MXPA01010759A

MXPA01010759A - Skin-friendly absorbent articles and compositions

Info

Publication number: MXPA01010759A
Application number: MXPA/A/2001/010759A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Duane Gerard Krzysik; Brenda Marie Nelson; David Roland Otts; Beth Anne Lange
Original assignee: Kimberlyclark Worldwide Inc
Priority date: 1999-04-23
Filing date: 2001-10-23
Publication date: 2002-06-05

Abstract

A superior skin barrier enhancing body facing material on an absorbent article, can be made applying, on the outer surface of the body facing material, a melted lipid-enriched hydrophilic composition comprising a hydrophilic solvent, a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a fatty alcohol (C 14 - C 30 or greater), humectant, an oil-in-water emulsifying surfactant having an HLB range greater than 7, a sterol or sterol derivative, and a natural fat or oil, and thereafter resolidifying the composition to form a distribution of solid compositon on the outer surface of the body facing material.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLES AND COMPOSITIONS FAVORABLE TO THE SKIN Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the incorporation of a hydrophilic lotion enriched with lipids on the face-to-face material of the disposable absorbent articles, such as diapers, training pants, adult incontinence products, underpants, and products for the care of women, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to improving health by increasing the barrier function of the skin by delivering lipids and humectants from a hydrophilic lotion from the body facing material of the absorbent article to the skin.

Background of the Invention The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin and is responsible for regulating water levels in the skin and works as a barrier against chemicals and other stressors found in the environment. The complex arrangement of lipids in the intercellular space of the stratum corneum is responsible for the establishment of the normal barrier function. The multi-layered structures of cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids, as well as other minor lipids, provide the main barrier to the transport of hydrophilic substances in or through the skin. The link between barrier function and skin health is evident from the inflammation caused by the extraction of lipid from the skin.

The skin barrier can be damaged due to a number of mechanisms. The physical abrasion, for example, can be caused by the repeated rubbing of abrasive materials, such as cleaning cloths or absorbent tissues, on the skin, which removes layers from the skin and therefore damages the skin barrier. Biological fluids, such as urine, feces and vaginal secretions, may contain a variety of components that can damage the skin barrier. Examples of these components include proteases, lipases, and bile acids. Once the skin barrier is compromised, these components, in addition to other constituents of biological fluids, can initiate or exacerbate inflammation of the skin.

Diaper dermatitis, for example, is a genre of skin conditions that, in large part, originates from a damaged barrier function. Skin barrier damage can result from a variety of factors, including: increased skin hydration due to skin occlusion caused by diapers, damage to enzymatic skin due to fecal and urinary enzymes, and the physical damage imparted by cleaning with a damp cleaning cloth.

Excessive hydration also has a negative impact on the skin barrier. The level of hydration of the skin wrapped in diapers, for example, can reach between five to ten times that of the skin without wrapping with diaper. Frequent skin contact wrapped in diapers with urine can also contribute to increased skin hydration. The hydration of the increased skin interrupts the lipid organization of the skin in the stratum corneum. This interruption can increase the permeability of the skin of the irritants of the feces and of the urine, increasing therefore the risk of the inflammation of the skin.

The skin wrapped in diapers is usually cleaned several times a day with cleaning cloths using solutions containing surfactants. Surfactants can extract lipids from the stratum corneum or disrupt the lipid structure within the stratum corneum, thereby decreasing the barrier function. The cleaning cloth material can cause physical damage to the skin and therefore lead to decreased barrier function.

Typically, barrier creams, lotions and ointments are used to provide an artificial hydrophobic barrier on the skin. These products typically contain mineral oils, petrolatum and silicones that are heavy, greasy to the touch, and are typically used to treat, rather than to prevent skin irritation.

Disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, adult incontinence products, absorbent undergarments, and women's care products have been used to absorb body fluids and leave skin dry. . Disposable absorbent articles of this type generally comprise a liquid-impermeable lower sheet member, an absorbent core or assembly, and a liquid-permeable body-side liner. It is the lining on the side of the body or other material facing the body that comes into contact with the user's skin. While the material facing the body is made of a soft and gentle material, it can erode the skin during use and may not leave the skin completely dry and free of body fluids, such as solid or semi-solid waste, that the absorbent article is trying to absorb. During frequent discharges of body fluids and frequent use of disposable absorbent articles, the skin may erode until it appears red and tender to the touch.

To reduce skin irritation and abrasion, the additive formulations can be applied to the face-to-face material so that, in use, the additive formula provides lubricity thereby reducing abrasive contact, or leaving the material behind. Face the body and deposit on the skin where it can help the skin.

Once deposited on the skin, these additive formulas provide a benefit to the skin by occluding the surface of the skin due to the hydrophobic waxes present in the formula. Therefore, these formulas provide a short-term benefit by providing an artificial barrier, even when the underlying stratum corneum is still damaged.

To date, these additive formulas have been liquid or oil-based and have typically been petroleum-based semisolids (lipophilic materials) or oil-based solids at room temperature. The type of liquid or semi-solid oil-based formulas require a high amount of formula added to the material facing the body to deliver the benefit of reduced skin irritation and reduced skin redness because these formulas are absorbed into the skin. material facing the body leaving less on the surface to provide the benefit.

The solid oil-based formulas can be applied heated (slightly above the melting point of the formula) to the surface of a material facing the body, then resolidifying the formula on the surface or surfaces of the material facing the body where the Formula is now ready and available for transfer to the skin of users to protect the skin from or avoid additional irritation and redness in a cost effective and efficient manner. However, since these formulas are lipophilic, it is sometimes difficult to incorporate hydrophilic or water-soluble surfactants, cosmetic materials or active ingredients.

Therefore, there is a need for a formula that is basically hydrophilic which can be applied to the body facing material of a disposable absorbent article which will transfer sufficient formula to protect, maintain and recover the skin barrier function and thus protect the skin. skin or prevent additional damage from irritation and redness in a cost effective and efficient way.

Synthesis of the Invention It has now been discovered that disposable absorbent articles can be made that increase the skin barrier by applying, on the exterior surface of the material facing the body, a fused hydrophilic composition comprising a hydrophilic solvent, a higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol, an alcohol fat (C14-C30 or greater), a humectant, an oil-in-water emulsifier surfactant that has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance greater than seven, a sterol or a sterol derivative and a natural oil or fat, and then resolidifying the composition to form a distribution of a hydrophilic composition enriched with molten lipid on the outer surface of the material facing the body. Because the hydrophilic composition is a solid at room temperature and solidifies rapidly after application, it has less tendency to penetrate and migrate into the material facing the body. Compared with the body-facing material treated with the liquid formulas, this leaves a greater percentage of the solid lotion composition added on the surface of the body facing material where it can be contacted and transferred to the user's skin to provide a benefit. In addition, a lower aggregate amount may be used to deliver the same benefit at a lower cost due to the efficient placement of the composition essentially on the surface of the material facing the body of the absorbent articles.

Therefore in one aspect, the present invention is a hydrophilic composition comprising from about to about 90 percent by weight of hydrophilic solvent, from about 5 to about 95 percent by weight of higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol (preferably having a molecular weight of 720 or greater), from about 1 to about 30 percent by weight of a C14 to C30 fatty alcohol or greater, from about 0.5 to about 30 percent by weight of a humectant, from about 1 to about 20 percent by weight of an emulsifying surfactant having a lipophilic hydrophilic balance range greater than 7, from about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of sterol or a sterol derivative, and from about 0.1 to about 30 percent by weight of natural fats or oils. The hydrophilic composition can have a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C and a process viscosity of more than 50 centipoise. The composition can also have a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to 360 millimeters.

