RU2778502C1 - Absorbent articles with bending elastic layered materials - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: hygiene.

SUBSTANCE: disclosed are absorbent articles with curved elastic layered materials, as well as apparatus and methods for creating said articles. In one variant of implementation, an absorbent article with a frontal waist area, a crotch area, and a back waist area may comprise a base containing: a body-facing lining material, an outer coating, and an absorbent element. The article may additionally comprise a pair of elastic layered materials attached to the base forming elastic leg cuffs. Each of the first pair of elastic layered materials may comprise a layered material forming a bend and an elastomeric element located in the gap of the layered material. Each of the first pair of elastic layered materials can be attached to the base so that the bend comprises the outermost longitudinal edge of the article over the entire crotch area, and the bend and elastomeric element of each of the elastic layered materials may pass with curvature over the entire crotch area.

EFFECT: creation of a functional absorbent article.

20 cl, 18 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to absorbent articles, and more specifically to absorbent articles having curved elastic webs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The primary function of personal care absorbent articles is to absorb and retain bodily exudates such as urine, feces, blood and menstrual fluids, with additional desirable characteristics including low leakage from the absorbent article and a dry feel to the wearer of the absorbent article. By preventing exudates from leaking out of the absorbent article, the absorbent article is designed to prevent body exudates from soiling or contaminating the wearer's or caregiver's clothing or other articles, such as bedding, that may come into contact with the wearer.

One common type of undesirable event is the leakage of secretions outside the sealed cuffs and from the leg openings of the absorbent article. As one example, stool that is not absorbed or retained by an absorbent article may pass over or through any seals located in the vicinity of the leg cuffs of the articles and stain or contaminate the wearer's skin and clothing near the legs. This can happen much more often with semi-liquid stools, such as low-viscosity stools, which may be prevalent in young children. Such secretions may move along the bodyside liner of the absorbent article under the influence of gravity, motion and pressure exerted by the wearer of the absorbent article. In such a case, not only does the wearer's absorbent article need to be changed, but the wearer's clothing and/or bedding often also needs to be changed, resulting in extra work, cost and stress for the caregiver.

Previous attempts have been made to provide sealing systems, in particular on the body facing liner or near leg cuffs, to overcome the problems described above. Some examples involve the use of elastic sealed cuffs and/or leg cuffs having various other structures to provide a better seal around the wearer's body and legs to help prevent leakage. Although these sealed lapels and leg cuffs have contributed to the reduction in the amount and frequency of leakage, undesirable events still occur. Thus, there is a need for improvements in absorbent articles to prevent leakage of exudates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to absorbent articles, and more specifically to absorbent articles having curved elastic webs.

In one embodiment, an absorbent article having a front waist region, a crotch region, and a back waist region may comprise a body comprising: a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent member positioned between the bodyside liner and the outer cover. The article may further comprise a first pair of elastic laminates attached to the base to form elastic leg cuffs, wherein each of the first pair of elastic laminates comprises: a laminate containing a fold to form an upper layer of the laminate and a lower layer of the laminate; and an elastomeric element positioned between the top layer of the laminate and the bottom layer of the laminate. Each of the first pair of elastic laminates may be attached to the body such that the fold comprises the outermost longitudinal edge of the article over the entire crotch region, and the fold and elastomeric element of each of the elastic laminates may extend curvature across the entire crotch region.

In a second embodiment, an absorbent article having a front waist region, a crotch region, and a back waist region may comprise a body comprising: a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent member positioned between the bodyside liner and the outer cover. The product may further comprise a first pair of elastic laminates attached to the substrate, each of the first pair of elastic laminates comprising: a laminate containing a fold to form an upper layer of the laminate and a lower layer of the laminate; a first group of one or more elastomeric elements positioned between the top layer of the web laminate and the bottom layer of the laminate; and a second group of one or more elastomeric elements located between the upper layer of the layered material and the lower layer of the layered material and located at a distance from the first group of one or more elastomeric elements. Each of the first pair of elastic laminates may be attached to the body such that the fold comprises the outermost longitudinal edge of the article throughout the crotch region. The first group of one or more elastomeric elements may form an elastic leg cuff, while the second group of one or more elastomeric elements may form an elastic seal, and each of the first pair of elastic laminates may extend with curvature over at least the entire crotch area. .

In a third embodiment, an absorbent article having a front waist region, a crotch region, and a back waist region may comprise: a bodyside liner; outer coating; an absorbent member disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover; and a first pair of elastic laminates attached to the base. Each of the first pair of elastic laminates may comprise a laminate having a first side edge and a second side edge, wherein at least one of the first side edge and the second side edge is a folded edge, and an elastomeric element, and the first and second side edges and the elastomeric element may extend in a curved manner along at least a portion of its length.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe every embodiment or every embodiment of the present invention. The advantages and disadvantages, along with a more complete understanding of the present invention, will become apparent and understandable from the following detailed description and claims, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHICS

The present invention may be better understood by considering the following detailed description of the various embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which show the following.

In FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent article according to aspects of the present invention, such as a diaper, in a closed state.

In FIG. 2 is an illustrative top plan view of the embodiment of the absorbent article of FIG. 1 in the stretched, horizontally laid and unzipped state.

In FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of the article of FIG. 2.

In FIG. 4 is an illustrative top plan view of another embodiment of an absorbent article according to aspects of the present invention in an extended, horizontally laid, and unzipped state.

In FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of the article of FIG. four.

In FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of the article of FIG. four.

In FIG. 7 is an illustrative top plan view of another embodiment of an absorbent article according to aspects of the present invention in a stretched, horizontally laid, and unzipped state.

In FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of the article of FIG. 7.

In FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of the article of FIG. 7.

In FIG. 10 is an illustrative top plan view of another embodiment of an absorbent article according to aspects of the present invention in a stretched, horizontally laid, and unzipped state.

In FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of the article of FIG. ten.

In FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of the article of FIG. ten.

In FIG. 13 is an illustrative top plan view of another embodiment of an absorbent article according to aspects of the present invention in an extended, horizontally laid, and unzipped state.

In FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of the article of FIG. 13.

In FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of the article of FIG. 13.

In FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of an exemplary laminate vibrator in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

In FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an exemplary web guide of the oscillating laminate device of FIG. 16.

In FIG. 18 is a plan view of the process of oscillating and attaching curved elastomeric laminates to a continuous stream of absorbent assemblies in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

While the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, the drawings have shown features by way of example, which will be described in detail. However, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit aspects of the present invention to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to absorbent articles having curved elastic webs for use as sealed cuffs and/or leg cuffs. These curved elastic webs may provide a better seal against the wearer's body and/or legs, which helps to retain bodily exudates within the absorbent article. For example, curved leg cuffs may provide a better, more uniform fit of the absorbent article to the wearer, providing a better seal against the wearer's body due to the article. Curved elastic seal lapels can provide non-uniform coverage of the wearer's body with seal lapels, thereby providing strategically large openings around common body fluid entry points, as well as strategically placed smaller openings that provide greater coverage of the body by the product. This strategically placed greater coverage of the body helps to reduce the exposure of the skin to body exudates, which in turn can help reduce instances of skin irritation from contact between the wearer's body and exudates.

Each example is provided by way of explanation and is not intended to be limiting. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment or figure may be used with respect to another embodiment or figure to obtain yet another embodiment. The present invention is intended to include such modifications and variations.

While some suitable sizes, ranges and/or values have been disclosed regarding various components, features and/or specifications, one skilled in the art familiar with the present invention will appreciate that the desired sizes, ranges and/or values may deviate from those directly disclosed.

When presenting elements of the present invention or preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the use of the terms in the singular or plural, as well as accompanying the definition "specified" implies that there are one or more elements. The terms "comprising", "including", and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Without departing from the essence and scope of the present invention, many modifications and changes can be made to it. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments described above should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

Definitions

The term "absorbent article" as used herein refers to an article that can be placed against or near the body (i.e., in body contact) of the wearer to absorb and contain various liquid, solid, and semi-solid excretions excreted from the body. Absorbent articles such as those described herein should be discarded after a limited period of use and not laundered or otherwise recovered for reuse. It is to be understood that the present invention is applicable to a variety of disposable absorbent articles including, but not limited to, diapers, diaper briefs, potty training briefs, teen briefs, briefs, feminine hygiene products, including but not limited to panty liners or underpants. menses, incontinence products, medical garments, surgical pads and bandages, other personal care or health care garments, and the like, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The term "absorbent layer" as used herein refers to a layer capable of receiving and temporarily retaining body fluids to slow and diffuse the jet or flow of body fluids and subsequently release the body fluids therefrom into another layer or layers of an absorbent article.

The term "coupled" or "engaged" as used herein refers to the articulation, bonding, joining, bonding, or the like, of two elements. Two elements will be considered connected or linked with respect to each other if they are combined, glued, connected, fastened or the like to each other directly or indirectly, for example, if each of them is directly connected to intermediate elements. Linking or linking one element to another can occur through continuous or discontinuous links.

The term "carded web" as used herein refers to a web containing staple length natural or synthetic fibers typically having fiber lengths of less than about 100 mm. The bundles of staple fibers may be loosened to separate the fibers, which are then carded, in which the fibers are separated and combed to align them in the machine direction, after which the fibers are deposited on a moving wire for further processing. Such webs are typically subjected to some type of bonding process, such as heat sealing using heat and/or pressure. In addition to or instead of this, the fibers can be subjected to gluing processes to bond the fibers to each other, for example by using powdered adhesives. The carded web may be fluid bonded, such as water jet bonded, to further entangle the fibers and thereby improve the integrity of the carded web. Carded webs, due to the alignment of the fibers in the machine direction, after bonding, as a rule, will have a strength in the machine direction that exceeds the strength in the transverse machine direction.

