Disposable absorption pants with elastic waist piece structure and blurred printing patterns

Abstract

The present application discloses an adult disposable absorbent pant having a front panel and a back panel, the front panel and the back panel each comprising a stretch laminate material. The stretch laminate may have: an inner layer and an outer layer, each formed from a nonwoven web material; and a plurality of longitudinally spaced, laterally extending, and laterally pre-strained elastic strands therebetween. The plurality of elastic strands in at least one of the front panel and the back panel have an average longitudinal strand pitch of 2 mm to 6 mm, and the panel is imparted a pleated area. The pleated region carries a printed pattern visible from the exterior of the pant. The printed pattern may be configured to impart the sheet with a percentage of wrinkled areas with a color contrast of at least 50%. The printed pattern is used to obscure wrinkles of the sheet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application is generally directed to absorbent articles including front and back panels comprising a stretch laminate and, more particularly, a wrinkle-obscuring printed pattern included on at least a portion of at least one of the front and back panels. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the 68 population in many countries has shifted to middle-aged and older demographic groups. These demographic groups represent a relatively increased market demand for products and services designed to address issues associated with aging.

[0003] One such problem is urinary incontinence in adults. Urinary incontinence can be caused or exacerbated by a variety of health conditions and even normal experiences such as childbirth.

[0004] Disposable absorbent pants for people who experience urinary incontinence have been commercially available for many years. These products have similarities with disposable baby diapers or disposable children's training pants traditionally, and the main difference is size. A kind of design type is called "with belt" or "balloon" type pants, which is formed by one or more wide material belts or sheets, and these one or more wide material belts or sheets surround the waist and lower body of the wearer, thereby forming the front waist piece and the back waist piece of the structure bridged by connecting the front belt portion and the back belt portion through the crotch area of ​​the wearer. The crotch structure includes an absorbent structure designed to receive, hold and store urine before the pants are changed. Belt / sheet or waist piece are usually formed by stretch laminate, and this stretch laminate is formed by two layers of nonwoven web materials of sandwiching elastomeric material (in the form of strands or strips, films, etc. arranged laterally, for example), and this elastomeric material has been laminated between the nonwoven web layers under the condition of lateral strain (that is, pre-strained). When the stretch laminate is relaxed after manufacture, the elastomeric material contracts in the lateral direction, causing the interposed nonwoven web layers to gather in the lateral direction, thereby forming gathers of the nonwoven web material that are incrementally gathered.

[0005] While the gathers of the gathered material allow the stretch laminate to stretch in lateral directions when donned and during wear by the wearer, unless the laminate is stretched to the full pre-contracted size of the nonwoven web layer (which would be uncommon for normal wear by a wearer of the intended size of pants sized according to conventional sizing operations), the gathers impart noticeable wrinkles and thickness to the stretch laminate, and therefore to the front and back waist panels.

[0006] In addition, disposable absorbent pants typically include an absorbent structure disposed in the crotch region of the pants. The absorbent structure will include added layers of material, such as one or more absorbent fiber battings, deposits or accumulations of absorbent gelling material particles, added nonwoven layers, etc. These added layers impart increased thickness and bulk to the crotch region, and may also impart a noticeable interruption to the outer contour of the pants when worn, for example, a noticeable increase in thickness around the peripheral edge of the absorbent structure. Further, when the front and back waist panels are stretched laterally as during wear (pulling out the accumulation to some extent), the front and back waist panels may become more translucent, and the edges of the absorbent structure may become easily visible from the outside.

[0007] Due to these features, the pant product may visually resemble disposable children's training pants rather than ordinary underwear.

[0008] This similarity has been a source of uneasiness and discomfort for some wearers who may not like using a product that may be associated with aging and loss of control over bodily functions, or who may simply be uncomfortable or embarrassed about wearing underwear that resembles conventional disposable children's training pants.

[0009] In these cases, any improvement to traditional designs and materials for adult incontinence pants that is efficient to manufacture while providing an appearance more similar to ordinary underwear can provide their manufacturers with a competitive advantage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a simplified perspective illustration of an example of a pair of disposable absorbent underpants (hereinafter "underpants" or "pants") as they might appear when worn by a standing wearer (wearer not shown).

[0011] Figure 2A is a schematic plan view of how a pant structure with the front and back panels separated at the side / hip regions would appear if laid flat on a horizontal surface with its outwardly facing surface facing upward.

[0012] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A The pants structure shown is Figure 2A A schematic longitudinal section taken along line 2B-2B is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A A view of a trouser structure depicting the circumscribed pleat area.

[0014] Figure 4 yes Figure 2A , which depicts an example of an embossed wrinkle-blurring printed pattern on the front and back panels.

[0015] Figure 5A yes Figure 2A A view of a pants structure illustrating a superimposed pleat grid.

[0016] Figure 5B is a view of another example of a pant structure illustrating a superimposed pleat grid.

[0017] Figure 6 is a superimposed wrinkle grid as shown in FIG5 Figure 4 View of the trouser structure.

[0018] 7A to 7E are views of non-limiting illustrative examples of possible relatively regular printed patterns that blur wrinkles.

[0019] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B is an enlarged view of a non-limiting illustrative example of a relatively irregular or random printing pattern that is possible to obscure wrinkles.

[0020] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B They are Fig. 7A and Figure 7B A more magnified view of the printed pattern illustrating how the pattern provides color contrast within the square cells of the superimposed pleat grid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] "Adult" disposable absorbent pants are disposable absorbent underwear products that are commercially available or retailed in association with any combination of speech, graphics or picture information, and the speech, graphics or picture information actually indicate that the product is configured to be worn by male or female adults and / or is configured for the purpose of managing adult bladder leakage or adult urinary incontinence. Alternatively, "adult" disposable absorbent pants are disposable absorbent pants that are commercially available or retailed without any information associated with the specified size that is usually associated with an adult about the expected wearer or user. By contrast and by way of example, disposable baby diapers and children's disposable absorbent pants are usually (if not always) commercially available or retailed in association with various combinations of speech, graphics and / or picture information, and the speech, graphics and / or picture information actually indicate that the product will be applicable to the following and / or worn by the following: infants, children who experience toilet training, or boys or girls who experience enuresis (bedwetting) in children. Alternatively, "adult" disposable absorbent pants are disposable absorbent pants with a waist size of at least 35cm.

[0022] With respect to a printed pattern, "color contrast" is any point, line, or path of juxtaposition of a deposit of printed ink of a first color on a substrate with an immediately adjacent unprinted area of ​​the substrate or an immediately adjacent printed ink of a second color, where the unprinted area or the second color contrasts with the first color. In many examples, color contrast may be detected only visually, but where the difference between the juxtaposed colors or their hues is relatively subtle, "color contrast" may be identified via machine assistance as described in the "Color Contrast Measurement Method" described herein.

[0023] A "pleat grid" is an imaginary grid of uniformly sized mutually adjacent square cells of surface area defined by imaginary longitudinal and lateral lines superimposed over a corrugated area as described herein, wherein the lateral lines are uniformly longitudinally spaced at twice the average spacing of the elastic strands defining the corrugated area, and the longitudinal lines perpendicular to the lateral lines are also uniformly laterally spaced at twice the average strand spacing. Strand spacing is expressed and measured herein on a center-to-center basis.

[0024] "Lateral" (relative to disposable absorbent pants) refers to the direction parallel to the horizontal line tangent to the front surface of the upper part of the wearer's legs near the torso when the pants are normally worn and the wearer has taken a stable, flush, normal standing posture. The "width" size of any component or feature of the product (such as disposable absorbent pants) is measured along the lateral direction. When the front and back pieces of disposable absorbent pants are separated at the side / hip area and the structure is placed flat on a horizontal flat surface, the "lateral" direction corresponds to the lateral direction relative to the structure when it is worn, as defined above. When the front and back pieces of disposable absorbent pants are separated at the side / hip area and the structure is placed flat on a horizontal flat surface, "lateral" refers to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the horizontal flat surface. Relative to disposable absorbent pants, the term "x direction" can be interchanged with the term "lateral direction".

