge portion 66 of the retention valve section. The main elastic element can be installed at a separation distance 166 from the upper connection, which is not more than approximately 37 mm from the fixed edge 64 of the retention valve section, at least in the part 18 of the crotch 18 of the product. In certain arrangements, at least one elastic member may be attached substantially in the immediate vicinity of the fixed edge 64 of the retention valve section 144.

In certain aspects of the present invention, adjacent to each other elastic members 68 may be spaced apart at a distance of 60 no less than about 2 mm. Alternatively, the gap between adjacent elastic members 68 may be selected to be no less than about 2 mm and, if necessary, not less than about 4 mm. In other aspects, adjacent elastic members 68 may be spaced at a spacing distance of 60, which is not more than about 25 mm. Alternatively, the gap between adjacent elastic members 68 can be no more than about 13 mm and, if necessary, can be no more than about 8 mm to form the desired efficiency.

In preferred embodiments, each retention valve section 144 may have a width dimension 58 in the transverse direction (FIG. 6), which is at least about 13 mm, and in certain aspects of the present invention, the retention valve width is smaller than the effective width 186 the corresponding section 142 of the foot insert. In addition, each section 144 of the retention valve may have a longitudinal length, which is essentially equal to the total length 180 (Figure 1) of the product. Alternatively, each section of the retention valve may have a length shorter than the total length of the product, and the shorter section of the retention valve may be zoned in separate positional locations along a specific part of the total length of the product. For example, the length of the retention valve section may be substantially centrally located along the length of the article, or may be offset toward the front or back of the waist of the article. If necessary, each section of the retention valve may have a length that is substantially equal to or less than the total length of the structure 32 of the absorbent substrate, and a relatively shorter section of the retention valve can be zoned in separate positions along a certain part of the total the length of the structure of the absorbent substrate.

Sections 144 of the retention valve are operatively attached to individual product sections, such as transverse sections of the upper layer 28, using a suitable attachment mechanism. In separate arrangements, for example, retention valve attachments can be made similar to the fastenings used for the waist pocket element 80. These attachments may have a generally U-shaped configuration such that the lower portion of the U-shaped extends generally in the longitudinal direction and the two U-shaped arms extend generally in the transverse direction. The depicted U-shape is oblique, but it can be formed without an oblique, if necessary. As depicted in the described arrangements, valve attachments can be functionally combined and combined with connections 172 foot inserts. Alternatively, valve attachments may be performed separately from leg insert attachments, if necessary.

On Fig, 15 and 16 can see that the product may further include at least one end portion 69 of the second arrangement of at least one elastic element 68 in section 144 of the retention valve, which is essentially weakened to form at least one end part of the valve of each section of the retention valve, which is essentially made without assemblies along the longitudinal direction 26. If necessary, each end part 69 of the second arrangement of at least one elastic element in each section 144 of the retention valve Niya performed essentially weakened. In certain embodiments, the distant weakening assembly 78 may be used to attenuate certain end portions of the second arrangement of elastic members.

The end portion 69 of the second arrangement of the at least one elastic member 68 may be loosened in a second plurality of longitudinally spaced position positions to form at least one end portion of the valve of each section of the retention valve, so that it is formed, essentially no assemblies. In certain aspects, the desired attenuation of the end portion 69 of the second arrangement of elastic elements 68 may include segmenting the end portion of the second arrangement of elastic elements in a second plurality of longitudinally spaced positions to form at least one substantially non-assembled assembly , the valve end portion of each retention valve section. It should be understood that the aforementioned segmentation can be performed using any of a variety of conventional technologies, such as cutting, melting or the like, as well as using a combination thereof.

It should also be understood that the configuration of the weakening population 78, which segments a certain end portion 69 of the second arrangement of elastic elements 68, does not have to be cut or otherwise segmented by the elastic elements 68 in each of the second plurality of positioned locations. In some of the locations that are separated from each other, the elastic elements may remain unsegmented using a weakening pattern, but nevertheless their elastic properties can be effectively weakened and non-working properties are given to them.

In addition to separately segmenting the elastic elements 138 at a certain plurality of positional positions separated from each other, the external weakening assembly 158 of the foot insert can be made so that it forms a region of the flat zone of the foot insert. In the region of the flat zone, the elastic elements 138 (and their corresponding components) can, for example, be ironed or otherwise flattened without being cut or segmented, so that the elastic elements are effectively loosened in the part of the flat zone of the leg insert, outside weakening aggregate 158.

An example of a suitable technology and an attenuation configuration of the second arrangement of elastic members 68 in the end portion 67 of the retention valve section 144 is a collection of ultrasonic connections, which is shown schematically in FIG. 15 and which is used to loosen the elastic elements 138 in the end portion 137 of the leg insert section 142 of the foot 142 . In preferred configurations, the ultrasonic joints can attach at least one end portion 67 of the retention valve of each section 144 of the retention valve to the product, and can also weaken the end portion of the second arrangement of elastic elements 68 by overheating the elastic elements and / or by cutting the elastic elements . Other suitable technologies for weakening elastic elements may include thermal bonding technologies, ultrasonic bonding technologies, adhesive bonding techniques, breaking bonding between the elastic elements and the fabric material of the retention valve section, applying hot polymer or polymer blend in the form of an installed pattern for loosening threads or the like, as well as combinations thereof. If necessary, the elastic elements can be effectively loosened in the end parts 67 of the retention valve section by attaching the elastic elements so that they cannot function to the materials of the constituent layers in the end parts of the retention valve section. As a result, any contraction of the elastic elements will not be able to fold the material of the layers in these end parts.

The product may further include a retention valve, a distant attachment 79, which attaches at least one end portion 67 of each section 144 of the retention valve to the product. If required, each end portion 67 of the valve of each section 144 of the retention valve is attached to the product using the appropriate distant attachment. If necessary, the distant attachment 79 of the retention valve can also functionally weaken the end portion 69 of the second arrangement of elastic elements 68.

In other aspects of the present invention, a retention valve and distant attachment 79 may be formed in a configuration in which the retention valve section 144 is attached to the article in a second plurality of longitudinally spaced apart positions and also ends (for example, segmented) the end portion 69 of said a second arrangement of elastic elements 68 in a second plurality of longitudinally spaced apart positions, thereby forming at least one end portion of the valve to zhdoy valve retention section which is substantially executed without assemblies.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the present invention, in another aspect, may have, if necessary, a configuration in which the barrier layer 174 extends into the retention valve section 144 of each leg insert 19. As a result, the second lateral edge 141 of the barrier relative to the inside layer 174 will be placed within section 144 of the retention valve. With this arrangement, the inner part 62 of the fabric layer 176 extends beyond the corresponding longitudinally extending second lateral edge 141 of the barrier layer. The side portion 62 of the fabric is designed to fold along the corresponding second line or bending region 189 and wrap around it so that it extends along and over at least a portion of the second main surface 149, which is located in the retention valve section 144. Accordingly, the relative arrangements of the barrier layer region 61, the tissue layer region 63, and the second set of elastic members 68 within the retention valve sections 144 may be similar to the similar component arrangements formed in the foot insert sections 142. For example, the tissue side portion 62 may cover substantially the entire second major surface 149 of the barrier layer region 61 in the valve section 144 and may substantially completely cover the second major surface of the barrier layer portion that is located in the retention valve section 144. Accordingly, the side portion 62 of the fabric 62 may be located between the barrier layer and the skin of the user.

Layouts or sets of elastic members 68 in each retention valve section 144 may be attached to at least one of the regions 61 and 63 of the barrier layer and the fabric layer, respectively, using a suitable attachment mechanism, such as a specific adhesive pattern or other type of bonding. For example, glue can be applied by spraying individual droplets or threads of glue and / or can be applied in the form of, in general, continuous lines of glue in the form of a specific pattern, such as a spiral pattern. Alternatively, a spray hot melt glue pattern may be concentrated close to the elastic elements, although a limited, small amount of glue may be in the gaps between the elastic elements. Alternatively, the elastic elements 68 may be attached to at least one of the barrier layers and fabric layers using a plurality of separate longitudinally extending adhesive strips. Each individual adhesive strip is spatially separated from adjacent adhesive strips by a certain distance, and each individual adhesive strip is formed in such a way that it attaches substantially one of the elastic elements 68 at least separately to the barrier layer or fabric layer. In the described arrangements, for example, the adhesive strips can be oriented essentially parallel to each other.

In a separate aspect of the present invention, the fabric layer 176 and the barrier layer in the retention valve section 144 are substantially unattached to each other in the intermediate regions 90 (FIG. 6), which are located between adjacent elements of the second plurality of elastic elements 68 In another aspect of the present invention, each elastic element of the second plurality of elastic elements 68 of the retention valve sections 144 may be attached to at least one of the barrier layer valve regions 61 and / and and the field valve hold the fabric layer 176 with a substantially separate strips of adhesive similar manner, which was used in the layout section 142 for insertion of legs. Accordingly, the separate strips of glue that are separated from one another do not substantially touch each other and the substantially unconnected intermediate regions 90 can sag and more effectively form a soft surface.

