feminine hygiene products

Abstract

To provide an article that offers easily identifiable placement / orientation guides while making the most efficient use of the materials forming the article. [Solution] A liquid-permeable top sheet, a secondary top sheet below the top sheet having a secondary top sheet length measured along the longitudinal direction, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, an absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the back sheet, wherein the total length of the core is shorter than the secondary top sheet length, the front portion of the secondary top sheet length extends forward from a front projection, and the rear portion of the secondary top sheet length extends rearward from a rear recess, and the front projection and the rear recess are substantially complementary in size and shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to absorbent articles, and more particularly to feminine hygiene articles.

Background Art

[0002] Feminine articles have been widely used for decades. These articles are generally utilized to capture menstrual blood and moisture during menstruation. Generally, users of feminine articles desire a clean and dry feeling. Many advancements in feminine article technology have attempted to improve one or both of these aspects. In relatively thin articles, absorbent core materials have been introduced that can provide enhanced absorbent capabilities.

[0003] However, providing the desired experience to users of feminine articles is somewhat complex and requires more than the above advancements. Users of feminine articles should be provided with an easily recognizable application guide that ensures proper placement / orientation of the feminine article within the panties. If improper placement and / or orientation is utilized, the above advancements in the wings and absorbent core material are likely not to provide the intended benefits. Further, the article must be securely fixed to the panties. If the feminine article is not securely fixed to the panties, there is a risk that the feminine article may come off during use. Also, like improper placement and / or orientation, detachment can render many of the functions of the above advancements ineffective. Further, it is desirable to ensure efficient use of materials in feminine articles, for example, that the absorbent core is of a size and in an arrangement that provides maximum benefit.

[0004] Based on the above, it would be beneficial to provide articles that offer easily identifiable placement / orientation guides while making the most efficient use of the materials forming the article. Thus, an article is obtained that allows consumers to easily place the most absorbent part of the article where the most absorbency is needed. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to shape and size the absorbent core so that it can be efficiently cut to minimize scrap material. In addition, it would be beneficial to have a core that is molded so that the core overlap is minimized when the article is folded, resulting in less space used by the thinly folded product within the package. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A liquid-permeable top sheet, a secondary top sheet below the top sheet having a secondary top sheet length measured along the longitudinal direction, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, an absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the back sheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the secondary top sheet and the back sheet, wherein the absorbent core has a pair of substantially parallel and substantially linear longitudinal side edges, each side edge terminating at its respective forward intersection with a projection of the absorbent core, and each side edge terminating at its respective rear intersection with a rear recess of the absorbent core, and the total length of the core is the maximum length of the absorbent core A feminine hygiene article comprising an absorbent core, measured longitudinally at the front and rearmost points, wherein the total length of the core is shorter than the secondary top sheet length, the front portion of the secondary top sheet length extends forward from a front projection, the rear portion of the secondary top sheet length extends rearward from a rear recess, the total length of the core when measured at the front and rearmost points of the absorbent core is approximately 75% to approximately 99% of the secondary top sheet length when measured at the front and rearmost points of the secondary top sheet, and the front projection and rear recess are substantially complementary in size and shape. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] Although this specification concludes with claims that specifically point to and clearly assert the subject matter of the present invention, it is thought that the present invention may be more readily understood from the following description in relation to the accompanying drawings described herein. [Figure 1] This is a diagram of a women's article as disclosed in this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a diagram of a women's article as disclosed in this disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the women's article according to the present disclosure, along the z-plane of the fluid management layer. [Figure 4] This is a diagram of women's items before they are folded. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the nested protrusions and recesses of the absorbent core when a women's item is in a folded position. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the nested protrusions and recesses of the absorbent core when a women's item is in a folded position. [Figure 7] This is a diagram of a non-nesting absorbent core when women's items are in a folded configuration. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] definition As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below.

[0008] "Absorbent articles" refer to wearable devices that absorb and / or contain liquids, and more specifically, to devices that are placed in contact with or close to the wearer's body to capture, absorb, and / or contain exudates discharged from the body. Absorbent articles include diapers, training pants, adult incontinence products (e.g., liners, articles, briefs, and pants), and / or feminine hygiene products (e.g., also known as "sanitary napkins," "menstrual products," "panty liners," etc.).

