GB2390546A

GB2390546A - An sanitary article for female use which has pads on the surface of the article.

Info

Publication number: GB2390546A
Application number: GB0308470A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Backman Lina Strand; Camilla Elfsberg; Annika Modigh
Original assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
Current assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health AB
Priority date: 2002-07-08
Filing date: 2003-04-11
Publication date: 2004-01-14
Also published as: SE0202127D0; GB0308470D0

Abstract

A sanitary towel 1, panty liner or female incontinence product comprises and absorbent body 2 enclosed between a liquid permeable top sheet 4 and a water tight bottom sheet 3. Pads 7 of ductile and resilient material are arranged along at least parts of the side edge regions of the sanitary towel 1 on the outer side of the liquid permeable surface layer 4. These pads 7 may be arranged as a ring of separate pads which extend along the whole outer region of the article 1. The pads 7 may be made of gel, foam or air cushions. Various additives such as skin care agents having a refreshing, cooling, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory or odour inhibiting effect may be added to the gel. Lactobacilli, menthol or camomile may also be added.

Description

Article in the form of a sanitary towel, a oantv liner or an incontinence

Dad for TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an article in the form of a sanitary towel, a panty liner or an incontinence pad for women, comprising an absorption body enclosed between a liquid-tight and a liq,uid-permeabie surface layer.

lo BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When sanitary towels or panty liners are exposed to external loads, for example in cycling or riding activity, the towel will press against the genitals of the user, which can feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, the contact of a towel 5 against the body can give rise to reduced liquid evaporation and hence a feeling of discomfort. A compression of the absorption body due to external load can entail rewetting, i.e. absorbed liquid being squeezed out from the absorption body and through the liquidpermeable surface layer. A wet surface layer feels uncomfortable, whilst at the same time there is a risk of liquid 20 running out of the surface layer and soiling the underwear of the user.

In order to reduce the risk of rewetting, it is known by virtue of DE-U1G 8301258.3 to arrange a distancing sayer between the absorption body and the liquid-permeable surface layer and by virtue of WO-A1-96/00545 to use a 25 corrugated liquid-permeable surface layer. WO-A2-95/16422 shows a corrugated liquid-permeable surface layer in which the corrugations are filled with absorbent material, the corrugations being said to allow ambient air to reach the skin of the user. None of these documents addresses the problem of reducing the pressure against the genitals of the user when a towel is exposed 30 to external loads.

The present invention sets out specifically to solve this problem and, at the same time, to produce a towel, a panty liner or an incontinence pad for women which allows the ambient air access to the skin of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects are achieved according to the invention with an absorbent article in the form of a sanitary towel, a panty liner or an incontinence pad for 5 women, comprising an absorption body having an inner side which, when the article is in use, is situated close to the body of the user, and an outer side, which, when the article is in use, is situated at a distance from the body of the user, characterized in that pads made of ductile and resilient material are arranged along at least parts of the side edge regions of the article on the to inner side of the absorption body. As a result of this configuration, external loads will be substantially absorbed by the ductile and resilient material along the edge regions, whilst the central part of the towel is exposed to a minor part - J of the external load. In other words, a large part of the pressure load will be absorbed, in riding activity, for example, in the edge regions of the article s instead of in its central part, which is situated in the region of the genitals of the user. At the same time, the ductile and resilient material acts as a distan cing member which allows air access to the region covered by the article.

In a first preferred embodiment, the absorption body is enclosed between a 20 liquid-tight and a liquid-permeable surface layer and the pads are arranged on the outer side of the liquid-permeable surface layer. A row of separate pads made of ductile and resilient material extends along each of the side edge regions of the article.

as In another preferred embodiment, a ring of separate pads made of ductile and resilient material extends around the whole of the edge region of the article.

The ductile and resilient material is advantageously constituted by a gel.

Various additives such as menthol andlor lactobacilli can be added to the gel 30 in order to cool the skin and produce a skin-friendly environment within the region of the towel, panty liner or incontinence pad.

Alternatively, the ductile and resilient material is constituted by foam plastic or by air cushions.

In an alternative embodiment, the article can comprise an upward-pointing central ridge-like elevation in its central part.

LIST OF THE FIGURES

The invention will now be described with reference to the appended figures, of which Fig. 1 shows a plan view from above of a sanitary towel according to a first 10 embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 shows a crosssectional view along the line 11-ll in Figure 1, and Figs. 3 and 4 show plan views from above of further embodiments of a 15 sanitary towel.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A sanitary towel 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown 20 diagrammatically in Figures 1 and 2. The sanitary towel 1 comprises, conven tionally, an absorption body 2 enclosed between a liquid-tight surface layer 3 and a liquid-permeable surface layer 4, which layers are mutually connected in parts situated outside the absorption body by means of glue or weld joints. On J the outer side of the liquid-tight surface layer 3, a coating 5 of pressure 2s sensitive bonding agent, for example an adhesive, is arranged to allow the towel to be fixed to the inner side of a pair of knickers. Prior to use of the towel, the coating 5 is protected by a release layer 6 of silicone-coated paper or some other suitable material.

