A male incontinence guard

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a male incontinence guard (1, 1´) comprising a fluid-impermeable backsheet (2), a fluid- permeable topsheet (3) and an absorbent body (4) arranged between said backsheet (2) and said topsheet (3), wherein said backsheet (2) is breathable and comprises a wearer facing surface (2a) and an opposite garment facing surface (2b). The wearer facing surface (2a) of the backsheet (2) is attached, in a construction adhesive area (CAA), to the absorbent body (4), said construction adhesive area (CAA) comprises at least one zone with construction adhesive (CA) and at least one zone without construction adhesive (WCA), and said absorbent body (4) is attached to said backsheet (2) in said zone (or zones) with construction adhesive (CA); and said garment facing surface (2b) of the backsheet (2) is provided with a fastening adhesive area (FAA) comprising at least one zone with fastening adhesive (FA) and at least one zone without fastening adhesive (WFA) and said zone with fastening adhesive (FA) is adapted to releasably attach said guard to a garment of said user. Said construction adhesive area (CAA) and said fastening adhesive area (FAA) overlap each other in the thickness direction (Zi, Zo) in an overlapping area (OA) and at least a portion of said overlapping area (OA) is arranged in a lower portion (LP) of the guard (1, 1´), wherein said lower portion (LP) is below an imaginary straight line (IL), which is parallel to a transversal axis (X1) and arranged at a distance (D) from an outermost point (19a) of the lower edge (19) of the guard (1, 1´) measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis (Y1). The portion of the overlapping area (OA), which is arranged in the lower portion (LP) of the guard (1, 1´), comprises at least one adhesive region (AR) comprising said construction adhesive (CA) and / or said fastening adhesive (FA) and at least one adhesive free region (AFR) not covered by said construction adhesive (CA) and not covered said fastening adhesive (FA).

Description

[0001] A MALE INCONTINENCE GUARD

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a male incontinence guard comprising a fluid- impermeable backsheet, a fluid-permeable topsheet and an absorbent body arranged between said backsheet and said topsheet, wherein said topsheet faces the user when the incontinence guard is worn by said user, said guard having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis and a transverse extension along a transverse axis, said transverse axis dividing said guard into an upper region and a lower region.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Absorbent articles, for example in the form of incontinence guards, baby diapers and sanitary napkins, are well known. The general purpose of such absorbent articles is to absorb, distribute and store various types of body exudates while providing a high level of comfort and sense of dryness to the wearer during use of the absorbent article. Also, such absorbent articles prevent the wearer from getting the clothes soiled by body exudates.

[0006] Absorbent articles in the form of incontinence guards are used to protect a wearer against urine leakage. As regards male incontinence guards, such articles are obviously configured for male users and are designed to cover the genital organs so as to protect against unwanted urine leakage. Male persons who are otherwise not physically handicapped will normally prefer not to use an incontinence guard in the form of diaper, since it is considered to be bulky and too large to wear and cannot always be used together with conventional clothing. Instead, special male incontinence guards which are intended for men with light incontinence have been developed. Such incontinence guards are relatively thin and shaped in a manner so as to cover the male genital organs during use. Such incontinence guards can be designed with an absorption capacity which is sufficient in order to absorb the fluid that is expected to be released into the absorbent article when it is worn. A previously known male incontinence guard of the above-mentioned type is known from the patent document WO2018 / 228710.

[0007] As regards male incontinence guards, there exist certain requirements. Obviously, an incontinence guard should be designed so as to be worn inside a user's ordinary underwear and to provide protection against light urine leakage. They may also be used with an underwear which is adapted to absorb body exudates or together with a disposable absorbent body such as a pants diaper or an open diaper. For this reason, known male incontinence guards are shaped to provide an optimal fit to the user's undergarment and body. Also, such incontinence guards comprise a core of absorbent material arranged along a longitudinal axis of the product in order to absorb urine. Furthermore, a male incontinence guard normally comprises of several layers of material such as a soft topsheet on one side of the core and a fluid- impermeable backsheet on the other side. The topsheet may give the wearer a feeling of freshness and dryness. Finally, on the backsheet it can be provided with suitable adhesive or means, for example, mechanical fasteners such as a hook as in a hook and loop system, allowing it to be attached to the wearer's underwear.

[0008] All the different layers and the parts making up the product influence the climate in the area where the guard is placed and for the male genital organs it is important that it is not too hot, since it is a sensitive area, and it can in a worst case scenario influence the fertility of the user.

[0009] Hence, there is a need of a male incontinence guard that is comfortable for the wearer from a heat / climate perspective and at the same time protect the wearer against urine leakage. SUMMARY

[0010] It is desired to provide an improved male incontinence guard. In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a male incontinence guard according to claim 1 .

[0011] In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided male incontinence guard comprising a fluid-impermeable backsheet, a fluid- permeable topsheet and an absorbent body arranged between said backsheet and said topsheet, wherein said topsheet faces a user when the incontinence guard is worn by said user. Said guard having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis and a transverse extension along a transverse axis, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said guard further has a thickness direction perpendicular to the transversal axis and the longitudinal axis, said thickness direction being an inward direction, towards the wearer, when the absorbent article is worn, and an outward direction, away from the wearer, when the article is worn, said transverse axis dividing said guard into an upper region with an outer boundary edge and a lower region with a lower edge. Said guard tapering at least partly towards the lower edge in the lower region.

[0012] The backsheet is breathable and comprises a wearer facing surface and an opposite garment facing surface. The wearer facing surface of the backsheet is attached, in a construction adhesive area, to the absorbent body, said construction adhesive area comprises at least one zone with construction adhesive and at least one zone without construction adhesive, and said absorbent body is attached to said backsheet in said zone (or zones) with construction adhesive. The garment facing surface of the backsheet is provided with a fastening adhesive area comprising at least one zone with fastening adhesive and at least one zone without fastening adhesive and said zone with fastening adhesive is adapted to releasably attach said guard to a garment of said user. Said construction adhesive area and said fastening adhesive area overlap each other in the thickness direction in an overlapping area as seen in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction and at least a portion of said overlapping area is arranged in a lower portion of the guard, wherein said lower portion is below an imaginary straight line, which is parallel to said transversal axis and arranged at a distance from an outermost point of the lower edge of the guard measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis.

[0013] The portion of the overlapping area, which is arranged in the lower portion of the guard, comprises at least one adhesive region comprising said construction adhesive and / or said fastening adhesive and at least one adhesive free region not covered by said construction adhesive and not covered said fastening adhesive.

[0014] A male incontinence guard should be designed so as to be worn inside a user's ordinary underwear and to provide protection against light urine leakage. The guard may also be used together with an underwear which is adapted to absorb body exudates or together with a disposable absorbent body such as a pant diaper or an open diaper. For this reason, the male incontinence guard is provided with a tapering shape to provide an optimal fit to the user's undergarment and body. This makes it possible to position the guard in a correct manner over the male genital organs during use. The tapering shape is preferably along the lower region of the guard.

[0015] In order to allow the guard to be attached to the wearer's underwear the guard is provided on the garment facing surface of the backsheet with a fastening adhesive area comprising at least one zone with fastening adhesive and at least one zone without fastening adhesive and said zone with fastening adhesive is adapted to releasably attach said guard to a garment of said user. The zones of fastening adhesives may for example be lines of fastening adhesives or discrete areas / islands of fastening adhesive or in a frame shape i.e. one zone of fastening adhesive surrounding a zone without fastening adhesive and inside the zone without fastening adhesive another zone of fastening adhesive may be arranged, which may surround another zone without fastening adhesive and so on.

[0016] The fastening adhesive on the backsheet may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive. When the user uses the absorbent product, the user starts by placing the absorbent product inside and into contact with their undergarment and the user generally applies pressure to the absorbent article from above such that the pressure sensitive adhesive of the guard is activated. This activation maintains the guard in contact with the undergarment during use. Thus a fast and convenient way of maintaining the absorbent product in a relatively fixed position with respect to the wearer's undergarment is provided. This relatively fixed position should be maintained while the wearer undergoes a variety of movements, such that the guard is held generally in the correct position with respect to the user' s body so as to allow exudate to be reliably collected and without giving rise to leaks.

[0017] The fastening adhesive should be chosen in such a way that it keeps the guard in place during use. Often the guard has a removable protective layer, also referred to as a release liner. The release liner is covering the fastening adhesive. This way the zones of fastening adhesive are protected from becoming dirty or sticking undesirably to other objects or clothing before use. If the guard is provided with a release liner the fastening adhesive should be chosen in such a way that the user is able to peel the release liner away from the guard without requiring too great force. When the force is too high, this can lead to tearing of the release liner during removal. When the release liner material tears, the remainder of the release liner on the adhesive often provides no leading edge which can be grasped so as to allow complete removal from the adhesive. Or, in some cases the already exposed fastening adhesive sticks to the user' s fingers or clothing when trying to remove the remaining strip parts which can lead to the guard becoming wrinkled and, in most cases, ruined. This often leads to the guard being discarded. Similarly, too great force can also result in removal of areas of the pressure sensitive adhesive from the backsheet, leaving thus an incomplete adhesive layer on the back sheet, which is clearly undesirable.

[0018] Similarly however, the release force which the user requires to peel the release liner away from the underlying backsheet should not be too low. If the force is too low, the user is left with the impression that there is insufficient adhesive force in the exposed adhesive to maintain the absorbent product securely in place during movement. The user in such cases often discards the product believing the adhesive to be defective and unable to perform its function.

[0019] The fastening adhesive area is defined by the periphery of an endless imaginary line which is following the outer contour of the outermost arranged zone / zones of fastening adhesive, and which is the shortest encircling line of the fastening adhesive. That is, the endless imaginary line extends, for example, the shortest way between two zones of fastening adhesive, between which there is provided a zone without fastening adhesive. This is the case if the fastening adhesive area comprises zones of fastening adhesives, for example lines of fastening adhesives.

[0020] If the fastening adhesive is in a frame shape, i.e. one zone of fastening adhesive surrounding a zone without fastening adhesive, the endless imaginary line extends along the outer contour of the frame shaped fastening adhesive.

[0021] The absorbent body is attached, in a construction adhesive area, to the wearer facing surface of the backsheet. The construction adhesive area comprises at least one zone with construction adhesive and at least one zone without construction adhesive, and said absorbent body is attached to said backsheet in said zone (or zones) with construction adhesive. The zones of construction adhesives may for example be lines of construction adhesives or discrete areas / islands of construction adhesive or in a frame shape i.e. one zone of construction adhesive surrounding a zone without construction adhesive and inside the zone without construction adhesive another zone of construction adhesive may be arranged, which may surround another zone without construction adhesive and so on. The frame shape may follow the outer contour of the guard or have any other suitable shape.

[0022] The construction adhesive area is defined by the periphery of an endless imaginary line which is following the outer contour of the outermost arranged zone / zones of construction adhesive, and which is the shortest encircling line of the adhesive without extending beyond the periphery of the guard itself. That is, the endless imaginary line extends, for example the shortest way between two zones of construction adhesive, which are provided with a zone without construction adhesive between them.

[0023] The construction adhesive area and said fastening adhesive area overlap each other in the thickness direction in an overlapping area as seen in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction. The overlapping area is hence spanned by the longitudinal axis and the transversal axis. At least a portion of said overlapping area is arranged in a lower portion of the guard, wherein the lower portion is below an imaginary straight line, which is parallel to said transversal axis and arranged at a distance from an outermost point of the lower edge of the guard measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis.