In another aspect of the present invention, the fabric layer 176 and the barrier layer in the retention valve section 144 can be slightly bonded with hot-melt adhesive in the intermediate regions 90, which are located between the immediately adjacent elements of the second plurality of elastic elements 68, but with a large volume of hot-melt adhesive, which is concentrated at locations of the elastic members 68. In other aspects of the present invention, each elastic member of the second plurality of elastic members 68 of the retention valve sections 144 may be attached to at least one of the areas of the barrier layer 61 of the valve and / or valve regions hold the fabric layer 176 with a greater concentration of adhesive 74 on the elastic elements 68 analogously to the method which was used in the layout section 142 for insertion of legs. Accordingly, the slightly connected intermediate regions 90 can sag more freely and more effectively form a soft surface.

All elastic elements 68 can be attached to one single surface of the region 61 of the valve holding the barrier layer. For example, all elastic elements 68 can be attached to the first main surface 148 and can be covered with the primary main part of the region 63 of the fabric layer retention valve (FIG. 7). Alternatively, all elastic elements 68 can be attached to the second main surface 149 and covered with a portion 62 of the inner side of the fabric layer (Fig. 8).

The elastic elements 68 of the second arrangement may also include a first subset of the individual elastic elements attached to the first main surface 148 of the barrier layer 174, and a second subset of the individual elastic elements attached to the second main surface 149 of the barrier layer (FIGS. 4 and 6). In addition, the first and second subsets of elastic elements can be arranged in a configuration with lateral or zigzag displacement.

In other arrangements of the present invention, the elastic members 68 of the retention valve section 144 may be located from the nearest elastic members 138 in the insert section 142 at a defined boundary distance 164 (see FIG. 6), which forms a minimum gap distance of at least approximately 2 mm. In certain aspects, the gap distance formed by the gap distance of the border is at least about 8 mm and, if necessary, at least about 16 mm. The gap distance provides a certain amount of insulation, which effectively allows the elastic elements 68 of the retention valve to operate essentially separately from the elastic elements 138 of the insert. Accordingly, the assemblies formed by the elastic elements of the retention valve may be substantially separate from the assemblies formed by the elastic elements of the insert.

In certain aspects of the present invention, each retention valve section 144 has a composite stiffness of at least about 5 mg, measured with respect to the transverse dimension of the article. For the purposes of the present invention, the stiffness of the retention valve section is determined in relation to the bending moment that is applied about the axis of the bend, which is essentially directed along the longitudinal dimension 26 of the article. If desired, the retention valve section has a composite stiffness of at least about 10 mg and, alternatively, at least about 15 mg, to provide improved retention. In other aspects, the retention valve section may have a composite stiffness of not more than about 250 mg. Alternatively, the composite stiffness can be no more than about 200 mg and, if necessary, can be no more than about 170 mg to provide the required characteristics. If the stiffness of the retention valve section 144 is too low, the retention valve section may tend to be overly prone to collapse. If the stiffness of the retention valve section is too high, it can cause excessive skin irritation to the user.

As shown, the product in accordance with the present invention can be made with each insert valve 19 attached directly or indirectly to an inwardly defined, specific surface of the skin layer of the upper layer 28. Each insertion valve element 19 may have a longitudinal length that ( as a nearby lower connection) extends along at least about 20 percent of the total longitudinal length 180 (Figure 1) of the product. In other configurations, each insert-valve member 19 may extend along at least about 30 percent and, alternatively, at least about 40 percent of the product longitudinal length 180, to provide improved performance. As shown in the configuration examples, each insert-valve member can extend along a longitudinal length, which (like the upper joint located near) can be up to about 100 percent of the total longitudinal length of the product, to provide additional sealing and retention. Alternatively, each insert-valve member may extend along a length that is not more than about 80 percent and, if necessary, not more than about 70 percent of the total longitudinal length of the product, to provide the required functional characteristics.

Each section of the insert 142 of the insert-valve 19 can be configured so that it will connect its corresponding concave contour 15 of the lateral edge of the back layer along a length 182, which is at least about 20 percent of the longitudinal length 180 of the product. In other configurations, each insert section may be configured such that it will connect its corresponding concave contour 15 of the lateral edge of the back layer along a length 182 that is at least about 30 percent and, alternatively, is at least about 40 percent longitudinal length 180 of the product to provide improved efficiency. If desired, each leg insert section 142 may be configured in such a way that it connects a length that can be up to 100 percent of the total longitudinal length of the article to provide additional compaction and retention. Alternatively, each insert section may have a configuration that connects a length of not more than about 80 percent and, if necessary, not more than about 70 percent of the total longitudinal length of the product, to provide the required performance and cost.

As described above, each insert-valve 19 may have a total longitudinal length, which is essentially equal to the total length of the product. Alternatively, each valve insert can have a length that is less than the total total length of the product, and a relatively shorter valve insert can be zoned in separate positions along a specific part of the total product length. If necessary, each insert-valve 19 may have a total length that is substantially equal to or less than the total total length of the absorbent substrate structure 32, and a relatively short retention valve section can be zoned in a specific position along a specific part the total length of the structure of the absorbent substrate.

To further control the operation of the insert-valve 19, the assembled set of elastic elements 138 of the insert and / or the combined set of elastic elements 68 of the valve can be uniformly spaced along the entire width of the section 142 of the foot insert and / or section 144 of the retention valve, respectively (which is determined along the direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the elastic element). Alternatively, the arrangement of the elastic elements 138 of the insert and / or the arrangement of the elastic elements 68 of the valve may be grouped as separate and distinct functional sets. In addition, a plurality of distinct groups of elastic elements may be located on either or both sections of the foot insert or the retention valve of the insert-valve member 19 to control the operation of the insert-valve and to improve its functioning.

In other aspects of the present invention, the elastic members in either or both of the insertion and retention sections 142 and 144, respectively, may be functionally zoned. Preferably, the zonal tension is configured to limit the formation of elastic assemblies, essentially in the intermediate, located in the Central region along the length of the section of the insert-valve element. Zonal tension can be performed using various methods. For example, the elastic contraction of the elastic elements 138 and 68 in the respective end regions of the leg inserts sections 142 and 144 and the retention valve, respectively, can be functionally weakened by mechanical, ultrasonic or heat treatment, which effectively “weakens” or otherwise deactivates the elasticity or the ability to reduction in certain areas. Alternatively, an adhesive or other connecting mechanism can only be used in areas where the contraction of the elastic elements is intended to form integral valve assemblies. In areas where such a connection is absent, the remaining elastic elements can contract, essentially, without the formation of assemblies in certain sections of the composite valve. In other configurations, the distal end regions in the longitudinal direction of the leg insert section or the retention valve can be substantially completely fixed in the stationary state due to the functional attachment of the end regions to the upper layer 28 (or other part of the product) using glue, sound or other attachment mechanisms.

Typically, the assembled valve insert 19 may be attached to the absorbent article 10 such that the valve insert element 19 will extend approximately the same distance as the valve insert element when elastic members 68 and 138 were assembled and attached to the composite structure valve inserts. Accordingly, the insert-valve element can be attached and installed in the product when the fabric layer and the barrier layer of the insert-valve element are effectively in a fully extended state, when they are essentially in an unassembled, unfolded state, and elastic elements 68 and 138 are substantially in their initial extended state. Alternatively, the insert-valve component can be wavy and assembled using a certain degree of elastic contraction of the attached elastic elements 68 and 138, which is done before attaching and attaching the insert-valve component 19 to the article 10. The magnitude of such reduction and the formation of preliminary assemblies can be expressed as a percentage, based on the original length, without forming the assemblies of the insert-valve 19 component using the formula

100 * (L _i -L _f ) / L _i ,

where L _i = initial length, without the formation of assemblies of the composite valve insert, and

L _f = final length with integral valve insert assemblies.

In certain aspects of the present invention, in cases, pre-reduction and assembly may be in the range of about 0-50%. In other aspects, this amount of pre-reduction and assembly can be at least about 10% and in additional aspects can be no more than about 25% to form the desired qualities and functional properties. A certain amount of pre-assembly can preferably reduce the amount of contraction force that is initially transmitted to the upper and back layers of the product during production, and can improve the insulation of the upper and back layers from the tensile and compressive movements of the insert-valve member 19 that may occur when the product is worn.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the pocket section 84 of the waist element 80 can be made in such a way that it will connect and cover the gap of the inwardly facing surfaces of the longitudinally elongated sections 144 of the retention valve. Preferably, the movable portions 104 of the edge of the pocket section 84 are substantially detached and not attached to the distal, movable edges 66 of the sections of the retention valve, thereby reducing the interaction between the elastic sections 144 of the retention valve and the elastic section 84 of the pocket. In addition, it may be desirable to zone the elastic tension that is applied by the elastic members 68, which are used to elasticize the retention valve sections 144. In particular, the elastic tension in the sections of the retention valve can be substantially limitedly formed in the longitudinally middle section of each section of the retention valve. Accordingly, the end regions of each section of the retention valve, in particular the end regions of the valve generally adjacent to the pocket section 84, can be substantially free of elastic stress exerted by the elastic elements 68. The distal edges 66 can also be attached to the upper layer 28 using a suitable attachment mechanism to further insulate the distal edges of the 66 sections of the retention valve during operation and when opening the pocket section 84. Other techniques for imparting the desired zoned tension to the retention valve sections 144 have been described above.