The term "film" as used herein refers to a thermoplastic film made using an extrusion and/or shaping process such as a cast film process or a blown film process. The term includes perforated films, slotted films, and other porous films that constitute liquid transfer films, as well as films that do not transfer fluids, such as, but not limited to, barrier films, filled films, breathable films, and oriented films.

The term "g/m2" refers in this document to grams per square meter.

The term "hydrophilic" refers herein to fibers or fiber surfaces that are wetted by aqueous liquids upon contact with the fibers. The degree of wetting of materials can, in turn, be described in terms of contact angles and surface tension values of the fluids and materials under consideration. Equipment and techniques suitable for measuring the wettability of specific fibrous materials or blends of fibrous materials may be provided by the Cahn SFA-222 Surface Tension Analysis System or a substantially equivalent system. When measured with this system, fibers with contact angles less than 90 degrees are referred to as "wettable" or hydrophilic, and fibers with contact angles greater than 90 degrees are referred to as "non-wettable" or hydrophobic.

The term "liquid-impervious" as used herein refers to a layer or laminate in which body fluids such as urine will not pass through the layer or laminate under normal conditions of use in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the layer or laminate. at the point of contact with the liquid.

The term "liquid-permeable" as used herein refers to any material that is not liquid-impervious.

The term "meltblown" in this document refers to fibers obtained by extrusion through a plurality of small, usually round, die holes of molten thermoplastic material in the form of filaments or filaments from the melt into converging high-velocity streams of heated gas (e.g., air) that reduce the thickness of the filaments. from molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameter, which may be the diameter of a microfiber. The meltblown fibers are then carried by the high velocity gas stream and deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly distributed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed, for example, in US Pat. No. 3,849,241 to Butin et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Meltblown fibers are microfibers that may be continuous or discontinuous, generally have a filament thickness of less than about 0.6 denier, and may be tacky and self-bonding when deposited onto a collecting surface.

The term "nonwoven fabric" refers herein to materials and webs of material that are formed without the use of a weaving or knitting fabric. The materials and webs of materials may have a structure of individual fibers, filaments or filaments (collectively referred to as "fibers"), which may be interleaved, but not in a recognizable manner, as in a knitted fabric. Nonwoven fabrics or webs can be formed using many methods such as, but not limited to, meltblown methods, spunbond methods, carded web methods, etc.

The term "compliant" as used herein refers to materials that are deformable and that will readily conform to the overall shape and contours of the wearer's clothing.

The term "spunbond" in this document refers to fibers of small diameter, which are obtained by extruding molten thermoplastic material in the form of filaments through a plurality of small holes of a man-made fiber extruder die, made in a round or other shape, while the diameter of the extruded filaments is then rapidly reduced in a conventional manner, such as, for example, ejector drawing, and the methods described in US Pat. No. 4,340,563 issued to Appel et al., in US Pat. No. 3,692,618 issued to Dorschner et al., in US Pat. , U.S. Patent Nos. 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney; U.S. Patent No. 3,502,763 to Hartmann; U.S. Patent No. 3,502,538 to Peterson; and U.S. Patent No. 3,542,615 to Dobo et al. document in its entirety by reference. Spunbond fibers are typically continuous and often have average deniers greater than about 0.3, and in one embodiment, from about 0.6, 5, and 10 to about 15, 20, and 40. Spunbond fibers are typically non-tacky when deposited. on the collecting surface.

The term "superabsorbent" as used herein refers to a water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic material capable of absorbing at least about 15 times its weight under most favorable conditions, and in one embodiment, at least about 30 times more its weight, in an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride. Superabsorbent materials can be natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. In addition, superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials such as silica gels or organic compounds such as crosslinked polymers.

The term "thermoplastic" as used herein refers to a material that softens and can be shaped when exposed to heat, and which returns substantially to its unsoftened state when cooled.

The term "user" or "caregiver" as used herein refers to someone who puts on an absorbent article such as, but not limited to, a diaper, diaper briefs, potty training briefs, teen briefs, incontinence article. or another absorbent article on the wearer of one of these absorbent articles. The user and the wearer may be the same person.

Absorbent article

Referring to FIG. 1-15, non-limiting illustrations of exemplary absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410, such as a diaper, are illustrated. Regardless, articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 may be potty training pants, teenage briefs, adult incontinence garments, or feminine hygiene products in other embodiments. While the embodiments and illustrations described herein may generally be applicable to absorbent articles manufactured in the machine direction of the product, hereinafter referred to as machine direction manufacturing, it should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to apply the information provided herein to absorbent articles made in the transverse direction of the product, which is hereinafter referred to as the manufacture of the product in the transverse direction, without departing from the essence and scope of the present invention.

The absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410 illustrated in FIG. 1-15 may comprise a body 11. The absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 may further comprise a front waist region 12, a back waist region 14, and a crotch region 16 located between the front waist region 12 and the back waist region 14 and connecting front and back regions 12, 14 of the waist, respectively. The front waist region 12 may be referred to as the front end region, the back waist region 14 may be referred to as the rear end region, and the crotch region 16 may be referred to as the intermediate region.

The absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 may have a pair of longitudinal side edges 18, 20 and a pair of opposite waist edges, respectively designated a front waist edge 22 and a back waist edge 24. The front waist region 12 may be adjacent to the front waist edge 22 , and the rear waist region 14 may be adjacent to the rear waist edge 24. The longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may extend from the front waist edge 22 to the rear waist edge 24. The longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 30, for its entire length. In other embodiments, such as the one shown in FIG. 2, the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may be curved between the front waist edge 22 and the rear waist edge 24.

The front waist region 12 may comprise a portion of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410 which, when worn, is positioned at least partially on the front side of the wearer, while the back waist region 14 may comprise a portion of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410 which, when worn, is positioned at least partially behind the wearer. The crotch region 16 of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 may include a portion of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 that, when worn, is positioned between the wearer's legs and may partially cover the wearer's lower torso. The waist edges 22 and 24 of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410 are configured to wrap around the wearer's waist and co-define a central waist opening 23 (indicated in FIG. 1) for the wearer's waist. Parts of the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 in the crotch region 16 may generally define leg openings intended for the wearer's legs when absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410 are worn.

The absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 may comprise an outer cover 26 and a bodyside liner 28. The outer cover 26 and the bodyside liner 28 may form part of the body 11. In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be bonded to the outer cover 26 by lamination by any suitable means such as, but not limited to, adhesives, ultrasonic bonding, heat bonding, pressure bonding, or other conventional techniques. The outer cover 26 may define a length in the longitudinal direction 30 and a width in the transverse direction 32, which may be the same as the length and width of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410, but not necessarily in all embodiments. The absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410 may have a longitudinal axis 29 extending in the longitudinal direction 30 and a transverse axis 31 extending in the transverse direction 32.

The body 11 may include an absorbent member 34. The absorbent member 34 may be positioned between the outer cover 26 and the bodyside liner 28, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. The absorbent member 34 may have longitudinal edges 36 and 38, which in one embodiment may form part of the longitudinal side edges 18 and 20 of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410, respectively. The absorbent member 34 may have a first end edge 40, opposite the second end edge 42, respectively, which in one embodiment may form part of the waist edges 22 and 24, respectively, of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410. In some embodiments, the first end edge 40 may be in the front region 12 of the waist. In some embodiments, the implementation of the second end edge 42 may be in the back region 14 of the waist. In an embodiment, the absorbent member 34 may have a length and width that are the same as or less than the length and width of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410. The bodyside liner 28, the outer cover 26, and the absorbent 34 may form part of the absorbent assembly 44. The absorbent assembly 44 may also include a fluid transfer layer (not shown) and a fluid acquisition layer (not shown) between the bodyside liner. 28 and a fluid transfer layer as is known in the art. The absorbent assembly 44 may also include a release layer (not shown) positioned between the absorbent member 34 and the outer cover 26.

Absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 may be configured to contain and/or absorb liquid, solid, and semi-liquid body exudates emitted by the wearer. In some embodiments, the sealed flaps 50, 52 may be configured to provide a barrier against transverse spreading of bodily exudates. To further improve the sealing and/or absorption of bodily exudates, the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410 may suitably include a waist seal (not shown). In some embodiments, the waist seal may be located in the rear waist region 14 of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410. It is contemplated that the waist seal may additionally or alternatively be located in the front waist region 12 of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410. In some embodiments, a waist seal may be formed and included in any of the embodiments described herein according to any of the waist seals and articles described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018. /0055698 under the name "Absorbent article with selectively positioned waist containment member", issued to Bishop et al. and assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc., or in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0246054 under the name "Absorbent article with absorbent body providing improved access to containment pocket of waist containment member”, issued on the name of Bishop et al. and assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc., both of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.

The absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410 may further comprise elastic leg cuffs 62. Elastic leg cuffs 62 may generally comprise one or more elastomeric elements 63 such as elastomeric tapes or strips. These elastomeric elements 63 may be attached to the outer cover 26 and/or the bodyside liner 28 along opposite longitudinal side edges 18 and 20 in some embodiments and are generally located in the crotch region 16 of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410. In some embodiments, the elastic leg cuffs 62 extend in a generally parallel direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 29, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4. In other embodiments, however, the elastic leg cuffs 62 may be curved, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2.

Additional details regarding each of these elements of absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 described herein can be found below with reference to FIG. 1-15.