[0024] The portion of the overlapping area, which is arranged in the lower portion of the guard, comprises at least one adhesive region comprising said construction adhesive and / or said fastening adhesive and at least one adhesive free region not covered by said construction adhesive and not covered by said fastening adhesive. This secures that the absorbent guard will have areas in the lower portion of the product which are without adhesive, i.e. without both fastening adhesive and construction adhesive.

[0025] The fastening adhesive and construction adhesive can make the breathable backsheet nonbreathable in the area where the adhesives are applied since they may block openings / cavities in the breathable backsheet.

[0026] A breathable backsheet allows vapor to escape from the absorbent structure, while still preventing liquids from passing through the backsheet material.

[0027] The breathable backsheet may be a porous polymeric film, a nonwoven laminate of spunbond and meltblown layers or a laminate of a porous polymeric film and nonwoven material / materials. These materials have openings / cavities which allows vapor to escape, while still preventing liquids from passing through the material.

[0028] These kinds of materials improve the microclimate to the wearer and if the openings / cavities formed in these materials are blocked especially in the lower area of the product, which will be arranged where the genitals of the male are, it may make the guard less breathable and reduce the microclimate in that area. Such humid microclimate may cause irritation on the user's skin and in a worst case scenario influence the fertility of the user. Hence, by having areas without any fastening adhesive and construction adhesive the breathability can be maintained at least partly and have positive effect on the microclimate.

[0029] According to one example embodiment, the breathable backsheet is a breathable film. The breathable film may contain an inorganic particulate filler material, such as calcium carbonate. For example, the breathable film may contain up to 40 - 60 % of an inorganic particulate filler material (particles)

[0030] This kind of breathable film may be called microporous film and it can be manufactured either by casting or blowing followed by stretching the film. When the film is stretched, cavities are formed around the particles. The cavities extend from one face of the film to the other, making it breathable. These cavities are large enough for moisture in gaseous phase to be transported through the film, but too small for liquid to pass through.

[0031] The breathable backsheet may be a breathable film or a laminate with a breathable film attached to a nonwoven layer. The breathable film may for example be a polyolefin-based casted film. If the backsheet is only a breathable film, the film may have a grammage of from 10-25 gsm, preferably from 12-18 gsm. If the backsheet is a laminate the breathable film may have a grammage of from 8-25 gsm, preferably from 10-15 gsm and the nonwoven layer may have a grammage of from 8-25 gsm, preferably from 12-18 gsm. Such grammages provide for good handleability during manufacturing. By virtue of having the grammage within the mentioned interval, material costs can be kept low while a desired tear resistance can be provided, both when the backsheet is only a breathable film or a laminate of a breathable film and a nonwoven.

[0032] The amount of the inorganic filler is suitably from 20 to 60 percent by volume of the polyolefin / filler composition. The higher the amount of inorganic filler, the weaker the mechanical strength of the film is. Therefore, there must be a balance between the breathability and strength so that the film will not be damaged during the use or when the absorbent article is removed from a garment after the use.

[0033] According to one example embodiment, the overlapping area extends from said imaginary straight line. That is, the overlapping area extends from the imaginary straight line towards the lower edge in the lower region. This accomplish that the overlapping area is only in the lower portion of the guard.

[0034] According to one example embodiment, the overlapping area is arranged at a distance from said imaginary straight line. That is, the overlapping area extends at a distance from the imaginary straight line towards the lower edge in the lower region. This accomplish that the overlapping area is only in the lower portion of the guard.

[0035] According to one example embodiment, the overlapping area additionally also extends above the imaginary straight line. That is, part of the overlapping area may also be arranged above the imaginary straight line, i.e. it may extend from the imaginary straight line towards the outer boundary edge. Hence, the overlapping area is both above and below the imaginary straight line. Sometimes it may be advantageous to have some fastening adhesive also above the imaginary straight line, for example if the guard is relatively large.

[0036] According to one example embodiment, said at least one adhesive free region comprises an area which is at least 10-50% of the overlapping area which is arranged in the lower portion. This enables the backsheet to be sufficiently breathable and the guard to have a sufficiently large fastening adhesive area to fasten the guard to the garment of the user.

[0037] According to one example embodiment, said at least one adhesive free region is a plurality of adhesive free regions and the total area of the plurality of adhesive free regions is at least 10-50 % of the overlapping area in the lower portion. The areas of each adhesive free region are measured and added together to get the total area of the plurality of adhesive free regions.

[0038] According to one example embodiment, said distance is 1 / 2 or 1 / 3 of the maximal longitudinal length of the guard measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis, wherein the maximal longitudinal length is from the outermost point of the lower edge to an outermost point of the outer boundary edge. The outermost points are in the longitudinal direction of the guard. According to one example embodiment, said backsheet has a Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR) in the range of from 500 to 12000, preferably from 2000 to 9000, more preferably from 4000 to 7000 g / m2 / 24 hours as determined in the INDA and EDANA standard NWSP 070.5. R1 (22).

[0039] The Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) is measured using the INDA and EDANA standard NWSP 070.5. R1 (22) Water Vapor Transmission Rate by the Principle of Measurement of Relative Humidity in a Dry Cell. Measurement data relates to tests on the pure film (i.e. free from adhesive, absorbent fibers or other added elements).

[0040] A backsheet with a breathability with this rate has the advantage that the material is breathable enough, i.e. air and vapor may pass through the backsheet but while still preventing liquids from passing through the backsheet material. With higher values than 12000 g / m2 / 24h there is a risk that the tear resistance of the article, measured in an Elmendorf-type (falling pendulum) tearing tester, such as described e.g. in ASTM standard D 192, will become too low. If it becomes too low, there may be a risk that the absorbent article breaks and pieces of the article will remain attached to the garment when product is removed from the underwear after use.

[0041] According to one example embodiment, the construction adhesive area is arranged at least over the whole area of absorbent body facing the backsheet, and preferably over the whole area of the wearer facing surface of the backsheet. This secures that the absorbent body is attached to the backsheet and is kept in place during use. The guard will be exposed to transversal and / or longitudinal forces during use, which may cause the absorbent body to be deformed.

[0042] By attaching the absorbent body to the backsheet it is possible to keep the absorbent body where it is wanted. Further, the placement of the zones of construction adhesive may steer how the absorbent body is deformed. For example, small channels in the absorbent body may be created during use, for example, between two zones of construction adhesive, dependent on where the zones of construction adhesive are arranged.

[0043] It is also advantageously if the zones of construction adhesive attach the backsheet to the topsheet at least partly, which may be the case when the zones of construction adhesive are over the whole backsheet. Normally the backsheet and the topsheet are at least partly connected to each other along an edge region, which extends around the perimeter of the incontinence guard, in order to seal the edge and minimize or eliminate the risk of any leakage and spread of liquid via the peripheral edge. The absorbent body is then of a size having an area which is slightly smaller than the area of the backsheet and the topsheet. Additional adhesive may be used to attach the backsheet to the topsheet along the edge region in order to seal the edge even further or if no zones of construction adhesive are applied in the edge region.

[0044] According to one example embodiment, the zones of construction adhesive in the construction adhesive area are lines of adhesives. That is, one line of adhesive is one zone of construction adhesive. One line of adhesive may be a continuous line of adhesive or discrete portions of adhesive forming a line of adhesive. The lines of construction adhesives can be applied by spraying, slot coating, extrusion technique or by printing.

[0045] According to one example embodiment, at least one of the lines of construction adhesives extends parallel to the longitudinal axis or parallel to the transversal axis. Depending on the manufacturing direction of the guard it may be advantageous to have the lines of adhesives extending parallel to one of the axes, since the lines of adhesives than also can be applied to the guard in the same direction as the manufacturing direction of the guard.

[0046] According to one example embodiment, at least one of the lines of construction adhesive is a straight line. According to one example embodiment, at least two lines of construction adhesive extends substantially parallel to each other.

[0047] According to one example embodiment, all of the lines of construction adhesive extend parallel to each other.

[0048] According to one example embodiment, all of the lines of construction adhesive extend parallel to each other and parallel with the longitudinal axis.

[0049] According to one example embodiment, all of the lines of construction adhesive extend parallel to each other and parallel with the transversal axis.

[0050] According to one example embodiment, in the construction adhesive area, each zone of construction adhesive is at a distance from an adjacent zone of construction adhesive. That is, each zone of construction adhesive is spaced from the neighbouring zone of construction adhesive by a distance. When the zones of construction adhesive are lines of construction adhesives each line of construction adhesive is at a distance from an adjacent line of construction adhesive. Le. each line of construction adhesive is spaced from the neighbouring line of construction adhesive by a distance.

[0051] According to one example embodiment, said zone without construction adhesive is arranged between two neighbouring zones of construction adhesive.

[0052] According to one example embodiment, the distance between two adjacent zones of construction adhesive is measured in the transversal direction if the zones of construction adhesive extend in the longitudinal direction. According to one example embodiment, the distance between two adjacent lines of construction adhesive is measured in the transversal direction if the lines of construction adhesive extend in the longitudinal direction.

[0053] According to one example embodiment, the distance between two adjacent the zones of construction adhesive is measured the longitudinal direction if the zones of construction adhesive extend in the transversal direction. When the zones of construction adhesive are lines of construction adhesives the distance between two adjacent lines of construction adhesive is measured in the longitudinal direction if the lines of construction adhesive extend in the transversal direction.

[0054] According to one example embodiment, the distance between two adjacent zones of construction adhesive varies along the extension of the zones of construction adhesive. When the zones of construction adhesive are lines of construction adhesives the distance between two adjacent lines of construction adhesive varies along the extension of the lines of construction adhesive.

[0055] According to one example embodiment, the distances between all the neighbouring zones of construction adhesive are the same within the construction adhesive area. When the zones of construction adhesive are lines of construction adhesives the distances between all the neighbouring lines of construction adhesive are the same within the construction adhesive area.

[0056] According to one example embodiment, at least two distances between adjacent zones of construction adhesive differ within the construction adhesive area. When the zones of construction adhesive are lines of construction adhesives at least two distances between adjacent construction adhesive lines differ within the construction adhesive area. According to one example embodiment, the distances between two adjacent zones of construction adhesive is between 0,5-6 mm, preferably 1 -3 mm. When the zones of construction adhesive are lines of construction adhesives the distance between two adjacent lines of construction adhesive is between 0,5-6 mm, preferably 1 -3 mm.

[0057] According to one example embodiment, at least one of the lines of construction adhesive is at least partly curved along the longitudinal axis or along the transversal axis. When the lines of construction adhesive are curved, they can be accomplished by spraying the adhesive. Each line of construction adhesive can be curved without overlapping itself or it may overlap itself so that a two dimensional continuous spiral pattern is formed.

[0058] According to one example embodiment, at least two lines of construction adhesive are intersecting each other.

[0059] According to one example embodiment, at least some of the lines of construction adhesive are intersecting each other and forming a connected net.

[0060] According to one example embodiment, at least one of the zones of construction adhesive has a width which is between 0,5-6 mm, preferably between 1 -3 mm measured in the perpendicular direction to an extension direction of the zone of construction adhesive.

[0061] According to one example embodiment, at least one of the lines of construction adhesive has a width which is between 0,5-6 mm, preferably between 1 -3 mm measured in the perpendicular direction to the extension direction of the line of the construction adhesive.

