Disposable pants-type garments that fit the body

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal direction (L) and a transverse direction (T) and a longitudinal centerline (Lc) extending in the longitudinal direction (L), the article (1) comprising a front region (3), a rear region (4), a crotch region (6) located between the front region (3) and the rear region (4), and an absorbent core (21) disposed in the crotch region (6) and extending longitudinally within the front and rear regions (3, 4), the article having waist edges and first and second leg edges (19', 19"). The article is pre-tensioned. First and second crotch elastic members (61, 62) are disposed extending in a longitudinal direction (L) along the leg edges (19', 19") of the crotch region (6), which leg edges (19', 19") of the crotch region (6) extend partially or completely into the corresponding crotch elastic members (61, 62). The crotch region is generally hourglass shaped with a narrow intermediate portion. The crotch elastic members (61, 62) have first side edges (63, 65) that at least partially coincide with the corresponding leg edges (19', 19") of the crotch region (6). The absorbent core (21) has first and second side edges (26, 27) extending along the leg edges (19', 19") in the crotch region (6), the absorbent core (21) being generally hourglass shaped with a narrow intermediate portion. The distance (d1), measured in the transverse direction (T) between the first side edge (26) of the absorbent core (21) and the first side edge (63) of the first crotch elastic member (61), and the distance (d2), measured in the transverse direction (T) between the second side edge (27) of the absorbent core (21) and the first side edge (65) of the second crotch elastic member (62), vary by at most 30 millimeters along the entire length of the crotch elastic members (61, 62).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY The present disclosure relates to disposable absorbent articles having crotch leg elastics positioned adjacent to an absorbent core in the crotch region of the disposable absorbent article. [Background technology]

[0002] In the art of disposable absorbent articles, such as disposable pant-type articles and disposable open diapers, there are high demands on the fit and comfort of the article while simultaneously meeting equally high demands on absorbency and leakage protection.

[0003] Disposable absorbent articles of this type are relatively complex products requiring multiple components to be combined to form the absorbent article, including a nonwoven component, a barrier component, an elastic component, and usually an absorbent core, which may be provided in the form of a separately manufactured absorbent assembly including a barrier layer and a liquid-permeable topsheet that together surround the absorbent core.

[0004] It is common to place pretensioned elastic elements along all or selected portions of the waist and leg edges of absorbent articles to enhance body fit and leak safety. The pretensioned elastic elements tend to gather the web material to which they are attached, forming pleats and wrinkled edges along the elastic elements. Such pleats and wrinkled edges are undesirable because they can cause chafing, particularly in the user's groin area. Additionally, wrinkles formed perpendicular to the leg edges can serve as channels through which bodily fluids can leak out of the article. Furthermore, the pleats and wrinkled edges detract from the underwear-like appearance of the absorbent article and may be visible under regular clothing.

[0005] In disposable absorbent articles that include an absorbent core, the absorbent core is generally a relatively inflexible component of the absorbent article, which can counteract the contractile forces of elastic elements and materials within the article, causing the article to conform less well to the body in and near the absorbent core. This can be a particular problem in the crotch region of an absorbent article, where the amount of absorbent material per unit area within the absorbent core is typically greater than in other parts of the core, causing the core to be more resistant to bending in the crotch region. The stiffer, often thicker, portions of the core located in the crotch region can affect the ability of the leg elastics in the crotch region to form an adequate seal against the body of the article wearer. The sealing ability of the leg elastics in the crotch region can be improved by increasing the elastic tension of the leg elastics. However, using crotch elastic elements with high tension is not preferred because it can cause discomfort to the wearer, such as chafing and red bruising.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for improved crotch stretchability in absorbent disposable absorbent articles that are worn like pants. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A disposable pant-type article with good functionality, fit and comfort may be achieved at least in part by the features of claim 1. Variations of the present disclosure are set out in the dependent claims.

[0008] Disclosed herein is a disposable pant-type article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, with a longitudinal centerline extending in the longitudinal direction, said article comprising: a front region having a front waist edge and first and second longitudinal front side edges; a rear region having a rear waist edge and first and second rear side edges; a crotch region located between the front region and the rear region; an absorbent core; a first leg edge and a second leg edge; - a pre-tensioned first crotch elastic member disposed longitudinally along a first leg edge in the crotch region and a pre-tensioned second crotch elastic member disposed longitudinally along a second leg edge in the crotch region, the leg edges in the crotch region partially or completely extending into the corresponding crotch elastic members; a middle portion of the crotch region having a width smaller than the width of the crotch region in the front region and a width smaller than the width of the crotch region in the rear region; Equipped with - each crotch elastic member has a first side edge and a second side edge extending in a longitudinal direction, the first side edge of each crotch elastic member at least partially coinciding with a corresponding leg edge in the crotch region, and each crotch elastic member has a width at an intermediate portion of the crotch elastic member that is less than the width of the crotch elastic member at a front end portion of the crotch elastic member and less than the width of the crotch elastic member at a rear end portion of the crotch elastic member; - the absorbent core has first and second side edges and first and second end edges, the first and second side edges of the absorbent core extending along the leg edges in the crotch region, the absorbent core has a width at a middle portion of the absorbent core that is less than the width at a front portion of the absorbent core and less than the width at a rear portion of the absorbent core, and the distance measured transversely between the first side edge of the absorbent core and the first side edge of the first crotch elastic member, and the distance measured transversely between the second side edge of the absorbent core and the first side edge of the second crotch elastic member vary by at most 30 millimeters along the entire length of the crotch elastic members, for example by at most 25 millimeters, at most 20 millimeters, or at most 15 millimeters along the entire length of the first and second crotch elastic members.

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

[0010] Alternatively, the disposable absorbent articles disclosed herein may be open diapers that fasten in a pant-like configuration around the wearer's lower torso.

[0011] In the absorbent articles disclosed herein, the side edges of the absorbent core and the first side edge of the crotch elastics are shaped so that the crotch region of the absorbent article has a generally hourglass shape. The shape of the side edges of the absorbent core generally matches the shape of the first side edge of the crotch elastics. The absorbent core is placed in the absorbent article with the portion of the absorbent core having the smallest width positioned in the portion of the crotch region having the smallest width. Because the leg edge contours of the crotch elastics match the contours of the side edges of the absorbent core, the width of the stretchable region formed between the side edges of the absorbent core and the first side edge of the crotch elastics is the same or nearly the same along the entire length of the crotch elastics or along at least 70% of the length of the crotch elastics.

