Briefly, the present application provides a disposable pant-type article having a waistband, a pair of leg openings

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal direction (L) and a transverse direction (T), a longitudinal centre line (Lc) extending in the longitudinal direction (L), the article (1) comprising a front region (3), a back region (4), and a crotch region (6) located between the front region (3) and the back region (4), and an absorbent core (21) arranged in the crotch region (6) and extending in the longitudinal direction into the front and back regions (3, 4), the article having a waist edge and first and second leg edges (19', 19"). Pre-tensioned first and second crotch elastic members (61, 62) extend in the longitudinal direction (L) along the leg edges (19', 19") in the crotch region (6), the leg edges (19', 19") in the crotch region (6) being partly or entirely extended in the respective crotch elastic member (61, 62). The crotch is generally hourglass-shaped with a narrow middle portion. The crotch elastic members (61, 62) have a first side edge (63, 65) at least partly coinciding with the respective leg edge (19', 19") in the crotch region (6). The absorbent core (21) has first and second side edges (26, 27) extending along the leg edges (19', 19") in the crotch region (6), the absorbent core (21) being generally hourglass-shaped with a narrow middle portion. A distance (d1) measured in the transverse direction (T) between the first side edge (26) of the absorbent core (21) and the first side edge (63) of the first crotch elastic member (61) and a distance (d2) measured in the transverse direction (T) between the second side edge (27) of the absorbent core (21) and the first side edge (65) of the second crotch elastic member (62) varies at most 30 mm along the full length of the crotch elastic members (61, 62).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a disposable absorbent article having a crotch leg elastic member arranged adjacent to the absorbent core in the crotch region of the disposable absorbent article. Background Technology

[0002] In the technology of disposable absorbent articles such as disposable trousers and disposable open-face diapers, there are high requirements for the fit and comfort of the articles, while also meeting the same high requirements for absorbency and leakage protection.

[0003] These disposable absorbent articles are relatively complex products, involving multiple components that are combined to form the absorbent article. Such components include nonwoven components, barrier components, elastic components, and typically an absorbent core, which can be supplied as a separately manufactured absorbent assembly. The absorbent assembly includes a barrier layer and a liquid-permeable top sheet, which together enclose the absorbent core.

[0004] A snug fit and leak-proof design are typically enhanced by placing pre-tensioned elastic elements along all or selected portions of the waist and leg edges of absorbent garments. These pre-tensioned elastic elements tend to bunch up the fabric to which they are attached, forming wrinkles and creases along the elastic elements. Such wrinkles and creases are undesirable as they can cause chafing, particularly in the groin area. Additionally, wrinkles formed perpendicular to the leg edges can act as channels for bodily fluids to leak from the garment. Furthermore, wrinkles and creases detract from the underwear-like appearance of absorbent garments and may be visible under regular clothing.

[0005] In disposable absorbent articles that include an absorbent core, the core is typically the less flexible part of the article and can counteract the contractile forces of the elastic elements and materials within the article, resulting in the article not fitting snugly in the area around the core. This can be a particular problem in the crotch area of ​​absorbent articles, where the amount of absorbent material per unit area in the core is usually greater than in other parts of the core, making the core more resistant to bending in the crotch area. The stiffer and often thicker portion of the core placed in the crotch area can affect the ability of the leg elastic elements in the crotch area to form a sufficient seal against the wearer's body. Increasing the elastic tension in the leg elastic elements can improve the seal in the crotch area. However, high-tension crotch elastic elements are undesirable as they can cause discomfort to the wearer, such as chafing and red skin marks.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to improve the crotch elasticity of disposable absorbent items worn in a manner similar to underwear. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Disposable trouser articles with good functionality, fit, and comfort can be achieved at least in part by means of this application. Variations of this disclosure are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0008] This article discloses a disposable trouser-type article having a longitudinal and a transverse aspect, with a longitudinal centerline extending longitudinally. The article comprises: - A front region having a front waist edge and longitudinal first and second front side edges; - A rear region having a rear waist edge and first and second rear side edges; - The crotch area located between the front and rear areas; - Absorption core; - First leg edge and second leg edge; - A pre-tensioned first crotch elastic member, which is arranged to extend longitudinally along the edge of the first leg in the crotch region, and a pre-tensioned second crotch elastic member, which is arranged to extend longitudinally along the edge of the second leg in the crotch region, the leg edge extending partially or entirely in the respective crotch elastic member in the crotch region. - The middle portion of the crotch area is narrower than the width of the crotch area at the front and rear. - Each crotch elastic member has a first side edge and a second side edge extending in the longitudinal direction, the first side edge of each crotch elastic member at least partially coincides with the corresponding leg edge in the crotch region, and the width of the middle portion of each crotch elastic member is less than the width of the crotch elastic member at the front end of the crotch elastic member and less than the width of the crotch elastic member at the rear end of the crotch elastic member. - The absorbent core has a first side edge and a second side edge, as well as a first end edge and a second end edge. The first side edge and the second side edge of the absorbent core extend along the leg edge in the crotch region. The width of the middle portion of the absorbent core is less than the width of the front portion of the absorbent core and less than the width of the rear portion of the absorbent core. The distance measured in the lateral direction between the first side edge of the absorbent core and the first side edge of the first crotch elastic member, and the distance measured in the lateral direction between the second side edge of the absorbent core and the first side edge of the second crotch elastic member, vary along the entire length of the crotch elastic member by at most 30 mm, for example, at most 25 mm, at most 20 mm, or at most 15 mm along the entire length of the first crotch elastic member and the second crotch elastic member.

[0009] The disposable absorbent article disclosed herein may be a trouser-type article, wherein a first front edge is joined to a first rear edge in a first side seam, a second front edge is joined to a second rear edge in a second side seam, a front waist edge and a rear waist edge together define a waist opening, a first leg edge defines a first leg opening, and a second leg edge defines a second leg opening.

[0010] Alternatively, the disposable absorbent items disclosed herein may be open-face diapers that are sturdily wrapped around the lower part of the wearer's torso in a trouser-like structure.

[0011] In the absorbent article disclosed herein, the side edges of the absorbent core and the first side edge of the crotch elastic member are shaped side edges, such that the crotch region of the absorbent article has an overall hourglass shape. The shape of the side edges of the absorbent core approximately conforms to the shape of the first side edge of the crotch elastic member. The absorbent core is arranged in the absorbent article with its minimum width portion placed within the minimum width portion of the crotch region. Because the contour of the leg edge of the crotch elastic member conforms to the contour of the side edge of the absorbent core, the width of the elastic region formed between the side edge of the absorbent core and the first side edge of the crotch elastic member, which is elasticized by the crotch elastic member, is the same or substantially the same along the entire length of the crotch elastic member or at least along 70% of its length.

[0012] The disposable absorbent articles disclosed in this article can be sheet-like articles, wherein: - The front region includes or is composed of a front body plate that can be elastically stretched in the lateral direction, the front body plate having a front plate waist edge, a front plate crotch edge opposite to the front plate waist edge, and first and second longitudinal front plate side edges; - The rear region includes or is composed of a rear body plate that can be elastically stretched in the lateral direction, the rear body plate having a rear plate waist edge, a rear plate crotch edge opposite to the rear plate waist edge, and first and second rear plate side edges. - The crotch area is located between the front panel and the rear panel, and is defined in the longitudinal direction by the crotch edge of the front panel and the crotch edge of the rear panel; - The side edge of the first front panel is joined to the side edge of the first rear panel in the first side seam, and the side edge of the second front panel is joined to the side edge of the second rear panel in the second side seam; - The front leg edge segment of each of the first and second leg edges is arranged in an elastically stretchable front body plate, the rear leg edge segment of each of the first and second leg edges is arranged in an elastically stretchable rear body plate, and the crotch leg edge segment of each of the first and second leg edges is arranged in the crotch region from the crotch edge of the front plate to the crotch edge of the rear plate, and the total length of each leg edge is the combined length of the front leg edge segment, the crotch leg edge segment and the rear leg edge segment; - The crotch leg edge segments of the first and second leg edges extend partially or completely in the corresponding crotch elastic members; - The crotch and leg edge sections are shaped such that the width of the middle portion of the crotch area is smaller than the width of the crotch area at the crotch edge of the front panel and smaller than the width of the crotch area at the crotch edge of the rear panel. - The width of the absorbent core in the middle part of the absorbent core is less than the width of the absorbent core at the edge of the front panel crotch and less than the width of the absorbent core at the edge of the rear panel crotch.

