MXPA00006475A - Extensible absorbent article including an extensible absorbent pad layer - Google Patents

Abstract

An absorbent article includes an absorbent pad and an outer cover. An extensible layer replaces at least one of the tissue layers of the absorbent pad. The extensible layer can be secured to an extensible bodyside liner or an extensible outer cover. The extensible layer is adhesively secured to the inner surface of the outer cover or the bodyside liner. In embodiments where the outer cover is extensible in a cross-direction and/or a longitudinal direction, the extensible layer is extensible in the same directions and moves with the outer cover. The absorbent core is not physically secured to the extensible layer. Thus the extensible layer has free mobility with respect to the absorbent core when the outer cover is extended, without deleterious effect on the absorbent core, or the absorbent pad as a whole. Therefore, tearing of the absorbent pad and damage to, or release of, superabsorbent material from the absorbent pad is prevented. In some embodiments, the adhesive securing elements can comprise an elastic adhesive material.

Description

EXTENSIBLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE THAT INCLUDES A LAYER WITH EXTENSIBLE ABSORBENT PAD FIELD OF THE INVENTION Absorbent articles such as diapers for children, trainers, incontinence products of similar adults are well known. These absorbent articles have achieved wide acceptance due to their ability to receive and absorb body exudates, either in small amounts, and usually include an absorbent center in the same.

In typical absorbent articles, an absorbent pad has an absorbent core contained within a barrier gauze and forming gauze. The absorbent pad is located between an outer shell and a body side liner.

This invention relates to extensible absorbent articles that are used to receive and store exudates. The outer cover usually includes an extensible material and at least one direction. Generally, an adhesive is applied to a first inner surface of the outer cover. The adhesive usually secures the outer cover to the absorbent pad, in the form of a gauze forming or barrier of the absorbent pad. The forming gauze is fixed at a surface to surface ratio with the gauze to sweep around the perimeter of an absorbent center.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general, absorbent articles should fit comfortably to the user's body. Most absorbent articles include an absorbent pad having an absorbent center contained in a wrap that includes a barrier gauze and / or gauze. The present invention presents an absorbent article which generally has extensibility in at least one direction, preferably the transverse direction. This extensibility allows an absorbent article to expand and expand in the user and in this way adapt better to the body of the user. This extension and expansion in the user is feasible because both the skin lining of the body and the outer cover are extendable in at least one direction.

In conventional structures, the extern cover is generally adhesively secured to the gauze of the absorbent pad. In the aforementioned embodiments, extending the outer cover in the transverse direction extends the forming gauze in the transverse direction. The force used to spread the outer cover, and thus the absorbent pad, may tear or otherwise damage the forming gauze or barrier gauze of the absorbent pad. As the absorbent pad is usually a sealed protection, on top of an absorbent core enclosed within the combination of a gauze and a barrier gauze, when the absorbent pad is torn, mainly either gauze or gauze. barrier, the superabsorbent particles and other absorbent materials, such as cellulose pellets, can be released and can come into contact with the user body. The superabsorbent particles can irritate the user's foot. This tearing of the absorbent pad indicates a defect in the absorbent article to accomplish its proper functioning. Therefore, it is important to find a way to avoid tearing or any other structural defect of the absorbent pad.

S NTESIS OF THE DESCRIPTION In the present invention, an absorbent article includes an absorbent center having a first side and a second side, an extensible layer of material having a first surface disposed adjacent the first tier of the absorbent center, and a second opposing surface, a cover extendable external having a third surface d the outer shell and a fourth surface of the opposite outer shell, the second surface of the expandable layer is arranged in a surface to surface relationship with the third surface of the outer shell; and an adhesive pattern between the extensible layer and the outer covering, and adhesive pattern fixes with the adhesive the extensible layer to the outer covering so that the extension of the outer cover can extend the extensible layer, and the absorbent center remains relatively free to move on the first surface of the expandable layer, and thus, the sections of the absorbent center have freedom of movement within the absorbent article, with respect to the outer cover.

In some embodiments, the central absorbent has a total freedom of movement on the first surface of the extensible layer, and thus, can move within the absorbent article, with respect to the outer cover.

In other embodiments, the absorbent core is bonded by the adhesive to a first surface of the extensible layer, along a central line, either across or along the length of the absorbent article. In this way, the absorbent center is held in place in relation to the expandable layer along the center line. In many embodiments, the extensible cap includes a layer of extendable material attached by centrifugation.

In some embodiments, the absorbent article includes a gauze disposed adjacent the second side of the absorbent center. The gauze and the extensible layer in combination contain the absorbent center and thus include the absorbent pad.

In some embodiments, the gauze and the extensible layer are bonded together in approximately at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the absorbent center.

In many embodiments, a body-side facing is disposed in a surface-to-surface relationship with the gauze.

In some embodiments, at least one of the following, either the body side liner or the outer cover, includes an elastically extensible material.

In other embodiments, the absorbent core is adhesively bonded to a gauze surface adjacent to the body side liner, along a center line, either across or along the length of the absorbent article. In this way, the absorbent center holds in place in relation to the gauze, along the center line.

In some embodiments, both the body side liner and the outer shell are elastically extensible, and possess substantial extensibility in each direction.

In the preferred embodiments, both the body side liner and the outer shell are extensible in at least the transverse direction.

In some embodiments, the absorbent core, the expandable layer and the gauze, in combination, include an absorbent pad. The absorbent pad has an outer perimeter, a pattern of adhesive disposed on the outer cover outwardly of the absorbent pad, such that the adhesive disposed outward ensures the outer cover to the body side liner at the locations disposed outside the body. outer perimeter of the absorbent pad.

In some embodiments, the outer casing includes a loosely attached laminate.

In some embodiments, the absorbent article includes a first and a second containment wing In some embodiments, the absorbent article lacks separate elastic waist elements.

In some embodiments, the absorbent article includes leg elastics disposed at least in the crotch portion to provide extensibility and retraction in the longitudinal direction.

In some embodiments, the adhesive pattern includes a variety of swirl patterns In some embodiments, the adhesive includes elastic adhesive material.

Another absorbent article of the present invention includes an extendable outer shell, a body side facing mounted on a surface surface relationship with at least a portion of a first inner surface of the outer shell, an absorbent pad disposed between the shell of body side and the external cover, which includes an absorbent center and a first extensible layer of material disposed between the absorbent center and the outer cover, the absorbent pad includes a second layer of material disposed between the absorbent center and the body side covering, and a adhesive material disposed between the outer cover and the first extension layer and the assembly of the outer cover and the first layer extendible to each other, such that the extension of the extern cover can extend the expandable layer, and the absorbent center It has freedom of movement on the third surface of the first extensible layer, to have movement, within the absorbent article, with respect to the external cover.

