Incontinence pads with various thickness profiles

Abstract

The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to a first embodiment as disclosed herein has longitudinal side edges (2, 3) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) and transverse end edges (4, 5). The incontinence pad (1) comprises a fluid-permeable topsheet (8), a backsheet (9), and an absorbent core (10) located between the topsheet (8) and the backsheet (9), the absorbent core (10) having a core front edge (10a), a core rear edge (10b), a core first longitudinal side edge (10c), and a core second longitudinal side edge (10d). The absorbent core (10) comprises a first core layer (11) and a fluid control layer (12). The absorbent core (10) has, in the longitudinal direction (L), a front portion (13), a rear portion (15), and a middle portion (14) located between the front portion (13) and the rear portion (15). The front portion (13) and the rear portion (15) each have a length of approximately 30% of the total length of the absorbent core (10), and the middle portion (14) has a length of approximately 40% of the total length of the absorbent core (10). The first core layer (11) extends across the front portion (13), the middle portion (14), and the rear portion (15). The fluid control layer (12) is shorter than the first core layer (11) and extends within the front portion (13) and the middle portion (14). The first core layer (11) comprises a highly absorbent material of 100 gsm or more. The absorbent core (10) has a varying thickness profile as viewed in the longitudinal direction (L), with a first thickness (T1) in the middle portion (14) and a second thickness (T2) in the rear portion (15). When measured under a load of 0.5 kPa, the first thickness (T1) in the middle portion (14) is 9 mm or more and the second thickness (T2) is 4 mm or less. The region having the second thickness (T2) extends 30 mm or more in the longitudinal direction (L) from the core rear edge (10b) toward the core front edge (10a).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a profiled urine incontinence pad. The present invention also relates to individually wrapped urinary incontinence pads and stacks of folded profiled urinary incontinence pads. [Background technology]

[0002] Urinary incontinence pads are well known commercial products. Such articles can be absorbent pads for more severe bladder leakage or thinner liners for milder bladder leakage.

[0003] Incontinence pads generally comprise an absorbent core that receives and retains bodily fluids. For incontinence pads intended for more severe bladder leakage to function effectively, the absorbent core must rapidly acquire bodily fluids within its structure from the point of application, and then distribute the fluids within and throughout the absorbent core to provide maximum leakage control. It is also desirable for such pads to be comfortable and form-fitting, i.e., sized and configured to fit within the limited space available in the crotch area of ​​undergarments and to provide a sense of security to the wearer. Furthermore, it is desirable for such articles to be unobtrusive, thin, and invisible even when the user is wearing tight-fitting clothing, which may be considered inconsistent with the aforementioned objectives.

[0004] When an incontinence pad is used by a wearer, it is subjected to pressure, which tends to compress the article through its thickness. Such pressure is typically about 2-5 kPa at the center of the absorbent pad when standing or walking, about 10-20 kPa when sitting, 30 kPa when sitting and bending forward, and up to 50 kPa when cycling. To maintain good liquid distribution properties in an absorbent article, it is important that the absorbent core be able to withstand pressure and not collapse when exposed to higher pressures.

[0005] It is further desirable that the pad should be neat and easily foldable to provide an individual package size that allows the item to be easily carried in a bag or pocket and easily disposed of after use. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved urinary incontinence pad that can withstand greater urinary insults, is comfortable, provides a high level of relief to the user during daily activities, yet remains discreet and thin, and also to provide an improved solution for folding and packaging such an incontinence pad. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One or more of the aforementioned objects may be achieved with a urinary incontinence pad according to claim 1, an individually wrapped urinary incontinence pad according to claim 19, and a stack of folded incontinence pads according to claim 20. Further embodiments are set out in the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings.

[0008] As disclosed herein, a urinary incontinence pad according to a first embodiment has longitudinal side edges and transverse end edges. The urinary incontinence pad further includes a fluid-permeable topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core has a core front edge, a core rear edge, a first longitudinal side edge, and a second longitudinal side edge. The absorbent core includes a first core layer and a fluid control layer. The absorbent core has a front portion, a rear portion, and a middle portion positioned between the front and rear portions in its longitudinal direction. The front and rear portions each have a length of approximately 30% of the total length of the absorbent core. The middle portion has a length of approximately 40% of the total length of the absorbent core, and the first core layer extends across the front, middle, and rear portions. The fluid control layer is shorter than the first core layer and extends within the front and middle portions. The first core layer comprises a high-absorbency material of 100 gsm or greater. The absorbent core has a varying thickness profile as viewed in the longitudinal direction, with a middle section having a first thickness and a rear section having a second thickness, the middle section having a first thickness of 9 mm or greater and the rear section having a second thickness of 4 mm or less, when measured under a load of 0.5 kPa. The region having the second thickness extends from the rear edge of the core toward the front edge of the core by 30 mm or greater. The portion of the core including the fluid control layer may have a first thickness T1, and the portion of the core outside the fluid control layer may have a second thickness T2.