[0012] The disposable absorbent articles disclosed herein may be panel articles, the front region comprises or consists of a transversely elastically stretchable front body panel having a front panel waist edge, a front panel crotch edge opposite the front panel waist edge, and first and second longitudinal front panel side edges; the rear region comprises or consists of a transversely elastically stretchable rear body panel having a rear panel waist edge, a rear panel crotch edge opposite the rear panel waist edge, and first and second rear panel side edges; the crotch region is located between the front panel and the back panel, the crotch region being longitudinally bounded by a front panel crotch edge and a back panel crotch edge; a first front panel side edge joined to a first back panel side edge at a first side seam and a second front panel side edge joined to a second back panel side edge at a second side seam; - a front leg edge portion of each of the first and second leg edges is disposed on an elastically stretchable front body panel, a rear leg edge portion of each of the first and second leg edges is disposed on an elastically stretchable back body panel, and a crotch leg edge portion of each of the first and second leg edges is disposed in a crotch region from the front panel crotch edge to the back panel crotch edge, and the total length of each leg edge is the combined length of the front leg edge portion, the crotch leg edge portion and the rear leg edge portion; - the crotch leg edge portions of the first and second leg edge portions extend partially or completely into the corresponding crotch elastic members; the crotch leg edge portion is shaped such that the intermediate portion of the crotch region has a width smaller than the width of the crotch region at the crotch edge of the front panel and a width smaller than the width of the crotch region at the crotch edge of the back panel; The width of the absorbent core at the middle portion of the absorbent core is smaller than the width of the absorbent core at the crotch edge of the front panel and smaller than the width of the absorbent core at the crotch edge of the rear panel.

[0013] The elastically stretchable front body panel and / or the elastically stretchable back body panel in the absorbent articles disclosed herein may comprise or consist of an elastic laminate, which comprises at least a first layer of fibrous material and an elastic layer.

[0014] The elastic layer may comprise or consist of an elastic film layer or an elastic nonwoven layer.

[0015] During the manufacture of the absorbent articles disclosed herein, elastic materials, such as elastic elements, films, and web materials, are attached to non-elastic, non-stretch materials while the elastic materials are in a tensioned, stretched state. In the final absorbent article, the elastic is relaxed, and the non-stretch materials are shortened and gathered. The non-stretch materials in the absorbent articles disclosed herein limit the stretchability of the absorbent article's stretchable components, such as the elastic front and back panels, leg elastics, and waist elastic. All distances and lengths disclosed herein are measured with the absorbent article in a flattened, generally two-dimensional state, with all elastic within the article stretched to the maximum extent permitted by the non-stretch components within the article and with no gathering of any non-stretch components within the article.

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

[0017] The crotch elastic may have a maximum width in the transverse direction of the article in the range of 15mm to 50mm, for example, 20mm to 40mm or 25mm to 35mm, and a length in the longitudinal direction of the article in the range of 150mm to 350mm, for example, 170mm to 320mm or 200mm to 310mm. The dimensions of the crotch elastic are measured when the absorbent article is flat with the side seams untied or slit open.

[0018] The width of the front end portion of each thigh elastic member may be equal to the width of the rear end portion of the thigh elastic member, and the ratio of the widths of the front and rear end portions to the minimum width of the intermediate portion may be 1:0.5 to 1:0.9.

[0019] The crotch elastic may be a flat strip of crotch elastic and may include or consist of an elastic film or elastic nonwoven material.

[0020] Pretensioning the crotch elastics can be suitably achieved by attaching the crotch elastics to the absorbent article while the crotch elastics are in a stretched state. The crotch elastics can be attached by affixing the crotch elastics to the absorbent article while the end portions of the crotch elastics are untensioned. The untensioned end portions of the crotch elastics can each have a length of 5% to 8% of the total length of the crotch elastics, including the length of the end portions and the tensioned intermediate portions between the end portions.

[0021] The absorbent core may form part of an absorbent assembly comprising an absorbent core, a liquid permeable upper core cover layer, and a lower core cover layer, with the absorbent core enclosed between the upper and lower core cover layers. The absorbent assembly may further comprise a liquid permeable topsheet and a liquid barrier layer, with the absorbent core enclosed between the liquid permeable topsheet and the liquid barrier layer, with the upper core cover layer facing the liquid permeable topsheet and the lower core cover layer facing the liquid barrier layer.

[0022] The first side edge of the crotch elastic member in the disposable absorbent articles disclosed herein may be aligned with the first and second side edges of the absorbent assembly and share a common contour with the first and second side edges of the absorbent assembly in the crotch region.

[0023] Alternatively, the upper core cover layer may be a liquid permeable topsheet and the lower core cover layer may be a liquid barrier layer.

[0024] The upper core cover layer and the lower core cover layer may be connected at a first side seal extending along a first side edge of the absorbent core and a second side seal extending along a second side edge of the absorbent core. The absorbent core may include one or more flow channels extending longitudinally at a distance from each of the first and second side seals. Each of the one or more flow channels may be free or substantially free of absorbent material. A flow channel seal may be disposed within the one or more flow channels, and the flow channel seal may join the upper and lower layers of the core cover within the flow channel. The seal strength of the flow channel seal may be greater than the seal strength of each of the first and second side seals of the absorbent core.

[0025] The one or more flow channel seals may be one or more permanent seals that prevent separation of the upper and lower core cover layers, thereby limiting thicknesswise swelling of the absorbent core in the vicinity of the flow channels. A permanent seal is one that does not break under normal use and handling of the absorbent article. A permanent seal resists forces resulting from swelling of the absorbent material in the absorbent core and remains intact throughout the use of the absorbent article. The flow channel seals may be frangible, permanent, or partially frangible and partially permanent. The side seals may be permanent or frangible seals that break under the influence of forces exerted on the side seals as the absorbent material in the absorbent core absorbs and expands fluid. For the absorbent articles disclosed herein, it is also contemplated that the side seals may be partially frangible and partially permanent. The frangible side seals may interact with the permanent flow channel seals to allow the absorbent material to expand primarily laterally or transversely of the absorbent core and the absorbent article upon absorption of body fluids.

[0026] The seal strength of the permanent seal may be 2.5 N / 25 mm or more, such as 3 N / 25 mm or more, and the seal strength of the easy-to-break seal may be 2.0 N / 25 mm or less, such as 1.5 N / 25 mm or less.

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

[0028] The side seals and flow path seal(s) may be bonded seals, welded seals, or any combination of bonded and welded seals.

[0029] The frangible seal may be a seal having very low integrity, such as, for example, a mechanical seal formed by needling or embossing the upper and lower core layers together.

[0030] The first side seal, the second side seal, and each channel seal may be adhesive seals. The seal strength of the seals may be controlled by varying the basis weight of the adhesive applied in the seals. The basis weight of the adhesive in each channel seal may be higher than the basis weight of the adhesive in each of the first and second side seals. The basis weight of the adhesive may also vary along the seal. The basis weight of the adhesive applied in the channel seal may be higher at the longitudinal center of the channel seal than at one or both ends of the channel seal, allowing the ends of the channel seal to rupture upon swelling of the absorbent material while the center of the channel seal remains intact. One or more permanently sealed channel seals may extend into a portion of the absorbent core disposed over a non-stretchable crotch material, such as over a non-stretchable crotch panel or crotch portion of an outer cover of an absorbent article, such as an absorbent pant-type article or an absorbent open-type diaper. The frangible ends of one or more of the channel seals may extend into the portions of the absorbent core disposed on the elastic front and back body panels of the absorbent article.

[0031] In the absorbent articles disclosed herein, the basis weight of the adhesive in the easy-to-break seal is 4 g / m 2 The adhesive basis weight in the easily breakable seal may be 3 g / m or more. 2 It may be the following:

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

[0033] The one or more flow paths may be configured by two symmetrically arranged flow paths extending spaced apart on each side of the longitudinal centerline between the longitudinal centerline and a corresponding one of the first and second side seals.

