RU2831006C1 - Absorbent product with belt - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: personal use items; hygiene.

SUBSTANCE: there are disclosed absorbent products containing elastic waist elements, and methods of manufacturing. In one embodiment, the absorbent article may comprise a base having an absorbent body and a body-facing surface. Article may further comprise a first adhesive located on the body-facing surface of the base, and an elastic waist element connected to the body-facing surface of the base by a first adhesive. Product can also contain a second glue located on the elastic waist element, and a material covering the waist area, connected to the elastic waist element with the second glue.

EFFECT: disclosed is an absorbent product with a belt.

20 cl, 17 dwg

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to absorbent articles. In particular, the present invention relates to absorbent articles and belts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The primary function of absorbent personal care products is to absorb and retain body fluids such as urine, feces, blood and menstrual fluids, with additional desirable characteristics including low leakage of fluids from the absorbent product and a feeling of dryness for the wearer of the absorbent product. By preventing leakage of fluids from the absorbent product, the absorbent product is intended to prevent the body fluids from staining or contaminating the wearer's or caregiver's clothing or other items such as bedding that may come into contact with the wearer.

One common type of adverse event is leakage of excreta from the back waist area or the front waist area of the absorbent article. As one example, fecal matter that is not absorbed or contained by the absorbent article may pass through the gaps between the absorbent article and the wearer's skin in the back waist area and stain or contaminate the wearer's skin and clothing near the back. This may occur much more frequently with semi-solid fecal matter, such as low viscosity fecal matter that may be prevalent in young children. Such excreta may migrate across the body-contacting liner of the absorbent article due to gravity, movement, and pressure exerted by the wearer of the absorbent article. In such a case, not only must the wearer's absorbent article be changed, but the wearer's clothing and/or bedding must often be changed as well, resulting in additional work, expense, and stress for the caregiver.

Previously, attempts have been made to reduce or eliminate such leakage, particularly at the body-facing liner or near the back waist area to address the issues described above. One example is the provision of an elastic waistband to ensure a secure fit around the wearer. However, there is an additional need for improved elastic waistbands to provide better sealing or leakage reduction as well as comfort.

ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, an absorbent article comprising a front waist region comprising a front waist edge, a back waist region comprising a back waist edge, a crotch region located between the front waist region and the back waist region, a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction, and a transverse axis extending in the transverse direction, may comprise a base comprising an absorbent body, wherein the base comprises a body-facing surface, a first adhesive located on the body-facing surface of the base, an elastic waist element connected to the body-facing surface of the base by a first adhesive, a second adhesive located on the elastic waist element, and a material covering the waist region connected to the elastic waist element by a second adhesive.

In another embodiment, an absorbent article comprising a front waist region comprising a front waist edge, a back waist region comprising a back waist edge, a crotch region located between the front waist region and the back waist region, a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction, and a transverse axis extending in the transverse direction, may comprise a base comprising an absorbent body, wherein the base comprises a body-facing surface, a first adhesive located on the body-facing surface of the base in the back waist region, an elastic waist member connected to the body-facing surface of the base in the back waist region by the first adhesive, a first material covering the waist region connected to the body-facing surface of the base and located entirely in the back waist region, wherein the first material covering the waist region covers at least a portion of the elastic waist member and has a transverse upper edge and a transverse lower edge, wherein the transverse upper edge is located closer to the back waist edge than the transverse lower edge edge, and a second material covering the waist region, connected to the body-facing surface of the base and located entirely in the front waist region, and having a transverse upper edge and a transverse lower edge, wherein the transverse upper edge is located closer to the crotch region than the transverse lower edge, wherein the first material covering the waist region and the second material covering the waist region are formed from the same material. The transverse upper edge of the first material covering the waist region can be located approximately in the same longitudinal position as the back waist edge, so that the transverse upper edge and the back waist edge overlap in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, and the transverse lower edge of the second material covering the waist region can be located approximately in the same longitudinal position as the front waist edge, so that the transverse lower edge and the front waist edge overlap vertically.

In another embodiment, a method for forming absorbent articles may include moving a base web in the machine direction, wherein the base web comprises an outer cover, an absorbent core and a body-facing surface of the base web, applying a first adhesive to the body-facing surface of the base web, wherein the first adhesive defines a first adhesive region, connecting an elastic waist member to the base web with the first adhesive, applying a second adhesive to the elastic waist member, connecting a material covering the waist region to the elastic waist member with the second adhesive, and separating the base web to form a separate absorbent article, wherein the separating step includes cutting a portion of the base web containing the first adhesive and the material covering the waist region, but not the elastic waist member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHIC MATERIALS

A complete and sufficient description of the present invention, intended for those skilled in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the description, which refers to the accompanying figures, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent article, such as a diaper, in a fastened state.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the absorbent article shown in Fig. 1 in a stretched, horizontally laid and unfastened state.

Fig. 3A is an enlarged view of an embodiment of the back waist region of the article shown in Fig. 1 with components removed to more clearly illustrate features according to aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 3B is an enlarged view of a further embodiment of the rear waist region of the article shown in Fig. 1 with components removed to more clearly illustrate features according to aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken of the embodiment of the article shown in Fig. 2 along line 4-4, with the absorbent article in a relaxed configuration.

Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken for a further embodiment of the article shown in Fig. 2, taken along line 4-4, with the absorbent article in a relaxed configuration.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a further embodiment of the rear waist region of the article shown in Fig. 1 with components removed to more clearly illustrate features according to aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of another embodiment of the back waist region of the article shown in Fig. 1 with components removed to more clearly illustrate features according to aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a front perspective cross-sectional view of the article shown in Fig. 6 taken along line 7-7, showing the article in a relaxed configuration.

Fig. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the article shown in Fig. 6 taken along line 8-8, showing the article in a relaxed configuration.

Fig. 9 is a process flow diagram illustrating the steps involved in forming an absorbent article according to aspects of the present invention.

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

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

Fig. 11 is a process flow diagram illustrating the steps involved in forming an absorbent article according to aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 12A is a top plan view of an embodiment of an absorbent article in a stretched, horizontally laid and unzipped state according to aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 12B is a top plan view of another embodiment of an absorbent article in a stretched, horizontally laid and unzipped state according to aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a process flow diagram illustrating the steps involved in forming an absorbent article according to aspects of the present invention.

The repeated use of reference numbers in the present description and in the drawings is intended to represent the same or similar features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention generally relates to an absorbent article comprising an elastic waist member. 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 in relation to another embodiment or figure to obtain a further embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include such modifications and variations.

When presenting elements of the present invention or its preferred embodiment(s), the use of the terms in the singular or plural, and when accompanied by the modifier "said", means that there are one or more elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to have an inclusive meaning and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Many modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, 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 contact with the body) of the wearer to absorb and contain various liquid, solid, and semi-solid exudates eliminated from the body. Absorbent articles such as those described herein are intended to be discarded after a limited period of use and not washed or otherwise reconstituted for reuse. It should be understood that the present invention is applicable to various disposable absorbent articles including, but not limited to, diapers, diaper pants, potty training pants, teen pants, swimming trunks, feminine hygiene products including, but not limited to, menstrual pads or panties, incontinence products, medical garments, surgical pads and bandages, other personal hygiene or medical-purpose 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 liquid body exudates to slow down and disperse a stream or flow of liquid body exudates and to subsequently release the liquid body exudates therefrom into another layer or layers of the absorbent article.

The term "associated" or "linked" as used herein refers to the articulation, adhesion, connection, fastening, or the like of two elements. Two elements will be considered to be associated or linked with each other if they are joined, glued, connected, fastened, or the like to each other directly or indirectly, such as if each is directly connected to intermediate elements. The linking or adhesion of one element to another may be by means of continuous or discontinuous connections.

The term "carded web" as used herein refers to a web comprising natural or synthetic staple length fibers, typically having fiber lengths of less than about 100 mm. Bundles of staple fibers may be opened 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 thermal bonding using heat and/or pressure. In addition to or instead of this, the fibers may be subjected to bonding processes to bond the fibers together, such as by using types of powdered adhesive. The carded web may be subjected to jet entangling, such as hydroentangling, to further entangle the fibers and thereby improve the integrity of the carded web. Carded fabrics, due to the alignment of the fibers in the machine direction, will generally have a strength in the machine direction after bonding that is greater than the strength in the cross-machine direction.

The term "film" as used herein refers to a thermoplastic film produced using an extrusion and/or forming process, such as a cast film process or a blown film process. The term includes films with apertures, films with slits, 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, permeable films, and oriented films.

The term "gsm" in this document refers to grams per square meter.

The term "hydrophilic" refers herein to fibers or fiber surfaces that are wetted by aqueous liquids in 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 liquids and materials in question. Equipment and techniques suitable for measuring the wettability of specific fibrous materials or mixtures of fibrous materials can be provided by the Cahn SFA-222 Surface Tension Force Analysis System or a substantially equivalent system. When measured with this system, fibers with contact angles less than 90 degrees are designated as "wettable" or hydrophilic, and fibers with contact angles greater than 90 degrees are designated as "non-wettable" or hydrophobic.

The term "liquid impermeable" as used herein refers to a layer or laminate in which liquid body exudates, 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 impermeable to liquid.

The term "meltblown" as used herein refers to fibers produced by extruding molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of small, typically circular, spinneret openings in the form of filaments or threads from the melt into converging high-velocity streams of heated gas (e.g., air) that reduce the thickness of the filaments of 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 U.S. Patent 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 approximately 0.6 denier, and may be adhesive and self-bonding when deposited on a collecting surface.

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

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

The term "spunbond" as used herein refers to small diameter fibers that are produced by extruding a molten thermoplastic material in the form of filaments through a plurality of fine holes in a spinneret of a synthetic fiber extruder, formed in a round or other shape, wherein the diameter of the extruded filaments is then rapidly reduced by a conventional method, such as, for example, ejector drawing, and the methods described in U.S. Patent No. 4,340,563 to Appel et al., U.S. Patent No. 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., U.S. Patent No. 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., 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., each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Spunbond fibers are typically continuous and often have average denier values 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 a collecting surface.

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

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

The term "user" or "caregiver" as used herein refers to the person who applies an absorbent article, such as, but not limited to, a diaper, diaper pants, potty training pants, juvenile pants, incontinence product, or other absorbent article, to the wearer of one of these absorbent articles. The user and the wearer may be the same person.

Absorbent product

Referring to Figs. 1-8, 10 and 12, non-limiting images of exemplary absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210 and 310, such as a diaper, are illustrated. Other embodiments of the absorbent article may include potty training pants, juvenile pants, adult incontinence garments and feminine hygiene products. Although the embodiments and images described herein may generally refer to absorbent articles manufactured in the longitudinal direction of the product, hereinafter referred to as machine direction or process direction, it should be noted that one skilled in the art can apply the information provided herein to absorbent articles manufactured in the transverse direction of the product, hereinafter referred to as cross direction, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Each of the absorbent article 10 shown in Fig. 1-4B, the absorbent article 110a, 110b shown in Fig. 5-8, the absorbent article 210 shown in Fig. 10A and 10B, and the absorbent article 310 shown in Fig. 12A and 12B may comprise a chassis 11. The absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 may 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 the front and back waist regions 12, 14, 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 back end region, and the crotch region 16 may be referred to as the intermediate region. With regard to an article manufactured in a manufacturing process with a transverse direction, for example in a three-piece construction, such an absorbent article may have a chassis comprising a front waist panel defining a front waist region, a back waist panel defining a back waist region, and an absorbent panel defining a crotch region. The absorbent panel may extend between the front waist panel and the back waist panel. In some embodiments, the absorbent panel may overlap the front waist panel and the back waist panel. The absorbent panel may be associated with the front waist panel and the back waist panel to form a three-piece construction. However, it is contemplated that the absorbent article may be manufactured in the transverse direction and not be a garment with a three-piece construction.

The absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 can 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 can be adjacent to the front waist edge 22, and the back waist region 14 can be adjacent to the back waist edge 24. The longitudinal side edges 18, 20 can extend from the front waist edge 22 to the back waist edge 24. The longitudinal side edges 18, 20 can extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 30 over their entire length, for example in the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310. In other embodiments, the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 can be curved between the front waist edge 22 and the back waist edge 24.

The front waist region 12 may comprise a portion of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 which, when worn, is located at least partially in front of the wearer, while the back waist region 14 may comprise a portion of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 which, when worn, is located at least partially behind the wearer. The crotch region 16 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 may comprise a portion of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 which, when worn, is located between the legs of the wearer and may partially cover the lower part of the torso of the wearer. The waist edges 22 and 24 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 are designed to encircle the waist of the wearer and jointly form a central opening 23 for the waist (designated in Fig. 1) intended for the waist of the wearer. Portions of the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 in the crotch region 16 can generally form openings for the legs of the wearer when wearing the absorbent article 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310.

The absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 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 chassis 11. In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be bonded to the outer cover 26 by lamination using any suitable means such as, but not limited to, adhesives, ultrasonic bonds, heat bonds, pressure bonds, or other conventional techniques. As an example, in Fig. 4A and 4B show a bodyside liner 28 bonded to an outer cover 26 by an adhesive 27. The outer cover 26 may have a length in the longitudinal direction 30 and a width in the transverse direction 32, which, according to the illustrated embodiment, may coincide with the length and width of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210. As shown in Fig. 2-3B, 5, 6, 10A, 10B, 12A and 12B, the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 may have a longitudinal axis 29 extending in the longitudinal direction 30 and a transverse axis 31 extending in the transverse direction 32.