Outer coating

The outer cover 26 and/or portions thereof may be breathable and/or liquid impervious. The outer cover 26 and/or portions thereof may be resilient, extensible, or non-extensible. The outer cover 26 may be made from a single layer, multiple layers, laminates, spunbond textiles, films, meltblown textiles, elastic mesh, microporous webs, bonded carded webs, or foams made using elastomeric or polymeric materials. In one embodiment, for example, the outer cover 26 may be made of a microporous polymeric film, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be a single layer of a liquid impervious material such as a polymeric film. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be preferably extensible, and more preferably resilient, in at least the transverse direction 32 of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be extensible, and more preferably resilient, both in the transverse 32 and in the longitudinal 30 directions. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be a multilayer laminate in which at least one of the layers is liquid impervious. For example, outer cover 26 may be a two layer structure comprising a softer outer layer 25 and an inner liquid impervious layer 27 as shown in FIG. 3, which can be bonded together, for example with a laminate adhesive (not shown). Suitable adhesives for the laminate may be applied continuously or intermittently as droplets, sprays, parallel spirals, or the like, but it should be understood that the inner layer may be bonded to the outer layer by other bonding methods, including but not limited to , using ultrasonic bonding, heat sealing bonding, pressure bonding, or the like.

The outer layer of the outer cover 26 may be of any suitable material and may be such that the wearer sees an overall cloth-like texture or appearance. An example of such a material would be 100% polypropylene bonded carded web with a diamond bond structure available from Sandler A.G., Germany, such as Sawabond 4185®, 30 g/m2 or equivalent. Another example of a material suitable for use as the outer layer of the outer cover 26 would be 20 g/m2 polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric. The outer layer can also be made from the same materials that bodyside liner 28 can be made from, as described herein.

The liquid-impervious inner layer of the outer cover 26 (or the liquid-impermeable outer cover 26 if the outer cover 26 has a single layer structure) can be either vapor-permeable (i.e., "breathable") or vapor-impermeable. The liquid-impervious inner layer (or the liquid-impermeable outer cover 26 if the outer cover 26 has a single layer structure) can be made from a thin plastic film. The liquid-impermeable inner layer (or the liquid-impervious outer cover 26 if the outer cover 26 has a single layer structure) can prevent body fluids from flowing out of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 and preventing articles such as bed sheets and clothing from getting wet. , as well as the wearer and caregiver.

In some embodiments where the outer cover 26 has a single layer structure, it may be embossed and/or matte finished to provide a more cloth-like texture or appearance. The outer cover 26 may allow vapor to escape from the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410 while preventing the passage of liquids. A suitable liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable material may consist of a microporous polymeric film or non-woven material that has been coated or otherwise treated to provide the desired level of liquid impermeability.

absorbent element

The absorbent member 34 may preferably be designed to be generally compressible, conformable, pliable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining bodily fluids. The absorbent body 34 can be made in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, trapezoidal, T-shaped, I-shaped, hourglass-shaped, etc.) and from a wide variety of materials. The size and absorbency of the absorbent member 34 should be appropriate for the size of the intended wearer (infant to adult) and the fluid load provided by the intended use of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410. The absorbent member 34 may have a length and width that may be less or equal to the length and width of the absorbent article 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410.

In one embodiment, the absorbent member 34 may be comprised of a web material of hydrophilic fibers, cellulosic fibers (e.g., wood pulp fibers), natural fibers, synthetic fibers, sheets of woven or nonwoven material, gauze or other stabilizing structures, superabsorbent material. , binders, surfactants, selected hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials, pigments, lotions, deodorizers or the like, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the absorbent element 34 may be a matrix of cellulose fluff and superabsorbent material. In one embodiment, the absorbent member 34 may be made from a single layer of materials or, alternatively, may be made from two or more layers of materials.

Various types of wettable, hydrophilic fibers may be used in the absorbent element 34. Examples of suitable fibers include natural fibers, cellulose fibers, synthetic fibers composed of cellulose or cellulose derivatives such as viscose fibers; inorganic fibers composed of an inherently wettable material such as glass fibers; Synthetic fibers made from inherently wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as particular polyester or polyamide fibers, or consisting of non-wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as polyolefin fibers, which have been hydrophilized by suitable means. The fibers can be hydrophilized, for example, by treatment with a surfactant, treatment with silica gel, treatment with a material which has a suitable hydrophilic moiety and cannot be easily removed from the fiber, or by coating a nonwettable hydrophobic fiber with a hydrophilic polymer during or after fiber formation. him. Suitable superabsorbent materials may be selected from natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. The superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials such as silica gels or organic compounds such as crosslinked polymers. In one embodiment, the absorbent element 34 may not contain superabsorbent material.

In the presence of a release layer (not shown), the absorbent element 34 may be positioned on the release layer and placed over the outer cover 26. The release layer may be bonded to the outer cover 26, for example with an adhesive. In some embodiments, the release layer may be omitted and the absorbent element 34 may be in direct contact with the outer cover 26 and may be directly associated with the outer cover 26. However, it should be understood that the absorbent element 34 may contact, but not be associated with, the outer cover. coating 26, and remain within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may consist of a single layer and the absorbent 34 may be in contact with a single layer of the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, at least a portion of a layer, such as, but not limited to, a fluid transfer layer (not shown ) and/or a release layer may be located between the absorbent 34 and the outer cover 26. The absorbent 34 may be associated with a fluid transfer layer and/or a release layer.

Body-facing liner

The bodyside liner 28 of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 may overlap the absorbent member 34 and the backsheet 26 and may separate the wearer's skin from the waste liquids retained by the absorbent member 34. In various embodiments, the fluid transfer layer (not shown) may be positioned between bodyside liner 28 and absorbent member 34. In various embodiments, an acquisition layer (not shown) may be positioned between bodyside liner 28 and absorbent member 34 or fluid transfer layer, if present. . In various embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 may be bonded to the acquisition layer, or the fluid transfer layer if no acquisition layer is present, by adhesive and/or spot-fusion bonding. Point fusion bonding can be selected from ultrasonic bonding, temperature bonding, pressure bonding, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may extend beyond the absorbent member 34 and/or the fluid transfer layer, if any, and/or the acquisition layer, if any, and/or the release layer, if any, with overlapping a portion of the outer cover 26 and may be bonded thereto in any manner deemed appropriate, such as by bonding thereto with an adhesive, substantially enclosing the absorbent member 34 between the outer cover 26 and the bodyside liner 28. It is contemplated that the bodyside liner 28 may be narrower than the outer cover 26. However, in other embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 and the outer cover 26 may have the same width and length dimensions. In other embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 may be wider than the outer cover 26. It is also contemplated that the bodyside liner 28 may not extend beyond the absorbent member 34 and/or may not be attached to the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 may surround at least a portion of the absorbent element 34, including both of the longitudinal edges 36, 38 of the absorbent element 34, and/or one or more of the end edges 40, 42. It is further contemplated that the facing to the body, the liner material 28 may be comprised of more than one material segment. The bodyside liner 28 may have a variety of shapes, including a rectangular shape, an hourglass shape, or any other shape. The bodyside liner 28 may be suitably deformable, soft to the touch and non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and may be as hydrophilic as or less hydrophilic than the absorbent body 34, allowing body exudates to easily enter the absorbent body 34 and providing the wearer with a relatively dry surface.

The bodyside liner 28 may be made from a wide variety of materials such as synthetic fibers (eg, polyester fibers or polypropylene fibers), natural fibers (eg, wood or cotton fibers), a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, porous foams, mesh foams, perforated plastic films, or the like. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, viscose fibers, wood fibers, cotton fibers, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, polyethylene fibers, nylon fibers, or other fibers capable of bonding under exposure to heat, polyolefins such as, but not limited to, polypropylene-polyethylene copolymers, linear low density polyethylene, and aliphatic acid esters such as polylactic acid, fine apertured film webs, mesh materials, and the like; and their combinations.

A variety of woven and nonwoven materials may be used for the bodyside liner 28. The bodyside liner 28 may comprise a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a plastic film, a film/fabric laminate, or the like, as well as combinations thereof. Examples of the nonwoven fabric may include a spunbond fabric, a meltblown fabric, a coform fabric, a carded fabric, a bonded carded fabric, a two-component spunbond fabric, a spunlace fabric, or the like, as well as combinations thereof. The bodyside liner 28 need not be a single layered structure and thus may comprise more than one layer of fabrics, films and/or webs, as well as combinations thereof. For example, the bodyside liner 28 may include a backsheet and a riser layer, which can be water-jet bonded. The protruding layer may comprise hollow protrusions such as those disclosed in US Pat. No. 9,474,660 to Kirby et al., which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

For example, the bodyside liner 28 may be a meltblown or spunbond web of polyolefin fibers. Alternatively, bodyside liner 28 may be a bonded carded web comprised of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The bodyside liner 28 may be comprised of a substantially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material may optionally be surfactant-treated or otherwise treated to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. The surfactant may be applied by any conventional method such as spraying, printing, brushing, or the like. the body of the cushioning material 28.

In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be made from a nonwoven bicomponent web. The nonwoven bicomponent web may be a spunbonded bicomponent web or a bonded carded bicomponent web. An example of a bicomponent staple fiber includes a polyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent fiber. In this particular bicomponent fiber, polypropylene forms the core and polyethylene forms the fiber sheath. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is possible to use fibers oriented differently, for example in the form of several petals, side by side, butt. In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be a spunbond substrate with a basis weight of from about 10 or 12 to about 15 or 20 g/m2. In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be a 12 g/m2 spunbond-meltblown-spunbond substrate having 10% meltblown between two layers of spunbond.

While outer cover 26 and bodyside liner 28 may comprise elastomeric materials, it is contemplated that outer cover 26 and bodyside liner 28 may be comprised of materials that are generally not elastomeric. In one embodiment, bodyside liner 28 may be extensible, and more preferably resilient. In one embodiment, bodyside liner 28 may be preferably extensible, and more preferably resilient in at least the transverse or circumferential direction of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410. In other aspects, bodyside liner 28 may be extensible. and more preferably resilient in both the transverse and longitudinal directions 32, 30, respectively.