30 row of pads 7 made of ductile and resilient material extends in the edge region of the towel 1 around its periphery and forms a ring of mutually separate pads 7. These pads prevent the liquid-permeable surface sayer 4 frorr' coming into contact with the skin of the user when the towel is applied to a user. External loads upon the towel 1 are absorbed, in part, by a deformation 35 of the ductile and resilient pads and, in part, by an increased pressure of the pads against the body of the user. As a result of this configuration, in the event

of an external load the central part of the towel will be relieved of load, compared with if no pads were present, and the external load will largely be absorbed by the pads 7. This means, of course, that the external load will be transmitted to the body of the user as point loads from the pads 7, instead of 5 as an evenly distributed surface pressure. As a result of the pads 7 subjecting the body to load in the form of point loads when the towel is exposed to external load, the pads can give a certain massaging effect in case of recurring external loads generated, for example, in riding activity.

to The absence of ductile and resilient material in the central part of the towel additionally allows an upwardjutting ridge, a so-called hump, to be able to be arranged in this part. A hump will bear against the genitals of the user to or ensure that secreted liquid is transported directly into the absorption body.

Even If the pressure from such a hump increases under an external load due to deformation of the pads 7, a significant relaxation of pressure occurs through the agency of the pads. By making the hump or at least its uppermost part from a soft and comfortable material and the pads from a material having little or no flexibility when the towel is subjected to normal load, the increase in pressure from the hump under an external load is kept to a minimum. It should be pointed out that if the central part of the towel comprises a hump, the pads should at least have the same height.

By virtue of the fact that the pads 7, apart from acting as decompressors for the central part of the towel, also act as distancing elements, the presence of the pads means that the ambient air has free access to the skin of the user within the region of the towel. This greatly increases the comfort for a user.

The liquid-permeable layer 4 is preferably a layer of non-woven material but can alternatively be constituted by a perforated plastics film, by a plastics or textile material mesh or by a laminate of, for example, a perforated plastics layer and a non-woven layer. The plastic is preferably a thermoplastic, for example polyethylene (PE). The non-woven material is preferably constituted by natural fibres, such as cellulose or cotton, but can alternatively be consti-

tuted by synthetic fibres, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), a polyester, nylon or regenerated cellulose. All materials used as top sheets in absorbent articles such as sanitary towels, panty liners

or incontinence pads can be used for the liquid-permeable layer 4 and the above-stated materials are only given by way of example.

The liquid-tight layer 3 is constituted by a flexible material, preferably a thin 5 plastics film of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or a polyester, but can be constituted by a laminate of liquid-permeable material, such as a non-

woven. material and a liquid-tight material. The layer 3 is preferably breathable.

All materials used as liquid-tight surface,layers for absorbent articles can be used. The absorption body 2 can comprise natural fibres, such as cellulose or cotton fibres, or peat substance. Alternatively, absorbent synthetic fibres or a mix of natural fibres and synthetic fibres can be used.

5 The absorption body 2 can also comprise a superabsorbent, i.e. a polymer which has the capacity to absorb liquid to many times its own weight. In addition, the absorption body 2 can also comprise form- stabilizing members and liquid-spreading members, such as bonding agents intended to hold together short fibres and particles into a cohesive whole. The absorption body 20 can also be made up of a plurality of layers, for example can comprise transport or admission layers of air- laid fibres or of wadding. The absorption body can also be made up of or comprise one or more layers of foam material.

The pads 7 preferably consist of a gel, which is suitably fastened to the liquid-

permeable surface layer 4, for example by gluing. The gel will be skinfriendly 25 and can be constituted by a silicone gel. Preferably, hydrophobic gels are used, but it is also conceivable to use hydrophilic gels, such as hydrogels. The gel can also be enclosed in a packaging made of plastics film, preferably a steam-permeable plastics film, or the like.

30 If sticky gels are used, the stickiness of the gel can be used to fasten the pads to the liquid-permeable surface layer 4 on condition that the adhesiveness of the gel is greater against the surface layer than against skin and that the sticky gel is of such a type that it can be removed from the skin without discomforting the user. With such a configuration, it is possible to forego the coating 5 on the 35 liquidtight surface layer 3 and to utilize the sticky gel to fasten the article

against the body of the user. If sticky gels of a different type are used, their skin-facing side must be covered by a skin-friendly material.

Even if the used gel is not sticky, a skin-friendly fastening agent, such as a 5 sticky hydrogel of the type which is used in wound dressings, can, of course, be used to fasten the article according to the invention to the body of the user instead of to a panty.

If the liquid-permeable surface layer 4 is constituted by a non-woven, the gel to can mechanically anchor itself in this layer by extending through the surface layer and filling all the cavities between the fibres of the surface layer. This can be easily achieved with gels which have a fluid consistency prior to hardening.

A An advantage-of using gels as the ductile and resilient material is that these Us can be provided with various additives, which are then released into the skin with skin-caring effect. The additives can be constituted by refreshing, cooling, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and odour-inhibiting agents. Examples of such additives are menthol, lactobacilli and camomile. Menthol gives a cooling effect in contact with the skin, lactobacilli an anti-bacterial effect and camomile 20 an antiinflammatory effect. These additives can be included individually or together in the gel, as too can other additives such as fragrant or deodorizing substances. Skin-care agents can also occur In the form of cream, lotion or ointment and 25 can then be applied to the layer facing the user and/or to the surface of the pads. For a more detailed description of skin-care agents, reference is made

to Swedish patent application No. 0103567-4.