In another aspect, the present invention is a body facing material wherein the outer surface of the material facing the body has solidified deposits of a hydrophilic composition comprising from about 10 to about 90 percent by weight of hydrophilic solvent, from about 5 to about 95 percent by weight of higher molecular weight (defined as a solid at room temperature) polyethylene glycol (preferably having a molecular weight of about 720 or greater), from about 1 to about 30 percent by weight of a C14 to C30 fatty alcohol or greater, from about 0.5 to about 30 percent by weight of a humectant, from about 1 to about 20 percent by weight of an emulsifying surfactant that has a range of lipophilic hydrophilic balance greater than 7, from about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of sterol or a sterol derivative and, from about r from 0.1 to about 30 percent by weight of natural oils or fats. The hydrophilic composition can have a freezing / melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C and a process viscosity greater than 50 centipoise. The composition can also have a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters penetration to 360 millimeters penetration.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for making a face material in an absorbent article comprising: (a) heating a composition comprising a hydrophilic solvent, a polyethylene glycol of higher molecular weight, a fatty alcohol , a humectant, an emulsifying surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance range greater than 7, a sterol or a sterol derivative and a natural oil or fat at a temperature above the melting point of the composition, making the composition melt (b) uniformly apply the molten composition to the outer surface of the material fabric facing the body in spaced apart tanks; and (c) resolidifying the deposits of the molten composition. The hydrophilic composition can have a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 representatively shows a top plan view and partially in section of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 representatively shows a top plan view partially in section of an absorbent article according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is a body facing material having an outer surface with solidified deposits of a hydrophilic composition enriched with lipids. The composition may comprise from about 10 to about 90 percent by weight of hydrophilic solvent, from about 5 to about 95 percent by weight of the higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 30 percent by weight of a C14 to C30 fatty alcohol or greater, from about 0.5 to about 10. percent by weight of a humectant, from about 1 to about 20 percent by weight of an oil-in-water emulsifying surfactant having a lipophilic hydrophilic balance range greater than 7, from about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of sterol or sterol derivative, and from about 0.1 to about 30 percent by weight of natural oils or fats.

The composition can have a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C. The composition may have a process viscosity of more than about 50 centipoise. The composition may have a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to about 360 millimeters. The aggregate amount of the composition can be from about 0.1 grams per square meter (g / m2) to about 30 g / m2 of the material, and more preferably from about 0.5 g / m2 to about 20 g / m2. .

The hydrophilic solvent used in the composition may include water, propylene glycol, a low molecular weight polyethylene glycol, glycerin, a hydrogenated starch hydrolyzate. The fatty alcohol used in the composition can include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, or behenyl alcohol. The molecular weight of the higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol used in the composition can be from about 720 to about 1,840,000 daltons and more specifically from about 1,400 to about 440,000 daltons. The higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol used in the composition may include polyethylene glycol of 1,400 daltons, polyethylene glycol of 1,400 daltons, polyethylene glycol of 8,000 daltons or polyethylene glycol of 10,000 daltons. The humectant used in the composition may include glycerin, sorbitol or hydrogenated starch hydrolyzate. The surfactant used in the composition may include glyceryl stearate SE, glyceryl glycol stearate SE or sorbitan stearate. The sterol or sterol derivative used in the composition may include soy sterol, cholesterol or lanosterol. The natural oil or fat used in the composition may include sunflower oil, forage oil or avocado oil.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for making a soft body material having an outer surface comprising: (a) heating a composition comprising a hydrophilic solvent, a higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a fatty alcohol, a humectant, an oil-in-water emulsifying surfactant having a lipophilic hydrophilic balance greater than 7, a natural oil or fat, and a sterol and a sterol derivative, at a temperature above the melting point of the composition that causes that the composition melts; (b) applying said melted composition to the outer surface of a fabric of material facing the body in spaced apart tanks, and (c) resolidifying the deposits of the molten composition.

The composition can have a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C. The composition may have a process viscosity of more than about 50 centipoise. The resolidified composition can have a penetration hardness of from about 5 to about 360 millimeters. The molten composition can be applied by spraying. The molten composition can be applied by spraying, slot coating or printing.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a composition that increases the skin barrier comprising from about 5 to about 90 percent by weight of hydrophilic solvent, from about 5 to about 95 percent by weight of polyethylene glycol of higher molecular weight having a molecular weight of about 720 or greater, from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of a C14 to C30 fatty alcohol or greater, from about 0.5 to about 10 percent by weight of a humectant, of from about 1 to about 20 percent by weight of an oil-in-water emulsifying surfactant having a lipophilic hydrophilic balance range greater than 7, and from about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of sterol or sterol derivative.

The composition can have a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C. The composition may have a process viscosity of more than about 50 centipoise. The resolidified composition can have a penetration hardness of from about 5 to about 360 millimeters.

The hydrophilic solvent of the composition can be selected from the group consisting of: water, propylene glycol, low molecular weight polyethylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, hydrogenated starch hydrolyzate, silicone glycol, and mixtures thereof. The fatty alcohol of the composition can be selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

The higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol of the composition can be selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene glycols having an average molecular weight greater than 720 daltons. The humectant of the composition may be selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, sodium PCA, potassium PCA, sodium lactate and mixtures thereof. The surfactant of the composition can be selected from the group consisting of glyceryl stearate SE, glyceryl stearate, glycol stearate and mixtures thereof.

The sterol or sterol derivative of the composition can be selected from the group consisting of: cholesterol, cytosterol, stigmaterol and ergosterol, lanerterol, soy sterol, avocado sterols, cholesterol esters, sterol esters and mixtures thereof. The fat or natural oil of the composition can be selected from the group consisting of avocado oil, apricot oil, babassu oil, borage oil, camellia oil, canola oil, castor oil, coconut oil, corn oil , cottonseed oil, evening primrose oil, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, maleated soy bean oil, prairie foam oil, palm kernel oil, phospholipids, colasa oil, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, rose hip oil, sunflower oil, soy bean oil, derivatives of fats or natural oils (stearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, benenyl alcohol and the like) and similar and mixtures thereof.

The amount of hydrophilic solvent used in the composition can be from about 5 to about 90 percent by weight and more specifically from about 25 to about 75 percent. The amount of higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol used in the composition can be from about 5 to about 95 percent by weight, and more specifically from about 15 to about 50 percent by weight.

The amount of fatty alcohol used in the composition can be from about 1 to about 30 percent. The amount of the surfactant used in the composition can be from about 1 to about 20 percent. The amount of the sterol or sterol derivative used in the composition can be from about 0.1 to about 10 percent. The amount of natural fat or natural oil used in the composition can be from about 0.1 to about 30 percent.

An incorporation of the composition comprises about 48.2 percent by weight of propylene glycol, about 20 percent by weight of polyethylene glycol 8,000, about 20 percent by weight of stearyl alcohol, about 5 percent by weight of glycerin, about 3 percent by weight of glyceryl stearate SE, about 0.8 percent by weight of soy sterol, and about 3 percent by weight of borage oil.

Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 34 weight percent propylene glycol, about 20 weight percent polyethylene glycol 8,000, about percent by weight of stearyl alcohol, about 10 percent by weight of behenyl alcohol, about 15 percent by weight of glycerin, about 5 percent by weight of propylene glycol oleate SE, about 1 percent by weight of cholesterol, and about 5 percent by weight of sunflower seed oil.

Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 42.2 percent by weight of propylene glycol, about 20 percent by weight of polyethylene glycol 8,000, about 20 percent by weight of stearyl alcohol, about 5 percent by weight of glycerin, about 2 percent by weight of glyceryl stearate SE, about 0.8 percent by weight of soy sterol, and about 10 percent by weight of borage oil.

Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 42.2 percent by weight of propylene glycol, about 20 percent by weight of polyethylene glycol 8,000, about 20 percent by weight of stearyl alcohol, about 5 percent by weight of glycerin, about 2 percent by weight of glyceryl stearate SE, about 0.8 percent by weight of soy sterol, and about 10 percent by weight of avocado oil.

Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 42.2 weight percent propylene glycol, about 20 weight percent polyethylene glycol 8,000, about 20 weight percent stearyl alcohol, about 5 weight percent glycerin, about 2 percent by weight of glyceryl stearate SE, about 0.8 percent by weight of soy sterol, and about 10 percent by weight of lanolin oil.

Another embodiment of the composition comprises about 42.2 percent by weight of propylene glycol, about 20 percent by weight of polyethylene glycol 10,000, about 20 percent by weight of behenyl alcohol, about 5 percent by weight of glycerin, about 2 percent by weight of glyceryl stearate SE, about 0.8 percent by weight of avocadin, and about 10 percent by weight of sunflower oil.

Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 32.2 percent by weight of polyethylene 200, about 20 percent by weight of polyethylene glycol 1,000, about 30 percent by weight of behenyl alcohol, about 5 percent by weight of starch hydrolyzate hydrogenated, about 2 percent by weight of glyceryl stearate SE, about 0.8 percent by weight of avocadin, and about 10 percent by weight of soybean oil.

Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 32.2 percent by weight of polyethylene 200, about 20 percent by weight of polyethylene glycol 1,000, about 30 percent by weight of behenyl alcohol, about 5 percent by weight of starch hydrolyzate hydrogenated, about 2 percent by weight of glyceryl stearate SE, about 0.8 percent by weight of avocadin, and about 10 percent by weight of sunflower oil.

Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 37 percent by weight of polyethylene 200, about 20 percent by weight of polyethylene glycol 8,000, about 10 percent by weight of behenyl alcohol, about 10 percent by weight of stearyl alcohol, about 5 weight percent hydrogenated starch hydrolyzate, about 5 weight percent glycol stearate SE, about 3 weight percent avocado sterols, and about 10 weight percent borage oil.

Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 20 weight percent polyethylene glycol 200, about 20 weight percent propylene glycol, about 20 weight percent polyethylene glycol 8,000, about 10 weight percent bene? Nyl alcohol , about 10 percent by weight of stearyl alcohol, about 5 percent by weight of sodium PCA, about 5 percent by weight of glycol stearate SE, about 2 percent by weight of cholesterol and about 8 percent by weight of oil borraja Another incorporation of the composition comprises about 42 percent by weight of polyethylene 200, about 20 percent by weight of polyethylene glycol 8,000, about 10 percent by weight of behenyl alcohol, about 10 percent by weight of stearyl alcohol, about 5 percent by weight. percent by weight of glycerin, about 5 percent by weight of glycol stearate SE, about 3 percent by weight of soy sterol and about 5 percent by weight of evening primrose oil.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for increasing / restoring / maintaining the barrier function of a user's skin. The method comprises the steps of: a) contacting a face-to-body material on the wearer's skin wherein said material comprises a skin barrier enhancing / restoring / maintaining composition that provides an increase / restoration / barrier maintenance benefit of the skin with the transfer of the composition to the user's skin; b) transferring at least a part of the composition during the use of the material facing the body; Y c) repeating steps a) and b) with one or more additional face-to-face materials with sufficient frequency to increase / restore / maintain said skin barrier in an area of the skin that has come in contact with the skin material face to body, in relation to the skin contacted by an equivalent body facing material that does not comprise the skin enhancing / restorative / barrier maintenance composition.

The skin barrier maintaining / restorative / maintaining composition of the method comprises from about 5 to about 90 weight percent hydrophilic solvent, from about 5 to about 95 weight percent polyethylene glycol by weight higher molecular having a molecular weight of from about 720 or greater, from about 1 to about 25 weight percent of a C14 to C30 fatty alcohol or greater, from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 percent by weight of humectant, from about 1 to about 20 percent by weight of an oil-in-water emulsifying surfactant having a lipophilic hydrophilic balance range greater than 7, and from about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of sterol or sterol derivative.

The composition can have a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C. The resolidified composition can have a process viscosity greater than about 50 centipoise. The resolidified composition can have a penetration hardness of from about 5 to about 360 millimeters. The method may further comprise the use of a face-to-body material having a skin barrier maintenance / enhancing / restorative composition by the user on each occasion of use. The method may further comprise the use of a body facing material which does not comprise an enhancing / restorative / barrier maintenance composition of the skin intermittently by the user. The method may further comprise using the face-to-body material comprising an increase / restoration / barrier maintenance composition of the skin by a user whose skin is compromised and with sufficient frequency to improve the skin's barrier function.

The amount of hydrophilic solvent, including water if present, in the hydrophilic composition, can be from about 10 weight percent to about 90 weight percent, more specifically from about 25 weight percent a about 75 percent by weight, more specifically from about 30 percent by weight to about 60 percent by weight. As used herein, suitable hydrophilic solvents include, but are not limited to the following materials: water, propylene glycol, low molecular weight polyethylene glycols (molecular weights less than 720 and liquids at room temperature), methoxy isopropanol, propyl ether PPG- 2, butyl ether PPG-2, methyl ether PPG-2, methyl ether PPG-3, dipropylene glycol propyl ether, dipropylene glycol butyl ether, dipropylene glycol, methyl propanediol, propylene carbonate, polypropylene glycols dispersible / water soluble, polypropylene glycol ethoxylated, glycerin, solutions of sorbitol, hydrogenated starch hydrolyzate, and silicone glycols, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

The amount of polyethylene glycol of higher molecular weight in the hydrophilic composition can be from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent, more specifically from about 10 weight percent to about 50 weight percent. weight, and even more specifically from about 15 percent by weight to about 25 percent by weight. The higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol in the hydrophilic lotion compositions of the present invention primarily functions as an immobilizing agent for the hydrophilic solvent and any active ingredient. In addition to immobilizing the solvent, and reducing its tendency to migrate, the higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol in the hydrophilic lotion composition provides a tackiness to the hydrophilic lotion composition which improves transfer to the wearer's skin. As used herein, suitable higher molecular weight polyethylene glycols include, but are not limited to, the following materials: polyethylene glycols having an average molecular weight of 720 or greater, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof. These materials are not liquid at room temperature. Particularly suitable higher molecular weight polyethylene glycols can have an average molecular weight of from 720 to about 1,840,000, more specifically, from about 1,400 to about 440,000, and even more specifically from about 1,760 to about 10, 570 .

The amount of fatty alcohol in the hydrophilic composition can be from about 1 percent by weight to about 30 percent by weight, more specifically from about 10 percent by weight to about 25 percent by weight, and even more specifically from about 15 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight.

As used herein, suitable fatty alcohols include, but are not limited to the following materials: alcohols having a carbon chain length of C 14 -C 30 or greater, including cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol, and similar as well as mixtures thereof.

The amount of the humectant in the hydrophilic composition can be from about 0.5 percent by weight to about 30 percent by weight, more specifically from about from about 5 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight . Moisturizers are typically cosmetic ingredients used to increase the water content of the upper layers of the skin. These groups of materials include the primarily hydroscopic ingredients. As used herein, suitable humectants include, but are not limited to the following materials: Acetamide MEA, Aloe Vera Gel, Arginine PCA, Chitosan PCA, Copper PCA, Corn glycerides, Dimethyl Imidazolidinone, Fructose, Glucamine, Glucose, Glutamate of Glucose, Glucuronic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Glicereth-7, Glicereth-12, Glicereth-20, Glicereth-26, Glycerin, Honey, Hydrogenated Honey, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolyzate, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, MEA Lactamide, Lactic Acid, Lysine Lysine PCA, Mannitol, Methyl Gluceth-10, Methyl Gluceth-20, PCA, Lactamide PEG-2, Propylene Glycol PEG-10, Polyamino Sugar Condensate, Potassium PCA, Propylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Citrate, Saccharin Hydrolyzate, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Aspartate , Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sorbitol, Lactate-TEA, TEA-PCA, Urea, Xylitol and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

The amount of oil-in-water emulsifying surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance range greater than 7 in the hydrophilic composition can be from about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent, more specifically from from about 2 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight, and even more specifically from about 3 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight. Emulsifying surfactants are typically employed in cosmetic preparations to form multi-component emulsions. The immiscible phase, such as an oil, is dispersed as droplets in the continuous phase, such as water or in this case the hydrophilic solvent.