[0009] The region having the second thickness can extend from a first longitudinal side of the absorbent core to a second longitudinal side of the absorbent core.

[0010] The high-absorbency material can, for example, be substantially homogeneously mixed within the first core layer or provided as a sublayer within the first core layer.

[0011] The urinary incontinence pad according to the present disclosure has a relatively thick midsection that provides comfort and leakage relief to the wearer. Fit is also improved because the pad conforms more closely to the wearer's anatomy. The thicker midsection allows the pad to come into close contact with the wearer's body in the crotch area, allowing exuded fluids to be absorbed directly into the absorbent core, reducing the risk of side leakage. However, the solution according to the present disclosure also provides a highly discreet urinary incontinence pad because the posterior portion of the absorbent core has a thickness of less than 4 mm in the portion extending 30 mm or more from the core's rear edge toward the core's front edge. The inventors have discovered that a variable thickness profile, in which the midsection is significantly thicker than the posterior portion, improves leakage relief and the wearer's perception of comfort and better perception of leakage, while at the same time resulting in a highly discreet urinary incontinence pad that is nearly invisible when worn by the wearer because the posterior portion is so thin in the region extending 30 mm or more from the core's rear edge.

[0012] The second thickness can be 4 mm or less, for example, 3.5 to 0.3 mm or 3.0 mm to 1.0 mm.

[0013] The first thickness can be 9 mm or more, for example, 9 mm to 16 mm or 9 mm to 12 mm.

[0014] The varying thickness profile, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core, may have a third thickness in the rear section or in a transition region that includes part of the middle section and part of the rear section, and the third thickness may be between 4.5 mm and 8.5 mm. While such a third thickness is intermediate compared to the first and second thicknesses, it may increase the comfort of the incontinence pad by providing a smoother transition between the first and second thickness regions.

[0015] The third thickness may also facilitate folding of the article when provided in a stack if the fold is in this region of the core rather than the thickest region.

[0016] The absorbent core may have a first thickness in a portion extending from the intermediate portion toward the core front edge, over 15 to 40% of the total longitudinal length of the absorbent core in the front portion.

[0017] Thus, the portion of the absorbent core having the first thickness can be relatively large, while the front and rear regions are very thin, providing a highly leak-resistant and discreet incontinence pad.

[0018] The intermediate portion may have a first thickness under a load of 0.5 kPa and a second thickness under a load of 2.5 kPa, and the difference between the first thickness and the first compressed thickness may be less than 25%, such as 20% or less. Such a compression-resistant absorbent core provides effective fluid absorption capacity that maintains its structure and fluid flow control properties when pressure is exerted on the absorbent core during use of the urinary incontinence pad.

[0019] The absorbent core may comprise a high absorbency material of 200 gsm to 1000 gsm at least in the portion of the absorbent core having the first thickness and / or the portion of the absorbent core having the third thickness, providing a middle portion with high absorbency in the area of ​​the pad positioned in the crotch region of the wearer.

[0020] The high-absorbency material may be homogeneously mixed within the layers that make up the absorbent core, or may be unevenly distributed among the various layers. The high-absorbency material may also be provided, for example, as a sublayer within the layers that make up the absorbent core.

[0021] The first core layer may comprise 100-200 gsm high absorbency material in at least the portion of the absorbent core having the second thickness, and this thin layer may also have a significantly higher absorbency in the rear and / or front portions.

[0022] The first core layer may have a waisted portion located within the front portion or between the front and middle portions. The width of the waisted portion may be 50-75% of the widest transverse width of the front portion of the first absorbent layer. A narrower waisted portion located within the front portion or between the front and middle portions may further ensure that the article properly fits the wearer's groin and stays in place during use. The incontinence pad staying in place during use ensures high leak protection and discreetness of the incontinence pad according to the present disclosure, since moving the incontinence pad forward or backward may expose more of its thicker areas and reduce its discreetness.

