CA2287069C - Disposable body fluids absorbent article - Google Patents
Disposable body fluids absorbent article Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2287069C CA2287069C CA002287069A CA2287069A CA2287069C CA 2287069 C CA2287069 C CA 2287069C CA 002287069 A CA002287069 A CA 002287069A CA 2287069 A CA2287069 A CA 2287069A CA 2287069 C CA2287069 C CA 2287069C
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- body fluids
- crests
- pleats
- troughs
- absorbent article
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/51—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the outer layers
- A61F13/511—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin
- A61F13/513—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin characterised by its function or properties, e.g. stretchability, breathability, rewet, visual effect; having areas of different permeability
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/51—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the outer layers
- A61F13/511—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin
- A61F13/51104—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin the top sheet having a three-dimensional cross-section, e.g. corrugations, embossments, recesses or projections
- A61F13/51108—Topsheet, i.e. the permeable cover or layer facing the skin the top sheet having a three-dimensional cross-section, e.g. corrugations, embossments, recesses or projections the top sheet having corrugations or embossments having one axis relatively longer than the other axis, e.g. forming channels or grooves in a longitudinal direction
Abstract
A disposable body fluids absorbent article includes a topsheet 2 made of nonwoven fabric, the topsheet being formed with a plurality of pleats 5 extending substantially in one direction. Crests 7 and troughs 8 of the pleats 5 have a relatively high density and side walls 9 defined between the crests 7 and the troughs 8 have a relatively low density.
The article having such topsheet 2 allow an absorption capacity of an absorbent core of the article to be utilized as efficiently as possible.
The article having such topsheet 2 allow an absorption capacity of an absorbent core of the article to be utilized as efficiently as possible.
Description
DISPOSABLE BODY FLUIDS ABSORBENT ARTICLE
This invention relates to a disposable body fluids absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin or a disposable diaper and more particularly to such an article including a liquid-pervious topsheet formed with a plurality of pleats.
Japanese Patent Application Disclosure Gazette (Kokai) No. Hei7-328061 discloses a sanitary napkin in which a liquid-pervious topsheet made of a nonwoven fabric formed with a plurality of high density zones and low density zones alternately arranged in a stripe-pattern. The high density zones have their upper surface covered with plastic film.
The low density zones are protuberant relatively to the upper surface of the high density zones.
The topsheet of the napkin allows menstrual fluid to spread rapidly toward longitudinally opposite ends of the napkin along the high density zones extending in the stripe-pattern after menstrual fluid has transferred from the low density zones to the high density zones. Accordingly, the napkin allows an absorption capacity of a body fluids absorbent core to be efficiently utilized not only in a central region of the napkin on which menstrual fluid is discharged but also in the longitudinally opposite ends of the napkin.
With the known napkin, the presence of the high density zones enables the absorption capacity of the napkin to be efficiently utilized also in the longitudinally opposite ends thereof. However, the high density zones covered with the plastic film can not directly absorb menstrual fluid and, as a result, a rate of menstrual fluid absorption can not be improved as much as expected from a large surface area of the topsheet.
It is an object of the present invention to utilize an absorption capacity of a disposable body fluids absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin as efficiently as possible without deteriorating a rate of body fluids absorption.
According to the present invention, there is provided a disposable body fluids absorbent article including a body fluids absorbent core having a surface thereof at least partially covered with a liquid-pervious sheet of nonwoven fabric, the nonwoven fabric being partially formed with a plurality of alternately arranged high density zones and low density zones extending substantially in one direction. The topsheet is formed by thermoplastic synthetic fibers having a basis weight of 20 -- 80 g/m2 and formed with a plurality of pleats extending in the one direction, the pleats repeating undulation transversely of the one direction, the high density zones being defined by crests and troughs of the pleats and the low density zones being defined between the crests and troughs, and the troughs being in contact with a surface of the absorbent core.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a depth from the crest to the trough of the pleat is 1 - 10 mm and a distance between each pair of adjacent crests is 1 - 15 mm.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a density of the high density zone is 0.08 - 0.25 g / cm3 .
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a width of the high density zone is 0.5 - 3 mm.
According to further another embodiment of the present invention, the high density zones continuously extend in the one direction.
According to an additional embodiment of the present invention, the high density zones intermittently extend in the one direction.