[0025] The "lateral axis" of a disposable absorbent pant is the lateral line that lies in the xy plane and bisects the length of the pant structure as laid out, with the front and back panels separated at the side / hip regions and the entire structure opened and laid flat on a horizontal, flat surface. The lateral axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0026] "Longitudinal" (with respect to disposable absorbent pants) refers to the direction perpendicular to the lateral direction. The "length" dimension of the pants or features thereof is measured along the longitudinal direction. When the front and back panels of a disposable absorbent pants are separated at the side / hip regions and the structure is laid flat on a horizontal flat surface, the "longitudinal" direction is perpendicular to the lateral direction relative to the pants when it is worn, as defined above. With respect to disposable absorbent pants, the term "y-direction" is interchangeable with the term "longitudinal direction".

[0027] The "longitudinal axis" of a disposable absorbent pant is the longitudinal line that lies in the xy plane and bisects the width of the pant when the front and back panels of the pant are separated at the side / hip regions and the structure is laid flat on a horizontal planar surface. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the lateral axis.

[0028] As used herein, the term "rayon" is used generically to include any fiber spun from regenerated cellulose, including but not limited to viscose, lyocell, and the like.

[0029] With respect to disposable absorbent pants, "xy plane" means any horizontal plane occupied by the horizontal surfaces occupied by any layer components of the pants, with the front and back panels separated at the side / hip regions and the structure laid flat on a horizontal planar surface. With respect to the manufacture or processing of a web of material, the term "xy plane" means the plane substantially occupied by the major surfaces of the web of material.

[0030] With respect to the manufacture or processing of a web of material, the term "x-direction" is interchangeable with the term "transverse direction".

[0031] With respect to the manufacture or processing of a web of material, the term "y-direction" is interchangeable with the term "longitudinal direction".

[0032] With respect to disposable absorbent pants, the "z-direction" is the direction perpendicular / orthogonal to the xy plane when the front and rear waist portions are separated at the side / hip regions and the structure is laid flat on a horizontal planar surface. With respect to the manufacture or processing of a web of material, the term "z-direction" refers to the direction orthogonal to the xy plane substantially occupied by the major surfaces of the web of material.

[0033] The terms "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "over", "below", "beneath", "upper adjacent", "lower adjacent" and similar terms related to relative vertical positioning when used herein to refer to layers, components or other features of disposable absorbent pants are relative to the z-direction and are to be interpreted relative to the pants as they would appear with the front and back panels separated at the side / hip regions and with the structure laid flat on a horizontal, flat surface with the wearer-facing surface oriented upward and the outward-facing surface oriented downward.

[0034] With respect to disposable absorbent pants or components thereof, "wearer-facing" is a relative positional term referring to a feature of a component or structure that is closer to the wearer when in use than another feature of the component or structure. For example, a topsheet has a wearer-facing surface that is closer to the wearer than an opposite, outwardly facing surface of the topsheet.

[0035] With respect to disposable absorbent pants or components or structures thereof, "outwardly facing" is a relative positional term referring to a feature of a component or structure that is further away from the wearer when in use than another feature of the component or structure. For example, a topsheet has an outwardly facing surface that is further away from the wearer than an opposite, wearer-facing surface of the topsheet.

[0036] As used herein, with respect to disposable absorbent pants, "machine direction" or "MD" refers to the direction parallel to the movement of the article or component through processing / manufacturing equipment.

[0037] As used herein, with respect to disposable absorbent pants, "cross direction" or "CD" refers to the direction perpendicular / normal to the machine direction and extending along the xy plane substantially occupied by the major surfaces of the pant.

[0038] When used to characterize the amount of weight, volume, surface area, etc. of a pair of pants or parts thereof that are composed of a composition, material, feature, etc., "mainly" and its forms mean that the majority of such weight, volume, surface area, etc. of the pants or parts thereof is composed of the composition, material, feature, etc.

[0039] Throughout this specification, a material or composite material is considered to be "elastic" or "elastomeric" if, when tension is applied to the material in the direction of stretch, the material or composite material can be extended in the direction of stretch to an elongated length of at least 150% of its initial relaxed length (i.e., can be extended by at least 50%) without causing a rupture or break that significantly damages the material or composite material, and when the force is removed from the material or composite material, the material or composite material recovers at least 40% of such elongation. In various examples, when the force is removed from the elastically extensible material, the material or composite material can recover at least 60% or even at least 80% of its elongation.

[0040] The "stretch direction" of a stretch laminate is the direction along which the laminate will most readily undergo elastic stretching and contraction. In a stretch laminate wherein one or more elastic members are incorporated into the laminate while in a pre-strained state, the stretch direction is the direction along which the elastic members are pre-strained. The "cross-stretch direction" of a stretch laminate is the direction perpendicular to the stretch direction.

[0041] "Film" refers to a layer of skin-like or membrane-like material formed from one or more polymers, which does not have a form consisting primarily of a fibrous network of consolidated polymer fibers and / or other fibers.

[0042] "Nonwoven" is a fiber sheet or web of directional orientation or random orientation manufactured, and the fiber is first laid to form a wadding, then reinforced and bonded together by friction, cohesion, adhesion or one or more bonding portion patterns and bonding impressions, and the bonding portion pattern and bonding impression are formed by local compression and / or applying pressure, heat, ultrasound or thermal energy or their combination. The term does not include a fabric woven, knitted or stitched with yarn or filaments. These fibers can be natural and / or artificial sources, and can be staple and / or continuous filaments or fibers formed in situ. The diameter of commercially available fibers is less than about 0.001mm in the range of greater than about 0.2mm, and they have several different forms: staple fibers (referred to as staple yarns or chopped fibers), continuous single fibers (filaments or monofilaments), untwisted continuous filament bundles (tows) and twisted continuous filament bundles (yarns). Nonwoven fabrics can be formed by many processes, including but not limited to meltblowing, spunbonding, spunmelt, solution spinning, electrospinning, carding, film fibrillation, melt film fibrillation, air-laid, dry-laid, wet-laid using staple fibers, and combinations of these processes, as known in the art. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usually expressed in grams per square meter (gsm).

[0043] Unless otherwise indicated, the pant structures expressed herein (a non-limiting example of which is depicted in Figure 1 , Figure 2A and Figure 2B All dimensions of the structure are measured with the structure laid flat with the non-elastic material of the structure extending to its full width and length laterally and longitudinally to resist any contraction caused by the presence of pre-strained elastic strands or other elastic members.

[0044] Wherever a series of successively narrower numbers or value ranges of a variable feature is described, it is intended that the description contemplates any combination of upper and lower limits of the range. For example, if a series of ranges is: "1 to 10, more preferably 3 to 8", the description also contemplates "1 to 8" and "3 to 10". However, this is not intended to implicitly change the meaning or limitation of the ranges explicitly set forth in the claims.

[0045] Figure 1 An example of a belt or balloon type disposable absorbent pant 10 is depicted. Figure 2A and Figure 2BDescribe the trousers structure, it is shown as having the front piece 20 and the back piece 30 separated from the side seam 13, wherein the resulting structure is flatly laid and stretched to the maximum size of the nonwoven web material component against any contraction caused by the pre-strained elastic member included. Trousers 10 may have a waist opening defined by the front waist edge 11 and the back waist edge 12 and a pair of leg openings defined by the corresponding leg opening edges 14. Trousers 10 may include a belt structure with the front piece 20 and the back piece 30, and the front piece 20 and the back piece 30 are joined at the seam area 13a, 13b to form the side seams 13 and form the trousers structure. The side seams 13 may be butt seams, at which the seam areas 13a, 13b near the side edges of the front piece 20 and the back piece 30 are bonded together by any suitable bonding mechanism. Suitable bonding mechanisms may include welding / thermal bonding, wherein the polymer materials in the front piece 20 and the back piece 30 are fused together by applying a combination of heat and pressure. The pants 10 may also include an absorbent pad assembly 50 that covers the front panel 20 and the back panel 30 to the interior thereof and bridges them across the crotch region of the pants. The absorbent pad assembly 50 may be bonded to the inner surfaces of the front panel 20 and the back panel 30 by any suitable bonding mechanism, such as a hot melt adhesive applied during the manufacturing process. Figure 2A When shown lying flat, the structure can be divided longitudinally by longitudinal axis 200 into substantially mirror-image halves.