[0009] As used herein, the term “integrated” is used to describe nonwoven material fibers that have been twisted, entangled, and / or pressed / drawn in the positive and / or negative z-direction (the direction of the thickness of the nonwoven material). Some exemplary processes for integrating fibers in a nonwoven web include the spunlacing method and the needle punching method. The spunlacing method (also known as “hydroenhancing” or “hydroenhancing”) uses multiple high-pressure water jets directed at a precursor bat or fiber aggregate being conveyed along the mechanical direction to entangle the fibers. The needle punching method (also known as “needling”) involves using needles specially designed to mechanically push and / or pull the fibers of a precursor bat or fiber aggregate in the z-direction, causing them to entangle with other fibers in the bat or aggregate.

[0010] As used herein, the term “carded” is used to describe the structural features of the fluid management layer described herein. Carded nonwovens are formed of fibers cut to a specific finite length, also known as “staple fibers.” Staple fibers may be of any selected length. For example, staple fibers can be cut to lengths as short as 10 mm, from a maximum length of 120 mm. However, if a particular group of fibers are staple fibers, the length of each fiber in the carded nonwoven is approximately the same, i.e., the staple length. If fibers of two or more compositions are included in a nonwoven web, for example, a web containing polypropylene fibers and viscose fibers, the lengths of each fiber of the same composition may be substantially the same, but the lengths of each staple fiber of each fiber composition may differ.

[0011] In contrast to staple fibers, filaments, such as those produced by spinning in spunbond or meltblown nonwoven web manufacturing processes, are not typically staple fibers. Instead, these filaments are sometimes characterized as "continuous" fibers, meaning that they are relatively long and of indeterminate length and are not cut to a specific length after spinning, unlike their staple fiber counterparts.

[0012] "Transverse direction" refers to the direction parallel to the horizontal line touching the front of the upper part of the wearer's legs adjacent to the torso, when the item is properly worn and the wearer is in a normal, even, straight standing position. The "width" dimension of any component or feature of an item such as a feminine hygiene item is measured along the transverse direction. When an item or its component is laid flat on a horizontal plane, the "transverse" direction coincides with the transverse direction to the structure when it is worn, as defined above. For an item such as a feminine hygiene item laid flat and open on a horizontal plane, "transverse" refers to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the horizontal plane. With respect to feminine hygiene items, the term "x-direction" is interchangeable with the term "transverse direction".

[0013] The "horizontal axis" of absorbent articles such as feminine hygiene products or their components refers to a horizontal line that lies within the xy-plane and divides the length of the article or component equally when the article or component is laid flat on a horizontal plane. The horizontal axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0014] "Longitudinal direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the transverse direction with respect to absorbent articles, such as feminine hygiene products, or their components. The "length" dimension of any component or feature of an article is measured along the longitudinal direction from its front range to its rear range. When an article, such as a feminine hygiene product, or its components are laid flat on a horizontal plane, the "longitudinal" direction is perpendicular to the transverse direction with respect to the article when worn, as defined above. With respect to feminine hygiene products, the term "y-direction" is interchangeable with the term "longitudinal direction."

[0015] For a feminine hygiene product or a component thereof, the "longitudinal axis" is a longitudinal line that lies in the x-y plane and bisects the width of the product or component when the product is laid flat on a horizontal plane. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the horizontal axis.

[0016] As used herein, the term "rayon" is generally used to include any fiber spun from regenerated cellulose, including but not limited to viscose, lyocell, etc.

[0017] For an absorbent article, such as a feminine hygiene product, or a component thereof, when laid flat on a horizontal plane, the "x-y plane" means the horizontal plane of the article or component or any horizontal plane occupied by any layer. For the manufacture or processing of a material web, the term "x-y plane" refers to the plane substantially occupied by the main surface of the material web.

[0018] For the manufacture or processing of a material web, the term "x direction" is interchangeable with the term "lateral direction".

[0019] For the manufacture or processing of a material web, the term "y direction" is interchangeable with the term "machine direction".

[0020] For an absorbent article, such as a feminine hygiene product or a component thereof, the "z direction" is the direction perpendicular / orthogonal to the x-y plane when laid flat on a horizontal plane. For the manufacture or processing of a material web, the term "z direction" refers to the direction orthogonal to the x-y plane substantially occupied by the main surface of the material web.