The base 11 may comprise an absorbent body 34. The absorbent body 34 may be located between the outer cover 26 and the body-contacting liner 28. The absorbent body 34 may have longitudinal edges 36 and 38, which in one embodiment may form portions of the longitudinal side edges 18 and 20, respectively, of the absorbent article 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310. The absorbent body 34 may have a first end edge 40 opposite the second end edge 42, respectively, which in one embodiment may form portions of the waist edges 22 and 24, respectively, of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210. In some embodiments, the first end edge 40 may be located in the front waist region 12. In some embodiments, the second end edge 42 may be located in the back waist region 14. In one embodiment, the absorbent body 34 may have a length and a width that are the same as the length and width of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310, or less. The bodyside liner 28, the outer cover 26, and the absorbent body 34 may form part of an absorbent assembly 44. In embodiments of articles according to aspects of the present invention that are manufactured in a cross-direction manufacturing process, the absorbent panel may form the absorbent assembly 44. The absorbent assembly 44 may also comprise a fluid transfer layer 46 (for example, as shown in Fig. 7) and a fluid absorbent layer (not shown) between the bodyside liner 28 and the fluid transfer layer 46, as is known in the art. The absorbent assembly 44 may also comprise a separating layer 48 (for example, as shown in Fig. 7) located between the absorbent body 34 and the outer cover 26.

The absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 can be designed to retain and/or absorb liquid, solid and semi-solid body secretions secreted by the wearer. In some embodiments, the sealed flaps 50, 52 can be designed to create a barrier against the spread of body secretions in the transverse direction. To further improve the tightness and/or absorption of body secretions, the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 may suitably comprise an elastic waist member 54. In some embodiments, the elastic waist member 54 may be located in the rear waist region 14 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310. However, it is contemplated that the elastic waist member 54 may additionally or alternatively be located in the front waist region 12 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310.

The elastic waist member 54 may be located on the body-facing surface 19 of the chassis 11 to help retain and/or absorb body exudates. In some embodiments, such as the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210 shown in Figs. 2-3B, 5, 6, 10A, 10B, 12A and 12B, the elastic waist member 54 may be located on the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44. In some embodiments, the elastic waist member 54 may be located at least partially on the body-facing surface 56 of the bodyside liner 28.

The absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 may further comprise elastic leg members 60, 62 known to those skilled in the art. The elastic leg members 60, 62 may be attached to the outer cover 26 and/or the body-contacting liner 28 along the opposite longitudinal side edges 18 and 20 and are located in the crotch region 16 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310. The elastic leg members 60, 62 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 29, as shown in Figs. 2-3B, 5, 6, 10A, 10B, 12A and 12B, or may be curved, as known in the art. The elastic elements 60, 62 for the legs can provide leg cuffs that are given elasticity.

Additional details regarding each of these elements of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 described herein are provided below with reference to Figs. 1-8, 10A, 10B, 12A and 12B.

External coating

The outer cover 26 and/or its parts may be breathable and/or impermeable to liquid. The outer cover 26 and/or its parts may be elastic, stretchable or non-stretchable. The outer cover 26 may be made of one layer, several layers, laminated materials, spunbond textile materials, films, meltblown textile materials, elastic mesh, microporous webs, bonded carded webs or foam materials obtained 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-impermeable material, such as a polymeric film. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may preferably be stretchable and, more preferably, elastic in at least the transverse direction 32 of the absorbent article 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be stretchable and, more preferably, elastic in both the transverse direction 32 and the longitudinal direction 30. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be a multilayer laminate in which at least one of the layers is liquid-impermeable. In some embodiments, the outer cover 26 may be a two-layer structure comprising an outer layer (not shown) and an inner layer (not shown), which may be bonded together, for example, using an adhesive for a laminate. Suitable types of adhesive for the laminate may be applied continuously or discontinuously in the form of drops, 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, bonds obtained by ultrasonic welding, bonds obtained by heat welding, bonds formed under pressure, or the like.

The outer layer of the outer cover 26 may be of any suitable material and may be such that the wearer perceives a generally cloth-like texture or appearance. An example of such a material may be a bonded carded web of 100% polypropylene with a diamond-shaped bond structure, available for sale from Sandler A.G., Germany, such as Sawabond 4185®, 30 gsm or equivalent. Another example of a material suitable for use as the outer layer of the outer cover 26 may be a polypropylene spunbond nonwoven web, 20 gsm. The outer layer may also be made of the same materials from which the body-contacting liner 28 may be made, as described herein.

The liquid-impermeable 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-impermeable inner layer (or the liquid-impermeable outer cover 26 if the outer cover 26 has a single-layer structure) can be made of a thin plastic film. The liquid-impermeable inner layer (or the liquid-impermeable outer cover 26 if the outer cover 26 has a single-layer structure) can prevent liquid body exudates from leaking out of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 and wetting of articles such as bed sheets and clothing, as well as the wearer and caregiver.

In some embodiments, in which the outer cover 26 has a single-layer structure, it can be subjected to embossing and/or matte finishing to obtain a more fabric-like texture or appearance. The outer cover 26 can allow vapor to escape from the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310, while preventing the passage of liquids. A suitable liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable material can consist of a microporous polymer film or non-woven material that has been coated or otherwise treated to impart the necessary level of liquid impermeability.

Absorbent main part

The absorbent body 34 can be preferably designed as a whole to be compressible, conformable, pliable, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquid body exudates. The absorbent body 34 can be made in a wide range of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, trapezoidal, T-shaped, I-shaped, hourglass-shaped, etc.) and from a wide range of materials. The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent body 34 should correspond to the size of the intended wearer (from infants to adults) and the liquid load provided by the intended use of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310. The absorbent body 34 can have a length and a width that can be less than or equal to the length and width of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310.

In one embodiment, the absorbent body 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, a gauze-type mesh material or other stabilizing structures, a superabsorbent material, binders, surfactants, selected hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials, pigments, lotions, odor control agents, or the like, as well as combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the absorbent body 34 may be a matrix of cellulosic fluff and a superabsorbent material. In additional embodiments, the absorbent body 34 may contain mainly superabsorbent material or even more than 80% superabsorbent material, more than 90% superabsorbent material or contain 100% superabsorbent material by weight of the absorbent material of the absorbent body 34. However, in other embodiments, the absorbent body 34 may not contain superabsorbent material. In one embodiment, the absorbent body 34 may be made of a single layer of materials or, alternatively, may be made of two or more layers of materials.

Various types of wettable, hydrophilic fibres can be used in the absorbent body 34. Examples of suitable fibres include natural fibres, cellulose fibres, synthetic fibres consisting of cellulose or cellulose derivatives, such as viscose fibres; inorganic fibres consisting of an inherently wettable material, such as glass fibres; synthetic fibres obtained from inherently wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as certain fibres from polyesters or polyamides, or consisting of non-wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as polyolefin fibres, which have been hydrophilised by suitable means. The fibres can be hydrophilised, for example, by treatment with a surfactant, treatment with silica gel, treatment with a material which is characterised by the presence of a suitable hydrophilic moiety and which cannot be easily removed from the fibre, or by coating the non-wettable hydrophobic fibre with a sheath of a hydrophilic polymer during or after the formation of the fibre. Suitable superabsorbent materials may be selected from natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. Superabsorbent materials may be inorganic materials such as silica gels or organic compounds such as cross-linked polymers.

In the presence of a release layer 48, the absorbent body 34 can be located on the release layer 48 and located on top of the outer cover 26. The release layer 48 can be bonded to the outer cover 26, for example, by means of an adhesive. In some embodiments, the release layer 48 can be absent, and the absorbent body 34 can directly contact the outer cover 26 and can be directly bonded to the outer cover 26. However, it should be understood that the absorbent body 34 can contact, but not be bonded, to the outer cover 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 body 34 may contact the single layer of the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, at least a portion of a layer, such as, but not limited to, the fluid transfer layer 46 and/or the release layer 48, may be located between the absorbent body 34 and the outer cover 26, as shown in Fig. 7. The absorbent body 34 may be associated with the fluid transfer layer 46 and/or the release layer 48.

Body-contacting lining material

The bodyside liner 28 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 can overlap the absorbent body 34 and the outer cover 26 and can separate the wearer's skin from liquid waste retained by the absorbent body 34. In various embodiments, the fluid transfer layer 46 can be positioned between the bodyside liner 28 and the absorbent body 34. In various embodiments, an acquisition layer (not shown) can be positioned between the bodyside liner 28 and the absorbent body 34 or the fluid transfer layer 46, if present. In various embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 can be bonded to the acquisition layer or to the fluid transfer layer 46, if there is no acquisition layer, by means of an adhesive and/or by means of point fusion bonding. Spot fusion bonding can be selected from ultrasonic, temperature, pressure, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may extend beyond the absorbent body 34 and/or the fluid transfer layer 46, if present, and/or the acquisition layer, if present, and/or the release layer 48, if present, to overlap a portion of the outer cover 26 and may be bonded thereto in any manner deemed suitable, such as by bonding thereto with an adhesive, substantially enclosing the absorbent body 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, such as can be seen in the embodiments depicted in Fig. 2-3B, 10A, 10B, 12A and 12B. 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 body 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 body 34, including surrounding both longitudinal edges 36, 38 of the absorbent body 34, and/or one or more end edges 40, 42. It is further contemplated that the bodyside liner 28 may consist of more than one segment of material. The bodyside liner 28 may have different shapes, including a rectangular shape, an hourglass shape, or any other shape. The body-contacting liner 28 may be suitably deformable, soft to the touch and non-irritating to the skin of the wearer, and may be as hydrophilic or less hydrophilic than the absorbent body 34, allowing body exudates to readily penetrate the absorbent body 34 and providing a relatively dry surface for the wearer.

The body-contacting liner 28 may be made from a wide variety of materials, such as synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester fibers or polypropylene fibers), natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, porous foams, reticulated foams, perforated plastic films, or the like. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, rayon fibers, wood fibers, cotton fibers, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, polyethylene fibers, nylon fibers, or other fibers capable of bonding under the influence of heat, polyolefins such as, but not limited to, copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, and esters of aliphatic acids such as polylactic acid, webs of perforated film with small holes, mesh materials, and the like, as well as combinations thereof.

For the body-contiguous liner 28, various woven and nonwoven materials can be used. The body-contiguous liner 28 can comprise a woven material, a nonwoven material, a polymer film, a laminated material of a film and a fabric, or the like, as well as combinations thereof. Examples of a nonwoven material can include a spunbond textile material, a meltblown textile material, a material obtained by the coform technology, a carded web, a bonded carded web, a bicomponent spunbond textile material, a material obtained by the spunlace technology, or the like, as well as combinations thereof. The body-contiguous liner 28 does not necessarily have to be a single-layer structure and, thus, can comprise more than one layer of fabrics, films and/or webs, as well as combinations thereof. For example, the body-contiguous liner 28 can comprise a support layer and a projection layer, which can be obtained by hydrobonding. The raised layer may comprise hollow projections, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,474,660 issued to Kirby, Scott S.C. et al.

For example, the bodyside liner 28 may be comprised of a meltblown or spunbond web comprised of polyolefin fibers. Alternatively, the 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 treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. The surfactant may be applied by any conventional method, such as spraying, printing, brush coating, or the like. The surfactant may be applied to the entire bodyside liner 28, or it may be selectively applied to specific areas of the bodyside liner 28.

In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be made of a nonwoven bicomponent web. The nonwoven bicomponent web may be a spunbond 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, the polypropylene forms the core and the polyethylene forms the fiber sheath. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, fibers oriented differently, such as in the form of multiple lobes, side by side, end to end, may be used. In one embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may be a spunbond substrate with a basis weight per square meter of from about 10 or 12 to about 15 or 20 gsm. m. In one embodiment, the body-contacting liner 28 may be a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond backing with a weight of one square meter of 12 g/m2, having a 10% meltblown content applied between two layers of spunbond.

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

Hermetic lapels

In one embodiment, the absorbent article 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 may comprise a pair of containment flaps 50, 52. The containment flaps 50, 52 may be formed separately from the absorbent body 11 and attached to the body 11, or they may be formed as a single unit with the body 11. In some embodiments, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be attached to the body 11 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 generally parallel, at a distance from each other in the transverse direction inward from the leg openings to provide a barrier against the flow of body excretions. One sealing flap 50 can be located on a first side of the longitudinal axis 29, and another sealing flap 52 can be located on a second side of the longitudinal axis 29. In one embodiment, the sealing flaps 50, 52 can extend generally in the longitudinal direction 30 from the front waist region 12 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 through the crotch region 16 to the back waist region 14 of the absorbent article 10. In some embodiments, the sealing flaps 50, 52 can extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310, however, in other embodiments, the sealing flaps 50, 52 can be curved, as is known in the art.

