MXPA97010315A - Sanitary articles with double c top sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to absorbent articles, particularly sanitary napkins having top sheets in layers. In particular, a first receiving layer of the liquids to be absorbed comprises openings of at least 1.4 mm and area in a film. These large openings provide exceptionally good liquid admission performance for the absorbent article. A second layer provides a reservoir of liquid receiver volume to have and maintain elastically a minimum thickness of 0.3 mm. Additionally, the second layer provides visual concealment of the obstructed liquids within the large openings of the first layer of the upper surface.

Description

SANITARY ITEMS WITH DOUBLE LAYER TOP SHEETS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to absorbent articles, particularly sanitary napkins having top sheets in layers. In particular, a first receiving layer of liquids to be absorbed comprises openings of at least 1.4 mm2 area in a film. These large openings provide exceptionally good liquid admission performance for the absorbent article. A second layer provides a reservoir of liquid receiver volume to have and maintain elastically a minimum thickness of 0.3 mm. Additionally, the second layer provides visual concealment of liquids absorbed within the area of the large openings in the first layer of the topsheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sanitary articles such as sanitary napkins, baby diapers, absorbent inserts and absorbent articles for adult incontinence are well known in the art. Typically, all of these articles comprise a surface facing the user ("internal") and a surface facing the garment ("external").

The surface that gives to the user receives from the user of the articles the liquids, corporal discharges such as menstruation, that are going to be absorbed. In order for the article to store the liquid, the surface facing the user has to be permeable to the liquid while maintaining the integrity of the external surface facing the user of the absorbent article. This surface facing the user is provided by a top sheet and this is the surface that comes into contact with the user's skin. Top sheets well known in the art of absorbent articles are non-woven fabrics, woven fabrics or films. The films have to be made permeable by perforation. Fabrics or non-woven fabrics are made of fibers, which due to their nature provide non-linear openings of varying and changing size, depending on the direction selected for the transport of liquid therethrough. The films are often made of polymeric material and typically comprise openings, which have been machined to provide certain characteristics. These openings can vary in shape and size. The walls of the openings define the amount of extension, if any, beyond the plane of the thickness of the film and the direction of said extensions. The openings in the film can also be provided in the form of a funnel. A typical top sheet made of polyethylene film has been successfully used in sanitary articles and adult incontinence products, as well as inserts and baby diapers. A problem that remains is the total amount of liquid capable of passing through said top sheet under everyday conditions of use, due to the total amount of open area of all the openings and, in particular, the size and shape of the opening. individual. Exceptionally large openings increase the speed of fluid passage, but they have the concealment problem because liquids, such as menstruation, remain visible to the user, which is considered undesirable. Also, large openings promote a counterflow of absorbed liquid, so called rewetting, which is undesirable. The individual small openings, on the other hand, can not provide the liquid passage characteristics required to let through liquids of high surface tensions; this can be a problem in an absolute sense for very small openings or it can cause a flow velocity of the liquid too low. It has also been found that the total amount of open area for a given size and shape of aperture is approximately linear in relation to the rate of liquid passage. Again, one can select the concealment of the liquid that has penetrated, but also the strength of the material and other considerations of appearance, the extent of the total open area in a top sheet of film is limited. From the above, it is also clear that there is a problem of balance between concealment, material strength, other appearance considerations and the total open area, as well as the size and individual shape of the opening, in the state of the art. The present invention does not attempt to provide selection criteria for this equilibrium problem, but to change the equilibrium for this problem for the purpose of obtaining improved absorbent articles with respect to its ability to rapidly admit liquid, as well as rewetting and hiding liquid received. , while maintaining the characteristics of the strength of the material and other considerations, acceptable, for the top sheet. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a top sheet with openings for absorbent articles having openings larger than those commonly found acceptable in upper sheets of apertured film, while effectively improving or at least not deteriorating the rewetting and hiding of the liquids absorbed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an absorbent article having all the benefits of a large film sheet with large openings without the comfort, concealment and rewet problems of the prior art. In particular, the absorbent article comprises a laminated topsheet having a surface facing the wearer and a surface facing the garment. The top sheet comprises a first and a second layer, which are preferably joined together. An absorbent article generally further comprises a backsheet and an absorbent structure, alternately so-called absorbent core, positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet.