Fastening system

In one embodiment, the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 may include an attachment system. The attachment system may include one or more rear attachments 91 and one or more front attachments 92. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment with a single front fastening 92 is shown. Parts of the fastening system may be included in the front waist region 12, the back waist region 14, or both.

The fastening system may be configured to fasten the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410 around the wearer's waist in a fastened state, as shown in FIG. 1 and assist in holding the absorbent article 10 in place during use. In one embodiment, back attachments 91 may comprise one or more materials bonded together to form a composite lug, as is known in the art. For example, a complex fastener may consist of a stretch component 94, a non-woven carrier layer or hook base 96, and a fastener component 98, as indicated in FIG. 2.

Leg cuffs

In FIG. 2 and 3 depict an exemplary absorbent article 10 according to aspects of the present invention, wherein the article 10 includes curved elastic leg cuffs 62. In FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary absorbent article 10 in an unfolded flat and stretched configuration, while FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the article 10 of FIG. 2 when viewed along line 3-3. Providing elastic leg cuffs 62 with such curvature can help achieve a better fit around the wearer's body. For example, such a curvature within the leg cuffs 62 as shown in FIG. 2 better conforms to the wearer's anatomy than an article comprising straight leg cuffs 62 in which the crotch region 16 of the article 10 is generally intended to be located between the narrow region between the wearer's legs. Providing such curvature also provides an indication to the wearer of the proper positioning of the article 10 when worn. Both of these factors can help reduce leakage by ensuring that a proper seal against the wearer is achieved by the leg cuffs 62 and by the seal lapels 50, 52.

In one embodiment of FIG. 2 and 3, the leg elastic cuffs 62 may be formed separately from the article body 11 and then attached to the article body 11 to form the elastic leg cuffs 62, as opposed to being integral with the body 11, for example by being positioned between the outer cover 26 and facing the body with a liner 28 or between separate layers of outer cover 26 or the like. In these embodiments, each of the elastic leg cuffs 62 may comprise an elastic laminate 72 formed from a leg cuff material 75 with one or more elastomeric elements 63, located in the gap of the material 75 for cuffs for legs. The leg cuff material 75 may be overlapped to position the elements 63 between the top layer of leg cuff material 75 and the bottom layer of leg cuff material 75 as shown in FIG. 3, forming folded edges 73, 74. Alternatively, the leg cuff material 75 may comprise two separate pieces that are bonded together with elements 63 disposed therebetween to form laminates 72. The elastomeric elements 63 are held together by adhesive and/or mechanical bonds. , such as bonds formed as a result of heat, pressure and/or ultrasonic energy, as is known in the art. Although not explicitly shown, material 75 may be bonded together at locations other than those adjacent to elastomeric members 68 as the integrity of laminates 72 needs to be maintained. material 75 may be bonded to material 75 so that there are no loose ends hanging from laminates 72. In general, elastic laminates 72 may be formed such that laminates 72 have a uniform width along their length, although this is not required in all embodiments.

The elastic laminates 72 may be attached to the substrate 11 along the joints 60 such that the elastic laminates 72 have an outer laminate edge 74 and an inner laminate edge 73. Although straight joints 60 are shown in FIG. 2, in other embodiments, it is contemplated that joints 60 may be curved, for example, to match the curvature of elastic laminates 72. In some embodiments, joints 60 may comprise a single adhesive line, while in other embodiments, joints 60 may comprise multiple adhesive lines. , or adhesive applied by spraying, swirling or slot coating, or even mechanical joints. The seams 60 may even span the entire length of the laminates 72 that are located over the body facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44.

Just prior to attachment to the substrate 11, the elastic laminates 72 may be oscillated back and forth to impart curvature to the laminates 72. The imparted curvature is then maintained when the laminates 72 are attached to the substrate 11 through the joint 60 in this curved manner. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the outer edge 74 of the laminate and the inner edge 73 of the laminate extend along the length of the article 10 with a curvature. The process of curving and attaching the laminates 72 to the base 11 is described in more detail below.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, when the laminates 72 are bonded to the substrate 11, the outer edges 74 of the elastic laminates 72 may extend outwardly beyond the outer edges 70 of the substrate 11. That is, the outer edges 74 of the elastic laminates 72 may be located farther from the longitudinal axis 29 of the article 10 than the outer edges 70 of the substrate 11. In some contemplated embodiments, at least the outer edges 74 of the laminate may be folded edges, as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 of the entire article 10 may comprise the outer edges 74 of the laminate 72, providing clean, frayed or non-corrugated edges for the article 10. Such a configuration is attractive to consumers and may provide functional advantages in some product designs. For example, many articles having a curved base are formed from a straight base with portions of the base cut out to give the base a curvature. This cut results in frayed or ruffled edges that can be quite long in some cases. In certain designs, these frayed or corrugated edges can fold inward over the base and connect the sealed flaps 50, 52 of these products, destroying the sealing function of the flaps 50, 52, which can lead to leakage. The design of the articles 10 of the present invention also has the advantage of allowing the formation of an absorbent article with curved side edges without excess material by forming a curved shape due to material cutouts.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2 and 3, the elastomeric elements 63 of the elastic leg cuffs 62 are located completely transversely outside the outer edges 70 of the base 11. Although in other embodiments, at least portions of the elastomeric elements 63 may overlap the base 11.

In these embodiments, where the elastic leg cuffs 62 are curved, the curvature apex 78 of the cuffs 62 may be located at different locations along the length of the article 10 in different embodiments. The apex 78 of curvature is defined as locations along the outer edges 74 of the elastic laminates 72 that are closest to the longitudinal axis 29. In some embodiments, the apex 78 is located in the front waist region 12, while in other embodiments the apex 78 is located in the region 16 perineum. While apex 78 is located in the crotch region, apex 78 may be located within the front half of article 10. That is, apex 78 may be located closer to the front waist edge 22 of article 10 than transverse axis 31. 78 can be located in the back region 14 of the waist or in the back half of the article 10.

In some embodiments, the curvature of the laminates 72 may be such that the apex 78 may be closer to the longitudinal axis 29 than along the outer edges 74 of the laminates 72 that are furthest from the longitudinal axis 29 by about 10% to about 40%. the distance between the location along the outer edges 74 of the laminate 72 that are furthest from the longitudinal axis 29 and the longitudinal axis 29. For example, if the location along the outer edges 74 of the laminate 72 that are furthest from the longitudinal axis 29 is located at longitudinal axis 29, apex 78 may be from about 99 mm to about 66 mm from longitudinal axis 29. %.

Sealed lapels

The absorbent article 10 may further comprise a pair of seal flaps 50, 52. In general, one seal flap 50 may be located on the first side of the longitudinal axis 29 and the other seal flap 52 may be located on the second side of the longitudinal axis 29. In one embodiment, the seal flaps 50, 52 may extend generally in the longitudinal direction 30 from the front waist edge 12 of the absorbent article 10 through the crotch region 16 to the rear waist region 14 of the absorbent article 10.

In some embodiments, the seal flaps 50, 52 may be formed separately from the absorbent body 11 and attached to the body 11, or may be integrally formed with the body 11. The seal flaps 50, 52 may be attached to the body 11 of the absorbent article 10 as a whole in a parallel, spaced apart fashion. relative to each other transversely inward to the leg openings to provide a barrier against the flow of body exudates, as shown in relation to the embodiments of FIG. 2 and 3. In alternative embodiments, such as some of the embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 4-6, sealed lapels can be bent along their length.

When the article includes sealed flaps 50, 52, each of the flaps 50, 52 may comprise a body 64 and a protrusion 66. The body 64 may be associated with the body 11, such as a body facing liner 28 or an outer cover 26, such as mentioned above. The main body 64 may include a proximal end 64a and a distal end 64b. The protrusion 66 may be separated from the body 64 at the proximal end 64a of the main body 64. As used herein, "the protrusion 66 is separated from the main body 64 at the proximal end 64a of the main body 64" means that the proximal end 64a of the main body 64 defines a transition between the projection 66 and the body 64. The proximal end 64a of the body 64 may be located near the barrier adhesive 137 (as shown in FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the distal ends 64b of the body 64 may transversely extend to the respective longitudinal side edges 70 of the base 11. In other embodiments, the distal ends 64b of the body 64 may terminate transversely within the respective longitudinal side edges 70 of the base 11. Each of the sealed flaps 50, 52 may also include a protrusion 66 that extends from the body facing surface 19 of the body 11 to at least the crotch region 16 when the absorbent article 10 is in a relaxed configuration. Sealed lapels 50, 52 may comprise a bonding region 71 in either or both of the front waist region 12 and back waist region 14, where the projection 66 is engaged with the body facing surface 19 of the base 11.

Sealed flaps 50, 52 may include one or more elastic flap elements 68, such as two elastic flap strips shown in FIG. 3. Suitable elastic materials for lapel elastic members 68 may include sheets, strips, or tapes of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomeric materials. Of course, although two elastic elements 68 are shown in each seal 50, 52, it is contemplated that the seal lapels 50, 52 may be provided with one or three or more elastic elements 68. Alternatively or additionally, the seal lapels 50, 52 may be made of a material that itself exhibits elastic properties.

Lapel elastic elements 68, as shown in FIG. 2 and 3 may have two strips of elastomeric material extending longitudinally into the projecting portion 66 of the sealing flaps 50, 52 and spaced generally parallel to each other. The elastic elements 68 can be within the sealed flaps 50, 52, being resiliently compressed, so that due to the contraction of the strips, the protruding parts 66 of the sealed flaps 50, 52 gather and contract in the longitudinal direction 30. As a result, the elastic elements 68 can displace the protruding parts 66 of the sealed flaps 50, 52 to extend from the body facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 with the generally vertical orientation of the seal flaps 50, 52, especially in the crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10 when the absorbent article 10 is in a relaxed configuration.