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

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

[0036] The hourglass shape referred to herein includes all configurations of a core in which the end portions are wider than the central portion.

[0037] The crotch elastic member may have a longitudinal extension toward both the front portion of the absorbent article and the rear portion of the absorbent article that is greater than the flow passages in the absorbent core.

[0038] When the flow channels are disposed within an hourglass-shaped absorbent core having a narrowed intermediate portion, the flow channels may be disposed within the absorbent core with a displacement toward the front portion of the absorbent article such that the forward extension of the flow channels from the narrowed intermediate portion of the absorbent core is greater than the rearward extension of the flow channels from the narrowed intermediate portion of the absorbent core. The flow channels may be adjacent or nearly adjacent the narrowed intermediate portion of the absorbent core at the rear end of the flow channels.

[0039] The crotch elastics may be positioned within an hourglass-shaped absorbent core having a narrowed intermediate portion with a displacement toward the rear portion of the absorbent article, such that the crotch elastics extend forward from the narrowed intermediate portion of the absorbent core less than the crotch elastics extend rearward from the narrowed intermediate portion of the absorbent core.

[0040] The extent of the flow channels and elastic members is measured forward and rearward from a transverse line extending across the crotch region at the location where the absorbent core has its minimum width. If the absorbent core has a narrow portion extending longitudinally and having a constant minimum width of the absorbent core, the extent of the flow channels and elastic members is measured forward and rearward from a transverse line extending across the crotch region and dividing the narrow portion into two portions of equal longitudinal extent.

[0041] The absorbent core may have two or more portions with different absorbent capacities per unit area. A central portion of the absorbent core may have an absorbent capacity per unit area greater than that of a first end portion and greater than that of a second end portion.

[0042] The absorbent core may be a three-dimensionally shaped core in which, when viewed in the longitudinal direction, the central portion of the absorbent core is positioned between the first end of the absorbent core and the second end of the absorbent core, and the central portion of the absorbent core has a thickness greater than the thickness of the first end and a thickness greater than the thickness of the second end.

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

[0044] The first end may be a front end, and the first transition zone may be a front transition zone having a longitudinal extension of 5 to 80 millimeters, e.g., 5 to 50 millimeters, e.g., 10 to 30 millimeters; the second end is a rear end, and the second transition zone is a rear transition zone having a longitudinal extension of 5 to 80 millimeters, e.g., 20 to 80 millimeters, e.g., 30 to 60 millimeters. The basis weight of the absorbent core preferably varies linearly in the transition zones between the end portions and the central portion. The front transition zone may have a smaller longitudinal extension than the rear transition zone.

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

[0046] The end portions may have equal basis weights. However, end portions having different basis weights are also contemplated for the absorbent articles disclosed herein. The front end portion may have a higher basis weight than the rear end portion.

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

[0048] In an absorbent core having a central portion with a higher basis weight, the central portion may have a length that is about 30% to 70% of the length of the absorbent core, for example, about 40% to 60% of the length of the absorbent core, or about 45% to 55% of the length of the absorbent core. The length of the central portion may be approximately half the length of the absorbent core.

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

[0050] The pant-type articles disclosed herein may have a three-part chassis having a crotch panel connected to the front panel along the front panel crotch edge and connected to the back panel along the back panel crotch edge. The front and back panels may be made from an elastic or stretchable web material or elastic laminate material, and the crotch panel may be a non-stretchable web material or non-stretchable laminate material.

[0051] Alternatively, the pant-type article may have a single chassis with a non-elastic outer or inner cover web extending the entire distance between the front panel waist edge and the back panel waist edge, the cover web constituting the non-elastic layer of each of the front and back panels and constituting the crotch web material in the crotch region of the pant-type article.

[0052] The elastically stretchable front body panel and the elastically stretchable back body panel may comprise or consist of a stretch bonded laminated elastic web material.

[0053] Suitable stretch adhesive laminates may include layers or webs of nonwoven materials such as spunbond, airlaid, wetlaid, carded, electrospun or meltblown nonwovens. The nonwoven materials may be bonded by any suitable technique such as needling, hydroentangling, ultrasonic welding or thermal bonding.

[0054] The fibers of the nonwoven material used herein may be man-made, natural, or a mixture of man-made and natural fibers. Man-made fibers include mono-, bi-, and multi-component fibers of polymers such as polyolefins, polyesters, and polyacrylates, as well as regenerated fibers such as viscose and modal. Natural fibers are, for example, cellulosic fibers such as pulp, cotton, flax, and hemp.

[0055] The absorbent articles disclosed herein may have an elastic waist feature disposed along all or part of one or both waist edges. The elastic waist feature may be formed by one or more elastic elements. The elastic waist element(s) may be integral with the front and back portions or may be provided as a separate waist band attached along the waist edges.

[0056] The nonwoven web material used in the absorbent articles disclosed herein may comprise a thermoplastic material. The nonwoven web material is typically incorporated into the joints and seams in the absorbent article, and it may be desirable for the nonwoven web to be weldable by heat or ultrasonic welding processes. Examples of polymers suitable for use in the fibrous nonwoven webs disclosed herein include polyethylene polypropylene and other polyolefin homopolymers and copolymers, and polyesters. Weldable nonwoven webs have a high thermoplastic content, preferably containing at least 50% thermoplastic fibers, more preferably at least 80% thermoplastic fibers.

[0057] A reinforced leg elastic feature may be disposed along each leg edge in the rear region of the absorbent article. In the panel articles disclosed herein, a first reinforced elastic feature may be disposed on the elastically stretchable rear body panel web along the rear leg edge portion of the first leg edge, and a second reinforced elastic feature may be disposed on the elastically stretchable rear body panel web along the rear leg edge portion of the second leg edge. The reinforced elastic feature is a secondary elastic element applied in addition to the elastic material in the elastic body panel.

[0058] The first reinforcing elastic feature may extend along a first portion of the rear leg edge portion of the first leg edge section in a direction from the longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article toward the first side seam and may have an end point at the rear leg edge portion of the first leg edge section, and a second portion of the rear leg edge portion of the first leg edge section does not include the first reinforcing elastic feature.

[0059] The second reinforcing elastic feature may extend along a first portion of the rear leg edge portion of the second leg edge section in a direction from the longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article toward the second side seam and may have an end point at the rear leg edge portion of the second leg edge section, and a second portion of the rear leg edge portion of the second leg edge section does not include the second reinforcing elastic feature.

[0060] The absorbent articles and methods of making the same disclosed herein are further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The absorbent articles and methods of making the same disclosed herein are further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0061] [Figure 1] 1 shows a plan view of a stretched absorbent pant-type article having an absorbent assembly and open side seams as viewed from the inner surface of the pant-type article. [Figure 2] 2 shows an enlarged view of the absorbent assembly in the pant-type article of FIG. 1, in which the absorbent core is enclosed in a core cover. [Figure 3a] 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the absorbent assembly of FIG. 2 along line III-III when the absorbent core is in a dry state. [Figure 3b] 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the absorbent assembly of FIG. 2 along line III-III when the absorbent core is in a wet state. [Figure 4] 2 shows the pant-type article of FIG. 1 in an unstretched state with the side seams closed, as it would appear prior to use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0062] The different aspects of the present disclosure will be fully described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments disclosed herein can be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the aspects described herein. Although the absorbent article shown in the figures is a pant-type article, it should be understood that the absorbent article disclosed herein may also be an open-type diaper.