In embodiments in which the sealed flaps 50, 52 are connected to the base 11, the sealed flaps 50, 52 may be bonded to the body-facing liner 28 by means of a barrier adhesive 49, as shown in Fig. 7, or the sealed flaps 50, 52 can be bonded to the outer cover 26 by means of a barrier adhesive 49 in some embodiments in which the body-facing liner 28 does not extend across the entire lateral width of the outer cover 26. Of course, the sealed flaps 50, 52 can be bonded to other components of the base 11 and can be bonded by other suitable means other than the barrier adhesive 49. The sealed flaps 50, 52 can be made of a fibrous material, which can be similar to the material from which the body-facing liner 28 is formed. Other conventional materials, such as polymer films, can also be used.

Each of the sealed flaps 50, 52 may comprise a base portion 64 and a projecting portion 66. The base portion 64 may be connected to the base 11, for example, to the body-contacting lining material 28 or the outer cover 26, as mentioned above. The base portion 64 may comprise a near end 64a and a far end 64b. The projection 66 may be separated from the base portion 64 at the near end 64a of the base portion 64. In this context, the fact that the projection 66 is separated from the base portion 64 at the near end 64a of the base portion 64 means that the near end 64a of the base portion 64 defines a transition between the projection 66 and the base portion 64. The near end 64a of the base portion 64 may be located near the barrier adhesive 49. In some embodiments, the distal ends 64b of the base portion 64 may extend laterally toward the corresponding longitudinal side edges 18, 20 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310. In other embodiments, the distal ends 64b of the base portion 64 may terminate laterally inward from the corresponding longitudinal side edges 18, 20 absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310. Each of the containment flaps 50, 52 may also comprise a projection 66, which is configured to extend from the body-facing surface 19 of the chassis 11 at least in the crotch region 16 when the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 are in a relaxed configuration, as shown in Fig. 7. The containment flaps 50, 52 may comprise a bonding region 71 in either or both of the front waist region 12 and the back waist region 14, where the projection 66 is connected to the body-facing surface 19 of the chassis 11.

It is assumed that the hermetic flaps 50, 52 can have various configurations and shapes and can be made using various methods. For example, for the hermetic flaps 50, 52 shown in Fig. 2-3B, 10A, 10B, 12A and 12B, a hermetic flap 50, 52 extending in the longitudinal direction is shown with a fastening region 71 in both the front and back waist regions 12, 14, where the projecting portion 66 of each hermetic flap 50, 52 is fastened to the body-contacting liner 28 in the direction toward the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 or in the direction away from it. However, the sealed flaps 50, 52 may comprise a bonding region 71 where the projecting portion 66 of each of the sealed flaps 50, 52 is folded back onto itself and bonded to itself and the body-contacting liner 28 in a "C-shaped" configuration, as is known in the art and described in U.S. Patent No. 5,895,382 issued to Robert L. Popp et al. As a further alternative, it is contemplated that the sealed flaps 50, 52 may be configured in a "T-shaped" configuration, such as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,259,362 issued to Robert L. Popp et al. Such a configuration may also include a bonding region 71 in either or both of the front and back waist regions 12, 14, respectively. Of course, other configurations of containment flaps 50, 52 may be used in absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 and still remain within the scope of the present invention.

The hermetic flaps 50, 52 may comprise one or more elastic flap members 68, such as two elastic flap strips shown in Figs. 2-3B, 5-7, 10A, 10B, 12A and 12B. Suitable elastic materials for the elastic flap members 68 may include sheets, strips or tapes of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastomer materials. Of course, although two elastic members 68 are shown in each hermetic flap 50, 52, it is contemplated that the hermetic flaps 50, 52 may be made with one or three or more elastic members 68. Alternatively or additionally, the hermetic flaps 50, 52 may be made of a material that itself exhibits elastic properties.

The elastic elements 68 of the flap, as shown in Fig. 2-3B, 6, 10A, 10B, 12A and 12B, can have two strips of elastomeric material extending in the longitudinal direction in the protruding part 66 of the sealed flaps 50, 52 generally parallel, at a distance from each other. The elastic members 68 can be located within the sealed flaps 50, 52 when in an elastically compressible state, so that due to the compression of the strips, the projecting parts 66 of the sealed flaps 50, 52 are collected and shortened in the longitudinal direction 30. As a result, the elastic members 68 can bias the projecting parts 66 of the sealed flaps 50, 52 so that they extend from the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 as a whole in the vertical orientation of the sealed flaps 50, 52, especially in the crotch region 16 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310, when the absorbent article 10 is in a weakened configuration.

During the production of the hermetic flaps 50, 52, at least a portion of the elastic elements 68 can be connected to the hermetic flaps 50, 52 when the elastic elements 68 are extended. The extension of the elastic elements 68 in percent can be, for example, from approximately 110% to approximately 350%. The elastic elements 68 can be coated with glue when extended to the specified length before attaching the elastic elements 68 to the hermetic flaps 50, 52. In the stretched state, the section of the elastic elements 68 on which the glue is connected to them can provide an active elastic region 70 of the flap in the hermetic flaps 50, 52, as shown in Fig. 2, which will gather when the absorbent article 10 is weakened. The active elastic region 70 of the flap of the sealed flaps 50, 52 can have a longitudinal length that is shorter than the length of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310. In this exemplary method of assembling the elastic members 68 to the sealed flaps 50, 52, the portion of the elastic members 68 that is not coated with adhesive will be drawn in after the elastic members 68 and the absorbent article 10 are cut during manufacturing to form a separate absorbent article 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310. As noted above, the weakening of the elastic members 68 in the active elastic region 70 of the flap when the absorbent article 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 is in a weakened state, can cause each sealed flap 50, 52 to gather and cause the projecting portion 66 of each sealed flap 50, 52 to extend from the body-facing surface 19 of the base 11 (for example, the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 or the body-facing surface 56 of the body-contacting liner 28), as shown in Fig. 7.

Of course, the elastic members 68 can be connected to the sealed flaps 50, 52 in various other ways known to those skilled in the art to provide an active elastic region 70 of the flap, which is within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the active elastic regions 70 of the flap can be shorter or longer than those shown herein, including extending to the front waist edge 22 and the back waist edge 24, and still be within the scope of the present invention.

Elastic elements for legs

The leg elastics 60, 62 may be secured to the outer cover 26, for example, by bonding thereto with a laminate adhesive, typically in a transverse direction inward from the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 of the absorbent article 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310. The leg elastics 60, 62 may form leg cuffs that are elasticized to further help contain body exudates. In one embodiment, the leg elastics 60, 62 may be located between the inner and outer layers (not shown) of the outer cover 26 or between other layers of the absorbent article 10, for example between the base portion 64 of each containment flap 50, 52 and the body-contacting liner 28, as shown in Fig. 7, between the base portion 64 of each sealed flap 50, 52 and the outer cover 26 or between the body-contacting liner 28 and the outer cover 26. The leg elastics 60, 62 may be one or more elastic components near each longitudinal side edge 18, 20. For example, each of the leg elastics 60, 62 shown herein comprises two elastic bands. A wide range of elastic materials can be used for the leg elastics 60, 62. Suitable elastic materials may include sheets, strips or tapes of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastomeric materials. The elastic materials can be stretched and attached to the substrate, attached to the assembled substrate or attached to the substrate and then they can be given elasticity, or they can be compressed, for example, by heat, so that elastic retractive forces are transmitted to the substrate. In addition, it is envisaged that in some embodiments, the elastic elements 60, 62 for the legs can be made with sealed flaps 50, 52 and then attached to the base 11. Of course, the elastic elements 60, 62 for the legs can be excluded from the absorbent article 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Elastic waistband

In one embodiment, the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 may comprise one or more elastic waist members 54. The elastic waist member(s) 54 may be located in the back waist region 14, as shown in Fig. 1-11B, or in both the back waist region 14 and the front waist region 12, as shown in Fig. 12A, 12B. Although the present invention has been described in general with reference to a single elastic waist member, it should be understood that such description applies equally to each elastic waist member in embodiments that include multiple elastic waist members 54. As will be discussed in more detail below, the elastic waist member 54 may help to contain and/or absorb body waste, especially low-viscosity feces, and thus may be advantageously placed in the rear waist region 14. The elastic waist member 54 in the front waist region 12 may help to contain and/or absorb body waste, such as urine, in the front waist region 12. Although this does not occur as often as in the back waist region 14, in some cases, fecal matter can also spread to the front waist region 12, and thus the elastic waist member 54 located in the front waist region 12 can also help to contain and/or absorb body waste. According to aspects of the present invention, various embodiments of the articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210 and 310 can further comprise a material 101, 201 covering the waist region in the back waist region 14 (and optionally in the front waist region 12), which can be connected to the elastic waist member 54 to provide increased comfort.

The elastic waist member 54 may comprise a first longitudinal side edge 72 and a second longitudinal side edge 74, as shown in Fig. 2. The elastic waist member 54 may further comprise a transverse upper edge 61 located near the rear waist edge 24 and a transverse lower edge 63 located closer to the crotch region 16 than the transverse upper edge 61, along with the body-facing surface 55. The first longitudinal side edge 72 may be opposite to the second longitudinal side edge 74. The distance between the first longitudinal side edge 72 and the second longitudinal side edge 74 may determine the width of the elastic waist member 54 in the transverse direction 32. Although not shown, in some embodiments, the first longitudinal side edge 72 may be substantially aligned with the first longitudinal side edge 18 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310. Similarly, in some embodiments, the second longitudinal side edge 74 may be aligned with the second longitudinal side edge 20 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310. In further embodiments, the first longitudinal side edge 72 and the second longitudinal side edge 74 may not be aligned with the first longitudinal side edge 18 of the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310, but may overlap a portion of the rear fastener(s) 91 that are connected to the base 11. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, the elastic waist element 54 can be designed in such a way that the first longitudinal side edge 72 can be located in the transverse direction outside the near end 64a of the base part 64 of the hermetic flap 50. Similarly, the elastic waist element 54 can be designed in such a way that the second longitudinal side edge 74 can be located in the transverse direction outside the near end 64a of the base part 64 of the hermetic flap 52.

The elastic waist member 54 may be comprised of various materials. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic waist member 54 may be comprised of a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond ("SMS") material. However, it is contemplated that the elastic waist member 54 may be comprised of other materials, including, but not limited to, spunbond-film-spunbond ("SFS"), bonded carded web ("BCW"), or any nonwoven material. In some embodiments, the elastic waist member 54 may be comprised of a laminate containing more than one of these exemplary materials or other materials. In some embodiments, the elastic waist member 54 may be comprised of a liquid-impermeable material, such as a film material. In some embodiments, the elastic waist member 54 may be comprised of a material coated with a hydrophobic coating. The weight of one square meter of the material forming the elastic waist element 54 may vary, however, in a preferred embodiment, the weight of one square meter may be from about 8 g/m2 to about 120 g/m2, not including the elastic elements 86 in the elastic waist element 54. More preferably, the weight of one square meter of the material with the elastic waist element 54 may be from about 10 g/m2 to about 40 g/m2, and even more preferably from about 15 g/m2 to about 25 g/m2.

In preferred embodiments, the elastic waist member 54 may comprise at least one elastic member 86. In some embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in Fig. 2, 4A and 4B, the elastic waist member 54 may comprise a plurality of elastic members 86, such as five elastic members 86. Of course, it is contemplated that the elastic waist member 54 may comprise a different number of elastic members 86, such as three, four, six, eight or ten elastic members, and in some embodiments may not comprise elastic members 86. The elastic member 86 may extend substantially from the first longitudinal side edge 72 to the second longitudinal side edge 74 of the elastic waist member 54. In some embodiments, the elastic members 86 may be evenly spaced in the longitudinal direction 30. At least one of the elastic members 86 may be located near the transverse lower edge 63 of the elastic waist member 54.

For the elastic element(s) 86 in the elastic waist element 54, a wide variety of elastic materials can be used. Suitable elastic materials can include sheets, strips or tapes of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomer materials or elastic foam materials. The elastic materials can be stretched and attached to the substrate forming the elastic waist element 54, attached to the assembled substrate or attached to the substrate, and then they can be given elasticity, or they can be compressed, for example, by heat, so that elastic retractive forces are transmitted to the substrate forming the elastic waist element 54.

In some embodiments, the elastic waist member 54 may be positioned on the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44. In some embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in Figs. 1-8, 10A, 10B, 12A and 12B, the elastic waist member 54 may be positioned on the body-facing surface 56 of the bodyside liner 28. The elastic waist member 54 may be connected to the chassis 11 by being positioned either above the containment flaps 50, 52 or below the containment flaps 50, 52. In particular, the elastic waist member 54 may be positioned on the body-facing surface 19 of the chassis 11 such that the elastic waist member 54 is positioned above the base portion 64 of the first and second containment flaps 50, 52, respectively. Alternatively, the elastic waist element 54 may be arranged on the body-facing surface 19 of the base 11 in such a way that the elastic waist element 54 is located under the base portion 64 of the first and second sealed flaps 50, 52, respectively. Both configurations may provide advantages in terms of the functioning of the elastic waist element 54 to retain and/or absorb body secretions.

Fastening system

In one embodiment, the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 may comprise a fastening system. The fastening system may comprise one or more rear fasteners 91 and one or more front fasteners 92. In the embodiments shown in Fig. 1, 2, 9A, 9B, 11A and 11B, embodiments with one front fastener 92 are shown. Portions of the fastening system may be included in the front waist region 12, the back waist region 14, or both regions.