[0062] According to one example embodiment, all of the zones of the construction adhesive have a width which is between 0,5-6 mm, preferably between 1 -3 mm measured in the perpendicular direction to the extension direction of the zone of construction adhesive.

[0063] According to one example embodiment, all of the lines of construction adhesive have a width which is between 0,5-6 mm, preferably between 1 - 3mm measured in the perpendicular direction to the extension direction of the line of the construction adhesive.

[0064] According to one example embodiment, each zone of construction adhesive has the same width along the extension direction of the zone of construction adhesive.

[0065] According to one example embodiment, each line of construction adhesive has the same width along the extension direction of the line of construction adhesive.

[0066] According to one example embodiment, the width of the zone of construction adhesive varies along the extension direction of the zone of construction adhesive.

[0067] According to one example embodiment, the width of each line of construction adhesive varies along the extension direction of the line of construction adhesive.

[0068] According to one example embodiment, discrete portions of construction adhesive forms said line of construction adhesive.

[0069] According to one example embodiment, said construction adhesive is a hot melt adhesive. Any type of known hot melt adhesive may be used and the hot melt adhesive may be for example based on ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA), polyolefin, polyester and / or polyamide, polyurethane, styrene block copolymer, silicone rubber and / or natural soy protein based adhesives. The adhesive may be non-toxic. The adhesive may be a hot melt adhesive, such as a product similar to a product with the trademark Technomelt DM 5482 by Henkel. The adhesive may be applied by spraying, slot coating or extrusion technique or by printing. The print may be of contact type such as selected from flexoprint, screen print, offset, rotogravure or of non-contact type, such as selected from digital inkjet which may be continuous or drop on demand, intermittent drop formation by piezo, heat activated or other type of technology.

[0070] The surface weight of the construction adhesive can be between 2 and 20 g / m2, more preferably 4,5-13,5 g / m2. By providing the adhesive with this range, it is possible to keep the costs as low as possible, while satisfactory attachment can be provided with the different application methods.

[0071] According to one example embodiment, the fastening adhesive area is arranged on and along the longitudinal axis at least in the lower portion of the guard. This accomplish that the fastening adhesive is present at least in the area where it most needed to keep the guard in place during use i.e. in the area of the genitals.

[0072] According to one example embodiment, at least a portion of said fastening adhesive area extends from the imaginary straight line towards the outermost point of the lower edge.

[0073] According to one example embodiment, said fastening adhesive area extends at a distance from the imaginary straight line in the lower portion towards the outermost point of the of the lower edge.

[0074] According to one example embodiment, a portion of the fastening adhesive area extends above the imaginary straight line towards said outer boundary edge. According to one example embodiment, said fastening adhesive area has a length which is measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis.

[0075] According to one example embodiment, said fastening adhesive area has a width measured along the transversal axis, and said fastening adhesive area is arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis.

[0076] According to one example embodiment, the width of said fastening adhesive area is constant along the whole length of the fastening adhesive area. The length of the fastening adhesive area is measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis.

[0077] According to one example embodiment, the width of said fastening adhesive area varies, at least partly, along the length of the fastening adhesive area. The length of the fastening adhesive area is measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis.

[0078] According to one example embodiment, the zones of fastening adhesive in the fastening adhesive area are lines of fastening adhesives. That is, one line of fastening adhesive is one zone of fastening adhesive. One line of adhesive may be a continuous line of adhesive or discrete portions of adhesive forming a line of adhesive. The lines of fastening adhesives can be applied by spraying, slot coating, extrusion technique or by printing.

[0079] According to one example embodiment, at least one of the lines of fastening adhesives extends parallel to the longitudinal axis or parallel to the transversal axis. Depending on the manufacturing direction of the guard it may be advantageous to have the lines of fastening adhesives extending parallel to one of the axes, since they also can be applied to the guard in the same direction as the manufacturing direction of the guard. According to one example embodiment, at least one of the lines of fastening adhesive is a straight line.

[0080] According to one example embodiment, at least two lines of fastening adhesive extends substantially parallel to each other.

[0081] According to one example embodiment, all of the lines of fastening adhesive extend parallel to each other.

[0082] According to one example embodiment, all of the lines of fastening adhesive extend parallel to each other and parallel with the longitudinal axis.

[0083] According to one example embodiment, all of the lines of fastening adhesive extend parallel to each other and parallel with the transversal axis.

[0084] According to one example embodiment, said zone without fastening adhesive is arranged between two neighbouring zones of fastening adhesive. If the zones of fastening adhesive are lines of fastening adhesives, then the zone without fastening adhesive is arranged between two neighbouring lines of fastening adhesive.

[0085] According to one example embodiment, in the fastening adhesive area, each zone of fastening adhesive is at a distance from an adjacent zone of fastening adhesive. That is, each zone of fastening adhesive is spaced from the neighbouring zone of fastening adhesive by a distance. When the zones of fastening adhesive are lines of fastening adhesives, each line of fastening adhesive is at a distance from an adjacent line of fastening adhesive. Le. each line of fastening adhesive is spaced from the neighbouring line of fastening adhesive by a distance.

[0086] According to one example embodiment, the distance between two adjacent zones of fastening adhesive is measured in the transversal direction if the zones of fastening adhesive extend in the longitudinal direction. When the zones of fastening adhesive are lines of fastening adhesives the distance between two adjacent lines of fastening adhesive is measured in the transversal direction if the lines of fastening adhesive extend in the longitudinal direction.

[0087] According to one example embodiment, the distance between two adjacent zones of fastening adhesive is measured the longitudinal direction if the zones of fastening adhesive extend in the transversal direction. When the zones of fastening adhesive are lines of fastening adhesives the distance between two adjacent lines of fastening adhesive is measured the longitudinal direction if the lines of fastening adhesive extend in the transversal direction.

[0088] According to one example embodiment, the distance between two adjacent zones of fastening adhesive varies along the extension of the zones of fastening adhesive. When the zones of fastening adhesive are lines of fastening adhesives the distance between two adjacent lines of fastening adhesive varies along the extension of the lines of fastening adhesive.

[0089] According to one example embodiment, the distances between all the zones of fastening adhesive are the same within the fastening adhesive area. When the zones of fastening adhesive are lines of fastening adhesives, the distances between all the lines of fastening adhesive are the same within the fastening adhesive area.

[0090] According to one example embodiment, at least two distances between two adjacent zones of fastening adhesive differ within the fastening adhesive area. When the zones of fastening adhesive are lines of fastening adhesives at least two distances between two fastening adhesive lines differ within the fastening adhesive area. According to one example embodiment, the distance between the two adjacent zones of fastening adhesive is between 0,5-6 mm, preferably 1 -3 mm. When the zones of fastening adhesive are lines of fastening adhesives the distance between two adjacent lines of fastening adhesive is between 0,5-6 mm, preferably 1 -3 mm.

[0091] According to one example embodiment, at least one of the lines of fastening adhesive is at least partly curved along the longitudinal axis or along the transversal axis. When the lines of fastening adhesive are curved, they can be accomplished by spraying the adhesive. Each line of fastening adhesive can be curved without overlapping itself or it may overlap itself so that a two dimensional continuous spiral pattern is formed.

[0092] According to one example embodiment, at least two lines of fastening adhesive are intersecting each other.

[0093] According to one example embodiment, at least some of the lines of fastening adhesive are intersecting each other and forming a connected net of fastening adhesive.

[0094] According to one example embodiment, at least one zone of fastening adhesive has a width which is between 2-10 mm, measured in the perpendicular direction to an extension direction of the zone of the fastening adhesive.

[0095] According to one example embodiment, at least one line of fastening adhesive has a width which is between 2-10 mm, measured in the perpendicular direction to the extension direction of the fastening adhesive.

[0096] According to one example embodiment, all of the lines of the fastening adhesive have a width, which is between 2-10 mm, measured in the perpendicular direction to the extension direction of the line of fastening adhesive.

[0097] According to one example embodiment, the width of each line of fastening adhesive varies along the extension direction of the line of fastening adhesive.

[0098] The widths and the areas of the fastening and construction adhesive zones / lines and distances between the zones / lines can be measured on the guard, which has been flattened and straightened out (but not stretched). A ruler or a digital caliper can be used to measure. If the contours of the fastening and construction adhesive lines / zones are vague, several aids can be utilized. The guard can for example be placed on a light table. A colorant that sticks to the adhesive can also be added. The guard can alternatively be placed in a jar with iodine, the iodine vapor then gives a yellow-brown color to the adhesive, which makes it easier to see. If the construction adhesive zones / lines are hard to see, the backsheet can be separated from the absorbent core by any known method. The backsheet is then flattened and straightened out (but not stretched), and the construction adhesive zones / lines can then be measured in the same way as described above.

[0099] A microscope with an included length scale can also be utilized. Photos can be taken in the microscope, which are then subjected to image analysis (suitable software can be Imaged, freely available in the public domain). In case the width of the fastening and construction adhesive zones / lines is uneven or irregular, a large number of measurements must be made along the length of the zone / line, so that a representative mean width can be obtained.

[0100] According to one example embodiment, discrete portions of fastening adhesive forms said line of fastening adhesive. According to one example embodiment, said fastening adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

[0101] The surface weight of the fastening adhesive disposed can be between 10 and 40 g / m2. By providing the adhesive with this range, it is possible to keep the costs as low as possible, while satisfactory attachment can be provided with the different application methods, i.e. spray coating and slot coating.

[0102] According to one example embodiment, the fastening adhesive may be covered by a release liner. The release liner protects the fastening adhesive from becoming dirty or sticking undesirably to other objects or clothing before use. When the release liner is removed the fastening adhesive is exposed for use.

[0103] The release liner can be made a single ply material. With "single ply" is meant that the release liner portions comprise a single ply of a coherent material. Examples of a single ply may be a paper material, plastic film, such as a polyethylene film, a nonwoven material, a metallic foil or the like. A single ply material may be a non-homogenous material such as a plastic film material comprising integrated layers or a nonwoven material having varying fibre composition in different parts of the material. The release liner can also be made of a laminate comprising at least two distinct layers.

[0104] The release liner may be made of a paper-material. By a paper material is herein to be understood a material produced by pressing together moist fibres, dewatering and drying the fibres into preferably flexible sheets. The paper material may be an unbleached paper material or a bleached material. The fibres may be pulp fibres from chemical pulp, e.g. kraft, sulphate or sulphite, mechanical pulp, thermo-mechanical pulp, chemo-mechanical pulp and / or chemo-thermo-mechanical pulp, abbreviated as CTMP. Pulps derived from both deciduous (hardwood) and coniferous (softwood) may be used. The fibres may hence be natural fibres from wood, for example, cellulose- based fibres, bamboo-based fibres, and the like. Natural fibres can also be fibres which are not wood, such as cotton, abaca, kenaf, sabai grass, flax, esparto grass, straw, jute hemp, bagasse, milkweed floss fibres, and pineapple leaf fibres. The paper material can be made of one kind of fibres or a mix of different fibres. The paper material may also be treated in a way to stand moisture better, for example with a plastic layer on the inside or the outside. The paper may be a smooth paper which has been calendared. The paper may be a paper with low porosity. The paper material may include recycled or virgin fibres or a combination thereof.

[0105] The release liner may be made of a biobased material. It may also be a biodegradable material. It may be made from a renewable resource and / or may be compostable.

[0106] According to one example embodiment said release liner comprises a coated layer with release properties, such silicone or similar material which has release properties. The release agent can reduce the fastening force between the release liner and the fastening adhesive area.