[0046] In general, the pants 10 may include any of the features disclosed in US 10,828,208, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference to the extent not inconsistent herewith.

[0047] Band structure / sheet structure

[0048] refer to Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the pants 10 may include a belt structure including a front panel 20 and a back panel 30. Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the example depicted in FIG, the outer layers 22, 32 of the front and back panels are formed by a continuous layer common to both panels, which also wraps around the outside of the pants through the crotch region; this configuration is sometimes referred to as a "single-piece" configuration. In another possible configuration (not shown), the front panel 20 and back panel 30 may have separate, separate outer layers, no common layers, and are joined only by the side seams 13 and the absorbent pad assembly. This alternative configuration is sometimes referred to as a "multi-piece" configuration.

[0049] In the example shown, the outer layer 22 of the respective front panel 20 and the outer layer 32 of the back panel 30 can each be formed by a layer of nonwoven web material, which can also be used as the outer layer of the pants through the crotch area. The front panel 20 and the back panel 30 can also include inner layers 21, 31. The inner layers 21, 31 can also each be formed by a layer of nonwoven web material. Figure 2B As shown, in some examples, the material forming one or both of the outer layers 22, 32 can be wrapped over the corresponding waist edges 11, 12 and continue to be wrapped over the inner layers 21, 31 and adhered thereto by any suitable mechanism (such as adhesive and / or pressure / heat bonding) to provide a waist edge with a neat, finished look and feel. In other examples (not specifically shown), for the same purpose, the material forming one or both of the inner layers 21, 31 can be wrapped over the corresponding waist edges 11, 12 and continue to be wrapped over the outer layers 22, 32 and adhered thereto.

[0050] Suitable nonwoven web materials that can be used as components of the inner layer 21, 31 and outer layer 22, 32 of the front sheet 20 and the back sheet 30 include, but are not limited to, spunbond, spinning, meltblowing, spunmelt, solvent-spinning, electrostatic spinning, carding, film fibrillation, melt film fibrillation, air-laid, dry-laid, wet-laid short fibers, and other nonwoven web materials formed in part or in whole by polymer fibers. The nonwoven web material can be mainly formed by polymer fibers. In some examples, suitable nonwoven fiber materials can include, but are not limited to, polymer materials, such as polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, or specifically polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or their blends. In some examples, the fiber can be formed by PP / PE blends, such as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,266,392. Nonwoven fibers may be formed from or may include components as additives or modifiers, such as aliphatic polyesters, thermoplastic polysaccharides or other biopolymers. Additional available nonwoven materials, fiber compositions, fiber and nonwoven material formation and related methods are described in the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Patents 6,645,569, 6,863,933 and 7,112,621; and co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 10 / 338,603, 10 / 338,610 and 13 / 005,237.

[0051] The individual fibers of the nonwoven web material may be monocomponent or multicomponent. Multicomponent fibers may be bicomponent fibers, such as in a core-skin arrangement or in a side-by-side arrangement. The individual components often include polyolefins such as polypropylene or polyethylene, or copolymers thereof, polyesters, thermoplastic polysaccharides or other biopolymers.

[0052] The nonwoven web material may be selected to provide good recovery when external pressure is applied and removed. The nonwoven web material may include a blend of different fibers such as those selected from the types of the above-mentioned polymer fibers. In some examples, at least a portion of the fiber may exhibit a spiral curl having a spiral shape. As described above, the fiber may include bicomponent fibers, which are single fibers each containing different materials (typically a first polymer material and a second polymer material). It is believed that using side-by-side bicomponent fibers is beneficial to imparting spiral curl to the fiber.

[0053] In order to enhance the tactile and / or visual perception of the softness of the nonwoven web material, the nonwoven web material can be treated by jet jetting, which may also be referred to as hydro-strengthening, hydroentanglement or hydrocharging. Examples of such nonwoven web materials and methods are described in, for example, U.S. Patents 6,632,385 and 6,803,103, and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006 / 0057921.

[0054] Other examples of nonwoven webs that may be useful may include an SMS web (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond web) manufactured by Avgol Nonwovens LTD of Tel Aviv, Israel, under the designation XL-S70-26; an SSS (spunbond-spunbond-spunbond) web manufactured by Pegas Nonwovens AS of Znojmo, Czech Republic, under the designation 18 XX 01 00 01 00 (where XX = variable basis weight); an SSS web manufactured by Gulsan Sentetik Dok San VETIC AS of Gaziantep, Turkey, under the designation SBXXF0YYY (where XX = variable basis weight and YYY = variable cross-machine width); an HESB (hydro-enhanced spunbond) web manufactured by First Quality Nonwovens Inc. of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, under the designation SEH2503XXX (where XXX = variable cross-machine width); and bicomponent SS webs.

[0055] Can be used as component to form one or more nonwoven web materials in layer 21,31,22,32 can be bonded into bonding portion pattern.Loose fiber batts such as spun fiber batts can be passed through the roller gap between a pair of calendering bonding rollers, so that they are consolidated and bonded into bonding portion pattern, so as to increase longitudinal and transverse tensile strength and dimensional stability, so that the loose fiber batts are converted and processed into adhesive and usable nonwoven web materials.Bond can include thermal bonding portion pattern, mechanical bonding portion pattern, adhesive bonding portion pattern or their combination, but thermal bonding can be preferred in some cases.Thermal bonding portion can be formed by supplying thermal energy to one or both of the calendering rollers or with the equipment, and the thermal energy is used to heat the fibers and melt them and fuse below the bonding protrusion in the roller gap between the calendering bonding rollers.One or both of the rollers can be machined, etched or otherwise formed to have a patterned molding bonding protrusion extending radially outward from the cylindrical surface of the roller. When the rolls are suitably held in close proximity with their axes parallel, the fiber batts passing therebetween will experience pressure concentrated in the nip beneath the bonding protrusions, and the fibers passing through the nip and beneath the bonding protrusions will be deformed and at least partially fused (by the application of thermal energy) to form bonds. Each bond will have a shape, and the bonds will have a pattern and spacing that substantially corresponds to the shape, pattern and spacing of the bonding protrusions of the calender bonding roll.

[0056] In some examples, the thermal bond patterns used to bond the nonwoven web material used to form one or more of layers 21, 31, 22, 32 may have features described in US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 331,650.

[0057] Still refer to Figure 2A and Figure 2B, the layers 21, 31, 22, 32 of either or both of the front and back panels 20, 30 may sandwich one or more elastic members, such as a plurality of laterally extending elastomeric materials such as elastic fibers (e.g., LYCRA HYFIT fibers, which are products of Invista of Wichita, Kansas) strands 40. The layers 21, 31, 22, 32 may be bonded together around the elastic strands 40 by adhesives deposited between the layers, by thermal bonds, by compression bonds, or by a combination thereof. In other examples, one or more elastic members may be strips or a section of film formed of an elastomeric material. However, elastic strands (rather than films) may be preferred for the flexibility they provide for the following reasons: achieving personalized pre-strain level settings, selecting and setting uniform or varying longitudinal spacing between them, and maintaining a high level of vapor transmission rate (breathability) through the belt laminate for the purposes of coolness, comfort, and skin health. This flexibility helps manufacturers achieve enhanced fit of pant-type structures around the varying contours and sizes of different wearer anatomy and gives the belt laminate a garment-like appearance. (For purposes of this document, a "strand" is a member having a cross-section perpendicular to its longest dimension that, in an unrestrained condition, has an aspect ratio of the largest dimension to the smallest dimension of no greater than 2.)