The fastening system can be configured to fasten the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 around the waist of the wearer in the fastened state, as shown in Fig. 1, and to help keep the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310 in place during use. In one embodiment, the back fasteners 91 can comprise one or more materials bonded together to form a composite tab, as is known in the art. For example, the composite fastener can consist of a stretch component 94, a nonwoven carrier layer or base 96 with hooks and a fastening component 98, as indicated in Fig. 2-3B, 9A, 9B, 11A and 11B. In some embodiments, the elastic waist element 54 may extend in the transverse direction to the back fasteners 91 and/or to each of the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 of the absorbent articles 10, 110, 210, 310. In some embodiments, the elastic waist element 54 may be connected to the stretch component 94 of the back fasteners 91 directly or indirectly.

Material covering the waist area

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 may comprise a waist covering material 101 located in the back region 14. The waist covering material 101 may be connected to the body facing surface 19 of the chassis 11, and in particular in some embodiments to the body facing surface 56 of the bodyside liner 28. The waist covering material 101 may further be connected to an elastic waist member 54. The specific attachment of the waist covering material 101 is described in more detail below.

In cases where the material 101 covering the waist region is located at least partially above the elastic waist member 54, the material 101 covering the waist region can help to reduce the forces exerted on the wearer by the elastic elements 86 of the elastic waist member 54. For example, since the elastic elements 86 are in a stretched state when wearing the absorbent articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310 to help ensure close contact with the skin of the wearer, the elastomeric strips 86 exert pressure on the skin of the wearer. By arranging the waist covering material 101 between the elastic waist member 54 and the skin of the wearer, the waist covering material 101 has a cushioning effect on such forces while still ensuring close contact of the article, such as article 10, 110a, 110b, 210, 310, with the skin of the wearer.

Typically, such a material 101 covering the waist region may comprise a soft and/or cushiony material, thus further contributing to providing an improved feeling of comfort to the wearer. Exemplary suitable materials for the material 101 covering the waist region include TABCW materials having a weight per square meter of from 10 g/m2 to 50 g/m2. According to some preferred embodiments, such TABCW materials may have a weight per square meter of from 15 g/m2 to 30 g/m2. However, it should be understood that other materials may be suitable for use as the material 101 covering the waist region. Some further examples include spunbond materials, including SMS materials, materials obtained by water jet bonding, bonded carded webs, and the like.

According to some embodiments, the elasticity of the material may be important to achieve the desired softness of the material 101 covering the waist region. In some embodiments, the elasticity of the material 101 covering the waist region may be greater than 0.5 mm. Although in other preferred embodiments, the elasticity of the material 101 covering the waist region may be greater than 1.0 mm, greater than 1.5 mm, greater than 2.0 mm or greater than 2.5 mm.

The material 101 covering the waist region has a first longitudinal side edge 102 and a second longitudinal side edge 104, as well as an upper transverse edge 103 and a lower transverse edge 105. The upper transverse edge 103 is located near the rear waist edge 24, and the lower transverse edge 105 is located closer to the crotch region 16 than the upper transverse edge 103. According to at least the embodiments shown in Fig. 2-3B, the material 101 covering the waist region can completely cover the elastic waist member 54. For example, the upper transverse edge 103 can be located closer to the rear waist edge 24 than the transverse upper edge 61 of the elastic waist member 54. In addition, the first longitudinal side edge 102 and the second longitudinal side edge 104 of the material 101 covering the waist region can be located outside of the first longitudinal side edge 72 and the second longitudinal side edge 74, respectively. In some of these embodiments, the lower transverse edge 105 of the material 101 covering the waist region is located closer to the crotch region 16 than the transverse lower edge 63 of the elastic waist member 54. In other embodiments, the lower transverse edge 105 may be located in approximately the same position as the transverse lower edge 63, such that the lower transverse edge 105 and the transverse lower edge 63 overlap in the vertical direction 33. In other embodiments, the upper transverse edge 103 may be located in approximately the same position as the transverse upper edge 61, such that the upper transverse edge 103 and the transverse upper edge 61 overlap in the vertical direction 33. Likewise, one or both of the first longitudinal side edge 102 and the second longitudinal side edge 104 of the material 101 covering the waist region may be approximately aligned with the first longitudinal side edge 72 and/or the second longitudinal side edge 74. In this way, the material 101 covering the waist area can provide additional comfort for the wearer. The material 101 covering the waist area can additionally allow the elastic waist element 54 to be made from materials that are considered rigid or uncomfortable for the skin, but which have excellent liquid impermeability properties, such as film materials.

Although in additional embodiments, the material 101 covering the waist region may not completely cover the elastic waist member 54, since most of the comfort advantage of the material 101 covering the waist region can be achieved by only partially covering the elastic waist member 54. For example, the transverse lower edge 63 of the elastic waist member 54 can be located closer to the crotch region 16 than the lower transverse edge 105 of the material 101 covering the waist region, in some embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, the transverse upper edge 61 can be located closer to the rear waist edge 24 than the upper transverse edge 103. Similarly, one or both of the first longitudinal side edge 102 and the second longitudinal side edge 104 of the material 101 covering the waist region can be located inside the first longitudinal side edge 72 and/or the second longitudinal side edge 74.

According to at least the embodiments shown in Figs. 2-4B, the upper transverse edge 103 of the waist covering member 101 may extend toward the back waist edge 24 of the article 10, but may be located at a small distance from the back waist edge 24. Figs. 3A and 3B show an enlarged view of a portion of different embodiments of an example of article 10 with a number of features removed to more clearly highlight the elastic waist member 54, the material 101 covering the waist area, and how these features are connected together and to the chassis 11. Figs. 4A and 4B show cross-sectional views of an example of article 10, when viewed along line 4-4. In such embodiments, the material 101 covering the waist area may be cut and placed on the chassis 11. In such types of cutting and placing manufacturing processes, it may be difficult to accurately align the edges of the material. Accordingly, the upper transverse edge 103 of the material 101 covering the waist region can be located at a distance of 2.5 mm to 15 mm, or 4 mm to 10 mm, or 5 mm to 8 mm from the rear waist edge 24. Similarly, the first longitudinal side edge 102 and the second longitudinal side edge 104 can be located at a distance from the corresponding longitudinal side edges 18, 20 of the base 11, and not reach the longitudinal side edges 18, 20.

As can be seen most clearly in Fig. 3A-4B, both the elastic waist member 54 and the material 101 covering the waist region can be bonded to the body-facing surface 19 of the base 11 by an adhesive 80. The adhesive 80 is located above the region of the body-facing surface 19, wherein the region has an upper transverse edge 107, a lower transverse edge 109 and lateral longitudinal edges 106, 108. As shown in Fig. 3A with a portion of the region 80 hidden by the elastic waist element 54, the edges 107, 109, 106 and 108 are generally at a distance from the edges 102, 104, 103 and 105 of the material 101 covering the waist region, so that the material 101 covering the waist region completely covers the area of the adhesive 80. Although in some embodiments, the lower transverse edge 109 may remain uncovered by the material 101 covering the waist region, but covered by the elastic waist element 54, or remain uncovered by the elastic waist element 54, but covered by the material 101 covering the waist region. It may be undesirable to leave the area of adhesive 80 uncovered by both the material 101 covering the waist area and the elastic waist member 54 or other layer of material, since uncovered adhesive 80 may cause the article 10 to stick together when folded and/or cause one or more layers of the article 10 to tear when the article 10 is unfolded.

The material 101 covering the waist region can also be connected to the elastic waist element 54, for example, by adhesive 85, as shown in Fig. 3A and 4A. In the embodiments according to Fig. 3A and 4A, the adhesive 85 can comprise a continuous region located over the elastic waist element 54. Although not specifically indicated, the region limited by the adhesive 85 can also have upper, lower and longitudinal side edges. Such side edges can typically be spaced inward from the corresponding upper, lower and longitudinal side edges 61, 63, 72 and 74 of the elastic waist element 54. However, this may not necessarily be the case in all embodiments. For example, at least with respect to the edges 61, 72 and 74, if the area limited by the adhesive 85 extends beyond the edges 61, 72 or 74, the adhesive 85 will be superimposed on the adhesive 80 and in contact with it, and will ultimately be covered by the material 101 covering the waist area. In embodiments where the lower transverse edge 105 of the material 101 covering the waist area does not extend closer to the crotch area 16 than the transverse lower edge 63 of the elastic waist element 54, it may be important that the lower edge of the area limited by the adhesive 85 does not extend closer to the crotch area 16 than the transverse lower edge 63 of the elastic waist element 54.

In alternative embodiments, the material 101 may be connected to the elastic waist member 54 by at least a first connection and a second connection, such as by adhesive 87a, 87b, as shown in Fig. 3B and 4B. According to the embodiments relating to Fig. 3B and 4B, the adhesive 87a, 87b may be lines or stripes of adhesive, wherein the adhesive 87a is located near the transverse lower edge 63 of the elastic waist member 54, and the adhesive 87b is located near the transverse upper edge 61. The adhesive 87a, 87b may have longitudinal lengths 121, 123 extending in the longitudinal direction 30. Of course, the longitudinal lengths 121, 123 do not necessarily have to be the same, but both lengths 121, 122 may typically be from 2 mm to 10 mm or from 2 mm to 5 mm in other embodiments. In addition, the adhesive 87a, 87b may be located at a distance 125, 127 from the transverse lower edge 63 and the transverse upper edge 61 of the elastic waist member 54, respectively. Similarly, the distances 125, 127 do not necessarily have to be the same, but both of them can typically be from 2 mm to 10 mm or from 2 mm to 5 mm in other embodiments. Typically, the distances 125, 127 can be selected in such a way as to allow for variations in the manufacturing process of the article 10, while still ensuring the location of the adhesive 87a, 87b on the elastic waist member 54. Additional embodiments are provided that contain connections in addition to the adhesive 87a, 87b, such as one, two, three, four or more additional connections, such as additional lines or areas of glue.

Additionally, a combination of lengths 121, 122 and distances 125, 127 can be selected to provide an unbonded region 130 between the adhesive 87a, 87b (and any other connections between the material 101 covering the waist region and the elastic waist member 54), where the material 101 covering the waist region is disconnected from the elastic waist member 54. The advantage of such an unbonded region 130 is that it allows the material 101 covering the waist region to bend away from the elastic waist member 54, which can reduce any potential transfer of fluid between the material 101 covering the waist region and the elastic waist member 54, thereby helping to provide dry and comfortable skin for the user even in cases where fluid can be absorbed into the elastic waist member 54. In addition, the unbonded region 130 can provide an increased feeling of softness to the wearer, in particular when the material 101 covering the waist region is softer and/or more flexible than the elastic waist member 54. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, it may generally be desirable for the longitudinal length of the unbonded region 130 to exceed 10 mm. In other embodiments, the unbonded region 130 may be greater than 15 mm, or greater than 20 mm, or greater than 25 mm, or greater than 30 mm, or greater than 35 mm, or greater than 40 mm, or greater than 50 mm. The unbonded region 130 may generally be less than 75 mm or less than 65 mm in any of the above embodiments.

In Fig. 5-8, exemplary absorbent articles 110a, 110b according to the present invention are shown. In such embodiments according to Fig. 5-8, the elastic waist member 54 can be further configured to form a pocket that helps contain body exudate. In Fig. 5 and 6, enlarged views of the rear region of the articles 110a, 110b are shown with a number of features removed in order to more clearly show the elastic waist member 54 and the material 101 covering the waist region, as well as how the elastic waist member 54 and the material 101 covering the waist region are connected together and to the body-facing surface 19. The described exemplary articles 110a, 110b can be similar to the article 10 of Fig. 2 with respect to the construction of the base 11, including the outer cover 24, the absorbent body 34, the body-contacting liner 28, the leg cuffs 60, 62, the sealed flaps 50, 52 and the fastening system comprising the rear fasteners 91 and the front fastener 92. The differences between the article 10 and the articles 110a, 110b with respect to the elastic waist member 54, the material 101 covering the waist area and the fastening of the elastic waist member 54 and the material 101 covering the waist area to each other and to the base 11 are described in more detail below.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5, illustrating an example of an absorbent article 110a without the shown adhesive 85 and with an elastic waist member 54 shown transparent to visualize the extent of the adhesive 80, the lower transverse edge 109 of the adhesive 80 comprises a recessed portion 111. The recessed portion 111 is a portion of the lower transverse edge 109 of the adhesive 80 located closer to the rear waist edge 24 than the portion or portions of the lower transverse edge 109 located closest to the crotch region 16. As can be seen, this recessed portion 111 provides an unbonded region 112 where the elastic waist member 54 is not bonded to the body-facing surface 19 of the chassis 11. This unbonded region 112 is an area where the elastic waist member 54 can fold back from the body-facing surface 19 and form a sealed pocket 82 where body secretions can be captured under the elastic waist member 54. In general, the recessed portion 111 can have a portion or portions located closest to the back waist edge 24, and this portion located closest to the back waist edge 24 can be spaced from the portion or portions of the lower transverse edge 109 that are located closest to the crotch region 16 by a distance of from 10 mm to 40 mm or from 15 mm to 30 mm in order to provide an unbonded region 112 that is sufficiently deep in the longitudinal direction 30 to accommodate secretions of the body.