[0107] According to one example embodiment, said guard comprises in addition to the fastening adhesive area, which at least partly is arranged in the lower portion of the guard, at least a second separate fastening adhesive area, and said at least a second separate fastening adhesive is arranged above the imaginary straight line.

[0108] A second separate fastening adhesive area may keep the upper region and / or a region between the upper region and the imaginary straight line of the guard in place. The second separate fastening adhesive area can be arranged on and along the longitudinal axis as a separate extension of the fastening adhesive area, which at least partly is arranged in the lower portion of the guard, to hold the guard in place along the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the second separate fastening adhesive area may extend parallel along the transversal axis, i.e. have a length that is longer in the transversal direction than in the longitudinal direction of the guard. This may hold the upper region and / or a region between the upper region and the imaginary straight line of the guard in place. Due to the tapering shape of the guard towards the lower edge in the lower region, the guard may have a triangular shape and the upper region comprise corners that can be held in place during use, i.e. the risk that the corner regions of the guard folds is reduced.

[0109] According to one example embodiment, additionally to the fastening adhesive area, which at least partly is arranged in the lower portion of the guard, the guard may comprise two second separate fastening adhesive areas which are arranged above the imaginary straight line on each side of the longitudinal axis. This may hold the upper region and / or a region between the upper region and the imaginary straight line of the guard in place. Due to the tapering shape of the guard towards the lower edge in the lower region, the guard may have a triangular shape and the upper region may comprise corners that can be held in place during use, i.e. the risk that the corner regions of the guard folds is reduced.

[0110] The at least one second separate fastening adhesive area and / or the two second separate fastening adhesive areas may have a similar design as described for the fastening adhesive area, which at least partly is arranged in the lower portion of the guard. That is, the at least one second separate fastening adhesive area and / or the two second separate fastening adhesive areas may each comprise at least one zone with fastening adhesive and at least one zone without fastening adhesive and said zone with fastening adhesive is adapted to releasably attach said guard to a garment of said user. The zone / zones of fastening adhesive and zone / zones without fastening adhesive may have the same shape and dimensions as described above for the fastening adhesive area, which at least partly is arranged in the lower portion of the guard. The advantage is that these fastening adhesive areas also will not influence the breathability as much as if they were fully coated, since further overlapping areas will be created with at least one adhesive region comprising said construction adhesive and / or said fastening adhesive and at least one adhesive free region not covered by said construction adhesive and not covered by said fastening adhesive. Alternatively, the at least one second separate fastening adhesive area and / or the two second separate fastening adhesive areas may be fully coated or have any other design.

[0111] According to one example embodiment, said transverse axis extends between a first lower corner point and a second lower corner point which define two outermost points of said guard between which said guard has a first width.

[0112] According to one example embodiment, said upper region comprising an inwardly recessed curvature portion extending between a first upper corner point and a second upper corner point and having an arcuate shape, said upper corner points defining a second width; wherein the first width is greater than the second width, and wherein said first lower corner point and first upper corner point and said second lower corner point and second upper corner point, respectively, are connected by outer side edges.

[0113] It has been found that the provision of the above-mentioned inwardly recessed curvature portion allows the incontinence guard to be positioned so that it extends from below the user's belly and downwards so as to cover the genital organs in a secure manner. In particular, the geometry of the incontinence guard as defined by means of the above-mentioned upper and lower corner points will provide a secure positioning of the guard even when the user is sitting down and standing up repeatedly, while at the same time providing the intended protection against incontinence. According to one example embodiment, said inwardly recessed curvature portion defines an outer boundary edge extending between said upper corner points and wherein said outer boundary edge lies inwardly of an imaginary transverse line extending between said upper corner points.

[0114] According to one example embodiment wherein said outer boundary edge has a radius which is in the range of 60-1400 mm.

[0115] According to one example embodiment wherein the ratio between the second width and the first width is in the range of 30-80%.

[0116] According to one example embodiment the first width is in the range of 110- 280 mm.

[0117] According to one example embodiment the second width is in the range of 50-151 mm.

[0118] According to one example embodiment the ratio between a distance defined by an imaginary longitudinal line, being parallel to said longitudinal axis and extending from any one of said upper corner points to said transversal axis, and a distance extending from any one of said lower corner points to said longitudinal line, is in the range of 0.25-4.0.

[0119] According to one example embodiment a straight line is defined as extending through a lower corner point and an upper corner point, and wherein an angle is defined between said straight line and said imaginary longitudinal line, said angle being in the range of 12-78 degrees.

[0120] According to one example embodiment a measurement is defined as the distance between said straight line and the maximum outer extension of said incontinence guard, said measurement being in the range of 2-10 mm, or wherein said measurement is less than 25% of the distance between first lower corner point and the first upper corner point.

[0121] According to one example embodiment a maximum recess depth of said inwardly recessed curvature portion does not extend below said transversal axis.

[0122] According to one example embodiment said maximum recess depth is the range of 2-30 mm.

[0123] According to one example embodiment said lower region of said guard comprises a lower edge having a convex arcuate shape with a radius defining a ratio of 0.9-1 .1 to said radius of said inwardly recessed curvature portion.

[0124] According to one example embodiment said outer side edges are generally straight.

[0125] According to one example embodiment, said absorbent body comprises a primary core and a secondary core arranged in a stacked configuration, wherein said primary core has an area in an XY plane which is greater that the area of said secondary core, and in that the secondary core is formed with side edges being at least partly generally parallel to said longitudinal axis. Such an embodiment is advantageous during manufacturing of said incontinence guard, since it may allow a precise and efficient folding of each guard during a manufacturing process if the guard is being folded before it is packaged into a for example a box or a bag.

[0126] According to one example embodiment, said guard is arranged having elasticized elements arranged along an outer edge of the lower region, along the outer edges of said lower region. The elastic elasticized elements urge the male incontinence guard into a basin-like shape cupping the genitals of the wearer and helping to maintain a close fit between the male incontinence guard and the wearer's body.

[0127] According to one example embodiment said elasticized elements are in the form of an elasticized film, foam, elastic laminate and / or elastic threads attached to said guard.

[0128] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0129] Other objectives, features and advantages of the example embodiments of the present disclosure will appear from the following detailed disclosure, as well as from the drawings. The skilled person realize that different features of the example embodiments may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0130] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0131] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

[0132] Fig. 1 shows a view from above, from the topsheet side of a male incontinence guard according to first embodiment. Fig. 2 shows the cross-sectional view A-A of the male incontinence guard in Fig. 1.

[0133] Fig. 3 shows the male incontinence guard in Fig. 1 with two absorbent cores.

[0134] Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a male incontinence guard in a view from above, i.e. from the topsheet side.

[0135] Fig. 5 shows the cross-sectional view B-B in Fig. 2 of the male incontinence guard in Fig. 1 with a first embodiment of a construction adhesive area.

[0136] Fig. 6 shows the cross-sectional view B-B in Fig. 2 of the male incontinence guard in Fig. 1 with a second embodiment of the construction adhesive area.

[0137] Fig. 7 shows the cross-sectional view B-B in Fig. 2 of the male incontinence guard in Fig. 1 the male incontinence guard in Fig. 1 with a third embodiment of the construction adhesive area.

[0138] Fig. 8 shows the male incontinence guard in Fig. 1 in a view from below, i.e. from the backsheet side, with a first embodiment of the fastening adhesive area.

[0139] Fig. 9 shows the male incontinence guard in Fig. 1 with the first embodiment of the construction adhesive area shown in Fig. 5 in combination with the fastening adhesive area shown in Fig. 8.

[0140] Fig. 10 shows the male incontinence guard in Fig. 1 in a view from below, i.e. from the backsheet side, with a second embodiment of the fastening adhesive area. Fig. 11 shows the male incontinence guard in Fig. 1 with the first embodiment of the construction adhesive area shown in Fig. 5 in combination with second embodiment of the fastening adhesive area shown in Fig. 10.

[0141] Fig. 12 shows discontinuous distributed construction adhesive forming a line of construction adhesive.

[0142] Fig. 13 shows the male incontinence guard in Fig. 8 with an additional second separate fastening adhesive area according to a first embodiment.

[0143] Fig. 14 shows the male incontinence guard in Fig. 8 with an additional second separate fastening adhesive area according to a second embodiment.

[0144] Fig. 15 shows the male incontinence guard in Fig. 8 with two additional second separate fastening adhesive areas.

[0145] All the figures are highly schematic, not necessarily to scale, and they show only parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.

[0146] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0147] Various aspects of the disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The example embodiments of the disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness. Like reference character refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0148] With initial reference to Fig. 1 , there is shown a view from above of an absorbent article in the form of a male incontinence guard 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The male incontinence guard 1 is an incontinence protector article which is designed and optimized to absorb light urine leakage for male users. For this reason, and as will be described in detail below, the incontinence guard 1 is based on an absorbent structure for rapidly wicking away urine from the wearer in order to provide a dry, comfortable and odour- free feeling for the wearer.

[0149] Fig. 1 shows the male incontinence guard 1 in a view from above, from which can be understood that it comprises a breathable fluid impermeable backsheet 2 and a fluid permeable topsheet 3. The view from above is from the topsheet side 3. The male incontinence guard 1 also comprises an absorbent body 4, which is sandwiched between the backsheet 2 and the topsheet 3. The absorbent body 4 comprises an absorbent core 4'.

[0150] The topsheet 3 is arranged at the surface, i.e. the side facing a wearer, of the incontinence guard 1 . The backsheet 2 is arranged at the underside of the incontinence guard 1 , i.e. facing an undergarment of the wearer during use. Furthermore, both the backsheet 2 and the topsheet 3 extend laterally outside of the absorbent core 4' along the whole perimeter of the incontinence guard 1 . The topsheet 3, backsheet 2 and the absorbent core 4' may consist of any materials suitable for their particular purposes, as will be discussed in further detail below. According to further embodiments, one or more additional layers may be provided in the male incontinence guard 1 . For example, an acquisition layer (not shown) may be arranged between the absorbent core 4' and the topsheet 3. The acquisition layer may be comprised in the absorbent body 4.

[0151] As shown in Fig. 1 , the male incontinence guard 1 has a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis Y1 and a transverse extension along a transverse axis X1 . The transverse axis X1 divides the incontinence guard 1 into an upper region 5 and a lower region 6, as regarded when being worn by a user. This means that the upper region 5 is intended to be oriented upwards towards the user's belly during use of the incontinence guard 1 , whereas the lower region 6 is intended to be facing downwards to cover the genital organs of the wearer during use. The guard 1 further has a thickness direction perpendicular to the transversal axis X1 and the longitudinal axis Y1 , said thickness direction being an inward direction Zi, towards the wearer, when the absorbent article is worn, and an outward direction Zo, away from the wearer, when the article is worn.

[0152] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view as taken along cross-section A-A in Fig. 1 . The various layers 2, 3, 4 which form part of the incontinence guard 1 will now be described more in detail, with reference primarily to Figs. 1 and 2. The backsheet 2 comprises a wearer facing surface 2a and an opposite garment facing surface 2b. The wearer facing surface 2a will be facing the wearer during use and the opposite garment facing surface 2b will be facing away from the wearer, toward the garments of the user. The backsheet 2 is constituted by a fluid-impermeable and breathable layer such as a polymeric film, for example a film of polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0153] According to different embodiments, the materials which can be used for manufacturing the backsheet 2 include thin and flexible fluid impermeable plastic films, or fluid impermeable nonwoven materials, fluid impermeable foams and fluid impermeable laminates.