[0058] The elastic member may also be formed from a variety of other materials, such as, but not limited to, rubber, styrene ethyl butylene styrene, styrene ethylene propylene styrene, styrene ethylene propylene styrene, styrene butadiene styrene, styrene isoprene styrene, polyolefin elastomers, elastomeric polyurethanes, and other elastomeric materials known in the art, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the elastic member may be an extruded strand elastic with any number of strands (or filaments).

[0059] The elastic strands (if used) may be selected to have a decitex in the range of 50 to 2000, or any integer value of any decitex value in the range, or any range formed by any of these integer values. However, for the purposes herein, it may be preferred that the elastic strands included to elasticize the major portion of the front panel 20 and / or the back panel 30 above the bottom of the side seam 13 have a decitex of 400 to 1000, more preferably 500 to 900, and still more preferably 600 to 800. In one example, the waistband area of ​​the panel (the area immediately below the waist edge 11 or 12 of the panel) may include 3 to 12 elastic strands with a higher decitex and a plurality of strands with a lower decitex below the waistband area. In a more specific example, the waistband region of the pants may include 3 to 12, more preferably 4 to 10, and still more preferably 5 to 10 elastomeric strands having a dtex of 400 to 1000, more preferably 500 to 900, and still more preferably 600 to 800, and a plurality of strands having a dtex of 300 to 680, more preferably 400 to 580, below the waistband region and above the bottom ends of the side seams 13. The use of higher dtex elastomeric strands in the waistband region can be used to provide relatively greater tension to the pants in this region than in the lower region, thereby providing pants that are securely and comfortably held to the wearer's body around the waistband.

[0060] Alternatively, the elastic member may be one or more segments or strips of elastomeric film. Examples of elastomeric films have been fully described in prior patent applications (see, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0040826). The film may be formed by combining a variety of resins in at least one of several sub-layers, the latter providing different benefits to the film. The elastic member may also be in the form of a scrim, strip, or band of elastomeric material segments, wherein their longer dimensions are oriented in the direction of stretching.

[0061] During the manufacture of the belt structure, the one or more elastic members (such as elastic strands 40) can be pre-strained longitudinally (in the lateral direction) in the desired amount when they are incorporated into the belt structure. When the belt is subsequently relaxed, one or more elastic members such as elastic strands 40 will shrink toward their unstrained length. This causes the interlayers 21, 22 and / or 31, 32 to gather and form wrinkles or gatherings, which have ridges and valleys extending generally transverse to the length of the elastic strands 40 (i.e., in the longitudinal direction) and also extending in the z direction. The direction of pre-strain corresponds to the stretching direction of the laminate. For the purposes of this article and in combination with other features described herein, it is preferred that the elastic strands 40 in the front and / or back panels 20, 30 are pre-strained during manufacture in an amount of 50% to 290%, more preferably 90% to 230%, and more preferably 120% to 180%, and are attached between the inner and outer layers of the sheet when under such pre-strain conditions. (Herein, the amount of pre-strain of the elastic strand member is expressed as [((pre-strain unit length) – (unstrained unit length)) / (unstrained unit length)] x 100%. For example, an elastic strand pre-strained to twice its unstrained length per unit length has a pre-strain of 100%.) In combination with one or more of the decitex and strand spacing features described herein, pre-strain levels within this range are believed to balance the comfort of the belt structure, a snug fit, appropriate lateral tension, a smooth distribution across the longitudinal dimension of the belt to produce an absorbent pad assembly for hugging the wearer's body, and a cloth-like appearance formed by many relatively controlled ridges and valleys of gathers / gathers in the material resulting from the pre-strain in the elastic strand member.

[0062] In a more specific example of waistband area elastic members having a different decitex than those elastic members below the waistband area, as described above, the waistband area elastic members may be pre-strained during manufacturing in an amount of 110% to 350%, more preferably 150% to 290%, and even more preferably 180% to 240%, while the elastic members below the waistband area may be pre-strained during manufacturing in an amount of 50% to 290%, more preferably 90% to 230%, and even more preferably 120% to 180%.

[0063] In the event that the level of pre-strain of the elastic member is not included in the manufacturer's specifications, it may be calculated or determined empirically based on the known or readily determined stretch / strain properties of the member and the tension level introduced into the member when it is incorporated into the tape structure laminate. Alternatively, the amount of pre-strain may be measured by manufacturing the product on a production line using an adhesive deposition apparatus closed to a selected sample of the elastic member, and then measuring the stretched and relaxed lengths of the member in the unbonded area.

[0064] The size and shape of the gathers or gathers can be influenced and manipulated by the design of the pattern of the joining portions and / or the bonding between the respective layer pairs 21, 22 and / or 31, 32 relative to each other and to the elastic strands 40. The size and shape can also depend on and be manipulated by the selected longitudinal spacing SS of the elastic strands.

[0065] As described above, in one example, the stretch laminate can be elasticized by incorporating an elastic strand 40 as an elastic stretching mechanism. The elastic strands 40 may have an adhesive applied to them before lamination (e.g., by a strand coating process) so that when the web layers 21, 22 and / or 31, 32 are brought together to sandwich the strands, the applied adhesive causes the web layers to adhere around the strands to form a stretch laminate. The adhesive applied to the elastic strands may be the only adhesive used to hold the laminate together. This configuration helps to keep the strands fixed between the layers in their longitudinal positions while allowing the layer materials between the strands to move freely relative to each other, thereby providing uniform wrinkle / gathering formation, and excellent breathability. Alternatively or in addition, the adhesive may also be deposited on one or both layers 21, 22 and / or 31, 32 before lamination, and may be deposited in a pattern. An example of a method for applying a patterned adhesive deposit to a nonwoven web substrate to enable the manufacture of an elasticized laminate is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,186,296. In one example, the selected adhesive pattern can be achieved by the design of a correspondingly designed roller. The adhesive pattern to be applied can be designed to affect the size and shape of the fold or gather. Layers 21, 22 and / or 31, 32 can be bonded to each other with adhesive and / or bonded to each other at the location of the adhesive deposit, and remain unbonded or unbonded or separated from each other at other locations so that they can be slightly moved and displaced relative to each other as the laminate is moved and stretched during the wearing of the article.

[0066] Various coating methods and techniques, including strand coating methods and techniques, are shown, for example, in U.S. Patents 5,340,648, 5,501,756, 5,507,909, 6,077,375, 6,200,635, 6,235,137, 6,361,634, 6,561,430, 6,520,237, 6,582,518, 6,610,161, 6,613,146, 6,652,693, 6,719,846, and 6,737,102. The adhesive used may be a hot melt adhesive having elasticity and flexibility, making it suitable for attaching pre-strained elastic materials to substrates, such as OMNIMELT BLOCKS 22 H2401F, or a ZEROCREEP brand, such as AVANCÉ available from Bostik, Inc., Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

[0067] When using heat calendering bonding to bond one or both of the nonwoven fabric layers 21, 22 and / or 31, 32, the joining pattern and / or bonding pattern can be designed to affect the size and shape of the fold or gathered portion. In some cases, it may be desirable to bond the spun nonwoven web to a bonding area of ​​5% to 20% with a bonding portion pattern. For purposes described herein, it may be desirable to bond an area of ​​8% to 15%. Patterned thermal bonding tends to enhance the longitudinal strength and transverse strength and dimensional stability of the resulting bonded nonwoven web, which has a beneficial effect in downstream conversion operations and processing operations, and increases the tensile strength and stability of the product (the web is intended to form a part therein). However, thermal bonding generally also increases the hardness of the resulting bonded nonwoven web. This can adversely affect the perception of the tactile softness of the consumer of the product surface. For example, if the web is used as a layer of the belt structure of a trousers product, the hardness imparted to the web can cause the consumer to negatively perceive the belt layer as having a hard texture or roughness. For this reason, in some cases, it may be desirable to limit the bonding area to less than 16%, less than 12% or even less than 10%. In addition, the bonding pattern of the fiber web intended for stretch laminate is given as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 331650, which can alleviate the negative effect of hardening the fiber web, and also provides advantages except tensile strength. As disclosed in '650 applications cited above, the nonwoven web material bonding pattern with most of the bonding shape in the horizontal direction of the nonwoven web can tend to form more controlled, smaller folds or gathered portions in the pattern, making the belt laminate more like clothes in appearance.