[0063] The drawings are schematic, and individual components such as layers of material are not necessarily drawn to scale. The absorbent articles shown in the figures are simplified articles, and the articles may include additional features such as barrier cuffs, fasteners, disposal arrangements, etc. It should also be understood that waist elastics and rear leg elastics are optional features and may therefore be implemented in other ways within the scope of the appended claims. The side seams of pant-type articles such as those shown in the figures may be reclosable side seams, and pant-type articles may include fastener elements to provide reclosability of the side seams.

[0064] Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown an absorbent article 1 in the form of an absorbent incontinence article for an adult user. The absorbent article 1 is shown in Figure 1 in an unfolded, ungathered state with all elastic elements fully extended. The absorbent article has a longitudinal direction L and a transverse direction T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, with a longitudinal centerline Lc extending in the longitudinal direction L.

[0065] The absorbent article 1 is viewed from the inner surface, which faces the wearer's body when the article is worn, and is the surface opposite the outer, garment-facing surface of the absorbent article 1.

[0066] The absorbent article 1 comprises a front region 3, a rear region 4, and an absorbent assembly 20 located in the crotch region 6 of the absorbent article 1 and extending in a longitudinal direction L forward over the front region 3 and rearward over the rear region 4. The absorbent assembly 20 extends in the longitudinal direction L from the front region 3 through the crotch region 6 to the rear region 4.

[0067] In the absorbent article 1 shown in the figures, the article has a three-part chassis, with the front region 3 formed by an elastic front body panel 3', the back region 4 formed by an elastic back body panel 4', and the crotch region 6 formed by a non-elastic crotch panel 6'. The crotch panel 6' is attached to the front body panel 3' and the back body panel 4'. The attachments between the crotch panel and the front and back panels may be made as overlapping seams.

[0068] As disclosed herein, the absorbent article 1 may alternatively have any other useful chassis configuration, such as a single chassis, a two-part chassis, or a chassis made up of three or more parts. The chassis may include separately attached front and / or rear side flaps.

[0069] The absorbent assembly 20 in the absorbent article shown in the figures is a separately manufactured component comprising an absorbent core 21. The absorbent core 21 is enclosed between an upper core cover layer 24 and a lower core cover layer 25 of a core cover 5, which is further enclosed between a liquid permeable topsheet 22 and a liquid barrier layer 23. The absorbent core 21 is disposed between the topsheet 22 and the liquid barrier layer 23, with the upper core cover layer 24 facing the liquid topsheet 22 and the lower core cover layer 25 facing the liquid barrier layer 23.

[0070] The front region 3 has a front waist edge 7 extending in the transverse direction T and a pair of front side edges 8, 9 extending in the longitudinal direction L. The rear region 4 has a rear waist edge 10 extending in the transverse direction T and a pair of rear side edges 11, 12 extending in the longitudinal direction L.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 4, the first front side edge 8 is joined to the first back side edge 11 at a first side seam 14, and the second front side edge 9 is joined to the second back side edge 12 at a second side seam 15 to form a pants-type article 1 having a waist opening 16, a first leg opening 17 and a second leg opening 18.

[0072] The side seams 14, 15 of the absorbent article 1 may be generally band-shaped seams formed by ultrasonic or thermal welding. To provide sufficient strength to withstand the forces to which the absorbent article 1 is subjected while wearing the article and to allow for sufficient manufacturing tolerances, the side seams generally have a width of about 5 to 10 millimeters. It is also known to create side seams with widths less than 5 mm.

[0073] It is generally desirable that a soiled absorbent article be easily removable without having to pull the article down the user's legs, and therefore the side seams are generally made to be manually tearable so that the user or caregiver can pull the side seams apart before removing the soiled absorbent article.

[0074] A waist opening 16 is defined by the front panel waist edge 7 and the back panel waist edge 10. A first leg edge 19' defines a first leg opening 17, and a second leg edge 19" defines a second leg opening 18.

[0075] A first pre-tensioned crotch elastic member 61 is arranged extending in the longitudinal direction L along the first leg edge 19' in the crotch region 6, and a second pre-tensioned crotch elastic member 62 is arranged extending in the longitudinal direction L along the second leg edge 19" in the crotch region 6. The crotch elastic members 61, 62 are comprised of strip-shaped strips of elastic film or elastic nonwoven fabric that are applied to the pant-type article in a pre-tensioned and stretched state so that the crotch elastic members 61, 62 form functional leg elastics in the crotch region 6 of the pant-type article 1.

[0076] The crotch elastic members 61, 62 have first side edges 63, 65 and second side edges 64, 66 extending in the longitudinal direction L. The first side edge 63, 65 of each crotch elastic member 61, 62 coincides with the corresponding leg edge 19', 19" along the majority of the leg edge 19', 19" in the crotch region 6.

[0077] The leg edges 19', 19" are cut into the crotch elastic members 61, 62 in the crotch region 6, so that the crotch elastic members 61, 62 have widths wf, wr of the front and rear end portions 61', 62', 61", 62" of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 that are greater than the minimum width wc of the intermediate portions 61"', 62"' of the crotch elastic members.

[0078] In Figures 1 and 2, leg edges 19', 19" are shown with a slight concave curvature in the crotch region 6 such that the strip-shaped crotch elastic members 61, 62 also have a somewhat modified strip shape with cutout portions along portions of leg edges 19', 19" in the crotch region 6.

[0079] In the pants-type article 1 shown in the figures, the width wf of the front end portions 61', 62' of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 is equal to the width wr of the rear end portions 61", 62". The front end portions 61', 62' and the rear end portions 61", 62" have widths greater than the narrowest widths of the intermediate portions 61"', 62"' of the crotch elastic members 61, 62. A suitable ratio between the widths wf, wr of the end portions of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 and the minimum width wc of the intermediate portions of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 may be 1:0.5 to 1:0.9.

[0080] As used herein, the term "recessed edge" should be broadly understood to include continuously curved recessed edges, edges with angular shapes that change in one or more clearly defined steps, and combinations of continuous curves and angular shapes. Recessed edges may include one or more straight segments and, optionally, one or more curved segments. Recessed crotch leg edges, as used herein, include V-shaped and U-shaped crotch leg edges, as well as any other shape that provides an absorbent article with a crotch region that is narrower at the longitudinal midpoint of the crotch region than at the ends of the crotch region. The recessed edges of the crotch elastics, which are formed by simultaneously cutting multiple layers of material in the crotch region, including one or more layers from the peripheral edge portion of the absorbent assembly 20, coincide with the recessed edges of the liquid pervious topsheet 22 and the liquid barrier layer 23 and absorbent assembly 20.