In some embodiments, the body side skin, the outer skin and the spreadable layer are extendable at least in the transverse direction, and the first spreadable layer allows the outer skin to extend at least about 30 percent in the direction cross section without damaging the absorbent pad.

In other embodiments, the extension layer allows the outer cover to extend at least about 200 percent in the transverse direction without damaging the absorbent pad.

In some embodiments, the extensible cap allows the outer cover to extend at least about 30 percent in the length direction without damaging the absorbent pad.

In some embodiments, the first extensible cap and a second extensible cap are bonded together around the absorbent center, hence, they are in combination with the absorbent center to form the absorbent pad In some embodiments, the first extensible cap and the second extensible cap have substantially equal extensibility in at least the transverse direction.

In some embodiments, the second extensible cap includes an extensible material.

In some embodiments, the second extensible cap includes a material joined by centrifugation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of an absorbent article of the invention.

FIGURE 2 shows a cross-sectional view of absorbent article taken at 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 shows an outer cover, with adhesive applied thereto in a preferred adhesive pattern FIGURE 4 shows a top view of a second embodiment, without elastics for the legs where the gauze has been replaced by an extensible layer.

FIGURE 5 shows a cross-sectional view of absorbent article taken at 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

The invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the provisions of the components stipulated in the following description or illustrated in the illustrations. The invention may have other forms of embodiment or it may be practiced or carried out in various ways. In the same way, it should be understood that the phraseology used herein is for the purpose of describing and illustrating and should not be considered as limiting. Equal reference numerals are used to indicate like components. The illustrations are for illustration purposes, and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED REALIZATION FORMS The various embodiments of the present invention will be described in connection with their use in absorbent articles, but it should be understood that the potential uses of the structures of the present invention do not need to be limited to the context of the absorbent particles.

As used herein and in the claims that follow, the phrase "absorbent article" has a meaning that includes diapers, trainers, incontinence articles for adults, feminine hygiene products, and the like. These items usually receive and / or store urine and / or stool, or have other important absorbent functions.

FIGURE 1 is a view of the representative plane of an absorbent article 8 of an embodiment of the present invention, in its non-contracting state (ie, eliminating all the union and contraction induced by the elastics). The absorbent article 8, shown in FIGURE 1 includes a front portion 10 having a front edge 12, a rear portion 14 having a trailing edge 16, and a crotch portion 18 between the front portion 10 and the back portion 14 The securing tabs 20, 22 are secured to the body side facing 24 on opposite sides of the rear portion 14 of the absorbent article 8. The securing tabs 2022 extend outwardly from the sides of the rear portion 14. The outer cover 26 (shown in FIGURE 2) lies in a surface-to-surface relationship with the body side liner 24 at the outer edges of the outer shell. and the lining of the body side. The leg elastics 28 generally offer extensibility and support longitudinally retractable in the crotch portion 18. The containment wings 30, 32 s extend longitudinally along the length of the absorbent article 8 into the lateral edges. respective 34, 36 of the absorbent article. The retaining wings 30, 32 are generally secured to the body side liner 24. The absorbent pad 38 may have an hourglass shape and is disposed between the body side liner 24 and the outer cover 26.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a view of the cross section taken at point 2-2 of FIGURE 1. The absorbent pad 38 is located between the body side liner 24 and the outer cover 26. The absorbent pad 38 includes a gauze 40 , such as a barrier gauze, and an extensible layer 42 surrounding an absorbent core 44; This absorbent center has a first and a second side. An adhesive layer / pattern 46 is disposed between the gauze 40 and the extensible layer 42 around the respective external perimeters thereof, and thus ensures the gauze 40 and the extensible layer 42 together around the respective perimeters. Therefore, the gauze 40 and the extensible cap 42 enclose the absorbent center 44 and, in combination with the absorbent center, form the absorbent pad 38. The gauze 40 includes the opposing surfaces 48 and 50. The extensible cap 42 includes the inner surface 52 and the opposite outer surface 54. The absorbent pad 38 receives and removes the exudates that pass through the body side coating 24. The pattern of the adhesive 46 secures the surface 48 of the gauze 40 to the surface 52 of the expandable layer. 42 around an outer perimeter of the absorbent center 44. The adhesive pattern 46 may be disposed over all of one or more of the absorbent center 44, the expandable layer 42 or the gauze 40. U first side of the absorbent center 44 is disposed in an adjacent surface 52 of the expandable layer 42. Of the same shape, a second side of the absorbent center 44 is arranged adjacent to the surface 48 of the gauze 40.

The body side liner 24 has the opposite surfaces 58 and 60. The surface 60 of the body side liner 24 is disposed in a surface-to-surface relationship with the surface 50 of the gauze 40.

The outer cover 26 includes the outer surface 62 and the opposing inner surface 64. An adhesive pattern 66 secures a portion of the inner surface 64 of the outer cover 26 in a surface-to-surface relationship with the outer surface 54 of the expandable layer. 42. The pad of adhesive 66 is disposed on the inner surface 64 also securing the outer cover 26 to the skin of the body 24.

The adhesive pattern 66 does not include a pattern covering the entire inner surface 64 of the outer cover 26. This amount of adhesive over the entire surface would completely secure the outer cover 26 to the extensible cap 42 such that there would be no a significant stretch extensibility between the outer cover and the extensible cap. Therefore, it is important that the adhesive pattern 66 be at selected portions of the internal surface 64. Although the pattern of the adhesive 6 can cover most of the internal surface 64, the entire inner surface 64 it can not be covered with adhesive, so that the outer cover 26 and the extensible layer 4 extend and function properly.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the outer cover 26 and the body covering of the side 24 are both extensible, preferably both elastically extensible elements. The outer cover 26 d is preferably extendable at least in transverse direction "C". If only the outer cover 26 was extendable, and if the outer cover were secured to a respective non-extensible layer 42 over a substantial area of the surfaces remaining opposite the two layers, the outer covering could apply sufficient force to the non-extensible layer. and cause tearing of the same, thereby releasing the superabsorbent material of the absorbent pad. In this way, the place where the layer 42 is not extensible, the fixation between the outer cover 26 and the layer 42 can only be nominal.

Where the outer cover 26 and layer 42 are mutually and similarly extensible, you can use any desired adhesive pattern 66, including a pattern that covers a large portion of the respective facing surfaces 54, 64.