Absorbent structure The absorbent structure may include the following components: (a) optionally a primary fluid distribution layer together with an optional secondary fluid distribution layer; (b) a fluid storage layer; (c) optionally a fibrous layer ("dedusting") that is below the storage layer; and (d) other optional components. (a) Primary / Secondary Fluid Distribution Layer An optional component of the absorbent structure according to the present invention is a primary fluid distribution layer and a secondary fluid distribution layer. The primary fluid distribution layer is typically below the top sheet, and is in fluid communication with it. The top sheet transfers the acquired fluid to this primary distribution layer for final distribution to the storage layer. This transfer of fluid through the primary distribution layer occurs not only in thickness, but also along the length and width direction of the absorbent product. The also optional but preferred secondary fluid distribution layer is typically below the primary distribution layer and is in fluid communication with it. The purpose of this secondary distribution layer is to easily acquire the fluid from the primary distribution layer and transfer it rapidly to the underlying storage layer. This helps to fully utilize the fluid capacity of the underlying storage layer. The fluid distribution layers may be composed of any typical material for these distribution layers. In particular, the fibrous layers maintain the capillaries between the fibers and even when moistened they are useful as distribution layers. (b) Fluid Storage Layer Placed in fluid communication with, and typically below, the primary or secondary distribution layers, is a fluid storage layer. The fluid storage layer may comprise any conventional absorbent material or combinations thereof. This preferably comprises gelling absorbent materials, usually referred to as "hydrogel", "superabsorbent" materials, "hydrocolloids" in combination with suitable carriers. The gelling absorbent materials are capable of absorbing large quantities of aqueous body fluids, and are also capable of retaining these absorbed fluids under moderate pressures. The gelling absorbent materials may be dispersed homogeneously or non-homogeneously in a suitable carrier. Suitable carriers, provided they are absorbent as such, can also be used alone.

The gelling absorbent materials for use herein very often comprise a partially neutralized, slightly cross-linked polymeric gelling material substantially insoluble in water. This material forms a hydrogel upon contact with water. These polymeric materials can be prepared from monomers containing acid, unsaturated, polymerizable, which are well known in the art. Suitable carriers include materials that are conventionally used in absorbent structures such as natural fibers, modified fibers, or synthetic fibers, particularly modified or unmodified cellulose fibers, in the form of lint and / or paper. Suitable carriers can be used together with the gelling absorbent material, however, these can be used alone or in combinations. The most preferred are paper and laminates of paper in the context of sanitary napkins / linings for panties. One embodiment of the absorbent structure made in accordance with the present invention comprises a double layer paper laminate formed by folding the paper on itself. These layers can be joined together, for example, by adhesive or by mechanical interlacing, or by hydrogen bonding. The gelling absorbent materials or other optional material may be comprised between the layers. Modified cellulose fibers such as hardened cellulose fibers can also be used. Synthetic fibers can also be used and include those made from cellulose acetate, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene chloride, acrylics (such as Orion), polyvinyl acetate, non-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides (such as nylon) ), polyesters, two-component fibers, three-component fibers, mixtures thereof and the like. Preferably, the surfaces of the fiber are hydrophilic or are treated to be hydrophilic. The storage layer may also include filling materials, such as Perlite, diatomaceous earth, Vermiculite, etc., to improve liquid retention. If the gelling absorbent material is dispersed in an inhomogeneous manner in the carrier, the storage layer can, however, be locally homogeneous, that is, have a distribution gradient in one or several directions within the dimensions of the layer. storage. Also, inhomogeneous distributions can refer to laminates of carriers that enclose the gelling absorbent materials partially or totally. (c) Optional Fiber Coat ("Dusting") An optional component for inclusion within the absorbent structure according to the present invention is a fibrous layer adjacent to, and typically below, the storage layer. This underlying fibrous layer is typically referred to as a "dedusting" layer, as it provides a substrate on which the gelling absorbent material of the storage layer is deposited during the manufacture of the absorbent structure. Indeed, this fibrous "dedusting" layer need not be included in those examples where the gelling absorbent material is in the form of macro structures such as fibers, sheets or strips. However, it is a layer of "dedusting" provides some of the additional fluid handling capabilities such as wicking effect or rapid fluid impregnation along the length of the pad. (d) Other Optional Components of the Absorbent Structure The absorbent structure according to the present invention may include other optional components normally present in absorbent webs. For example, a reinforcing fabric may be placed within the respective layers, or between the respective layers, of the absorbent structure. These reinforcement canvases should be of such configuration as long as they do not form inter-facial barriers for fluid transfer. Given the structural integrity that usually occurs as a result of thermal bonding, reinforcing canvases are not usually required for thermally bonded absorbent structures. Another important component that can be included within the absorbent structure according to the invention, and that is preferably provided near or as part of the primary or secondary fluid distribution layer, are the odor control agents. Activated carbon coated with or in addition to other odor control agents, in particular suitable zeolite or clay materials, is optionally incorporated into the absorbent structure. These components can be incorporated in any desired form, but are often included as discrete particles.