[0021] The terms "upper", "bottom", "upper side", "lower side", "above", "below", "under", "superadjacent", "beneath", and similar terms regarding relative vertical positions, when used in this specification, are with respect to the z-direction for referring to layers, components, or other features of absorbent articles such as feminine hygiene products, and should be interpreted with respect to an article lying flat on a horizontal plane with the surface facing the wearer oriented upward and the surface facing outward oriented downward.

[0022] Regarding an absorbent article such as a feminine hygiene product, or a component or structure thereof, "facing the wearer" is a relative positional term that refers to a feature of a component or structure that is closer to the wearer than another feature of the component or structure during use. For example, the topsheet has a surface facing the wearer that is closer to the wearer than the surface facing outward on the opposite side of the topsheet.

[0023] Regarding an absorbent article such as a feminine hygiene product, or a component or structure thereof, "facing outward" is a relative positional term that refers to a feature of a component or structure that is farther from the wearer than another feature of the component or structure during use. For example, the topsheet has a surface facing outward that is farther from the wearer than the surface facing the wearer on the opposite side of the topsheet.

[0024] "Major" and its forms, when used to characterize amounts such as the weight, volume, surface area, etc. of an absorbent article or its components that are composed of a composition, material, feature, etc., mean that such a majority of the weight, volume, surface area, etc. of the absorbent article or its components is composed of the composition, material, feature, etc.

[0025] Feminine hygiene products A feminine hygiene article configured in accordance with this disclosure is shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a feminine hygiene article 10. The feminine hygiene article 10 may comprise a chassis 20 and a pair of wings 60 and 70 extending outward from the chassis 20. The chassis 20 has a first end 25, a second end 27, and an intermediate region 29 located between the first end 25 and the second end 27. The feminine hygiene article 10 further comprises a longitudinal centerline 80 and a transverse centerline 90 located substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline 80. The feminine hygiene article 10 may further comprise a top sheet 14, a secondary top sheet 140, a back sheet 16, and an absorbent core 18 (as shown in Figure 3) located between the top sheet and the back sheet. The top sheet, back sheet, and absorbent core are described in further detail herein.

[0026] It is desirable to use the materials of feminine hygiene products in the most efficient way. One way to achieve efficient material use is to cut the material in a way that reduces excess scrap material. The absorbent core of a feminine hygiene product contributes to the absorbency of the product, but the cutting as described herein reduces scrap material and does not significantly affect the overall absorbency of the feminine hygiene product. As shown in Figure 1, the absorbent core 18 has a patterned shape such that when cut, the frontmost and rearmost ranges of the absorbent core are complementary in shape as size. The resulting absorbent core has a pair of substantially parallel and substantially straight longitudinal side edges 100, 110, each terminating at its forward intersection with a projection 120 that defines the foremost range of the absorbent core, and at its rear intersection with the rearmost endpoints 121, 133 and recesses 130, respectively. The total length of the core is measured longitudinally from the foremost point 120 to the rearmost point 121 or 122 (the one furthest from the transverse centerline 90), as indicated by 150. The rearmost range of the absorbent core includes the rearmost endpoints and recesses. The absorbent core is combined with a secondary top sheet 140. The total length of the absorbent core is shorter than the length of the secondary top sheet. The length of the absorbent core is approximately 75% to approximately 99% of the length of the secondary top sheet. Alternatively, the length of the absorbent core is approximately 75% to 85%, 80% to 95%, or 78% to 90% of the secondary top sheet length. The secondary top sheet length is shown in Figure 2, 180, as measured at the foremost and rearmost points of the secondary top sheet. The absorbent core can have a total core length of approximately 160mm to 310mm, 170mm to 310mm, 170mm to 250mm, or 180mm to 250mm. The absorbent core can also have a total core width of approximately 55mm to 70mm.

[0027] The front portion of the secondary top sheet length extends forward from the front projection of the absorbent core (190), and the rear portion of the secondary top sheet length extends backward from the rear recess of the absorbent core (200). The front and rear projections 190 and 200 of the secondary top sheet provide both further stability and absorbency of the feminine hygiene article, as well as positioning guidance so that the target fluid entry zone of the feminine hygiene article 10 aligns with the vaginal opening when the product is placed by the user during use. The intersection of the first dashed line 80 and the second dashed line 90 can provide a useful approximation of the target fluid entry zone. The core can be centered on the secondary top sheet such that its impact on the stability of the areas on the foremost and rearmost ends of the feminine hygiene article is minimized.