[0013] The resiliently stretchable front body panel and / or resiliently stretchable rear body panel of the absorbent articles disclosed herein may include or be composed of a resiliently laminated material, the resiliently laminated material comprising at least a first layer of fibrous material and an elastic layer.

[0014] The elastic layer may include an elastic membrane layer or an elastic nonwoven layer, or may be composed of an elastic membrane layer or an elastic nonwoven layer.

[0015] In the production process of the absorbent articles disclosed herein, elastic materials, such as elastic elements, films, and webs, are attached to a non-elastic, non-stretchable material while the elastic material is in a tensioned, fully stretched state. In the final absorbent article, the elastic elements are relaxed, causing the non-stretchable material to aggregate. The non-stretchable material in the absorbent articles disclosed herein restricts the stretchability of the elastic portions of the absorbent article, such as elastic front and rear panels, leg elastic elements, waist elastic elements, etc. All distances and lengths disclosed herein are measured when the absorbent article is in a generally two-dimensional, laid-out state, wherein all elastic elements in the article are stretched to the maximum extent allowed by the non-stretchable parts in the article, and all non-stretchable parts in the article are in a non-aggregated state.

[0016] In the disposable absorbent article disclosed herein, the front end of each of the first and second crotch elastic members may overlap with and be attached to the front body plate, and / or the rear end of each of the first and second crotch elastic members may overlap with and be attached to the rear body plate.

[0017] The maximum width of the crotch elastic member in the transverse direction of the article can be in the range of 15mm to 50mm, for example 20mm to 40mm or 25mm to 35mm, and the length in the longitudinal direction of the article can be in the range of 150mm to 350mm, for example 170mm to 320mm or 200mm to 310mm. The dimensions of the crotch elastic member are measured in the flat state of the absorbent article with the side seams broken or cut.

[0018] The width of the front end of each crotch elastic member can be equal to the width of the rear end of the crotch elastic member, and the ratio between the width of the front and rear ends and the minimum width of the middle part can be 1:0.5 to 1:0.9.

[0019] The crotch elastic member can be a flat, strip-shaped crotch elastic member, and can include or be composed of an elastic membrane or elastic nonwoven material.

[0020] Pre-tensioning of the crotch elastic member can be appropriately achieved by attaching the crotch elastic member to the absorbent article while it is in a stretched state. The crotch elastic member can also be applied and attached to the absorbent article with its ends in a non-tensioned state. Each non-tensioned end of the crotch elastic member can have a length of 5% to 8% of the total length of the crotch elastic member, which includes the length of the ends and the tensioned intermediate portion between them.

[0021] The absorbent core can form part of an absorbent assembly, which includes an absorbent core, a liquid-permeable upper core cover layer, and a lower core cover layer, with the absorbent core enclosed between the upper and lower core cover layers. The absorbent assembly may also include a liquid-permeable top sheet and a liquid barrier layer, with the absorbent core enclosed between the liquid-permeable top sheet and the liquid barrier layer, wherein the upper core cover layer faces the liquid-permeable top sheet and the lower core cover layer faces the liquid barrier layer.

[0022] The first side edge of the crotch elastic member in the disposable absorbent article disclosed herein can be aligned with the first and second side edges of the absorbent assembly, and shares a contour with the first and second side edges of the absorbent assembly in the crotch region.

[0023] Optionally, the upper core cover layer can be a liquid-permeable top sheet, and the lower core cover layer can be a liquid-barrier layer.

[0024] The upper and lower core cover layers can be joined in a first side seal extending along a first side edge of the absorbent core and a second side seal extending along a second side edge of the absorbent core. The absorbent core may include one or more channels extending longitudinally at a distance from each of the first and second side seals. Each of the one or more channels may contain no or substantially no absorbent material. Channel seals may be disposed within the one or more channels, engaging the upper and lower core cover layers within the channels. The sealing strength of the channel seals may be higher than the sealing strength of each of the first and second side seals of the absorbent core.

[0025] One or more channel seals may be one or more permanent seals that prevent separation of the upper and lower core cover layers, thereby limiting expansion in the thickness direction of the absorbent core near the channel. A permanent seal is one that will not break under normal use and handling of the absorbent article. A permanent seal resists forces generated by the expanding absorbent material in the absorbent core and remains intact throughout the use of the absorbent article. Channel seals may be disconnectable seals or permanent seals, or partially disconnectable and partially permanent seals. Side seals may be permanent seals or disconnectable seals that disconnect under the influence of forces applied to the side seals as the absorbent material in the absorbent core absorbs fluid and expands. For the absorbent articles disclosed herein, partially disconnectable and partially permanent side seals are also considered. Disconnectable side seals, together with permanent channel seals, may interact to cause the absorbent material to expand primarily laterally or transversely in the absorbent core and absorbent article when absorbing bodily fluids.

[0026] The sealing strength of a permanent seal can be 2.5 N / 25 mm or greater, such as 3 N / 25 mm or greater, while the sealing strength of a detachable seal can be 2.0 N / 25 mm or less, such as 1.5 N / 25 mm or less.

[0027] In the absorbent articles disclosed herein, the length of one or more channels in the longitudinal direction may be less than the length in the longitudinal direction of each of the first crotch elastic member and the second crotch elastic member.

[0028] The side seals and channel seals can be adhesive seals, welded seals, or any combination of adhesive seals and welded seals.

[0029] Disconnectable seals can be seals with very low integrity, such as mechanical seals formed by needle-punching or embossing the upper and lower core layers together.

[0030] The first side seal, the second side seal, and each channel seal can be adhesive seals. The sealing strength of the seals can be controlled by varying the basis weight of the adhesive applied to the seals. The basis weight of the adhesive in each channel seal can be higher than the basis weight of the adhesive in each of the first and second side seals. The basis weight of the adhesive can also vary along the seal. In the channel seals, the basis weight of the applied adhesive in the longitudinal central portion of the channel seal can be higher than one or both ends of the channel seal, thereby allowing the ends of the channel seal to rupture when the absorbent material expands, while the central portion of the channel seal remains intact. A permanent sealing portion of one or more channel seals can extend in a portion of the absorbent core disposed on a non-stretchable crotch material, such as on a non-stretchable crotch panel, or on a non-stretchable crotch of an absorbent article, such as absorbent trousers or absorbent open diapers. A detachable end of one or more channel seals can extend in a portion of the absorbent core disposed on a resilient front and rear body panel of the absorbent article.

[0031] In the absorbent articles disclosed herein, the basis weight of the adhesive in the detachable seal can be 4 g / m³. 2 Or larger, the basis weight of the adhesive in the detachable seal can be 3 g / m³. 2 Or smaller.

[0032] The absorbent core of the absorbent articles disclosed herein may include superabsorbent material, such as 50% to 100% by weight of superabsorbent material.

[0033] One or more channels may consist of two channels that extend spaced apart and are arranged symmetrically on each side of the longitudinal centerline, between the longitudinal centerline and a corresponding one of the first and second side seals.

[0034] The length of each of the one or more channels in the longitudinal direction of the article can be in the range of 50mm to 400mm, for example, 75mm to 350mm, 100mm to 300mm or 150mm to 250mm.

