Diaper Structure With Enhanced Tactile Softness Attributes

Abstract

A diaper structure with enhanced softness attributes is disclosed. The diaper structure may include an innermost layer formed of a first nonwoven web, and an outermost layer formed of a second nonwoven web. The first and second nonwoven webs may have a combined basis weight of at least about 30 gsm. The ratio of the first web basis weight to the second web basis weight may range from 30 / 70 to 70 / 30. Each of the webs may have a preconversion density no greater than 65 kg / m3. Each of the webs may have a compression loft of at least 30%. Characteristics affecting pressure diffusion at tactile pressure points may be balanced within ranges between the first and second webs to provide similar tactile pressure diffusion characteristics for the inside and outside of the diaper.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The business of manufacturing and marketing disposable absorbent articles for personal care or hygiene (such as disposable diapers, training pants, adult incontinence undergarments, feminine hygiene products, breast pads, care mats, bibs, wound dressing products, and the like) is relatively capital intensive and highly competitive. To maintain or grow their market share and thereby maintain a successful business, manufacturers of such articles must continually strive to enhance their products in ways that serve to differentiate them from those of their competitors, while at the same time controlling costs so as to enable competitive pricing and the offering to the market of an attractive value-to-price proposition.[0002]One way in which some manufacturers may seek to enhance such products is through enhancements to softness. Parents and caregivers naturally seek to provide as much comfort as they can for their babies, and utilizing products such as d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text discusses the subjective and complex process of enhancing the softness of disposable absorbent articles, such as disposable diapers, through various methods and materials. The softness is a critical attribute that consumers look for when purchasing these products, and manufacturers must devote resources to enhance softness in order to maintain their market share. The text highlights the complexity of measuring and influencing softness, as it is a subjective and difficult to predict. The patent text also describes various methods and materials used to enhance softness, such as manipulating fiber chemistry, basis weight, loft, and more. The technical effects of the patent text include improving the softness attributes of disposable absorbent articles and increasing the perceptions of softness through various methods and materials.

Problems solved by technology

As a result of the complexity of the mix of the above-described characteristics and the subjective nature of individual perceptions, to the extent softness is considered an attribute of an absorbent article, it may elude precise measurement or quantification.

Although several methods for measuring and evaluating material features that are believed to affect softness signals have been developed, there are no standard, universally accepted units or methods of measurement for softness.

It is a subjective, relative concept, difficult to characterize in an objective way.

Because softness is difficult to characterize, it can also be difficult to affect in a predictable way, through changes or adjustments to specifications in materials or manufacturing processes.

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