Where the outer cover 26 is more extensible than the layer 42 in at least one direction, or when the outer cover has a tension / tension ratio less than the layer 42, the pattern of the adhesive 66 may be designed to provide a greater stretching of the outer cover 26 than that of the layer 42 in at least one direction. The adhesive sipes 67, in the adhesive pattern 66 shown in FIGURE 3, offer the aforementioned differential stretch. The non-adhesive spaces 67 show areas in which the outer cover 2 has freedom of stretching without opposition of the adhesive. Any pattern of adhesive offering these spaces or unbonded area is a satisfactory adhesive pattern.

The tension / tension ratio is defined as l tension (force) / tension (elongation). Therefore, a material having a tensile / tensile ratio of grams / millimeter of elongation requires greater force to elongate one millimeter than a material having a tension / tensile ratio of 1 gram / millimeter of elongation. The tension / traction relation has no function or relevance and retractibility terms of the material.

In the preferred embodiments, the material used to make the extensible layer 42, and even the layer 42 itself, is extendable in at least the same direction as the outer cover 26, and preferably is extensible at least. to the same degree as the external cover and with at least the same or a lower stress / tension ratio than the outer cover. Therefore, in normal use, an extensible layer 42 is secured with adhesive to the outer cover 26 and can extend and thus follow the movement of the outer cover while effectively assisting the gauze 40 to retain the absorbent center 44 in l absorbent pad 38. This extensibility of layer 4 allows the layer not to tear or break in response to extension of outer cover 26, and therefore aids gauze 40 to retain absorbent center 44 and, correspondingly, , the superabsorbent material, in the absorbent pad.

The absorbent center 44 is not usually physically secured to the extensible layer 42 or gauze 40 This lack of general fixation between the extensible layer 42 and the absorbent center 44 offers the absorbent center protection against tearing during movement or extension, within absorbent article 8, outer cover 26 and extensible cap 42.

In some embodiments, the absorbent core 44 is physically secured to the gauze 40 or to the extensible cap 42. FIGURE 2 shows the adhesive 69 securing the absorbent center 44 to the first inner surface 52 of the extensible layer 42. It can be applied a single line of adhesive 6 along the center of the extensible layer 42 perpendicular to the primary direction of extensibility. Therefore, in embodiments d in which the absorbent article 8 is extensible in the transverse direction "C", the line of adhesive 69 was applied in the longitudinal direction "L". In the same way, in the embodiments in which the absorbent article 8 extendable in the longitudinal direction "L", the adhesive line 69 can be applied in the transverse direction "C" in the crotch portion 18, u Other portions of the absorbent article In this manner, the movement of the absorbent center 44 s restricts without stressing the absorbent center during the extension of the absorbent article 8.

In other embodiments, the adhesive line 67 may be applied to the absorbent center 44 in a central line in contact with the first surface 48 of the gauze 40. Once again, the line of adhesive 67 restricts the movement of the absorbent center 44 without stressing. the absorbent center during the extension of the absorbent article 8.

FIGURE 2 also illustrates a wave layer 7 having an inner surface 74 and an outer surface 76. The surface 74 is disposed in a surface surface relationship with the surface 50 of the gauze 40. Generally, no adhesive is applied. between the body side liner 2 and the absorbent pad 38. To the degree adapted within defined space between the outer cover 26 and the body side facing 24, the body side lining generally has a relatively free mobility with respect to the absorbent pad 38.

A line of adhesive 78 may be disposed in the longitudinal direction "L" extending along, for example, the center of the body side liner 24. In this form, the adhesive 78 secures the body side liner 24 a the surface 76 of the wave layer 72 along a longitudinal center line, thereby securing the wave cap 72 at a suitable location on the body side facing 24 for use in the absorbent article 8. On the site that the wave layer 72 is relatively non-extensible, the longitudinal adhesive line offers a suitable fixation between the body side coating 24 and the wave layer 72 while providing the body side coating 24 with freedom to extend towards outside in the transverse direction "C" without significant resistance from the cap in waves 72, whereby the integrity of the wave layer is not generally threatened by this extension.

The aforementioned line of adhesive 78 between the body side coating 24 and the wave layer 72 d preferably includes a hot melt adhesive extending across the center of the wave layer 72. Therefore, the layer in waves 72 it can be secured to the body side facing 24 while offering a relatively free movement of the absorbent pad 38 with respect to the wave layer. Similarly, a line of adhesive 78A can be placed between the wave layer 72 and the gauze layer 40.

The securing tabs 20, 22 may include hook fasteners to secure the back portion 14 of absorbent article 8 to the material of the clip in the front portion 10. Other known fastening elements may be used to support the absorbent article 8 in the user . For example, a cohesion system, an adhesive fastening system, or the like, can be used as an element). of fixation, with suitable cooperating elements in the front portion 10, as necessary, to support the absorbent article 8 in the user. An example of a securing tab is shown in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 421,640 filed April 13, 199 by Zehner et al., Entitled "Multiple Union Fastening System", the presentation of which is incorporated herein by reference. the present reference in its entirety, to the extent that this presentation is consistent (not contradictory) with the subject presented here.

The securing tabs 20, 22 are fixed permanently to the rear portion 14 of the absorbent article 8 by, for example, ultrasonic bonding, adhesives, sewing or other conventional and known methods of attachment.

As was shown in a representative way in the FIGURES 1 and 4, the body side liner 24 and the outer cover 26 are generally coextensive and have length and width dimensions greater than the dimensions of the absorbent pad 38. Therefore, the body side liner 24 is generally superimposed on the entire surface of the outer cover 26, so that the external cover and the body side liner, e combination, define the outer perimeter of the absorbent article 8. The absorbent pad 38 is preferably positioned between the outer cover 26 and the body side liner 24 within the outer perimeter absorbent article 8.

The surface facing the skin 58 of the side of the body 24 is adapted, is soft and does not irritate the user's skin. In addition, the body side coating 24 must be sufficiently porous to be permeable to aqueous liquids, allowing these liquids to penetrate through their thickness.

A suitable body side liner 2 can be manufactured from a wide selection of network materials, such as for example porous foams, cross-linked foams plastic films with openings, natural woven and / or non-woven fibers, synthetic fibers, or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The body side liner 2 is generally used to help isolate the wearer's skin from liquids retained in the absorbent pad 38. For the body side liner 24 can use different woven and non-woven fabrics. For example, the body side coating 24 may be composed of a meltblown or spin-bonded network of polyolefin fibers. The body side liner 24 may also be a bonded, carded network composed of natural and / or synthetic fibers.