[0035] The absorbent core can be a two-dimensional core. The absorbent core can have a shape in which at least one of the first and second ends of the core is wider than the central portion of the absorbent core, such as an hourglass shape or a T-shape in a plane defined by longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0036] The hourglass shape mentioned here includes all configurations where the middle part of the core is wider than the central part.

[0037] Both the front portion and the rear portion of the absorbent article can have a greater longitudinal extension range than the channels in the absorbent core.

[0038] If the channel is arranged in an hourglass-shaped absorbent core with a narrow central portion, the channel can be positioned within the absorbent core with a displacement toward the front portion of the absorbent article, such that the forward extension of the channel from the narrow central portion of the absorbent core is greater than the rearward extension of the channel from the narrow central portion of the absorbent core. The channel can share or nearly share an end with the narrow central portion of the absorbent core at its rear end.

[0039] The crotch elastic member can be positioned displaced toward the rear of the absorbent article within an hourglass-shaped absorbent core having a narrow central portion. Therefore, the forward extension of the crotch elastic member from the narrow central portion of the absorbent core is less than the rearward extension of the crotch elastic member from the narrow central portion of the absorbent core.

[0040] The extension of the channel and elastic member is measured forward and backward from a transverse line extending across the crotch region at the location where the absorbent core has its minimum width. In the case where the absorbent core has a narrow portion extending in the longitudinal direction and having a constant minimum width, the extension of the channel and elastic member is measured forward and backward from a transverse line extending across the crotch region and dividing the narrow portion into two equal portions extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0041] The absorbent core may include two or more portions having different absorption capacities per unit area. The central portion of the absorbent core may have a larger absorption capacity per unit area than the first end portion, and a larger absorption capacity per unit area than the second end portion.

[0042] The absorbent core can be a three-dimensional shaped molded core, wherein the central portion of the absorbent core is disposed between the first end and the second end of the absorbent core (as seen in the longitudinal direction), and the central portion of the absorbent core has a greater thickness than the first end and a greater thickness than the second end.

[0043] The central portion of the absorbent core may have a uniform first basis weight, the first end may have a uniform second basis weight, and the second end may have a uniform third basis weight. The first basis weight may be equal to the second basis weight. The central portion of the absorbent core may be demarcated from each of the first and second ends by corresponding first and second transition regions.

[0044] The first end can be a front end, and the first transition region can be a front transition region having an extension range of 5 mm to 80 mm in the longitudinal direction, for example, 5 mm to 50 mm, or 10 mm to 30 mm. The second end is a rear end, and the second transition region is a rear transition region having an extension range of 5 mm to 80 mm in the longitudinal direction, for example, 20 mm to 80 mm, or 30 mm to 60 mm. The basis weight of the absorbent core preferably varies linearly in the transition region between the end and the central portion. The front transition region may have a smaller extension range in the longitudinal direction than the rear transition region.

[0045] The ratio between the basis weight of the central part of the absorbent core and the basis weight of the first end can be in the range of 4 to 1.5, and the ratio between the basis weight of the central part of the absorbent core and the basis weight of the second end can be in the range of 4 to 1.5.

[0046] The ends can have equal basis weights. However, for the absorbent articles disclosed herein, ends with different basis weights are also conceivable. The front end can have a greater basis weight than the rear end.

[0047] The length of the absorbent core in the absorbent article disclosed herein is defined as the distance between the point where the first end edge of the absorbent core intersects the longitudinal centerline and the point where the second end edge of the absorbent core intersects the longitudinal centerline. The length of the absorbent core is in the range of 300 mm to 700 mm, for example, 350 mm to 600 mm or 400 mm to 500 mm.

[0048] In an absorber core with a large basis weight, the length of the central portion can be on the order of 30% to 70% of the absorber core length, for example, on the order of 40% to 60% or 45% to 55% of the absorber core length. The length of the central portion can be approximately half the length of the absorber core.

[0049] As disclosed herein, the crotch area of ​​a disposable absorbent article may include a non-stretchable crotch web material, such as a non-stretchable nonwoven web.

[0050] The trouser-style articles disclosed herein can have a three-part base with a crotch panel, the crotch panel being connected to the front panel along the crotch edge of the front panel and to the rear panel along the crotch edge of the rear panel. The front and rear panels can be made of elastic or elasticized web material or elastic laminate material, and the crotch panel can be a non-stretchable web material or a non-stretchable laminate material.

[0051] Optionally, the trousers may have an integral base having a non-stretchable outer or inner overlay extending over the entire distance between the waist edges of the front and rear panels, the overlay constituting a non-stretchable layer of each of the front and rear panels and constituting a crotch overlay material in the crotch area of ​​the trousers.

[0052] The elastically stretchable front body panel and the elastically stretchable rear body panel may include or be composed of stretched laminated elastic materials.

[0053] Suitable stretch-bonded laminates can include layers or widths of nonwoven materials, such as spunbond, air-laid, wet-laid, carded, electrospun, or meltblown nonwovens. Nonwoven materials can be bonded using any suitable technique, such as needle punching, hydroentanglement, ultrasonic welding, or thermal bonding.

[0054] The fibers used in this article for nonwoven materials can be man-made fibers, natural fibers, or mixtures of man-made and natural fibers. Man-made fibers include single-component, bicomponent, and multicomponent fibers of polymers such as polyolefins, polyesters, and polyacrylates, as well as regenerated fibers such as viscose and modal fibers. Natural fibers include, for example, cellulose fibers, such as pulp fibers, cotton fibers, flax, and hemp.

[0055] The absorbent articles disclosed herein may have resilient waist features arranged in whole or in part along one or both waist edges. The resilient waist features may be formed of one or more resilient elements. The one or more resilient waist elements may be integral with the front and rear portions, or may be applied as a separate waistband attached along the waist edges.

[0056] The nonwoven web material used in the absorbent articles disclosed herein may include thermoplastic materials. The nonwoven web material will typically be bonded in the joints and seams of the absorbent articles, and it may be desirable for the nonwoven web to be weldable by heating or ultrasonic welding processes. Examples of suitable polymers used in the fiber nonwoven webs disclosed herein are polyethylene, polypropylene and other polyolefin homopolymers, copolymers, and polyesters. The weldable nonwoven web has a high thermoplastic component content and preferably contains at least 50% thermoplastic fibers, more preferably at least 80% thermoplastic fibers.

[0057] Reinforcing leg elastic features can be arranged along each leg edge in the rear region of the absorbent article. In the sheet article disclosed herein, a first reinforcing elastic feature can be arranged along the rear leg edge segment of the first leg edge on the elastically stretchable rear body sheet, and a second reinforcing elastic feature can be arranged along the rear leg edge segment of the second leg edge on the elastically stretchable rear body sheet. The reinforcing elastic features are supplementary elastic elements applied in addition to the elastic material in the elastic body sheet.

[0058] The first reinforcing elastic feature may extend along a first portion of the rear leg edge segment of the first leg edge in a direction toward the first side seam away from the longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article, and may have an endpoint on the rear leg edge segment of the first leg edge, the second portion of the rear leg edge segment of the first leg edge having no first reinforcing elastic feature.