Fig.l is a perspective view showing a sanitary napkin according to a specific embodiment of the present invention as partially broken away;
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along a line II-II in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a plan view a sanitary napkin according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a sanitary napkin according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a sanitary napkin according to further another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Details of a disposable body fluids absorbent article according to the present invention will be more fully understood from the description given hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A napkin 1 shown by Fig. 1 in a perspective view as partially broken away is larger in its longitudinal direction and includes a liquid-pervious topsheet 2, a liquid-impervious backsheet 3 and a liquid-absorbent core 4 having its upper and lower surfaces 6A, 6B covered with these two sheets 2, 3, respectively. The topsheet 2 and the backsheet -S-3 are placed upon and bonded to each other along their portions extending outward beyond a peripheral edge of the core 4.
The topsheet 2 is formed by a nonwoven fabric made of thermoplastic synthetic fibers and provided with a plurality of pleats 5 arranged symmetrically with respect to a center line C-C dividing a width of the napkin 1 in two. The pleats extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the napkin 1. More exactly, of crests 7 of these pleats 5, a crest 7A extending just above the center line C-C is rectilinear and crests 7B, 7C, ... and crests 7b, 7c, ...
extending symmetrically with respect to the center line C-C
are gently curved. These curved crests 7B, 7C, ... and 7b, 7c, ... are formed so that they progressively become shorter as they go far off from the center line C-C.
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along a line II-II in Fig. 1. The pleats 5 of the topsheet 2 have, in addition to the crests 7 (7A, 7B, 7C, ..., 7b, 7c, ...), troughs 8 (8A, 8B, ..., 8b, 8c, ...) and side walls 9 (9A, 9B, :.., 9a, 9b, ...) extending between the crests 7 and the troughs 8, respectively. The nonwoven fabric forming the topsheet 2 have been firmly compressed at the crests 7 and troughs 8 under heating or not under heating. Consequently, the nonwoven fabric is relatively thin and has a relatively low density at these crests 7 and troughs 8. The side walls 9 have been substantially not compressed or slightly compressed. Therefore, the nonwoven fabric is relatively thick and has a relatively low density at these side walls 9.
A distance between each pair of adjacent crests 7 in the pleats 7 is herein represented by P and a depth from the crests 7 to the troughs 8 is herein represent by D.
The nonwoven fabric as stock material for the topsheet 2 may be selected from a group consisting of, in addition to a spun bond nonwoven fabric or a melt bond nonwoven fabric or the like made of suitable synthetic fibers such as of polyethylene, polypropyrene, nylon or polyester. However, a nonwoven fabric made of conjugated fibers, particularly of crimped conjugated fibers is more preferable as the stock material for the topsheet 2. Preferably, such nonwoven fabric has a fineness of 1 - 6 deniers, a basis weight of 20 - 80 g/mz and a density of 0.025 - 0.05 g/cm3. The pleats 5 formed by the nonwoven fabric is defined by the distance P
between each pair of adjacent crests 7 preferably of 1 - 15 mm, more preferably of 2 - 10 mm and the depth D from the crests 7 to the troughs 8 preferably of 1 - 10 mm, more preferably of 1 - 5 mm. The density at the crests 7 as well _7_ as at the troughs 8 is preferably as high as 0.08 - 0.25 g/cm3 particularly along a width of 0.5 - 3 mm.
The core having its upper surface 6A covered with the topsheet 2 comprises fluff pulp or a mixture of fluff pulp and superabsorptive polymer particles. The core 4 is in contact with the pleats 5 defined by the crests 7, the troughs 8 and the side walls 9 at least the troughs 8, preferably in contact also with the inner surfaces of the respective side walls 9 as shown, more preferably in contact also with the inner surfaces of the respective crests 7.
Along a peripheral region of the napkin 1 surrounding the pleats 5, the core 4 is in contact also with the inner surface of the topsheet 2. The core 4 and the topsheet 2 may be locally bonded to each other by means of suitable adhesive agent such as hot melt adhesive or heat-sealing technique in order to ensure that the core 4 is kept in contact with the topsheet 2.
The backsheet 3 covering the lower surface 6B of the core 4 is formed by a plastic film and bonded to the topsheet 2 along its peripheral edge by means of suitable adhesive agent or sealing technique. The backsheet 3 is applied on its lower surface with suitable adhesive agent 16 by which the napkin 1 is separably fastened to the shorts worn by a _g_ napkin wearer and the adhes ive agent 16 is covered with a release paper sheet 17.
With the napkin 1 put on the wearer's body, a portion of menstrual fluid discharged on a central zone of the napkin 1 is absorbed by the crests 7 of higher density, then spreaded along the crests 7 toward longitudinally opposite ends of the napkin 1 and from there absorbed into the core 4.