[0023] The first core layer is disposed between the fluid control layer and the fluid permeable topsheet and can thus be the upper core layer.

[0024] The absorbent core may further include at least one lower core layer in the form of a fluid storage layer, which may be located between the fluid flow control layer and the backsheet.

[0025] The first core layer may have an opening extending through the first core layer from the body-facing side of the first absorbent layer to the garment-facing side of the first absorbent layer, the opening being located in the front and middle sections. The opening in the first core layer may extend completely through the layer, thereby forming a cavity within the article. The opening may be located such that 80-100% or 90-100% of its longitudinal extent is located in the front and middle sections of the first core layer to ensure proper placement of the opening relative to the wetness point of the article. Approximately 5-20% of the longitudinal extent of the opening may be located in the front section of the first core layer. The longitudinal extent of the opening in the first core layer may be 20-40% of the longitudinal extent of the first core layer to ensure fluid flow into the opening and not out of the topsheet. To improve the rate of fluid intake through the openings and further into the fluid flow control structure, the transverse dimension of the openings can be larger in the front portion of the first core layer than in the middle portion of the first core layer. This achieves an absorbent article that ensures that liquid is directed to the openings and enters the fluid flow control structure and core. The first core layer can have only one opening for improved leak resistance and user safety.

[0026] The widest transverse width of the rear portion of the absorbent core can be 80-120 mm, which has been shown to improve comfort and protection from leakage.

[0027] Elastic members may be positioned along each longitudinal side edge of the article, at least laterally outward of the core in the transition region between the front and middle portions of the core. The elastic members may be located between the topsheet and the backsheet. The article may have gaps free of absorbent material located between the elastic members and the core in the transition region between the front and middle portions of the core, more specifically, in the region between the elastic material located at the periphery of the article and the periphery of the first core layer. Each elastic member may extend at least to the lateral edge of the widest portion of the front portion of the absorbent core to facilitate and promote folding of the first end portion of the article. Correspondingly, the elastic members may be positioned so that they do not extend longitudinally beyond the rear transverse edge of the shorter rear portion of the lower core layer to facilitate and promote folding of the first end portion of the incontinence pad. The elastic members may not extend beyond the first fold of the article to facilitate folding around the fold.

[0028] The incontinence pad may further comprise a fastening means for fastening the incontinence pad to a supportive pant garment, such as the inside of a pant. The fastening means may be any conventional fastening means, including adhesives and mechanical fasteners, and may be covered by a releasable protective layer.

[0029] The fluid control layer, which is shorter than the first core layer, may be positioned so that it does not extend into the rear portion of the absorbent core.

[0030] The absorbent core may further include at least one lower core layer in the form of a fluid storage layer, which may be located between the fluid flow control layer and the backsheet.

[0031] The fluid storage layer may be shorter than the first core layer in each of the front and rear portions and longer than the fluid control layer in each of the front and rear portions.

[0032] The portion of the core outside the fluid control layer, including the first core layer and further the fluid storage layer, may have a fourth thickness T4.

[0033] The fluid flow control structure can be, for example, a layered structure including a non-perforated fibrous polymer layer and a first perforated polymer layer, where the polymer in the first perforated polymer layer is selected from polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, and blends and combinations thereof. The first perforated polymer layer can have a density of 50 g / m 2 ~150g / m 2 basis weight, or 60 g / m 2 ~140g / m 2 The first perforated polymer layer can be a nonwoven, a film, or a film / nonwoven laminate. The first perforated polymer layer can be, for example, a three-dimensionally formed layer having apertures therethrough. The non-perforated fibrous polymer layer can have a basis weight of 50 g / m 2 ~150g / m 2 , or 60 g / m 2 ~140g / m 2 The non-perforated fibrous polymer layer may be a high loft material having a basis weight of 1000 . The polymer of the non-perforated fibrous polymer layer may be polyester. The fluid flow control structure may also be a three-layer structure consisting of a non-perforated fibrous polymer layer, a first perforated polymer layer, and a second perforated polymer layer. The non-perforated fibrous polymer layer may be sandwiched between the first perforated polymer layer and the second perforated polymer layer. The second perforated polymer layer may also be a three-dimensionally formed layer having apertures extending from the first surface of the web toward the second surface of the web, forming protrusions on the second surface.