Preferred surfactants include, but are not limited to Emulsifying Wax NF, Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Glycol Stearate, Glycol Stearate SE, Glicereth-20, Stearate, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Hydroxystearate, Glyceryl Laurate SE, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Oleate SE, Propylene Glycol Oleate, Propylene Glycol Oleate SE, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Propylene Glycol Stearate SE, Sorbitan Stearate, Sorbitan Trioleate, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

The amount of sterol or sterol derivatives or mixtures of sterols and sterols derivatives in the hydrophilic composition can be from about 0.1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent, more specifically from about 0.5 weight. percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight, and even more specifically from about 0.8 percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight. As used herein, suitable sterols and sterol derivatives include, but are not limited to the following materials: 3-sterols that have a tail on position 17 and that do not have polar groups, eg, cholesterol, sitosterol, stigmaterol , and ergoesterol, as well as esters of latherterol / cholesterol C10 - C30, cholecalciferol, coleesteril hydroxystearate, cholesteryl isostearate, cholesteryl stearate, 7 - dehydrocholesterol, dihydrocol is toluene, dihydrocholesteryl octyldecanoate, dihydrolanoesterol, dihydrolanoesteryl octadecanoate, ergocalciferol, sterol risin oil, soy sterol acetate, latherterol, soy sterol, avocado sterols, cholesterol esters, sterol esters, and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

The amount of the oil or natural fat or a mixture of fat or natural oils in the hydrophilic composition can be from about 0.1 weight percent to about 30 weight percent, more specifically from about 0.5 weight percent. by weight to about 20 percent by weight, and even more specifically from about 1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight. As used herein, the phrase "natural fats or oils" is understood to include fats, oils, essential oils, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, phospholipids, and mixtures thereof. As used herein, natural fats or oils include, but are not limited to the following materials: Fats and oils; Peach Nut Oil, Avocado Oil, Babassu Oil, Borage Oil, Butter, C12-C18 Acid Triglyceride, Camellia Oil, Canola Oil, Capric / Capric Triglyceride / Lauric, Capric / Capric / Linoleic Triglyceride, Capric / Capric / Stearic Triglyceride, Capric / Capric Triglyceride, Carrot Oil, Cashew Nut Oil, Castor Oil, Cherry Bone Oil, Chia Oil, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Corn Germ Oil, Corn Oil, Cottonseed Oil, C10-C18 Triglyceride, Egg Oil, Epoxidized Soybean Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Glyceryl Triacetyl Hydroxystearate, Glyceryl Triacetatiline Oleate, Glycosphingolipids, Oil Grape Seed, Hazelnut Oil, Human Placenta Lipids, Hybrid Safflower Oil, Hybrid Sunflower Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hidrogenic Castor Oil Laurate Coconut Oil, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Hydrogenated C12-C18 Triglycerides, Hydrogenated Fish Oil, Hydrogenated Butter, Hydrogenated Menhaden Oil, Hydrogenated Mink Oil, Hydrogenated Orange Tosco Oil, Palm Nugget Oil Hydrogenated, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Hydrogenated Peanut Oil, Hydrogenated Shark Liver Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Sebum, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Butter, Lauric / Palmic / Oleic Triglyceride, Lesquerella Oil, Linseed Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Stroked Soybean Oil, Prairie Foam Seed Oil, Menhaden Oil, Mink Oil, Moringa Oil, Mortierella Oil, Animal Paw Animal Oil, Triglyceride or Leicol / L inoleic, Oleic / Palmitic / Lauric / Miristic / Linoleic, Oleoestearin, Olive Cascara Oil, Olive Oil, Omental Lipids, Orange Tosco Oil, Palm Nut Oil, Palm Oil, Pepita Oil Peach, Peanut Oil, Penjawar Djambi Oil, Penadesma Butter, Phospholipids, Pistache Nut Oil, Placenta Lipids, Colza Seed Oil, Bran and Rice Oil, Safflower Oil, Sesame Oil, Liver Oil of Cod, Shea Butter, Soybean Oil, Sphingolipids, Sunflower Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Resin Oil, Tallow, Tribehenin, Tricaprin, Tricaprylin, Triheptanoin, Trihydroxymethoxystearin, Trihydrate Roxiestearin, Triisononanoin, Triisostiarin, Trilaurin, Trilinolein, Trinolenin, Trimiristin, Trioctanoin, Triolein, Tripalmitin, Tricebasin, Triestearin, Triundecanoin, Vegetable Oil, Walnut Oil, Bran and Wheat Lipids, Wheat Germ Oil, Zadoari Oil, and similar, as well as mixtures thereof.

Fatty acids; Arachidic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, Behenic Acid, Capric Acid, Caproic Acid, Capric Acid, Coconut Acid, Corn Acid, Cottonseed Acid, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Hydrogenated Menhaden Acid, Hydrogenated Tallow Acid, Hydroxystearic Acid, Isostearyl Acid, Luric Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Linseed Acid, Miristic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Palm Nugite Acid, Pelargonic Acid, Ricinoleic Acid, Soy Acid, Stearic Acid, Resin Oil Acid, Sebo Acid, Undecanoic Acid, Undecylenic Acid, Wheat Germ Acid and the like as well as mixtures thereof.

Fatty Alcohols; Behenyl Alcohol, C9-C1: L Alcohols, i2_C13 Alcohols, C12-C15 Alcohols, C12-C16 Alcohols, C14-C15 Alcohols, Capryl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Coconut Alcohol, Decyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Tallow Alcohol, Alcohol of Lanolin, Lauryl Alcohol, Miristyl Alcohol, Oleyl Alcohol, Palm Alcohol, Palm Pepita Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Tallow Alcohol, Tridecyl Alcohol and the like as well as mixtures thereof.

Essential Oils: Anise Oil, Balsam Mint Oil, Basil Oil, Bee Balsam Oil, Bergamot Oil, Birch Oil, Bitter Almond Oil, Bitter Orange Oil, Calendula Oil, California Nut Oil , Caraway Oil, Cardamom Oil, Chamomile Oil, Cinnamon Oil, Wild Salvia Oil, Clove Oil, Cilantro Oil, Cypress Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Fennel Oil, Gardenia Oil, Oil Geranium, Ginger Oil, Grapefruit Oil, Hyptis Oil, Indian Bush Oil, Jasmine Oil, Hemebro Oil, Kiwi Oil, Laurel Oil, Lavender Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Lemon Oil, Linden Oil, Ligature Oil, Orange Tangerine Oil, Matriacaria Oil, Musk Rose Oil, Nutmeg Oil, Olibanum, Orange Flower Oil, Orange Oil, Patchouli Oil, Penroyal Oil, Peppermint Oil, Oil of Pine, Pine Tar Oil, Rose Hip Oil, Rosemary Oil, Rose Oil, Rue Oil, Salvia Oil, Zambuco Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Sasafras Oil, White Spruce Oil, Mint Oil Green, Sweet Marjoram Oil, Sweet Violet Oil, Tar Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Thyme Oil, Wild Mint Oil, Yarrow Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil and the like, as well as mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments of the present invention the hydrophilic composition may contain petrolatum or mineral oil. The amount of petrolatum or mineral oil in the composition can be from about 0 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, more specifically from about 0 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight, and even more specifically from about 0 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight.

As used herein, the term "body facing material" includes, but is not limited to, materials such as: side-to-body lining; the elastic material; the tissue; the intake and distribution material, absorbent material, including, but not limited to, coform, woven and non-woven materials, bottom sheet liner material, or any other materials known in the art that are or may be used in the construction of absorbent articles for personal care such as diapers, underpants for learning, absorbent undergarments, adult incontinence products, products for the hygiene of women. The term "body facing material" is understood to include materials that are both typically and less frequently in contact with the wearer's skin. The body facing material of the present invention can be single layer or multi layer.

The composition of the present invention can be applied to a specific part or component of the absorbent article or to the entire surface of the absorbent article that comes into contact with the wearer's skin during the use of the absorbent article. In addition, the composition can be applied in variable concentration or deposit amounts on the surface that contacts the skin of the absorbent article or a part thereof. The compositions are applied so that the compositions will be delivered through contact with the user's skin during the use of the absorbent article. The compositions of the present invention may be applied after the body facing material has been incorporated into the absorbent article or prior to incorporation into the body facing material into the absorbent article. The phrase "effective amount of the composition" is understood to mean an amount of the composition of the present invention which, when applied to the material facing the body, will be effective to provide skin barrier improvement benefits.