In Fig. 6-8, an example of an absorbent article 110b is illustrated that provides an alternative elastic waist member 54 for providing a containment pocket 82. In various embodiments, the elastic waist member 54 may comprise a proximal portion 76 and a distal portion 78. The proximal portion 76, comprising a transverse upper edge 61, may be connected to the body-facing surface 19 of the chassis 11 (e.g., the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 or the body-facing surface 56 of the bodyside liner 28), and the distal portion 78, comprising a transverse lower edge 63, of the elastic waist member 54 may move freely relative to the chassis 11 and the absorbent assembly 44 when the absorbent article 110b is in a relaxed configuration, such as shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the elastic waist member 54 of Fig. 6, shown in a weakened configuration, so that it can be seen that the distal portion 78 extends from the base 11 and the absorbent unit 44 in the vertical direction 33, which is perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis 29 and the transverse axis 31. The fold 79 can separate the proximal portion 76 from the distal portion 78. As used in this context, the expression "the fold 79 separates the proximal portion 76 from the distal portion 78" means that the fold 79 forms a transition zone between the proximal portion 76 and the distal portion 78.

The near portion 76 of the elastic waist member 54 may have a longitudinal length, measured in the longitudinal direction 30, which is shorter than the longitudinal length of the distal portion 78 of the elastic waist member 54. However, in some embodiments, the longitudinal length of the near portion 76 may be substantially equal to or greater than the longitudinal length of the distal portion 78 of the elastic waist member 54. For the purposes of this document, the longitudinal length of the near portion 76 and the longitudinal length of the distal portion 78 of the elastic waist member 54 are measured when the absorbent article 110b is in a stretched, horizontally laid configuration. It can be understood that the relative longitudinal lengths of the near portion 76 and the distal portion 78 may differ in embodiments of the elastic waist member 54 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 8, since the distal portion 78 of the elastic waist member 54 can move freely relative to the absorbent assembly 44 when the absorbent article 10 is in a weakened configuration, the distal portion 78 can help provide a sealed pocket 82 when the absorbent article 110b is in a weakened configuration. The sealed pocket 82 can help provide a barrier for containment and/or can help absorb body exudates. The sealed pocket 82 can be especially advantageous for containing and/or absorbing low-viscosity fecal matter, which can be prevalent in young children.

According to some embodiments, the first longitudinal side edge 72 can be located in the transverse direction outside the near end 64a of the base portion 64 of the hermetic flap 50, and thus the pocket 82 can extend in the transverse direction outside the near end 64a of the hermetic flap 50. Similarly, the second longitudinal side edge 74 can be located in the transverse direction outside the near end 64a of the base portion 64 of the hermetic flap 52, and the pocket 82 can extend in the transverse direction outside the near end 64a of the hermetic flap 52. Due to this configuration, the elastic waist element 54 is provided with a wide hermetic pocket 82 for holding and/or absorbing body discharges. In order to help prevent the body secretions contained by the sealed pocket 82 of the elastic waist member 54 from spreading in the transverse direction, the distal portion 78 of the elastic waist member 54 can be connected to the proximal portion 76 of the elastic waist member 54 and/or the body-facing surface 19 of the base 11 near the first and second longitudinal side edges 72, 74, respectively. For example, in Fig. 6 and 7, the fastening regions 84 are shown, where the distal portion 78 of the elastic waist member 54 can be connected to the proximal portion 76 of the elastic waist member 54 and/or the body-facing surface 19 of the base 11 near the first and second longitudinal side edges 72, 74, respectively.

As described earlier, the elastic waist member 54 can be arranged so as to be connected to the base 11 by being placed either above the sealed flaps 50, 52 or below the sealed flaps 50, 52. For example, the elastic waist member 54 can be arranged on the body-facing surface 19 of the base 11 such that the proximal portion 76 of the elastic waist member 54 is arranged above the base portion 64 of the first and second sealed flaps 50, 52, respectively. Alternatively, the elastic waist member 54 can be arranged on the body-facing surface 19 of the base 11 such that the proximal portion 76 of the elastic waist member 54 is arranged below the base portion 64 of the first and second sealed flaps 50, 52, respectively. Both configurations may provide advantages with respect to the functions of the elastic waist member 54 according to the present embodiment described with respect to article 110b in containing and/or absorbing body exudates.

Embodiments in which the near portion 76 of the elastic waist member 54 is located above the base portion 64 of the containment flaps 50, 52 may provide an advantage in that the containment flaps 50, 52 may help the far portion 78 of the elastic waist member 54 to move away from the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 when the absorbent article 110b is put on the wearer. This is especially appropriate when the near portion 76 of the elastic waist member 54 has a shorter longitudinal length than the far portion 78 of the elastic waist member 54. For example, in Fig. 7 and 8, since the near portion 76 is shorter than the far portion 78, the flap elastics 68 in the protruding portion 66 of the containment flaps 50, 52 can provide an opening force on the far portion 78 of the elastic waist member 54 when the absorbent article 110b is in a relaxed configuration and put on the wearer, thereby helping the far portion 78 to move away from the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 and opening the containment pocket 82. In some embodiments, the containment pocket 82 can be additionally or alternatively opened by providing the containment flaps 50, 52 with an active elastic flap region 70 (for example, as shown in Fig. 2) that longitudinally overlaps the far portion 78 of the elastic waist member 54 when the absorbent article 110b is in a stretched, horizontally laid configuration. Additionally or alternatively, the sealed pocket 82 of the elastic waist element 54 can be opened by making the sealed flaps 50, 52 with a fastening region 71 that does not extend to the free transverse lower edge 63 of the distal portion 78 of the elastic waist element 54. However, such a configuration of the fastening region 71 is not mandatory, and in some embodiments, the fastening region 71 can extend from the rear waist edge 24 beyond the free transverse lower edge 63 of the distal portion 78 of the elastic waist element 54.

Embodiments in which the proximal portion 76 of the elastic waist member 54 is located below the base portion 64 of the containment flaps 50, 52 may provide the advantage that the containment pocket 82 formed by the elastic waist member 54 does not have a projecting portion 66 of the containment flaps 50, 52. Both the base portion 64 and the projecting portion 66 of each containment flap 50, 52 may be connected to the body-facing surface 55 of the elastic waist member 54. As a result, body secretions may more freely spread across the entire width of the containment pocket 82 formed by the elastic waist member 54. Additionally, by connecting the base portion 64 of the containment flaps 50, 52 to the outer cover 26 (or, in some embodiments, to the body-contacting liner 28), a longitudinal leakage barrier may be created of body secretions from the sealed pocket 82 in relation to secretions that spread in the transverse direction beyond the location of the barrier adhesive 49. In some embodiments, the fastening region 71 of the protruding portion 66 of each of the sealed flaps 50, 52 may overlap in the longitudinal direction with the distal portion 78 of the elastic waist member 54. In some embodiments, the fastening region 71 of the protruding portion 66 of each of the sealed flaps 50, 52 may extend toward the free transverse lower edge 63 of the elastic waist member 54 to further help retain secretions in the sealed pocket 82 created by the elastic waist member 54.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 5-8, embodiments of articles 110a and 110b may comprise a material 101 covering the waist region. Like the embodiments described in connection with article 10, the material 101 covering the waist region may be located at least partially over the elastic waist member 54 of articles 110a, 110b to provide advantages similar to those described with respect to article 10. Additionally, although the material 101 covering the waist region is shown bonded to the elastic waist member 54 by an adhesive 87a, 87b, in other embodiments it is contemplated that the connection between the material 101 covering the waist region and the elastic waist member 54 of embodiments of articles 110a, 110b may be any suitable connection, including any of the alternative connections as described with respect to article 10 (for example, by means of an adhesive 85 forming a continuous region).

In the method 200 with reference to Fig. 9, an example of a method for producing an absorbent article 110a described above is shown. Although it will be obvious that the method 200 can also be used to produce other absorbent articles, such as articles 10, 110b, with the same method steps. The method 200 can include moving the absorbent unit 44 in the process direction (PD). The absorbent unit 44 can be formed separately from the base 11 for the absorbent article 10, 110a, 110b, as described above, or can have the form of a web 244 of the absorbent unit, forming part of the web 211 of the base, comprising a plurality of base parts 11a-e connected to each other. Although method 200 (and additional methods described herein) illustrates a manner in which the rear waist regions of the base portions guide the front waist regions of the base portions in the process direction PD, it is contemplated that similar methods can be used to make articles 10, 110a, 110b, 210 and 310 of the present disclosure, wherein the front waist regions of the base portions guide the rear waist regions of the base portions in the process direction PD.

Typically, such an absorbent assembly 44 (which may be in the form of a web 244 of an absorbent assembly) may comprise a body-facing liner 28 and an outer cover 26, which may also be provided in the form of a web as a web 228 of a body-facing liner and a web 226 of an outer cover. The web 244 of an absorbent assembly may comprise a body-facing surface 245. As shown in Fig. 9, the web 244 of an absorbent assembly may comprise several separate base portions 11a-d that will eventually be divided into separate articles 110a. Separation lines are shown between each of the base portions 11a-d, which are the places where the web 244 of an absorbent assembly will be divided, forming separate articles 110a. As noted, the illustrated dividing line thus becomes the rear waist edge 24 for the following rear base portion, for example for base portion 11b, and the front waist edge 26 for the front base portion, for example for base portion 11a.

The method 200 may include connecting a pair of containment flaps 250, 252 as described above, each of which may comprise a base portion 264 and a projection 266. The method 200 may also include bonding the base portion 264 of each of the containment flaps 250, 252 to the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 (for example, the body-facing surface 245 of the web 244 of the absorbent assembly). In some embodiments, bonding the base portion 264 of each of the containment flaps 250, 252 to the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 may include bonding the base portion 264 of each of the containment flaps 250, 252 to the body-facing liner material 28 (for example, the web 228 of the body-facing liner material). In other embodiments, associating the base portion 264 of each of the containment flaps 250, 252 with the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 may include associating the base portion 264 of each of the containment flaps 250, 252 with the outer cover 26 (for example, the outer cover web 226). As indicated above, the base portion 264 of each of the containment flaps 250, 252 may comprise a near end 364 a and a far end 364 b.

The method 200 further includes applying adhesive 80 to the back waist region 12 of the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44, for example as shown in relation to the base portions 11a of the web 244 of the absorbent assembly, wherein the adhesive 80 is located only within one base portion and does not encompass a separation line. As shown in Fig. 9, the adhesive 80 can be applied with a portion of the transverse bottom edge 63 recessed to provide for the formation of a sealed pocket when the elastic waist member 54 is adhered to the adhesive 80. Although where other articles, for example articles 10, can be made using the method 200, the adhesive 80 can be applied without the recessed transverse bottom edge 63. The adhesive 80 can be applied according to any suitable method, for example by spraying or slot application, or the like. In an embodiment that is suitable for Fig. 9, the adhesive 80 may cover only one part of the base of the web 244 of the absorbent unit, for example the part 11b of the base.

After applying the adhesive 80 to the body-facing surface 245 of the web 244 of the absorbent assembly, the elastic waist member 54 can be applied to the adhesive 80, for example, as shown in relation to the base portion 11b. Like the adhesive 80, the elastic waist member 54 can be located within only one base portion and not cover the separation line. The elastic waist member 54 can be applied to the adhesive 80 such that the elastic waist member 54 has a positional relationship with respect to the region defined by the adhesive 80, as described above with respect to the embodiment of the article 110a (or articles 10, 110b). Then, adhesive can be further applied to the elastic waist member 54, as shown in relation to the base portion 11c. In the example of Fig. 9 the applied adhesive comprises adhesive 87a, 87b, wherein the unbonded region is located between the adhesive 87a, 87, which may be similar to the described unbonded region 130. However, it should be understood that other adhesive configurations are also possible, in particular a continuous adhesive region, as described with respect to some embodiments of articles 10, 110a, 110b.

The material 101 covering the waist area can then be applied to the elastic waist member 54. For example, the base 11d is shown with the material 101 covering the waist area applied. The material 101 covering the waist area can be adhered to both the adhesive located on the elastic waist member 54, to the adhesive 87a, 87b in the example of Fig. 9, and to the adhesive 80 located on the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44. Like the adhesive 80, the material 101 covering the waist area can cover only one part of the base of the web 244 of the absorbent assembly, for example the part 11d of the base, and not cover the separation line. Additionally, the waist area covering material 101 may be applied to the elastic waist member 54 such that the waist area covering material 101 has a positional relationship with respect to the elastic waist member 54, the adhesive 80, and the body-facing surface 245 of the web 244 of the absorbent assembly (for example, the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44), generally as described above with respect to any embodiment of the articles 10, 110a, 110b.

After applying the material 101 covering the waist region, the method 200 may further include separating the web 244 of the absorbent assembly into separate absorbent articles 110a, as shown in Fig. 9. The separation step includes cutting only the web 244 of the absorbent assembly without cutting the adhesive 80, the elastic waist element 54 or the material 101 covering the waist region. Then, the articles 110a can be folded and, possibly, packaged. Such steps of separating, folding and/or packaging can be performed according to any method generally known in the art.