In certain aspects of the present invention, the insertion valve members 19 may be configured to substantially prevent the intersection of the location of the waist pocket members 80. In accordance with this, each element of the insert-valve can be made in such a way that it will end at locations that are separated from the end edges of the pocket section 84 of the waist pocket elements. In other aspects, the insert-valve members 19 may be configured such that they overlap the surface of the waist pocket members 80 facing inwardly, turned toward the user's body. The insertion valve elements 19 can then end in a region starting from the movable edge of the waist pocket 104 on which the assemblies are formed, to the longitudinal end edge 22 of the absorbent article 10. In other aspects, the insertion valve elements 19 can be configured to extend under the nearby, facing outward, surface of the waist pocket elements 80. The insertion valve members 19 may then end in a zone starting from the movable edge of the waist pocket 104 on which the assemblies are formed, to the longitudinal end edge 22 of the absorbent article 10.

In various embodiments of the present invention, separate composite absorbent systems, such as a system that includes a liquid ejection absorption portion 46 and an absorbent core structure 32, are positioned and functionally secured between the upper sheet 28 and the lower sheet 30 to form the diaper 10. The absorbent system has a structure , which, in general, can be compressed, takes the form of a body, does not irritate the skin of the user and can absorb and retain body fluids. It should be understood that for the purposes of the present invention, any components of the absorbent system may contain a single integral piece of material or, alternatively, may contain many separate pieces of material that are functionally assembled together. Where an absorbent component, such as absorbent substrate 32, contains a separate, substantially whole piece of material, this material may contain the desired structural properties formed in its individual areas. Where the absorbent component contains many parts, these parts can be made as separate layers or as other non-layered shapes and configurations. In addition, the individual parts may have the same length or have different lengths, depending on the requirements of the product. Preferably, however, each individual part is installed in functional, close contact along at least part of its boundaries with another at least one adjacent part of the absorbent component. Preferably, each part is attached to the adjacent part of the absorbent component using a suitable connecting and / or interlacing fiber mechanism, such as ultrasonic or adhesive bonding, or mechanical or hydraulic flashing.

In the illustrated examples of embodiments, the absorbent substrate structure 32 has a fluid intake zone, a target zone, and a contoured curved periphery extending, in particular, along its lateral edges. Two generally mirrored inwardly curved side edges form a narrowed middle section that is adapted to be mounted in the user's crotch. In the depicted absorbent structure 32, its front section includes two laterally separated ears and a central region. The target area encompasses the area where repeated ejections of fluid usually occur in the absorbent structure 32. When the diaper is worn, the ears are positioned so that they generally capture the sides of the waist and body of the wearer and the central area is configured so that it generally , superimposed on the middle part of the waist and torso of the user.

The absorbent structure 32 can be made with various sizes and shapes (for example, rectangular, trapezoidal, T-shaped, I-shaped, hourglass and so on) and from a variety of materials. The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent structure 32 should be compatible with the size of the intended user and the fluid loads created by the intended use of the absorbent article. In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent structure 32 may vary to suit users in the range from children to adults. In addition, it was found that using the present invention, the density and / or weight per unit area of the respective liquid ejection absorption parts 46 and the holding part 48, as well as their relative proportions, can vary. In certain aspects of the present invention, the absorbent structure has an absorbent capacity of at least about 300 g of synthetic urine. Alternatively, the absorbent structure may have an absorbent capacity of at least about 400 g of synthetic urine to provide improved functioning.

13, the absorbent holding portion 48 can be clearly seen. The backsheet 30 may have a maximum waist strip width A of the transverse direction 24 of the article, and the absorbent holding portion 48 may have a minimum width of P along the transverse direction in the intermediate holding portion 48. Particular of division width_A by width_P is at least a predetermined value, such as a minimum value equal to at least about 3.3. The absorbent holding part 48 may also have a longitudinal length Z, along which the width in the transverse direction of the holding part is no more than Q value, where Q value is determined by the formula

Q = 0.8P + 0.2A.

Length_Z is at least a certain proportion of the total length 180 of the product. Preferably, the Z length is at least at least about 30% of the total length 180 of the article to provide improved fit and fit. Alternatively, length Z may be at least about 35% of the total length of the product and, if necessary, may be at least about 40% of the total length of the product to provide additional improved fit and leak resistance. Although the length of Z can exceed 40% of the total length of the product, the length of Z is preferably not more than approximately 40% of the total length of the product, so that most of the buttocks of the user are covered with an absorbent pad, and to provide an improved aesthetic appearance. In certain aspects, the minimum width in the transverse direction of the holding portion at its rear of the waistband is at least at least about 4 inches (102 mm), but less than the width of the retaining portion at its front of the waistband.

Various types of wettable hydrophilic fibrous material can be used to form portions of the components of the absorbent structure 32. Examples of suitable fibers include natural organic fibers that are composed of a material that has an intrinsic wettability, such as cellulose fibers; synthetic fibers consisting of cellulose or cellulose derivatives, such as viscose fibers; inorganic fibers made up of internally wettable material, such as fiberglass; synthetic fibers made from internally wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as individual versions of polyester or polyamide fibers, and synthetic fibers made up of an non-wettable thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene fibers, which have been rendered hydrophilic by appropriate means. The fibers can be given hydrophilicity properties, for example, by treating with quartz, treating with a material that has a suitable hydrophilic component and which is retained on the fibers, or by coating non-wettable hydrophobic fibers with a hydrophilic polymer during or after fiber formation. For the purposes of the present invention, it is contemplated that separate mixtures of the various types of fibers mentioned above may also be used.

As used herein, the term "hydrophilic" refers to fibers or surfaces of fibers that are wetted by aqueous liquids in contact with the fibers. The degree of wettability of materials can, in turn, be expressed using the values of the contact angles and surface tension of the corresponding fluids and materials. The wettability values of individual fiber materials or a mixture of fiber materials used for liquid ejection absorption part 46 are measured using equipment and techniques supplied by CAHN, the SFA-222 Surface Force Analyzer System, or using essentially equivalent systems. When measuring using this system, fibers having edge angles less than 90 ° are referred to as “wettable” or hydrophilic, while fibers having edge angles greater than 90 ° are referred to as “not wettable”, or hydrophobic.

The holding portion 48 may comprise a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a sheet or fluff of cellulose, mixed with particles of highly absorbent material. In separate arrangements, the holding portion 48 may comprise a mixture of superabsorbent hydrogel forming particles and fibers obtained by melt blasting from a synthetic polymer, or a mixture of superabsorbent particles with a fibrous, simultaneously formed material containing a mixture of natural fibers and / or synthetic polymer fibers. Super absorbent particles may be substantially uniformly mixed with hydrophilic fibers or may be mixed non-uniformly. For example, the concentration of superabsorbent particles can be distributed in the form of a non-step gradient across a substantial portion of the thickness (z direction) of the absorbent structure such that lower concentrations are located on the side of the absorbent structure facing the body, and relatively high concentrations are located close to the outside of the absorbent structure . Suitable z-gradient configurations are described in US Pat. No. 4,699,823, which was issued October 13, 1987 to Kellenberger et al., The disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference so that it is consistent with the present description. The superabsorbent particles can also be arranged, in general, as separate layers within the matrix of hydrophilic fibers or can be made as separate pocket regions of the superabsorbent material. In addition, two or more different types of superabsorbent materials can be selectively located at different positions within or along the fiber matrix.

The superabsorbent material may contain absorbent gelling materials, such as superabsorbent materials. Absorbent gelling materials can be natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. In addition, absorbent gelling materials can be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds, such as crosslinked polymers. The term "cross-linking" refers to any means that effectively impart normally water-soluble materials, essentially water-insoluble properties, with properties of high absorbency. Such agents may include, for example, physical entanglement, crystalline regions, covalent bonds, ionic complexes and associations, hydrophilic associations such as hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic associations or the use of Van der Waals forces.

Examples of synthetic polymers of absorbent gelling materials include alkali metals and ammonium salts of poly (acrylic acid) and poly (methacrylic acid), poly (acrylamides), poly (vinyl ethers), copolymers of maleic anhydride with vinyl ethers and alpha-olefins, poly ( vinylpyrrolidone), poly (vinyl morpholinone), polyvinyl alcohol) and mixtures and copolymers thereof. Other polymers suitable for use in the absorbent structure include natural and modified natural polymers such as hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, starch grafted with acrylic acid, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and natural resins such as alginates, xanthan resin of carob fruits and the like. Mixtures of natural and fully or partially synthetic absorbent polymers can also be used in the present invention. Other suitable absorbent gelling materials are described by Assarsson et al. In US Pat. No. 3,901,236 issued August 26, 1975. Methods for preparing synthetic absorbent gelling polymers are described in US Pat. No. 4,076,663 issued February 28, 1978 to Masoud. and others (Masuda et al.), and in US patent No. 4286082, issued August 25, 1981 to the authors Tsubakimoto and others (Tsubakimoto et al.).