Some additional examples of the materials that can serve as body facing material in the present invention are discussed in the following patent applications: "Absorbent Article having Improved Breathing Ability", serial application No. 09 / 139,820, issue of lawyer No. 13,732, filed on August 25, 1998, with Mr. Michael J. Faulks and Ms. Pamela J. Mayberry, as inventors; "Absorbent Article having a High Air Exchange Rate", United States of America patent application series No. 09 / 139,824, attorney's issue No. 13,827, filed on August 25, 1998 with Michael J. Faulks, Pamela J. Mayberry, Sue C. Paul, Aura S. Wright and Frank J. Akin as inventors; and "Absorbent Article that has a Reduced Growth of Candida Albican S", United States of America patent application No. 09 / 328,681, attorney's issue No. 14,270 filed on June 9, 1999 (which claims as a priority a of the provisional application filed on August 25, 1998 with the serial number of the United States of America 60 / 097,810 provisional) with Messrs. Michael J. Faulks, Pamela J. Mayberry, Sue C. Paul and Audra S. Wright as inventors, whose complete descriptions are incorporated herein by reference to the extent to which they are consistent with the present.

The resolidification of the hydrophilic composition deposits can occur almost instantaneously, without the need for external coating means, such as chill rolls, if the composition is heated to a temperature only slightly above or at the melting point of the composition. However, external media such as chill rolls, either before or after the application of the melt can be used if desired to accelerate the resolidification. Such instantaneous resolidification tends to prevent the penetration of the composition into the liner side to the body 18 or the tissue material 20, and to retain it on the outer surface 28 of the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20, which is advantageous. For example, the temperature of the molten composition may advantageously be above the melting point of about 10 ° C or less, more specifically about 5 ° C or less and even more specifically about 2 ° C or less. As the temperature of the molten composition approaches the melting point, the viscosity of the molten composition generally increases, which further increases the tendency of the molten composition to be retained on the outer surface 28.

For the purposes given here, the "melting point" is the temperature at which most of the melting occurs, recognizing that the melt actually occurs over a range of temperatures. The melting point of the compositions of this invention can be from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C, more specifically from about 40 ° C to about 70 ° C, and even more specifically from about 50 ° C to around 60 ° C.

In addition, for the purposes given here the "penetration hardness" is the needle penetration in millimeters according to ASTM D 1321, "Penetration of Oil Wax Needle". The lower needle penetration hardness values correspond to harder materials. The penetration hardness of the compositions of this invention can be from about 5 millimeters to 360 millimeters, more specifically from about 5 millimeters to about 200 millimeters, more specifically from about 5 millimeters to about 150 millimeters , and even more specifically from around 5 millimeters to around 100 millimeters. (Formulas that have a needle penetration hardness greater than 360 millimeters can not be measured using the ASTM D 1321 method).

The hardness of the formulas or compositions of this invention is important for two reasons. First, the softer the formula, the more mobile the formula will be, making said formula more prone to migrate into the liner side to body 18 or 20, as well as to absorbent core 14, which is undesirable. Second, softer formulas tend to be more greasy / oily to the touch which is also less desirable. In general, formulas that have a needle penetration hardness of from about 200 millimeters to 360 millimeters feel creamy to slightly greasy with less softness (depending on the additives). Formulas that have needle penetration hardness values of from about 5 millimeters to about 200 millimeters feel silky to creamy and very soft (depending on the additives).

The melting point viscosity and / or the viscosity of the process temperature of the formulas or compositions of this invention is important for two reasons. First, the higher the melting point viscosity or the viscosity of the process temperature when applied to the outer surface of the diaper liner, the less likely it is that it will penetrate through the inner surface of the diaper liner. The less penetrate the formula through the liner there will be more on the surface of the liner where it can be easily transferred to the surface of the skin of the users. Second, the higher the viscosity of the formula above the melting point or the melting point of the formula, the less likely it is that the formula will migrate to typical or adverse storage conditions.

In order to improve benefits to consumers, additional ingredients may be used. The kinds of ingredients and their corresponding benefits include, without limitation: antifoam agents (reduce the tendency of foaming during processing); antimicrobial assets; antifungal assets; antiseptic assets; antioxidants (product integrity to avoid oxidation of natural oils and other ingredients in the formula or composition); astringent-cosmetics (induce a tightening or stinging sensation on the skin); astringent-drug (a drug product which verifies the spill, discharge or bleeding when applied to the skin or mucous membrane and works by means of a coagulating protein); biological additives (improve the functioning or attraction to the consumer of the product including vitamins); dyes (impart color to the product); deodorants (reduce or eliminate unpleasant odor and protect against the formation of bad odor on body surfaces); emollients (help maintain the smooth, smooth and supple appearance of the skin through its ability to remain on the surface of the skin or in the stratum corneum to act as lubricants, to reduce scale formation and to improve the appearance of the skin); film formers (to keep the active ingredients on the skin by producing a continuous film on the skin when drying); fragrances (attraction to the consumer); lubricants, such as silicones and organomodified silicones; natural moisturizing agents (NMF) and other skin moisturizing ingredients known in the art; skin conditioning agents; skin exfoliating agents (ingredients that increase the rate of change of skin cells such as alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids); skin protectors (a drug product which protects the surface of the mucous membrane or of injured or exposed skin from harmful or annoying stimuli; solvents (liquids used to dissolve compounds found useful in cosmetics or drugs); ultraviolet absorbers; and surfactants (as cleaning agents, solubilizing agents, suspending agents and wetting agents).

In addition, of these kinds of ingredients, from about 0.01 to about 20 weight percent dispersible / oil soluble materials or lipophilic materials can be easily emulsified in the formulas using anionic, amphoteric, cationic, nonionic and / or zwiteriónicos. The lipophilic materials without limitation include organomodified silicones / silicones (protection, resistance to water of the tissue, lubricity, softness of the tissue); emollients, fatty esters and the like. The powders to increase the lubricity, the absorption of oil, provide protection to the skin, astringency, opacity, etc., and microencapsulated ingredients that can be dispersed in the formula.

The minimum level of the composition can be applied to the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20 as an effective amount to reduce abrasion and retraction of the wearer's skin. The side liner to the total body 18 or the aggregate tissue material 20 of the composition can be from about 0.5 to about 40 weight percent, more specifically from about 5 to about 30 weight percent, and more specifically from about 10 weight percent to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20. The amount added will depend on the desired effect of the composition on the composition. the attributes of the product and the specific composition.

A preferred method for uniformly applying the heated composition to the outer surface 28 of the lining fabric from side to body 18 or from the tissue material 20 is slot coating or spraying. However, other printing methods such as flexographic printing, or rotogravure printing, can be used.

As used herein, all recited ranges of quantities, temperatures, molecular weights and penetration hardness are intended to be included in all sub-ranges within the ranges quoted, even if they are not specifically declared.

As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to articles or products that are used to absorb and contain body fluids. Disposable absorbent articles 10 include such products as diapers, training pants, adult incontinence articles, absorbent underpants, and women's hygiene products that have been used to absorb body fluids and leave the skin to the skin. dry Disposable absorbent articles 10 of this type generally comprise a lower liquid impermeable sheet member 12, an absorbent core 14 or an absorbent assembly 16, and a liquid-permeable body-side liner 18 (see Figures 1 and 2). It is possible for the body side liner 18 or the tissue material 20 to come into contact with the wearer's skin. Typically, the lower leaf member 12 is attached to the side-to-body liner 18 with the absorbent core 14 positioned between the rear sheet member 12 and the side-to-body liner 18. A general description of these components, of the sheet member lower 12, from the side facing to the body 18 and from the absorbent core 14 will be discussed below.

In general, the absorbent core 14 absorbs and retains body fluids, such as menstrual fluids, urine, and other exudates from the body. The absorbent core 14 is preferably compressible, conformable and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. The absorbent core 14 may take a variety of shapes and sizes, such as rectangular, oval, hourglass, "T" shape, asymmetric shape, dog bone shape, and the like. The absorbent core 14 may be comprised of a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in absorbent articles 10. Absorbent cores 14 typically include a porous fibrous matrix 22 and a high absorbency material 24.

The fibrous and porous matrix 22 of the absorbent core 14 is preferably a block placed by air of fluff and of high absorbency material 24 which can be formed in many ways, for example, according to the teachings of Mazurak and Fries as indicated in U.S. Patent No. 4,381,782 whose full description is incorporated herein by reference to the extent that it is consistent with the present. The absorbent core 14 may comprise a mixture formed of air of a high-absorbency material 24 (SAP), and of fibers 22, preferably fluff pulp. The mixing of the fluff fibers 22 and the high-absorbency material 24 can be homogeneous, graded or layered. Also, fibers 22, other than fluff pulp such as thermomechanical or chemically stiffened pulps, can be used.

