Absorbent article with a raised portion

Abstract

The invention relates to an absorbent article intended for female users, such as a sanitary napkin, or an incontinence guard, having such a shape and size that it may be substantially accommodated in the crotch region of a pair of panties and having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a thickness direction. The article exhibits a liquid-pervious cover layer (2) and a liquid-impervious cover layer (3) and further an absorbent core consisting of at least one absorbent body (6), arranged between the two surfaces (2, 3), and wherein a hump (16) is arranged at the liquid-pervious cover layer (2) of the article. The invention is characterized in that the hump (16) is substantially shape permanent in the transverse direction of the article, both in a wet and in a dry state, and to such an extent that the hump (16) is not deformed in the transverse direction, either temporarily or permanently, by the forces acting on the hump (16) during use of the article.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an absorbent article, intended for female users, such as a sanitary napkin or an incontinence guard, with such a shape and size that it may be substantially accommodated in the crotch region of a pair of panties and having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a thickness direction, wherein the article exhibits a liquid-pervious surface, and a liquid-impervious surface, and further an absorbent core consisting of at least one absorbent body arranged between the two surfaces, and wherein a hump is arranged at the liquid-pervious surface of the article.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:[0002] A common problem associated with absorbent articles of the herein intended type is leakage of body fluid past the longitudinal side edges of the article. Such leakage is of course extremely undesirable, since it entails the risk of soiling the clothing of the user. Because of the fairly insignificant extension of the article also in the longitudinal direct...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

A common problem associated with absorbent articles of the herein intended type is leakage of body fluid past the longitudinal side edges of the article.

Such leakage is of course extremely undesirable, since it entails the risk of soiling the clothing of the user.

Thereby, a particular problem is leakage backwards which usually arises in connection with the user lying down, for example during the night.

The most frequent reason for edge leakage is that the absorbent article is deformed during use, when the article is squeezed between the thighs of the user.

In this way, wrinkling arises in an uncontrollable manner both in the absorbent core of the article and in its cover material.

Such wrinkling results in the formation of channels on the surface of the article, in which body fluid may seep out past the side edges.

A further problem in connection with the previously known absorbent articles is that the side edges of the articles risk being folded in over the liquid-pervious surface of the article because of the action from the body forces which arise when the user moves about.

Since the most commonly occuring absorbent material is so-called cellulose fluff pulp, such a hump, however, collapses and loses its shape when wetted.

The elastic members, however, do not to any great extent prevent compression and undesired deformation in the transverse direction of the article.

However, it is impossible to completely control, or anticipate the shape the article will adopt for each individiual user.

Furthermore, it is not possible to ensure the contact between the body of the user and the surface of the article, since the degree of bulging is completely determined by how much the article is compressed in a transverse direction.

Since the hump is so hard or stiff that it is essentially unyielding to the forces it is subjected to during use it is, however, important that the hump is not so high that it presses against the body of the user and thereby causes discomfort during use.

As earlier mentioned, such leakage backwards is particularly embarrassing when the user is lying down.

When the user stands up or otherwise moves about, there is a risk that a gap will arise at the front portion of the hump, between the hump and the body of the user.

Such sudden liquid flows are extremely undesirable, partly because the user perceives them as unpleasant, and partly because they considerably increase the risk of leakage.

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