Synthetic absorbent gelling materials are typically xerogels that form hydrogels upon wetting. The term "hydrogel", however, is usually used also to mean both wettable and non-wettable forms of materials.

As mentioned above, highly absorbent materials used in the holding portion 48 are generally placed in the form of individual particles. These particles can be of any desired shape, for example spirals or half-spirals, cubic, rod-shaped, polyhedral and so on. Forms having a large largest / smallest ratio, such as needles, flakes and fibers, are also considered suitable for use in it. Conglomerates of particles of absorbent gelling material can also be used in the holding portion 48.

Particularly preferred are particles having an average size of from about 20 microns to about 1 millimeter. The term "particle size", as used here, means the weighted average of the smallest size of individual particles.

Suitable materials with high absorbency can have separate Absorbency characteristics (which are sometimes referred to as AC), Deformation Under Load (which is sometimes referred to as DUL) and Capillary Flow Ratio (which is sometimes referred to as WI). These parameters are described in detail in US patent application serial number 757787 by S. Byerly et al., Under the name ABSORBENT COMPOSITES AND ABSORBENT ARTICLES CONTAINING THEREOF (ABSORBENT COMPOSITES AND ABSORBENT ARTICLESTAIN) which was filed on September 11, 1991 (patent attorney registration number 10, 174), the description of which is given here as a reference so that it matches the present description.

In certain aspects of the present invention, the absorbent retaining portion 48 comprises a matrix of substantially hydrophilic fibers having a certain amount of highly absorbent material that is distributed therein. Individual superabsorbent polymers having improved absorbent properties may be important to achieve maximum functionality while maintaining the desired thickness of the absorbent article. To provide improved functionality, the particles of superabsorbent material can be selected to provide an absorption-under-load (AUL) value, which should be in the range of about 25-40, and provide an Absorption Capacity (AC) value in the range of about 32-48. The rate of fluid intake by superabsorbent material should be in the range of about 3-15 g / g (grams of fluid per gram of superabsorbent material) for 30 seconds of absorption under load, 6.5-21 g / g for 5 minutes of absorption under load and 25-40 g / g for 60 minutes of absorption under load.

A suitable method for determining the AUL value is described in detail in US Pat. No. 5,147,343 to S. Kellenberger, issued September 15, 1992 under the name ABSORBENT PRODUCTS CONTAINING HYDROGELS WITH HYDROGELS WITH THE PRESSURE OF PRESSURE. Patent Attorney Registration Number 8786.1), which was also published on November 2, 1989 as European Patent Application No. EP 0339461 A1, the description of which is given here as a reference in such a way that it complies with the present description.

An example of a superabsorbent polymer suitable for use in the present invention is the SANWET IM3900 polymer, which is supplied by Hoechst Celanese, which has offices in Portsmouth, Virginia. Other suitable superabsorbents may include DOW DRYTECH 2035LD polymer, which is supplied by Dow Chemical Co. (Dow Chemical Co.), which has offices in Midland, Michigan (Midland, Michigan), or FAVOR SAB 870M polymer, supplied by Stockhausen Inc. (Stockhausen, Inc.), which has offices in Greensboro, North Carolina (Greensboro, North Carolina).

The matrix of hydrophilic fibers constituting the retaining portion 48 may be a layer of cellulosic fluff, of wood pulp, and particles of super absorbent polymer can be distributed in this matrix of hydrophilic fibers. Hydrophilic fibers and superabsorbent particles can be placed in a fiber-particle ratio that is not more than about 75:25, alternatively not more than about 70:30 and, if necessary, not more than about 55:45, by weight . In other aspects of the present invention, the fiber-to-particle ratio is not less than about 25:75, preferably not less than about 30:70, and more preferably not less than about 45:55 by weight. Such fiber-to-particle ratios may be particularly preferred in the target area of the absorbent structure. In certain embodiments, the fiber-to-particle ratio by weight is not more than about 65:35 and not less than about 50:50, to provide the required functional capabilities.

Highly absorbent hydrophilic fibers and particles can form an average composite weight per unit area in the range of about 400-1000 g / m ² . And again, this weight per unit area is particularly preferred in the target area of the absorbent structure. In some aspects of the present invention, the average composite weight per unit area is selected in the range of about 500-950 g / m ² and preferably in the range of about 550-900 g / m ² to provide the required functional capabilities.

To form the desired thickness in various configurations of the absorbent article according to the present invention, the holding portion 48 may be made with a total thickness of not more than about 0.6 cm. Preferably, the bulk thickness is not more than about 0.53 cm and more preferably no more than approximately 0.5 cm to provide improved performance. The bulk thickness is determined under a restraining pressure of 0.2 lb / ⁱⁿ² (1.38 kPa).

The density of the holding portion 48 or other components of the absorbent article can be calculated based on the weight of a unit area and thickness. With respect to diapers, for example, the weight and thickness are measured from the new, unfolded and dry diapers at a deterrent pressure of 0.2 lb / ² inch (1.38 kPa). Conventional thickness measuring devices can be used to determine the thickness needed to calculate density.

In the described embodiments of the present invention, the absorbent retaining portion 48 may include 4-30 grams of wood pulp fluff, preferably includes about 8-18 grams of fluff, and more preferably includes about 12-14 grams of fluff to provide the desired properties. Wood pulp fluff generally shapes the diaper 10, it is the carrier and determines the position of the particles of the super absorbent polymer or other highly absorbent material. The retaining portion 48 may contain approximately 5-20 grams of superabsorbent polymer and, in the described embodiment, contains approximately 8 grams of superabsorbent polymer. A sufficient amount of superabsorbent polymer is located in the holding portion 48 to form an adequate total absorbency of at least about 300 g of synthetic urine. For example, a medium-sized diaper for children weighing approximately 16-28 pounds (approximately 7-13 kg) may typically have a total holding capacity of approximately 400 grams of synthetic urine.

The fluff and superabsorbent particles can be selectively located in desired areas of the holding portion 48. For example, the weight of a unit of fluff area may vary along the width of the holding portion 48. Alternatively, a relatively large amount of fluff may be located close to the front end of the waist band of the holding portion. For example, see U.S. Patent No. 4,585,448, issued April 29, 1986 to the author C. Enloy (K. Enloe). In the described embodiment, most of the superabsorbent material can be distributed closer to the middle region of the holding portion 48, which extends along the length of the holding portion and has a width of about 1-4.5 inches (about 2.5-11.4 cm). In addition, the superabsorbent material may be located in separate zones to reduce the amount of superabsorbent material located close to the side and end edges of the holding portion. A reduced amount of superabsorbent material along the edges of the retaining portion can improve the containment of superabsorbent particles in the fiber matrix of the retaining portion 48. Separate, zoned placement of superabsorbent material can be accomplished, for example, using the method and apparatus described in US Pat. No. 5,028,224 to K. Piper and al. (S. Rierer et al.) entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERMITTENTLY DEPOSITING PARTICULATE MATERIAL IN SUBSTRATE, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR APPLYING MATERIAL OF PARTICLES, issued July 2, 1991 (Pat Attorney No. 8761), the description of which is hereby incorporated by reference in such a way that it complies with the present description.

In preferred configurations in accordance with the present invention, the absorbent structure 32, in particular the holding portion 48, can be T-shaped so that the cross bar of the letter T extends in the transverse direction, generally corresponding to the front of the waist band of the absorbent article for improved functional opportunities for use, in particular for boys. In the described embodiments, for example, the holding portion, along the section of the ears of the front region of the waist strip of the product, has a width in the transverse direction of approximately 7.25 inches (approximately 18.4 cm), the narrowest part of the crotch section has a width of approximately 2.6 inches (approximately 6.6 cm) and the back waist region has a width of approximately 5.6 inches (approximately 14.2 cm).

The entire absorbent structure 32, or any separate portion thereof, such as the holding portion 48, may be coated with a hydrophilic wrapper material with high wet strength, such as a high wet strength fabric or synthetic fiber sheet material. Such a coating sheet material may also increase the integrity of the absorbent structure in use. This sheet material can be appropriately attached, for example, with glue, to the absorbent structure 32 and to other components of the product structure.