[0068] For the purpose of reducing the overall size of the formed wrinkles or gathers, and in conjunction with any combination of the features described herein, it may be desirable for the average longitudinal spacing SS between a subset or all of the elastic strands 40 above the bottom of the side seam 13 to be no greater than 14 mm, more preferably no greater than 10 mm, even more preferably no greater than 7 mm, and still more preferably no greater than 5 mm. (Herein, the longitudinal spacing between adjacent elastic strands should be understood to refer to the distance between their axes, not the distance between their closest outer surfaces.) It has been experimentally determined that limiting the spacing of the elastic strands 40 in this manner has the effect of promoting the formation of controlled, small-sized wrinkles or gathers, thereby providing or enhancing a cloth-like appearance in the stretch laminate.

[0069] Printing that blurs wrinkles

[0070] The belt and / or sheet structure specifically considered herein includes those that are provided with pre-strained, laterally extended, longitudinally spaced elastic strands 40 as mechanisms by which the belt / sheet structure is given lateral elastic extensibility. Consider a relatively high-quality product, wherein the longitudinal spacing SS of the strands 40 is 2mm to 6mm on average. (In this article, the average strand spacing is the average value of all distances in the separate distances of the laterally oriented elastic strands in the entire subject belt or sheet in a center-to-center manner with its spacing.) When the average strand spacing is greater than 6mm, it is believed that due to the size of the gathering part and wrinkles of the wrinkles given to the belt / sheet, the consumer will not feel that the product is high-quality. When the average strand spacing is less than 2mm, the gathering part and wrinkles given to the wrinkles become very small, and the belt / sheet structure presents a relatively high-quality cloth-like appearance; however, it should be understood that when seeking such small spacings, there are practical technical challenges and increased costs. Therefore, the printed pattern features described herein are used to give or enhance the cloth-like high-quality appearance in the belt / sheet structure with an average longitudinal average strand spacing of 2mm to 6mm.

[0071] The gathered nonwoven material's wrinkles imparted to the stretch laminate by the presence of the elastic strands 40 including the contracted / relaxed pre-strain and the elastic strands make the pattern of lighter and shaded areas visible to the naked eye, thereby enabling the increased thickness and wrinkles of the stretch laminate to be easily perceived. Generally speaking, the lighter areas appear on the portions of the gathered portions / wrinkles that protrude outwardly in the z-direction, and the shaded areas appear on the portions of the gathered portions / wrinkles that are recessed inwardly (toward the wearer) in the z-direction.

[0072] However, it has been found that suitable printed patterns can be applied to one or more surfaces of the nonwoven web material components of the belt / sheet structure (such as the inner and outer layers 21, 31, 22, 32). It has been found that if the printed pattern is appropriately "busy" in appearance (i.e., having the characteristics of an appropriately visually dense pattern of interfaces or juxtapositions presenting contrasting colors to the observer), the pattern of the brighter and shadowed areas and the wrinkles imparted by the nonwoven web material gathering portion become less noticeable and / or less obvious to the observer. It has been recognized that such printed patterns that blur wrinkles can be particularly well accepted by adult wearers (distinguished from children and infants) because they may be more concerned and concerned about the appearance of the pants when wearing them. Therefore, in some examples, the applicability of the printed pattern features described herein can be particularly applicable to disposable absorbent pants with a waist size equal to or greater than 35 cm (which can distinguish adult products from infant or children's products).

[0073] As can be appreciated, the size of the wrinkles in the belt / sheet structure is related in part to the size of the spacing between the elastic strands 40. It has been discovered that a printed pattern applied to one or more surfaces of the nonwoven web component will effectively blur wrinkles if the printed pattern exhibits color contrast within the cells of the imaginary wrinkle grid as described and defined herein to a minimum percentage of the wrinkle area as defined herein.

[0074] refer to Figure 2A and Figure 3 , for purposes of this document, the fold area 300 (at Figure 3 The area of ​​the front or back panels 20, 30 that is tangential to the leg opening edge 14 but completely above the leg opening edge (when the pants are in the position shown as Figure 1 The stretch laminate of the sheet is imparted with wrinkles in wrinkle regions 300 by contraction of the elastic strands 40 disposed in the wrinkle regions, causing the nonwoven material of the stretch laminate to gather and wrinkle laterally.

[0075] Figure 4 One non-limiting example of a suitable printed pattern applied to the nonwoven web layer of one or both of the front and back panels 20, 30 is illustrated. The illustrated printed pattern includes a pattern of printed laterally oriented rod shapes arranged in a staggered pattern. Figure 5A An example of a pant having a pleat grid 350 superimposed on a front panel is illustrated. The pleat grid consists of a group of adjacent / contiguous identically sized square area units 350a within the pleat area, each unit 350a having a length and width size equal to 2 times the average longitudinal spacing of the elastic strands 40. Figure 6 An example of a pant having a pleated grid 350 superimposed on a front panel is illustrated, which also has Figure 4 Printing pattern shown.

[0076] Figure 5B A pleated grid 350 is illustrated superimposed on another example of a pleated area 300 of a trouser structure, wherein the front and back panels 20, 30 and the corresponding pleated area do not have a rectangular outline. It should be understood from the description herein that the number of square area units 350a present in the pleated area 300 will become relevant for the purposes of this document. For the purpose of clarity, in order to count the square area units 350a in the pleated area 350, only the entire unit (i.e., the unit that is completely present within the boundary of the pleated area 300) is counted. Partial units within the boundary are not counted. In the lateral direction, the pleated grid will be arranged symmetrically around the longitudinal axis 200. In the longitudinal direction, the pleated grid is positioned relative to the lower boundary of the pleated area 300 (the boundary portion closest to the lateral axis 100) so that the entire square area unit 350a is adjacent to such lower boundary.

[0077] exist Figure 6 3, at least a portion of one of the bar shapes of the printed pattern is present in each of the square area units 350a of the superimposed pleat grid 350. Based on the above theory, if the bar shapes are printed in a color that contrasts with the background color of the nonwoven web material when viewed from the outer side of the pants, the pattern as illustrated will embody a feature that will obscure the wrinkles / gatherings of the material.

[0078] 7A to 7E exemplifies additional non-limiting examples of regular printed patterns that can be configured with suitable visual density. These patterns printed on the nonwoven web component on the front or back panels 20, 30 can function to blur the wrinkles as described herein, provided they are of suitable size so that the color contrast as described herein exists within the minimum number of square cells 350a of the wrinkle grid 350 as described herein.

[0079] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B exemplifies additional non-limiting examples of irregular printed patterns that can be configured with suitable visual density. These patterns printed on the nonwoven web component on the front or back panels 20, 30 can function to blur the wrinkles as described herein, provided they are of suitable size so that the color contrast as described herein exists within the minimum number of square cells 350a of the wrinkle grid 350 as described herein. Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B It is illustrated how these irregular patterns may have printed elements present within the square cells 350a of the corrugated grid 350 that impart color contrast.

[0080] It will be appreciated that for designs that may intentionally incorporate visible wrinkles as an aesthetic feature, product designers may prefer to not obscure wrinkles in one or more portions of the front and / or back panels 20, 30 in limited areas. Thus, for purposes herein, an applied printed pattern is considered to adequately obscure wrinkles if the applied printed pattern imparts color contrast within at least 50%, more preferably at least 65%, and even more preferably at least 75% of the square cells 350a of the wrinkle grid 350 superimposed over the wrinkle area 300 of one or both of the front and back panels 20, 30. This value is expressed herein as the percentage of wrinkle area with color contrast and is measured as described in the "Color Contrast Measurement Method" described below.