The remainder of menstrual fluid flowing down along the side walls 9 toward the troughs 8 of the pleats 5 is rapidly absorbed by the troughs 8 of higher density and then immediately transferred to the core 4, or spreaded along the troughs 8 toward the opposite ends of the napkin 1 before absorbed into the core 4. Menstrual fluid can relatively freely flow along the troughs 8 of the pleats 5 toward the longitudinally opposite ends of the napkin 1. In this manner, the napkin 1 allows menstrual fluid to flow rapidly from its central zone toward the longitudinally opposite ends and thereby allows an absorption capacity of the longitudinally larger core 4 to be utilized as efficiently as possible. On the other hand, a transverse flow of menstrual fluid is obstructed by the side walls 9 of the pleats 5 and therefore it is not apprehended that a portion of menstrual fluid might leak sideways. For the napkin generally configured to be larger in its longitudinal direction, it is the important feature of the napkin 1 according to the present invention, from the viewpoint of preventing menstrual fluid from leaking sideways, that the napkin 1 can facilitate menstrual fluid to transfer in the longitudinal direction but restrain menstrual fluid from transferring in the transverse direction.
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are plan views showing preferred embodiments of the napkin 1 according to the present invention. In the case of the napkin 1 shown in Fig. 3, symmetrically with respect to the center line C-C the topsheet 2 is formed with a plurality of pleats 5 having the crests 7B, 7C, ..., 7b, 7c, ... and the troughs 8B, 8C, ..., 8b, 8c, ... extending in parallel to the troughs substantially in the longitudinal direction of the napkin 1.
More exactly, these pleats 5 are gently curved toward the center line C-C and progressively become longer as they go far off from the center line C-C. In the case of the napkin 1 shown in Fig. 4, the crests 7B, 7C, ..., 7b, 7c, ... and the troughs 8B, 8C, ..., 8b, 8c, ... defining the respective pleats 5 extend in parallel one to another as well as to said center line C-C and longitudinal dimensions of the respective crests are uniform. The napkin 1 shown in Fig. 5 is similar to the napkin 1 shown in Fig. 4 except that the crests 7B, 7C, ..., 7b, 7c, ... and the troughs 8B, 8C, ... 8b, 8c, ...
continuously extending between the longitudinal opposite ends of the napkin 1 shown in Fig. 4 are respectively divided into short sections in the case of the napkin 1 shown in Fig. 5.
For example, the crest 7B extending in parallel to the center line C-C comprises a plurality of relatively short crests 31, 32, 33, ... intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction. Each of these short crests 31, 32, 33, ...
preferably has a length of 1 - 10 mm and a distance between each pair of adjacent crests 31, 32, 33, ... is preferably 0.3 - 1 mm. By dividing the crests as well as the troughs in this manner, the napkin 1 can be flexibly curved along a crotch region of the shorts worn by the napkin wearer. The distance between each pair of adjacent crests of each pleat is sufficiently small to ensure that menstrual fluid can rapidly spread in the longitudinal direction.
To realize the present invention, the topsheet 2 may be formed by a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric or a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric. When a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric is used, the crests 7 and the troughs 8 may be locally treated to become hydrophilic. The topsheet 2 as has been described above in the connection with the sanitary napkin 1 as a specific embodiment of the present invention can be used also as the topsheet for the other various disposable body fluids absorbent articles such as disposable diaper and shorts for incontinent patient.
The disposable body fluids absorbent article according to the present invention allows body fluids to spread along the pleats formed on the topsheet, particularly along the crests and the troughs thereof both having relatively high densities to the longitudinally opposite ends of the napkin.
Accordingly, the absorption capacity of the core can be utilized as efficiently as possible so that much amount of body fluids may be absorbed and undesirable leakage of body fluids may be effectively avoided. The pleats function to prevent body fluids from flowing transversely thereof and improves an effect of preventing body fluids from leaking sideways. The troughs having a relatively high density promote body fluids to transfer from the crests toward the troughs. Furthermore, the pleats characterizing the article according to the present invention provide a surface area of the garment serving to absorb body fluids larger than such surface area provided by the flat topsheet and thereby improve a rate of body fluids absorption. The pleats not only contribute to improvement in body fluids absorbing ability of the napkin but also make the topsheet cushiony and provide the article according to the present invention with a soft touch.
This invention relates to a disposable body fluids absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin or a disposable diaper and more particularly to such an article including a liquid-pervious topsheet formed with a plurality of pleats.
Japanese Patent Application Disclosure Gazette (Kokai) No. Hei7-328061 discloses a sanitary napkin in which a liquid-pervious topsheet made of a nonwoven fabric formed with a plurality of high density zones and low density zones alternately arranged in a stripe-pattern. The high density zones have their upper surface covered with plastic film.