[0059] The second reinforcing elastic feature may extend along the first portion of the rear leg edge segment of the second leg edge in a direction toward the second side seam away from the longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article, and may have an endpoint on the rear leg edge segment of the second leg edge, the second portion of the rear leg edge segment of the second leg edge having no second reinforcing elastic feature. Attached Figure Description

[0060] The absorbent article and its production method disclosed herein will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: The absorbent article and its production method disclosed herein will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 A plan view of a fully extended absorbent trousers with absorbent components and open side seams, as seen from the inner surface of the trousers; Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 An enlarged view of the absorbent assembly in a mid-length trouser-style item, where the absorbent core is enclosed within a core cover; Figure 3a This shows a section taken along line III-III when the absorber core is in a dry state. Figure 2 The cross-section of the absorption component in the middle; Figure 3b This shows a section taken along line III-III when the absorber core is wet. Figure 2 The cross-section of the absorption component in the middle; Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 The trouser-style item in which the side seams are closed and in a non-stretched state, as it is before use. Detailed Implementation

[0061] Different aspects of this disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forth herein. It should be understood that although the absorbent article shown in the figures is a trouser-type article, the absorbent article disclosed herein can be an open-face diaper.

[0062] The accompanying drawings are schematic; individual components, such as material layers, are not necessarily drawn to scale. The absorbent article shown is a simplified version, and the article may include other features such as retaining bands, fasteners, treatment structures, etc. It should also be understood that waist elastics and rear leg elastics are optional features and, therefore, may be implemented otherwise within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the side seams in trouser-type articles, such as those shown in the figures, may be reclosable side seams, and the trouser-type articles may be provided with fastening elements to provide reclosing of the side seams.

[0063] First refer to Figure 1 An absorbent article 1 in the form of an absorbent incontinence item for adult users is shown. The absorbent article 1... Figure 1 The image shows the absorbent material in an expanded and non-aggregated state, with all elastic elements fully extended. The absorbent material has a longitudinal direction L and a transverse direction T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, with the longitudinal centerline Lc extending along the longitudinal direction L.

[0064] The absorbent article 1 is viewed from the inner surface, which is the surface that will face the wearer's body when the article is worn, and is opposite to the outer surface of the absorbent article 1 that faces the garment.

[0065] The absorbent article 1 includes a front region 3, a rear region 4, and an absorbent component 20. The absorbent component 20 is located in the crotch region 6 of the absorbent article 1 and extends forward over the front region 3 and backward over the rear region 4 in the longitudinal direction L. The absorbent component 20 extends from the front region 3 through the crotch region 6 and into the rear region 4 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0066] In the absorbent article 1 shown in the figure, the article has a three-part base: a front region 3 formed by an elastic front main body plate 3', a rear region 4 formed by an elastic rear main body plate 4', and a crotch region 6 formed by a non-stretchable crotch plate 6'. The crotch plate 6' is attached to the front main body plate 3' and the rear main body plate 4'. The attachment between the crotch plate and the front and rear main body plates can be made into an overlapping seam.

[0067] As disclosed herein, the absorbent article 1 may alternatively have any other useful base structure, such as a monolithic base, a two-part base, or a base consisting of three or more parts. The base may include separately attached front and / or rear wing flaps.

[0068] The absorbent assembly 20 in the absorbent article shown in the figure is a separately manufactured component, which includes an absorbent core 21. The absorbent core 21 is enclosed between the upper core cover layer 24 and the lower core cover layer 25 of the core cover 5, and further enclosed between the liquid-permeable top sheet 22 and the liquid barrier layer 23. The absorbent core 21 is arranged between the top sheet 22 and the liquid barrier layer 23 with the upper core cover layer 24 facing the liquid top sheet 22 and the lower core cover layer 25 facing the liquid barrier layer 23.

[0069] The front region 3 has a front waist edge 7 extending in the lateral direction T and a pair of front side edges 8 and 9 extending in the longitudinal direction L. The rear region 4 has a rear waist edge 10 extending in the lateral direction T and a pair of rear side edges 11 and 12 extending in the longitudinal direction L.

[0070] The first front edge 8 is joined to the first rear edge 11 in the first side seam 14, and the second front edge 9 is joined to the second rear edge 12 in the second side seam 15, to form an absorbent article 1 in the shape of trousers with a waist opening 16, a first leg opening 17, and a second leg opening 18, such as Figure 4 As shown.

[0071] The side seams 14 and 15 of the absorbent article 1 can be generally strip-shaped joints formed by ultrasonic welding or thermal welding. To have sufficient strength to withstand the forces exposed to the absorbent article 1 during wear and to allow for sufficient manufacturing tolerances, the side seams typically have a width on the order of approximately 5 to 10 mm. It is also known to manufacture side seams with a width less than 5 mm.

[0072] It is generally desirable to be able to easily remove contaminated absorbent items without having to pull the item off the user's lap. Therefore, side seams are often designed so that they can be broken by manual force, allowing the user or caregiver to pull the side seam open before removing the contaminated absorbent item.

[0073] The waist opening 16 is defined by the front waist edge 7 and the rear waist edge 10. The first leg edge 19' defines the first leg opening 17, and the second leg edge 19'' defines the second leg opening 18.

[0074] A pre-tensioned first crotch elastic member 61 is arranged to extend in the crotch region 6 along the first leg edge 19' in the longitudinal direction L, and a pre-tensioned second crotch elastic member 62 is arranged to extend in the crotch region 6 along the second leg edge 19'' in the longitudinal direction L. The crotch elastic members 61 and 62 are composed of elastic films or strips of elastic nonwoven fabric, which are applied in a stretched state to the absorbent article of the trouser type, such that the crotch elastic members 61 and 62 are pre-tensioned and form functional leg elastic members in the crotch region 6 of the absorbent article of the trouser type 1.

[0075] The crotch elastic members 61 and 62 have first side edges 63 and 65 extending in the longitudinal direction L and second side edges 64 and 66. The first side edges 63 and 65 of each crotch elastic member 61 and 62 coincide with the corresponding leg edges 19' and 19'' in the crotch region 6 along the main portion of the leg edges 19' and 19''.

[0076] The leg edges 19', 19'' are cut into the crotch elastic members 61, 62 in the crotch region 6, so that the crotch elastic members 61, 62 have widths wf, wr at the front and rear ends 61', 62', 61'', 62'' of the crotch elastic members 61, 62, which are larger than the minimum width wc of the middle portion 61''', 62''' of the crotch elastic members.

[0077] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the crotch region 6, the leg edges 19', 19'' are shown with a slightly concave curvature, such that the strip-shaped crotch elastic members 61, 62 also have a slightly modified strip shape, which has a cut-out portion along a portion of the leg edges 19', 19'' in the crotch region 6.

[0078] In the absorbent article 1 of the trouser type shown in the figure, the width wf of the front ends 61', 62' of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 is equal to the width wr of the rear ends 61'', 62''. The widths of the front ends 61', 62' and the rear ends 61'', 62'' are greater than the narrowest width of the middle portions 61''', 62''' of the crotch elastic members 61, 62. An appropriate ratio between the widths wf, wr of the ends of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 and the minimum width wc of the middle portions of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 can be from 1:0.5 to 1:0.9.

[0079] The term "concave edge" as used herein should be broadly understood to include multiple continuously curved concave edges and multiple edges with angular shapes varying with one or more clearly defined steps, as well as combinations of continuous curvature and angular shapes. A concave edge may include one or more straight segments and optionally one or more curved segments. The concave crotch leg edges mentioned herein include V-shaped and U-shaped crotch leg edges and any other shape that provides an absorbent article in which the crotch region is narrower in the longitudinal middle portion than at the ends of the crotch region. The concave edge of the crotch elastic member (including one or more layers from the peripheral edge portion of the absorbent assembly 20) formed by simultaneously cutting through multiple layers of material in the crotch region coincides with the concave edge of the liquid-permeable top sheet 22 and the concave edge of the liquid-blocking layer 23 and the absorbent assembly 20.

[0080] The width of the front ends 61' and 62' of the crotch elastic members 61 and 62 is equal to the width of the rear ends 61'' and 62'' of the crotch elastic members 61 and 62. The ratio between the width of the ends 61', 62', 61'', and 62'' of the crotch elastic members 61 and 62 and the minimum width of the middle portions 61''' and 62''' of the crotch elastic members 61 and 62 can be from 1:0.5 to 1:0.9.