[0154] According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the backsheet 2 is formed by a single layer, but can alternatively be formed by a multi-layered structure, i.e. a laminate, wherein at least one layer is fluid impermeable. Furthermore, the backsheet 2 can optionally be elastic in any direction. Also, backsheet materials that are not fully fluid impermeable but only resistant to fluid penetration may be used, particularly in cases where relatively small amounts of urine are expected to be absorbed by the incontinence guard 1 . The backsheet 2 is a breathable backsheet, implying that air and vapor may pass through the backsheet 2. Furthermore, the backsheet 2 may optionally have an outer, garment-facing surface of a textile material such as nonwoven.

[0155] Furthermore, the topsheet 3 is according to an embodiment formed by a fluid permeable nonwoven fabric or film which is made of thermoplastic synthetic fibers. The topsheet 3 is sufficiently fluid permeable to allow discharged body fluids such as urine to penetrate through the thickness of the topsheet 3. Also, the topsheet 3 is suitably manufactured from a material which is compliant and soft feeling to the skin of the wearer.

[0156] According to different embodiments, the topsheet 3 may be manufactured from various web materials such as woven and nonwoven webs and films, foams, or combinations thereof. The nonwoven materials to be used for the topsheet 3 may be for example carded resin bonded materials, carded through-air bonded materials, spunbond-meltbond-spunbond materials, carded hydroentangled materials or carded thermobonded materials. The topsheet 3 may also have elastic properties which allow it to be stretchable.

[0157] According to an additional embodiment, the topsheet 3 may be in the form of a perforated plastic film which then serves as a liquid-permeable sheet.

[0158] Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the incontinence guard 1 has an absorbent body 4, which here is exemplified as an absorbent core 4', which is formed by one or more layers comprising fibres of cellulosic fluff pulp. However, the absorbent body may comprise several absorbent cores.

[0159] According to alternative embodiments, the absorbent core 4' can be made up of any suitable absorbent or fluid-absorbing material as known in the art, for example foam, fiber waddings and similar materials. According to a further embodiment, the absorbent core 4' comprises a suitable amount of superabsorbent particles. Such superabsorbent material is well known in the field of absorbent articles, and is constituted by a water- swellable and water-insoluble material which is capable of absorbing large quantities of fluid upon formation of a hydrogel. Normal superabsorbent materials are capable of absorbing fluids of at least 10 times its own weight.

[0160] According to an embodiment, the amount of said superabsorbent particles is at least 10% by weight, i.e. in relation to the total weight of the absorbent core 4'. The superabsorbents are mixed into the material of the absorbent core 4'. The absorbent core 4' may further incorporate components for improving the properties of the absorbent core 4'. Some examples of such components are binder fibers, fluid-dispersing materials, fluid acquisition materials, etc. as known in the art. According to an embodiment, a mixture of cellulose fluff pulp and superabsorbent articles is mixed in a generally homogeneous manner throughout the entire absorbent core 4'.

[0161] According to further embodiments, the absorbent core 4' may be a homogeneous structure or may be a layered structure with laminates of the same or different materials. The absorbent layers may have uniform thickness or may vary in thickness in different parts of the layers. Also, the basis weight and composition of the absorbent core 1 may vary within such absorbent layers.

[0162] Fig. 1 shows a view of the side of the incontinence guard 1 that is intended to be facing towards a wearer's body when the incontinence guard 1 is being worn. It can be seen from Fig. 1 that the incontinence guard 1 according to the embodiment has a shape which is generally triangular, and which is tapered along its lower region 6. This means that, for instance, the corners and sides of the incontinence guard 1 may be more or less rounded, as shown in Fig. 1 . Furthermore, the backsheet 2 and the topsheet 3 are at least partly connected to each other along an edge region 9 which extends around the perimeter of the incontinence guard 1 . The absorbent body 4 is of a size having an area which is slightly smaller than the area of the backsheet 2 and the topsheet 3. According to an embodiment, the edge region 9 has substantially the same width along the entire perimeter of the incontinence guard 1 . In other words, the absorbent body 4 / core 4' is arranged to follow the perimeter of the incontinence guard 1 so that the distance between the outer edge of the absorbent core 4' and the outer edge of the guard 1 remains generally equal along the edge region 9.

[0163] The male incontinence guard 1 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is arranged so that the transverse axis X1 extends between a first lower corner point 10 and a second lower corner point 11 . These lower corner points 10, 11 define two outermost points of the incontinence guard 1 along the transverse axis X1 . The distance between these lower corner points 10, 11 , i.e. the maximum width of the incontinence guard 1 is defined by a first width w1 as indicated in Fig. 1 .

[0164] Referring to Fig. 1 , it should be pointed out that, according to different embodiments, the lower corner points 10, 11 can be constituted by different shape and roundness, for example a softly rounded shape or a more sharply pointed corner shape.

[0165] Furthermore, the upper region 5 comprises an inwardly recessed curvature portion 12 which extends between a first upper corner point 13 and a second upper corner point 14. The curvature portion 12 has a generally arcuate shape which extends into the upper region 5. Also, the distance between the upper corner points 13, 14 along the transversal direction is defined by a second width w2. The first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13 are connected by a first outer side edge 15 which according to the embodiment has an outwardly and slightly rounded shape. An imaginary straight line 16, which extends through the first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13, can also be defined. In a similar manner, the second lower corner point 11 and the second upper corner point 14 are connected by a second outer side edge 17 which also has an outwardly and slightly rounded shape. The first and second outer side edges 15, 17 extend outwards as regarded along the direction of the transverse axis X1 , i.e. from the upper corner points 13, 14 to the lower corner points 10, 11.

[0166] As shown in Fig. 1 , the first width w1 is greater than the second width w2, i.e. the lower corner points 10, 11 define the laterally outermost points of the incontinence guard 1 .

[0167] The purpose of the configuration of the incontinence guard 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is to contribute to advantageous properties regarding a secure and comfortable fit for the user, while maintaining adequate absorption properties.

[0168] The incontinence guard 1 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is symmetrical with reference to the longitudinal axis Y1 . Also, the guard 1 has a tapering shape as regarded from the lower corner points 10, 11 and downwards along the lower region 6. Furthermore, the lower region 6 is according to the embodiment in Fig. 1 formed with generally straight sides. In an alternative embodiment, the sides of the lower region 6 may be convex, i.e. generally without being curved inwards.

[0169] According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , the above-mentioned inwardly recessed curvature portion 12 defines an outer boundary edge 18 which extends between the two upper corner points 13, 14. The outer boundary edge 18 lies inwardly of an imaginary transverse line X2 which is generally parallel to the transverse axis X1 and extends between the upper corner points 13, 14.

[0170] With reference to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it can be noted that the outer boundary edge 18 has a radius r1 which is in the range of 60- 1400 mm, preferably in the range of 120-500 mm.

[0171] Also, the ratio between the value of the second width w2 and the value of the first width w1 is in the range of 30-80%, preferably in the range of 40- 75%. Regarding the actual measurements of the first width w1 and the second width w2, it can be noted that the first width w1 is in the range of 1 10 - 280 mm. Also, the second width w2 is in the range of 50 - 151 mm.

[0172] Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the ratio between a distance d1 defined by an imaginary longitudinal line Y2 as shown in Fig. 1 , and being parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1 and extending from any one of said upper corner points 13, 14 to the transversal axis X1 , and a distance d2 extending from any one of said lower corner points 10, 11 to said imaginary longitudinal line Y2, is in the range of 0.25-4.0, preferably in the range of 0.5-2.0.

[0173] With further reference to Fig. 1 , a straight line 16 can be defined as extending through the first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13. An angle a can then be defined between said straight line 16 and the above- mentioned imaginary longitudinal line Y2. The angle a is in the range of 12- 78 degrees, preferably in the range of 22-68 degrees.

[0174] Furthermore, as shown in the drawings, the lower region 6 of the male incontinence guard 1 may comprise a lower edge 19 which has a convex arcuate shape with a radius r2 defining a ratio of 0.9-1 .1 to the radius r1 of said inwardly recessed curvature portion 12. Furthermore, the embodiment can alternatively be arranged so that the inwardly recessed curvature portion 12 has a geometry which is not equivalent to a circle, i.e. so that it cannot be defined by means of a radius. In such case, a maximum recess depth d3 of the inwardly recessed curvature portion 12 can be defined. According to an embodiment, the curvature portion 12 does not extend below said transversal axis X1 . Furthermore, the maximum recess depth d3 is the range of 2-30 mm, preferably in the range of 2-20 mm.

[0175] Yet another measurement d4 can be defined as the distance between the above-mentioned straight line 16 extending through the first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13 and the maximum extension of the upper left corner of the incontinence guard 1 , as shown in Fig. 1 .

[0176] According to an embodiment, the distance d4 is in the range of 2-10 mm. Another way of defining this distance d4 is by stating that said distance d4 is less than 25% of the distance between first lower corner point 10 and the first upper corner point 13.

[0177] As mentioned above, the male incontinence guard 1 as shown in the drawings is provided with an absorbent body 4 which has an outer edge which generally follows the outer edge of the guard 1 . As shown in Fig. 1 , the outer edge defines an edge region 9 which has a width which is generally equal along the entire outer edge of the guard 1 .

[0178] Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , the male incontinence guard 1 comprises elasticized elements 20 which are arranged along the outer edge 9 of the lower region 6. The elasticized elements 20 are preferably in the form of an elasticized film which is attached to the incontinence guard 1 . According to alternative embodiments, the elasticized elements 20 can be in the form of elastic threads, an elastic foam or an elastic laminate attached to said guard 1 . Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the guard 1 in Fig. 1 , in which the absorbent body 4 comprises two absorbent cores. The absorbent body 4 comprises a primary absorbent core 4' and a secondary absorbent core 4". In a manner which corresponds to Fig. 1 , the incontinence guard 1 according to Fig. 3 is arranged along a longitudinal axis Y1 . The primary absorbent core 4' corresponds to the absorbent core 4' described above with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0179] A difference between the embodiment of Fig. 3 and the embodiment of Fig. 1 is that the primary absorbent core 4' and the secondary absorbent core 4" shown in Fig. 3 are arranged in a stacked configuration. Preferably, this means that the secondary core 4" is arranged on top of the primary core 4', so that the secondary core 4" is closest to the wearer's body during use of the incontinence guard 1 '. The secondary absorbent core 4" is formed with side edges 28, 29 which at least partly generally parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1 .

[0180] The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, but can be varied. For example, the particular shape of the incontinence guard 1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 should not be considered as limiting. For example the male incontinence guard 1 is not limited to have an inwardly recessed curvature portion 12 which defines the outer boundary edge 18 as described in Fig.1 and Fig. 3. It may be straight or outwardly recessed.

[0181] Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a male incontinence guard 1 ' in a view from above, from which can be understood that it comprises a fluid impermeable backsheet 2 and a fluid permeable topsheet 3. The male incontinence guard 1 ' also comprises an absorbent body 4 which is sandwiched between the backsheet 2 and the topsheet 3. Instead of the inwardly recesses curvature portion 12, as described in Fig. 1 it has a straight outer boundary edge 18'. The construction and the materials used may be the same as for the incontinence guard in Fig. 1 . Furthermore, the materials and dimensions used for the different layers forming the guard 1 can be varied, as indicated above.