The low density zones are protuberant relatively to the upper surface of the high density zones.
The topsheet of the napkin allows menstrual fluid to spread rapidly toward longitudinally opposite ends of the napkin along the high density zones extending in the stripe-pattern after menstrual fluid has transferred from the low density zones to the high density zones. Accordingly, the napkin allows an absorption capacity of a body fluids absorbent core to be efficiently utilized not only in a central region of the napkin on which menstrual fluid is discharged but also in the longitudinally opposite ends of the napkin.
With the known napkin, the presence of the high density zones enables the absorption capacity of the napkin to be efficiently utilized also in the longitudinally opposite ends thereof. However, the high density zones covered with the plastic film can not directly absorb menstrual fluid and, as a result, a rate of menstrual fluid absorption can not be improved as much as expected from a large surface area of the topsheet.
It is an object of the present invention to utilize an absorption capacity of a disposable body fluids absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin as efficiently as possible without deteriorating a rate of body fluids absorption.
According to the present invention, there is provided a disposable body fluids absorbent article including a body fluids absorbent core having a surface thereof at least partially covered with a liquid-pervious sheet of nonwoven fabric, the nonwoven fabric being partially formed with a plurality of alternately arranged high density zones and low density zones extending substantially in one direction. The topsheet is formed by thermoplastic synthetic fibers having a basis weight of 20 -- 80 g/m2 and formed with a plurality of pleats extending in the one direction, the pleats repeating undulation transversely of the one direction, the high density zones being defined by crests and troughs of the pleats and the low density zones being defined between the crests and troughs, and the troughs being in contact with a surface of the absorbent core.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a depth from the crest to the trough of the pleat is 1 - 10 mm and a distance between each pair of adjacent crests is 1 - 15 mm.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a density of the high density zone is 0.08 - 0.25 g / cm3 .
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a width of the high density zone is 0.5 - 3 mm.
According to further another embodiment of the present invention, the high density zones continuously extend in the one direction.
According to an additional embodiment of the present invention, the high density zones intermittently extend in the one direction.
Fig.l is a perspective view showing a sanitary napkin according to a specific embodiment of the present invention as partially broken away;
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along a line II-II in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a plan view a sanitary napkin according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a sanitary napkin according to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a sanitary napkin according to further another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Details of a disposable body fluids absorbent article according to the present invention will be more fully understood from the description given hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A napkin 1 shown by Fig. 1 in a perspective view as partially broken away is larger in its longitudinal direction and includes a liquid-pervious topsheet 2, a liquid-impervious backsheet 3 and a liquid-absorbent core 4 having its upper and lower surfaces 6A, 6B covered with these two sheets 2, 3, respectively. The topsheet 2 and the backsheet -S-3 are placed upon and bonded to each other along their portions extending outward beyond a peripheral edge of the core 4.
The topsheet 2 is formed by a nonwoven fabric made of thermoplastic synthetic fibers and provided with a plurality of pleats 5 arranged symmetrically with respect to a center line C-C dividing a width of the napkin 1 in two. The pleats extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the napkin 1. More exactly, of crests 7 of these pleats 5, a crest 7A extending just above the center line C-C is rectilinear and crests 7B, 7C, ... and crests 7b, 7c, ...
extending symmetrically with respect to the center line C-C
are gently curved. These curved crests 7B, 7C, ... and 7b, 7c, ... are formed so that they progressively become shorter as they go far off from the center line C-C.
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along a line II-II in Fig. 1. The pleats 5 of the topsheet 2 have, in addition to the crests 7 (7A, 7B, 7C, ..., 7b, 7c, ...), troughs 8 (8A, 8B, ..., 8b, 8c, ...) and side walls 9 (9A, 9B, :.., 9a, 9b, ...) extending between the crests 7 and the troughs 8, respectively. The nonwoven fabric forming the topsheet 2 have been firmly compressed at the crests 7 and troughs 8 under heating or not under heating. Consequently, the nonwoven fabric is relatively thin and has a relatively low density at these crests 7 and troughs 8. The side walls 9 have been substantially not compressed or slightly compressed. Therefore, the nonwoven fabric is relatively thick and has a relatively low density at these side walls 9.
A distance between each pair of adjacent crests 7 in the pleats 7 is herein represented by P and a depth from the crests 7 to the troughs 8 is herein represent by D.