In some embodiments, the sealed flaps 50, 52 may be bonded to the body 11 after bonding the elastic laminates 72 to the base, placing the elastic laminates 72 between the flaps 50, 52 and the bodyside liner 28 as shown in FIG. 3. In these embodiments, the laminates 72 may be bonded to the seal flaps 50, 52 by at least a joint 61. The joint 61 may be an adhesive line, or may comprise multiple adhesive lines, or adhesive applied by spraying, swirling, or coating. grooves, or any type of mechanical joint.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the laminates 72 may be positioned under the flaps 50, 52 and the inner edges 73 of the laminate may be positioned completely outside the proximal end portions 64a of the sealed flaps 50, 52 so that the barrier adhesive 137 binds the flaps 50, 52 directly with the body-facing surface 19 of the base 11, for example, with the body-facing liner 28. In some designs, the bond between the seal flaps 50, 52 and the body-facing surface 19 may be a liquid-tight bond, so that the secretions organisms cannot be carried or leak outside (eg, out) the proximal end portions 64a of the flaps 50, 52. In these designs, it is important for the inner edges 73 of the laminate to be outside the proximal end portions 64a (and thus outside the barrier adhesive 137 ) so as not to interfere with this impenetrable liquid barrier created by the barrier adhesive 137 linking the proximal end portions 64a of the flaps 50, 52 to the body facing surface 19 of the base 11. In other embodiments, however, at least a portion of the inner edges 73 of the laminate may extend within the barrier adhesive 137 In these embodiments, laminate 75 may be a hydrophobic material that does not tolerate fluid (or may be rendered hydrophobic by the application of one or more hydrophobic coatings). In alternative embodiments, the adhesive may be strategically placed within and throughout the laminate 75 in sufficient quantity to form a liquid-tight barrier within the laminates 72, while forming a liquid-tight barrier between the laminates 72 and the body facing surface 19. bases and between laminates 72 and sealed lapels 50, 52.

In some alternative embodiments, the laminates 72 may be positioned on top of the sealed flaps 50, 52. In these embodiments, the sealed flaps 50, 52 may be bonded directly to the body-facing surface 19 of the base 11 using a barrier adhesive 137, forming an airtight seal. liquid barrier. In these embodiments, the inner edges 73 of the laminate may not extend inside the proximal end portions 64a of the flaps so as not to interfere with any lifting of the projections 66 during use, thus the projections 66 can properly seal against the wearer's body to prevent leaks. In other embodiments, the inner edges 73 of the laminate may extend within the proximal end portions 64a as long as the seam 60 is located outside the proximal end portions 64a, and the inner edges 73 of the laminate do not extend further inwardly than the distal ends 136 of the projection when the product 10 is in an unfolded flat and stretched configuration.

In FIG. 4-6 depict an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent article 110 according to the present invention. In FIG. 4 shows the exemplary article 110 in an unfolded flat and stretched configuration, while FIG. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of the article 110 of FIG. 4 when viewed along lines 5-5 and 6-6, respectively. More specifically, the embodiments of FIG. 4-6 represent an absorbent article 110 having curved seal flaps 50, 52. Flexing the seal flaps 50, 52 according to aspects of the present invention may provide greater overall coverage of the body facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 by flaps 50, 52, or at least more coverage of the body-facing surface 45 where body exudates tend to settle or accumulate after interaction. More specifically, the curvature of the sealed flaps 50, 52 provides a narrower opening between the protrusions 66 of the flaps 50, 52 near the inward curvature of the flaps 50, 52, so that the wearer's skin remains less exposed relative to the body-facing surface 45 near the constricted opening. . Since exposure of the skin to body exudates remaining on the body facing surface 45 is one of the main causes of skin irritation, it is generally beneficial to reduce the amount of skin exposed to such bodily exudates.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4-6, the leg cuffs 62 may be integrally formed with the base 11. For example, the elastomeric elements 63 of the cuffs 62 may be located between the outer cover 26 and the body facing liner 28 or between the individual layers of the outer cover 26 or the like. These options embodiments differ from the embodiments of FIG. 2 and 3, where the leg cuffs 62 have been formed by attaching elastic laminates 72 formed separately from the base 11 to the base 11.

Sealed lapels 50, 52 of FIG. 4-6, similar to the leg cuffs 62 of the embodiments of FIG. 2 and 3 may be formed from elastic laminates 77 formed separately from and attached to base 11 to form flaps 50, 52. material gap 79 for a sealed lapel. At least a portion of the flap material 79 may be overlapped to position the members 68 between the top layer of flap material 79 and the bottom layer of flap material 79 as shown in FIG. 5 and 6. In other embodiments, material 79 may be folded such that the ends of material 79 overlap, similar to resilient laminate 72 as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the flap material 79 may comprise two separate pieces that are bonded together with elements 68 disposed therebetween to form laminates 77. In general, elastic laminates 77 may be formed such that laminates 77 have a uniform width across its length, although this is not required in all embodiments. The elastomeric elements 68 are held together by adhesive and/or mechanical joints. Although not explicitly shown, the material 79 may be bonded together at locations other than those in the vicinity of the elastomeric members 68 as the integrity of the laminates 77 needs to be maintained.

The elastic laminates 77 may be attached to the base 11 along the barrier adhesive 137 to form sealed flaps 50, 52. In the embodiments of FIG. 4-6, the laminates 77 may be oscillated back and forth to impart curvature just prior to attaching the laminates 77 to the substrate 11. Thus, the curvature of the laminates 77 is maintained by attaching the laminates to the substrate 11 with the barrier adhesive 137. In some embodiments, exposing a portion of the laminates 77 outside of the barrier adhesive 137 as shown in FIG. 4 may be bonded to the backing 11 such that no free edge portions of the laminates 77 are provided. This bonding may be accomplished by having a wide barrier adhesive 137 that covers the portions of the laminates 77 that are located outside the proximal end portions 64a. In other embodiments, a separate adhesive region may extend along the distal ends 64b of the body. For example, the adhesive line may be curved to match the curvature of the distal ends 64b of the body to secure at least the distal ends 64b of the body to the base 11.

In the embodiment of FIG. The 4-6 varieties of barrier adhesive 137 are applied to the substrate 11 in a straight line, while the laminates 77 are applied to the substrate 11 in a curved manner. These features give the sealed flaps 50, 52 a variable flap height 113. The height 113 of the flap is defined as the length of the protrusions 66, for example, the distance between the proximal end parts 64a and the distal ends 136 of the protrusion. This varying lapel height 113 equips the article with a varying projection gap 111, as can be seen by comparing the projection gap 111 between FIGS. 5 and 6. This variable lobe spacing 111 helps protect a relatively larger area of the wearer's skin from bodily exudates that are present on the body facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44, which can result in reduced skin irritation.

According to some aspects of the present invention, the smallest projection gap 111 may be from about 15% to about 40% of the largest projection gap 111. For example, if the largest projection gap 111 is 80 mm, then the smallest projection gap 111 may be from about 12 mm to about 32 mm. In additional embodiments, the smallest projection gap 111 may be from about 20% to about 35% of the largest projection gap 111, or from about 20% to about 30% in other embodiments. These ranges have been found to strike a reasonable balance of providing more coverage to the wearer's skin while maintaining a sufficiently large opening such that body exudates flow out of the wearer between the projections 66 and onto the body facing surface 45 instead of flowing out of the wearer over the sealed lapels 50. 52, which will ensure leakage.

It has been found that advantageous lapel heights 113 for forming the desired lobe spacing 111 are those where the smallest lapel height 113 is between about 25% and about 55% of the largest lapel height 113. For example, if the maximum lapel height is 50 mm, then the minimum lapel height 113 may be from about 12.5 mm to about 27.5 mm. In additional embodiments, the minimum flap height 113 may be from about 30% to about 50% of the maximum flap height 113, or from about 35% to about 45% in other embodiments. Due to the preformation and attachment of the laminates 77 to the base 11, the length 115 of the proximal portions 64 will change accordingly as the height 113 of the flap changes.

In these embodiments, where the sealed flaps 50, 52 are curved, the apex 88 of the curvature of the flaps 50, 52 may be located at different locations along the length of the product 110 in different embodiments. The apex 88 of curvature is defined as locations along the distal ends 136 of the protruding portion of the elastic laminates 77 that are closest to the longitudinal axis 29. In some embodiments, the apex 88 is located in the back region 14 of the waist, while in other embodiments the apex 88 is located in area 16 of the perineum. While apex 88 is located in the crotch region, apex 88 may be located within the rear half of article 110. That is, apex 88 may be located closer to the rear waist edge 24 of article 110 than transverse axis 31. This location may provide greater skin coverage. wearer, when the feces are usually located in these products 110, the feces are more irritating to the skin compared to urine. Of course, in alternative contemplated embodiments, the apex 88 may be located in the front waist region 12 or in the front half of the article 110.

In FIG. 7-9 depict another embodiment of an absorbent article 210 that includes curved seal flaps 50, 52. FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary absorbent article 210 in an unfolded flat and stretched configuration, while FIG. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of the article 210 of FIG. 7 when viewed along lines 8-8 and 9-9, respectively. The embodiment of article 210 in FIG. 7-9 is similar to item 110 in FIG. 4-6, with the exception that in the embodiment of FIG. 7-9, product 210 contains variations of the curved barrier adhesive 137, which can be clearly seen in FIG. 7.