In addition, the absorbent core 4 may comprise an absorbent material other than the formed lint material 22 and the high absorbency material 24. For example, the coform materials as mentioned in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,818,464 issued to Lau and 4,100,324 granted to Anderson can be used to make the absorbent as long as they also contain high absorbency materials. In addition, wet-formed composite materials comprising a combination of fibers and high-absorbency materials can also be used as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,651,862 issued to Anderson et al. Stabilized air-laid materials comprising a mixture of fibers, binder fibers, and high-absorbency materials which are bonded together by means of latex bonding or air-bonding can also be used as absorbent materials. Additionally, any material known in the art that serves to absorb exudates from the body can be used to construct the absorbent core 14 as shown in the present invention.

The high-absorbency materials 24 are typically hydrogel polymers that are desirably cross-linked in a manner sufficient to render the materials essentially insoluble in water. The crosslinking can, for example, be by means of irradiation or by means of covalent, ionic, Van der Waals or hydrogen bonding. Suitable materials are available from various commercial vendors such as Dow Chemical Company (Drytech 2035 LD), Hoechst-Celanese Corporation and Allied-Colloid. Typically, the high-absorbency material 24 is capable of absorbing at least about 15 times its weight in water, and desirably is capable of absorbing more than about 25 times its weight in water.

The high-absorbency material 24 can be distributed or otherwise incorporated into the absorbent core 14 employing various techniques. For example, the high-absorbency material 24 may be essentially distributed between the fibers 22 comprising the absorbent core 24. The material 24 may also be distributed non-uniformly within the fibers 22 of the absorbent core 14 to form a generally continuous gradient. with either an increasing or decreasing concentration of the high-absorbency material 24, as determined by observing the concentration moving inwardly from the lower sheet member 12. Alternatively, the high-absorbency material 24 may comprise a layer discrete separated from the fibers 22 of the absorbent core 14, or may comprise a discrete layer integral with the absorbent core 14.

The absorbent core 14 may also include a wrap layer 26 to help maintain the integrity of the fibrous absorbent core 14. (See Figure 2). This wrapping layer 26 may comprise a cellulose tissue or spunbond, meltblown or carded fabric material and bonded synthetic polymer filament composite, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters or the like, or natural polymer filaments such as rayon or cotton. The wrapping layer 26 can be made of the same materials as those used in the body-side liner 18 or it can be made of materials that differ from those used in the body-side lining 18. In some cases, the side lining body 18 may be absent, and wrapping layer 26 also referred to as a tissue material 20, will serve as the side-to-body layer of absorbent article 10, which comes into contact with the wearer's skin.

The absorbent core 14 may include additional components to aid in the acquisition, distribution and storage of body exudates, such as a dust removal layer, a transport layer, a transmission or acquisition / distribution layer, a take-up layer, or an emergence layer. See U.S. Patent No. 4,798,603 issued January 17, 1989 to Meyer et al., Or an emergence management layer, such as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,486,166 issued to the United States of America. On January 23, 1996 to Bishop et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,364,382 issued November 15, 1994 to Latimer et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,490,846 issued to Ellis et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,429,629 to Latimer et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,509,915 to Hanson et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,192,606 to Proxmire et al. .

The body side liner 18 consists of a non-woven fabric or other soft material to make contact with the wearer's skin. The side-to-body liner 18 has an outer surface 28 that faces the user and an interior surface 30 that faces the user's face. The body side liner 18 is described in more detail below. The body side liner 18 is soft and feels soft to the user. The body side liner 18 can be any soft, flexible and porous sheet that is permeable to aqueous liquid, which allows aqueous liquids to easily penetrate into their thickness. A suitable side-to-body liner 18 can be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as natural fibers (e.g., cotton or wood fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers) or a combination of synthetic and natural fibers or reticulated foams and perforated plastic films.

The body side liner 18 is formed of a material permeable to the aqueous liquid so that the liquid waste, and possibly also the semi-solid waste can pass through the absorbent core 14 and be absorbed by the absorbent core 14 of the absorbent article 10. A suitable side-to-body liner 18 may be composed of a non-woven fabric, a spunbond, meltblown or bonded and carded fabric composed of synthetic polymer filaments or fibers, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters or the like, a perforated film, or a fabric or fibers or filaments of natural polymers such as rayon or cotton.

In addition, the body side liner 18 can be treated with a surfactant to aid in the transfer of aqueous liquid. Suitably, the side-to-body liner 18 is a material bonded with non-woven yarn. Suitably, yarn-bound material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, located in Roswell, Georgia. The body side liner 18 has a weight of from about 0.3 ounces per square yard (osy) to about 2.0 ounces per square yard, and alternatively about 0.5 ounces per square yard. The liner side to body 18 of the underpants can be printed, colored or decoratively engraved. The body side liner 18 may also be a nonwoven sheet or fabric of polyolefin fibers, such as polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene, rayon, Chisso and the like. The body side liner 18 can also be a plastic film, with perforations, an expanded plastic fabric material or a canvas material. The side-to-body liner 18 has a pore size that readily allows passage therethrough of air, sweat, perspiration due to the breathing ability of the material. The body side liner 18 can be selectively etched or perforated with discrete slits or holes extending therethrough.

Ideally, the side-to-body liner fabric 18 is surface treated with a surfactant such as that commercially available from Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Company, Inc., of Danbury, Connecticut, United States of America, under the trade designation. TRITÓN X-102. As used herein, the term "fabric" refers to all woven, knitted and non-woven fibrous fabrics. The term "non-woven fabric" means a fabric of material that is formed without the aid of a knitting or textile fabric process.

As an alternate material, an aqueous-liquid-permeable body liner 18 of a carded fabric of polyester fibers bonded to a polypropylene or polyethylene carrier sheet spun-bonded can be made. The carded material is made from about 20 weight percent to about 60 weight percent polypropylene or polyethylene is from about 80 to about 40 weight percent polyester. The base weight of this material can be between about 30 grams per square meter and around 70 grams per square meter.

Also, as used herein, a "liner", a "liner product", a "diaper liner", a "top sheet", a "tissue" can be a side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20 of an absorbent article for personal care 10, such as diapers, training pants, absorbent undergarments, adult incontinence products, women's hygiene products or the like. The body side liner 18 or the tissue material 20 of this invention may be single layer or multiple layer. In all cases, the compositions are typically applied to the outer surface 28 of the side-to-body liner 18 of the tissue material 20 of the disposable absorbent article 10. The compositions of the present invention can be applied to the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20 has been incorporated into the absorbent article 10 or before the incorporation of the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20 into the absorbent article 10.

The lower leaf member 12 is necessary to prevent the aqueous liquid from passing through the outer clothing when the side-to-body fluid is discharged onto the absorbent core 14 of the absorbent article 10. The lower sheet member 12 typically consists of a film impervious to aqueous liquid such as polyethylene. The lower sheet member impermeable to the aqueous liquid 12 has an outer surface 32 that faces the user outwardly and an inner surface 34 that faces the user. In the construction of the disposable absorbent article 10, the lower sheet member 12, which acts as a barrier, should retard the movement of the aqueous liquid through the absorbent article 10 by making the lower sheet member 12 resistant to penetration normally encountered. under conditions of use. The lower sheet member 12 desirably comprises a material that is formed or treated to be impermeable to the aqueous liquid.

Alternatively, the lower sheet member 12 may comprise a material permeable to the aqueous liquid and other suitable means (not shown) such as a layer impermeable to the aqueous liquid associated with the absorbent core 14 may be provided to prevent the movement of the aqueous liquid out of the absorbent core 14 of the absorbent article 10. The disposable absorbent article 10 can be made impermeable to the aqueous liquid by any method well known in the art such as coating the absorbent core 14 or by securing a material impervious to the aqueous liquid separated to the absorbent core. 14. The lower sheet member 12 may comprise a sheet or fabric impervious to thin, aqueous liquid of plastic film such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or a similar material. Other acceptable materials include a single-spun bonded layer of the aforementioned types of materials, two layers of spunbond and meltblown materials, or a three-ply material of spunblown-spunbonded material. Suitable foam materials can also be used, as well as materials that are both water vapor impermeable and vapor permeable.