[0081] The ends 61', 62', 61'', and 62'' of the crotch elastic members 61 and 62 can be the non-tensioned portions of the crotch elastic members 61 and 61.

[0082] Reference Figure 2 The absorbent core 21 has an hourglass shape, having a first side edge 26 and a second side edge 27 extending along the leg edges 19', 19'' in the crotch region 6 of the absorbent article 1, a first end edge 28 in the front region 3 of the absorbent article, and a second end edge 29 in the rear region 4 of the absorbent article 1. The first side edge 26 and the second side edge 27 of the absorbent core 21 have a main extension range in the longitudinal direction L, and the first end edge 28 and the second end edge 29 have a main extension range in the transverse direction T.

[0083] The width of the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21 is smaller than the width of the first end portion 52 of the absorbent core 21 and smaller than the width of the second end portion 53 of the absorbent core 21. The distance d1 measured in the lateral direction T between the first side edge 26 of the absorbent core 21 and the first side edge 63 of the first crotch elastic member 61, and the distance d2 measured in the lateral direction T between the second side edge 27 of the absorbent core 21 and the first side edge 65 of the second crotch elastic member 62 vary along the entire length of the crotch elastic members 61 and 62 by at most 30 mm, for example, at most 25 mm, at most 20 mm, or at most 15 mm.

[0084] In the middle portions 61''' and 62''' of the crotch elastic members 61 and 62, the shapes of the first side edges 63 and 65 of the crotch elastic members 61 and 62 are defined by the shapes of the leg edges 19' and 19'' in the crotch region 6, and the shapes of the side edges 26 and 27 of the absorbent core generally follow the shapes of the leg edges 19' and 19''. In the ends 61', 62', 61'', and 62'' of the crotch elastic members 61 and 62 where the absorbent core 21 has a larger width, the elasticity in the crotch elastic members 61 and 62 is deactivated or at least reduced in the front and rear corner portions 71, 72, 73, and 74 of the crotch elastic members 61 and 62 where the absorbent core 21 overlaps with the crotch elastic members 61 and 62.

[0085] The absorbent core 21 is disposed in the absorbent article 1, with the portion of the absorbent core 21 having the minimum width placed in the portion of the crotch region 6 having the minimum width. Since the leg edge contours of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 conform to the contours of the side edges of the absorbent core 21, as disclosed herein, if the ends 61', 62', 61'', 62'' of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 are non-tensioned ends, the width of the elasticized region between the side edges 26, 27 of the absorbent core and the first side edges 63, 65 of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 is the same or substantially the same along the entire length of the crotch elastic member or at least 70% of the length of the crotch elastic member, wherein this elasticized region is elasticated by the crotch elastic member. Therefore, the absorbent article disclosed herein has wide elasticized regions 81, 82, which have substantially uniform elasticity along the leg edges 19', 19'' in the crotch region 6. The area between the leg edges 19', 19'' and the side edges 26, 27 of the absorbent core, elasticated by the crotch elastic members 61, 62, is flexible and provides excellent fit for absorbent articles in the crotch area. Because the contractile force from the crotch elastic members 61, 62 is distributed across the width of the elasticated areas 81, 82, the localized pressure acting on the wearer's skin is significantly reduced, thereby lowering the risk of skin chafing or redness. Furthermore, the wide elasticated areas 81, 82 form a wide, padded seal against the wearer's skin.

[0086] The first channel 35 and the second channel 36 are arranged in the absorbent core 21 and extend in the longitudinal direction Y on both sides of the longitudinal centerline Lc and at a certain distance from each of the first and second side edges 26, 27 of the absorbent core 21. The channels 35 and 36 contain no or substantially no absorbent material.

[0087] The upper core cover layer 24 and the lower core cover layer 25 are connected to each other by a first side seal 33 extending along the first side edge 26 of the absorbent core 21 and a second side seal 34 extending along the second side edge 27 of the absorbent core 21. Furthermore, the upper and lower core cover layers 24 and 25 are connected by a first channel seal 37 extending in a first channel 35 and a second channel seal 38 extending in a second channel 36.

[0088] As disclosed herein, the sealing strength of the first and second channel seals 37 and 38 is higher than the sealing strength of the first and second side seals 33 and 34 of the absorber core 21. The sealing strength of the first and second channel seals 37 and 38 may be 2.5 N / 25 mm or greater, and the sealing strength of the first and second side seals 33 and 34 may be 2.0 N / 25 mm or less.

[0089] At least a major portion of the channel seals 37 and 38 are permanent seals that will not break under normal use and handling of the absorbent article. Therefore, even after the absorbent article has absorbed liquid, the channel seals 37 and 38 remain intact or substantially intact. The side seals 33 and 34 are shown as disconnectable seals with low sealing strength, such that when the absorbent material in the absorbent core 21 absorbs fluid and expands, the side seals 33 and 34 rupture under the force exerted by the side seals 33 and 34. The permanent or substantially permanent channel seals 37 and 38 restrict expansion in the thickness direction of the absorbent article 1, while the disconnectable side seals 33 and 34 allow the absorbent material to expand laterally or transversely. Therefore, in the region of the absorbent core 21 where the channels 35 and 36 are arranged, the combination of the permanent or substantially permanent channel seals 37 and 38 and the disconnectable side seals 33 and 34 causes the absorbent core 21 to expand primarily in the transverse direction T when absorbing bodily fluids.

[0090] It should be understood that the channel seal can be a disconnectable seal or a permanent seal, or a partially disconnectable and partially permanent seal. The side seal can be a disconnectable side seal or a permanent side seal, or a partially disconnectable and partially permanent seal.

[0091] It should also be understood that the channel is an optional feature of the absorbent articles disclosed herein.

[0092] As disclosed herein, the side seals 33, 34 and the channel seals 37, 38 may be adhesive seals. However, for the core cover seals 33, 34, 37, 38, welded seals or a combination of adhesive seals and welded seals may also be considered.

[0093] The upper and lower core cover layers 24 and 25 can be formed from a single continuous cover material surrounding the absorbent core 21. In the trouser-type absorbent article shown in the figure, the upper core cover layer 24 and the lower core cover layer 25 are formed from separate material webs, with the absorbent core 21 sandwiched between the core cover layers 24 and 25.

[0094] Depending on the type and size of the absorbent article in which one or more channels disclosed herein are arranged, the length of the channels can range from 50 mm to 500 mm.

[0095] In trouser-type absorbent articles for incontinent adult users, such as absorbent article 1 shown in the figure, channels 35 and 36 are preferably arranged in the crotch area 6 of the article, which is the narrow portion of the article that is placed in the user's crotch when the article is worn. The narrow crotch area 6 of the absorbent article is the main part of the article that will receive excreted bodily fluids such as urine. Therefore, the crotch area 6 must have good absorbency in terms of fluid acquisition, fluid distribution, and absorption capacity. Channels 35 and 36 in the absorbent core 21 facilitate rapid fluid acquisition and promote fluid distribution by directing fluid flow to the front and rear areas 3 and 4 of the absorbent article 1 through the channels. In the absorbent article 1 shown in the figure, the lengths of channels 35 and 36 substantially correspond to the length of the crotch area 6 and are typically on the order of 150 mm to 250 mm.

[0096] In wearable incontinence products such as open-face diapers and pant-style diapers, the channel typically has a length on the order of 30% to 50% of the total length of the absorbent core. In smaller absorbent items, such as incontinence masks and sanitary napkins, the channel can extend almost to the end of the absorbent core, for example, up to 80% of the total length of the absorbent core.

[0097] To enhance the absorption capacity of the narrow crotch area 6 of the absorbent article 1, the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21, arranged between the first end 52 and the second end 53 of the absorbent core 21, as shown in the longitudinal direction L, has a greater base weight than the first and second ends 52 and 53. In the absorbent article 1 shown in the figure, the first end 52 is the front end of the absorbent core 21, and the second end 53 is the rear end of the absorbent core 21.