The body side coating 24 can be composed of a material substantially hydrophobic and, therefore, substantially non-humidifiable, and this material can optionally be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart the desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body-side coating 24 has a substantial extensibility, which may be stretchable elastically, in at least one direction. "Elastic stretchable" can be defined as a retractable material almost to the original length or width after releasing an extension force.

The body side liner 24 may be a spin-bonded, non-woven polypropylene fabric. See U.S. Patent 5,226,992 to Morman, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, to the extent that it is consistent with the presentation. d this, to give evidence of the different materials that can be used to form the body side liner 24. The materials of the body side liner 24 can be creped or recessed in such a way that they are extensible in at least one, or both of, the "L" and "C" directions (in the longitudinal direction "L" and / or the transverse direction "C").

The body side coating 24 may include a variety of components, layers or partial layers corresponding to any of the materials presented herein, as well as others known in the art. The body side coating materials 24 can be treated with a > selected amount of surfactant, such as for example about 0.28% by weight of Trition X-10 surfactant available from Rohm and Haas Corp. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The surfactant can be applied through a conventional means such as spraying, printing, coating with a brush or the like.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the body side liner 24 may include a laminate elastically bonded with an elasticity and a width suitable to create a contact of the entire surface between the absorbent article 8 and the wearer's body. The stretch-bound laminate includes at least a two-layer composite in which one layer is a recoverable layer and the other layer is a stretchable layer. The layers are joined together when the stretchable cap is in an elongated condition such that, after relaxing the composite of the bonded layers, the recoverable cap recovers. The stretchable layer may be a film of stretchable material, such as a copolymer layer of the styrene-ethylene-butylene block or other elastomeric polymer, or a variety of strips optionally spaced from a stretchable material such as latex, LYCRA® Similar. Other materials with similar properties can also be provided integrally with or attached to the body side liner 24. These materials should not interfere with the smooth texture of the body side liner 24 against the wearer's skin.

The body side coating 24 may have an extensibility of at least about 30%, preferably at least about 100%, more preferably at least about 200% in the "C" direction. In some embodiments, the body side liner 24 may also have a similar extensibility in the longitudinal direction "L". In other embodiments, the lining of the body side 2 can be extendable only in the longitudinal direction "L" In some embodiments, the body side facing 24 may have some retractability such that, when forces are released in the outer cover 26, the body side facing may at least partially retract into its original position. The retraction of the body side liner 24 can prevent bulges or irregularities in the body side liner of the personal care article 8 when the outer cover 26 returns to substantially its original position.

The outer cover 26 preferably includes a first material that extends over and approximately all the way to the overall area of the absorbent article 8, and is capable of extending at least in the transverse direction "C". These materials include knitted and loose fabrics, or knitted fabrics such as carded and linked networks, spin-linked networks and meltblown networks. A meltblown network typically includes meltblown microfibers. The material may also have multiple layers such as for example spin-bonded layers and / or multiple melt blown layers. The material may be made of polymers such as polyolefins. Exemplary polyolefins include polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylene copolymers, and propylene copolymer, including the ethylene-propylene copolymer. See U.S. Patent 5,226,992 to Morman, incorporated herein, to support various materials that they can be used to form the outer cover 26. A preferred material for the outer shell layer 26 can include a laminated film laminated to a material bonded by recessed non-woven spinning. Alternative constructions of the outer shell 26 can include a network layer. woven fibrous web that has been totally or partially constructed or treated to impart the desired levels of waterproofing of the liquid in the selected regions thereof, such as for example the regions that are adjacent to or close to the absorbent pad 38. Optionally, in some embodiments an additional outer layer (we do not can be left on the outer cover 26.

The outer cover 26 can optionally be composed of a microporous, breathable material, which allows the vapors to escape from the absorbent article and at the same time prevents the liquid exudates from passing through. For example, a suitable microporous film is a material known as PMP-1 which is available from Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc., a company with its offices in Tokyo, Japan, or a polyolefin film known as XKO-8044 and available from 3M. Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In another embodiment of the invention, the outer cover 26 can be a polypropylene fabric bonded by non-woven spin. The fabric may be creped or recessed such that it is extendable in at least one of the "L" and "C" directions or both of the longitudinal direction "L and the transverse direction" C. "The outer cover 26 It can have an extensibility of at least about 30% preferably at least about 100%, more preferably at least about 200%, in the "C" traverse direction In some embodiments, the outer shell 26 has a similar extensibility in the longitudinal direction "L".

Other materials possessing advantageous features are also useful as external covers 26. For example, the outer cover 26 may include a laminate joined by stretching. The methods for making these materials are known to those skilled in the art.

Preferably, both the body skin liner 24 and the outer skin 26 are extensible. This preference extensibility allows both layers to extend in the same direction. At least one of the body side facing 24 and the outer shell 26 d is preferably elastically stretchable, i.e. substantially retracted to its original length and / or width after release of the extension force. For example, in a preferred embodiment of the absorbent article 8, after u longitudinal stretch of 200% of the outer cover 26, whereby the length in the "L" direction is 3 times the length without previous stretching, the outer cover 26 can return to 150 of its original length, therefore, with a retraction of 75% d the amount stretched. Therefore, as used herein, a material that can be recovered at least about 75% of a stretched amount is elastically extensible.

In preferred embodiments, when the absorbent article 8 is stretched, at least one of the body side facing 24 and the outer shell 2 possesses sufficient retraction properties to return the absorbent article to substantially its original size and form prior to Stretching after release of the securing tabs 20, 22 or other mentioned limitations. In this case, the element that is extensible, without being elastically extensible, can follow the coating / cover retractable to the size of retraction after release. In other embodiments, both the body side covering 24 and the outer cover 26 can be elastically extensible, and thus, after releasing the securing tabs 20, 22, can and do help each other. to return the absorbent article 8 to the condition of retraction which may be substantially the former relaxed form and size. In this embodiment, the body side liner 24 and the outer cover 2 can have substantially the same retractibility in each direction.

In some embodiments in which the body side liner 24, the outer cover 26 and the expandable layer 42 are all extensible in at least the transverse direction, the expandable layer allows the outer cover to extend at least about 30 times. In the further embodiments, the outer cover 26 may extend at least about 200 percent in the transverse direction (as well as the extensible layer 42) without damaging the absorbent pad 8.

In other embodiments in which the body side coating 24, the outer cover 26 and the expandable layer 42 are all extensible in at least the longitudinal direction, the expandable layer allows the outer cover to extend at least about 30 times. The longitudinal direction without damaging the absorbent pad 8 In other embodiments, the outer cover 26, as well as the extensible layer 42, may extend at least about 100 percent in the longitudinal direction without damaging the absorbent pad 8.