The nonwoven fabric as stock material for the topsheet 2 may be selected from a group consisting of, in addition to a spun bond nonwoven fabric or a melt bond nonwoven fabric or the like made of suitable synthetic fibers such as of polyethylene, polypropyrene, nylon or polyester. However, a nonwoven fabric made of conjugated fibers, particularly of crimped conjugated fibers is more preferable as the stock material for the topsheet 2. Preferably, such nonwoven fabric has a fineness of 1 - 6 deniers, a basis weight of 20 - 80 g/mz and a density of 0.025 - 0.05 g/cm3. The pleats 5 formed by the nonwoven fabric is defined by the distance P
between each pair of adjacent crests 7 preferably of 1 - 15 mm, more preferably of 2 - 10 mm and the depth D from the crests 7 to the troughs 8 preferably of 1 - 10 mm, more preferably of 1 - 5 mm. The density at the crests 7 as well _7_ as at the troughs 8 is preferably as high as 0.08 - 0.25 g/cm3 particularly along a width of 0.5 - 3 mm.
The core having its upper surface 6A covered with the topsheet 2 comprises fluff pulp or a mixture of fluff pulp and superabsorptive polymer particles. The core 4 is in contact with the pleats 5 defined by the crests 7, the troughs 8 and the side walls 9 at least the troughs 8, preferably in contact also with the inner surfaces of the respective side walls 9 as shown, more preferably in contact also with the inner surfaces of the respective crests 7.
Along a peripheral region of the napkin 1 surrounding the pleats 5, the core 4 is in contact also with the inner surface of the topsheet 2. The core 4 and the topsheet 2 may be locally bonded to each other by means of suitable adhesive agent such as hot melt adhesive or heat-sealing technique in order to ensure that the core 4 is kept in contact with the topsheet 2.
The backsheet 3 covering the lower surface 6B of the core 4 is formed by a plastic film and bonded to the topsheet 2 along its peripheral edge by means of suitable adhesive agent or sealing technique. The backsheet 3 is applied on its lower surface with suitable adhesive agent 16 by which the napkin 1 is separably fastened to the shorts worn by a _g_ napkin wearer and the adhes ive agent 16 is covered with a release paper sheet 17.
With the napkin 1 put on the wearer's body, a portion of menstrual fluid discharged on a central zone of the napkin 1 is absorbed by the crests 7 of higher density, then spreaded along the crests 7 toward longitudinally opposite ends of the napkin 1 and from there absorbed into the core 4.
The remainder of menstrual fluid flowing down along the side walls 9 toward the troughs 8 of the pleats 5 is rapidly absorbed by the troughs 8 of higher density and then immediately transferred to the core 4, or spreaded along the troughs 8 toward the opposite ends of the napkin 1 before absorbed into the core 4. Menstrual fluid can relatively freely flow along the troughs 8 of the pleats 5 toward the longitudinally opposite ends of the napkin 1. In this manner, the napkin 1 allows menstrual fluid to flow rapidly from its central zone toward the longitudinally opposite ends and thereby allows an absorption capacity of the longitudinally larger core 4 to be utilized as efficiently as possible. On the other hand, a transverse flow of menstrual fluid is obstructed by the side walls 9 of the pleats 5 and therefore it is not apprehended that a portion of menstrual fluid might leak sideways. For the napkin generally configured to be larger in its longitudinal direction, it is the important feature of the napkin 1 according to the present invention, from the viewpoint of preventing menstrual fluid from leaking sideways, that the napkin 1 can facilitate menstrual fluid to transfer in the longitudinal direction but restrain menstrual fluid from transferring in the transverse direction.
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are plan views showing preferred embodiments of the napkin 1 according to the present invention. In the case of the napkin 1 shown in Fig. 3, symmetrically with respect to the center line C-C the topsheet 2 is formed with a plurality of pleats 5 having the crests 7B, 7C, ..., 7b, 7c, ... and the troughs 8B, 8C, ..., 8b, 8c, ... extending in parallel to the troughs substantially in the longitudinal direction of the napkin 1.
More exactly, these pleats 5 are gently curved toward the center line C-C and progressively become longer as they go far off from the center line C-C. In the case of the napkin 1 shown in Fig. 4, the crests 7B, 7C, ..., 7b, 7c, ... and the troughs 8B, 8C, ..., 8b, 8c, ... defining the respective pleats 5 extend in parallel one to another as well as to said center line C-C and longitudinal dimensions of the respective crests are uniform. The napkin 1 shown in Fig. 5 is similar to the napkin 1 shown in Fig. 4 except that the crests 7B, 7C, ..., 7b, 7c, ... and the troughs 8B, 8C, ... 8b, 8c, ...
continuously extending between the longitudinal opposite ends of the napkin 1 shown in Fig. 4 are respectively divided into short sections in the case of the napkin 1 shown in Fig. 5.