Back sheet The backsheet fundamentally prevents the exudates absorbed and contained within the absorbent structure from wetting the articles that come into contact with the absorbent product, such as underpants, pajamas and undergarments. The backsheet is preferably impermeable to liquids (eg, menstruation and / or urine) and is preferably manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to materials that are docile and that will readily conform to the shape and general contour of the human body. Also, the back sheet can have elastic characteristics that allow it to stretch in one or two directions. Typically, the backsheet extends through the entire absorbent structure and can extend into and form part of all or the preferred lateral side flaps, wrap-around elements or wings. The backsheet may comprise a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or composite materials such as a nonwoven film-coated material. Preferably, the backsheet is a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Exemplary polyethylene films are manufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation P18-0401, and by Ethyl Corporation, Division of Visqueen, of Terre Haute, Indiana, under the designation XP-39385. The backsheet is pre-recorded and finished without gloss to provide a more fabric-like appearance. In addition, the backsheet can allow the vapors to escape from the absorbent structure, i.e., be breathable, while still preventing the exudates from penetrating the backsheet. Also, breathable backsheets comprising several layers can be used, for example, film plus non-woven structures.

The Top Sheet The term "attached", as used herein, encompasses configurations in which the first layer is directly secured to the second layer, by attaching the first layer directly to the second layer; configurations in which the first layer is indirectly secured to the second layer, the first layer being fixed to an intermediate layer or layers which in turn are fixed to the second layer. Preferably, both layers are bonded together through at least 50% of their total interface. The top sheet layers can be joined together by adhesives, sewing, heat and / or pressure joints, dynamic mechanical bonds, ultrasonic joints, intermeshing or entanglement of the fibers and other structural elements comprising the layers of the top sheet, such as by blowing the fibers of the second layer onto the film of the first layer in the molten state, by extruding one layer over the other, or by any other means known in the art. The top sheet comprises a first pass layer, which provides the user facing surface of the top sheet, and a second pass layer between the first pass layer and the absorbent structure. The upper sheet as a whole, and, accordingly, each individually needs to be docile, of soft feel and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. This can also have elastic characteristics that allow it to be stretched in one or two directions. The first passage layer is provided by a film material having openings, which here are referred to as "large openings", and optionally openings here referred to as "small openings". These openings are provided to facilitate the transport of liquid from the surface facing the user towards the absorbent structure. For all measurements with respect to the openings in the first pass layer, the plane of the smaller cross-sectional areas of the aperture shall be used, unless otherwise mentioned. Large openings have an individual area open from 1.4 mm2 up 3. 0 mm2, and preferably 1.5 mm to 2.5 rrfrn. The total open area of the large openings in the upper passage layer, excluding all of the other liquid transport openings, should be in the range of 5% to 20%, preferably 10% to 20% of the surface area of the first layer of the upper sheet. The optional small openings in the first layer of the upper sheet of the absorbent article have an individual open area of less than 1.4 mm2 and typically not less than 0.15 mm2. Openings that are even smaller are usually not suitable for transporting liquid at all, and would only function as gas permeable openings, for example, for breathability purposes. Preferably, the optional small openings are in the range of 0.25 mm2 to 0.4 mm2. The openings are preferably substantially circular or polygonal. Its shape is limited by having a ratio of the longest internal diagonal length to the shortest one on the scale of between 1 to 6, preferably 1 and 3. The total open area of all the liquid transport openings in the first layer is on the scale of 10% to 40%, preferably 15% to 35% of the total area of the first layer. When approaching the upper limit of this total open area of the first layer, that is, above the total open area of approximately 30%, the distribution of the openings needs to be homogeneous, that is, there should not be a specific area where more opening areas are concentrated than in other parts. Also contemplated in the present invention is the first passage layer that does not have a homogeneous distribution of liquid passages, and would have a higher concentration of openings in the area where it is expected to discharge the liquid. The liquid transport openings are formed in the film, such that the walls of the openings extend beyond the plane of the