[0028] In addition to using less material, this shape / size of absorbent core can result in a thinner product because there is less overlap of the absorbent core when folded, thus minimizing packaging material. As shown in Figure 4, when the feminine hygiene article is folded along the dashed lines 210 and 220, the absorbent core protrusions 120 and recesses 130 have complementary sizes and shapes and therefore nest into each other. This nesting arrangement is shown in Figures 5 and 6. Figure 6 shows a feminine hygiene article such that, when folded at 230, the absorbent core 18 does not substantially overlap in the foremost range of the absorbent core including the protrusion and the rearmost range of the absorbent core including the recess, resulting in the overall folded thickness of the feminine hygiene article being minimized. On the other hand, Figure 7 shows a conventional feminine hygiene article in which the foremost and rearmost ends of the absorbent core 218 overlap, and therefore the folded feminine hygiene article 300 is thicker.

[0029] Structure of women's articles Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a women's article 10 is shown. The chassis 20 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 14, a liquid-impermeable or substantially liquid-impermeable back sheet 16, and an absorbent core 18 positioned between the top sheet and the back sheet. Wings 60 and 70 may be bonded to the top sheet, the back sheet, and / or the absorbent core. The wings may be asymmetrical 60, 70 in Figure 1, or symmetrical 160, 170 in Figure 2.

[0030] The feminine hygiene article 10 may have any shape known in the art of feminine hygiene products, including a generally symmetrical “hourglass” shape, as well as a pear shape, a bicycle seat shape, a trapezoidal shape, a wedge shape, or other shapes having one end wider than the other. (The sanitary napkin and panty liner may also be provided with lateral extensions known in the art as “flaps” or “wings”). Such extensions can serve many purposes, including but not limited to preventing soiling of the wearer’s panties and securing and holding the sanitary napkin in place. The illustrated absorbent article has a body-facing upper surface that comes into contact with the user’s body during use. The opposite, clothing-facing lower surface comes into contact with the user’s clothing during use.

[0031] The upper side of the sanitary napkin 10 has a top sheet 14 which can generally be permeable to liquids. The lower side has a back sheet 16 which can generally be impermeable to liquids and is joined to the top sheet 14 at the edge 12 of the sanitary napkin 10. The absorbent core 18 is positioned between the top sheet 14 and the back sheet 16.

[0032] The top sheet 14, back sheet 16, and absorbent core 18 may be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations, including so-called “tube” products or side flap products. Examples of sanitary napkin configurations are generally described in U.S. Patent No. 4,950,264, “Thin, Flexible Sanitary napkin” (published August 21, 1990, in Osborn), U.S. Patent No. 4,425,130, “Compound Sanitary napkin” (published January 10, 1984, in DesMarais), U.S. Patent No. 4,321,924, “Bordered Disposable Absorbent Article” (published March 30, 1982, in Ahr), and U.S. Patent No. 4,589,876, “Shaped Sanitary Napkin With Flaps” (published August 18, 1987, in Van Tilburg).

[0033] The backsheet 16 and the topsheet 14 can be bonded together in various ways, as illustrated in Figure 3. Adhesives manufactured by HBFuller Company (St. Paul, Minn.) under the designations HL-1258 or H-2031 have been found to be satisfactory. Alternatively, the topsheet 14 and the backsheet 16 can be joined together by thermal bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding, crimp seal, or any other suitable bonding method. As illustrated in Figure 3, the fluid-impermeable crimp seal 24 can prevent fluid from moving laterally along the edges of the product ("wicking"), thus preventing the sides from soiling the wearer's underwear.

[0034] As is typical with sanitary napkins, the sanitary napkin 10 of this disclosure may have a panty-fastening adhesive disposed on the garment-facing side of the backsheet 16. The panty-fastening adhesive may be any known adhesive used in the art for this purpose and may be covered with release paper before use, as is well known in the art. If a flap or wing is present, the panty-fastening adhesive may be applied to the garment-facing side so as to contact and adhere to the underside of the wearer's panties.