In many embodiments, it is preferred that the extensible layer 42 have a tension / traction ratio less than or equal to the tension / tension ratio of the outer cover 26. In this arrangement, the extensible layer 4 extends at least as far as where the outer cover 26 is under a similar force, to ensure that there are no tears or breaks in the expandable layer.

The leg elastics 28 can be formed from separate materials that are attached to the outer cover 26 and / or the body side lining. 24 Suitable materials for forming the leg elastics include LYCRA® strips, ribbons, or one or more layers of polymeric and / or elastomeric material that can be adhered, when in extended or extended position, to the absorbent article 8 thereby forming elastics for the legs 28. The elastics for the legs 28 offer limited extensibility of the article absorbent in longitudinal direction "L" from towards a relaxed condition. Alternatively, the material forming the leg elastics 28 can be attached, in a relaxed condition, to the absorbent article 8 while the article is folded, so that the elastic retraction forces are imparted at least in the crotch portion. 18 of the absorbent article 8 when the elastic for the leg s stretches along the length of the absorbent article.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 4, the external cover 26 and / or the body side coating 2 are formed from stretchable materials in at least the longitudinal direction "L", whereby the elastic for the expandable leg 28 need not be supplied in these embodiments of the absorbent article 8.

Still referring to FIGURE 4, the spaced and opposite restraining wings of the right and left 30, 32 extend longitudinally along the length of the absorbent article 8 inward of the edges of the respective side 34, 36. In these embodiments, the containment wings 30, 32 are generally secured to the body side liner 24. The dotted lines 5 indicate the internal extremities longitudinally of the place and that the entire surface of the containment wings facing the body side liner 24 are secured to body side facing outwardly from the crotch portion 18. Thus, outwardly from the dotted line 56 on the front portion 10 or the rear portion 14 of absorbent article 8, the retaining wings 30, 32 generally can not be opened outwardly from the side facing of the body 24. However, inwards of the edges 12 16 from the dashed lines 56, the retaining wings 30, 3 are secured to the body side liner 24 only at the edges thereof closest to the body side liner 24. In this way, the upper edge can be opened and the wings containment can unfold to resist and receive retain exudates. for the expandable leg 28 need not be supplied in these embodiments of the absorbent article 8.

Still referring to FIGURE 4, the spaced and opposite restraining wings of the right and left 30, 32 extend longitudinally along the length of the absorbent article 8 inward of the edges of the respective side 34, 36. In these embodiments, the containment wings 30, 32 are generally secured to the body side liner 24. The dotted lines 5 indicate the internal extremities longitudinally of the place and that the entire surface of the containment wings facing the body side liner 24 are secured to body side facing outwardly from the crotch portion 18. Thus, outwardly from the dotted line 56 on the front portion 10 or the rear portion 14 of absorbent article 8, the retaining wings 30, 32 generally can not be opened outwardly from the side facing of the body 24. However, inwards of the edges 12 16 from the dashed lines 56, the retaining wings 30, 3 are secured to the body side liner 24 only at the edges thereof closest to the body side liner 24. In this way, the upper edge can be opened and the wings containment can unfold to resist and receive retain exudates.

The containment wings of the example are set forth in U.S. Patent 4,704,116 issued on November 3, 1987 by K. Enloe, the presentation of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety to the extent that it is consistent (not inconsistent) with the present patent.

The waist elastics (not shown) may generally extend around the waist of the absorbent article 8. The front waist elastics and the rear waist elastics (not shown) usually include stripes, ribbons or one or more layers of a polymeric and / or elastomeric material. This elastic material may otherwise be attached to the absorbent article 8 while the elastic is in a stretched condition. The waist elastics may include one or more individual strips of elastomeric material, preferably in a generally parallel, spatially separated arrangement.

In some of the embodiments which include extendable outer covers 26 and / or extensible body side liners 24, waist elastics can be omitted. These absorbent articles 8 lack this elastic waist elements separated. The side lining of the extensible body 24 and / or the extendable outer cover 26 in this way can eliminate the need for the separate elastic waist elements while retaining the proper stretching function of the waist sections.

The absorbent pad 38 can be manufactured in a wide variety of shapes and sizes (e.g., rectangular, trapezoidal, T-shape, shape I, sand-watch shape, etc.) and a wide variety of materials. The size absorption capacity of the absorbent pad 38 must be compatible with the proposed user's size and anticipated fluid loading that is expected by the proposed use of the absorbent pad.

The absorbent pad 38 contains an absorbent core 44 preferably wrapped by a gauze 40 and an extensible cap 42. The adhesive 46 preferably includes a cold adhesive applied to the gauze 40 and / or the extensible layer 4 approximately at least on the perimeter of the gas 40 and the layer 42, away from the absorbent center 44. Other bonding techniques or known adhesives may be used in place of the cold adhesive to secure the surface 48 of the gauze 40 the surface 52 of the extensible layer 42.

Referring specifically to FIGURES 1 and 2, the gauze 40 usually includes a low porosity crepe fill and a single fold, or the like. Other gauzes can also function as gauze 40 as long as the characteristics of adequate porosity and others are present. An example gauze has a basis weight of 20 grams per square meter and a porosity of approximately 100 cubic feet per minute per square inch.

For the purposes of the present invention, the porosity value of any of the components can be determined by the method of D ASTM 737-75"Method d Standard Test for Air Permeability of Textile Fabrics", dated June 30, 1975 (reapproved in 1980). The method is carried out on a single sheet of sample material. A permeability test apparatus of the appropriate type for use with this method is a differential high pressure air permeability machine, as for example available from the Frazier Precision Instrument Company located in Gaithersburg, Md.

Extendable layer 42 may include a material joined by centrifugation. A material joined by drawn and lowered centrifugation is particularly useful. An exemplary material includes a thermally bonded, polypropylene spin-bonded material with a basis weight of about 12 to about 36 grams per square meter. This material is stretched approximately 5% approximately 25% along (machine direction) with adequate heating, reducing the width (dimension in the machine's transverse direction) by approximately 30% approximately 60%. The resulting extensible layer 42 is extendable in the transverse direction "C" and has a modest elastic retraction. U.S. Patent 4,965,122 Morman discloses these spunbonded, stretched and recessed webs, is hereby incorporated by reference to the extent that this presentation is consistent (n contradictory) with the information presented herein.

Other materials suitable for use as an extensible layer 42 may include bonded and recessed laminates, elastic bonded laminates, carded networks and polymers, such as polyolefins. The materials described above with respect to outer cover 26 can be used for extensible cap 42. Extendable layer 42 can be made of other materials not specifically disclosed herein but which possess suitable characteristics consistent with the properties of the materials that have been specifically described. .