[0182] As can be seen in Fig. 2 the absorbent body 4 in Fig. 1 is attached to the wearer facing surface 2a of the backsheet 2 by construction adhesives CA which form a construction adhesive area CAA.

[0183] Fig. 5 shows a first embodiment of the construction adhesive area CAA at cross-section B-B in Fig. 2, without the backsheet 2. The construction adhesive area CAA is arranged at least over the whole area of absorbent body 4 facing the backsheet 2, which is not shown, and preferably over the whole area of the wearer facing surface 2a of the backsheet 2, so that the backsheet at the edge region 9 also is attached to the topsheet 3. Additional adhesive (not show) attaching the backsheet 2 to the topsheet 3 may be provided along the edge region 9 to reduce the risk of leakage, for example, if the construction adhesive area CAA is only partly in the edge region 9 or only over the area of the absorbent core and not over the whole backsheet 2.

[0184] In Figs. 2 and 5 the construction adhesive area CAA is over the whole area of the wearer facing surface 2a of the backsheet 2. The construction adhesive area CAA comprises at least one zone with construction adhesive CA and at least one zone without construction adhesive WCA, and said absorbent body 4 is attached to said backsheet 2 in said zone (or zones) with construction adhesive CA.

[0185] In Figs. 2 and 5 there are several zones of construction adhesive CA and several zones without construction adhesive WCA. The zones of construction adhesive CA in the construction adhesive area CAA are lines of adhesives forming said zones of construction adhesive CA. Each line of adhesive CA forms one zone of construction adhesive CA. In the construction adhesive area CAA, each zone of construction adhesive CA is spaced from the neighbouring zone of construction adhesive CA by a distance DC. Hence, the zones without construction adhesive WCA are arranged between two neighbouring zones of construction adhesive CA. Each of the lines of construction adhesives CA extends parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1 and the lines of construction adhesive CA extends substantially parallel to each other.

[0186] The distances DC between two lines of construction adhesive CA are measured in the transversal direction. In Fig. 5 the distance between two neighbouring lines of construction adhesive is the same along the extension of the lines of construction adhesive CA and the distances between all the construction adhesive lines CA are the same within the construction adhesive area CAA. However, they may differ between different lines of construction adhesives and / or along the lines of the construction adhesives. The distances between the zones / lines of construction adhesive CA are between 0,5 - 6 mm, preferably 1 -3 mm.

[0187] Each of the lines of construction adhesive CA has a width WC which is between 0,5-6 mm, preferable 1 -3 mm, measured in the perpendicular direction to the extension of the construction adhesive CA. Each line of construction adhesive CA has essentially the same width WC along the extension of the construction adhesive CA. However, the width of each line of construction adhesive CA may vary along the extension of the construction adhesive CA.

[0188] Having zones with construction adhesive CA and zone / zones without construction adhesive WCA makes the guard 1 more breathable in comparison to known products, where the construction adhesive usually is fully covering the whole area between the absorbent core and the backsheet. By having the construction adhesive area CAA comprising zones with construction adhesive CA and zones without construction adhesive WCA the whole guard may become more breathable, due to the zones without construction adhesive WCA. This since the construction adhesive usually blocks the cavities in the breathable backsheet. The cavities, which extend through the backsheet, are large enough for moisture in gaseous phase to be transported through the backsheet, but too small for liquid to pass through and they make the backsheet breathable.

[0189] Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of the construction adhesive area CAA at cross-section B-B in Fig. 2. In Figs. 2 and 6 the construction adhesive area CAA is over the whole area of the wearer facing surface 2a of the backsheet 2. The backsheet 2 is not showing in Fig. 6. There are several zones of construction adhesive CA and several zones without construction adhesive WCA just like in Fig. 5. The construction adhesive CA in the construction adhesive area CAA are lines of adhesives forming said zones of construction adhesive CA. Each of the lines of construction adhesives CA extends parallel to the transversal axis X1 and the lines of construction adhesive CA extends substantially parallel to each other.

[0190] In the construction adhesive area CAA, each zone of construction adhesive CA is spaced from the neighbouring zone of construction adhesive CA by a distance DC. Hence, said zone without construction adhesive is arranged between two neighbouring zones of construction adhesive.

[0191] The distances DC between the lines of construction adhesive CA are measured in the longitudinal direction. In Fig. 6 the distance DC between two neighbouring lines of construction adhesive CA is the same along the extension of the lines of construction adhesive CA and the distances between all the construction adhesive lines CA are the same within the construction adhesive area CAA. However, they may differ between different lines of construction adhesives and along the extension of lines of the construction adhesives. The distances DC between the zones, i.e. lines of construction adhesive are between 0,5 - 6 mm, preferably 1 -3 mm. Each of the lines of construction adhesive CA has a width WC which is between 0,5-6mm, preferable 1 -3mm, measured in the perpendicular direction to the extension of the construction adhesive CA. Each line of construction adhesive has essentially the same width WC along the extension of the line of construction adhesive. However, the width WC of each line of construction adhesive may vary along the extension of the line of construction adhesive.

[0192] Fig. 7 shows a third embodiment of the construction adhesive area CAA at cross-section B-B in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2 and 7 the construction adhesive area CAA is arranged over the whole area of the wearer facing surface 2a of the backsheet 2. The backsheet 2 is not showing in Fig. 7.

[0193] There are several zones of construction adhesive areas CA and several zones without construction adhesive WCA within the construction adhesive area CAA. Each zone of construction adhesive CA is a curved line of adhesives extending in the longitudinal direction, i.e. along the longitudinal axis Y1 . Each curved line of construction adhesive CA overlap itself in the thickness direction and forms spirals and hence form zones without construction adhesive WCA between itself where the spirals are formed. The curved lines of construction adhesives are not limited to overlap themselves. They may only be curved without overlapping itself. They are also not limited to extend in the longitudinal direction, they may extend in the transversal direction, in a similar way as in Fig. 6.

[0194] In the construction adhesive area CAA, each zone of construction adhesive CA is spaced from the neighbouring zone of construction adhesive CA by a distance DC. Hence, a zone without construction adhesive WCA is arranged between two neighbouring zones of construction adhesive CA. The overall extensions of the curved lines of construction adhesive CA extend parallel to the longitudinal axis Y1 and the curved lines of construction adhesive extends substantially parallel to each other. In Fig. 7 the distance DC between two neighbouring curved lines of construction adhesive differ along the extension of the lines of construction adhesive. In Fig, 7 the curved lines are overlapping themself in a spiral way and they are arranged at a distance from each, they may however intersect each other and may even form a connected net (not shown). The curved lines of adhesive are also not limited to form spirals, they may just be curved and overlap each other in the thickness direction.

[0195] The construction adhesive CA for all example embodiments above may be a hot melt adhesive. Any type of known hot melt adhesive may be used and the hot melt adhesive may be for example based on ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA), polyolefin, polyester and / or polyamide, polyurethane, styrene block copolymer, silicone rubber and / or natural soy protein based adhesives. The adhesive may be non-toxic. The adhesive may be a hot melt adhesive, such as a product similar to a product with the trademark Technomelt DM 5482 by Henkel.

[0196] The adhesive may be applied by spraying, slot coating, extrusion technique or by printing. The lines of construction adhesive in Fig. 5 and 6 may be made using slot coating and the lines of construction adhesive in Fig. 7 may be made by spiral spraying.

[0197] The construction adhesive area CAA is defined by the periphery of an endless imaginary line ILC, which is following the outer contour of the outermost arranged zone / zones of construction adhesive, and which is the shortest encircling line of the construction adhesive without extending beyond the periphery of the guard itself. That is, the endless imaginary line ILC extends, for example the shortest way between two zones of construction adhesive CA, which are provided with a zone without construction adhesive them. In Figs. 5 the endless imaginary line ILC extends essentially along the outer periphery of the male incontinence guard 1 , except at the area close to the first lower corner point 10 and the second lower corner point 11 , where it extends in the longitudinal direction along the outer edges of the outermost arranged lines of construction adhesive CA.

[0198] In Fig. 6 the endless imaginary line ILC extends essentially along the outer periphery of the male incontinence guard 1 , except at the area close to the first upper corner point 13, the second upper corner point 14 and the lower edge 19 where the imaginary line ILC extends in the transversal direction along the outer edges of the outermost arranged lines of construction adhesive CA.

[0199] In Fig. 7 the endless imaginary line ILC extends essentially along the outer periphery of the male incontinence guard 1 .

[0200] The lines of construction adhesive CA forming the zones of construction adhesive CA in Figs. 5-7 are continuous lines of adhesives. However, discrete portions of adhesive may form a line of construction adhesive CA. An example of discrete portions DPA of construction adhesive forming a line of construction adhesive CA is shown in Fig. 12.

[0201] Fig. 12 shows discontinuous distributed adhesive DPA forming the line of construction adhesive CA.

[0202] Fig. 1 shows a view of the side of the incontinence guard 1 that is intended to be facing towards a wearer's body when the incontinence guard 1 is being worn, while Fig. 8 shows the incontinence guard 1 in Fig. 1 from a view of the side of the incontinence guard 1 that is intended to be facing away a wearer's body when the incontinence guard 1 is being worn. That is, towards the garment, i.e. with the garment facing surface 2b of the backsheet 2 showing. The garment facing surface 2b of the backsheet 2 is provided with a fastening adhesive area FAA comprising at least one zone with fastening adhesive FA and at least one zone without fastening adhesive WFA and said zone with fastening adhesive FA is adapted to releasably attach said guard to a garment of said user.

[0203] The fastening adhesive area FAA is defined by the periphery of an endless imaginary line ILF, see Fig. 8, which is following the outer contour of the outermost arranged zone / zones of fastening adhesive FA and which is the shortest encircling line of the fastening adhesive FA. That is, the endless imaginary line ILF extends, for example the shortest way between two zones of fastening adhesive, which are provided with a zone without fastening adhesive between them.

[0204] The fastening adhesive FA on the backsheet 2 may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive. When the user uses the guard 1 the user starts by placing the guard 1 inside and into contact with their undergarment and the user generally applies pressure to the guard 1 from above, i.e. from the topsheet side 3, such that the pressure-sensitive adhesive of the guard 1 is activated. This activation maintains the guard 1 in contact with the undergarment during use.

[0205] The fastening adhesive area FAA is arranged along the longitudinal axis Y1 at least in a lower portion LP of the guard 1 . The lower portion LP of the guard is below an imaginary straight line IL, which is parallel to said transversal axis X1 , and arranged at a distance D from an outermost point 19a of the lower edge 19 of the guard 1 measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis Y1 . That is, at least a portion said fastening adhesive area FAA extends from the imaginary straight line IL towards the outermost point 19a of the of the lower edge 19. The length L3 of the fastening adhesive area FAA below the imaginary straight line IL may be all the way to the outermost point 19a of the of the lower edge 19 or shorter, as long as there is sufficient fastening adhesive to hold the guard in place during use.

[0206] The fastening adhesive area FAA in Fig. 8 is arranged on and along the longitudinal axis Y1 and in the lower portion LP of the guard 1 , but part of the fastening adhesive area FAA is also above the imaginary straight line IL. That is, a portion of the fastening adhesive area FAA extends above the imaginary straight line IL towards said outer boundary edge 18.

[0207] The length L3 of the fastening adhesive area FAA below the imaginary straight line IL extends approximately 2 / 3 of the distance D, which is between the imaginary straight line IL, which is parallel to said transversal axis X1 and the outermost point 19a of the lower edge 19 of the guard 1 measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis Y1 .