[0098] The central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21 has a uniform basis weight, and each of the first end 52 and the second end 53 of the absorbent core 21 has a uniform basis weight. The central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21 is demarcated from each of the first end 52 and the second end 53 by corresponding first transition regions 54 (front transition region) and second transition regions 55 (rear transition region). The basis weight of the absorbent core 21 decreases linearly from the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21 to the first and second ends 52 and 53 of the absorbent core 21 within the first and second transition regions 54 and 55. The second end 53 has a larger extension in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1 than the first end 52. Figure 2 In the absorbent core 21 shown, the second transition zone 55 has a larger extension range in the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article 1 than the first transition zone 54.

[0099] However, the transition zones can have equal extension in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, or the front transition zone can be longer than the rear transition zone. For the absorbent articles disclosed herein, absorbent cores with a higher basis weight in the central portion and a lower basis weight at the ends, but without a transition zone between different portions of the core, are also considered. Furthermore, the central portion and the ends can have uneven basis weights.

[0100] The ratio between the basis weight of the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21 and the basis weight of the first end 52 can be in the range of 4 to 1.5, and the ratio between the basis weight of the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21 and the basis weight of the second end 53 can be in the range of 4 to 1.5. The first and second ends 52 and 53 can have the same basis weight or can have different basis weights.

[0101] The absorbent core 21 shown in the figure is a three-dimensional core with different thicknesses in different parts of the absorbent core. However, it should be understood that the three-dimensional shape of the absorbent core is optional for the absorbent articles disclosed herein, and the absorbent core can be planar or substantially planar. In a planar or substantially planar absorbent core, the absorption capacity in the absorbent core may differ in different parts of the core, simply as a result of the different absorption capacity per unit area. For example, differences in absorption capacity per unit area can be achieved by applying different amounts of superabsorbent material to different parts of the core and / or by changing the amount of fiber and the degree of compression of the fibrous matrix in the absorbent core.

[0102] The absorbent core 21 disclosed herein may include any material suitable for absorbing excreted bodily waste, such as cellulose fluff pulp, cotton paper layers, highly absorbent polymers (superabsorbents), absorbent foam materials including hydrogel foam materials, absorbent nonwoven materials, etc. The absorbent core may include non-absorbent components, such as reinforcing elements, shaping elements, adhesives, etc. Various types of liquid receiving and liquid dispensing elements may also be included in the core.

[0103] At least in the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21, the absorbent core 21 preferably comprises 50% to 100% by weight of superabsorbent material, for example, 60% to 100% by weight of superabsorbent material. As described herein, the superabsorbent content in the first end 52 and / or the second end 53 of the absorbent core may be lower than that in the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21, or may be the same in all portions of the absorbent core 21.

[0104] Superabsorbent materials are polymeric materials and can take the form of particles, granular fibers, sheets, etc.

[0105] As disclosed herein, the absorbent core 21 may comprise a mixture of absorbent cellulose fibers (e.g., cellulose pulp fibers) and superabsorbent materials.

[0106] The abundance of superabsorbent material in the absorbent core makes it possible to produce thin and inconspicuous absorbent articles while providing high absorption capacity as well as the ability to chemically bind and immobilize the absorbed fluid. This results in absorbent articles having high leak safety and a dry inner surface, even after absorbing a large amount of fluid.

[0107] Superabsorbent materials absorb liquids upon swelling and formation of a hydrogel. To fully utilize the absorption capacity of the superabsorbent material, the absorbent article must provide sufficient expansion space for the superabsorbent material. Since the absorbent core is enclosed within the core cover 5, the expanding superabsorbent material exerts pressure on the core cover. In the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21, which is provided with channels 35, 36 having permanent channel seals 37, 38, the expansion space is confined in the region between channels 35, 36, causing this region to thicken and harden slightly until the core cover prevents further expansion. The absorbent core 21 has an hourglass shape, wherein the distance between the side edges 26, 27 of the absorbent core 21 is greater at the end edges 28, 29 of the absorbent core 21 than at the central region 60 of the absorbent core 21, where the absorbent core 21 has a width smaller than that at the end edges 28, 29.

[0108] Figure 3a and 3b It shows the passage Figure 2 The cross-section of line III-III of the absorber core 21. Figure 3a The absorber core 21 is shown in a dry state before absorbing any liquid. Figure 3b The absorber core 21 is shown in a wet state after absorption and expansion.

[0109] The absorbent core 21 is shown enclosed between the upper core cover layer 24 and the lower core cover layer 25, and between the liquid-permeable top sheet 22 and the liquid barrier layer 23. The absorbent core 21 is arranged between the top sheet 22 and the liquid barrier layer 23 with the upper core cover layer 24 facing the liquid top sheet 22 and the lower core cover layer 25 facing the liquid barrier layer 23.

[0110] The top sheet 22 and the liquid barrier layer 23 extend beyond the periphery of the absorbent core 21 and engage with each other in an edge seal 41 extending outward from the side edges 26, 27 and end edges 28, 29 of the absorbent core 21 along the periphery of the absorbent core. The edge seal 41 between the top sheet 22 and the liquid barrier layer 23 is preferably a permanent seal.

[0111] When the absorbent core 21 absorbs bodily fluid, the absorbent material in the absorbent core 21 expands, causing the portion of the absorbent core 21 located between channels 35 and 36 and confined between permanent channel seals 37 and 38 to take on a sausage shape. The absorbent material completely fills the available space between channels 35 and 36, causing the top sheet 22 and the upper core cover layer 24 to bulge upwards, and the liquid barrier layer 23 and the lower core cover layer 25 to bulge downwards. Figure 3b As shown. The absorbent material disposed in the portion of the absorbent core 21 located between channels 35, 36 having permanent channel seals 37, 38 applies pressure to the disengageable side seals 33, 34, causing the side seals 33, 34 to rupture and providing lateral expansion space for the absorbent material. In this way, the absorbent core can absorb liquid and expand while the side edges 26, 27 of the absorbent core 21 remain soft and comfortable. From Figure 3a and 3b It can be inferred that the lateral expansion of the absorber core 21 causes the side edges 26 and 27 of the absorber core to move outward in the lateral direction T, thereby causing the hourglass shape of the absorber core to gradually disappear.

[0112] In this embodiment, the absorbent core 21 has a channel seal 37, 38 at the ends of the channels 35, 36 that is slightly wider than the middle portion of the channels 35, 36 where the expansion direction is to be controlled. This seal can be a disconnectable seal, allowing the portion of the absorbent core 21 positioned along the side edges 26, 27 to expand primarily in the lateral direction of the absorbent core 21. Figure 3b As shown.

[0113] The lengths of one or more channels 35, 36 in the longitudinal direction L are shown in the figure as less than the lengths of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 in the longitudinal direction L. The crotch elastic members 61, 62 are shown as being longer than the channels 35, 36 towards the front region 3 and towards the rear region 4 of the absorbent article 1.

[0114] Channels 35 and 36 are shown displacedly positioned within the absorbent core 21 toward the front region 3 of the absorbent article 1. Therefore, the forward extension of channels 35 and 36 from the narrow middle portion of the absorbent core 21 is greater than the rearward extension of channels 35 and 36 from the narrow middle portion of the absorbent core 21. Figure 1 In the diagram, channels 35 and 36 are shown to be approximately aligned with or share the same end as the narrow middle portion of the absorption core 21 at their rear ends.

[0115] The crotch elastic members 61 and 62 are shown displacedly positioned in the absorbent core 21 toward the rear region 4 of the absorbent article 1. Thus, the forward extension of the crotch elastic members 61 and 62 from the narrow middle portion of the absorbent core 21 is less than the rearward extension of the crotch elastic members 61 and 62 from the narrow middle portion of the absorbent core 21.