The extensible layer 42 preferably has substantially the same tension / tension ratio or less, in each direction, as the outer cover 26. Therefore, during its use, the extensible layer 42 tends to extend substantially at least the same distance that the outer cover 26 owed to the forces that extend the layer. Of course, the invention does not contemplate undue burdens that could destroy the function of the outer cover 26 and / or the expandable layer 42 during use.

The dry strength and wet strength of the extensible layer 42 are sufficient for the layer to resist the manufacturing process by placing the layer in the absorbent article 8, and to resist the normal use of the finished product (absorbent article 8) in the body of the user.

Although the extensible layer 42 is presented as a single layer of material, the extensible layer 42 may include a variety of layers (not shown), where at least one of the various layers is made from the materials presented above for the Extendable layer.

The absorbent center 44 generally includes a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a cellulosic pelus network, preferably in combination with an alt absorbency material commonly known as superabsorbent material. In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent center 4 includes a mixture of superabsorbent hydroge formation material and wood pulp fluff. Instead of the wood pulp fluff, synthetic, polymeric, meltblown, or a combination of meltblown fiber and natural fibers can be used. The superabsorbent material can be mixed substantially homogeneously with the hydrophilic fibers or else it can be combined in the absorbent center.

Alternatively, the absorbent center 44 may include a laminate of fibrous webs and superabsorbent material or other suitable means for maintaining the superabsorbent material in a localized area.

The high-absorbency material in the absorbent center 44 can be selected from polymers and natural, synthetic and modified natural materials. High-absorbency materials can be inorganic materials, such as silica gel, or organic compounds, such as cross-linked polymers. The term "cross-linking" refers to any means for effectively providing materials that are normally water-soluble, substantially insoluble in water but sponge-like, in which absorbent properties are available, but the foamable material remains substantially immobile after absorbing the base liquids. of water. These means may include, for example, physical link, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, complexes and ionic associations, hydrophilic associations such as for example hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic associations or Va der aals forces.

The body side liner 24 is secured to the outer cover 26 approximately and facing at least one outer perimeter of the absorbent pad 38. Generally, this fixation is provided by the pattern of the adhesive 66. The pattern may include swirls of adhesive 6 shown in FIGURE 3. Adhesive swirls 6 correspond to the twelve spaced spray guns 68 of adhesive applicator 70 aligned across the width of the outer cover 26. This pattern of adhesive decreases the amount of adhesive 66 required to adhere and maintain the surface 64 of the outer cover 26 to the extensible layer 4 and the perimeter of the surface 60 of the body side facing 24.

In other embodiments, the adhesive pattern 66 may include swirls of superimposed adhesive applied to the surface 64 of the outer cover 26. This embodiment would be similar to the illustration in FIGURE 3, with the exception that adjacent eddies of adhesive 66 would be superimposed or touching each other. In other embodiments, the adhesive pattern 66 may include an arrangement of spaced lines of adhesive extending in the longitudinal direction "L". This embodiment would, for example, include twelve lines substantially spaced d equidistantly from the adjacent lines and extending the length of the outer cover 26 in the longitudinal direction "L".

The swirl patterns of the adhesive 66 shown in FIGURE 3 secure the outer cover 26 to the extensible cap 42 and at the same time have adhesive open spaces 67 that lack adhesive such that the outer cover 26, which includes an expandable element elastically, it can stretch in at least one direction.

The extensible layer 42 is generally spread in the same direction as the outer cover 26. The adhesive pattern 66 generally does not significantly prevent the extensible layer 42 and the outer cover 26 from extending at least one direction . The preferred direction of extension is the cross direction "C". The open spaces without adhesive 67 increase the extensibility of the substrate formed by the outer cover 26, the extension layer 42, the absorbent center 44 and the body side coating 24. The larger the surface area of the spaces without Adhesive 67, the smaller will be the attachment of the outer cover 26 to the extensible layer 42. As long as less fixation exists at this point, the greater the amount of stretch available for the substrate. In the same way, the larger the surface that is bonded by the adhesive 66, the smaller the amount of stretching from the outer casing 26 and the extendable layer 42 available for use in the device.

In some embodiments, both the outer cover 26 and the expandable layer 42 may extend in the longitudinal direction "L" or both in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Extension in both directions is possible when extensible adhesives are used as adhesive 66. One of these extensible or elastic adhesives particularly useful as an adhesive 66 is known as H2525A available from AtoFindley Adhesives, Inc. of auwatosa insconsin. This elastic adhesive can be applied in a pattern that covers a large fraction of the interface between the first surface 52 of the extensible layer 42 and the first surface 5 of the outer cover 26. Even with a 100% coverage of the interface, the extensibility of the extensible layer 42 and the outer cover 46 is not inhibited when the elastic adhesive is sufficiently extensible.

Although the elastic adhesive is presented to be used as an adhesive 66 by attaching the outer cover 2 and the extensible layer 42, this elastic adhesive can be used as a spare for any other type of adhesive presented elsewhere in the application. For example, the line of adhesive 78 may include an elastic adhesive.

The less extensible adhesives have the potential to avoid the extensibility of the extensible layer 42 the outer cover 26, if not applied correctly. Thus, when the body side liner 24 and the outer cover 26 are extensible both in the transverse direction "C" and in the longitudinal direction "L", and adhesive 66 is not elastic, the adhesive must include patterns that do not contain solid lines of adhesive in the longitudinal direction. For example, adhesive patterns 66 can be found at various angles with respect to the pattern of FIGURE 3 showing unattached areas spaced apart longitudinally of adhesive. These patterns avoid or limit the adhesive 66 so as not to "close" the stretching of the outer cover 26 in the longitudinal direction "L" or the transverse direction "C". As used herein, "closure" means an adhesive or rubber which prevents an extensible element from extending the amount designed because the adhesive creates a bond on at least one surface of the extensible material. In the same way, the selected spray guns 68 of the adhesive applicator 70 can be switched off intermittently or continuously to vary intermittently the regions of the second inner surface 64 receiving the adhesive pattern and / or torque varying the density of the adhesive. adhesive pattern. This intermittent application of the adhesive 66 may allow the outer cover 26 to remain extensible in the longitudinal direction.

The wave layer 72 is usually located between the gauze 40 and the body side liner 24. The wave layer 72 aids in the dispersion of the exudates over a substantial portion of the absorbent pad 38. Therefore, the Wave layer 72 assists the absorbent pad 38 absorb a sudden large amount of urine or other body exudate. The surface 74 of the wave layer 72 is in surface-to-surface contact with the surface 50 of the gauze 40 and the surface 76 of the wave layer is in surface-to-surface contact with the side surface 60 of the body 24.