For example, the crest 7B extending in parallel to the center line C-C comprises a plurality of relatively short crests 31, 32, 33, ... intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction. Each of these short crests 31, 32, 33, ...
preferably has a length of 1 - 10 mm and a distance between each pair of adjacent crests 31, 32, 33, ... is preferably 0.3 - 1 mm. By dividing the crests as well as the troughs in this manner, the napkin 1 can be flexibly curved along a crotch region of the shorts worn by the napkin wearer. The distance between each pair of adjacent crests of each pleat is sufficiently small to ensure that menstrual fluid can rapidly spread in the longitudinal direction.
To realize the present invention, the topsheet 2 may be formed by a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric or a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric. When a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric is used, the crests 7 and the troughs 8 may be locally treated to become hydrophilic. The topsheet 2 as has been described above in the connection with the sanitary napkin 1 as a specific embodiment of the present invention can be used also as the topsheet for the other various disposable body fluids absorbent articles such as disposable diaper and shorts for incontinent patient.
The disposable body fluids absorbent article according to the present invention allows body fluids to spread along the pleats formed on the topsheet, particularly along the crests and the troughs thereof both having relatively high densities to the longitudinally opposite ends of the napkin.
Accordingly, the absorption capacity of the core can be utilized as efficiently as possible so that much amount of body fluids may be absorbed and undesirable leakage of body fluids may be effectively avoided. The pleats function to prevent body fluids from flowing transversely thereof and improves an effect of preventing body fluids from leaking sideways. The troughs having a relatively high density promote body fluids to transfer from the crests toward the troughs. Furthermore, the pleats characterizing the article according to the present invention provide a surface area of the garment serving to absorb body fluids larger than such surface area provided by the flat topsheet and thereby improve a rate of body fluids absorption. The pleats not only contribute to improvement in body fluids absorbing ability of the napkin but also make the topsheet cushiony and provide the article according to the present invention with a soft touch.
Claims (6)
1. A disposable body fluids absorbent article comprising:
a body fluids absorbent core; arid a liquid-pervious sheet of nonwoven fabric covering at least a portion of the surface of the absorbent core, said liquid-pervious sheet of nonwoven fabric being formed with a plurality of alternats,sly arranged high density zones and low density zones extending substantially in one direction, said nonwoven fabric being formed from thermoplastic synthetic fibers having a basis weight of 20 ~ 80 g/m2 and formed with a plurality of pleats extending in said one direction, said pleats repeating in an undulatory manner transversely of said one direction, said high density zones being defined by crests and troughs of said pleats and said low density zones defined between said crests and troughs, said troughs being in contact with the surface of said core.
a body fluids absorbent core; arid a liquid-pervious sheet of nonwoven fabric covering at least a portion of the surface of the absorbent core, said liquid-pervious sheet of nonwoven fabric being formed with a plurality of alternats,sly arranged high density zones and low density zones extending substantially in one direction, said nonwoven fabric being formed from thermoplastic synthetic fibers having a basis weight of 20 ~ 80 g/m2 and formed with a plurality of pleats extending in said one direction, said pleats repeating in an undulatory manner transversely of said one direction, said high density zones being defined by crests and troughs of said pleats and said low density zones defined between said crests and troughs, said troughs being in contact with the surface of said core.
2. The disposable body fluids absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a depth measured between a crest and a trough of said pleats is about 1 t.o about: 10 mm and a distance between pairs of adjacent ones of said crests is about 1 to about 15 mm.
3. The disposable body fluids absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a density of said high density zones is about 0.08 to about 0.25 g/cm3.
4. The disposable body fluids absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a width of said high density zones is about 0.5 to about 3 mm.
5. The disposable body fluids absorbent article according to claim 1, whereon said high density zones extend in a continuous manner along said one direction.