surface of the basic film, ie, the surface of the film, before the film is punctured. The direction of these walls extending into the absorbent article is toward the surface facing the garment of the article. The amount of extension of the walls of the openings in the first layer is at least 0.3 mm beyond the surface shape of the film hanging from the walls of the openings. Preferably, the walls of the openings form funnels or venturi channels as is well known in the art. To ensure the stability of the material, the smallest distance between the large openings nearby, without taking into account their particular shape and size, is preferably at least 1.0 mm, more preferably 1.5 mm. This distance is measured on the surface of the film on the sides closest to the surface facing the user of the absorbent article. Also, as is typical for the top sheets, the film material is preferably made hydrophilic to the extent that the contact angle is less than 90 °, with the distilled water, upon the first contact with water. For films, this can be achieved by treatment with surfactant. For the polymeric films treated with surfactant that provide the first layer, it has been found beneficial to use films where the surfactant is permanently fixed on the surface of the film. These are so-called film materials with surfactant agent integrated with resin. For these films, even repeated rewetting by the distilled water would provide approximately the same contact angle as the first contact with distilled water. In another preferred embodiment of the first layer of the topsheet, the surface facing the user is treated with an agent such that the liquids are conducted towards the openings. These agents can be silicone or teflon, which provide the treated surface with a self-cleaning effect. This treatment may be in addition to the aforementioned surfactant treatment. Films, such as those disclosed in EP-0 205 286, EP-O-165 208, EP-O-18 020, EP-O-59 506 or in U.S. Patent 3,929,135, are explicitly referred to as the first step layer of the top sheet, with the condition that it meets the requirements of the claims. Other suitable formed films, provided they meet the requirements for the first pass layer, are described in U.S. Patent 4,324,246, U.S. Patent 4,342,314, U.S. Patent 4,463,045, and U.S. Pat. United 5,006,394. Particularly preferred microperforation of the formed film is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,609,518 and U.S. Patent 4,629,643. These micro openings may also be included in the first passage layer of the topsheet, provided that they are less than 0.15 mm2, and therefore provide essentially breathability. The ways of making these films are well known in the art, and have also been disclosed in the prior references of the state of the art. The second passage layer of the upper sheet is provided by an elastic, high-lift fibrous material. The elastic, high-lift fibrous material must have a total hollow volume of more than 50%, preferably more than 90%, preferably a minimum thickness of 0.3 mm, more preferably at least 0.5 mm. The basis weight of said fibrous materials is in the range of 20 g / m2 to 100 g / rr and most preferably is in the range of 25 g / m2 to 60 g / m2. It is necessary that the fibrous material be at least as hydrophilic as the film material of the first layer so that it does not present a barrier against the liquid. Even better, this is more hydrophilic (or less hydrophobic) than the film and creates a directing force for the liquid towards the absorbent structure after passing the first layer. Therefore, if the fibers are made of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene / polyethylene two-component fibers, polyester fibers, polyamide fibers or artificial fibers preferably rayon, viscous fibers or mixtures of it may be necessary to treat these fibers in a similar manner as the film, in order to provide them with the required hydrophilic characteristic (or hydrophobicity). The fibers in the second layer should preferably be thermally bonded in order to provide the desired integrity and elasticity of the network of the fibrous material under the present invention. The fibrous layer must be elastic in the sense that it returns to at least 80% of its original volume after being compressed to 50% of the starting volume in a dry state. In a wet state, the layer must return to at least 65% of its original volume after being compressed to 50% of the starting volume. For carded fibrous materials, the length of the individual fiber should preferably be from 25 mm to 50 mm, while the preferred air-laid fibers are preferably from 1 to 10 mm, most preferably from 4 to 8 mm in length. The fibers should have a weight per length on the scale of 1.5 to 10 x 10"7 kg / m, preferably 3.3 to 6.7 10" 7 kg / m? (decitex) Fibrous layers are well known in the art of absorbent articles to provide the top sheets. These fibrous layers, provided they meet the requirements indicated in the claims, can be used as the second layer in the context of the present invention. In particular, the fibrous layers according to the United States Patent Application 08 / 141,156 of October 21, 1993 or the United States Patent 3,994,771, are useful as the second layer of the top sheet according to the present invention.