Fig. 10A, 10B illustrate other additional embodiments of absorbent articles according to aspects of the present invention. For example, Fig. 10A, 10B illustrates an example of an absorbent article 210 comprising a waist covering material 101 located in a back waist region 14 and a waist covering material 201 located in a front waist region 12. The articles 210 of Fig. 10A, 10B may be generally similar to the article 10 of Fig. 2 and are further shown with portions of the article 210 missing to more clearly depict features of interest, such as the sealed flaps 50, 52 as one example. The material 201 covering the waist region may, like the material 101 covering the waist region described above, help provide an improved feeling of comfort to the wearer - in particular where the material 201 covering the waist region comprises a soft and/or pliable material. Typically, the material 201 covering the waist region may comprise any of the optional materials described in relation to the material 101 covering the waist region. In at least some embodiments of the article 210, the material 101 covering the waist region and the material 201 covering the waist region may comprise the same material.

Embodiments of absorbent article 210 may be similar to embodiments of any of articles 10, 110a, 110b. For example, the article 210 may comprise a waist sealing member 54 located in the back waist region and bonded to the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 by an adhesive 80. However, unlike the embodiments of the articles 10, 110a, 110b, the region defined by the adhesive 80 of the article 210 may comprise an upper transverse edge 107 that ends at the back waist edge 24. Additionally, the provided material 101 covering the waist region of the article 210 may also have a transverse upper edge 61 that ends at the back waist edge 24. According to at least some embodiments of the articles 210, the adhesive 80 may be applied with a portion of the transverse lower edge 63 recessed to provide for the formation of a sealing pocket when the elastic waist member 54 is adhered to the adhesive 80. Although for the sake of clarity, the portion of the adhesive 80 covered by the elastic waist member 54 is shown in FIG. 10A, 10B not shown.

Additionally, in contrast to articles 10, 110a, 110b, article 210 comprises additional material 201 covering the waist area, located in the front waist area 12. Article 210 comprises adhesive 81 located in the front waist region 12, and material 201 covering the waist region is connected to the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent unit 44 with adhesive 81. Adhesive 81 has a first longitudinal side edge 186 and a second longitudinal side edge 188, as well as an upper transverse edge 185 and a lower transverse edge 189, wherein the upper transverse edge 185 is located closer to the crotch region 16 than the lower transverse edge 189. Material 201 covering the waist region comprises a first longitudinal side edge 202, a second longitudinal side edge 204, an upper transverse edge 203 and a lower transverse edge 205, wherein the upper transverse edge 203 is located closer to the crotch region 16 than the lower transverse edge 205.

As shown in Fig. 10A, the edges 186, 188 and 185 are generally at a distance from the edges 202, 204 and 203 of the material 201 covering the waist region, so that the material 201 covering the waist region completely covers the area of the adhesive 81. Both edges 189 and 205 may end at the front waist edge 22. However, in some embodiments, the upper transverse edge 185 and the upper transverse edge 203 may overlap in the vertical direction 33 so that the edges 185, 203 are located at approximately the same distance from the crotch region 16. Typically, it may be undesirable to leave the area of adhesive 81 uncovered by the material 201 covering the waist area and/or a layer of other material, since uncovered adhesive 81 may cause the article 210 to stick together when folded and/or cause one or more layers of the article 210 to tear when the article 210 is unfolded.

Of course, providing a continuous area of adhesive 81 is not the only way in which the material 201 covering the waist region can be bonded to the body facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 of the article 210. For example, as shown in Fig. 10B, the material 201 covering the waist region can be bonded to the body facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 by at least a first bond and a second bond, such as adhesive 187a, 187b. In such embodiments, the article 210 of Fig. 10B does not necessarily have to have an upper transverse edge 107 of adhesive 80 continuously extending to the back waist edge 24. Instead, in at least some of these embodiments, the upper transverse edge 107 of adhesive 80 is at a distance from the back waist edge 24, as shown in Fig. 10B.

The adhesive 187a, 187b may be lines or stripes of adhesive, wherein the adhesive 187a is located near the lower transverse edge 205 of the material 201 covering the waist region, and the adhesive 187b is located near the upper transverse edge 203. The adhesive 187a, 187b may generally be similar to the adhesive 87a, 87b described earlier, for example, having similar longitudinal lengths extending in the longitudinal direction 30. Additionally, the adhesive 187a, 187b may be at similar distances from the transverse lower edge 205 and the transverse upper edge 203, as described for the adhesive 87a, 87b relative to the edges 63, 61 of the elastic waist member 54. Additional embodiments of the article 210 are provided that comprise connections in addition to the adhesive 187a, 187b, for example one, two, three, four or more additional connections, such as additional lines or areas of glue.

Additionally, the arrangement of the adhesive 187a, 187b and any other connections joining the material 201 covering the waist region to the front waist region 12 of the article 210 can be selected such that there is an unbonded region 132 where the material 201 covering the waist region is not bonded to the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44. Such an unbonded region 132 can provide the advantage of allowing the material 201 covering the waist region to bend away from the assembly 44, providing an increased feeling of softness to the wearer, especially where the material 201 covering the waist region is softer and/or more flexible than the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 in the front waist region 12. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, it may generally be desirable that the length in the longitudinal direction of the unbonded region 132 is greater than 10 mm. In other embodiments, the unconnected area 132 may be greater than 15 mm, or greater than 20 mm, or greater than 25 mm, or greater than 30 mm, or greater than 35 mm, or greater than 40 mm, or greater than 50 mm. The unconnected area 132 may typically be less than 75 mm or less than 65 mm in any of the above embodiments.

Fig. 11 shows an example of a method 200' for producing absorbent articles 210 as described above. The method 200' can be similar in substance to the previously described method 200. For example, the method 200' can include similar steps of moving the absorbent assembly 44 in the process direction (PD), which can be in the form of a web 244 of the absorbent assembly as part of a web 211 of a base comprising a number of substrates 11a-d connected to each other. Similarly, the method 200' can include connecting the containment flaps 250, 252 to the body facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 (e.g., the body facing surface 245 of the web 244 of the absorbent assembly).

However, one difference of the method 200' is in the application of the adhesive 80 to the web 244 of the absorbent assembly. As shown in Fig. 11, the method 200' includes applying the adhesive 80 to the back region 14 of the waist of the base portion 11a and to the front region 12 of the waist of the base 11b. Like the method 200, the method 200' may, but does not necessarily, include applying the adhesive 80 to the back region 14 of the waist of the base portion with the transverse lower edge 63 having a recessed portion. In general, the adhesive 80 can be applied by one device for applying the adhesive with distribution between the base portions 11a, 11b. Since the adhesive 80 is applied to both the back waist region 14 and the front waist region 12 of the successive base portions 11a, 11b in the process direction PD, the adhesive 80 thus covers the described dividing line between the base portions 11a, 11b, which becomes the back waist edge 24 for the base portion 11a and the front waist edge 22 for the base portion 11b. For this reason, in the embodiments of the articles 210, the adhesive 80 can end both at the back waist edge 24 and at the front waist edge 22, and not be located at a distance from the edges 24, 22, as described with respect to other embodiments according to the present invention.

After applying the adhesive 80 to the web 244 of the absorbent assembly and spreading between the rear waist region 14 of the first base portion and the front waist region 12 of the second base portion, for example base portions 11a, 11b, the elastic waist member 54 can be applied to the adhesive 80 in the rear waist region 14 similar to the method 200. The method 200' can further include applying the adhesive 87a, 87b to the elastic waist member 54, as in the method 200, for example as shown in relation to the base portion 11c. Although in other contemplated embodiments, the adhesive forming a continuous region, such as the adhesive 85, as shown in Fig. 3A, 4A, can be applied to the elastic waist member 54.

Another difference between the method 200 and the method 200' is in the connection of the material 101 covering the waist region with the web 244 of the absorbent assembly. In the embodiment of the method 200', the material 101 covering the waist region is connected to the web 244 of the absorbent assembly both in the rear waist region 14 of the first base portion, such as the base portion 11d, and in the front waist region 12 of the second base portion, such as the base portion 11e. As can be seen, the material 101 covering the waist region covers the division line shown between the base portions 11d, 11e. Accordingly, the material 101 covering the waist region can be connected both to the rear waist region 14 of the first base part 11d and to the front waist region 12 of the second base part 11e by means of the adhesive 80 (and also to the elastic waist member 54, for example by means of the adhesive 87a, 87b).

One alternative embodiment of the method 200' is that the adhesive 80 is applied only to the back waist region 14 of the first chassis portion, such as the chassis portion 11a, similar to the adhesive 80 applied in the method 200. To attach the material 101 covering the waist region to the front waist region 12 of the chassis portion of the web 244 of the absorbent assembly, additional applications of adhesive to the front waist region 12, such as adhesive 187a, 187b, may be used. Adhesive 187a, 187b has been described with respect to the embodiments of absorbent articles 210 shown in Fig. 10B. In such an alternative method 200', adhesive 187a, 187b may be applied in conjunction with the application of adhesive 87a, 87b, such as by the same adhesive applicator. For example, after applying the adhesive 80 only to the back waist region 14 of the first base part, such as the base part 11a, the elastic waist member 54 can be applied to the adhesive 80. After that, the adhesive application device can apply the adhesive 187a, 187b to the front waist region 12 of the first base part, for example the base part 11d, and the adhesive 87a, 87b to the elastic waist member 54 in the back waist region 14 of the second base part, such as the base part 11c.

When the adhesive 187a, 187b, 87a and 87b has been applied to the front waist region 12 of the first base portion and the elastic waist member 54 in the back waist region 14 of the second base portion, the material 101 covering the waist region can be connected to both the front waist region 12 of the first base portion and the elastic waist member 54 in the back waist region 14, for example as shown in relation to the base portions 11d, 11e. Like the adhesive 80, the material 101, 201 covering the waist region of the articles 210 has edges 103, 205 that end at the front and back waist edges 22, 24, and are not located at a distance from the waist edges 22, 24, since the material 101 covering the waist region covers the dividing line between successive parts of the base, which becomes the front and back waist edges 22, 24 of successive articles 210 in the process direction PD.

After applying the material 101 covering the waist region, the method 200' may further include dividing the web 244 of the absorbent assembly into separate absorbent articles 210, as shown in Fig. 11. The dividing step includes cutting only the web 244 of the absorbent assembly containing the adhesive 80 and the material 101 covering the waist region, but not the elastic waist member 54. At this point, the material 101 covering the waist region has been divided into separate portions, wherein the first portion is attached to the back region 14 of the waist, for example relative to the portion 11e of the base, which will become the separate article 210, and the second portion is attached to the front region 12 of the waist, for example the article 210 of Fig. 11. The second portion becomes the material 201 covering the waist region after this division with the first portion of the material 101 covering the waist region. Finally, the continuation of the article 210 can be folded and possibly packaged. Such steps of separating, folding and/or packaging can be performed according to any method generally known in the art.

Fig. 12A, 12B illustrate other additional illustrative embodiments of absorbent articles according to aspects of the present invention. For example, Fig. 12A, 12B illustrates an example of an absorbent article 310 comprising a first elastic waist member 54 located in a back waist region 14 and a second elastic waist member 54 located in a front waist region 12. The articles 310 of Fig. 12A, 12B may be generally similar to the article 10 of Fig. 2 and are further shown with parts of the article 310 missing in order to more clearly depict the features of interest, as one example, the sealed flaps 50, 52. Additionally, similar to the articles 210, the embodiments according to the article 310 can have a material 101 covering the waist region located in the back waist region 14 and a material 201 covering the waist region located in the front waist region 12. Accordingly, in the embodiments of Fig. 12A, 12B, the article 310 can have a material 201 covering the waist region connected to the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 in the front waist region 12 and connected to at least a portion of the second elastic waist element 54 located in the front waist region 12.

Embodiments of absorbent article 310 may be similar to embodiments of any of articles 10, 110a, 110b, and in particular embodiment of article 210. For example, article 310 may comprise an elastic waist member 54 located in the back waist region 14 and connected to the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 by adhesive 80. Unlike embodiments of articles 10, 110a, 110b, and similar to embodiment of article 210, the region defined by adhesive 80 of article 310 may comprise an upper transverse edge 107 that ends at the back waist edge 24. Additionally, material 101 covering the waist region of article 310 may be positioned to also have a transverse upper edge 61 that ends at the back waist edge 24. According to at least some embodiments of article 310, adhesive 80 may be applied with a portion transverse lower edge 63, recessed to ensure the formation of a sealed pocket when the elastic waist element 54 is glued to the adhesive 80.

The article 310 may comprise an adhesive 81 located in the front waist region 12, similar to the article 210. For example, the adhesive 81 is shown as having first and second longitudinal side edges 186, 188, as well as upper and lower transverse edges 185, 189. The upper transverse edge 185 is located closer to the crotch region 16 than the lower transverse edge 189. The second elastic waist member 54 of the article 310 is connected to the adhesive 81 for securing the second elastic waist member 54 to the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44. Although generally shown as covering a rectangular area, the adhesive 81 may be shaped such that its upper transverse edge 185 is recessed toward the front waist edge 22 to form a sealed pocket, for example in a similar manner as described with respect to the adhesive 80 in the back waist region 14 article 110a according to Fig. 5. A second elastic waist element 54 is shown, having a transverse upper edge 261, a transverse lower edge 263, as well as first and second longitudinal side edges 272 and 274.