[0035] Any suitable absorbent core known in the art may be used. The absorbent core may be any absorbent material that is generally compressible, conformable, does not irritate the wearer's skin, and is capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine, menstrual blood, and / or other bodily exudates. The absorbent core may be made from a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials widely used in disposable absorbent articles, such as crushed wood pulp, commonly known as air felt. The absorbent core may contain a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 3%, or less than 1% air felt, or may not contain any air felt at all. Other suitable absorbent materials include shrink cellulose fillers, meltblown polymers containing coform, chemically rigidified, modified, or crosslinked cellulose fibers, tissues including tissue wraps and tissue laminates, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials, or any equivalent materials or combinations of materials.

[0036] The composition and structure of the absorbent core may vary (for example, the absorbent core may have a changing caliper zone, hydrophilic gradient, superabsorbent gradient, or capture zones with lower average density and lower average basis weight, or may include one or more layers or structures). In some forms, the absorbent core may include one or more channels, such as two, three, four, five, or six channels.

[0037] The absorbent core of this disclosure may include, for example, one or more adhesives to facilitate the fixation of SAP or other absorbent material within the core wrap, and / or to ensure the integrity of the core wrap, especially when the core wrap is made of two or more substrates. The core wrap may extend to a larger area required to accommodate the absorbent material inside.

[0038] Absorbent cores containing relatively high amounts of SAP, based on various core designs, are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,599,335 by Goldman et al., European Patent No. 1,447,066 by Busam et al., International Publication No. 95 / 11652 by Tanzer et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 0312622(A1) by Hundorf et al., and International Publication No. 2012 / 052172 by Van Malderen.

[0039] Other forms and further details of channels and pockets that do not contain, or substantially do not contain, absorbent materials such as SAP within the absorbent core are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publications 2014 / 0163500, 2014 / 0163506, and 2014 / 0163511, all published on June 12, 2014.

[0040] Other suitable materials for use in absorbent cores include open-cell foam or fragments thereof. The use of foam in absorbent cores is described in more detail in U.S. Patents 6,410,820, 6,107,356, 6,204,298, 6,207,724, 6,444,716, 8,211,078, and 8,702,668.

[0041] In some forms, the absorbent core structure may include a heterogeneous mass layer, or U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 715,984 filed May 19, 2015, No. 14 / 750,399 filed June 25, 2015, No. 14 / 751,969 filed June 26, 2015, No. 15 / 078,132 filed March 23, 2016, No. 14 / 750,596 filed June 25, 2015, 201 Filings No. 15 / 084,902 on March 30, 2016, No. 15 / 343,989 on November 4, 2016, No. 15 / 344,273 on November 4, 2016, No. 15 / 344,294 on November 4, 2016, No. 14 / 704,110 on May 5, 2015, No. 15 / 194,894 on June 28, 2016, and No. 15 / 344 on November 4, 2016 No. 050, No. 15 / 344,117 filed on November 4, 2016, No. 15 / 344,177 filed on November 4, 2016, No. 15 / 344,198 filed on November 4, 2016, No. 15 / 344,221 filed on November 4, 2016, No. 15 / 344,239 filed on November 4, 2016, No. 15 / 344,255 filed on November 4, 2016 Methods or parameters such as those described in the same application No. 15 / 464,733, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 437,208 filed December 21, 2016, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 437,225 filed December 21, 2016, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 437,241 filed December 21, 2016, or U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 437,259 filed December 21, 2016 may be used. The heterogeneous mass layer has depth, width, and height.

[0042] In some embodiments, combinations of absorbent core materials may be used. For example, an embodiment is envisioned in which a first layer of the absorbent core comprises the aforementioned foam material or fragment thereof, and a second layer of the absorbent core comprises an airlaid material. Such combinations are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014 / 0336606 and U.S. Patent No. 9,649,228.

[0043] Women's articles include a secondary top sheet and / or a trapping layer positioned between the top sheet and the absorbent core. A preferred example of the secondary top sheet relates to a spunlace nonwoven fabric. Preferred spunlace nonwoven fabrics are discussed in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2015 / 0351976. In some embodiments, the secondary top sheet may include a superabsorbent similar to the superabsorbent in the absorbent core, or a superabsorbent different from the superabsorbent in the absorbent core.