[0081] Printing may be applied to one or more of the wearer facing surface and the outward facing surface of one or both of the inner and outer layers of the sheet having the pleated area.Printing may be applied via any known method for printing on nonwoven web materials.

[0082] It is contemplated that the color contrast described herein is imparted via printing within the pleated areas rather than via aperturing, embossing, or other deformation of the nonwoven web material.

[0083] Absorbent pad assembly

[0084] refer to Figure 2B The absorbent pad assembly 50 may include any combination of components found in disposable diapers and absorbent pants (including but not limited to a liquid-impermeable backsheet, a liquid-permeable topsheet, an absorbent core structure disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and elasticized barrier cuffs). Examples and descriptions of components and configurations of such absorbent pad assemblies or central infrastructures are found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 764,945, wherein the infrastructure described includes components and features that may be included. Other features and combinations thereof may also be included as described herein.

[0085] refer to Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the absorbent pad assembly 50 has a front end 51, a rear end 52 and a left edge and a right edge 67, 68. Assembly 50 may include a liquid-permeable top sheet 60, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 66 and an absorbent core structure 65 arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet. Top sheet 60 may be formed by a nonwoven web material, and this nonwoven web material is suitably selected to hold the component of the absorbent core structure, while allowing urine to pass freely from the wearer-facing surface to the absorbent core structure 65. Back sheet 66 may include or at least partially be formed by a polymer film material, and the polymer film material is suitably selected to hold the component of the absorbent core structure, and also comprises and prevents urine from passing through the passage of the surface facing outwards from the absorbent core structure under common use conditions. In some examples, back sheet 66 may also include an outer layer formed by a nonwoven web material, to provide increased strength and to give more cloth-like sensations. In some examples, the backsheet film can be formed to be breathable so that it can allow water vapor to pass through while still preventing aqueous liquids (urine) from passing through, which can help improve the comfort of the pants to the wearer. Materials for suitable topsheet and backsheet materials are well known in the art. The materials of the topsheet and backsheet can be joined and bonded together around their peripheries to form an encapsulated structure containing the absorbent core structure 65 by any suitable bonding mechanism, such as hot melt adhesives.

[0086] The absorbent pad assembly 50 may also include a pair of longitudinal barrier cuffs (not shown). The barrier cuffs and associated longitudinal edge structures and elastic members may also be formed of materials and configured as described, for example, in any of the following: US8,939,957; US2016 / 270978; US2016 / 270971; US2016 / 270980; US2016 / 270985; US2016 / 270983; US2016 / 270979; US2016 / 270975; US2016 / 270981 and US2016 / 270973.

[0087] Absorbent core structure

[0088] The absorbent core structure 65 may include one or more layers having different liquid handling and storage functions. Figure 2B In the example shown, the absorbent core structure 65 may include an absorbent layer 71 and an acquisition layer 72. The absorbent layer 71 may be formed of an absorbent material that tends to attract and retain aqueous liquids such as urine. In some examples, the absorbent layer 71 may include a distribution of absorbent gelling material (AGM), also known as superabsorbent polymer (SAP) particles. In some examples, the absorbent layer 71 may include a blend of SAP particles and cellulosic fibers, such as pulp fibers.

[0089] In some examples, the absorbent layer comprises SAP particles physically blended with cellulose fibers. "Cellulose" as used herein includes cellulose pulp fibers and pulverized wood pulp in fiber form, sometimes also referred to as "air felt" in the art. In some examples, the absorbent layer comprises superabsorbent polymer particles exceeding 70%, or exceeding 80%, or exceeding 90%, or exceeding 95%, or even 100% by weight. In some other examples, the absorbent layer comprises superabsorbent polymer particles and cellulose less than 5% by weight, or cellulose less than 2% by weight, or even substantially free of cellulose. In the example where the absorbent layer does not contain cellulose, the only absorbent material in the absorbent layer is superabsorbent polymer (particles, fibers, etc.). Compared with the conventional absorbent core structure including cellulose fibers, the resulting absorbent core structure has a reduced thickness in a dry state. The reduced thickness reduces the overall volume of the pants and helps to improve the fit and comfort of the pants for the wearer.

[0090] The superabsorbent polymer particles may be fixed to the substrate layer by means of, for example, a thermoplastic adhesive material.

[0091] As used herein, "superabsorbent polymer" (or "SAP") refers to an absorbent material that is a cross-linked polymer material that can absorb at least 10 times its own weight in an aqueous 0.9% saline solution when measured using the Centrifuge Retention Capacity (CRC) test (EDANA method WSP 241.2-05E). The SAP used can specifically have a CRC value of more than 20 g / g, or more than 24 g / g, or from 20 g / g to 50 g / g, or from 20 g / g to 40 g / g, or from 24 g / g to 30 g / g. The SAP used in the present invention includes a variety of water-insoluble but water-swellable polymers capable of absorbing large amounts of fluid.

[0092] Superabsorbent polymer can be in the form of particles so that it can flow in a dry state. Typical granular superabsorbent polymer materials are made of poly (meth) acrylic acid polymers. However, for example, superabsorbent polymer materials based on starch particles can also be used, as well as polyacrylamide copolymers, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, cross-linked polyethylene oxide and polyacrylonitrile starch grafted copolymers. Superabsorbent polymer can be polyacrylate and polyacrylic acid polymers that are internally crosslinked and / or surface crosslinked. Suitable materials are described in, for example, PCT patent applications WO 07 / 047598, WO 07 / 046052, WO2009 / 155265 and WO2009 / 155264. In some embodiments, suitable superabsorbent polymer particles can be obtained by the preparation process at this stage of the art, as more specifically described in WO2006 / 083584. Preferably, superabsorbent polymer is crosslinked internally, that is, polymerized in the presence of a compound with two or more polymerizable groups that can be copolymerized in a free radical manner into the polymer network. Useful crosslinking agents include, for example, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, allyl methacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, triallylamine, tetraallyloxyethane as described in EP0530438, such as EP0547847, EP0559476, EP0632068, WO93 / 21237, WO03 / 104299, WO03 / 104300, WO03 / 104301 and DE 10331450, the diacrylates and triacrylates described in DE 10331456 and DE 10355401, and the acrylate groups also include ethylenically unsaturated groups, or crosslinking agent mixtures such as those described in DE 19543368, DE 19646484, WO 90 / 15830 and WO 02 / 32962, and the crosslinking agents described in WO 2009 / 155265. The superabsorbent polymer particles can be externally surface crosslinked or post-crosslinked. Useful post-crosslinking agents include compounds comprising two or more groups capable of forming covalent bonds with the carboxylate groups of the polymer.Useful compounds include, for example, alkoxysilyl compounds as described in EP 0 083 022, EP 0 543 303 and EP 0 937 736, polyaziridines, polyamines, polyamidoamines, diglycidyl or polyglycidyl compounds, polyols as described in DE-C 3 314 019, cyclic carbonates as described in DE-A 4 020 780, 2-oxazolidinone and its derivatives (e.g., N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-oxazolidinone) as described in DE-A 1980 7502, hydroxyethylamines as described in DE-A 1980 7992, 2-oxotetrahydro-1,3-oxazines and their derivatives as described in DE-A 19854573, N-acyl-2-oxazolidinones as described in DE-A 19854574, cyclic ureas as described in DE-A 10204937, bicyclic amide acetals as described in DE-A 10334584, oxetanes and cyclic ureas as described in EP 1199327, and morpholine-2,3-diones and their derivatives as described in WO 03 / 031482.

[0093] SAP can be formed by polyacrylic acid / polyacrylate polymer (e.g., having a neutralization degree of 60% to 90%, or about 75%, with, for example, sodium counterions). Suitable SAP can be obtained, for example, by reversed suspension polymerization as described in US4,340,706 and US5,849,816, or by spraying or other gas phase dispersion polymerization as described in US2009 / 0192035, US2009 / 0258994 and US2010 / 0068520. In some embodiments, suitable SAP can be obtained by the preparation technology at this stage of the art, as more specifically described in WO2006 / 083584, page 12, line 23 to page 20, line 27.