[0081] The width of the front end portions 61', 62' of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 is equal to the width of the rear end portions 61", 62" of the crotch elastic members 61, 62. The ratio of the width of the end portions 61', 62', 61", 62" of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 to the minimum width of the middle portions 61"", 62"' of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 may be 1:0.5 to 1:0.9.

[0082] The end portions 61', 62', 61'', 62'' of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 may be untensioned portions of the crotch elastic members 61, 61.

[0083] Referring to Figure 2, the absorbent core 21 has an hourglass shape with first and second side edges 26, 27 extending along the leg edges 19', 19" in the crotch region 6 of the absorbent article 1, a first end edge 28 in the front region 3 of the absorbent article, and a second end edge 29 in the rear region 4 of the absorbent article 1. The first and second side edges 26, 27 of the absorbent core 21 have a main extension in the longitudinal direction L, and the first and second end edges 28, 29 have a main extension in the transverse direction T.

[0084] The absorbent core 21 has a width at a central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21 that is less than the width of the front end 52 of the absorbent core and less than the width of the rear end 53 of the absorbent core 21. A distance d1 measured in the transverse direction between the first side edge 26 of the absorbent core 21 and the first side edge 63 of the first crotch elastic member 61, and a distance d2 measured in the transverse direction T between the second side edge 27 of the absorbent core 21 and the first side edge 65 of the second crotch elastic member 62 vary along the entire length of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 by at most 30 millimeters, for example, by at most 25 millimeters, at most 20 millimeters, or at most 15 millimeters.

[0085] In the intermediate portions 61"', 62"' of the crotch elastic members 61, 62, the shape of the first side edges 63, 65 of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 is defined by the shape of the leg edges 19', 19" of the crotch region 6, and the shape of the side edges 26, 27 of the absorbent core generally follows the shape of the leg edges 19', 19". In the end portions 61', 62', 61", 62 of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 where the absorbent core 21 has a larger width, the elasticity in the crotch elastic members 61, 62 is deactivated or at least reduced at the front and rear corner portions 71, 72, 73, 74 of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 where the absorbent core 21 overlaps the crotch elastic members 61, 62.

[0086] The absorbent core 21 is positioned in the absorbent article 1 with the portion of the absorbent core 21 having the smallest width positioned in the portion of the crotch region 6 having the smallest width. As disclosed herein, when the end portions 61', 62', 61", 62" of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 are untensioned end portions, the leg edge contours of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 are matched to the contours of the side edges of the absorbent core 21, so that the width of the stretchable region between the side edges 26, 27 of the absorbent core provided with stretch by the crotch elastic members and the first side edges 63, 65 of the crotch elastic members 61, 62 is the same or substantially the same along the entire length of the crotch elastic members, or along at least 70% of the length of the crotch elastic members. Thus, the absorbent article disclosed herein has wide stretchable regions 81, 82 with generally uniform elasticity along the leg edges 19', 19" in the crotch region 6. The regions between the leg edges 19', 19" and the side edges 26, 27 of the absorbent core, where stretch is provided by the crotch elastic members 61, 62, are flexible, providing the absorbent article with excellent fit in the crotch region. Because the contractile force from the crotch elastic members 61, 62 is distributed across the width of the stretchable regions 81, 82, localized pressure on the wearer's skin is significantly reduced, thereby reducing the risk of chafing or bruising of the user's skin. Furthermore, the wide stretchable regions 81, 82 form a wide gasket seal against the wearer's skin.

[0087] The first and second flow channels 35, 36 are disposed within the absorbent core 21 and extend in the longitudinal direction Y on either side of the longitudinal centerline Lc and at a distance from each of the first and second side edges 26, 27 of the absorbent core 21. The flow channels 35, 36 are free or substantially free of absorbent material.

[0088] The upper core cover layer 24 and the lower core cover layer 25 are connected to each other by a first side seal 33 extending along a first side edge 26 of the absorbent core 21 and a second side seal 34 extending along a second side edge 27 of the absorbent core 21. The upper and lower core cover layers 24, 25 are also connected by a first flow channel seal 37 extending into a first flow channel 35 and a second flow channel seal 38 extending into a second flow channel 36.

[0089] As disclosed herein, the seal strength of the first and second flow channel seals 37, 38 is greater than the seal strength of the first and second side seals 33, 34 of the absorbent core 21. The seal strength of the first and second flow channel seals 37, 38 may be 2.5 N / 25 mm or greater, and the seal strength of the first and second side seals 33, 34 may be 2.0 N / 25 mm or less.

[0090] At least a majority of the channel seals 37, 38 are permanent seals that do not rupture under normal use and handling of the absorbent article. Thus, the channel seals 37, 38 remain intact or substantially intact even after the absorbent article has absorbed liquid. The side seals 33, 34 are shown as frangible seals having low seal strength so that they rupture under the influence of an applied force when the absorbent material in the absorbent core 21 absorbs fluid and expands. The permanent or nearly permanent channel seals 37, 38 limit swelling through the thickness of the absorbent article 1, while the frangible side seals 33, 34 allow the absorbent material to expand laterally or transversely. Thus, in the region of the absorbent core 21 where the channels 35, 36 are located, the combination of the permanent or nearly permanent channel seals 37, 38 and the easily breakable side seals 33, 34 causes the absorbent core 21 to expand primarily in the transverse direction T upon absorption of body fluids.

[0091] It should be understood that the flow path seals can be frangible or permanent, or can be partially frangible and partially permanent, and the side seals can be frangible or permanent, or can be partially frangible and partially permanent.

[0092] It should also be understood that channels are an optional feature of the absorbent articles disclosed herein.

[0093] As disclosed herein, the side seals 33, 34 and the flow path seals 37, 38 may be bonded seals. However, welded seals or a combination of bonded and welded seals are also contemplated for the core cover seals 33, 34, 37, 38.

[0094] The upper and lower core cover layers 24, 25 may be formed from a single continuous piece of cover material wrapped around the absorbent core 21. In the pant-type absorbent article shown in the figures, the upper and lower core cover layers 24, 25 are formed from separate webs of material with the absorbent core 21 sandwiched between the core cover layers 24, 25.

[0095] Depending on the type and size of absorbent article in which one or more channels disclosed herein are disposed, the length of the channel may range from 50 millimeters to 500 millimeters.

[0096] In a pant-type absorbent article for incontinent adult users, such as the absorbent article 1 shown in the figures, the channels 35, 36 are preferably located in the crotch region 6 of the article, which is the narrow portion of the article that is placed against the user's crotch when the article is worn. The narrow crotch region 6 of the absorbent article is the portion of the article that receives the majority of excreted body fluids, such as urine. Therefore, the crotch region 6 must have good absorbent properties in terms of liquid acquisition, liquid distribution, and absorption capacity. The channels 35, 36 in the absorbent core 21 contribute to rapid liquid acquisition and promote fluid distribution by directing fluid flow toward the front and rear regions 3, 4 of the absorbent article 1. In the absorbent article 1 shown in the figures, the length of the channels 35, 36 substantially corresponds to the length of the crotch region 6 and may typically be approximately 150 to 250 millimeters.