[0208] As an alternative (not shown) the fastening adhesive area FAA extends at a distance from the imaginary straight line IL in the lower portion LP towards the outermost point 19a of the of the lower edge 19, i.e. and not above the imaginary straight line IL.

[0209] The fastening adhesive area FAA has a width W3 measured along the transversal axis X1 , and said fastening adhesive area FAA is arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis Y1 . The width W3 of said fastening adhesive area FAA in Fig. 8 is constant along the whole length of the fastening adhesive area FAA. However, the width W3 may vary along the longitudinal axis Y1 .

[0210] In Fig. 8 there are several zones of fastening adhesive FA and several zones without fastening adhesive WFA. The zones of fastening adhesive FA in the fastening adhesive area FAA are lines of fastening adhesives forming said zones of fastening adhesive FA. Each line of fastening adhesive FA correspond to one zone of fastening adhesive FA. In the fastening adhesive area FAA, each zone of fastening adhesive FA is spaced from the neighbouring zone of fastening adhesive FA by a distance DF. Hence, the zones without fastening adhesive WFA are arranged between two neighbouring zones of fastening adhesive FA. Each of the lines of fastening adhesives FA extends parallel to the transversal axis X1 and the lines of fastening adhesive extends substantially parallel to each other.

[0211] The distance DF between the lines of fastening adhesive FA is measured in the longitudinal direction. In Fig. 8 the distance between two neighbouring lines of fastening adhesive, i.e. zones of fastening adhesives FA, is the same along the extension of the lines of fastening adhesive FA and the distances between all the fastening adhesive lines are the same within the fastening adhesive area FAA. However, they may differ between different lines of fastening adhesives FA. The distance DF between two neighbouring lines of fastening adhesive is between 1 - 30 mm, preferably between 2-6 mm.

[0212] Each of the lines of fastening adhesive FA, i.e. each of the zones of fastening adhesives, has a width WF which is between 0,5-6mm, preferable between 1 -3mm, measured in the perpendicular direction to the extension direction of the line of fastening adhesive FA, which is in the longitudinal direction of the guard, i.e. along and parallel the longitudinal axis In Fig. 8. Each line / zone of fastening adhesive FA, has essentially the same width WF along the extension direction of the fastening adhesive FA. However, the width WF of each line of fastening adhesive FA may vary along the extension direction of the fastening adhesive FA.

[0213] As an alternative, the lines of fastening adhesive FA may extend parallel to each other and parallel with the longitudinal axis (not shown). The distances between the lines of fastening adhesive are then measured in the transversal direction.

[0214] Alternatively to straight lines / zones of fastening adhesives FA, at least one of the lines of fastening adhesive FA may be curved (not shown). Two or more lines of fastening adhesive FA may intersect each other and they may form a connected net of fastening adhesive as long as there are zones without fastening adhesive in the lower portion LP of the guard 1 (not shown).

[0215] The lines of fastening adhesive FA forming the zones of adhesive areas FA in Fig. 8 are continuous lines of adhesives. However, discrete portions of fastening adhesive may form a line of fastening adhesive FA. This can be done in a similar way as for the of discrete portions of construction adhesive DPA forming a line of construction adhesive CA, which is shown in Fig. 12.

[0216] The fastening adhesive area FAA may be covered by a release liner. The release liner protects the adhesive from becoming dirty or sticking undesirably to other objects or clothing before use. When the release liner is removed the adhesive is exposed for use.

[0217] Fig. 9 shows the guard 1 in Fig. 1 and how the zones of construction adhesive CA in Fig 5 are arranged in relation to the zones of fastening adhesive FA in Fig. 8. The construction adhesive area CAA and said fastening adhesive area FAA overlap each other in the thickness direction Zi, Zo in an overlapping area OA as seen in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction Zi, Zo. At least a portion of the overlapping area OA is arranged in the lower portion LP of the guard 1 . The lower portion LP is, as mentioned before, below an imaginary straight line IL, which is parallel to said transversal axis X1 and arranged at a distance D from an outermost point 19a of the lower edge 19 of the guard 1 measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis Y1 . The distance D may be between 1 / 2 and 1 / 3 of the maximal longitudinal length L of the guard 1 measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis Y1 , wherein the maximal longitudinal length L is from the outermost point 19a of the lower edge 19 to an outermost point 21 a of the outer boundary edge 18. In Figs. 1 -3 and 5-9 there are two outermost points 21 a at the same height, which in this embodiment is the same as the first upper corner point 13 and the second upper corner point 14 (see Fig.1 ). The distance D in Fig. 9 is approximate 1 / 2 of the maximal longitudinal length L of the guard 1 .

[0218] In Fig. 9 part of the overlapping area OA is in the lower portion LP and part of it is above the imaginary straight line IL. The portion of the overlapping area OA, which is arranged in the lower portion LP of the guard 1 , comprises at least one adhesive region AR comprising said construction adhesive CA and / or said fastening adhesive FA, and at least one adhesive free region AFR not covered by said construction adhesive CA and not covered by said fastening adhesive FA.

[0219] In Fig. 9 the construction adhesive CA and the fastening adhesive FA forms a grid pattern of adhesive in the overlapping area OA with several adhesive free regions AFR that is not covered by said zones of construction adhesive CA and not covered by said zones of fastening adhesive FA. These adhesive free regions AFR, which are in the lower portion LP of the guard, makes the guard more breathable in the lower area of the product, which during use will be placed in the area of the male genitals. This will influence the climate within the guard during use.

[0220] Also the overlapping area OA above the imaginary straight line IL may comprises at least one adhesive region AR comprising said construction adhesive CA and / or said fastening adhesive FA, and at least one adhesive free region AFR not covered by said construction adhesive CA and not covered by said fastening adhesive FA. In Fig. 9 the overlapping area OA above the imaginary straight line IL comprises one adhesive region AR, comprising said construction adhesive CA and / or said fastening adhesive FA, and several adhesive free regions AFR not covered by said construction adhesive CA and cot covered by said fastening adhesive FA. The adhesive region AR is defined by the construction adhesive CA and the fastening adhesive FA forming a grid pattern of adhesive in the overlapping area OA. Fig. 10 shows a second embodiment of a fastening adhesive area FAA on the guard 1 shown in Fig. 1 , where the fastening adhesive area FAA comprises one zone of fastening adhesive FA, which is in a frame shape, comprising of two lines of fastening adhesive FA on each side of the longitudinal axis Y1 extending in the longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis Y1 and two lines of fastening adhesives FA extending in the transversal direction along the transversal axis X1 connecting each longitudinal lines of fastening adhesive so it gets a frame shape. In the middle of the frame shaped zone of fastening adhesive FA there is a zone without fastening adhesive WFA. The frame shaped fastening adhesive FA is not limited to have straight lines of fastening adhesives, they may be curved, and it may be only one line forming the frame. For example, one line of fastening adhesive may, for example, form the frame shape which can have a circular or oval contour or any other suitable shape. In addition to the frame shaped zone of construction adhesive, which surrounds a zone without construction adhesive as shown in Fig. 10, another zone of construction adhesive may be arranged inside the zone without construction adhesive WFA, which then may surround another zone without construction adhesive and so on (not shown).

[0221] The fastening adhesive area FAA is arranged along the longitudinal axis Y1 at least in a lower portion LP of the guard 1 . The lower portion LP of the guard is below an imaginary straight line IL, which is parallel to said transversal axis X1 and arranged at a distance D from an outermost point 19a of the lower edge 19 of the guard 1 measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis Y1 . That is, at least a portion said fastening adhesive area FAA extends from the imaginary straight line IL towards the outermost point of the of the lower edge 19. The length L3 of the fastening adhesive area FAA below the imaginary straight line IL may be all the way to the outermost point 19a of the of the lower edge 19 or shorter, as long as there is sufficient fastening adhesive to hold the guard in place during use. The fastening adhesive area FAA in Fig. 10 is also as in Fig. 8 arranged on and along the longitudinal axis Y1 and in the lower portion LP of the guard 1 , but part of the fastening adhesive area FAA is also above the imaginary straight line IL. That is, a portion of the fastening adhesive area FAA extends above the imaginary straight line IL towards said outer boundary edge 18. The length L3 of the fastening adhesive area FAA below the imaginary straight line IL extends also approximately 2 / 3 of the distance D, which is between the imaginary straight line IL, which is parallel to said transversal axis X1 and the outermost point 19a of the lower edge 19 of the guard 1 measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis Y1 .

[0222] As an alternative (not shown) the fastening adhesive area FAA may extend at a distance from the imaginary straight line IL in the lower portion LP towards the outermost point 19a of the of the lower edge 19, i.e. and not above the imaginary straight line IL.

[0223] The fastening adhesive area FAA has a width W3 measured along the transversal axis X1 , and said fastening adhesive area FAA is arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis Y1 . The width W3 of said fastening adhesive area FAA in Fig. 10 is just as Fig. 8 is constant along the whole length of the fastening adhesive area FAA. However, the width W3 may vary along the longitudinal axis Y1 .

[0224] Fig. 11 shows how the zones of construction adhesive CA in Fig. 5 are arranged in relation to the zone of fastening adhesive FA in Fig. 10. The construction adhesive area CAA and said fastening adhesive area FAA overlap each other in the thickness direction Zi, Zo in the overlapping area OA as seen in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction Zi, Zo. A portion of the overlapping area OA is arranged in the lower portion LP of the guard 1 . The lower portion LP is, as mentioned before, below the imaginary straight line IL, which is parallel to said transversal axis X1 and arranged at a distance D from an outermost point 19a of the lower edge 19 of the guard 1 measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis Y1 . In Fig. 11 a part of the overlapping area OA is in the lower portion LP and part of it is above the imaginary straight line IL. Both portions of the overlapping area OA, which is arranged in the lower portion LP of the guard 1 and above the imaginary line, comprises one adhesive region AR comprising said construction adhesive CA and said fastening adhesive FA and several adhesive free region AFR not covered by said construction adhesive CA and not covered by said fastening adhesive FA.

[0225] In Fig. 11 the construction adhesive CA and the fastening adhesive FA forms a grid pattern of adhesive in the overlapping area OA with areas with several adhesive free regions AFR that is not covered by said construction adhesive CA and not covered by said fastening adhesive FA. These adhesive free regions make the guard 1 more breathable in the lower area of the product, which during use will be placed in the area of the male genitals. This will influence the climate within the guard during use.

[0226] The widths and the areas of the fastening and construction adhesive zones / lines FA, CA and distances between the zones / lines can be measured on the guard, which has been flattened and straightened out (but not stretched). A ruler or a digital caliper can be used to measure. If the contours of the fastening and construction adhesive lines / zones FA, CA are vague, several aids can be utilized. The guard 1 can for example be placed on a light table. A colorant that sticks to the adhesive can also be added. The guard 1 can alternatively be placed in a jar with iodine, the iodine vapor then gives a yellow-brown color to the adhesive, which makes it easier to see. If the construction adhesive zones / lines CA are hard to see, the backsheet 2 can be separated from the absorbent core 4' by any known method. The backsheet 2 is then flattened and straightened out (but not stretched), and the construction adhesive zones / lines CA can then be measured in the same way as described above. A microscope with an included length scale can also be utilized. Photos can be taken in the microscope, which are then subjected to image analysis (suitable software can be Imaged, freely available in the public domain). In case the width of the fastening and construction adhesive zones / lines is uneven or irregular, a large number of measurements must be made along the length of the zone / line, so that a representative mean width can be obtained.