[0044] The backsheet may include a liquid-impermeable film. The backsheet may be impermeable to liquids (e.g., bodily fluids) and can usually be manufactured from a thin plastic film. However, the backsheet can usually allow vapors to escape from the disposable article. In one embodiment, a polyethylene microporous membrane may be used as the backsheet. A suitable polyethylene microporous membrane is manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc., Nagoya, Japan, and is commercially available under the trademark name PG-P.

[0045] One suitable material for the backsheet may be a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic film having a thickness of approximately 0.012 mm (0.50 mil) to approximately 0.051 mm (2.0 mil), for example, containing polyethylene or polypropylene. Typically, the backsheet has a weight of approximately 5 g / m². 2 ~Approx. 35g / m 2 It can have a basis weight of [amount missing]. However, it should be noted that other flexible liquid-impermeable materials may be used as the backsheet. In this specification, "flexible" means a material that is conformable and easily adapts to the shape and contours of the wearer's entire body.

[0046] The backsheet may generally be positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the absorbent core and may be bonded to the outer surface of the absorbent core by any suitable attachment means known in the art. For example, the backsheet may be fixed to the absorbent core by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or a separate arrangement of lines, spirals, or dots of adhesive. An example of an adhesive, but not limited to, is the adhesive manufactured by HBFuller Company (St. Paul, Minn., USA) and marketed as HL-1358J. An example of a suitable attachment means, including an open pattern network of binder filaments, is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986, “Disposable Waste-Containment Garment,” issued to Minetola et al. on March 4, 1986. Another preferred mounting means, including several strands of binder filament wound in a helical pattern, is exemplified in the apparatus and method shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Jr. on October 7, 1975, U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker et al. on November 22, 1978, and U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Alternatively, the mounting means may include thermal bonding, thermal fusion, pressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding, dynamic mechanical bonding, or any other preferred mounting means, or a combination thereof. The backsheet may be further secured to the topsheet by any of the above mounting means / methods.

[0047] The top sheet is positioned adjacent to the body-facing surface of the women's article. The top sheet can be joined to the back sheet by attachment methods (not shown) known in the art. The top sheet and the back sheet may be directly joined to each other at the periphery of the women's article, or they may be indirectly joined together by directly joining them to an absorbent core by any preferred attachment method.

[0048] The top sheet may be supple, soft to the touch, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Furthermore, the top sheet may be liquid permeable so that liquids (e.g., urine, menstrual blood) can easily penetrate its thickness. Some preferred examples of top sheet materials include laminated structures including films, nonwovens, film / nonwoven layers, film / film layers, and nonwoven / nonwoven layers. Other exemplary top sheet materials and designs are disclosed in U.S. Patent Applications Publications 2016 / 0129661, 2016 / 0167334, and 2016 / 0278986.

[0049] As described above, the women's article may include a secondary top sheet or trapping layer positioned between the top sheet and the absorbent core. The secondary top sheet may include a first end, an opposing second end, and a pair of longitudinally opposed side edges connecting the first and second ends. As shown in the figure, the secondary top sheet may be asymmetrical or symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal centerline 80.

[0050] The wings of the feminine hygiene articles disclosed herein may be formed integrally as part of the top sheet. In some embodiments, the wings may be formed integrally as part of the back sheet. In some embodiments, the wings may be formed integrally as part of both the top sheet and the back sheet. In some embodiments, the wings may be formed integrally with an additional layer of the feminine hygiene article described herein. In yet another embodiment, the wings may be formed separately and joined to the chassis.

[0051] Test and measurement methods caliper The caliper or thickness of the test specimen is measured as the distance between the reference platform on which the sample is placed and a press that applies a specific amount of pressure to the sample over a specific period of time. All measurements are performed in a laboratory maintained at 23°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity, and the test specimens are conditioned in this environment for at least two hours prior to testing.

[0052] The caliper is measured with a manual micrometer equipped with a clamp capable of applying a steady pressure of 0.50 kPa ± 0.01 kPa to the test specimen. The manual micrometer is a self-weight instrument with accurate readings to 0.01 mm. A preferred instrument is the Mitutoyo Series 543 ID-C Digimatic, available from VWR International, or an equivalent. The clamp is a flat, grounded, circular movable surface with a diameter smaller than the test specimen and capable of applying the required pressure. A preferred clamp has a diameter of 25.4 mm, but a smaller or larger clamp can be used depending on the size of the specimen being measured. The test specimen is supported by a horizontal, flat reference platform that is larger than the surface of the clamp and parallel to the surface of the clamp. The system is calibrated and operated according to the manufacturer's instructions.