[0034] The fluid flow control structure may have a relatively high bending stiffness. High bending stiffness provides the absorbent article with an improved ability to resist transverse compression between the thighs of a wearer of the article, preventing undesirable deformation of the article during wear. The bending stiffness or flex resistance of the laminate material in the fluid flow control structure may be 0.5 to 5 N, preferably 1 to 4 N, as measured by a modified ASTM D 4032-82 CIRCULAR BEND PROCEDURE.

[0035] Disclosed herein, according to a second aspect, is an individually wrapped urinary incontinence pad, which includes a urinary incontinence pad and a wrapping sheet. The urinary incontinence pad is the urinary incontinence pad according to the first aspect. The incontinence pad has a length extending in a longitudinal direction and a width extending in a transverse direction. The wrapping sheet has a length extending in the longitudinal direction (L) and a width extending in a transverse direction. The wrapping sheet is arranged to cover the back sheet of the incontinence pad by 75 to 95% of the length of the incontinence pad, whereby a first end portion corresponding to a rear end portion of the incontinence pad is free of the wrapping sheet. The incontinence pad is folded around a first transverse fold, with the first end portion overlapping the central portion, and the second end portion is folded around a second transverse fold and overlapping the first end portion.

[0036] Thus, the incontinence pad is folded first with the rear end portion of the incontinence pad and the front end portion overlapping the rear end portion of the pad, so that the top sheet of the front end portion contacts the back sheet in the area where there is no packaging sheet, and the packaging sheet covers the remaining portion of the rear end portion of the pad.

[0037] The wrapper sheet may also be provided with adhesive at its leading edge portion, for example, for sealing the wrapper sheet over the trailing end portion of the incontinence pad.

[0038] Also disclosed herein, in a third aspect, is a stack of folded incontinence pads according to the first or second aspect. The stack includes a plurality of urinary incontinence pads, each of which is folded about a first transverse fold line with a first end portion overlapping a central portion and a second end portion overlapping the first end portion. At one of the first or second transverse fold line, the absorbent core has a second or third thickness, and at the other of the first or second transverse fold line, the absorbent core has the first thickness. The folded incontinence pads are stacked head-to-toe.

[0039] The first end portion can correspond to either the incontinence pad front end portion or the incontinence pad rear end portion, and the second end portion corresponds to the other of the front end portion or the rear end portion.

[0040] The first and second end portions may each correspond to approximately 30% of the total length of the incontinence pad, and the central portion may correspond to approximately 40% of the total length of the incontinence pad.

[0041] The fact that the absorbent core has different thicknesses at the first and second transverse folds can cause unstable and uneven stacking due to uneven thicknesses at two of the opposing edges of the folded article. This can also lead to problems when packing the folded article into a package, as well as non-optimal space use within the outer packaging and an unattractive package. By stacking the folded incontinence pads in a head-to-toe relationship, this problem with stacking incontinence pads according to the present disclosure is overcome.

[0042] The invention is further explained below by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] 1 shows a urinary incontinence pad as disclosed herein. [Figure 2] 1 shows a plan view of a urinary incontinence pad as disclosed herein. [Figure 3] 1 shows a plan view of a urinary incontinence pad as disclosed herein. [Figure 4a] 1A-1D show elevational views of successive steps in folding a urinary incontinence pad as disclosed herein. [Figure 4b] 1A-1D show elevational views of successive steps in folding a urinary incontinence pad as disclosed herein. [Figure 4c] 1A-1D show elevational views of successive steps in folding a urinary incontinence pad as disclosed herein. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folded stack of incontinence pads including a plurality of urinary incontinence pads as disclosed herein. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the urinary incontinence pad and the wrapping sheet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments, however, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth in the drawings and their description.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an incontinence pad 1, viewed from the side intended to face the wearer's body when the pad 1 is worn. The pad 1 has two longitudinal side edges 2, 3 of equal length and extending generally in the same direction. A front edge 4 and a rear edge 5 extend transversely at the end of the pad 1. The rear edge 5 is intended to face backward toward the wearer's buttocks during use of the pad 1, while the front edge 4 is intended to face forward toward the wearer's abdomen. The pad 1 includes a fluid-permeable topsheet 8, a fluid-impermeable backsheet 9, and an absorbent core 10 having a core front edge 10a, a core rear edge 10b, a core first longitudinal side edge 10c, and a core second longitudinal side edge 10d. The absorbent core 10 includes three core layers 11, 12, and 18. The first core layer 11 is located between the topsheet 8 and a lower core layer in the form of a fluid flow control structure 12. The fluid flow control structure 12 is located between the first core layer 11 and a lower core layer in the form of a fluid storage structure 18, which is located between the fluid flow control structure 12 and the backsheet 9. The absorbent core 10 is divided longitudinally into a front portion 13, a middle portion 14, and a rear portion 15. The front portion 13 and the rear portion 15 of the absorbent core 10 each have a length of about 30% of the total length of the absorbent core 10. The middle portion 14 has a length of about 40% of the total length of the absorbent core 10. The absorbent core 10 has a first thickness T1 in the middle portion 14 of 9 mm or more, for example about 11 mm. The absorbent core further has a second thickness T2 in the rear portion 15 of the absorbent core 10 of 4 mm or less, for example about 3 mm. The absorbent core in this figure further has a third thickness T3 in the front region that is 4 mm or less, for example about 3 mm, and a fourth thickness T4 in the transition region that includes part of the middle portion 14 and part of the rear portion, the fourth thickness T4 being between 4.5 mm and 8.5 mm, measured under a load of 0.5 kPa.