[0227] Additionally to the fastening adhesive area FAA, which at least partly is arranged in the lower portion LP of the guard 1 , the guard may comprise at least a second separate fastening adhesive area which is arranged above the imaginary straight line IL. A second separate fastening adhesive area may keep the upper region and / or a region between the upper region and the imaginary straight line of the guard in place.

[0228] Fig. 13 shows the guard 1 in Fig. 8 with an additional second separate fastening adhesive area FAA2, arranged above the imaginary straight line IL, and which is arranged on and along the longitudinal axis Y1 as a separate extension of the fastening adhesive area FAA, which at least partly is arranged in the lower portion of the guard, to hold the guard in place along the longitudinal axis.

[0229] Fig. 14 shows the guard 1 in Fig. 8 with an additional second separate fastening adhesive area FAA2 arranged above the imaginary straight line IL. The second separate fastening adhesive area FAA2 extends parallel along the transversal axis X1 , i.e. it has a length that is longer in the transversal direction than in the longitudinal direction of the guard 1 . It extends in the transversal direction and extends between the edge region 9 on each side of the guard 1 . This may hold the upper region 5 and / or a region between the upper region 5 and the imaginary straight line IL of the guard 1 in place. Due to the tapering shape of the guard 1 towards the lower edge 19 in the lower region 6, the guard 1 have a triangular shape and the upper region 5 comprise corners that can be held in place during use, i.e. the risk that the corner regions of the guard 1 folds is reduced.

[0230] Fig. 15 shows the guard in Fig. 8 with two second separate fastening adhesive areas FAA2, which are arranged above the imaginary straight line IL on each side of the longitudinal axis Y1 . They may hold the upper region 5 and / or a region between the upper region 5 and the imaginary straight line IL of the guard 1 in place. Due to the tapering shape of the guard 1 towards the lower edge 19 in the lower region 6, the guard 1 may have a triangular shape and the upper region 5 may comprise corners that can be held in place during use, i.e. the risk that the corner regions of the guard folds is reduced.

[0231] The at least one second separate fastening adhesive area and / or the two second separate fastening adhesive areas FAA2 may have a similar design as described for the fastening adhesive area FAA, which at least partly is arranged in the lower portion LP of the guard. In Figs. 13-15 they have a similar design as the fastening adhesive area FAA, which at least partly is arranged in the lower portion LP of the guard 1 in Fig. 8. That is, the second separate fastening adhesive area FAA2 and / or the two second separate fastening adhesive areas FAA2 may each comprise at least one zone with fastening adhesive FA and at least one zone without fastening adhesive WFA. The advantage is that these second fastening adhesive areas FAA2 also will not influence the breathability as much as if they were fully coated, since further overlapping areas will be created with at least one adhesive region comprising said construction adhesive and / or said fastening adhesive and at least one adhesive free region not covered by said construction adhesive and / or said fastening adhesive.

[0232] Alternatively, the at least one second separate fastening adhesive area and / or the two second separate fastening adhesive areas may be fully coated or have any other design. These second separate fastening adhesive areas FAA2 may also be protected by a release paper. Each may have a separate release paper or one larger release paper covering all the fastening adhesive areas. The disclosure also covers all conceivable combinations of the described aspects, variants, alternatives and example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0233] Furthermore, the disclosure is not limited to the aforesaid aspects or examples, but is naturally applicable to other aspects and example embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

[0234] Reference signs mentioned in the claims should not be seen as limiting the extent of the matter protected by the claims, and their sole function is to make claims easier to understand.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') comprising a fluid-impermeable backsheet (2), a fluid-permeable topsheet (3) and an absorbent body (4) arranged between said backsheet (2) and said topsheet (3), wherein said topsheet (3) faces a user when the incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') is worn by said user, said guard (1 , 1 ') having a longitudinal extension along a longitudinal axis (Y1 ) and a transverse extension along a transverse axis (X1 ), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Y1 ), said guard further has a thickness direction (Zi, Zo) perpendicular to the transversal axis (X1) and the longitudinal axis (Y1 ), said thickness direction (Zi, Zo) being an inward direction (Zi), towards the wearer, when the absorbent article is worn, and an outward direction (Zo), away from the wearer, when the article is worn, said transverse axis (X1 ) dividing said guard (1 , 1 ' ) into an upper region (5) with an outer boundary edge (18) and a lower region (6) with a lower edge (19), said guard (1 , 1 ') tapering at least partly towards the lower edge (19) in the lower region (6), wherein said backsheet (2) is breathable and comprises a wearer facing surface (2a) and an opposite garment facing surface (2b); said the wearer facing surface (2a) of the backsheet (2) is attached, in a construction adhesive area (CAA), to the absorbent body (4), said construction adhesive area (CAA) comprises at least one zone with construction adhesive (CA) and at least one zone without construction adhesive (WCA), and said absorbent body (4) is attached to said backsheet (2) in said zone (or zones) with construction adhesive (CA); andsaid garment facing surface (2b) of the backsheet (2) is provided with a fastening adhesive area (FAA) comprising at least one zone with fastening adhesive (FA) and at least one zone without fastening adhesive (WFA) and said zone with fastening adhesive (FA) is adapted to releasably attach said guard to a garment of said user; said construction adhesive area (CAA) and said fastening adhesive area (FAA) overlap each other in the thickness direction (Zi, Zo) in an overlapping area (OA) as seen in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction (Zi, Zo) and at least a portion of said overlapping area (OA) is arranged in a lower portion (LP) of the guard (1 , 1 '), wherein said lower portion (LP) is below an imaginary straight line (IL), which is parallel to said transversal axis (X1 ) and arranged at a distance (D) from an outermost point (19a) of the lower edge (19) of the guard (1 , 1 ') measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis (Y1 ); the portion of the overlapping area (OA), which is arranged in the lower portion (LP) of the guard (1 , 1 '), comprises at least one adhesive region (AR) comprising said construction adhesive (CA) and / or said fastening adhesive (FA) and at least one adhesive free region (AFR) not covered by said construction adhesive (CA) and not covered said fastening adhesive (FA).

2. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one adhesive free region (AFR) comprises an area which is at least 10-50% of the overlapping area (OA) which is arranged in the lower portion (LP).

3. A male incontinence guard (1 ,1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one adhesive free region (AFR) is a plurality of adhesive free regions (AFR) and the total area of the plurality ofadhesive free regions (AFR) is at least 10-50 % of the overlapping area (OA) in the lower portion (LP).

4. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said distance (D) is 1 / 2 or 1 / 3 of the maximal longitudinal length (L) of the guard (1 , 1 ') measured parallel and along the longitudinal axis (Y1 ), wherein the maximal longitudinal length (L) is from the outermost point (19a) of the lower edge (19) to an outermost point (21 a) of the outer boundary edge (18).

5. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said backsheet (2) has a Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR) in the range of from 500 to 12000, preferably from 2000 to 9000, more preferably from 4000 to 7000 g / m2 / 24 hours as determined in the INDA and EDANA standard NWSP 070.5.R1 (22).

6. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the construction adhesive area (CAA) is arranged at least over the whole area of absorbent body (4) facing the backsheet (2), and preferably over the whole area of the wearer facing surface (2a) of the backsheet (2).

7. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the zones of construction adhesive (CA) in the construction adhesive area (CAA) are lines of adhesives.

8. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the lines of construction adhesives (CA) extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (Y1 ) or parallel to the transversal axis (X1 ).

9. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the construction adhesive area (CAA), each zone ofconstruction adhesive (CA) is at a distance (DC) from an adjacent zone of construction adhesive (CA).

10. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the claims 7-9, wherein at least one of the lines of construction adhesive (CA) is at least partly curved along the longitudinal axis (Y1 ) or along the transversal axis (X1 ).11 . A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the claims 7- 10, wherein at least two lines of construction adhesive (CA) are intersecting each other.

12. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the zones of construction adhesive (CA) has a width which is between 0,5-6 mm, preferably between 1 -3 mm measured in the perpendicular direction to an extension direction of the zone of construction adhesive (CA).

13. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the claims 7- 12, wherein discrete portions of construction adhesive forms said line of construction adhesive (CA).

14. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said construction adhesive is a hot melt adhesive.

15. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening adhesive area (FAA) is arranged on and along the longitudinal axis (Y1 ) at least in the lower portion (LP) of the guard (1 , 1 ').

16. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fastening adhesive area (FAA) has a width (W3)measured along the transversal axis (X1 ), and said fastening adhesive area (FAA) is arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis (Y1 ).

17. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the zones of fastening adhesive (FA) in the fastening adhesive area (FAA) are lines of fastening adhesives.

18. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the lines of fastening adhesives (FA) extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (Y1 ) or parallel to the transversal axis (X1 ).

19. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the fastening adhesive area (FAA), each zone of fastening adhesive (FA) is at a distance (DF) from an adjacent zone of fastening adhesive (FA).

20. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the claims 17-19, wherein at least one of the lines of fastening adhesive (FA) is at least partly curved along the longitudinal axis (Y1 ) or along the transversal axis (X1 ).21 .A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the claims 17-20, wherein at least two lines of fastening adhesive (FA) are intersecting each other.

22. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one zone of fastening adhesive (FA) has a width which is between 2-10 mm, measured in the perpendicular direction to an extension direction of the zone of the fastening adhesive (FA).

23. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the claims 17-22, wherein at least one line of fastening adhesive (FA) has a width whichis between 2-10 mm, measured in the perpendicular direction to the extension direction of the fastening adhesive (FA).

24. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the claims 17- 23, wherein discrete portions of fastening adhesive forms said line of fastening adhesive (FA).

25. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fastening adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

26. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guard (1 , 1 ') comprises in addition to the fastening adhesive area (FAA), which at least partly is arranged in the lower portion (LP) of the guard (1 , 1 '), at least a second separate fastening adhesive area (FAA2), and said at least a second separate fastening adhesive is arranged above the imaginary straight line (IL).

27. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said transverse axis (X1 ) extends between a first lower corner point (10) and a second lower corner point (1 1 ) which define two outermost points of said guard (1 , 1 ') between which said guard (1 , 1 ') has a first width (w1 ).

28. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to claim 27, wherein said upper region (5) comprising an inwardly recessed curvature portion (12) extending between a first upper corner point (13) and a second upper corner point (14) and having an arcuate shape, said upper corner points (13, 14) defining a second width (w2); wherein the first width (w1 ) is greater than the second width (w2), and wherein said first lower corner point (10) and first upper corner point (13) and said second lower corner point (11 ) and second upper corner point (14), respectively, are connected by outer side edges (15, 17).

29. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to claim 28, wherein said inwardly recessed curvature portion (12) defines an outer boundary edge (18) extending between said upper corner points (13, 14) and wherein said outer boundary edge (18) lies inwardly of an imaginary transverse line (X2) extending between said upper corner points (13, 14).

30. A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said absorbent body (4) comprises a primary core (4') and a secondary core (4") arranged in a stacked configuration, wherein said primary core (4') has an area in an XY plane which is greater that the area of said secondary core (4"), and in that the secondary core (4") is formed with side edges (28, 29) being at least partly generally parallel to said longitudinal axis (Y1 ).31 .A male incontinence guard (1 , 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guard (1 , 1 ') is arranged having elasticized elements (20) arranged along an outer edge (9) of the lower region (6), along the outer edges of said lower region (6).

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