[0053] If necessary, test specimens are obtained by removing them from the absorbent material. When removing test specimens from the absorbent material, care is taken not to impart any contamination or deformation to the specimen layer during the process. Test specimens are obtained from areas free from folds or wrinkles and must be larger than the presser foot.

[0054] To measure the caliper, first zero the micrometer against a horizontal, flat reference platform. Place the specimen on the platform with the test position centered under the clamp. Gently lower the clamp at a rate of 3.0 mm ± 1.0 mm / sec until the full pressure is applied to the specimen. After waiting 5 seconds, record the caliper measurement of the specimen in 0.001 mm units. Repeat this process for a total of 10 duplicate specimens. Calculate the arithmetic mean of all caliper measurements and report it as the caliper measurement in 0.001 mm units.

[0055] Caliper coefficient As mentioned above, the caliper coefficient is the caliper per 10 gsm of basis weight of the sample. Therefore, the formula is caliper / (basis weight / 10).

[0056] Basis weight The basis weight of a sheet or web material sample is the mass (in grams) per unit area (in square meters) of a single layer of the material. Unless otherwise known or available, basis weight can be measured using the EDANA official method NWSP 130.1. A block of the test sample is cut to a known area, and the mass of the sample is measured using an analytical balance with an accuracy of 0.0001 grams. All measurements are performed in a laboratory maintained at 23°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity, and the test sample is conditioned in this environment for at least 2 hours prior to testing.

[0057] Measurements are performed on test samples taken from raw material rolls or sheets, or from material layers excised from absorbent articles. When excising material layers from absorbent articles, care is taken to avoid any contamination or deformation of the sample layer during the process. The excised layer must not contain any residual adhesive. The layer is immersed in a suitable solvent that dissolves the adhesive without adversely affecting the material itself, ensuring that all adhesive is removed. One such solvent is THF (general-purpose tetrahydrofuran, CAS 109-99-9, available from any convenient source). After solvent immersion, the material layer is completely air-dried in a manner that prevents unwanted stretching or other deformation of the material. After the material is dry, a test specimen is obtained. The test specimen should be as large as possible to account for any inherent material variations.

[0058] Measure the dimensions of the single-layer specimen using a NIST-traceable calibrated steel metal ruler or equivalent. Calculate the area of ​​the specimen and record it in units of 0.0001 square meters. Obtain the mass of the specimen using an analytical balance and record it in units of 0.0001 grams. Calculate the basis weight by dividing the mass (in grams) by the area (in square meters) and record it in units of 0.01 grams per square meter (gsm). Repeat the test in the same manner for a total of 10 duplicate specimens. Calculate the arithmetic mean of the basis weights and report it in units of 0.01 grams per square meter.

[0059] combination: Paragraph 1: Women's hygiene products, Liquid permeable top sheet, A secondary top sheet below the top sheet, having a secondary top sheet length measured along the longitudinal direction, Liquid-impermeable backsheet, An absorbent core is placed between the top sheet and the back sheet, An absorbent core positioned between a secondary top sheet and a back sheet, the absorbent core having a pair of substantially parallel and substantially linear longitudinal side edges, each side edge terminating at its respective forward intersection with a projection of the absorbent core, and each side edge terminating at its respective rear intersection with a rear recess of the absorbent core, the total length of the core being measured along the longitudinal direction at the foremost and rearmost points of the absorbent core, comprises: The total core length is shorter than the secondary top sheet length. The front portion of the secondary top sheet length extends forward from the front projection. The rear portion of the secondary top sheet length protrudes rearward from the rear recess. The total length of the absorbent core, measured at the foremost and rearmost points, is approximately 75% to 99% of the length of the secondary top sheet, measured at the foremost and rearmost points of the secondary top sheet. A feminine hygiene article having a forward projection and a rear recess that are substantially complementary in size and shape.

[0060] Paragraph 2: The feminine hygiene product described in Paragraph 1, wherein the height of the protrusion and the depth of the recess are approximately 15 mm to 25 mm, respectively.

[0061] Paragraph 3 A feminine hygiene product described in any one of Paragraphs 1 or 2, wherein the height of the protrusion and the depth of the recess are each approximately 15 mm to approximately 20 mm.