The wave layer 72 may include materials stipulated in U.S. Patent No. 5,486,16 issued January 23, 1996 to C. Ellis and D. Bishop, entitled: "Fiberious Non-woven Web Waves Layer for Absorbent Articles". of Personal Care and Similar "; and U.S. Patent Number 5,490,846 issued February 13, 199 to C. Ellis and R. Everett, entitled: "Fibrous Non Woven Network with Improved Wave Handling for Personal and Similar City Absorbent Articles"; whose presentations are incorporated herein by reference to the degree to which these presentations are consistent (not contradictory) with the information presented here. In addition, other materials for the wave layer known in the art can also be used.

Optionally, a second line of adhesive (n shown) extending in the longitudinal direction "L" can be placed between the wave layer 72 and the absorbent pad 38. This line of adhesive helps to prevent the absorbent pad 38 from laterally rotating a significant distance, at the same time allows the lining of the side of the body 24 to extend, at least in the transverse direction "C", a desired distance. This arrangement helps to ensure that the absorbent pad 38 remains centered in the absorbent article 8.

This second line of adhesive may also include an interrupted line of adhesive (not shown) disposed at spaced intervals along the length of the body side facing 24 parallel to the longitudinal direction "L". This interrupted line can be formed by the intermittent actuation of spray guns 68 that apply the adhesive pattern 66. Thus, for the embodiments d in which both the body-side coating 24 and the outer cover 26 are extensible in the transverse direction "C" and the longitudinal direction "L", the interrupted line of adhesive will not close significantly, nor will it prevent the extension of the body side coating in the longitudinal direction.

The manufacture of the absorbent article 8 may include the application of the body side coating 24 to the surface 50 of the gauze 40 such that the body side liner lies and extends outwardly from the absorbent pad 38. In this way , the body side liner 24 lies and is in contact with portions of the outer cover 26 that extend outwardly from the absorbent pad 38 as illustrated in FIGURE 2. Thus, the adhesive patterns 66 ensure the outer perimeter of the outer cover 26 to the body side liner 24 at sites disposed away from the outer perimeter of the absorbent pad 38.

The absorbent article 8 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrates the relatively free mobility of body side coating 24 and outer cover 26 in relation to absorbent center 44. This mobility is present especially when the optional line of adhesive 69 n is used to secure the portions of the absorbent center 4 to the extensible layer 42. In this way, the embodiment of FIGURE 1 and 2 allows the lining of the body side. 24 and the outer cover 26 are extensible, preferably elastically extensible, along the extensible layer 42 such that the extensible layer 42 does not tear or break and therefore does not release the superabsorbent material or other absorbent material of the absorbent material. the absorbent pad 38.

The second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURE 4 is further illustrated in the cross section of FIGURE 5. The embodiment of FIGURE 5 is substantially identical to the embodiment of FIGURE 2, with the exception of FIG. that the gauze 40 has been replaced by a layer 80 of another material. The layer 80 of the material may include, for example, a layer or layers of materials such as the materials described for the extensible layer 42.

The layer 80 preferably includes an extensible cap that is extensible in at least the same direction or directions as the body side liner 24, the extensible layer 42 and the outer cover 26. In this way, when the absorbent article is applied 8 to the body of a user, the relatively free mobility of the layers 42, 80 co to the absorbent center 44 allows the layers 42, 8 to extend with the body side coating 24 and the outer cover 26 without tearing or damaging the absorbent center. 44. The body side liner 24 and the outer cover 2 preferably have equivalent higher tension / tension ratios than the extensible layers 42, 80 in the longitudinal direction "L" and the transverse direction "C" in such a way that none of the elements offers the majority of the resistance, otherwise it controls the resistance, to the forces that extend the absorbent article 8 during application and use. This shared strength decreases the probability of tearing or breaking defects of the extensible layers 42, 80 the subsequent leakage of the superabsorbent particles and absorbent material of the absorbent pad 38.

The absorbent pad 38 includes expandable layers 42, 80 that can be extended as needed. The absorbent center 44 remains between the expandable layers 42, 8 and due to the extensibility of the layers 42, 80 and the fact that the layers 42, 80 are not attached to the absorbent center, the absorbent center does not stretch significantly, and it is not damaged when the absorbent article 8 is stretched. Thus, the extensible layers 42, 80 essentially have a total freedom of movement with respect to the absorbent center 44, to move within the absorbent article 8, in reaction the extension of the body side liner 24 and l external cover 26.

The modifications and alternatives stipulated in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2 can generally be used with the embodiment of FIGURES 4 5. However, the gauze 40 is replaced by the layer 80.

Those skilled in the art will now be able to observe that certain modifications can be made to the invention presented herein with respect to the illustrated embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention. And although the invention has been described above with respect to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention can accommodate numerous rearrangements, modifications and alterations, and all these provisions, modifications and alterations are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. of the appended claims.

To the extent that the following claims utilize means additional to the function of the language, it does not mean that it will be included here, or in the present specification, any thing not structurally equivalent to what is shown in the embodiments presented in the specification.

Claims (36)

1. An absorbent article that includes a back portion, a front portion and a crotch portion that connects the aforementioned back and front portion, wherein said absorbent article has a transverse direction that extends through the absorbent article a longitudinal direction that is It extends through the front, crotch and back portions, and this absorbent article includes: (a) an absorbent center having a first side and a second side; (b) an extensible layer of material having a first surface and a second opposing surface, the first surface d of said extensible layer being disposed adjacent the first said absorbent center side; (c) an extendable outer shell having a third surface of the outer shell and a fourth surface of the opposite outer shell, the second surface of the aforementioned extensible layer being disposed in a surface to surface relationship with the third surface of the shell external; Y (d) a pattern of adhesive disposed between said extensible layer and said external cover, The aforementioned adhesive pattern attaching said aforementioned extensible cap to said outer cover so that the extension of the aforementioned outer cover can extend said extensible layer, and this extensible layer has the ability to extend in response to the extension d external cover mentioned without a significant load of mentioned absorbent center.

2. An absorbent article, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the aforementioned extensible layer includes a layer of material joined by extensible centrifugation.

3. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it includes a gauze having a fifth surface and a sixth opposite surface, where the fifth surface of said gauze is arranged adjacently to the second side of said absorbent center, said gauze and the aforementioned extensible layer, in combination, contain the aforementioned absorbent center.

4. An absorbent article, as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that the said absorbent core, said extensible layer and said gas, in combination, include an absorbent pad.

5. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that said gauze and said extensible layer are fixed to each other at least a portion of an outer perimeter of said absorbent core.

6. An absorbent article, as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that it includes a body-side coating having a seventh surface and an eighth opposite surface, and the seventh surface of the aforementioned body-side coating is disposed in a ratio of Surface to surface with the sext surface of the aforementioned gauze.

7. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 6, characterized in that at least one of the aforementioned body side liner and said outer cover includes an elastically extensible material

8. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 6, characterized in that both the aforementioned body side covering and the aforementioned outer cover are elastically extensible, and possess elastic extensions substantially equal in each direction.

9. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 6, characterized in that the body-side covering and the aforementioned outer cover are extensible and at least the transverse direction.

10. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 6, characterized in that the aforementioned absorbent center, said extensible layer and said gauze, in combination, include an absorbent pad, the aforementioned absorbent pad having an external perimeter, the aforementioned adhesive pattern It is disposed on the third surface of the aforementioned outer shell outwardly of the aforesaid absorbent pad in such a way that the aforementioned outwardly disposed adhesive affixes the externally mentioned cover to the aforementioned body side liner at the sites disposed outwardly of the outer perimeter of the outer perimeter. l absorbent pad mentioned.

11. An absorbent article, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said external cover includes a loosely bonded laminate.

12. An absorbent article, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said absorbent article includes a first and a second containment flange.

13. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the mentioned absorbent article lacks elastic elements for the separated belt, and is stretchable elastically in the waist.

14. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the mentioned absorbent article includes elastics for the legs disposed at least in the crotch portion of the aforementioned absorbent article, the aforesaid leg elastics offers extensibility and retraction in the longitudinal direction.

15. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the aforementioned adhesive pattern includes a variety of d-shaped swirl patterns.

16. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it includes a second cap of material having a fifth surface and a sext opposite surface, where the fifth surface of the second cap mentioned is arranged adjacent to the second side of the center said absorbent layer, said extensible layer and said second layer contain the aforementioned absorbent center, and where said absorbent center, said extensible cap and said second layer, and combination, include an absorbent pad.

17. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that the aforementioned extensible layer and the aforementioned second layer are bonded together between approximately at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the said absorbent center.

18. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that it includes a body-side facing having a seventh surface and an octav opposite surface, the seventh surface of the aforementioned body side facing is disposed in a surface-to-surface relationship surface with the sixth surface of the second layer mentioned.

19. An absorbent article that includes a back portion, a front portion and a crotch portion connecting the aforementioned back and front portions, wherein said aforementioned absorbent article has a transverse direction extending through the absorbent article a longitudinal direction that is It extends through the front, crotch and back portions, and this absorbent article includes: (a) an extendable outer cover having a first inner surface and a second outer opposing surface; (b) a body-side facing having a third contact surface with the body and a fourth opposing surface, wherein the fourth surface of the body-side facing is mounted in a surface-to-surface relationship with at least one portion of the first internal surface of the aforementioned extern cover; (c) an absorbent pad disposed between the aforementioned body side liner and the aforementioned outer cover, where the absorbent pad includes an absorbent center having a first side and a second opposite side, the aforementioned absorbent pad includes a first extensible layer of material disposed between the first side of said absorbent center and said outer cover, and a second layer of material disposed between said second surface of said absorbent center and the aforementioned body side facing; Y (d) an adhesive material disposed between said outer cover and said first extensible layer and fixing said outer cover and said first extensible layer to each other, such that the extension of said external cover can extend the extensible cap mentioned in said absorbent article interior.

20. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that said outer cover includes an elastically extensible material.

21. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that the said outer cover includes a loosely bonded laminate.

22. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that the lining of the aforementioned body includes an extensible material.

23. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that the aforementioned body lining, the aforementioned outer cover and the aforementioned first extensible layer are extendable in at least the transverse direction, the aforementioned first extensible layer allows the cover The aforementioned external pad extends at least about 30 percent in the transverse direction without damaging the aforementioned absorbent pad.

24. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that said first extensible cap allows the outer cover to extend at least about 200 percent in the transverse direction without damaging the absorbent pad mentioned.

25. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that said first extensible cap allows said outer cover to extend at least about 30 percent in the transverse direction without damaging the aforementioned absorbent pad.

26. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that the adhesive material disposed between said outer cover and said first extensible layer includes an elastic adhesive material.

27. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that the second cap mentioned includes a gauze.

28. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that said gauze and said first extensible layer are bonded together approximately in the aforementioned absorbent center, such that the aforementioned absorbent center is enclosed by the combination of the gauze mentioned and the first mentioned extensible layer, in combination with the aforementioned absorbent center, to thereby include the absorbent pad mentioned.

29. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that the aforementioned absorbent pad has an external perimeter, the aforementioned adhesive material extends outwardly beyond the outer periphery in such a way that the aforementioned adhesive material fixes the aforementioned external cover to the coating of the body side mentioned.

30. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that the second mentioned cap includes a material joined by centrifugation.

31. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that the second cap mentioned includes an extensible material.

32. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that the second cap mentioned is an extensible layer, the first extensible layer mentioned and the second extensible layer mentioned are joined together approximately in the aforementioned absorbent center, such that the The aforementioned absorbent center is enclosed by the combination of the aforementioned extendable first layer and said second extensible layer to thereby form the aforementioned absorbent pad.

33. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 31, characterized in that the second cap mentioned is an extensible layer, the extensible layer mentioned and the second extensible layer mentioned have substantially the same extensibility in at least the transverse direction.

34. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that the outer cover mentioned has a tension / tension ratio greater than that of the aforementioned extensible layer.

35. An absorbent article that includes a back portion, a front portion and a crotch portion connecting said back portion and said front portion, said absorbent article having a transverse direction extending through the absorbent article and a longitudinal direction that Extending through the front, crotch and back portions, and this absorbent article includes: (a) an absorbent center having a first side and a second side; (b) a layer of material having a first surface and a second opposite surface, the first surface of said layer being disposed adjacent to the first side of said absorbent center; (c) an extendable outer cover having a third surface of the outer shell and a fourth surface of the opposite outer shell, the second surface of said layer being disposed in a surface surface relationship with the third surface of the outer shell; Y (d) an elastic adhesive disposed between said cap and said outer cover, said elastic adhesive fixes the aforesaid cap to the outer cover mentioned in such a way that the extension of said external cover can extend said adhesive without a significant load. of the absorent center mentioned.

36. An absorbent article as claimed in clause 35, characterized in that the aforementioned layer includes an extensible layer.