Since both layers of the topsheet, individually, are well known in the art, it is not necessary to elaborate further details of the top sheet layer of the present invention, exemplifying the performance of the non-double layer top sheet combination. known, so far in the following examples: The test to analyze the rate or speed of liquid intake, rewetting and concealment are simple tests to review the specific performance aspect of a product in relation to an alternative product. The results are intended to identify the qualitative difference between the alternative and the given executions, and the indication of the relative magnitude of the improvements. Since the top sheet combination distinguishes the present invention from the state of the art, a commercially available combination of backsheet and core with typical characteristics will typically be sufficient to evaluate the alternate backsheet combinations. For the tests described below, a commercially available sanitary napkin having a polyethylene backsheet and a paper laminate (paper folded around and on itself including a gel absorbing material), was used as a base in combination with alternate combinations of top sheet The tested topsheet was made from a first layer of film bonded by a thermal melt adhesive to a fibrous layer, the second layer according to the present invention. The thermal fusion adhesive was applied in an amount of 3 g / m2 by spiraling, and the adhesive that was used was H2031, by Findley Euro B.V., coming from the Netherlands. The reference film layer was the "Dri Weave" movie available from The Procter & Gamble Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, E.U.A. and marketed in the brands Always® and Aldays®. This film is essentially identical with the first layer of the top sheet of the present invention but by the size of the opening. The openings in the reference film woqualify only as small openings since they have an open area of 0.34 mm2. The total open area was 31.28% with 92 openings per cm2. The first layer film according to the present invention had circular, slightly funnel-shaped openings of 1.7 mm2 area for large openings and 0.20 mm2 for small openings. The total open area was 32.82% with 11. 24% due to large openings and 21.58% due to small openings. The average number of openings per cm2 was 6.61 for large openings and 107.9 for small openings. The walls of the openings including the basic film have a caliper of 0.427 mm while the thickness of the film was 0.0255 mm (such that the wall extended approximately 0.4 mm from the plane of the film). The second layer according to the present invention was the high lift fibrous material commercially available from Waikisoft Company, Arhus, Denmark, under Code P 50 (IP). This material is made of air-laid fibers, of two polypropylene / polyethylene components, which are thermally bonded by hot air. It has a hollow volume of more than 90% and a caliber of 2.5 mm. The individual fiber length was 6 mm and the base weight of the layer was 60 g / m2. The second reference layer is available from Suominen under the reference F3200. This provides a caliber of 0.5 mm and a basis weight of 50 g / m2 in a hollow volume of 25%. The following test samples were prepared in sufficient quantity for statistical analysis of the test results: Product code: A B C D First layer of reference film reference according to film according to top sheet with the present invention the present invention Second reference layer Waikisoft Waikisoft reference Top Sheet Core + Back Sheet - core + commercially available back sheet of medium size Always Ultra sanitary napkins The tests were an acquisition test, a rewet test and a visual inspection on all samples tested as for the concealment.