Due to the high concentration of superabsorbent particles or other highly absorbent material in the holding portion 48, it may be difficult to keep the particles with high absorbency within the holding portion or to restrict the movement or migration of the superabsorbent material to the diaper side facing the body . To improve the retention of the highly absorbent material, the absorbent member structure 32 may include an improved outer wrapper, such as a wrapper sheet 70 located in the immediate vicinity and around the holding portion 48. The wrapper sheet is preferably a layer of absorbent material that covers most of the surfaces, facing the body and the outer surface of the holding part and preferably closes essentially all of the peripheral edges of the holding part to form a society full of wrappers around her. Alternatively, the wrapper sheet may form an absorbent element wrapper that covers most of the surfaces of the side of the body and the outside of the holding part and covers essentially only the transverse side edges of the holding part. Accordingly, both the linear and inwardly curved portions of the transverse lateral edges of the wrapper sheet can be closed around the holding portion. With this arrangement, however, the end edges of the wrapper sheet may not be completely closed around the end edges of the holding portion in the waist region of the article.

The wrapper 70 of the absorbent element may comprise a multi-element wrapper sheet that includes a separate wrapper layer facing the body and a separate outer wrapper layer, each of which extends beyond all or some of the peripheral edges of the holding portion 48, as shown schematically in FIG. 1. Such a configuration of the wrapper sheet may, for example, facilitate the formation of a substantially complete seal and closure around the peripheral edges of the holding portion 48. At the rear of the waist strip in the illustrated diaper, the wrapper of the absorbent member can also be designed so that it extends a greater distance from the periphery of the holding portion so as to increase the impermeability and strength of the rear sections of the diaper ears. In the depicted embodiment, for example, the body facing layer and the outer layer of the absorbent element wrapper 70 extends at least about 1/2 inch (about 1.3 cm) beyond the peripheral edges of the holding portion to form an outwardly protruding connecting a bead-type region in which the periphery of the body-facing portion of the absorbent element wrapper can be fully or partially attached to the periphery of the outer portion of the absorbent element wrapper.

The body-facing layer and the outer layer of the wrapper sheet 70 may be composed essentially of the same material, or may be composed of different materials. For example, the outer layer of the wrapper sheet may be composed of a material with a relatively low weight per unit area, which has a relatively high porosity, such as a cellulosic fabric with wet strength, which is made of softwood pulp. The layer facing the body of the wrapper sheet may consist of one of the previously described materials of the wrapper sheet, which has a relatively low porosity. A layer facing the body with a relatively low porosity can best prevent the migration of superabsorbent particles onto the skin of the user, and an outer layer with a high porosity and lower weight per unit area can reduce cost and facilitate the production of an absorbent pad.

To form a connection between the body-facing part and the outer side part of the absorbent element wrapper 70, an adhesive, such as NATIONAL STARCH 72-3723, can be printed on certain areas of the absorbent element wrapper connection using, for example, a rotogravure type system. In alternative arrangements in which the wrap of the absorbent member is composed of a nonwoven, sheet material consisting of meltblown fibers, peripheral sealing of the body facing wrap layer and the outer layer can be accomplished by using hot calendaring to form a densified strip region along the periphery of the holding part.

Due to the small thickness of the retaining portion 48 and the high concentration of superabsorbent material in the retaining portion, the fluid intake rates of the retaining portion itself may be too small or may not be adequately maintained when the fluid is repeatedly ejected into the absorbent structure. Adding a porous liquid-permeable layer of material that absorbs liquid ejection, however, can preferably improve the overall reception rate of the composite absorbent structure. The liquid ejection absorption portion 46 is typically less hydrophilic than the retaining portion 48, and has such an operating density and weight per unit area that it quickly collects and temporarily holds liquid ejections for transferring liquid from the ejection point to other parts such that, it essentially completely transfers the fluid to other parts of the absorbent structure 32, in particular to the holding part 48. This configuration prevents the concentration of fluid in one area and collecting it on one part pityvayuschego products, which is located near the user's skin, allowing the user a feeling of reduced humidity.

Various woven and nonwoven materials may be used to form the liquid ejection absorption portion 46. For example, part of the absorption of the liquid ejection may be a layer that is made of a sheet material composed of polyolefin fibers obtained by melt blasting or obtained by a spinneret method. The liquid ejection absorption layer may also be a thin-sheet carding material or a material laid with air composed of natural and synthetic fibers. The carded material may, for example, be a sheet carded material formed by powder, a carded material connected by infrared radiation, or a carded material associated with transmission of air. Carded materials associated with infrared radiation and air transmission, if necessary, may include a mixture of different fibers, and the length of the fibers in individual thin-sheet materials can be in the range of about 1.0-3.0 inches (2.54-7.62 cm ) Part of the absorption of the liquid ejection can be composed essentially of a hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material, if necessary, can be treated with a surfactant or processed in another way so that it will be given the desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity.

An example of a diaper 10 may include a liquid ejection absorption part 46, which is arranged so that a direct fluid contact is established with a nearby absorbent holding part 48. As shown in this example, the liquid ejection absorption part 46 can be configured to fit immediate proximity to the outwardly facing outer side of the topsheet 28. If necessary, a portion of the absorption of the ejection liquid may be located close to the inwardly turned surface of the body STI topsheet 28. The illustrated configuration of the liquid ejection operatively connected to an upper layer using a conventional pattern of adhesive, such as glue pattern in the form of a spiral. In addition, a portion of the absorption of the liquid ejection can be functionally connected to the layer turned to the body of the wrapper sheet 70 using a conventional glue pattern. The amount of glue added should be sufficient to form the required levels of bonding, but should be small enough to prevent excessive restriction of fluid movement from the upper layer through the absorption portion of the liquid ejection and through the layer of the wrapper sheet.

The holding portion 48 is arranged so that a fluid connection is established with the liquid ejection absorption part 46 for receiving liquid that exits the liquid ejection absorption part and for holding and accumulating the liquid. In the illustrated embodiments, the liquid ejection absorption part 46 comprises a separate layer that is located on top of another separate layer constituting the holding part, whereby a two-layer arrangement is formed. The liquid ejection absorption part serves to quickly collect and temporarily hold the ejected liquids to transfer such liquids from the point of initial contact and to distribute the liquid to other parts of the liquid ejection absorption part, and then essentially to completely transfer such liquids to the layer or layers constituting holding part 48.

In the presented configuration example, the liquid ejection absorption part is substantially free of absorbent or gelling material. The liquid ejection absorption portion 46 may, however, contain a very small amount of particulate gelling material to improve the reception of the initial liquid ejection, but the amount should not be excessive. When an excessive amount of absorbent gelling material in the form of particles is located in the target zone, the presence of such particles can cause the structure to retain and accumulate an unacceptably large amount of liquid. In addition, the transfer of fluid from the target zone to other sections of the absorbent structure 32, in particular to the holding portion 48, can be reduced, which is not desirable.

As mentioned earlier, the liquid ejection absorption part 46 may be in the form of a separately formed layer that is located close to the outward facing surface of the top sheet 28 between the holding part and the top sheet. Moreover, the liquid ejection absorption part 46 does not need to occupy the entire thickness of the absorbent structure 32. The holding part may, if necessary, include a gap region that completely or partially surrounds the liquid ejection absorption part 46, or the holding part can be completely located below the absorption part ejection of fluid. An arrangement that includes a break in the holding portion 48 may preferably increase the contact area and the degree of fluid communication between the holding portion and the liquid ejection absorption portion 46. It should be understood, however, that the liquid ejection absorption part 46 can, if necessary, be configured such that it passes through the entire thickness of the absorbent structure 32 so that a capillary liquid flow in the holding part 48 will occur mainly in in general, in the direction on the sides (XY). The absorption portion of the liquid ejection may have any desired shape that meets the requirements of absorbency of the absorbent structure 32. Suitable forms include, for example, round, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, oblong, dog bone shape, hourglass shape or oval shape. Preferred forms of the liquid ejection absorption part are those that increase the contact surface area forming a fluid bond between the liquid ejection absorption part 46 and the holding part 48 so that the relative capillary difference between these parts can be fully utilized. In certain embodiments, for example, the liquid ejection absorption portion may have a generally rectangular shape.

In various configurations of the present invention, the liquid ejection absorption portion 46 may extend along the full length of the retaining portion 48 or may extend over only a portion of the length of the retaining portion. In cases where the liquid ejection absorption part extends only along part of the length of the retaining part, the liquid ejection absorption part can be selectively located anywhere along the absorbent structure 32. For example, the liquid ejection absorption part 46 may function more efficiently when it is biased towards the front strip of the waist of the product and is installed transversely in the center within the front section of the absorbent structure 32. In this case, the liquid ejection absorption part 46 may be approximately located relative to the longitudinal line of absorbent structure 32, and the center is set substantially in the central region of the front section of the absorbent structure 32.

In other aspects of the present invention, the end edges of the liquid ejection absorption part may be located at a distance in the longitudinal direction inward from the end edges of the holding part 48. In separate configurations in accordance with the present invention, the corresponding front end edge of the liquid ejection absorption part 46 located relatively close to it may be assigned a predetermined distance from the end edge of the front waist band of the holding portion 48.

It has been determined that a tissue suitable for forming an effective portion of the absorption of a liquid ejection can be definitely characterized by specific parameters. Such parameters include, for example, unit area weight, permeability, porosity, surface area per void volume (SA / VV), compressive strength and saturation capacity. Other parameters may include a binder matrix, which helps stabilize the pore size structure and hydrophilicity. The binder matrix and denier value of the fiber blend can preferably maintain a substantially desired pore size structure.