6. The disposable body fluids absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein said high density zones extend intermittently along said one direction.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP10-309925 | 1998-10-30 | ||
| JP10309925A JP2000135239A (en) | 1998-10-30 | 1998-10-30 | Disposable humor absorption type wearing article |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2287069A1 CA2287069A1 (en) | 2000-04-30 |
| CA2287069C true CA2287069C (en) | 2003-09-23 |
Family
ID=17999000
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002287069A Expired - Fee Related CA2287069C (en) | 1998-10-30 | 1999-10-21 | Disposable body fluids absorbent article |
Country Status (12)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6362391B1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0997124B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2000135239A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR100673913B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1119136C (en) |
| AU (1) | AU749913B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9905306A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2287069C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69927904T2 (en) |
| ID (1) | ID24147A (en) |
| SG (1) | SG78403A1 (en) |
| TW (1) | TW423306U (en) |
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| US6537936B1 (en) * | 1998-04-02 | 2003-03-25 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Multiple zone member |
| US20030191442A1 (en) * | 2000-08-11 | 2003-10-09 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Topsheet for contacting hydrous body tissues and absorbent device with such a topsheet |
| JP3875008B2 (en) * | 2000-09-01 | 2007-01-31 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Method for producing absorbent article having fiber layer on surface |
| JP3609361B2 (en) | 2000-10-12 | 2005-01-12 | 花王株式会社 | Three-dimensional sheet material |
| JP4628603B2 (en) * | 2001-07-25 | 2011-02-09 | 大王製紙株式会社 | Absorbent articles |
| EP1283028B1 (en) | 2001-08-10 | 2008-03-05 | Kao Corporation | Topsheet for absorbent article |
| US6740792B2 (en) * | 2001-12-18 | 2004-05-25 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Cover material with improved fluid handling properties |
| JP3611838B2 (en) | 2001-12-28 | 2005-01-19 | 花王株式会社 | Top sheet for absorbent articles |
| AU2003224607A1 (en) * | 2002-02-05 | 2003-09-02 | Tredegar Film Products Corporation | Absorbent composition and method of assembling |
| JP4280019B2 (en) * | 2002-03-28 | 2009-06-17 | 大王製紙株式会社 | Absorbent articles |
| US6836901B2 (en) | 2002-05-29 | 2005-01-04 | Joseph B. Hippensteel | Multi-use strips for wearable articles |
| JP4202737B2 (en) * | 2002-12-05 | 2008-12-24 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Absorbent articles |
| US9844476B2 (en) * | 2014-03-18 | 2017-12-19 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Sanitary napkin for clean body benefit |
| JP4430338B2 (en) * | 2003-05-27 | 2010-03-10 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Absorbent articles |
| US8211815B2 (en) | 2003-06-13 | 2012-07-03 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Absorbent structure having three-dimensional topography on upper and lower surfaces |
| JP4488734B2 (en) * | 2003-12-25 | 2010-06-23 | 花王株式会社 | Shorts cover |
| EP1845913B2 (en) * | 2004-12-29 | 2019-08-07 | SCA Hygiene Products AB | Absorbent article having improved properties of handling low-viscosity fecal materials |
| MX2007015833A (en) * | 2005-07-13 | 2008-04-09 | Sca Hygiene Prod Ab | Absorbent article having improved fit. |
| JP4954997B2 (en) * | 2005-07-13 | 2012-06-20 | エスセーアー・ハイジーン・プロダクツ・アーベー | Absorbent products with improved compatibility |
| CN101542032B (en) * | 2006-06-23 | 2011-08-24 | 尤妮佳股份有限公司 | Non-woven fabric |
| JP5054962B2 (en) * | 2006-11-06 | 2012-10-24 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Absorbent articles |
| EP2087867B1 (en) * | 2006-11-27 | 2015-03-18 | Uni-Charm Corporation | Absorbent article |
| US8502013B2 (en) * | 2007-03-05 | 2013-08-06 | The Procter And Gamble Company | Disposable absorbent article |
| US20080221542A1 (en) * | 2007-03-05 | 2008-09-11 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Absorbent article |
| JP5101912B2 (en) * | 2007-03-23 | 2012-12-19 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Absorbent articles |
| JP4996997B2 (en) * | 2007-06-29 | 2012-08-08 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Animal excrement disposal sheet |
| US8221370B2 (en) * | 2007-10-31 | 2012-07-17 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Personal care article with substrate surface topography for evoking a neurosensory skin response |