[0046] The first core layer 11 extends across the front, middle, and rear portions 13, 14, and 15 of the absorbent core 10. The flow control structure 12 extends partially across the front portion 13 and also across the middle portion 14 of the absorbent core 10. The rear edge of the flow control structure 12 is located at the transition between the middle portion 14 and the rear portion 15. The fluid storage layer 18 extends across the middle portion 14 and partially across the rear portion 15 and the front portion 13. The first core layer 11 and the fluid storage layer 18 may comprise, for example, a mixture of superabsorbent particles and pulp fibers. The fluid flow control structure may have a three-layer structure, for example, consisting of an unperforated fibrous polymer layer, a first perforated polymer layer, and a second perforated polymer layer. The unperforated fibrous polymer layer may be sandwiched between the first perforated polymer layer and the second perforated polymer layer. The first and second perforated polymer layers can be three-dimensionally formed layers having apertures extending from a first surface of the web toward a second surface of the web, forming protrusions on the second surface.

[0047] Both the topsheet 8 and the backsheet 9 extend laterally outside the absorbent core 10 along the entire periphery of the absorbent core 10 and are connected to each other at edge joints along the periphery of the pad 1. The edge joints may be formed by any suitable method known in the art, such as by adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, etc. The topsheet 8 and the backsheet 9 may be made of any material suitable for the purposes as disclosed herein, such as a nonwoven or film material.

[0048] Elastic members 17, 17', such as bands or strings of elastic material, e.g., foam elastic material, are disposed along the longitudinal side edges 2, 3 of the pad 1, between the topsheet 8 and the backsheet 9. The article may have gaps, which are free of absorbent material, located laterally between the elastic members 17, 17' and the absorbent core 10, at the transition between the front portion 13 and the middle portion 14 of the core 10. Each elastic member 17, 17' extends to the lateral edge of the widest part of the front portion 13 of the absorbent core 10.

[0049] An example of an article of the present disclosure is the incontinence pad of Figure 1 having a core according to the present disclosure, a topsheet of an 18 gsm spunbond thermoplastic nonwoven material, and a backsheet of a 25 gsm laminate of plastic film and thermoplastic nonwoven material. The components of the article are connected to each other by adhesives and welding.

[0050] 2 and 3 are plan views of an incontinence pad according to the present disclosure, both viewed from the side intended to face the wearer's body when the pad 1 is worn. The pad 1 has two longitudinal side edges 2, 3 of equal length and extending generally in the same direction. A front edge 4 and a rear edge 5 extend transversely at the end of the pad 1. The rear edge 5 is intended to face rearward during use of the pad 1, while the front edge 4 is intended to face forward toward the wearer's abdomen. The pad 1 includes a fluid-permeable topsheet 8, a fluid-impermeable backsheet 9, and an absorbent core 10 including three core layers 11, 12, and 18. The first core layer 11 is located between the topsheet 8 and a fluid flow control structure 12. The fluid flow control structure 12 is located between the first core layer 11 and a fluid storage structure 18. The absorbent core 10 is divided longitudinally into a front portion 13, a middle portion 14, and a rear portion 15. The first core layer 11 extends across the front portion 13, the middle portion 14, and the rear portion 15 of the absorbent core 10. The flow control structure 12 extends across a portion of the front portion 13 and also across the middle portion 14 of the absorbent core 10. The absorbent core 10 has a narrow transverse width 16 between the front portion 13 and the middle portion 14 of the absorbent core 10.