Acquisition Test Procedure Principle: This procedure measures the ability of a product to "continue to absorb" (decay of the acquisition) subjected to repeated inflows of fluid under a prescribed set of conditions. This procedure is recommended for multiple product comparisons. This method evaluates the method required for the acquisition of given quantities of liquid during repeated imbibitions (three in this case), at relatively high speed (approximately 3 ml / sec) and under a pressure of 0.25 PSI, to model "in use" the pressure while it is used. Each product is placed down on its flat surface and an acquisition plate is placed on it. The acquisition plate comprises a rectangular Plexiglas plate of 70 x 220 x 8 mm with an opening of 22 mm in diameter formed therein. A cylinder of 45 mm in height and 22 in internal diameter is located on the opening in sealing contact with the plate. The cylinder is filled with Artificial Menstrual Fluid (AF), and a pressure of 0.25 PSI is applied to the plate, obtained with appropriate weights placed on the plate, the pressure being that which is measured with reference to the portion of the product under the plate. of acquisition. The acquisition time is the time from the beginning of each imbibition to the disappearance of liquid inside the cylinder. A waiting time of 10 minutes is left of each imbibition before repeating the procedure.

Re-wetting Test Procedure 7 mm of Artificial Menstrual Fluid (FMA) is poured for 90 seconds onto the center of a sanitary napkin. The dripped area is 3 x 4 cm2 with 4 cm that are in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin. Leave the pad upright for 20 minutes. 7 layers of pre-weighed blotter paper (*) are placed in the center of the pad. The pressure of 70 g / cm2 is applied. Wait for 15 seconds with the applied pressure. The blotting paper is removed and the weight is measured. The final result of rewetting = the sum of the weight of the liquid in the seven blotting papers. (*) blotting paper: from Scleicher & Schuell, code 597 Ref. No. 311812 -DASSEL - GERMANY.

Composition of Artificial Menstrual Fluid (FMA) used in tests Defibrinated sheep blood (from UNIPATH SpA, Milano, Italy) = 50% Phosphate Regulated Saline Solution (from SIGMA Chemie) = 45% lll-type Gastric Mucin (from SIGMA) = 4% other ions present: - 0.37% KOH - 0.23% K2HP04 - 0.30% NaCl - 0.1% KCI = 1% 100% Surfactant + water (to adjust the viscosity) NB Chemicals: from SIGMA ALDRICH, Milano, Italy.

Test Results The results of the test for acquisition and rewet can be found as index% in the following tables. The deterioration of concealment between product C and products A or B was not detectable.

Result of acquisition time (index%) 1. Test fluid at a viscosity of 7 mPa.s Cumulative Quantity of Liquid 5 ml 10 ml 15 ml Product A 1000% 3000% 5000% Product B 100% 150% 200% Product C - 100% 100% 100% base 2. Test fluid at a viscosity of 22 mPa.s Cumulative Liquid Quantity 5 ml 10 ml 15 ml Product A 788% 1636% 2400% Product B 138% 145% 170% Product C - base 100% 100% 100% The results show that only the combination of the layers according to the present invention can provide the desired benefits of speed of acquisition, while the combinations of the state of the art fail at low viscosity and always fail at high viscosity.