When the curvature of the barrier adhesive 137 of the product 210 matches the curvature of the laminates 77 forming the sealed flaps 50, 52, the flap height 113 related to the flaps 50, 52 will not vary along the length of the flaps 50, 52 as provided in the embodiment of the product 110 according to fig. 4-6. Although the curvature of the laminates 77 will still result in a variable projection gap 111. These features can be clearly seen in Fig. 8 and 9, where the protrusion gap 111 changes, while the values for the height 113 of the lapel and, accordingly, the values for the length 115 of the proximal part do not change. Depending on the particular design of the product 110, the desired curvature of the laminates 77, together with variations of the direct barrier adhesive 137, can result in parts of the sealed flaps 50, 52 having flap heights 113 that are too large, resulting in flaps 50, 52 become ineffective when compacted relative to the wearing and contained body secretions. In these embodiments, the design of article 210 of FIG. 7-9 can be advantageous while maintaining an advantageous lapel height 113 while allowing the curvature of the laminates 77 to create a variable projection gap 111.

Of course, in at least some embodiments, the barrier adhesive 137 may have a curvature, but the curvature may not closely match the curvature of the laminates 77. For example, the barrier adhesive 137 may have a smaller amount of curvature than the laminates 77. In these embodiments, the height The flap 113 may vary along the length of the flaps 50, 52, but the flap height 113 can be adjusted so that the heights 113 along all flap lengths 50, 52 do not exceed favorable flap heights.

Also similar to the embodiments of the articles 210, in some embodiments of the article 310, portions of the laminates 77 outside the barrier adhesive 137, as shown in FIG. 7 may be bonded to the backing 11 such that no free edge portions of the laminates 77 are provided. This bonding may be accomplished by having a wide barrier adhesive 137 that covers the portions of the laminates 77 that are located outside the proximate end portions 64a. In other embodiments, a separate adhesive area may extend along the distal ends 64b of the body. For example, the adhesive line may be curved to match the curvature of the distal ends 64b of the body to secure at least the distal ends 64b of the body to the base 11.

In FIG. 10-12 depict another exemplary absorbent article 310 in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary absorbent article 310 in an unfolded flat and stretched configuration, while FIG. 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views of the article 310 of FIG. 10 as viewed along lines 11-11 and 12-12, respectively. In the embodiment of article 310 of FIG. 10-12 product 310 contains both curved leg cuffs 62 and curved sealed lapels 50, 52.

As best seen in FIG. 11 and 12, article 310 comprises elastic laminates 87 each forming a combined leg cuff 62 and seal 50 or 52 laminate. Laminates 87 may be formed separately from base 11 and then attached to base 11 to form cuffs. 62 for the legs and a sealed cuff 50 or 52. Elastic laminates 87 may comprise a combination of a sealed cuff and cuff material 85 with one or more elastomeric elements 63 and one or more elastomeric elements 68 located in between the material 85. In some embodiments, embodiment, material 85 may be overlapped to position members 63 and 68 between the top layer of material 85 and the bottom layer of material 85, as in FIG. 11 and 12. In other embodiments, the implementation of the material 85 may contain two separate fragments that are associated with the elements 63 and 68 located between them, with the formation of laminates 87. The elastomeric elements 63 and 68 are bonded within the laminates 87 by adhesive and/or mechanical joints. Although not explicitly shown, material 85 may be bonded together at locations other than those in the vicinity of elastomeric members 63, 68 as the integrity of laminates 87 must be maintained. At least the ends of the material 85 can be bonded to the material 85 so that there are no loose ends hanging from the laminates 87. In general, the elastic laminates 87 can be formed such that the laminates 87 have a uniform width along their length, although this is not required in all embodiments.

The laminates 87 may be attached to the substrate 11 along the barrier adhesive 137. Like other embodiments of the present invention, just prior to being attached to the substrate 11, the elastic laminates 87 may be oscillated back and forth to impart curvature to the laminates 87. This imparted curvature is then retained. when the laminates 87 are bonded to the backing 11 along the barrier adhesives 137. This curvature of the laminates 87 results in curvature of both the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 of the product and the seal lapels 50, 52. This curvature of the seal lapels 50, 52 results in a varying projection gap 111 along the length of product 310, as best seen in FIG. 11 and 12.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 10, varieties of barrier adhesive 137 can be applied in a straight line. In these embodiments, the height values 113 of the sealed flap may vary along the length of the flaps 50, 52, as can be seen in FIG. 11 and 12. Specific variation of the lapel height 113 values may be similar to those described with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 4-6. While in other embodiments, variations of the barrier adhesive 137 may be applied in a curved manner, such as similar to that as described with respect to FIG. 7-9.

In still other embodiments, laminates 87 may be further attached to the base along outer edges 70 of the base. For example, an adhesive line may be placed along the outer edges 70 of the backing to provide intimate contact between the laminates 87 and the backing along the outer edges 70 of the backing so that the outer edges 70 of the backing cannot move freely independently of the laminates 87. In further embodiments, the adhesive may cover the body facing surface 19 of the backing 11 between the barrier adhesives 137 and the outer edges 70 of the backing to ensure intimate contact between the backing 11 and the laminates 87.

One advantage of the embodiment of FIG. 10-12 is that only one elastic laminate 87 needs to be formed and curved to provide the absorbent article with both curved outer longitudinal side edges 18, 20 and curved seal flaps 50, 52. However, one of the limitations of these embodiments is that since the laminates 87 form both the leg cuffs 62 and the cuffs 50, 52, the curvature of the cuffs 62 and the cuffs 50, 52 is the same.

In FIG. 13-15 depict another exemplary absorbent article 410 comprising individual elastic laminates 72, 77 that form the leg cuffs 62 and cuffs 50, 52, respectively. In FIG. 13 depicts an exemplary absorbent article 410 in an unfolded flat and stretched configuration, while FIG. 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views of the article 410 of FIG. 13 when viewed along lines 14-14 and 15-15, respectively.

As can be seen, each of the laminates 72, 77 may be formed separately from the base 11 and attached separately to the base to form leg cuffs 62 and cuffs 50, 52, respectively, such as described with respect to the embodiments of FIG. 2-12. The laminate 72 may comprise a laminate 75 with one or more elastomeric elements 63 located in the interspace of the material 75, as described with respect to the embodiments of FIG. 2-3. The laminate 77 may comprise a laminate 79 with one or more elastomeric elements 68 located in the interspace of the material 79, as described with respect to the embodiments of FIG. 4-9. The particular structures of the laminates 72, 77 may be similar to any of those described with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 2-9, for example, which contain one or more folds or contain several separate pieces of material, etc. The elastomeric elements 63 and 68 are bonded within the laminates 72, 77 by means of adhesive and/or mechanical joints. In general, the elastic laminates 72, 77 can be formed such that the laminates 72, 77 have a uniform width along their length, although this is not required in all embodiments. However, the width of the laminates 72, 77 may vary.

The laminates 72, 77 may be attached to the base 11 along the joints 60 and barrier adhesives 137, respectively. Like other embodiments of the present invention, just prior to attachment to the substrate 11, the elastic laminates 72, 77 may be oscillated back and forth to impart curvature to the laminates 72, 77. This imparted curvature is then maintained when the laminates 72, 77 are bonded to the substrate 11 along joints 60 and barrier adhesives 137. Although straight lines are shown in FIG. 13, joints 60 and/or variations of barrier adhesive 137 may be curved in various embodiments, such as those described with respect to FIG. 2-3 and 7-9.

According to embodiments of article 410 of FIG. 13-15 the laminates 72, 77 can be vibrated independently of each other. This provides independent variate curvatures to the laminates 72, 77 as shown in FIG. 13. For example, the top 78 of cuffs 62 is shown located in the front half of article 410, while the top 88 of flaps 50, 52 is shown located in the back half of article 410. place to provide a better fit for the article 410, and from a skin benefit perspective by placing the top 88 of the flaps 50, 52 in a second, different location so as to protect more of the wearer's skin from contact with stool.

In some embodiments, the different curvature may result in a configuration where the laminates 72, 77 overlap along part of their length and do not overlap along part of their length, as can be seen in FIG. 13-15. In some embodiments, the laminates 72 may be positioned underneath the laminates 77, and the inner edges 73 of the laminate may be positioned completely outside the proximal end portions 64a of the sealed flaps 50, 52 such that the barrier adhesive 137 bonds the flaps 50, 52 directly to the front. against the body surface 19 of the base 11, for example, with a body-facing liner 28. In some designs, the bond between the sealed flaps 50, 52 (for example, laminates 77) and the body-facing surface 19 may be a liquid-tight bond so that bodily exudates cannot be carried or flow outside (eg, out) the proximal end portions 64a of the flaps 50, 52. from barrier adhesive 137) so as not to interfere with this the liquid barrier created by the barrier adhesive 137 bonding the proximal end portions 64a of the flaps 50, 52 to the body facing surface 19 of the base 11. In other embodiments, however, at least a portion of the inner edges 73 of the laminate may extend within the barrier adhesive 137. In these embodiments, laminate 75 may be a hydrophobic material that does not tolerate fluid (or may be rendered hydrophobic by applying one or more hydrophobic coatings). In alternative embodiments, the adhesive may be strategically positioned within and throughout the laminate 75 in sufficient quantity to form a liquid-tight barrier within the laminates 72 while forming a liquid-tight barrier between the laminates 72 and the body facing surface 19. bases and between laminates 72 and sealed flaps 50, 52.

In some alternative embodiments, laminates 72 may be positioned on top of laminates 77. In these embodiments, laminates 77 may be bonded directly to the body facing surface 19 of base 11 with barrier adhesive 137 to form a liquid-impervious barrier. In these embodiments, the inner edges 73 of the laminate may not extend inside the proximal end portions 64a of the flaps 50, 52 so as not to interfere with any elevation of the projections 66 during use, thus the projections 66 can properly seal against the wearer's body. to prevent leakage. In other embodiments, the inner edges 73 of the laminate may extend within the proximal end portions 64a as long as the seam 60 is located outside the proximal end portions 64a, and the inner edges 73 of the laminate do not extend further inwardly than the distal ends 136 of the projection when the product The 410 is in an unfolded flat and stretched configuration.