Other details regarding the liquid-absorbing materials and corresponding methods for determining the above parameters are described in US Patent No. 5,486,166, issued January 23, 1996 to C. Ellis et al., Under the name LAYER ABSORPTION OF EMISSION OF LIQUID FROM FIBER NONWOVEN THIN-SHEET MATERIAL FOR ABSORBENT PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS AND TP (FIBROUS NONWOVEN WEB SURGE LAYER FOR PERSONAL CARE ABSORBENT ARTICLES AND THE LIKE) (Patent Attorney Registration Number 11, 256), and U.S. Patent No. 5,490,846, issued February 13, 1996 to C. Ellis et al., Entitled IMPROVED THIN-SHAPED NON-WOVEN FIBER MATERIAL FOR ABSORPTION OF LIQUID EMISSION DESIGNED FOR ABSORBING PERSONAL CARE AND TTP (IMPROVED SURGE MANAGEMENT FIBROUS NONWOVEN WEB FOR PERSONAL CARE ABSORBENT ARTICLES AND THE LIKE) (patent attorney registration number 11, 387), the descriptions of which are given here as a reference so that they correspond to the present description.

Alternatively, the liquid ejection absorption portion 46 may include two (or more) separate layers of material that are bonded or otherwise combined together and then mounted in an absorbent article. The upper layer can be made so that it will have a more open structure than the lower layer, and such a multilayer part of the absorption of liquid ejection can be placed in the product so that the upper layer will be directed to the upper sheet 28 and the lower layer will be directed to the absorbent core 32. The lower layer may also have fibers with a greater degree of fiber orientation than the upper layer. The fibers can be oriented in such a way that the liquid is more likely to be distributed in the longitudinal direction of the product. Thus, the upper layer can form a layer configured to receive liquid, while the lower layer forms a layer made to distribute the liquid before it is absorbed by the absorbent core. If necessary, most of the fibers in the lower layer can be made less hydrophilic or essentially the same hydrophilicity compared to most fibers of the upper layer. Most of the fibers in the layer are defined as a component of fibers with a large weight of fibers in the layer.

The top layer of the multilayer liquid ejection absorption portion 46 may have a unit weight within a range of about 1.0 to 3.5 ounces per yard ² (about 34 to 119 g / m ² ) and may have a tissue density in the range of about 0.010- 0.045 g / cm ³ . The fibers are composed of a mixture of natural or synthetic fibers made in such a way that they form a structure having an estimated permeability of approximately 1000-4000 square microns, which is calculated using the Riese permeability model. Rise's permeability model is described in detail in a US patent application, registration number 556 678, filed November 13, 1995, under the name LOFTY NONWOVEN FABRIC, by C. Ellis et al. (Patent Attorney Registration Number 11, 947 ), the full description of which is given here as a reference so that it corresponds to the present description.

The lower layer of the multilayer liquid ejection absorption portion 46 may have a unit weight in the range of about 0.5 to 2.5 ounces / yard ² (about 17 to 85 g / m ² ) and may have a tissue density in the range of about 0.040-0.060 g / cm ³ . The lower layer may also have a higher density than the density of the upper layer. The fibers can be a mixture of natural or synthetic fibers made in such a way that they form a structure having an estimated permeability of approximately 100-1000 square microns, which is calculated using the Rice permeability model.

An example of a two-layer fluid absorbing fabric that is described using the parameters given above can be a heat-linked carded sheet material that is made on a carded machine with many carded tapes. The top layer may include 60% bicomponent fiber and 40% fiber with a linear density of 6 denier made of polyester (polyethylene). The mixture of the top layer is scratched so that a “random” orientation of the fibers is formed in which the machine orientation / lateral orientation (MD / CD) ratio is 3: 1. In the upper layer, the bicomponent fiber may be a fiber of a linear density of 2 or 3 denier of the core / cladding type, in which polyethylene is the main component of the fiber cladding. Examples of such bicomponent fibers include Chisso ESC-HR6 fibers from Hoechst Selanes (or Hoechst Trevira) T256. Examples of PET fiber are T295 fiber from Hoechst Selanes (or Hoechst Trevira). The bottom layer may include 100% bicomponent fiber, which is subjected to carding with a high degree of orientation in the machine direction MD, the proportion of which is 12: 1. In the lower layer, the bicomponent fiber may be a fiber with a linear density of 2 or 3 denier of the core / cladding type, the polyethylene being the main component of the fiber cladding. Examples of such bicomponent fibers may be Chisso ESC-HR6 fibers or T256 Hoechst Selanes (Hoechst Trevira) fibers.

The various parts of the absorption of liquid ejection, which include fabrics composed of many layers or regions of layers, are described in more detail in US patent application registration No. 754417, which was filed November 22, 1996, under the name HETEROGENEOUS EMISSION OF LIQUID FOR ABSORBING PRODUCTS (HETEROGENEOUS SURGE MATERIAL FOR ABSORBENT ARTICLES) by R. Dodge et al. (Patent Attorney Registration Number 12, 120), the entire description of which is hereby incorporated by reference in such a way that it complies with the present description .

In preferred configurations of the present invention, the liquid-absorbing material may include natural fibers, synthetic fibers such as synthetic polymer fibers, and combinations thereof. The material may, for example, be composed of polyolefin fibers, and in individual configurations, the fibers may include bicomponent fibers. For example, bicomponent fibers of polypropylene / polyethylene can be used to form part of the bicomponent fibers of any of the described materials. In addition, the bicomponent fibers may be flat crimped or helically crimped.

In the presented product configurations, the side panel elements 56 are separately formed elements that are functionally attached and attached to the laterally opposite end sections of the rear portion of the waist strip of the back sheet 30. In particular, each side panel is mounted so that it extends from the corresponding end edge of the back layer. Side panels may be made essentially of inelastic material, such as polymer films, woven materials, nonwoven materials or the like, as well as combinations thereof. In certain aspects of the present invention, the side panels are composed of an elastic material, such as a tensile bonded laminate (SBL), a stretch bonded laminate (NBL), such as an elastic film, elastic foam or the like. For example, suitable meltblown elastic fiber sheets are described in US Pat. No. 4,663,220, issued May 5, 1987 to T. Wisneski et al., Which are incorporated herein by reference. Examples of composite materials containing at least one layer of non-woven textile material attached to a fiber elastic layer are described in European Patent Application No. EP 0110010, published April 8, 1987, and EP 0217032 A2, invented by J. Taylor et al. (J. Taylor et al.), The description of which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of NBL materials are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,226,992, issued July 13, 1993 to the author M. Mormon, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Examples of products that include elastic side panels and selectively designed attachment tabs are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 168615, authored by T. Rossler et al. (T. Roessler et al.) Under the name DYNAMIC FITTING DIAPER ), which was filed on December 16, 1993 (registration number of the patent attorney No. 10, 961). Various technologies for forming the required fastening systems are described in US Pat. No. 5,399,219 to T. Rossler et al., METHOD FOR MAKING A FASTENING SYSTEM FOR A DYNAMIC FITTING DAP, issued March 21, 1995 (Patent Attorney Registration Number No. 11, 186), and U.S. Patent No. 5,540,796, which was issued July 30, 1996, to D. Fries, author of the METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING ELASTIC EAR PARTS ( A PROCESS FOR ASSEMBLING ELASTICIZED EAR PORTIONS) (patent registration number No. 11, 169), in US Patent No. 5595618, which was issued on January 21, 1997 to the author D. Freise, entitled AN ASSEMBLY PROCESS FOR A LAMINATED TAPE, (Patent Attorney Registration Number 11.950) and U.S. Patent No. 5,549,592, issued August 27, 1996, to the author D. Fryze, entitled AN ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH A LAMINATED TAPE (Patent Attorney Registration Number 11, 990). The full contents of the above documents are provided here as a reference so that they correspond (are not in conflict) with the present description.

The fastening system, if necessary, may include a separately installed reinforcing strip, which is composed of reinforcing material and / or stiffening material, and applied as a layer to a specific first surface of each of the side panel elements 56, in an area outside this side panel . The reinforcing strip shown extends along substantially the entire length of the outer end portion of the panel member 56. In addition, the reinforcing strip has a length that is greater than the size of the length of the attachment mechanism 44 of the user connection portion 38 of the attachment tongue 36. The reinforcing strip may, for example, be composed of a detachable strip, and this detachable strip may include a substrate composed of a polymer film, such as a polypropylene film. Suitable materials for the detachable strip are supplied by Avery Corp. (Avery Corp.), which has offices located in Paynesville, Ohio (Painesville, Ohio).

In particular, the reinforcing strip can be functionally connected and applied in a layer on the outer region of the panel element 56 along the first surface of the panel element. The illustrated reinforcing strip can be positioned so that its terminal outer edge is positioned so that it essentially ends simultaneously with the outer edge of the panel element 56 and has the same length with it. In addition, the width of the detachable strip along the transverse direction 24 is preferably equal to or greater than the width of the attachment mechanism 44 mounted on the user attachment area 38 of the attachment tongue 36.