Rewetting With respect to rewetting the detrimentally expected problem with top sheets of films with large apertures is shown by the following rewet data. The top sheet according to the present invention addresses this problem and uniformly provided an improvement over the small opening top sheet reference.

Re-humidification index test fluid at a viscosity of 11 mPa.s Product A 140% Product B 640% Product C 100%

Claims (20)

1. An absorbent article, which has rapid liquid admission, under rewet and good concealment performance, said article comprising a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent structure positioned between said top sheet and said back sheet, said top sheet having a surface which gives towards the user and a surface facing towards the garment, and the upper sheet comprising: a first step layer, said first step layer providing the surface facing the user of the upper sheet, and a second layer in passing, said second passage layer being placed between the first passage layer and the absorbent structure, with both passage layers preferably joined together, the first passage layer being provided by a film material having large openings for the passageway. liquid transport, large liquid transport openings having a single open area on the scale of 1.4 mm2 to 3.0 mm2, the large liquid transport apertures have a total open area on the scale of 5% to 20% of the total area of the first pass layer, said liquid transport apertures having a larger internal diagonal length and a diagonal length smaller internal, the ratio of said larger internal diagonal length to the smallest one being on the scale of 1 to 6 for any single opening, said liquid transport apertures having walls hanging at least 0.3 mm from the surface of said film, said walls hanging in a direction toward the surface facing the garment, said film material being made hydrophilic such that it forms a contact angle of less than 90 degrees with distilled water upon the first contact with the distilled water, the second step layer being provided by a high-elastic, elastic fibrous material, said fibrous material having a hollow volume of no more 50% and preferably a thickness of at least 0.3 mm, said fibrous material being at least as hydrophilic as said film material of said first pass layer.

2. An absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the large openings have an individual area on the scale of 1.5 mm2 to 2.5 mm2.

3. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said large openings have a total open area in the range of 10% to 20% of the total area of the first pass layer.

An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first passage layer is provided by a film material having further having small openings for the transport of liquid, the small openings having an individual area open at the scale from 0.15 mm2 to less than 1.4 mm2, the total open area of all liquid transport openings in said first pass layer being in the range of 10% to 40% of the total area of said first pass layer.

An absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein said small openings have a single open area in the range of 0.25 mm2.

6. An absorbent article according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the total open area of all the liquid transport apertures in the first pass layer is on the scale of 15% to 35% of the total area of said first pass layer.

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distance from the smallest edge to the edge between the large openings in said first passage layer is at least 1.0 mm.

An absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein the distance from the smallest edge to the edge between the large openings in said first passage layer is at least 1.5 mm.

9. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said fibrous material has a hollow volume of more than 90%.

10. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said fibrous material has a thickness of at least

0. 5 mm An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said fibrous material has a basis weight of 20 g / m2 to 100 g / m2 12.

An absorbent article according to claim 11, wherein said fibrous material It has a basis weight of 25 g / m2 to 60 g / m2.

An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said fibrous material comprises fibers having a thickness of 1.5 to 10 x 10"7 kg / m (decitex) and said fibers are selected from synthetic fibers, artificial fibers or mixtures thereof.

14. An absorbent article according to claim 13, wherein said fibrous material comprises fibers having a thickness of 3.3 to 6.7 x 10 ~ 7 kg / m (decitex).

15. An absorbent article according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said fibers are selected from polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, polypropylene / polyethylene two-component fibers, polyester fibers, polyamide fibers, rayon, viscose fibers, or mixtures thereof.

16. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said fibrous material comprises fibers that are thermally bonded.

17. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said fibrous material is placed by air and comprises fibers having a fiber length of 1 mm to 10 mm.

18. An absorbent article according to claim 17, wherein said fibers have a fiber length of 4 mm to 8 mm.

19. An absorbent article according to claims 1 to 16, wherein said material is carded and comprises fibers having a fiber length of 25 mm to 50 mm.

20. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein both of said first and second pass layers are directly bonded to each other.