[0097] In wearable incontinence articles such as open diapers and pant diapers, the flow channels typically have a length of about 30% to 50% of the total length of the absorbent core. In smaller absorbent articles such as incontinence shields and sanitary napkins, the flow channels may extend almost to both ends of the absorbent core, such as up to 80% of the total length of the absorbent core.

[0098] To increase the absorbent capacity in the narrow crotch region 6 of the absorbent article 1, a central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21, which is disposed between a first end 52 of the absorbent core 21 and a second end 53 of the absorbent core 21 in the longitudinal direction L, has a basis weight greater than that of the end portions 52, 53. In the absorbent article 1 shown in the figure, the first end 52 is the front end 52 of the absorbent core 21, and the second end 53 is the rear end 53 of the absorbent core 21.

[0099] The central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21 has a uniform basis weight, and the first and second end portions 52, 53 of the absorbent core 21 each have a uniform basis weight, and the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21 is separated from the first and second end portions 52, 53 by corresponding first and second transition zones 54, 55. The basis weight of the absorbent core 21 decreases linearly within the transition zones 54, 55 from the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21 to the end portions 52, 53 of the absorbent core 21. The rear end portion 53 has a greater extension in the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article 1 than the front end portion 52. In the absorbent core 21 shown in FIG. 2, the rear transition zone 55 has a greater extension in the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article 1 than the front transition zone 54.

[0100] However, the transition zones may have equal extensions along the length of the absorbent article, and the front transition zone may be longer than the rear transition zone. Absorbent cores having a higher basis weight in the center and a lower basis weight at the edges, but no transition zones between the different portions of the core, are also contemplated for the absorbent articles disclosed herein. Furthermore, the center and edges may have unequal basis weights.

[0101] The ratio of the basis weight of the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21 to the basis weight of the front end portion 52 may be in the range of 4 to 1.5, and the ratio of the basis weight of the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21 to the basis weight of the second end portion 53 may be in the range of 4 to 1.5. The end portions 52, 53 may have the same basis weight or different basis weights.

[0102] The absorbent core 21 shown in the figure is a three-dimensional core having different thicknesses in different portions of the absorbent core. However, it should be understood that the three-dimensional shape of the absorbent core is optional for the absorbent articles disclosed herein, and the absorbent core may also be flat or generally flat. In a flat or generally flat absorbent core, the absorbent capacity of the absorbent core may differ in different portions of the core only as a result of different absorbent capacities per unit area. Differences in absorbent capacity per unit area may be achieved, for example, by applying different amounts of superabsorbent material to different portions of the core and / or by varying the amount of fiber and degree of compression in the fibrous matrix of the absorbent core.

[0103] The absorbent core 21 disclosed herein may comprise any material suitable for absorbing discharged bodily exudates, such as cellulosic fluff pulp, tissue layers, highly absorbent polymers (superabsorbents), absorbent foam materials including hydrogel foam materials, absorbent nonwoven materials, etc. The absorbent core may include non-absorbent components such as reinforcing elements, shaping elements, binders, etc. Various types of liquid-containment and liquid-distribution elements may also be included in the core.

[0104] The absorbent core 21 preferably comprises superabsorbent material in an amount of 50% to 100% by weight of the superabsorbent material, for example, 60% to 100% by weight of the superabsorbent material, in at least the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21. As described herein, the superabsorbent content may be lower at the front end 52 and / or the rear end 53 of the absorbent core than in the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21, or may be the same in all portions of the absorbent core 21.

[0105] Superabsorbent materials are polymeric materials and may be in the form of particles, granules, fibers, flakes, and the like.

[0106] As disclosed herein, the absorbent core 21 may comprise a mixture of absorbent cellulosic fibers, such as cellulose pulp fibers, and superabsorbent materials.

[0107] A high amount of superabsorbent material in the absorbent core allows for the production of thin, discrete absorbent articles while providing high absorption capacity and the ability to chemically bind and fix absorbed fluids, resulting in an absorbent article that is leak-safe and has a dry inner surface even after absorbing large amounts of fluid.

[0108] Superabsorbent materials absorb liquids as they swell and form an aqueous gel. To fully utilize the absorbent capacity of superabsorbent materials, absorbent articles must provide sufficient expansion space for the superabsorbent material. Because the absorbent core is enclosed within the core cover 5, the swollen superabsorbent material exerts pressure on the core cover. In the central portion 51 of the absorbent core 21, where the channels 35, 36 with permanent channel seals 37, 38 are located, the swelling space is limited to the area between the channels 35, 36, causing the core cover to increase in size and become somewhat thicker and more rigid until further swelling is prevented.

[0109] The absorbent core 21 has an hourglass shape in which the distance between the side edges 26, 27 of the absorbent core 21 is greater at the edges 28, 29 of the absorbent core 21 than in a middle region 60 of the absorbent core 21 where the absorbent core has a smaller width than the edges 28, 29.

[0110] Figures 3a and 3b show cross sections taken along line III-III through the absorbent core 21 of Figure 2. Figure 3a shows the absorbent core 21 in a dry state before the absorbent core 21 absorbs liquid, and Figure 3b shows the absorbent core 21 in a wet state after the absorbent core 21 has absorbed and swelled.

[0111] The absorbent core 21 is shown enclosed between an upper core cover layer 24 and a lower core cover layer 25, and between a liquid permeable topsheet 22 and a liquid barrier layer 23. The absorbent core 21 is disposed between the topsheet 22 and the liquid barrier layer 23, with the upper core cover layer 24 facing the liquid topsheet 22 and the lower core cover layer 25 facing the liquid barrier layer 23.

[0112] The topsheet 22 and the liquid barrier layer 23 extend beyond the periphery of the absorbent core 21 and are joined to each other at an edge seal 41 that extends along the periphery of the absorbent core outboard of the side edges 26, 27 and end edges 28, 29 of the absorbent core 21. The edge seal 41 between the topsheet 22 and the liquid barrier layer 23 is preferably a permanent seal.

[0113] As shown in Figure 3b, when the absorbent core 21 absorbs bodily fluids, the absorbent material within the absorbent core 21 swells, causing the portion of the absorbent core 21 located between the channels 35, 36 and enclosed between the permanent channel seals 37, 38 to assume a sausage-like shape, completely filling the available space between the channels 35, 36, causing the topsheet 22 and upper core cover layer 24 to expand upward and the liquid barrier layer 23 and lower core cover layer 25 to expand downward. The absorbent material disposed in the portion of the absorbent core 21 located between the channels 35, 36 with the permanent channel seals 37, 38 exerts pressure on the frangible side seals 33, 34, rupturing them and providing lateral expansion space for the absorbent material. In this way, the absorbent core can absorb fluids and swell while the side edges 26, 27 of the absorbent core 21 remain soft and comfortable. As can be inferred from Figures 3a and 3b, as the absorbent core 21 swells laterally, the side edges 26, 27 of the absorbent core move outward in the transverse direction T, thereby gradually eliminating the hourglass shape of the absorbent core.

[0114] The flow channel seals 37, 38 may be easily breakable seals at the end portions of the flow channels 35, 36, where the absorbent core 21 has a width somewhat greater than that of the intermediate portions of the flow channels 35, 36, where it is desirable to control the direction of swelling so that the portions of the absorbent core 21 located along the side edges 26, 27 expand primarily in the transverse direction of the absorbent core 21, as shown in Figure 3b.