The described fastening system includes a complementary, opposite each other, a pair of fastening tongues 36, which form a mechanism for holding the product on the user's body. Each fastening tab includes a tab substrate 86, which may be composed of various substrate materials. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the tongue substrate may be composed of a polymer film, such as a polypropylene film. Suitable film materials are supplied by Avery Corp., a company located in Paynesville, Ohio. Alternatively, the attachment sheet material may include a woven or nonwoven material, such as a nonwoven fabric formed by a spinneret method.

An exemplary tab substrate 86 includes a specific attachment surface on an opposite surface of a user and includes specific attachment means that is located on an attachment surface of the tab substrate. The fastening means may be formed using glue, sticky material, an interlocking mutual engaging component, mechanical fastening, fasteners, studs or buckles, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. For example, the attachment means may include a hook component (for example, in the form of mushroom caps) or a hook component of a hook-eye type attachment. In the depicted configuration, the attachment means is formed as a layer of the main adhesive distributed over a specific attachment surface, and the attachment system comprises an adhesive attachment tab. The fastening tabs can be made in such a way that they are glued so that they can detach to the piece 92 a specific fastening zone that is attached to the front section of the waist strip of the diaper to form a mechanical fastening system or an adhesive system that can be re-fixed.

Using the adhesive fastening means, the base adhesive layer can be used for functional bonding in the form of a layer and attaching a specific joining area 39 in the factory of the fastening tongue 36 to the outer area of the panel element 56 along a certain second surface of the panel element. Other types of bonding means, such as thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, mechanical stitching, bracket fastening, and the like, as well as combinations thereof, can alternatively be used to permanently attach a fastening tab to a panel element. For example, ultrasonic compounds can be used to form a specific additional bond.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the fastening tab 36 includes a factory-secured section 39 that overlaps the outer edge of the panel element 56 and extends beyond the panel element to form a user connection region of the fastening tab. In separate arrangements of the present invention, the fastening tab may have a relatively wide section for connecting the user in combination with a relatively narrow intermediate section. An intermediate section is located between the user connection sections and the factory-secured fastening tab. In further aspects of the present invention, the fastening tab 36 may optionally include a region of a finger tongue. The finger tongue may not substantially adhere and may form an area that the user can freely grip without contamination or other undesirable effects on the attachment means.

Various types and arrangements of interconnected mechanical fasteners can be used to form a functional fastener system for various configurations in accordance with the present invention. Examples of suitable mechanical fastener configurations are described in US Pat. No. 5,605,735, which was issued February 25, 1997 to G. Zehner et al., Under the name HIGH-PEEL TAB FASTENER ) (patent attorney registration number No. 11, 571; and in the US patent application, registration number No. 421, 64.0 authors P. VanGompel et al. (R. VanGompel et al.) under the name MULTIPLE ATTACHMENT FIXING SYSTEM (MULTI -ATTACHMENT FASTENING SYSTEM) filed April 13, 1995 (Patent Registration Number nos. 11, 430), the full description of which is given here as a reference so that they correspond to the present description.

Example

The following example is provided to better understand the present invention. This example is representative, but not intended to limit the present invention.

This example, in accordance with the present invention, is a diaper of "size 4" or "medium" size for children weighing 16-28 pounds (7.3-12.7 kg). The diaper includes an absorbent pad 32 of a certain shape, which consists of superabsorbent and fluff from wood pulp.

The absorbent element was formed and wrapped in a sheet with a high wet strength wrapper 70 from a cellulosic fabric, which is located at least on the side of the upper sheet of the absorbent pad 32. The element cut from the fabric was then used to form this fabric so that it has a slightly larger size in the transverse direction, but approximately repeats the shape of the absorbent pad. The liquid ejection absorption layer 46 was composed of a carded sheet material connected by air passage with a unit area weight of approximately 3.5 ounces / yard ² (119 g / m ² ) and a density of approximately 0.024 g / cm ³ . The liquid ejection absorption layer was bonded with glue to the top sheet 28, which was composed of a spunbond material treated with a surfactant. Separately, a piece 92 of the attachment attachment region was applied as a layer from the front of the waist strip of the back sheet layer 30, and the back sheet layer was composed of a polymer film that was processed so that it was given the appearance of a fabric, and of a layered structure of nonwoven . The assembly of the liquid ejection absorbing portion 46 and the topsheet layer 28 was then combined with an absorbent pad 32, a wrapper cloth 70, and a combination from the area of the attachment piece 92 / backsheet 30. The topsheet 28 and the backsheet 30 were then cut to form outlines 15 diaper lateral edge. The fasteners 36 were then attached close to the transverse edges of the rear of the waist strip on the surface of the top sheet layer.

A pair of valve inserts was formed such that corresponding valve elements 68, leg foot elastic members 138, valve-insert barrier layer 134 and valve-insert fabric layer 176 were installed in each valve insert. The elastic elements 68 and 138 of the retention valve and foot inserts were made of SPANDEX type elastic threads of a size that created the required tension in the retention valve sections and in the foot insert section of the valve insert. The insert-valve barrier layer 134 was composed of embossed injection-molded film, while the insert-valve barrier fabric layer 176 was composed of spunbond material. Hot glue was applied to the elastic elements 68 of the retention valve and the elastic elements 138 of the foot insert by spraying so that it substantially coated the elastic elements with glue. In each valve insert element 19, the coated elastic elements were then applied as a layer to the barrier layer 134 and to the fabric layer 176 in the installed arrangement, and the fabric layer 134 was then folded along a pair of generally parallel fold lines to form insertion valve element. After folding the insert-valve tissue layer, an ultrasonic joint was used to form the fabric edge joints 126 in which a longitudinally extending joint pattern was formed that secured the end edge of the folded tissue layer 176 in the retention valve section 144 to the insert-valve structure. The elastic elements at the end regions of each valve insert 19 were then weakened using an ultrasonic cutting device to form the far weakening constellation set 78 of the retention valve and the far weakening set 158 of the leg insert.

Glue in the form of droplets was then applied to each insert-valve element 19 to form an insert-valve connection 172. An additional adhesive with a pattern arrangement that approximately corresponds to the width of the retention valve section and the foot insert section was applied to the ends of each valve insert to attach the end parts of the valve insert 19 to the product. The longitudinal extent of the adhesive applied to the end of the retention valve was approximately 50 mm both in front and in the back of the waist band of the article. The longitudinal extent of the adhesive applied to the end of the foot valve insert was approximately 60 mm at the front of the waist of the product and approximately 85 mm at the rear of the waist of the product. It should be understood that the longitudinal length of the glue pattern used to attach the end parts of the retention valve section and the end parts of the insert-valve section can vary at either or both longitudinal ends of the product. The insert-valve member 19 was then attached to the product close to the transverse lateral edges of the product.

After attaching the insert-valve 19 to the product, the perimeter connection 130 and the external fastenings 160 of the foot inserts were formed in the absorbent product using an ultrasonic connection device for additionally attaching the insert-valve 19 to the product. The waist band pocket element 80, which is a layered structure made of spunbond fabric, air, SPANDEX-type elastic threads and a polyolefin film, was then attached to the product using hot-melt adhesive.

After a sufficiently detailed description of the present invention, it will be apparent that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such changes and modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the attached claims.

Claims (25)

1. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, a front part of a waist strip, a rear part of a waist strip, an intermediate part that mutually connects said front and rear parts of a waist strip, and a pair of transverse and longitudinally opposite ones lateral edges, each lateral edge having an externally concave contour of the terminal lateral edge located in the region of the leg openings in the intermediate part of each of the lateral edges, and each concave contour of the side edge has a selected longitudinal extension along the length of the specified product, and the specified product contains a back sheet having an outer surface and an opposite inner surface facing the body; a substantially liquid-permeable top sheet overlaid on top of said body facing surface of said back sheet; an absorbent substrate located between the specified top sheet and the specified back sheet; a separately formed component of the insert-valve attached to the specified product along each of these areas of the leg openings, and the specified element of the insert-valve forms a section of the foot inserts and the section of the holding valve, in which each section of the foot inserts is made so that it extends transversely beyond and connects at least a portion of the corresponding externally concave contour of the terminal lateral edge of the specified rear sheet, each section of the foot insert so that it gives elasticity to the corresponding region of the leg openings of the specified product, each section of the retention valve is formed together with the corresponding one of the indicated sections of the foot insert and is located inward relative to it, to form an internal barrier valve, each section of the retention valve has a longitudinally extending essentially fixed portion of the edge located in close proximity to one of these elastic leg openings, and has an elastic part of the distance the edge so that at least the intermediate part of the specified part of the far edge can move to a position located at a certain distance from the specified product, the first layout of the first set of separate, longitudinally extending elastic elements is attached to the specified section of the foot inserts of each the element of the specified valve insert, and the second arrangement of at least one longitudinally extending elastic element is attached within the specified section of the retention valve each of these insertion valve elements; attaching an insert-valve that is elongated in the longitudinal direction and connects each of these elements of the insert-valve with the specified product along the specified part of the fixed edge of each section of the retention valve; and additional fastening of the connection around the perimeter, which is located close to and outside in the transverse direction from each specified connection of the insert-valve, and each connection of the edge of the product is made in such a way that secures the corresponding section of the foot insert on the specified product close to its corresponding externally the concave contour of the terminal lateral edge of the specified product along at least part of the length of the specified circuit of the terminal lateral edge, in which the specified connection fastening according to The perimeter is located along the line of the attachment of the fastening along the perimeter, which extends inward from the terminal lateral edge of the specified rear sheet close to the region of the joint of the product, at a place where the overlapping part of the outer edge of at least one of the indicated sections of the foot inserts intersects the specified contour of the terminal lateral edge , said overlapping portion of the outer edge of said at least one leg insert section is superimposed on top of said surface facing the body of said back sheet. 2. The product according to claim 1, wherein said fastening of the connection around the perimeter of the product forms a seal against fluid leakage between the insert-valve element and the top sheet and between the top sheet and the back sheet along at least a substantial longitudinal length of said intermediate part of said product . 3. The product according to claim 1, in which the specified fastening of the connection around the perimeter of the product allows you to operate the specified section of the foot inserts, essentially regardless of the specified back sheet and top sheet in the specified area of the connection of the product, in which one of the specified parts of the waist band goes in the specified intermediate part of the product and in which the overlapping part of the outer edge of the leg insert section is superimposed at least on said back sheet, thereby forming a better fit to the leg insert body. 4. The product according to claim 1, in which the outer edge of the indicated section of the foot inserts, essentially made not attached to the specified product along the length of the free edge, which is at least about 16 cm 5. The product according to claim 1, in which the outer edge of the indicated section of the foot inserts is made not attached to the specified product along the length of the free edge, which is at least about 44% of the total length of the specified product. 6. The product according to claim 1, in which the distance of the connection gap along the perimeter between the specified fastening of the connection around the perimeter and the specified outer edge of the leg insert section is at least about 15 mm along a substantially continuous longitudinal distance of the product, comprising at least about 20% of the total length of the product. 7. The absorbent product according to claim 1, in which each of the specified element of the insert-valve includes a barrier layer having a pair of opposite opposite each other in the transverse direction, elongated longitudinally lateral edges of the barrier layer and the first and second main facing surface, a fabric layer that is attached to the specified first facing surface of the specified barrier layer so that it is turned towards it, and the specified layer of fabric has an area of the insert for the legs and the area of the retention valve, the first layout of the specified first a plurality of individual elongated longitudinally elastic elements are attached to and placed between the specified barrier layer and the specified tissue layer within the specified section of the foot insert of the specified element of the insert-valve, and the specified second arrangement of at least one elongated longitudinally elastic element is attached, at least at least to the specified tissue layer within each section of the valve holding the specified element of the insert-valve. 8. The product according to claim 7, in which the specified barrier layer includes a permeable to air material formed in the process of spunbond production and in the process of blasting from the melt. 9. The product of claim 8, in which the specified barrier layer includes a permeable to air material formed in the process of spinneret production, in the process of blasting from the melt and in the process of spinneret production. 10. The product according to claim 7, in which the specified barrier layer includes a permeable to air film. 11. The product according to claim 7, in which the specified barrier layer includes an outer side part and an inner side part, and the specified outer side part is made so that it is wrapped around at least one side edge of the specified barrier layer and extends in the direction inward from it along the specified second, facing surface of the specified barrier layer. 12. The product according to claim 1, in which each of these sections of the inserts for the legs is made essentially impervious to liquid. 13. The product according to claim 1, in which the specified back sheet has a maximum width And the waist strip along the specified transverse size and has a minimum width In the crotch in the intermediate part of the specified back sheet; the quotient of dividing the indicated maximum width A of the waist strip by the specified minimum width B of the crotch of the specified back sheet is at least about 1.6; the specified back sheet has a length K, along which the width in the transverse direction of the specified back sheet is not more than a value of C, and the specified value of C is determined by the formula C = 0.8V + 0.2A, said length K is at least about 30% of the total length of said article; said back sheet has a front expansion angle θ in the range of about 115-135 °. 14. The product according to item 13, in which the specified product further comprises an absorbent, holding part having a minimum width P along the specified transverse direction in the specified intermediate part of the specified holding part; the quotient of dividing said width A by said width P is at least at least about 3.3; the specified part of the retention of the absorbent element has a longitudinal length Z, along which the width in the transverse direction of the specified part of the retention is not more than the value of Q, and the specified value of Q is determined by the formula Q = 0.8P + 0.2A, said length Z is at least about 30% of the total length of said article. 15. The product according to claim 1, in which the specified product further comprises an insert for the legs, the outer mount of which attaches the outer side edge of at least one end part of the insert of each section of the insert for the legs of the product. 16. The product of claim 13, wherein said first arrangement of elastic elements in said leg insert section has an effective free elastic length of at least about 44% of the total length of said article. 17. An absorbent article having a longitudinal length dimension, a transverse length dimension, a front part of a waist band, a rear part of a waist band, an intermediate part that connects said front and rear parts of a waist band, and a pair of transversely opposed each other and elongated longitudinally the direction of the side edges, each side edge having an externally concave outline of the terminal side edge located in certain areas of the leg openings in the intermediate part of each side edge, than each concave contour of the side edge has a certain longitudinal length along the length of the specified product, the specified product contains a back sheet; a substantially liquid-permeable topsheet connected so that it overlaps and faces toward said backsheet; an absorbent substrate located between the specified top sheet and the specified back sheet; a separately formed insertion valve element attached to the specified product along each of the indicated areas of the leg openings, said insertion valve element forming a leg insert section and a retention valve section; in which each section of the foot inserts is designed so that it extends beyond and connects the corresponding externally concave contour of the terminal lateral edge of said back sheet to form an elastic region of the leg openings of said article; each leg insert section has longitudinally opposed end parts of the insert, an intermediate part of the insert located between said end parts of the insert, and has a longitudinally extending outer portion of the distal edge, each section of the retention valve is formed in conjunction with a corresponding one of said sections of the insert for legs and is located relatively inward from it to form an internal barrier valve; each retention valve section has longitudinally opposite end parts of the valve, an intermediate part of the valve located between said end parts of the valve, a substantially fixed edge that extends longitudinally and which is located close to one of said elastic leg openings, and has a longitudinally extending portion of the distal edge, and at least an intermediate portion of the specified portion of the distal edge can move to a position located at some The distance from said product; a first arrangement of a first plurality of separate longitudinally extending elastic members is attached within the indicated foot insert section of said insert-valve member, and a second arrangement of at least one longitudinally extending elastic member is attached within each retention valve section of said insert-valve member ; attaching a valve insert that is elongated longitudinally and attaches each element of said valve insert to said product along said substantially fixed edge of each said holding valve section; and an external attenuating assembly of leg inserts that weakens the end portion of said first arrangement of elastic elements to form at least one end portion of the insert of each leg insert section, which is substantially non-assembled. 18. The product of claim 17, wherein said end portion of said first arrangement of elastic elements is weakened in a plurality of positional positions separated from each other in the longitudinal direction to form at least one end portion of an insert of each leg insert section that is formed, essentially no assemblies. 19. The product according to claim 17, wherein said end portion of said first arrangement of elastic elements is made by segments in a plurality of positional positions separated from each other in the longitudinal direction, for forming at least one end portion of an insert of each leg insert section, which made essentially without assemblies. 20. The product according to claim 17, wherein said external attenuating assembly of leg inserts forms a segmentation of said end portion of said first arrangement of elastic elements in a first plurality of positional positions separated from each other in the longitudinal direction to form at least one end part of the insert each section of the leg inserts, which is made essentially without assemblies. 21. The product according to 17, in which at least one end part of the specified second arrangement of at least one elastic element is weakened to form at least one made essentially without assemblies of the end part of the valve of each section retention valve. 22. The product according to 17, in which the end part of the specified second arrangement of at least one elastic element is weakened in the second set of positions separated from each other in the longitudinal direction to form at least one made essentially without valve end assembly assemblies of each retention valve section. 23. The product according to 17, in which the specified product further comprises a retention valve, the distant attachment of which attaches at least one end portion of the valve of each section of the retention valve to the specified product. 24. The product of claim 17, wherein the distant attachment of said retention valve attaches said foot insert to said product in a second plurality of longitudinally spaced positions and said end portion of said second arrangement of elastic elements is formed by segments in said second plurality positional positions separated from each other in the longitudinal direction to form at least one substantially endless assembly of the valve end portion of each valve section holding. 25. The product according to 17, in which the specified product further comprises an insert for the legs, an external mount which attaches to the product an outer side edge of at least one end part of the insert of each section of the insert for the legs.

Images