[0062] Paragraph 4 A feminine hygiene article described in any one of Paragraphs 1 to 3, wherein the protruding part has a convex shape.

[0063] Paragraph 5 A feminine hygiene article described in any one of Paragraphs 1 to 4, wherein the recess has a concave shape.

[0064] Paragraph 6: A feminine hygiene product described in any one of Paragraphs 1-5, wherein the absorbent core comprises approximately 75% to 85% of the secondary top sheet.

[0065] Paragraph 7: A feminine hygiene product described in any one of paragraphs 1-6, with a core length of approximately 160mm to 310mm.

[0066] Paragraph 8: A feminine hygiene product described in any one of Paragraphs 1-7, with a core length of approximately 170mm to 310mm.

[0067] Paragraph 9: A feminine hygiene product described in any one of paragraphs 1-8, with a core length of approximately 170mm to 250mm.

[0068] Paragraph 10: A feminine hygiene product described in any one of paragraphs 1-9, with a core length of approximately 180mm to 250mm.

[0069] Paragraph 11: A feminine hygiene product described in any one of paragraphs 1-10, with a core width of approximately 55mm to 70mm.

[0070] Paragraph 12 A feminine hygiene article according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 11, wherein the secondary top sheet has a straight cut edge along the longitudinal side edge of the absorbent core.

[0071] Paragraph 13 A feminine hygiene article according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 12, wherein the secondary top sheet has an hourglass-shaped edge along the longitudinal side edge of the absorbent core.

[0072] Paragraph 14 A method for folding an article described in any one of paragraphs 1 to 13, wherein when the article is folded, the front projection is nested within the rear recess.

[0073] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​listed. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the listed value and the functionally equivalent range encompassing that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "approximately 40 mm."

[0074] All documents referenced herein, including any patents or patent applications that are cross-referenced or related, and any patent applications or patents on which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety unless explicitly stated to be excluded or limited. No reference to any document shall be deemed prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, nor shall it be deemed to teach, suggest or disclose any such invention, either alone or in combination with any other reference. Furthermore, if any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in any document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition given to the term in this document shall apply.

[0075] While 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 can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications within the scope of the invention be covered in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A feminine hygiene product, Liquid permeable top sheet, A secondary top sheet below the top sheet, having a secondary top sheet length measured along the longitudinal direction, Liquid-impermeable backsheet, An absorbent core is disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, An absorbent core disposed between the secondary top sheet and the back sheet, wherein the absorbent core has a pair of substantially parallel and substantially linear longitudinal side edges, each side edge terminating at its respective forward intersection with a projection of the absorbent core, and each side edge terminating at its respective rear intersection with a rear recess of the absorbent core, and the total length of the core is measured along the longitudinal direction at the foremost and rearmost points of the absorbent core, The total length of the core is shorter than the length of the secondary top sheet. The front portion of the aforementioned secondary top sheet length extends forward from the aforementioned forward projection, The rear portion of the aforementioned secondary top sheet length protrudes rearward from the rear recess, The total length of the absorbent core, measured at the foremost and rearmost points, is 75% to 99%, preferably 75% to 85%, of the length of the secondary top sheet, measured at the foremost and rearmost points of the secondary top sheet. A feminine hygiene article wherein the forward projection and the rear recess are substantially complementary in size and shape.

2. The women's hygiene article according to claim 1, wherein the height of the protruding portion and the depth of the recess are each 15 mm to 25 mm.

3. A women's hygiene article according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the height of the protruding portion and the depth of the recess are each 15 mm to 20 mm.

4. The women's hygiene article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protruding portion has a convex shape.

5. The feminine hygiene article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the recess has a concave shape.

6. The feminine hygiene article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the total length of the core is 160 mm to 310 mm, preferably 170 mm to 310 mm, more preferably 170 mm to 250 mm, and most preferably 180 mm to 250 mm.

7. A women's hygiene article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the total width of the core is 55 mm to 70 mm.

8. The feminine hygiene article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the secondary top sheet has a straight cut edge along the longitudinal side edge of the absorbent core.

9. The feminine hygiene article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the secondary top sheet has an hourglass-shaped edge along the longitudinal side edge of the absorbent core.

10. A method for folding an article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein when the article is folded, the forward projection is nested within the rear recess.

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