Bending of elastic laminates

One of the objectives in forming the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 and 410 described above is to curve the described elastic laminates 72, 77 and 87 and attach the laminates 72, 77 and 87 to the substrate 11 in a continuous manufacturing process. There are many options for oscillating elastomer tapes or elastomer strips. However, the structures described with respect to FIG. 1-15 require exposing elastic laminate structures containing both elastomeric elements and laminates to vibration. It has been found that these existing devices or methods for oscillating elastomeric tapes or strips cannot impart the desired curvature to the elastic laminates of the present invention without causing creases or unevenness in the laminates.

In FIG. 16 depicts an exemplary laminate oscillator 200 that can be used to curvature the elastic laminates of the present invention without being forced to fold or wrinkle the laminates, so that the articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 of the present invention can be formed during continuous production process. In FIG. 16 shows the oscillator driver 250 and laminate guide 260. The oscillator drive 250 can instantaneously move the laminate guide 260 from side to side, as indicated by arrows 255, while the elastic laminate, such as laminates 72, 77, and 87 of the present invention, is driven by the laminate guide 260. . This side-to-side movement imparts curvature to the elastic laminate as it moves through the laminate guide 260.

To help the laminate oscillator 200 be effective in curving the elastic laminates 72, 77, and 87 without kinking or bumping, the elastic laminates 72, 77, and 87 can be moved by the laminate guide 260 along the web path 262 shown. in fig. 16. Laminate guide 260 may include a proximal end 261 where laminates 72, 77, and 87 engage with laminate guide 260 and a distal end 263 where laminates 72, 77, and 87 exit laminate guide 260. material.

It has been found that in the case of web path 262, it is important to form an angle 264 between where web path 262 enters web guide 260 (eg, where web path 262 contacts proximal end 261) and where web path 262 is. for the web when it is moved by the web guide 260. The preferred range for an angle of 264 may be from about 120 degrees to more than about 0 degrees. In other embodiments, angle 264 may be from about 105 degrees to greater than about 0 degrees, or from about 90 degrees to greater than about 0 degrees. These angle ranges allow the laminates 72, 77 and 87 to wrap appropriately around the proximal ends 261 of the web guide 260 to ensure that the laminates 72, 77 and 87 maintain satisfactory tension as they travel through the laminate guide 260. Satisfactory tension is required such that the oscillation motion of the laminate guide 260 does not create kinks or bumps in the moving elastic laminates 72, 77, and 87.

In some embodiments, it has been found that an exit tension roll located between the distal end 263 and the point where the laminates 72, 77, and 87 are attached to the absorbent article body or absorbent assembly in the manufacturing process can be advantageous in helping to maintain the imparted curvature of the laminates. 72, 77, and 87. In these embodiments, it has been found that the laminates should surround the exit take-up roll from about a quarter to about one-half the circumference of the take-up roll in order for the laminates 72, 77, and 87 to retain their curvature sufficiently to prevent the edges of the laminates from curling. materials 72, 77 and 87.

In FIG. 17 shows a laminate guide 260. In general, the laminate guide 260 may extend between the proximal end 261 and the distal end 263. In at least some embodiments, the proximal and distal ends 261, 263 of the web guide 260 may be rolls to reduce friction between the laminate webs 72, 77 and 87 and a web guide 260. The support bars 275 may extend between the proximal and distal ends 261, 263. In at least some embodiments, the support bars 275 may include one or more notches to reduce the weight of the support bars. The laminate guide 260 may further comprise a support rib 273, in some embodiments, which may support the support bars 275 and/or the proximal and distal ends 261, 263 to provide the desired level of stiffness to the laminate guide 260. For example, it is desirable that the laminate guide 260 does not bend or deform during movement at high speeds. Laminate guide 260 may further include a connector 271 that can engage laminate guide 260 with a drive, such as a rotary servo.

In general, the laminate guide 260 is designed to have very little rotational inertia. As described, the support bars 275 may include one or more material removal cutouts. Additionally, the width of the proximal and distal ends 261, 263 of the laminate guide 260 between the support bars 275 may be less than 5% greater than the width of the laminates used with the laminate guide 260. In addition, the laminate guide 260 may comprise one or more lightweight, strong materials such as aluminum, carbon fiber, or other similar classes of materials that are lightweight and high strength materials. The combination of these properties gives the laminate guide 260 relatively little rotational inertia while allowing the laminate guide 260 to operate at the very high speeds required for use in today's high speed manufacturing processes.

In FIG. 18 depicts an exemplary process for attaching continuous elastic laminates to continuous length absorbent assemblies. For example, in FIG. 18 depicts absorbent assemblies 300 moving in the machine direction indicated by arrows D. The assemblies 300 comprise a bodyside liner 28, a backsheet 26, and an absorbent member 34 positioned between the bodyside liner 28 and the backsheet 26.

In FIG. 18 further shows the oscillating devices 200 located near the side edges of the units 300 of continuous length. The oscillating devices 200 operate to vibrate the elastic laminates 72 back and forth in the transverse machine direction, generally perpendicular to the machine direction D, imparting curvature to the laminates 72. The oscillating devices 200 are configured to operate in the opposite manner so that the laminates 72 are given opposite varieties. curvature. To compensate for the excess material required for the laminates 72 to span the same distance in the machine direction, the laminates 72 may travel at a speed V2 that is greater than the speed V1. The speed V1 is the speed at which the continuous length units 300 move in the machine direction. For example, the arc length of the laminates 72 in the finished absorbent article product can be measured and compared to the overall length of the article. The arc length of the laminate is the total length of the edge of one of the laminates. Speed V2 should be set higher than speed V1 by a percentage equal to the difference between the length of the arc of the laminates 72 and the total length of the product divided by the length of the product. In some embodiments, the speed V2 may vary throughout the oscillation pattern of the oscillator 200 based on the current speed of the oscillation pattern. For example, since the oscillators 200 rotate at a relatively high speed, the speed V2 may be relatively larger than the speed V2 at times when the oscillators 200 rotate at a relatively low speed.

After exiting the oscillating devices 200, for example, after exiting the distal ends 263 of the web guides 260 of the oscillating devices 200, the laminates 72 are then attached to the nodes 300 of continuous length. In the preferred embodiment, the laminates 72 do not move more than about 15 cm before attaching to the continuous length assemblies 300 after exiting the distal end 263 of the web guide 206. However, this particular limitation is not required in all embodiments. In general, the shorter the distance laminates 72 travel between the distal end 263 of web guide 260 and the point where laminates 72 are attached to continuous length knots 300, the more effectively the imparted curvature of laminates 72 is maintained. Continuous length knots 300 , together with the continuous length vibrated laminates 72 attached, can then be separated into individual articles according to any of the well-known techniques in the art.

Although in FIG. 18 depicts only one exemplary method of bonding elastic laminates 72 to continuous length absorbent assemblies 300, it should be understood that similar processes can be used to form any of the articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410 of the present invention. For example, oscillating devices 200 may be configured to vibrate elastic laminates, such as those described with respect to any of FIGS. 1-15 that can be attached to continuous length absorbent assemblies 300 to form any of the articles 10, 110, 210, 310, and 410. In some embodiments, multiple oscillators 200 can be used to vibrate multiple elastic laminates to form absorbent articles. , such as those described with respect to FIG. 13-15.

All documents mentioned in the detailed description, in appropriate part, are incorporated herein by reference, and the mention of any document should not be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. If any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of a term in a document incorporated by reference, then the meaning or definition in which the term is used in this written document shall prevail.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be presented in a wide variety of forms that differ from the specific embodiments described and implied herein. In particular, the various features described with respect to the various embodiments and figures should not be considered applicable to those embodiments and/or figures only. Instead, each feature described can be combined with any other feature in various possible embodiments, either with or without any of the other features described in conjunction with such features. Accordingly, departure in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as described in the appended claims.

Embodiments

In a first embodiment, an absorbent article having a front waist region, a crotch region, and a back waist region may comprise a body comprising: a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent member positioned between the bodyside liner and the outer cover; and a first pair of elastic laminates attached to the base to form elastic leg cuffs. Each of the first pair of elastic laminates may include a laminate containing a fold to form an upper laminate and a lower laminate, and an elastomeric element positioned between the upper laminate and the lower laminate. Each of the first pair of elastic laminates may be attached to the body such that the fold comprises the outermost longitudinal edge of the article over the entire crotch area, and the fold and elastomeric element of each of the elastic laminates may extend curvature over the entire crotch area.

In a second embodiment, the elastomeric elements of each of the first pair of elastic laminates of the first embodiment may be positioned transversely outside the longitudinal side edges of the substrate.

In a third embodiment, the apex of curvature of each of the first pair of elastic laminates of any of the first or second embodiments may be located in the crotch region of the absorbent article.

In a fourth embodiment, the apex of curvature of each of the first pair of elastic laminates of any of the first or second embodiments may be located in the front waist region of the absorbent article.

In the fifth embodiment, any of the first to fourth embodiments may further comprise longitudinally extending sealed flaps, each of which comprises a protruding portion not interlocked with the body and a main body engaged with the body, the body having a proximal end portion. , which defines the transition between the protruding portion and the main portion, wherein the first pair of elastic laminates may not extend transversely into the proximal end portions of the sealed flaps.

In the sixth embodiment, the body portions of the sealed cuffs of the fifth embodiment may cover at least a portion of each of the first pair of elastic laminates.

In a seventh embodiment, each of the first pair of elastic laminates of any of the first to sixth embodiments may further comprise a first group of one or more elastomeric elements, wherein the first group of elastomeric elements forms elastic leg cuffs, and a second group of one or more elastomeric elements. elements located at a distance from the first group of elastomeric elements, and the second group of elastomeric elements forms elastic sealed lapels, while each of the first pair of elastic layered materials can be attached to the base in a place between the first group of one or more elastomeric elements and the second group of one or more elastomeric elements.