[0051] The elastic members 17, 17' are disposed along the longitudinal side edges 2, 3 of the pad 1 between the topsheet 8 and the backsheet 9. The article has laterally located gaps between the elastic members 17, 17' that are free of absorbent material.

[0052] As shown in Figure 2 by the arrow in the rear portion 15 marked T2, the region having the second thickness T2 extends from the core rear edge 10b toward the core front edge 10a in a region extending at least 30 mm or more, e.g., about 5-40% of the total longitudinal length of the absorbent core 10. The region having the third thickness T3 extends from the core front edge 10a toward the core rear edge 10b in a region indicated by the arrow in the front portion 13 marked T3. This region extends from the core front edge toward the core rear edge 10b in a region extending at least 15 mm or more, e.g., about 5-15% of the total longitudinal length of the absorbent core 10.

[0053] The region within the arrow marked T1 corresponds to a region of the absorbent core 10 having a thickness T1. The absorbent core has a first thickness T1 in a portion extending from the intermediate portion 14 toward the core front edge 10a, which is 15-40% of the total longitudinal length of the absorbent core 10 in the front portion 13.

[0054] 4a to 4c show successive folding steps of the incontinence pad 1 according to Fig. 1. In Fig. 4a, in a first folding step, a first end portion 19 of the pad 1 is folded around a first transverse fold 22 that coincides with a part of the absorbent core 10 having the second thickness T2 or the fourth thickness T4, until the first end portion 19 contacts the central region 21 of the incontinence pad 1, i.e., until the topsheet 8 of the first end portion 19 contacts the topsheet 8 of the central region 21. In this example, the first end portion 19 and the second end portion 20 correspond to approximately 30% of the total length of the incontinence pad 1, and the central region 21 corresponds to approximately 40% of the total length of the incontinence pad 1.

[0055] Figure 4b shows a second folding step, in which the second end portion 20 of the incontinence pad 1 comes into contact with the already folded portion 19 of the incontinence pad 1, i.e., is folded around a second transverse fold 23 coinciding with a portion of the absorbent core 10 having a first thickness T1 of at least 9 mm, for example about 11 mm, until the topsheet 8 of the second end portion 20 faces the backsheet of the first end portion 19. Figure 4c shows the final folded incontinence pad 1. When the incontinence pads 1 are individually wrapped in the wrapper sheet, the topsheet faces the backsheet but is also in direct contact with the wrapper sheet.

[0056] By folding the second end portion 20 onto the first end portion 19, the second transverse fold 23 becomes softer and less pronounced, and the front portion of the incontinence pad 1 more easily assumes a cup shape after being unfolded and during use of the incontinence pad 1.

[0057] 5 shows a stack 100 of incontinence pads 1 according to the present disclosure. The incontinence pads 1 are stacked in a head-to-toe relationship in the head-to-toe stack 100. Due to the fact that the incontinence pads 1 have different thicknesses at the first and second transverse folds, the head-to-head relationship in some such stacks of incontinence pads results in uneven heights at each transverse fold and therefore an unstable stack 100 of folded incontinence pads.

[0058] 6 shows a plan view of the unfolded incontinence pad 1 with the wrapping sheet 30 attached. The urinary incontinence pad 1 is a urinary incontinence pad according to the previous figures. The incontinence pad 1 has a length l extending in the longitudinal direction L. p and width w extending in the transverse direction T p The packaging sheet 30 has a length l extending in the longitudinal direction L. ws and width w extending in the transverse direction T ws and the width of the packaging sheet w ws is the width of the incontinence pad 1 p As can be seen in FIG. 6, the wrapping sheet 30 is longer than the length l of the incontinence pad. pThe packaging sheet 30 is arranged to cover 75 to 95% of the backsheet 9 of the incontinence pad 1, so that the first end portion 19, which corresponds to the rear end portion of the incontinence pad 1 in this drawing, has a portion 24 where the packaging sheet 30 is absent. Thus, the packaging sheet 30 completely covers the second end portion 20 and the central portion 21, but does not completely cover the first end portion 19, leaving the portion 24 of the rear end of the incontinence pad 1 where the packaging sheet 30 is absent. Therefore, the length l of the packaging sheet 30 is ws is the length of the incontinence pad 1 l p It can be equal to or slightly shorter than this.