[0115] The length in the longitudinal direction L of one or more of the flow channels 35, 36 is shown in the figures to be shorter than the length in the longitudinal direction L of the crotch elastic members 61, 62. The crotch elastic members 61, 62 are shown to be longer than the flow channels 35, 36 toward both the front portion 3 of the absorbent article 1 and the rear portion 4 of the absorbent article 1.

[0116] The channels 35, 36 are shown as being disposed within the absorbent core 21 with a displacement toward the front portion 3 of the absorbent article 1, such that the forward extension of the channels 35, 36 from the narrow middle portion of the absorbent core 21 is greater than the rearward extension of the channels 35, 36 from the narrow middle portion of the absorbent core 21. In Figure 1, the channels 35, 36 are shown generally adjacent the narrow middle portion of the absorbent core 21 at their rear ends.

[0117] The crotch elastics 61, 62 are shown positioned within the absorbent core 21 with a displacement toward the rear portion 4 of the absorbent article 1, such that the crotch elastics 61, 62 extend forward from the narrow middle portion of the absorbent core 21 less than the rearward extension of the crotch elastics 61, 62 from the narrow middle portion of the absorbent core 21.

[0118] The extension of the flow channels 35, 36 and the elastic members 61, 62 is measured forward and rearward from a transverse line extending across the crotch region 6 at a location where the absorbent core 21 has a minimum width. When the absorbent core 21 has a narrow portion extending in the longitudinal direction L and having a constant minimum width of the absorbent core 21, as is the case for the absorbent article 1 shown in the figures, the extension of the flow channels 35, 36 and the elastic members 61, 62 is measured forward and rearward from a transverse line extending across the crotch region 6 and dividing the narrow portion into two portions of equal longitudinal extension.

[0119] The liquid-pervious topsheet 22 may comprise or consist of a nonwoven material. Other suitable topsheet materials include tow fibers, porous foams, perforated plastic films and laminates, and combinations of such materials. The most suitable topsheet materials are soft, non-irritating to the skin, readily permeable to body fluids, and resistant to backwetting.

[0120] The liquid barrier layer 23 may be comprised of a thin plastic film, such as a polyethylene or polypropylene film, a nonwoven material coated with a liquid-impermeable material, a hydrophobic nonwoven material that resists liquid penetration, or a laminate of a plastic film and a nonwoven. The liquid barrier layer material may be breathable to allow vapor to escape from the absorbent body while still preventing liquid from passing through the liquid barrier layer material.

[0121] The topsheet and the liquid barrier layer may be connected to each other by, for example, gluing, cohesion, or thermal or ultrasonic welding. The topsheet and / or the liquid barrier layer may further be attached to the core cover by any method known in the art, such as adhesives, thermal bonding, welding, etc.

[0122] The pant-type article 1 disclosed herein may have an elastic waist feature 90 disposed along the waist edges 7, 10. The elastic waist feature 90 may be formed by one or more elastic elements extending parallel to the front waist edge 7 and the back waist edge 10. The one or more elastic waist elements may be incorporated into the front region 3 and the back region 4, or may be applied as separate waistbands attached to the front waist edge 7 and the back waist edge 10. As shown in FIG. 4 , the pant-type article 1 shown in the figure has an elastic waist feature 90 extending around the entire circumference of the waist opening 16. However, the elastic waist feature may be disposed only along a portion of the waist opening, for example, only along the back waist edge, only along the front waist edge, or along a portion of one or both of the front and back waist edges having a length that is shorter than the entire length of the corresponding waist edge.

[0123] Reinforced leg elastic features 75, 76 are positioned along each leg edge 19', 19" in the rear region 4 of the absorbent article 1. In the panel articles disclosed herein, a first reinforced elastic feature 75 may be positioned on the elastically stretchable rear body panel web along the rear leg edge portion of the first leg edge, and a second reinforced elastic feature 76 may be positioned on the elastically stretchable rear body panel web along the rear leg edge portion of the second leg edge. Reinforced elastic features are auxiliary elastic elements that are applied in addition to the elastic material in the elastic body panel. Reinforced elastic features are optional for the absorbent articles disclosed herein. The reinforced elastic features 75, 76 shown in FIG. 1 are applied only along a portion of the rear portions of the leg edges and do not extend the full distance to the side seams 14, 15. However, the reinforced leg elastic features may be applied along the entire side seams. It should also be understood that the reinforced leg elastic features may be positioned along the front of the leg edges.

[0124] The elastic material of the elastic elements disposed along the leg openings 17, 18 and waist opening 16 disclosed herein may be any suitable elastic material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer such as a thermoplastic polyurethane or a styrene block copolymer, or elastane (a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer), also known as spandex. The elastic elements may be of the elastane type available under the trade name "LYCRA," although any suitable elastic yarn may be used.

[0125] The provision of the absorbent core 21 is not limited to absorbent articles having the absorbent core applied to the article as a component of a pre-fabricated absorbent assembly that already includes a topsheet and a liquid barrier layer.

[0126] The disposable absorbent article disclosed herein comprises a front region 3, a back region 4, a crotch region 6 located between the front region 3 and the back region 4, and an absorbent core 21 disposed in the crotch region 6 and extending longitudinally within the front and back regions 3, 4. The disposable absorbent article has a waist edge and first and second leg edges 19', 19". Pre-tensioned crotch elastic members 61, 62 are disposed extending along the leg edges 19', 19" of the crotch region 6, and the leg edges 19', 19" of the crotch region 6 partially or completely extend into the corresponding crotch elastic members 61, 62. The crotch region 6 has a generally hourglass shape with a narrow intermediate portion, and the crotch elastic members 61, 62 have first side edges 63, 65 that at least partially coincide with the corresponding leg edges 19', 19" of the crotch region 6. The absorbent core 21 has first and second side edges 26, 27 extending along the leg edges 19', 19" in the crotch region 6, and the absorbent core 21 is generally hourglass shaped with a narrow intermediate portion. The distance d1 measured in the transverse direction between the first side edge 26 of the absorbent core 21 and the first side edge 63 of the first crotch elastic member 61, and the distance d2 measured in the transverse direction T between the second side edge 27 of the absorbent core 21 and the first side edge 65 of the second crotch elastic member vary by at most 30 millimeters along the entire length of the crotch elastic members 61, 62. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1. Absorbent articles, pants-type articles 3 Anterior area, anterior part 3' Elastic Front Body Panel 4 Posterior area, posterior part 4' elastic back panel 5 Core cover 6 Crotch area, crotch area 6" non-stretch crotch panel 7 Front waist edge, front panel waist edge 8 Front edge 9 Front edge 10 rear waist edge, rear panel waist edge 11 Back side edge 12 Back side edge 14 Side seam 15 Side seam 16 Waist opening 17 Leg opening 18 Leg opening 19' leg edge 19” leg edge 20 Absorbable Assembly 21 absorbent core 22 Liquid-permeable topsheet 23 Liquid Barrier Layer 24 Upper core cover layer 25 Lower Core Cover Layer 26 Side edge 27 Side edge 28 Edge 29 Edge 33 Easy-to-break side seal, core cover seal 34 Easy-to-break side seal, core cover seal 35 Flow path 36 Flow path 37 Permanent flow path seal, core cover seal 38 Permanent flow path seal, core cover seal 41 Edge seal 51 Central part 52 first end, front end 53 Second end, rear end 54 Anterior Transition Zone 55 Rear Transition Zone 60 intermediate area 61 Crotch elastic member 61' front end section 61” rear end 61”' middle section 62 Crotch elastic member 62' front end 62” rear end 62”’ middle section 63 First side edge 64 Second side edge 65 first side edge 66 Second side edge 71 Corner part 72 Corner part 73 Corner part 74 corner part 75 Reinforced leg elastic mechanism 76 Reinforced leg elastic mechanism 81 Elastic area 82 Elastic area 90 Elastic waist mechanism L Longitudinal direction T transverse direction Lc longitudinal center line Wf width Wc minimum width Wr width d1 distance d2 distance