In an eighth embodiment, the third embodiment may further comprise a second pair of elastic laminates affixed to the base to form elastic sealable flaps, each of the second pair of elastic laminates comprising: a sealable flap material comprising a fold to form a top layer of sealable flap material and a bottom layer of sealable flap material, and an elastomeric member positioned between the top layer of sealable flap material and the bottom layer of sealable flap material, each of the second pair of elastic laminates forming the elastic sealable flaps can be attached to the base so that that each of the second pair of elastic laminates forming the elastic seal lapels extends with curvature.

In the ninth embodiment, the apex of curvature of each of the second pair of elastic laminates forming the elastic seal cuffs of the eighth embodiment may be located in the crotch region.

In the tenth embodiment, the apex of curvature of each of the second pair of elastic laminates forming the elastic seal cuffs of the eighth embodiment may be located at the back of the waist.

In an eleventh embodiment, the apex of curvature of each of the second pair of elastic laminates forming the elastic seal flaps of any of the eighth through tenth embodiments may be located at a different longitudinal location in the absorbent article relative to the apex of curvature of each of the first pair of elastic laminates forming the elastic seals. leg cuffs.

In a twelfth embodiment, an absorbent article having a front waist region, a crotch region, and a back waist region may comprise a body comprising: a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent member positioned between the bodyside liner and the outer cover. The twelfth embodiment may further comprise a first pair of elastic laminates attached to the base, wherein each of the first pair of elastic laminates comprises: elastomeric elements located between the upper layer of the layered material of the web and the lower layer of the layered material, and the second group of one or more elastomeric elements located between the upper layer of the layered material and the lower layer of the laminated material and located at a distance from the first group of one or more elastomeric elements . Each of the first pair of elastic laminates may be attached to the body such that the fold comprises the outermost longitudinal edge of the article throughout the crotch region. The first group of one or more elastomeric elements may form an elastic leg cuff, while the second group of one or more elastomeric elements may form an elastic seal, and each of the first pair of elastic laminates may extend with curvature over at least the entire crotch area. .

In the thirteenth embodiment, at least one of the first group of one or more elastomeric elements of the twelfth embodiment may be located transversely outside the longitudinal side edges of the base.

In a fourteenth embodiment, each of the first pair of elastic laminates of any one of the twelfth or thirteenth embodiments may be attached to the substrate along a longitudinally extending straight bonding line located between the first group of one or more elastomeric elements and the second group of one or more elastomeric elements. elements.

In a fifteenth embodiment, each of the first pair of elastic laminates of any of the twelfth to fourteenth embodiments may be attached to the substrate along a longitudinally extending curved bonding line located between the first group of one or more elastomeric elements and the second group of one or more elastomeric elements.

In the sixteenth embodiment, the curvature of the bond line of the fifteenth embodiment attaching the first pair of elastic laminates to the substrate may correspond to the curvature of each of the first pair of elastic laminates.

In a seventeenth embodiment, the apex of curvature of each of the first pair of elastic laminates of any of the twelfth through sixteenth embodiments may be located in the crotch region of the absorbent article.

In an eighteenth embodiment, an absorbent article having a front waist region, a crotch region, and a back waist region may comprise a bodyside liner, a backsheet, an absorbent positioned between the bodyside liner and the backsheet, and a first pair of elastic laminates. attached to the base. Each of the first pair of elastic laminates may comprise a laminate having a first side edge and a second side edge, at least one of the first side edge and the second side edge being a folded edge, and an elastomeric element. The first and second side edges and the elastomeric element may extend in a curved manner along at least a portion of their length.

In the nineteenth embodiment, each of the first pair of elastic laminates of the eighteenth embodiment may be attached to the substrate along a longitudinally extending straight bond line.

In the twentieth embodiment, each of the first pair of elastic laminates of the eighteenth embodiment may be attached to the substrate along a longitudinally extending curved bonding line.

Claims (47)

1. An absorbent article that has a front waist region, a crotch region, and a back waist region, comprising: base containing: a body-facing liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent member disposed between the body-facing liner and the outer cover; and a first pair of elastic laminates attached to the base to form elastic leg cuffs, each of the first pair of elastic laminates comprising: a laminate containing a fold to form an upper layer of the laminate and a lower layer of the laminate; and an elastomeric element located between the top layer of the laminate and the bottom layer of the laminate, wherein each of the first pair of elastic laminates is attached to the base such that, over the entire crotch region, the outer edges of the elastic laminates are located farther from the longitudinal axis of the product than the outer edges of the base, and the outer edges of the laminate have a fold, and wherein the fold and elastomeric element of each of the elastic laminates extend with curvature throughout the crotch region. 2. Absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastomeric elements of each of the first pair of elastic laminates are located transversely outside the longitudinal side edges of the substrate. 3. An absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that the apex of curvature of each of the first pair of elastic laminates is located in the crotch region of the absorbent article. 4. An absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that the apex of curvature of each of the first pair of elastic laminates is located in the front waist region of the absorbent article. 5. The absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises longitudinally extending sealed flaps, each of which contains a protruding part that is not interlocked with the base, and a main part that is engaged with the base, while the main part has a proximal end part , which defines the transition between the protruding part and the main part, and at the same time the first pair of elastic laminates does not pass transversely into the proximal end parts of the sealed lapels. 6. Absorbent article according to claim 5, characterized in that the main parts of the sealed flaps cover at least a part of each of the first pair of elastic laminates. 7. Absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the first pair of elastic layered materials additionally contains: a first group of one or more elastomeric elements, the first group of elastomeric elements forming elastic leg cuffs; and a second group of one or more elastomeric elements located at a distance from the first group of elastomeric elements, and the second group of elastomeric elements forms elastic sealed lapels, and wherein each of the first pair of elastic laminates is attached to the substrate at a location between the first group of one or more elastomeric elements and the second group of one or more elastomeric elements. 8. Absorbent article according to claim 3, characterized in that it additionally contains: a second pair of elastic laminates attached to the base to form elastic seal lapels, each of the second pair of elastic laminates comprising: a sealable flap material comprising a fold for forming an upper layer of sealant material and a lower layer of sealant material, and an elastomeric member positioned between the upper layer of sealant material and the lower layer of sealant material; wherein each of the second pair of elastic laminates forming the elastic seal lapels is attached to the base such that each of the second pair of elastic laminates forming the elastic seal lapels extends with curvature. 9. An absorbent article according to claim 8, characterized in that the apex of curvature of each of the second pair of elastic laminates, forming elastic sealed cuffs, is located in the crotch area. 10. Absorbent article according to claim 8, characterized in that the apex of curvature of each of the second pair of elastic laminates, forming elastic sealed cuffs, is located in the back of the waist. 11. The absorbent article according to claim 8, characterized in that the vertex of the curvature of each of the second pair of elastic laminates forming the elastic seal cuffs is located in a different longitudinal location in the absorbent article relative to the vertex of the curvature of each of the first pair of elastic laminates forming the elastic cuffs. for legs. 12. An absorbent article that has a front waist region, a crotch region and a back waist region, comprising: base containing: a body-facing liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent member disposed between the body-facing liner and the outer cover; and a first pair of elastic laminates attached to the substrate, each of the first pair of elastic laminates comprising: a laminate containing a fold to form an upper layer of the laminate and a lower layer of the laminate; a first group of one or more elastomeric elements positioned between the top layer of the web laminate and the bottom layer of the laminate; and a second group of one or more elastomeric elements located between the upper layer of the laminate and the lower layer of the laminate and located at a distance from the first group of one or more elastomeric elements, wherein each of the first pair of elastic laminates is attached to the base so that over the entire crotch area the outer edges of the elastic laminates are located further from the longitudinal axis of the product than the outer edges of the base, and the outer edges of the laminate have a fold, wherein the first group of one or more elastomeric elements forms an elastic cuff for the legs, while the second group of one or more elastomeric elements forms an elastic sealed lapel, and wherein each of the first pair of elastic laminates extends with curvature over at least the entire crotch region. 13. The absorbent article according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one of the first group of one or more elastomeric elements is located transversely outside the longitudinal side edges of the body. 14. An absorbent article according to claim 12, characterized in that each of the first pair of elastic laminates is attached to the substrate along a longitudinally extending straight bonding line located between the first group of one or more elastomeric elements and the second group of one or more elastomeric elements. elements. 15. An absorbent article according to claim 12, characterized in that each of the first pair of elastic laminates is attached to the body along a longitudinally curved bonding line located between the first group of one or more elastomeric elements and the second group of one or more elastomeric elements. elements. 16. An absorbent article according to claim 15, characterized in that the curvature of the bond line attaching the first pair of elastic laminates to the body corresponds to the curvature of each of the first pair of elastic laminates. 17. An absorbent article according to claim 12, characterized in that the apex of curvature of each of the first pair of elastic laminates is located in the crotch region of the absorbent article. 18. An absorbent article that has a front waist region, a crotch region and a back waist region, comprising: a body facing liner; outer coating; an absorbent member disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover; and a first pair of elastic laminates attached to the substrate, each of the first pair of elastic laminates comprising: a laminate having a first side edge and a second side edge, wherein at least one of the first side edge and the second side edge is a folded edge; and elastomeric element, wherein the first and second side edges and the elastomeric element extend in a curved manner along at least a portion of their length. 19. An absorbent article according to claim 18, characterized in that each of the first pair of elastic laminates is attached to the body along a longitudinally extending straight bond line. 20. An absorbent article according to claim 18, characterized in that each of the first pair of elastic laminates is attached to the body along a longitudinally curved bonding line.

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