[0059] The incontinence pad 1 is intended to be folded about a first transverse fold 22, with the first end portion 19 overlapping the central portion 21, and the second end portion 20 folded about a second transverse fold 23 and overlapping the first end portion 19. The packaging sheet 30 is provided with adhesive 25 in its upper edge region for sealing the packaging sheet 30 over the first end portion 19 of the incontinence pad 1 once the incontinence pad 1 and packaging sheet 30 are folded.

[0060] Thus, the incontinence pad is folded first with the rear end portion of the incontinence pad and the front end portion overlapping the rear end portion, so that the top sheet of the front end portion contacts the back sheet in the portion where there is no packaging sheet, and the packaging sheet covers the remaining portion of the rear end portion of the incontinence pad.

[0061] Thickness measurement The thickness is determined by a measuring foot attached with a load of 0.5 kPa or 2.5 kPa. The foot is lowered onto the sample at a rate of 13 mm / s. The thickness is read on a digital thickness gauge / tester 5 seconds after the measuring foot contacts the surface of the sample. If the first absorbent layer in at least a portion of the middle and / or front sections has an opening extending from the body-facing side to the garment side, the thickness is determined at the portion outside the opening, whereby the thickness of the first absorbent layer is included in thickness T1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Incontinence pads, urinary incontinence pads 2 Longitudinal side edges 3 Longitudinal side edges 4 Front edge, transverse edge 5 Rear edge, transverse edge 8. Topsheet, fluid-permeable topsheet 9. Backsheet, fluid-impermeable backsheet 10 absorbent core 10a Core leading edge 10b Core trailing edge 10c first longitudinal side edge 10d second longitudinal side edge 11 First Core Layer 12 Core layer, fluid flow control structure 13 Front part 14 Middle part 15 Rear part 16 Transverse width 17 Elastic member 17' Elastic member 18 Core layer, fluid storage structure, fluid storage layer 19 First end portion 20 second end portion 21 central area, central part 22 First transverse fold 23 Second transverse fold 24 parts 25 Adhesive 30 Packaging Sheets 100 stacks L Longitudinal direction T1 First thickness T2 Second thickness T3 Third thickness T4 Fourth thickness l p length l ws length w p width w ws width

Claims

1. A urinary incontinence pad (1) having longitudinal side edges (2, 3) and transverse end edges (4, 5) extending in a longitudinal direction (L), comprising a fluid-permeable topsheet (8), a backsheet (9), and an absorbent core (10) located between the topsheet (8) and the backsheet (9), wherein the absorbent core (10) has a core front edge (10a), a core rear edge (10b), a core first longitudinal side edge (10c), and a core second longitudinal side edge (10d), and the absorbent core (10) comprises a first core layer (11) and a fluid control layer (12). the absorbent core (10) has, in the longitudinal direction (L), a front portion (13), a rear portion (15), and a middle portion (14) located between the front portion (13) and the rear portion (15), the front portion (13) and the rear portion (15) each having a length of 30% of the total length of the absorbent core (10), the middle portion (14) having a length of 40% of the total length of the absorbent core (10), the first core layer (11) extending across the front portion (13), the middle portion (14), and the rear portion (15); the fluid control layer (12) is shorter than the first core layer (11) and extends within the front portion (13) and the middle portion (14) but does not extend within the rear portion (15); In a urinary incontinence pad (1), the first core layer (11) comprises a high-absorbency material of 100 gsm or more, and the absorbent core (10) has a varying thickness profile as seen in the longitudinal direction (L), having a first thickness (T1) in the middle portion (14) and a second thickness (T2) in the rear portion (15), When measured under a load of 0.5 kPa, the first thickness (T1) of the intermediate portion (14) is 9 mm to 16 mm, and the second thickness (T2) is 4 mm or less, and the region having the second thickness (T2) extends from the core rear edge portion (10b) toward the core front edge portion (10a) in the longitudinal direction (L) by 30 mm or more; The urinary incontinence pad (1) is characterized in that the first thickness (T1) corresponds to the thickness of the overlapping portion of the first core layer (11) and the fluid control layer (12).

2. 2. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second thickness (T2) is between 3.5 mm and 0.3 mm.

3. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first thickness is between 9 mm and 12 mm.

4. 4. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the absorbent core (10) has a third thickness (T3) in the front region (13), the third thickness (T3) being 4 mm or less, and the region having the third thickness (T3) extending from the core front edge (10a) towards the core rear edge (10b).

5. 5. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to claim 4, wherein the area having the third thickness (T3) extends from the core front edge (10a) towards the core rear edge (10b) by 15 mm or more.

6. 6. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the varying thickness profile, as viewed in the longitudinal direction (L) of the absorbent core (10), has a fourth thickness (T4) in the rear portion (15) or in a transition region including part of the middle portion (14) and part of the rear portion (15), and the fourth thickness (T4) is between 4.5 mm and 8.5 mm.

7. 7. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the intermediate portion has a first thickness (T1) under a load of 0.5 kPa and a first compressed thickness under a load of 2.5 kPa, and the difference between the first thickness (T1) and the first compressed thickness under load is less than 25%.

8. the absorbent core (10) has a third thickness (T3) in the front region (13); 8. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the absorbent core (10) has the third thickness (T3) in the portion extending from the intermediate portion (14) towards the core front edge portion (10a) and in a range of 5 to 15% of the total longitudinal length of the absorbent core (10) in the front portion (13).

9. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the absorbent core (10) comprises a high-absorbency material of 200 gsm to 1000 gsm in at least a portion of the absorbent core (10) having the first thickness (T1).

10. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first layer (11) comprises a highly absorbent material of 100 to 200 gsm.

11. 11. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first core layer (11) has a waisted portion (16) located within the front portion (13) or between the front portion (13) and the middle portion (14), and the width of the waisted portion (16) is 50 to 75% of the widest transverse width of the front portion (13) of the first absorbent layer (11).

12. 12. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first absorbent layer (11) has an opening extending through the first absorbent layer (11) from the body-facing side of the first absorbent layer (11) to the garment-facing side of the first absorbent layer (11), the opening extending within the front portion (13) and the middle portion (14).

13. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the rear portion (15) has a greatest transverse width of 80 to 120 mm.

14. 14. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein elastic members (17-17') are arranged along each longitudinal side edge (4, 5) of the urinary incontinence pad (1), at least laterally outward of the transition between the front portion (13) and the middle portion (14) of the absorbent core (10).

15. 15. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first core layer (11) is arranged between the fluid control layer (12) and a fluid-permeable topsheet (8).

16. 16. The urinary incontinence pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the absorbent core (10) comprises a fluid storage layer (18) disposed between the fluid control layer (12) and the backsheet (9).

17. 17. The urinary incontinence pad (1) of claim 16, wherein the fluid storage layer (18) is shorter than the first core layer (11) in each of the front portion (13) and the rear portion (15) and longer than the fluid control layer (12) in the front portion (13) and the middle portion (14) in the longitudinal direction (L).

18. An individually wrapped urinary incontinence pad, comprising a urinary incontinence pad (1) and a packaging sheet, the urinary incontinence pad (1) being the urinary incontinence pad (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, and the urinary incontinence pad (1) having a length (l) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) p ) and the width (w p ) and the packaging sheet (30) has a length (l ws ) and a width (w wp ) and the packaging sheet (30) has the length (l p ) of the backsheet (9) of the urinary incontinence pad (1), whereby a first end portion (19) corresponding to the rear end portion of the urinary incontinence pad (1) has a portion (24) free from the wrapping sheet (30), the urinary incontinence pad (1) is folded around a first transverse fold (22), the first end portion (19) overlaps the central portion (21), and the second end portion (20) is folded around a second transverse fold (23) and overlaps the first end portion (19).

19. A stack (100) of folded incontinence pads, comprising a plurality of urinary incontinence pads (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein each of the folded urinary incontinence pads (1) of the plurality of folded urinary incontinence pads (1) is folded around a first transverse fold (22) with a first end portion (19) overlapping a central portion (21) and a second end portion (20) folded around a second transverse fold (23) and overlapping the first end portion (19). A stack (100) of folded incontinence pads, wherein the absorbent core (10) has the second thickness (T2) or the fourth thickness (T4) at the first transverse fold (22) or the second transverse fold (23), and has the first thickness (T1) at the other of the first transverse fold (22) or the second transverse fold (23), and the stack (100) of folded incontinence pads is stacked in a head-to-toe relationship.

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