[0116] The extension range of channels 35, 36 and elastic members 61, 62 is measured forward and backward from a horizontal line extending across the crotch region 6 at the position where the absorbent core 21 has its minimum width. If the absorbent core 21 has a narrow portion extending in the longitudinal direction L and having a constant minimum width, as in the case of absorbent article 1 shown, the extension range of channels 35, 36 and elastic members 61, 62 is measured forward and backward from a horizontal line extending across the crotch region 6 and dividing the narrow portion into two equal parts extending in the longitudinal direction L.

[0117] The liquid-permeable topsheet 22 may comprise or be composed of nonwoven materials. Other suitable topsheet materials include towed fibers, porous foams, porous plastic films, and laminates, as well as combinations thereof. The most suitable materials for topsheets are soft, non-irritating to the skin, readily permeable to bodily fluids, and exhibit low rewetting properties.

[0118] The liquid barrier layer 23 may be composed of a thin plastic film, such as a polyethylene or polypropylene film, a nonwoven material coated with a liquid-impermeable material, a hydrophobic nonwoven material that resists liquid penetration, or a laminate of plastic film and nonwoven material. The liquid barrier layer material may be breathable to allow vapor to escape from the absorbent while still preventing liquid from passing through the liquid barrier layer material.

[0119] The top sheet and the liquid barrier layer can be joined to each other, for example, by adhesive bonding, gluing, or by heating or ultrasonic welding. The top sheet and / or the liquid barrier layer can also be attached to the core cover by any method known in the art, such as adhesive, thermal bonding, welding, etc.

[0120] The absorbent article 1 of the trouser type disclosed herein may have an elastic waist feature 90 arranged along the waist edges 7, 10. The elastic waist feature 90 may be formed by one or more elastic elements extending parallel to the front waist edge 7 and the back waist edge 10. One or more elastic waist elements may be incorporated in the front region 3 and the back region 4, or may be applied as a separate waistband attached to the front waist edge 7 and the back waist edge 10. The absorbent article 1 of the trouser type shown in the figure has an elastic waist feature 90, which extends around the entire circumference of the waist opening 16, as... Figure 4 As shown. However, the elastic waist feature may be arranged only along a portion of the waist opening, such as only along the rear waist edge, only along the front waist edge, or along a portion of one or both of the front and rear waist edges, wherein the length of that portion of one or both of the front and rear waist edges is less than the full length of the corresponding waist edge.

[0121] Reinforcing leg elastic features 75 and 76 are arranged along each leg edge 19', 19'' in the rear region 4 of the absorbent article 1. In the sheet article disclosed herein, the first reinforcing elastic feature 75 may be arranged along the rear leg edge portion of the first leg edge on the elastically stretchable rear body sheet, and the second reinforcing elastic feature 76 may be arranged along the rear leg edge portion of the second leg edge on the elastically stretchable rear body sheet. The reinforcing elastic features are supplementary elastic elements applied in addition to the elastic material in the elastic body sheet. The reinforcing elastic features are optional for the absorbent article disclosed herein. Figure 1 The reinforcing elastic features 75 and 76 shown are applied only along a portion of the rear edge of the leg and do not extend to the full distance from the side seams 14 and 15. However, the reinforcing leg elastic features can be applied all the way to the side seams. It should also be understood that the reinforcing leg elastic features can be arranged along the front edge of the leg.

[0122] As disclosed herein, the elastic material in the elastic elements arranged along the leg openings 17, 18 and the waist opening 16 can be any suitable elastic material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, such as thermoplastic polyurethane or styrene block copolymers, or elastic fibers, also known as spandex (polyurethane-polyurea copolymer). The elastic element can be an elastic fiber type available under the trade name "LYCRA," but any suitable elastic thread can be used.

[0123] The provision of absorbent core 21 is not limited to absorbent articles having an absorbent core applied to the article as a component of a prefabricated absorbent assembly, which already includes a top sheet and a liquid barrier layer.

[0124] The disposable absorbent article disclosed herein includes a front region 3, a rear region 4, and a crotch region 6 located between the front region 3 and the rear region 4, and an absorbent core 21 disposed in the crotch region 6 and extending longitudinally into the front and rear regions 3 and 4. The disposable absorbent article has a waist edge and first and second leg edges 19', 19''. Pre-tensioned crotch elastic members 61, 62 are arranged to extend along the leg edges 19', 19'' in the crotch region 6, in which the leg edges 19', 19'' partially or entirely extend within the respective crotch elastic members 61, 62. The crotch region 6 is generally hourglass-shaped with a narrow middle portion, and the crotch elastic members 61, 62 have first side edges 63, 65, which at least partially overlap with the respective leg edges 19', 19'' in the crotch region 6. The absorbent core 21 has first and second side edges 26, 27 extending along the leg edges 19', 19'' in the crotch region 6. The absorbent core 21 is generally hourglass-shaped with a narrow middle portion. The distance d1 measured in the lateral direction T between the first side edge 26 of the absorbent core 21 and the first side edge 63 of the first crotch elastic member 61, and the distance d2 measured in the lateral direction T between the second side edge 27 of the absorbent core 21 and the first side edge 65 of the second crotch elastic member 62 vary by a maximum of 30 mm along the entire length of the crotch elastic members 61, 62.

Claims

1. A disposable absorbent article (1) having a longitudinal direction (L) and a transverse direction (T), wherein a longitudinal centerline (Lc) extends in the longitudinal direction (L), the disposable absorbent article (1) comprising: - A front region (3) having a front waist edge (7) and longitudinal first and second front side edges (8, 9); - A rear region (4) having a rear waist edge (10) and first and second rear side edges (11, 12). - The crotch area (6) located between the front region (3) and the rear region (4); - Absorbent core (21); - First leg edge (19') and second leg edge (19''); - A pre-tensioned first crotch elastic member (61) and a pre-tensioned second crotch elastic member (62), the first crotch elastic member (61) being arranged to extend in the crotch region (6) along the first leg edge (19') in the longitudinal direction (L), and the second crotch elastic member (62) being arranged to extend in the crotch region (6) along the second leg edge (19'') in the longitudinal direction (L); in - The leg edges (19', 19'') extend partially or entirely in the corresponding crotch elastic members (61, 62) in the crotch area (6); - The middle portion of the crotch region (6) has a width smaller than that of the crotch region (6) in the front region (3) and a width smaller than that of the crotch region (6) in the rear region (4). in - Each crotch elastic member (61, 62) has a first side edge (63, 65) and a second side edge (64, 66) extending in the longitudinal direction (L), the first side edge (63, 65) of each crotch elastic member (61, 62) at least partially coincides with the corresponding leg edge (19', 19'') in the crotch region (6), and the width (wc) of each crotch elastic member (61, 62) in the middle portion (61''', 62''') is smaller than the width (wf) of the crotch elastic member (61, 62) at the front end (61', 62') of the crotch elastic member (61, 62), and smaller than the width (wr) of the crotch elastic member (61, 62) at the rear end (61'', 62''). - The absorbent core (21) has first and second side edges (26, 27) and first and second end edges (28, 29). The first side edge (26) and the second side edge (27) of the absorbent core (21) extend along the leg edge (19', 19'') in the crotch region (6). The width of the absorbent core (21) in the middle portion of the absorbent core (21) is smaller than the width of the front portion of the absorbent core (21) and smaller than the width of the rear portion of the absorbent core (21). The distance (d1) between the first side edge (26) of the absorbent core (21) and the first side edge (63) of the first crotch elastic member (61) measured in the lateral direction (T) and the distance (d2) between the second side edge (27) of the absorbent core (21) and the first side edge (65) of the second crotch elastic member (62) measured in the lateral direction (T) vary by at most 30 mm along the entire length of the first crotch elastic member (61) and the second crotch elastic member (62).

2. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 1, wherein the disposable absorbent article is a trouser-type article, wherein the first front edge (8) is joined to the first rear edge (11) in the first side seam (14), and the second front edge (9) is joined to the second rear edge (12) in the second side seam (15), the front waist edge (7) and the rear waist edge (10) together define a waist opening (16), the first leg edge (19') defines a first leg opening (17), and the second leg edge (19'') defines a second leg opening (18).

3. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 2, wherein: - The front region (3) includes or is composed of a front body plate (3') that is elastically stretchable in the lateral direction (T), the front body plate (3') having a front plate waist edge, a front plate crotch edge opposite to the front plate waist edge, and first and second front plate longitudinal side edges. - The rear region (4) includes or is composed of a rear body plate (4') that is elastically stretchable in the lateral direction, the rear body plate (4') having a rear plate waist edge, a rear plate crotch edge opposite to the rear plate waist edge, and first and second rear plate side edges. - The crotch area (6) is located between the front main body plate (3') and the rear main body plate (4'), and the crotch area (6) is defined by the crotch edge of the front plate and the crotch edge of the rear plate in the longitudinal direction (L); - The longitudinal side edge of the first front panel is joined to the side edge of the first rear panel in the first side seam (14), and the longitudinal side edge of the second front panel is joined to the side edge of the second rear panel in the second side seam (15); - The front leg edge segment of each of the first and second leg edges is arranged in the elastically stretchable front body plate, the rear leg edge segment of each of the first and second leg edges is arranged in the elastically stretchable rear body plate, and the crotch leg edge segment of each of the first and second leg edges is arranged from the crotch edge of the front plate to the crotch edge of the rear plate in the crotch region (6), and the total length of each leg edge (19', 19'') is the combined length of the front leg edge segment, the crotch leg edge segment and the rear leg edge segment; - The crotch leg edge segments of the first and second leg edges (19', 19'') extend partially or completely in the corresponding crotch elastic members (61, 62); - The crotch leg edge section is shaped such that the width of the middle portion of the crotch area (6) is smaller than the width of the crotch area (6) at the crotch edge of the front panel and smaller than the width of the crotch area (6) at the crotch edge of the rear panel. - In the middle portion of the absorbent core (21), the width of the absorbent core (21) is smaller than the width of the absorbent core (21) at the edge of the front panel crotch and smaller than the width of the absorbent core (21) at the edge of the rear panel crotch.

4. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 3, wherein the front end portion (61', 62') of each of the first and second crotch elastic members (61, 62) overlaps with and is attached to the front body plate (3'), and / or the rear end portion (61'', 62'') of the first and second crotch elastic members (61, 62) overlaps with and is attached to the rear body plate (4').

5. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width (wf) of the front end (61', 62') of each crotch elastic member (61, 62) is equal to the width (wr) of the rear end (61'', 62'') of the crotch elastic member (61, 62), and the ratio between the width (wf, wr) of the front and rear ends and the minimum width (wc) of the middle portion (61''', 62''') is 1:0.5 to 1:0.

9.

6. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the crotch elastic member (61, 62) comprises or is composed of an elastic film or an elastic nonwoven material.

7. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the absorbent core (21) forms part of an absorbent assembly (20), the absorbent assembly (20) including the absorbent core (21), a liquid-permeable upper core cover layer (24) and a lower core cover layer (25), the absorbent core (21) being enclosed between the upper core cover layer (24) and the lower core cover layer (25).

8. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first side edges (63, 65) of the crotch elastic member (61, 62) are aligned with the first and second side edges of the absorbent assembly (20) and share a contour with the first and second side edges of the absorbent assembly (20) in the crotch region (6).

9. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 8, wherein the upper core cover layer (24) and the lower core cover layer (25) are joined in a first side seal extending along a first side edge (26) of the absorbent core (21) and a second side seal extending along a second side edge (27) of the absorbent core (21), the absorbent core (21) including one or more channels (35, 36) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) at a distance from each of the first side seal (33) and the second side seal (34), each of the one or more channels (35, 36) having a channel seal (37, 38) extending therein, the channel seal (37, 38) engaging the upper core cover layer (24) and the lower core cover layer (25) of the core cover (5) within the channels (35, 36).

10. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 9, wherein the length of one or more channels (35, 36) in the longitudinal direction (L) is less than the length of each of the first crotch elastic member and the second crotch elastic member in the longitudinal direction (L).

11. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first side seal (33), the second side seal (34) and one or more of the channel seals (37, 38) are adhesive seals or welded seals or combinations thereof.

12. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 11, wherein the first side seal (33), the second side seal (34) and each channel seal (37, 38) are adhesive seals, and the basis weight of the adhesive in each channel seal is higher than the basis weight of the adhesive in each of the first side seal (33) and the second side seal (34).

13. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 7, wherein the upper core cover layer is a liquid-permeable top sheet and the lower core cover layer is a liquid-barrier layer.

14. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the absorbent core (21) comprises a superabsorbent material.

15. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 14, wherein the absorbent core (21) comprises 50% to 100% by weight of superabsorbent material.

16. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the one or more channels (35, 36) comprises two channels (35, 36) that extend spaced apart and are symmetrically arranged on each side of the longitudinal centerline (Lc), located between the longitudinal centerline (Lc) and a corresponding one of the first side seal (33) and the second side seal (34).

17. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the length of each of the one or more channels (35, 36) is in the range of 50 mm to 400 mm.

18. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the absorbent core (21) comprises two or more portions having different absorbent capacities per unit area.

19. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 18, wherein, viewed from the longitudinal direction (L), the central portion (51) of the absorbent core (21) is disposed between the first end (52) and the second end (53) of the absorbent core (21), and the absorbent capacity per unit area of ​​the central portion (51) of the absorbent core (21) is greater than the absorbent capacity per unit area of ​​the first end (52) and greater than the absorbent capacity per unit area of ​​the second end (53).

20. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 19, wherein the central portion (51) of the absorbent core (21) has a uniform basis weight, and each of the first end (52) and the second end (53) of the absorbent core (21) has a uniform basis weight, wherein the central portion (51) of the absorbent core (21) is demarcated from each of the first end (52) and the second end by a corresponding first transition zone (54) and a second transition zone (55).

21. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 20, wherein the first end (52) is a front end, and the first transition region (54) is a front transition region having an extension range of 5 mm to 80 mm in the longitudinal direction (L), and wherein the second end (53) is a rear end, and the second transition region (55) is a rear transition region having an extension range of 5 mm to 80 mm in the longitudinal direction (L).

22. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the ratio between the basis weight of the central portion (51) of the absorbent core (21) and the basis weight of the first and second ends (52, 53) is in the range of 4 to 1.

5.

23. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the length of the absorbent core (21) is determined as the distance between the point where the first end edge (28) of the absorbent core (21) intersects the longitudinal centerline (Lc) and the point where the second end edge (29) of the absorbent core (21) intersects the longitudinal centerline (Lc), the length of the absorbent core (21) being in the range of 300 mm to 700 mm.

24. The disposable absorbent article according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the crotch area (6) comprises a non-stretchable crotch fabric.

25. The disposable absorbent article of claim 24, wherein the crotch area (6) comprises an instretchable nonwoven web.

26. The disposable absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein, The elastically stretchable front body panel (3) and / or the elastically stretchable rear body panel (4) comprises or is composed of an elastic laminate material, the elastic laminate material comprising at least a first layer of fiber material and an elastic layer.

27. The disposable absorbent article of claim 26, wherein the elastic layer comprises an elastic film layer or an elastic nonwoven fabric layer or is composed of an elastic film layer or an elastic nonwoven fabric layer.

Images