[0094] The absorbent layer 71 may comprise only one type of SAP, but it may also comprise a blend of SAPs of different types or compositions. The fluid permeability of a superabsorbent polymer can be quantified using its "Urine Permeability Measurement" (UPM) value, as measured in a test disclosed in European patent application number EP12174117.7. The UPM of the SAP may be, for example, at least 10 × 10-7cm3.sec / g, or at least 30 × 10-7cm3.sec / g, or at least 50 × 10-7cm3.sec / g, or higher, for example at least 80 or 100 × 10-7cm3.sec / g. The flow characteristics may also be adjusted by changing the amount and distribution of the SAP used in the absorbent core.

[0095] The superabsorbent polymer particles may be spherical, spheroidal, ellipsoidal, or irregularly shaped, such as oval particles of the kind obtainable by inverse suspension polymerization. The particles may optionally be agglomerated at least to some extent to form agglomerates of larger irregular particles.

[0096] In some examples, the absorbent layer may be substantially free of cellulose. Air felt and other cellulose fibers have been used as absorbent fillers in the absorbent core of disposable diapers. Such fibers also have absorbent properties and impart some absorption capacity to the absorbent layer, and such fibers may also be included to provide a structural matrix to hold dispersed particles of superabsorbent polymer particles. Although the inclusion of such particles increases the absorption capacity, it is important to keep such particles appropriately dispersed to prevent the particles from forming "gel blocking" and blocking the passages therebetween when they swell with the absorbed liquid during use, which allows liquid to move through its deposits, thereby impairing the absorption capacity. Air felt or other cellulose fibers included as a matrix of superabsorbent polymer particles may play a role in reducing or preventing gel blocking. However, this also makes the absorbent layer have a large volume even when no liquid is absorbed. In order to reduce the overall size and / or thickness of the absorbent layer, thereby improving the comfort of the wearer and reducing the bulkiness of the pants to achieve the purpose of packaging and transportation volume efficiency, it may be desirable to use the smallest core material possible to construct the absorbent core under the premise of performance limitations. To achieve this purpose, examples of suitable materials and structures for suitable absorbent core structures are described in, but not limited to, U.S. Patent Application Serial Nos. 12 / 141,122; 12 / 141,124; 12 / 141,126; 12 / 141,128; 12 / 141,130; 12 / 141,132; 12 / 141,134; 12 / 141,141; 12 / 141,143; and 12 / 141,146; and WO2008 / 155699. These applications generally describe absorbent layer constructions that minimize or eliminate the need and inclusion of airfelt or other forms of cellulose fibers in combination with particles of superabsorbent polymer particles ("substantially cellulose-free" structures). Suitable methods for forming superabsorbent polymer particle deposits are additionally disclosed in, for example, EP1621167A2, EP1913914A2, and EP2238953A2.

[0097] The superabsorbent polymer particles can be distributed and fixed on the substrate layer. Immobilization can be achieved by applying a thermoplastic adhesive material, which holds and fixes the superabsorbent polymer particles and cellulose (when present) on the substrate layer. Some of the thermoplastic adhesive material can also penetrate into the superabsorbent polymer particle layer and enter the substrate layer to provide further fixation and attachment. The thermoplastic adhesive material can not only help to fix the superabsorbent polymer particles on the substrate layer, but also help to maintain the integrity of any included channels (further described below). The thermoplastic adhesive material can help prevent a large amount of superabsorbent polymer particles from migrating into the channels.

[0098] Thermoplastic adhesive materials suitable for use in the present disclosure include hot melt adhesives comprising at least a thermoplastic polymer in combination with a plasticizer and other thermoplastic diluents such as tackifying resins, and additives such as antioxidants. Examples of suitable hot melt adhesive materials are described in EP1447067 A2.

[0099] The optional configuration of the absorbent layer, absorbent core structure and / or channels therein may also have any of the features described in U.S. patent application publications US2014 / 0163511; US2014 / 0163503; US2014 / 0163501; US2014 / 0163500; US2012 / 0316526; US2012 / 0316528; US2014 / 0163501; and US2014 / 0371701; and U.S. patent application serial number 14 / 598783.

[0100] In some examples, the absorbent core structure 65 may include an acquisition layer 72 disposed between the topsheet and the wearer-facing side of the absorbent layer 71. The acquisition layer 72 may be formed of one or more materials that provide an open, highly porous structure that is configured to disperse and dissipate mechanical energy in a urine stream while providing interstitial spaces within the structure to serve as a temporary reservoir for urine until the absorbent layer 71 can capture and hold (absorb) it. The acquisition layer 72 may include a single layer or multiple sublayers, such as an upper acquisition sublayer closest to the wearer's skin and a lower acquisition sublayer disposed between the upper acquisition layer and the absorbent layer 71. The acquisition layer 72 may be disposed in direct contact with the absorbent layer. In the event that a channel is present in the absorbent layer 71, the material forming the acquisition layer 72 may extend into or fill the channel or a portion thereof; in some cases, this may be preferred to prevent unabsorbed urine from flowing quickly and unrestricted through the channel, which may increase the chance of leakage. In some examples, the acquisition layer or its sublayers may be bonded to the substrate layer defining the channel, thereby providing a matching surface contour for the acquisition layer.

[0101] The acquisition layer 72 may have the form of, for example, a layer, pad or other body formed from or including, for example, comminuted cellulose fibers, or other hydrophilic natural, semi-synthetic or synthetic fibers, or other materials that may be used to form a pad, layer or other body.

[0102] In one example, one or both of the upper acquisition sublayer and the lower acquisition sublayer may include a nonwoven fiber mat, which may be hydrophilic. In addition, according to a certain example, one or both of the upper acquisition layer and the lower acquisition layer may also include chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers, which may or may not form part of the nonwoven material. According to an example, the upper acquisition layer may include a nonwoven material (without cross-linked cellulose fibers), and the lower acquisition layer may include chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers. In addition, according to an example, the lower acquisition layer may include chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers mixed with other fibers such as natural or synthetic polymer fibers. According to an example, such other natural polymer fibers or synthetic polymer fibers may include high surface area fibers, thermoplastic bonding fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, PET fibers, rayon fibers, lyocell fibers, eucalyptus fibers, and mixtures thereof. Suitable nonwoven materials for the upper acquisition layer and the lower acquisition layer include, but are not limited to, SMS materials, which include a spunbond layer, a meltblown layer, and another spunbond layer. In some examples, a permanently hydrophilic nonwoven material (particularly a nonwoven material with a durable hydrophilic coating) is desired. Another suitable example includes a SMMS structure. In some examples, these nonwovens are porous.

[0103] Color Contrast Measurement Method

[0104] The color contrast measurement method is used to measure the magnitude of color difference ΔE within a region of interest (ROI) on a pattern printed on the outward-facing surface (i.e., the garment-facing surface) of an absorbent article and to determine the percentage of a square unit of the surface area of ​​the pleat grid superimposed on the front waist panel or the back waist panel that is occupied by color contrast. A color difference (ΔE) equal to or greater than the minimum amount specified below defines color contrast for purposes of this document.

[0105] It will be appreciated that color differences indicated by relatively large ΔE values ​​will be readily visible to the human eye (assuming normal vision without significant "color blindness"), thereby making machine-assisted determination of ΔE values ​​redundant or unnecessary in some examples. The methods herein include a description of machine-assisted determination of ΔE values ​​for the purpose of identifying color contrast in examples where color differences are more subtle (i.e., exhibiting relatively low ΔE values ​​close to the minimum values ​​listed herein).