Like articles 210, article 310 further comprises a waist covering material 201 located in the front waist region 12 and connected to the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 at least partially by means of an adhesive 81. The waist covering material 201 comprises first and second longitudinal side edges 202, 204, an upper transverse edge 203 and a lower transverse edge 205. The upper transverse edge 203 is located closer to the crotch region 16 than the lower transverse edge 205. Additionally, the upper transverse edge 203 of the waist covering material 201 may be located closer to the crotch region 16 than the transverse upper edge 261 of the second elastic waist member 54. In other embodiments, the upper transverse edge 203 may be located in approximately the same position as the transverse upper edge 261, so that the upper transverse edge 203 and the transverse upper edge 261 overlapped in the vertical direction 33.

As shown in Fig. 12A, the edges 186, 188 and 185 are generally at a distance from the edges 202, 204 and 203 of the material 201 covering the waist region, so that the material 201 covering the waist region completely covers the area of the adhesive 81. Both edges 189 and 205 can end at the front waist edge 22. However, in some embodiments, the upper transverse edge 185 and the upper transverse edge 203 can overlap in the vertical direction 33 so that the edges 185, 203 are located at approximately the same distance from the crotch region 16. Typically, it may be undesirable to leave the area of the adhesive 85 uncovered by the material 201 covering the waist region and/or a layer of another material.

The material 201 covering the waist region is further connected to the second elastic waist member 54 at least partially by means of the adhesive 285, as shown in Fig. 12A. For example, before applying the material 201 covering the waist region, the adhesive 285 can be applied to the second elastic waist member 54. As shown, the area limited by the adhesive 285 can have upper, lower and longitudinal side edges, although these edges are not specifically indicated. Such edges can generally be spaced inward from the corresponding transverse upper and longitudinal side edges 261, 272 and 274 of the second elastic waist member 54. However, this may not necessarily be the case in all embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the upper transverse edge of the region limited by the adhesive 285 may overlap in the vertical direction 33 with the transverse upper edge 261. Although it may be important that the upper transverse edge of the region limited by the adhesive 285 does not pass closer to the crotch region 16 than the transverse upper edge 261 of the second elastic waist element 54 (or the material 201 covering the waist region, where the material 201 covering the waist region passes closer to the crotch region 16 than the second elastic waist element 54).

Of course, providing a continuous region of adhesive 285 is not the only way in which the material 201 covering the waist region can be connected to the second elastic waist member 54. For example, as shown in Fig. 12B, the material 201 covering the waist region can be connected to the second elastic waist member 54 by at least a first connection and a second connection, such as adhesive 187a, 187b. The adhesive 187a, 187b may be lines or stripes of adhesive 187a located near the transverse lower edge 263 of the second elastic waist member 54, and adhesive 187b located near the transverse upper edge 261 of the second elastic waist member 54. The adhesive 187a, 187b may generally be similar to the adhesive 87a, 87b described earlier with respect to embodiments of the article 10, for example having similar longitudinal lengths extending in the longitudinal direction 30. Additionally, the adhesive 187a, 187b may be at similar distances from the transverse lower edge 263 and the transverse upper edge 261, as described for the adhesive 87a, 87b relative to the edges 63, 61 of the elastic waist member 54 of the article 10. Additional embodiments of the article 310 are provided that comprise connections in addition to the adhesive 187a, 187b, such as one, two, three, four or more additional connections, such as additional lines or areas of glue.

Additionally, the arrangement of the adhesive 187a, 187b and any other connections connecting the material 201 covering the waist region to the second elastic waist member 54 may be selected such that there is an unbonded region 232 where the material 201 covering the waist region is not connected to the second elastic waist member 54. Such an unbonded region 232 may provide the advantage of allowing the material 201 covering the waist region to bend away from the second elastic waist member 54, providing an increased feeling of softness to the wearer, especially where the material 201 covering the waist region is softer and/or more flexible than the second elastic waist member 54. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, it may generally be desirable that the length in the longitudinal direction of the unbonded region 232 is greater than 10 mm. In other embodiments, the non-bonded area 232 may be greater than 15 mm, or greater than 20 mm, or greater than 25 mm, or greater than 30 mm, or greater than 35 mm, or greater than 40 mm, or greater than 50 mm. The non-bonded area 232 may typically be less than 75 mm or less than 65 mm in any of the above embodiments.

Fig. 13 shows an example of a method 200'' for producing absorbent articles 310 as described above. The method 200'' may be similar in substance to the previously described method 200'. For example, the method 200'' may include similar steps of moving the absorbent assembly 44 in the process direction (PD) of the method, which may be in the form of a web 244 of the absorbent assembly as part of a web 211 of a base comprising a series of interconnected bases 11a-e. Similarly, the method 200'' may include connecting the containment flaps 250, 252 to the body facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 (e.g., the body facing surface 245 of the web 244 of the absorbent assembly).

However, one difference of the method 200'' is the additional application of the second elastic waist element 54, located in the front region 12 of the waist of the base part, as shown in relation to the base part 11b. The application of the second elastic waist element 54 can be close in time to the application of the first elastic waist element 54, located in the back region 14 of the waist, for example, as shown in relation to the base part 11b of the web 244 of the absorbent unit. The first elastic waist element 54 and the second elastic waist element 54 can be applied by the same module for applying elastic waist elements or by separate modules for applying elastic waist elements, arranged sequentially. Like the first elastic waist element 54, located in the back region 14 of the waist, the second elastic waist element 54 is applied after the application of the adhesive 80.

After applying both the first elastic waist member 54 and the second elastic waist member 54, the method 200'' includes applying adhesive to both the first elastic waist member 54 and the second elastic waist member 54. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, adhesive 87a, 87b can be applied to the first elastic waist member 54 located in the rear waist region 14 of the base portion 11c. Adhesive 187a, 187b can be further applied to the second elastic waist member 54 located in the front waist region 12 of the base portion 11c. However, in other contemplated embodiments, adhesive forming a continuous region, such as adhesive 85, as shown in Fig. 3A, 4A, may be applied to either or both of the first elastic waist member 54 and the second elastic waist member at the location of the adhesive 87a, 87b and/or 187a, 187b.

The method 200'' may further include, like the method 200', joining the waist region covering material 101 to the absorbent assembly web 244. Like the method 200', the method 200'' includes applying the waist region covering material 101 to the absorbent assembly web 244 in both the rear waist region 14 of the first chassis portion, such as the chassis portion 11d, and the front waist region 12 of the second chassis portion, such as the chassis portion 11e. More particularly, in the embodiment of FIG. 13, the method 200'' includes bonding the material 101 covering the waist region with the adhesive 80 and the first elastic waist member 54 (by means of the adhesive 87a, 87b) in the rear waist region 14 of the base portion 11d and the adhesive 80 and the second elastic waist member 54 (by means of the adhesive s187a, 187b) in the front waist region 12 of the base portion 11e.

As shown in the main embodiment of Fig. 13, the material 101 covering the waist region may cover a separation line shown between the parts 11d, 11e of the base. After applying the material 101 covering the waist region, the method 200'' may further include dividing the web 244 of the absorbent assembly into separate absorbent articles 310, as shown in Fig. 13. The dividing step includes cutting the web 244 of the absorbent assembly containing the adhesive 80 and the material 101 covering the waist region at a location located between the first elastic waist member 54 and the second elastic waist member 54, for example, as can be seen in relation to the article 310 and the part 11e of the base. At this point, the waist covering material 101 has been divided into separate portions, with the first portion being attached to the back waist region 14 and the second portion being attached to the front waist region 12. The second portion becomes the waist covering material 102 after this division with the first portion of the waist covering material 101.

As can be seen, the material 101, 201 covering the waist region has edges 103, 205 that end at the front and back waist edges 22, 24, and are not at a distance from the waist edges 22, 24, since the material 101 covering the waist region covers the separation line between successive parts of the base, which becomes the front and back waist edges 22, 24 of successive articles 310 in the process direction PD. Finally, in continuation, the article 310 can be folded and possibly packed. Such steps of separation, folding and/or packing can be carried out in accordance with any method generally known in the art.

All documents mentioned in the detailed description are incorporated herein by reference in relevant part, and the citation of any document shall 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 the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition as the term is used in this written document shall control.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the present invention.

Implementation options

Embodiment 1: An absorbent article comprising a front waist region comprising a front waist edge, a back waist region comprising a back waist edge, a crotch region located between the front waist region and the back waist region, a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction, and a transverse axis extending in the transverse direction, wherein the absorbent article comprises a base comprising an absorbent main part, wherein the base comprises a body-facing surface; a first adhesive located on the body-facing surface of the base; an elastic waist member connected to the body-facing surface of the base by a first adhesive; a second adhesive located on the elastic waist member; and a material covering the waist region, connected to the elastic waist member by a second adhesive.

Embodiment 2: An absorbent article according to embodiment 1, in which a portion of the material covering the waist region can extend beyond the boundary of the elastic waist element, wherein the portion of the material covering the waist region extending beyond the boundary of the elastic waist element is bonded to the body-facing surface of the base with a first adhesive.

Embodiment 3: An absorbent article according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the second adhesive may be located directly on the first adhesive.

Embodiment 4: An absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the second adhesive may comprise at least two adhesive regions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction.

Embodiment 5: The absorbent article according to embodiment 4, further comprising an unbonded region where the material covering the waist region is detached from the elastic waist element located between at least two adhesive regions, the unbonded region may have a length in the longitudinal direction greater than 10 mm.

Embodiment 6: The absorbent article of embodiment 5, wherein the unbonded region may have a length in the longitudinal direction greater than 20 mm.

Embodiment 7: An absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 4-6, wherein each of the at least two adhesive regions has a length in the longitudinal direction less than 10 mm.

Embodiment 8: An absorbent article according to any of embodiments 1-7, wherein the material covering the waist region has a transverse upper edge and a transverse lower edge, wherein the transverse upper edge is located closer to the back waist edge than the transverse lower edge, and wherein the transverse upper edge can be spaced from the back waist edge by a distance of more than 3 mm.

Embodiment 9: An absorbent article according to any of embodiments 1-8, wherein the material covering the waist region has a transverse upper edge and a transverse lower edge, wherein the transverse upper edge is located closer to the back waist edge than the transverse lower edge, and wherein the transverse upper edge can be located approximately in the same longitudinal position as the back waist edge, so that the transverse upper edge and the back waist edge overlap in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction.

Embodiment 10: An absorbent article according to any of embodiments 1-9, wherein the material covering the waist region has a transverse upper edge and a transverse lower edge, wherein the transverse upper edge is located closer to the back waist edge than the transverse lower edge, wherein the elastic waist element has an upper transverse edge and a lower transverse edge, wherein the upper transverse edge is located closer to the back waist edge than the lower transverse edge, and wherein the transverse lower edge of the material covering the waist region can be located closer to the crotch region than the lower transverse edge of the elastic waist element.

Embodiment 11: An absorbent article according to any of embodiments 1-10, wherein the material covering the waist area has a transverse upper edge and a transverse lower edge, wherein the transverse upper edge is located closer to the back waist edge than the transverse lower edge, wherein the elastic waist element has an upper transverse edge and a lower transverse edge, wherein the upper transverse edge is located closer to the back waist edge than the lower transverse edge, and wherein the lower transverse edge of the elastic waist element can be located closer to the crotch area than the transverse lower edge of the material covering the waist area.

Embodiment 12: An absorbent article according to any of embodiments 1-11, wherein the first adhesive has an upper transverse edge and a lower transverse edge, wherein the upper transverse edge is located closer to the back waist edge than the lower transverse edge, wherein the lower transverse edge optionally further comprises a recessed portion located closer to the upper transverse edge than other, non-recessed, portions of the lower transverse edge.

Embodiment 13: An absorbent article comprising a front waist region comprising a front waist edge, a back waist region comprising a back waist edge, a crotch region located between the front waist region and the back waist region, a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction, and a transverse axis extending in the transverse direction, wherein the absorbent article comprises: a base comprising an absorbent body, wherein the base comprises a body-facing surface; a first adhesive located on the body-facing surface of the base in the back waist region; an elastic waist member connected to the body-facing surface of the base in the back waist region by the first adhesive; a first material covering the waist region, connected to the body-facing surface of the base and located entirely in the back waist region, wherein the first material covering the waist region covers at least part of the elastic waist element and has a transverse upper edge and a transverse lower edge, wherein the transverse upper edge is located closer to the back waist edge than the transverse lower edge; and a second material covering the waist region, connected to the body-facing surface of the base and located entirely in the front waist region, and having a transverse upper edge and a transverse lower edge, wherein the transverse upper edge is located closer to the crotch region than the transverse lower edge, wherein the first material covering the waist region and the second material covering the waist region are formed from the same material. The transverse upper edge of the first material covering the waist area can be located approximately in the same longitudinal position as the back waist edge, so that the transverse upper edge and the back waist edge overlap in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, and the transverse lower edge of the second material covering the waist area can be located approximately in the same longitudinal position as the front waist edge, so that the transverse lower edge and the front waist edge overlap vertically.

Embodiment 14: The absorbent article according to embodiment 13, wherein the second material covering the waist region can be bonded to the body-facing surface of the base with a second adhesive, wherein the first adhesive and the second adhesive comprise the same adhesive.