Alternatively, the lower sheet member 12 may comprise a non-woven fibrous web which has been properly constructed and arranged to have a low permeability to the aqueous liquid. Still alternatively, the lower sheet member 12 may comprise a layered or laminated material, such as a thermally bonded plastic film and a nonwoven fabric composite. Alternatively, the lower sheet member 12 consists of a film or foam impervious to the aqueous liquid which is permeable to water vapor under normal conditions of use. More preferably, the lower sheet member 12 has a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 800 grams / m2 / 24 hours as measured by ASTM E96-92. An example of a suitable film is a microporous film of 39.4 grams per square meter produced by Mitsui and sold by Consolidated Thermoplastics (CT) under the brand ESPOIR® N-TAF-CT.

The absorbent articles 10 may also include the elastic members 36 on the waist 42 (on the absorbent articles 10, such as underpants and short pants), on the regions surrounding the leg openings 38 and 40, on the waist portions. (not shown) as notch elastic (in absorbent articles 10, such as underpants), in side panels (not shown) (in absorbent articles 10 such as short pants and underpants) and in barrier structures or fin (not shown). The elastic members 36 may be in the form of strips, tapes, strips or connected tapes, sheets, threads, bands, strips, filaments or any combination of these and other forms known in the art. The elastic members 36 may also be of a latent elastic material that is activated after placement in the absorbent articles 10.

The compositions of the present invention are solid or semi-solid at 30 ° C. As used here. The term "semi-solid" refers to a composition that has a typical rheology of pseudoplastic or plastic fluids. Because the compositions are in at least a semi-solid state at room temperature, migration of the composition is minimal. The compositions, which are solid or semi-solid at room temperature, do not have the tendency to migrate into the liner side to the body 18 or the tissue material 20 and finally into the absorbent article 10 to which the composition has been applied. The compositions are transferable to the user's skin by normal contact, by the movement of the user or by the heat of the user's body.

The composition is applied to the outer surface 28 of the side-to-body liner 18 or to the tissue material 20 of the absorbent article 10. Any of a variety of application methods can be used which evenly distribute the lubricating materials having a liquid or liquid consistency. melted Suitable methods include spraying, slot coating, printing (such as flexographic printing), coating (such as gravure coating), extrusion or combinations of these methods, such as spraying the composition on a rotating surface, and then transferring the composition to the outer surface 28 of the side liner to the body 18 or to the tissue material 20.

The manner of applying the composition to the side liner to the body 18 or to the tissue material 20 should be such that the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20 does not become saturated with the composition. If the body side liner 18 or the tissue material 20 is saturated with the composition, the fluid permeability of the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20 can be reduced or blocked. In addition, the saturation of the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20 is not necessary to obtain therapeutic or protective benefits of the composition of the present invention.

A variety of fastening means 44 can be used to secure the absorbent article 10 around or in contact with the wearer including tape fasteners, bands, fasteners, disposable and reusable garments, and mechanical fasteners. Mechanical type fasteners include buttons, buttonholes, snaps, buckles, clips, hooks and curls, end extensions, appendages and the like which are taught or adapted to enclose or latch some type of complementary device or the outer cover of the absorbent article 10. Suitable coupling elements for such mechanical closure elements include materials of self-engaging geometrical shape, such as hooks, loops, automatic locks, buckles, protrusions, fungi, arrowheads, balls on rods, female and male casing components, or the like. In addition, the elasticized fasteners can also be used to ensure a better fit of such absorbent articles 10. Examples of some fastening systems and securing members are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,423,789 issued to Kuen.; 5,405,342 issued to Roessler and others; 5,403,302 granted to Roesslery others; 5,399,219 issued to Roessler and others; 5,386,595 issued to Kuen et al .; 5,374,262 issued to Keuhn, Jr. and others; 5,318,555 issued to Siebers and others; 5,304,162 granted to Kuen; 5,288,546 issued to Roessler and others; 5,176,671 granted to Roessler and others; 5,176,671 granted to Roessler and others; and 5,019,073 granted to Roessler and others.

Disposable absorbent articles 10 may also include packing or flap structures (not shown). These fin or packing structures can be assembled in a number of different configurations, including those discussed in United States of America Patent No. 4,704,116 issued to Enloe on November 3, 1987, the United States of America patent. No. 4,846,823 issued to Enloe on July 11, 1989, United States of America No. 5,413,570 issued to Enloe on May 9, 1995, United States of America No. 5,415,644 issued to Enloe on September 16, 1995; May 1995 and U.S. Patent No. 5,599,338 issued to Enloe on February 4, 1997.

The compositions of the present invention can be applied to the entire outer surface 28 of the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20 or parts thereof. Preferably, the composition is applied on a strip or pattern aligned with one centered on the longitudinal centerline 46 of the disposable absorbent article 10. (See Figure 1). The dimensions of the strip or pattern will vary with the different absorbent articles 10 to which the composition is being applied.

The compositions of the present invention may be applied non-uniformly to the outer surface 28 of the side-to-body liner 18 or to the tissue material 20. The term "non-uniformly" as used herein, refers to the amount, pattern of distribution, thickness of the application, or the like, of the composition can be varied on the outer surface 28 of the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20. The composition can be applied to the inner surface 30 of the side-to-body liner 18 or to the tissue material 20, alone or in combination with the application of the composition to the outer surface 28.

The compositions of the present invention can be applied to the body-side liner 18 or the tissue material 20 at any point during the assembly of the absorbent article 10. For example, the raw material fabric being formed in the lining of side to body 18 or in the tissue material 20 can be treated with the composition before the fabric is processed in the side-to-body liner 18 or the tissue material 20; the side facing liner 18 of the tissue material 20 can be treated with the composition before it is incorporated into the absorbent article 10; and the body side liner 18 or the tissue material 20 can be treated with the composition after the body side liner 18 or the tissue material 20 has been incorporated into the absorbent article 10.

Examples The following examples are presented to provide a more detailed understanding of the invention. The particular materials and parameters are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The following formulas are used in the Examples 1-2 Formula 1 percent by weight Water sufficient amount to 100% Glycerin 5% Glyceryl stearate SE 3% Borage oil 1% Aloe 0.3% Tocopherol acetate 0.3% pH adjuster suitable for pH 5.5 Formula 2 percent by weight Water quantity sufficient to 100% Glycerin 5% Glyceryl stearate SE 3% Borage oil 1% Soy stearol 0.8% Aloe 0.3% Tocopherol acetate 0.3% pH adjuster suitable for pH 5.5 Formula 3 percent by weight Water quantity sufficient to 100% Glycerin 5% Glyceryl stearate SE 3% Borage oil 1% Soy stearol 0.8% PROLIPID 141 1% (International Specialty P Prroodduucts, ,, W Waayynnee ,, New Jersey) Aloe 0. . 3% Tocopherol acetate 0. . 3% pH Adjuster suitable for a pH of 5. 5 (PROLIPID is commercially available from International Specialty Products located in Wayne, New Jersey.) PROLIPID is generally described in U.S. Patent No. 5,849,315 issued to Rerek et al., Which was granted on December 15, 1998; which is incorporated herein by reference to the extent that it is consistent with the present).

Formula 4 percent by weight Water sufficient amount to 100% Lipomicron NSLE, 5% (Sederma, Le Perray-en-Yvelines, France Formula 5 percent by weight Water sufficient amount to 100% Glycerin 5% Sterol Esters 0.5% Petrolatum 1% Avocadin 0.5% PROLIPID 141 1% (International Specialty Products, Wayne, New Jersey) Example 1 Lipid-enriched formulas for the treatment of absorbent articles that promote barrier repair as measured by transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

All the studies were carried out in a controlled temperature and humidity room (71 ° F ± 5 ° F, 40% ± 5% relative humidity). ÍA. Twenty microliters of a lipid-enriched formula for the treatment of an absorbent article were applied topically to the palmate forearm of 24 female panelists after abrasion with an emery cloth. Transepidermal water loss measurements were obtained using a Dermalab evaporimeter before abrasion and after abrasion and 1, 2 and 4 hours after the application of the formulas. The mean transepidermal water loss values are expressed in Table 1.1. Repeated ANOVA measurements were used to adjust for repeated transepidermal water loss measurements.