| TW200936108A (en) * | 2008-02-29 | 2009-09-01 | Chen-Cheng Huang | Thin-layer with liquid diversion function |
| JP5197147B2 (en) | 2008-05-15 | 2013-05-15 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Absorbent articles |
| JP5328586B2 (en) * | 2009-09-28 | 2013-10-30 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Disposable body fluid absorbent article |
| CN102319148B (en) * | 2011-07-28 | 2016-01-13 | 福建恒安集团有限公司 | A kind of disposable adsorption object |
| JP6033024B2 (en) * | 2012-09-26 | 2016-11-30 | 花王株式会社 | Absorbent articles |
| JP6499433B2 (en) * | 2014-12-15 | 2019-04-10 | 花王株式会社 | Absorbent articles |
| JP6630085B2 (en) * | 2015-08-21 | 2020-01-15 | 花王株式会社 | Absorbent articles |
| JP6091569B1 (en) * | 2015-09-07 | 2017-03-08 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Absorbent articles |
| JP6420779B2 (en) * | 2016-02-01 | 2018-11-07 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Absorbent articles |
| JP6626747B2 (en) * | 2016-03-04 | 2019-12-25 | 花王株式会社 | Absorbent articles |
| JP6604264B2 (en) * | 2016-05-13 | 2019-11-13 | 王子ホールディングス株式会社 | Absorbent article and manufacturing method thereof |
| TWI762504B (en) * | 2016-09-07 | 2022-05-01 | 日商大王製紙股份有限公司 | Incontinence absorbent articles |
| EP3525743A1 (en) * | 2016-10-12 | 2019-08-21 | Drylock Technologies N.V. | Multifunctional disposable absorbent article |
| CN106420170A (en) * | 2016-11-25 | 2017-02-22 | 泉州联合纸业有限公司 | Antibacterial layer forming device and method for paper diaper production line |
| GB2594210B (en) * | 2018-12-21 | 2023-01-18 | Kimberly Clark Co | Absorbent article with pleats |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZA792723B (en) | 1978-06-09 | 1981-01-28 | Colgate Palmolive Co | Disposable product with fluid penetrating top sheet |
| US4443512A (en) * | 1981-09-22 | 1984-04-17 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Absorbent article with densified areas |
| US5368926A (en) * | 1992-09-10 | 1994-11-29 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Fluid accepting, transporting, and retaining structure |
| JP2963289B2 (en) | 1992-11-30 | 1999-10-18 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Surface sheet for body fluid absorbent articles |
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| DE4422956A1 (en) | 1994-06-30 | 1996-01-04 | Schickedanz Ver Papierwerk | Absorbent hygiene article for absorbing body fluids |
| BR9609747A (en) | 1995-06-30 | 2002-07-16 | Kimberly Clark Co | Non-woven and film corrugated laminates |
| CA2226485C (en) | 1995-07-10 | 2002-09-10 | Japan Absorbent Technology Institute | Porous composite sheet and process for the production thereof |
| JP3053561B2 (en) * | 1995-10-19 | 2000-06-19 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Sanitary napkin |
| MY117643A (en) * | 1996-02-29 | 2004-07-31 | Uni Charm Corp | Liquid-permeable topsheet for body exudates absorbent article, apparatus and method for manufacturing same |
| WO1998042289A1 (en) | 1997-03-21 | 1998-10-01 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Dual-zoned absorbent webs |
-
1998
- 1998-10-30 JP JP10309925A patent/JP2000135239A/en active Pending
-
1999
- 1999-10-21 CA CA002287069A patent/CA2287069C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-10-22 SG SG1999005328A patent/SG78403A1/en unknown
- 1999-10-27 ID IDP990988D patent/ID24147A/en unknown
- 1999-10-27 US US09/428,065 patent/US6362391B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-10-28 KR KR1019990047099A patent/KR100673913B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-10-28 EP EP99308527A patent/EP0997124B1/en not_active Revoked
- 1999-10-28 DE DE69927904T patent/DE69927904T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-10-29 BR BR9905306-3A patent/BR9905306A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-10-29 AU AU57118/99A patent/AU749913B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1999-10-29 TW TW088218468U patent/TW423306U/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-10-29 CN CN99123267A patent/CN1119136C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ID24147A (en) | 2000-07-13 |
| DE69927904D1 (en) | 2005-12-01 |
| AU5711899A (en) | 2000-05-04 |
| TW423306U (en) | 2001-02-21 |
| BR9905306A (en) | 2000-10-24 |
| US6362391B1 (en) | 2002-03-26 |
| EP0997124A2 (en) | 2000-05-03 |
| AU749913B2 (en) | 2002-07-04 |
| EP0997124B1 (en) | 2005-10-26 |
| EP0997124A3 (en) | 2001-05-02 |
| DE69927904T2 (en) | 2006-07-20 |
| SG78403A1 (en) | 2001-02-20 |
| CN1119136C (en) | 2003-08-27 |
| CA2287069A1 (en) | 2000-04-30 |
| KR20000029376A (en) | 2000-05-25 |
| KR100673913B1 (en) | 2007-01-25 |
| JP2000135239A (en) | 2000-05-16 |
| CN1252981A (en) | 2000-05-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20141021 |