Claims

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

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

3. the front region (3) comprises or consists of a front body panel (3') elastically stretchable in the transverse direction (T), the front body panel (3') having a front panel waist edge, a front panel crotch edge opposite the front panel waist edge, and first and second longitudinal front panel side edges; the rear region (4) comprises or consists of a transversely elastically stretchable rear body panel (4'), the rear body panel (4') having a rear panel waist edge, a rear panel crotch edge opposite the rear panel waist edge, and first and second rear panel side edges; The crotch region (6) is located between the front body panel (3') and the back body panel (4'), and the crotch region (6) is divided in the longitudinal direction (L) by the crotch edge of the front panel and the crotch edge of the back panel, the first front panel side edge is joined to the first rear panel side edge at the first side seam (14), and the second front panel side edge is joined to the second rear panel side edge at the second side seam (15); a front leg edge portion of each of the first and second leg edges is disposed on the elastically stretchable front body panel, a rear leg edge portion of each of the first and second leg edges is disposed on the elastically stretchable back body panel, and a crotch leg edge portion of each of the first and second leg edges is disposed in the crotch region (6) from the front panel crotch edge portion to the back panel crotch edge portion, and the total length of each leg edge (19', 19") is the combined length of the front leg edge portion, the crotch leg edge portion and the rear leg edge portion; the crotch edge portions of the first and second leg edges (19', 19") extend partially or completely into the corresponding crotch elastic members (61, 62); The crotch leg edge portion is shaped so that the intermediate portion of the crotch region (6) has a width smaller than the width of the crotch region (6) at the crotch edge of the front panel and a width smaller than the width of the crotch region (6) at the crotch edge of the rear panel, 3. A disposable absorbent article (1) as described in claim 2, wherein the width of the absorbent core (21) at the intermediate portion of the absorbent core (21) is smaller than the width of the absorbent core (21) at the crotch edge of the front panel and smaller than the width of the absorbent core (21) at the crotch edge of the rear panel.

4. 4. The disposable absorbent article (1) of claim 3, wherein the front end portions (61', 62') of each of the first and second crotch elastic members (61, 62) overlap the front body panel (3') and are attached to the front body panel (3'), and / or the rear end portions (61", 62") of each of the first and second crotch elastic members (61, 62) overlap the rear body panel (4') and are attached to the rear body panel (4').

5. 5. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the width (wf) of the front end portion (61', 62') of each crotch elastic member (61, 62) is equal to the width (wr) of the rear end portion (61", 62") of the crotch elastic member (61, 62), and the ratio of the widths (wf, wr) of the front end portion and the rear end portion to the smallest width (wc) of the intermediate portion (61"', 62"') is 1:0.5 to 1:0.

9.

6. 6. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the crotch elastic members (61, 62) comprise or consist of an elastic film or elastic nonwoven material.

7. 7. A disposable absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the absorbent core (21) forms part of an absorbent assembly (20), the absorbent assembly (20) comprising the absorbent core (21), a liquid-permeable upper core cover layer (24), and a lower core cover layer (25), the absorbent core (21) being encapsulated between the upper core cover layer (24) and the lower core cover layer (25).

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

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

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

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

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

13. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the upper core cover layer is a liquid permeable topsheet and the lower core cover layer is a liquid barrier layer.

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

15. A disposable absorbent article (1) as described in claim 9 or any one of claims 10 to 14 that cite claim 9, wherein the one or more flow paths (35, 36) are constituted by two symmetrically arranged flow paths (35, 37) extending spaced apart on each side of the longitudinal centerline (Lc) between the longitudinal centerline (Lc) and a corresponding one of the first side seal (33) and the second side seal (34).

16. A disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 9 or any one of claims 10 to 15 which cites claim 9, wherein the length of each of the one or more channels (35, 36) is in the range of 50 mm to 400 mm.

17. 17. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbent core (21) comprises two or more portions (51, 52, 53) having different absorbent capacities per unit area.

18. 18. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to claim 17, wherein a central portion (51) of the absorbent core (21) disposed between a first end (52) of the absorbent core (21) and a second end (53) of the absorbent core (21) in the longitudinal direction (L) has an absorbent capacity per unit area greater than that of the first end (52) and an absorbent capacity per unit area greater than that of the second end (53).

19. 19. The disposable absorbent article (1) of claim 18, wherein the central portion (51) of the absorbent core (21) has a uniform basis weight, the first end (52) and the second end (53) of the absorbent core (21) each have a uniform basis weight, and the central portion (51) of the absorbent core (21) is separated from each of the first end (52) and the second end (53) by corresponding first transition zones (54) and second transition zones (55).

20. 20. The disposable absorbent article (1) of claim 19, wherein the first end (52) is a front end, the first transition zone (54) is a front transition zone having an extension in the longitudinal direction (L) of 5 millimeters to 80 millimeters, and the second end (53) is a rear end, and the second transition zone (55) is a rear transition zone having an extension in the longitudinal direction (L) of 5 millimeters to 80 millimeters.

21. 21. The disposable absorbent article (1) of claim 19 or 20, wherein the ratio of the basis weight of the central portion (51) of the absorbent core (21) to the basis weight of the first and second end portions (52, 53) is in the range of 4 to 1.

5.

22. 22. The disposable absorbent article (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the absorbent core (21) has a length determined as the distance between a point on the first edge (28) of the absorbent core (21) where the first edge (28) of the absorbent core (21) intersects the longitudinal centerline (Lc) and a point on the second edge (29) of the absorbent core (21) where the second edge (29) intersects the longitudinal centerline (Lc), and the length of the absorbent core (21) is in the range of 300 millimeters to 700 millimeters.

23. 23. The disposable absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crotch region (6) comprises a non-elastic crotch web material.

24. 24. A disposable article according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4 to 23 which cites claim 3, wherein the elastically stretchable front body panel (3) and / or the elastically stretchable back body panel (4) comprise or consist of an elastic laminate, the elastic laminate comprising at least a first layer of fibrous material and an elastic layer.

25. 25. The disposable article of claim 24, wherein the elastic layer comprises or consists of an elastic film layer or an elastic nonwoven layer.

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