30 If the gel pads are applied in the fluid state to the surface layer 4 and are then allowed to harden, they are very unlikely to acquire identical shapes but will vary somewhat. If, on the other hand, they are cut out from a gel layer and are subsequently fastened to the surface layer, they will preferably, for aesthetic reasons, be identically shaped. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, 35 the pads 7 have an approximately circular shape. It is possible, however, to

configure the pads in any chosen shape, for example oval, rectangular or triangular shape.

In Figures 3 and 4, plan views are shown of two further realizations of towels 5 1', 1" according to the invention. These realizations differ from the realization shown in Figures 1 and 2 only by the shape of the towels and pads. Compo-

nents in Figures 3 and 4 have been given the same reference notations as corresponding components in Figure 1, with the addition of a prime and his symbol. As can be seen from the figures, the towels according to Figs. 3 and 4 to have an hourglass shape, which is more pronounced for the towel 1" in Figure 4. Furthermore, the pads 7', 7" are string-shaped instead of circular. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the strings 7" extend only in the edge regions in the central part of the towel, which is the part which is most subjected to external load.

It is, of course, possible to provide the towels 1', 1", instead of with strings 7', 7", with circular pads, as in the embodiment in Figure 1, just as it is possible to replace the circular pads 7 In the realization according to Figure 1 with string shaped pads. It is also possible to use a mix of different-shaped pads. It is JO even possible to have stringshaped pads extend along the whole of the side edge regions of a towel, but this is not preferred in order that there are then no ventilation openings in the lateral direction.

' It is also possible to arrange two or more rows of pads, which extend in the 2s edge regions of the towel.

Skin-friendly ductile and resilient materials other than gels can, of course, be used for the pads 7. For instance foam, for example tempur, HIPE foam from Procter & Gamble, polyurethane foam, viscose foam and polyethylene foam, 30 and air cushions can be used.

The described embodiments can, of course, be modified without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the sanitary towel or panty liner can be shaped differently from the shapes shown in the figures, for example 35 can be rectangular or heavily tapered in its rear section. Furthermore, the towel can be provided with wings or side flaps, which are bent around the

edge of the panty and are fastened to its outer side. In addition, the absorption body can comprise compression lines or the like for directing any liquid and preventing it from spreading in the lateral direction. Instead of a pressure-

sensitive bonding agent for fastening the towel to the inner side of a panty in its crotch region, other fastening members, such as velcro tape, clamping members, friction linings or a combination of two or more of these can be used. The liquid-permeable surface layer does not need to be permeable over the whole of its surface but it may suffice for it to admit liquid in the wetting point, i.e. that region of the article to which liquid is normally secreted, and the to liquid-tight surface layer does not need to be liquid-tight but may consist of non-wovens, laminates of various non-wovens, foams and microporous > materials. In certain cases, moreover, the surface layers may be omitted, for example if the absorption body is constituted by foam or by a gel. The invention will therefore only be limited by the content of the appended patent s claims.

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Claims

Patent Claims

1. Absorbent article (1; 1'; 1") in the form of a sanitary towel, a panty liner 5 or an incontinence pad for women, comprising an absorption body (2) having an inner side which, when the article is in use, is situated close to the body of the user, and an outer side, which, when the article is in use, is situated at a distance from the body of the user, characterized in that pads (7; 7'; 7") made of ductile and resilient material are arranged along at least parts of the side to edge regions of the article (1; 1'; 1") on the inner side of the absorption body.

2. Article according to Claim 1, characterized in that the absorption body (2) is enclosed between a liquid-tight (3) and a liquid-permeable surface layer (4; 4'; 4") and in that the pads are arranged on the outer side of the liquid 5 permeable surface layer (4; 4'; 4).

3. Article according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a row of separate pads (7, 7') made of ductile and resilient material extends along each of the side edge regions of the article (1; 1').

4. Article according to Claim 3, characterized in that a ring of separate pads (7) made of ductile and resilient material extends around the whole of the edge region of the article (1).

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5. Article according to any one of Claims 1-4, characterized in that the ductile and resilient material is constituted by a gel.

6. Article according to Claim 5, characterized in that skin-care agents having a refreshing, cooling, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory or odour-

30 inhibiting effect are added to the gel.

7. Article according to Claim 6, characterized in that lactobacilli are added to the gel.

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8. Article according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that menthol is added to the gel.

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9. Article according to Claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that camomile is added to the gel.

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l O. Article according to any one of Claims 1-4, characterized in that the ductile and resilient material is constituted by foam.

11. Article according to any one of Claims 1-4, characterized in that the ductile and resilient material is constituted by air cushions.

12. Article according to any one of Claims 1-11, characterized in that the article comprises an upward-pointing central ridge-like elevation in its central part.

13. An article according to claim 1 substantially as described herein with reference to any one of figures 1 to 4.

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