[0106] The distance between any two colors in 3D space is called the ΔE value. ROI can be a printed area containing different colors, different intensities, tones or hues, and non-printed adjacent, contiguous or surrounding areas. For this method, the size of each ROI is defined by a superimposed pleat grid, as defined herein. A flat scanner capable of scanning at least 24-bit colors at 72 dpi and manually controlling color management (a suitable scanner is an Epson Perfection V850 Pro from Epson America Inc. in Long Beach, California, or an equivalent) is used to collect images of the front and back sheets of the absorbent article. The scanner is connected to a computer running color calibration software via an interface, and the color calibration software can calibrate the scanner for the color reflective IT8 target using a corresponding reference file that conforms to ANSI method IT8.7 / 2-1993 (a suitable color calibration software is an i1 Profiler purchased from X-Rite Grand Rapids, Michigan, or an equivalent). The color calibration software constructs an International Color Association (ICC) color profile for the scanner, which is used to color correct the output image. The color corrected image is then converted to CIE color space for subsequent color analysis (a suitable image color analysis software is ImageJ v. 1.52 from the National Institutes of Health or equivalent).

[0107] Before testing, the absorbent article sample is conditioned at about 23°C ± 2°C and about 50% ± 2% relative humidity for 2 hours. The front piece and the back piece are separated at the side / hip area so that the article can be placed flatly. The front piece is now fixed to a horizontal flat surface with its fully extended state so that the surface facing outward of the sample faces upward. When the sheet is in its fully extended state, the pre-strained elastic strands in the sheet will be under tension in the extended state, and the non-woven fiber web material parts of the sheet extend completely laterally and longitudinally, but do not strain beyond their non-aggregated size. Therefore, the non-woven fiber web material of the sample is tightened but substantially unstrained. As described herein, the side length of the individual square grid unit of the wrinkle grid is determined by measuring the average strand spacing, and then the value is multiplied by 2 and recorded as the front grid square unit side length accurate to 0.01mm. In a similar manner, the whole process is repeated for the back piece of the article, and recorded as the back grid square unit side length accurate to 0.01mm.

[0108] Turn on the scanner for 30 minutes prior to calibration and image acquisition. Deselect any automatic color correction or color management options that may be included in the scanner software. If automatic color management cannot be disabled for the specific scanner selected, then that scanner is not suitable for this method. Follow the color calibration software's recommended procedures to create and export an ICC color profile for the scanner. The color calibration software compares the acquired IT8 target images to the corresponding reference files to create and export an ICC color profile for the scanner, which will be applied within the image analysis program to correct the color of subsequent output images.

[0109] Collect an image representing the entirety of the front piece and the back piece of the absorbent article sample in which there is a wrinkle area as described herein, as described below. As previously described, open the scanner cover and fix the first part of the front piece in its fully extended state so that the outward-facing surface of the piece faces the scanner glass. Now place a standard white tile (such as a standard white tile purchased from Hunter Associates Laboratory in Reston, Virginia, or an equivalent) behind the fixed first part of the front piece to provide a uniform white backing. Now close the scanner cover. Collect a sheet scan including the printed area and any surrounding area and import it into the image analysis software in 24-bit color with a resolution of 72 dpi (about 2.83 pixels / mm) in reflective mode. The overall size of the scanned area is determined by the analyst, but the sum of all scanned areas must represent the entire area of ​​the front piece in which there is a wrinkle area. Now repeat the entire process for the other parts of the front piece until an image of the entire wrinkle area is collected. In a similar manner, collect an image of the entire wrinkle area on the back piece of the absorbent article. ICC color profiles are assigned to each image that produces a color-corrected sRGB image. Prior to analysis, each calibrated image is saved in an uncompressed format to preserve the calibrated R, G, B color values, such as a TIFF file.

[0110] Open each of the sRGB color-calibrated images individually in the color analysis software and convert them to CIE color space. This is achieved by the following process. First, the sRGB data is scaled to the range of [0, 1] by dividing each value by 255. Then, the compressed sRGB channels (denoted by uppercase (R, G, B) or generally denoted by V) are linearized (denoted by lowercase (r, g, b) or generally denoted by v) when the following operations are performed on all three channels (R, G, and B):

[0111]

[0112]

[0113]

[0114] The linear r, g, and b values ​​are then multiplied by the matrix to obtain the XYZ tristimulus values ​​according to the following formula:

[0115]

[0116] The XYZ tristimulus values ​​are rescaled by multiplying them by 100 and then converted to CIE 1976 as defined in CIE 15:2004 section 8.2.1.1 using the D65 reference white. value.

[0117] CIE The printed pattern and surrounding area included in each of the images are analyzed as follows. A wrinkle grid is assigned to each image obtained from the front sheet of the absorbent article sample so that the side length of each square unit of the surface area of ​​the grid is equal to the side length of the square unit of the front grid previously determined. Within each square unit, there is another pixel grid in the scanned image. Therefore, the side length of the individual square units within the wrinkle grid to be analyzed will be rounded so that the side length contains as many whole pixels as possible and will not contain any partial pixels. The value is measured for each pixel within a square grid unit and is reported to the nearest 0.01 unit. The ΔE between each pixel and all other pixels present within a square grid unit is calculated and reported to the nearest 0.01 unit using the following formula.

[0118]

[0119] Prepare a histogram of the ΔE distribution obtained for the square grid cells compared to a cumulative curve of the range of ΔE values. Determine the ΔE value closest to the 95th percentile and report it to the nearest 0.01 unit. In a similar manner, measure the ΔE for each square grid cell present on the front sheet of the absorbent article sample. The ΔE values ​​are reported to the nearest 95th percentile for each of the measured values ​​and the ΔE calculated values. The entire process is repeated for the backsheet of the absorbent article sample.

[0120] The number of individual grid cells present in the wrinkle areas on the front and back panels of the absorbent article samples is summed and recorded as the total grid cells. The number of individual grid cells present on the front and back panels of the absorbent article samples where the ΔE reported to the nearest 95th percentile is at least 4 is now summed and recorded as the color contrast grid cells. The percentage of wrinkle areas where color contrast exists is calculated by dividing the color contrast grid cells by the total grid cells and then multiplying by 100 and reported as the percentage of wrinkle areas with color contrast to the nearest 1%.

[0121] Waist Measurement

[0122] For purposes herein, the waist dimension of a pant is the total straight-line length of the waist edge of the pant (including the waist edge of the front and back panels) between and inside any side seams, measured with the front and back panels in their relaxed conditions, with the pre-strained elastic strands in their contracted conditions, with any wrinkles or folds (but not gatherings formed by contraction of the elastic strands) flattened. Any suitable measuring tool (such as a ruler) may be used to make the measurement.

[0123] * * *

[0124] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value.

[0125] Unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited, each document cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patent or application, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety to the extent not inconsistent herewith. Citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art to any of the present invention disclosed or claimed herein, or that it, by itself or in combination with any one or more of the references, proposes, suggests, or discloses any such invention. In addition, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this invention conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this invention shall govern.

[0126] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention be covered in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A disposable absorbent pants for adults (10), comprising: A front panel and a back panel (20, 30), each of the front panel and the back panel comprising a stretch laminate, the stretch laminate comprising: an inner layer (21) and an outer layer (22), each of the inner layer and the outer layer being formed of a nonwoven web material; and a plurality of longitudinally spaced, laterally extending and laterally pre-strained elastic strands (40) disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the front panel and the back panel are joined to each other along left and right side seams (13), each side seam having a top end and a bottom end; and An absorbent pad assembly (50), the absorbent pad assembly comprising: a front portion terminating at a front end and a rear portion terminating at a rear end, the front portion being joined to the front panel and the rear portion being joined to the rear panel, A liquid permeable top sheet (60), a liquid impermeable back sheet (66), and an absorbent core structure (65) disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet; wherein the plurality of elastic strands (40) in at least one of the front panel and the back panel have an average longitudinal strand spacing of 2 mm to 6 mm, and the plurality of elastic strands impart a gather area (300) to the at least one of the front panel and the back panel; wherein the pleated area (300) carries a printed pattern visible from the outside of the pants, wherein the printed pattern imparts to said at least one of said front panel and said back panel a percentage of wrinkle area having color contrast of at least 50%, more preferably at least 65%, and even more preferably at least 75%.

2. The absorbent pant according to claim 1, having a waist size of at least 35 cm.

Images