Embodiment 15: The absorbent article according to embodiment 14, wherein the first adhesive and the second adhesive can be applied by the same adhesive applicator.

Embodiment 16: An absorbent article according to any of embodiments 13-15, further comprising a third adhesive located on the elastic waist member, wherein the first material covering the waist region is connected to the elastic waist member by the third adhesive.

Embodiment 17: The absorbent article of embodiment 16, wherein the third adhesive may comprise at least two adhesive regions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction.

Embodiment 18: The absorbent article of embodiment 17, further comprising an unbonded region where the material covering the waist region is detached from the elastic waist element located between at least two adhesive regions, wherein the unbonded region has a length in the longitudinal direction greater than 10 mm.

Embodiment 19: The absorbent article of embodiment 18, wherein the unbonded region may have a longitudinal length greater than 20 mm.

Embodiment 20: An absorbent article according to any of embodiments 13-19, further comprising a second adhesive located in the front waist region and an elastic waist element connected to the body-facing surface of the base in the front waist region with the second adhesive, wherein the second material covering the waist region can at least partially cover the elastic waist element connected to the body-facing surface of the base in the front waist region.

Embodiment 21: The absorbent article according to embodiment 20, further comprising a fourth adhesive located on the elastic waist member connected to the body-facing surface of the base in the front waist region, and wherein the second material covering the waist region can be connected to the elastic waist member connected to the body-facing surface of the base in the front waist region by the fourth adhesive.

Embodiment 22: The absorbent article of embodiment 21, wherein the fourth adhesive may comprise at least two adhesive regions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction.

Embodiment 23: The absorbent article according to embodiment 22, further comprising an unbonded region where the material covering the waist region is detached from the elastic waist element located between at least two adhesive regions, the unbonded region may optionally have a length in the longitudinal direction greater than 10 mm.

Embodiment 24: The absorbent article of embodiment 23, wherein the unbonded region may have a longitudinal length greater than 20 mm.

Embodiment 25: An absorbent article according to any of embodiments 13-24, wherein the first adhesive has an upper transverse edge and a lower transverse edge, wherein the upper transverse edge is located closer to the back waist edge than the lower transverse edge, and wherein the upper transverse edge can be located in approximately the same longitudinal position as the back waist edge, so that the upper transverse edge and the back waist edge overlap in the vertical direction.

Embodiment 26: An absorbent article according to any of embodiments 14-25, wherein the second adhesive has an upper transverse edge and a lower transverse edge, wherein the lower transverse edge is located closer to the front waist edge than the upper transverse edge, and wherein the lower transverse edge can be located in approximately the same longitudinal position as the front waist edge, so that the lower transverse edge and the front waist edge overlap in the vertical direction.

Embodiment 27: An absorbent article according to any of embodiments 13-26, wherein the first adhesive has an upper transverse edge and a lower transverse edge, wherein the upper transverse edge is located closer to the back waist edge than the lower transverse edge, and the lower transverse edge may comprise a recessed portion located closer to the upper transverse edge than other, non-recessed, portions of the lower transverse edge.

Embodiment 28: An absorbent article according to any of embodiments 14-27, wherein the second adhesive has an upper transverse edge and a lower transverse edge, wherein the lower transverse edge is located closer to the front waist edge than the upper transverse edge, and wherein the upper transverse edge may comprise a recessed portion located closer to the lower transverse edge than other, non-recessed, portions of the upper transverse edge.

Embodiment 29: A method for forming absorbent articles, comprising: moving a base web in a machine direction, wherein the base web comprises an outer cover, an absorbent core and a body-facing surface of the base web; applying a first adhesive to the body-facing surface of the base web, wherein the first adhesive defines a first adhesive region; connecting an elastic waist member to the base web with the first adhesive; applying a second adhesive to the elastic waist member; connecting a material covering the waist area to the elastic waist member with the second adhesive; separating the base web to form a separate absorbent article, wherein the separating step includes cutting a portion of the base web containing the first adhesive and the material covering the waist area, but not the elastic waist member.

Embodiment 30: The method according to embodiment 29, in which the elastic waist member can be placed on the base web so that the elastic waist member covers only a portion of the first adhesive, such that a portion of the first adhesive remains uncovered by the elastic waist member.

Embodiment 31: The method according to embodiment 29 or 30, wherein the applied first adhesive may have a lower transverse edge and an upper transverse edge, wherein the lower transverse edge comprises a recessed portion located closer to the upper transverse edge than other, non-recessed, portions of the lower transverse edge.

Embodiment 32: The method according to any one of embodiments 29-31, wherein the second adhesive may comprise at least two adhesive regions spaced apart in the machine direction.

Embodiment 33: The method according to embodiment 32, further comprising an unbonded region where the material covering the waist region can be detached from the elastic waist member located between at least two adhesive regions, wherein the unbonded region has a length in the machine direction greater than 10 mm.

Embodiment 34: The method according to embodiment 33, wherein the unbonded region may have a length in the longitudinal direction greater than 20 mm.

Embodiment 35: The method according to any one of embodiments 29-34, in which the base web may comprise a plurality of separation lines, wherein the base web is separated to form separate absorbent articles, and wherein the separation of the base web along the first separation line may form a front waist edge of a first absorbent article separated from the base web, and the resulting front edge of the base web forms a back waist edge of a second absorbent article, wherein the second absorbent article is separated from the base web by separating the base web along a second separation line, wherein the second separation line follows the first separation line in the machine direction.

Embodiment 36: The method of embodiment 35, wherein applying the first adhesive to the body-facing surface of the base web may include applying the first adhesive so that it intersects the separation line.

Embodiment 37: The method according to embodiment 35 or 36, wherein connecting the material covering the waist region to the elastic waist element with the second adhesive may further include connecting the material covering the waist region to a portion of the first adhesive, wherein the elastic waist element may be located on the next rear portion of the base web relative to the adjacent division line, and wherein at least a portion of the portion of the first adhesive connected to the material covering the waist region may be located on the front portion of the base web relative to the adjacent division line.

Embodiment 38: The method according to embodiment 36 or 37, in which connecting the elastic waist element to the base web with the first adhesive may include connecting the first elastic waist element to the first adhesive on the next rear portion of the base web relative to the adjacent division line, and may further include connecting the second elastic waist element to the base web with the first adhesive on the front portion of the base web relative to the adjacent division line.

Embodiment 39: The method according to embodiment 38, further comprising applying a third adhesive to the second elastic waist member and bonding the material covering the waist region to the third adhesive.

Embodiment 40: The method according to embodiment 39, wherein the third adhesive may comprise at least two adhesive regions spaced apart in the machine direction.

Embodiment 41: The method according to embodiment 40, further comprising an unbonded region where the material covering the waist region can be detached from the second elastic waist element located between at least two adhesive regions, wherein the unbonded region has a length in the machine direction greater than 10 mm.

Embodiment 42: The method according to embodiment 41, wherein the unbonded region may have a length in the longitudinal direction greater than 20 mm.

Embodiment 43: The method according to any one of embodiments 38-42, in which the step of separating the base web to form a separate absorbent article may include cutting a portion of the base web containing the first adhesive and the material covering the waist region and located between the first elastic waist member and the second elastic waist member.

Embodiment 44: The method of any one of embodiments 29-43, further comprising folding the separated individual absorbent article.

Claims (39)

1. An absorbent article comprising a front waist region comprising a front waist edge, a back waist region comprising a back waist edge, a crotch region located between the front waist region and the back waist region, a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction, and a transverse axis extending in the transverse direction, wherein the absorbent article comprises: a base comprising an absorbent core, wherein the base comprises a body-facing surface; the first adhesive located on the surface of the base facing the body; an elastic waist element connected to the body-facing surface of the base with a first adhesive; a second adhesive located on the elastic waist element; and a material covering the waist area, connected to the elastic waist element with a second adhesive, wherein a portion of the material covering the waist area extends beyond the boundary of the elastic waist element, wherein the portion of the material covering the waist area, extending beyond the boundary of the elastic waist element, is connected to the body-facing surface of the base with a first adhesive. 2. An absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that at least part of the second adhesive is located directly on the first adhesive. 3. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second adhesive comprises at least two adhesive regions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. 4. An absorbent article according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises an unbonded region where the material covering the waist region is detached from the elastic waist element located between at least two adhesive regions, wherein the unbonded region has a length in the longitudinal direction of more than 10 mm. 5. An absorbent article according to item 4, characterized in that the unbonded region has a length in the longitudinal direction greater than 20 mm. 6. An absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs 3-5, characterized in that each of at least two adhesive areas has a length in the longitudinal direction less than 10 mm. 7. An absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs 1-6, characterized in that the material covering the waist area has a transverse upper edge and a transverse lower edge, wherein the transverse upper edge is located closer to the back waist edge than the transverse lower edge, and wherein the transverse upper edge is spaced from the back waist edge by a distance of more than 3 mm. 8. An absorbent article comprising a front waist region comprising a front waist edge, a back waist region comprising a back waist edge, a crotch region located between the front waist region and the back waist region, a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction, and a transverse axis extending in the transverse direction, wherein the absorbent article comprises: a base comprising an absorbent core, wherein the base comprises a body-facing surface; the first adhesive located on the body-facing surface of the base in the back waist area; an elastic waist element connected to the body-facing surface of the base at the back waist area with a first adhesive; a first material covering the waist region, connected to the body-facing surface of the base and located entirely in the back waist region, wherein the first material covering the waist region covers at least a portion of the elastic waist element and has a transverse upper edge and a transverse lower edge, wherein the transverse upper edge is located closer to the back waist edge than the transverse lower edge; and a second material covering the waist area, connected to the body-facing surface of the base and located entirely in the front waist area, and having a transverse upper edge and a transverse lower edge, wherein the transverse upper edge is located closer to the crotch area than the transverse lower edge, wherein the first material covering the waist area and the second material covering the waist area are formed from the same material, wherein the transverse upper edge of the first material covering the waist area is located in the same longitudinal position as the back waist edge, so that the transverse upper edge and the back waist edge overlap in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, and wherein the transverse lower edge of the second material covering the waist area is located in the same longitudinal position as the front waist edge, so that the transverse lower edge and the front waist edge overlap vertically. 9. An absorbent article according to claim 8, characterized in that it additionally contains a second adhesive located on the elastic waist element, wherein the first material covering the waist area is connected to the elastic waist element by the second adhesive. 10. An absorbent article according to claim 9, further comprising a third adhesive located on the elastic waist element, wherein the first material covering the waist area is connected to the elastic waist element by the third adhesive, characterized in that the third adhesive comprises at least two adhesive regions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. 11. An absorbent article according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises an unbonded region where the material covering the waist region is detached from the elastic waist element located between at least two adhesive regions, wherein the unbonded region has a length in the longitudinal direction of more than 10 mm. 12. An absorbent article according to item 11, characterized in that the unbonded region has a length in the longitudinal direction greater than 20 mm. 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that it further comprises a second adhesive located in the front waist region and an elastic waist element connected to the body-facing surface of the base in the front waist region with a second adhesive, wherein the second material covering the waist region at least partially covers the elastic waist element connected to the body-facing surface of the base in the front waist region. 14. An absorbent article according to claim 13, characterized in that it additionally contains a fourth adhesive located on an elastic waist element connected to the body-facing surface of the base in the front waist area, and wherein the second material covering the waist area is connected to the elastic waist element connected to the body-facing surface of the base in the front waist area by a fourth adhesive. 15. An absorbent article according to claim 14, characterized in that the fourth adhesive comprises at least two adhesive regions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. 16. An absorbent article according to claim 15, characterized in that it further comprises an unbonded region where the material covering the waist region is detached from the elastic waist element located between at least two adhesive regions, wherein the unbonded region has a length in the longitudinal direction greater than 10 mm. 17. A method for producing absorbent articles, comprising: moving the base web in the machine direction, wherein the base web comprises an outer covering, an absorbent main part and a body-facing surface of the base web; applying a first adhesive to the body-facing surface of the base fabric, whereby the first adhesive defines a first adhesive area; joining the elastic waist element to the base fabric with the first glue; applying a second adhesive to the elastic waist element; connecting the material covering the waist area to the elastic waist element with a second adhesive, wherein connecting the material covering the waist area to the elastic waist element with the second adhesive further comprises connecting the material covering the waist area to a portion of the first adhesive; and separating the base web to form a separate absorbent article, wherein the separating step includes cutting a portion of the base web containing the first adhesive and the material covering the waist area, but not the elastic waist member. 18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the base web comprises a plurality of separation lines, wherein the base web is separated to form separate absorbent articles, and wherein the separation of the base web along the first separation line forms the front waist edge of the first absorbent article separated from the base web, and the resulting front edge of the base web forms the rear waist edge of the second absorbent article, wherein the second absorbent article is separated from the base web by separating the base web along the second separation line, wherein the second separation line follows the first separation line in the machine direction. 19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that applying the first adhesive to the body-facing surface of the base fabric includes applying the first adhesive in such a way that it crosses the dividing line. 20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the elastic waist element is located on the next rear part of the base fabric relative to the adjacent dividing line, and at least part of the part of the first adhesive connected to the material covering the waist area is located on the front part of the base fabric relative to the adjacent dividing line.