Table 1.1: Loss of Transepidermal Water (g / m2 / hour) - Results - Absorbent article formulas enriched with lipid Post Abrasion 1 Hour 2 Hours 4 Hours Average Medium Medium Medium Formula 1 17.0 9.7 * 9.9 * 10.3 Formula 2 15.5 8.7 * 8.4 * 8.2 * Formula 3 18.4 9.7 * 8.6 * 8.6 * Not Treated 17.4 12.7 12.0 11.5 denotes significantly different than the site not treated.

All absorbent article formulas enriched with lipid repaired the skin barrier compared to the untreated site at 1, 2 and 4 hours after the application of the formulas as measured by transepidermal water loss.

IB. The values of mean transepidermal water loss following the same study design described above are expressed in Table 1.2. Transepidermal water loss values before abrasion (baseline) were subtracted from all other readings as to correct underlying subject-to-subject differences. All statistical evaluations were made on these differences.

Table 1.2: TE L results (g / m2 / hour) - Absorbent article formulas enriched with lipid Post Abrasion 1 Hour 2 Hours 4 Hours Average Medium Average Media Formula 4 12.0 6.4 * 5.6 * 5.1 * Formula 5 12.3 2.7 *, * * 2.4 *, ** 2.7 *, ** Not Treated 11.5 9.9 9.6 10.0 * denotes significantly different than the untreated site, denotes significantly different from formula 5.

Both formulas 4 and 5 repaired the skin barrier compared to the untreated site as measured by transepidermal water loss. In addition, formula 5 repaired the barrier significantly better than formula 4. Formula 4 contains Lipomicron NSLE, a Sederma product (Le Perray-em-Yvelines, France) product at the recommended level of use that is marketed as a product for protection of the cutaneous barrier.

Example 2 - ** - - * - * - • Absorbent article formulas enriched with lipid increase skin wetting as measured by conductance.

All the studies were carried out in a room at controlled temperature and humidity (71 ° F ± 5 ° F, 40% ± 5% relative humidity). 2A. Twenty microliters of a formula enriched with lipid for the treatment of an absorbent article were applied topically to the palmar forearm. Conductance measurements were obtained using the Skicon instrument before the application of the formulas and 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after the application. The average conduction values are expressed in Table 2.1. A comparison in the direction of the pair for each time period using non-varied ANOVA was applied.

Table 2.1: Conduction - Absorbent article formulas enriched with lipid Baseline 1 Hour 2 Hours 4 Hours 6 Hours Average Medium Average Medium Average Formula 1 197.7 366.5 * 365.7 * 349.7 * 345.4 * Formula 2 182.8 298.6 * 297.5 * 311.5 * 304.6 * Formula 3 168.2 299.1 * 302.8 * 296.5 * 296.4 * Not treated 164.3 178.3 176.9 175.0 176.3 denotes significantly different than the untreated site.

All absorbent article formulas enriched with lipid significantly increased skin wetting at 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after the application of the formulas compared to the untreated site. 2B. The mean conduction values following the same study design described above with the exception that the conduction measurement was not obtained at 6 hours after the application are expressed in Table 2.2. The driving values before the application (baseline) were subtracted from all other readings, to correct the subject-to-subject differences underlying. All statistical evaluations were made on these differences.

Table 2.2: Conduction - Absorbent article formulas enriched with lipid 1 Hour 2 Hours 4 Hours Average Media Average Formula 4 50.7 40.3 39.1 Formula 5 194.0 * 166.6 * 142.2 * Not Treated 31.7 17.3 12.3 denotes significantly different than the untreated site.

Formula 5 significantly increased the wetting of the skin at 1, 2 and 4 hours after the application of the formulas compared to the untreated site. Formula 4 failed to increase the wetting of the skin at any of the times tested. Formula 4 contains Lipomicron NSLE, a Sederma product (from Le Perray-en-Yvelines, France) at the recommended level of use that is marketed as a product for the protection of the skin barrier.

It can be appreciated that the above-mentioned example formulas can easily be incorporated into the compositions described within this invention and deliver equivalent skin health benefits.

Thus, the examples representatively illustrate that the hydrophilic composition enriched with lipid of the present invention can provide absorbent article products having improved softness as well as providing improved protection of skin barrier function. Therefore, different aspects of the present invention can advantageously provide absorbent articles which, when compared to conventional absorbent article products, are softer and have an improved protection of the skin barrier function. Such absorbent article products can be advantageously used for diapers, training pants, adult incontinence products, underpants, and women's care products and the like.

Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated by those with an art skill to achieve an understanding of the foregoing that alterations, variations and equivalents of these aspects can easily be conceived. . Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be established as that of the appended claims and of any equivalents thereof.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A body facing material having an outer surface, wherein said outer surface of said body facing material has a composition that increases the barrier to the skin comprising: from about 10 weight percent to about 90 weight percent hydrophilic solvent; from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 720 or greater; from about 1 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of a C14 to C30 fatty alcohol or greater; from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of a humectant; from about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of an oil-in-water emulsifying surfactant having a lipophilic hydrophilic balance range greater than 7; from about 0.1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of sterol or sterol derivative; Y from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 30 percent by weight of natural fats or oils.

2. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said composition has a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C.

3. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said composition has a process viscosity greater than about 50 centipoise.

4. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said composition has a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to about 360 millimeters.

5. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the aggregate amount of said composition is from about 0.1 grams per square meter (g / m2) to about 30 g / m2 of said material.

6. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said aggregate amount of said composition is from about 0.1 grams per square meter (g / m2) to about 30 g / m2 of said material.

7. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said hydrophilic solvent is water.

8. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said hydrophilic solvent is propylene glycol.

9. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said hydrophilic solvent is a low molecular weight polyethylene glycol.

10. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said hydrophilic solvent is glycerin.

11. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said hydrophilic solvent is hydrolyzed from hydrogenated starch.

12. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said fatty alcohol is cetyl alcohol.

13. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said fatty alcohol is stearyl alcohol.

14. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said fatty alcohol is arachidyl alcohol.

15. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said fatty alcohol is behenyl alcohol.

16. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said molecular weight of said higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol is from about 720 daltons to about 1,840,000 daltons.

17. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said molecular weight of said higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol is from about 1,400 daltons to about 440,000 daltons.

18. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol is polyethylene glycol 1,400.

19. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol is polyethylene glycol 8,000.

20. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol is polyethylene glycol 10,000.

21. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said humectants is glycerin.

22. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said humectant is sorbitol.

23. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said humectant is hydrolyzed from hydrogenated starch.

24. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said surfactant is glyceryl stearate SE.

25. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said surfactant is glycol stearate SE.

26. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said surfactant is sorbitan stearate.

27. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said sterol or sterol derivative is soy sterol.

28. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said sterol or sterol derivative is cholesterol.

29. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said sterol or sterol derivative is latherterol.

30. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said natural oil or fat is sunflower oil.

31. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said natural oil or fat is borage oil.

32. The material as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said natural oil or fat is avocado oil.

33. A method for making a face-to-body material that increases the skin barrier having an outer surface comprising: a) heating a composition comprising a hydrophilic solvent, a higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a fatty alcohol, a humectant, an oil-in-water emulsifying surfactant having a lipophilic hydrophilic balance range greater than 7, a natural fat or oil, and a sterol or sterol derivative, at a temperature above the melting point of said composition, causing said composition is melted, said composition has a melting point of from about 30 degrees centigrade to about 100 degrees centigrade; (b) applying said molten composition to said outer surface of a fabric of material facing the body; and (c) resolidifying said molten composition.

34. The method as claimed in clause 33, characterized in that said resolidified composition has a process viscosity of greater than about 50 centipoise.

35. The method as claimed in clause 33, characterized in that said resolidified composition has a penetration hardness of from about 5 to about 360 millimeters.

36. The method as claimed in clause 33, characterized in that said molten composition is applied by spraying.

37. A skin barrier enhancing composition comprising from about 5 weight percent to about 90 weight percent hydrophilic solvent, from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent polyethylene glycol of higher molecular weight having a molecular weight of from about 720 or greater, from about 1 weight percent to about 25 weight percent of a C14 to C30 fatty alcohol or greater, from about 0.5 per cent. percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of a humectant, from about 1 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight of an oil-in-water emulsifier surfactant that has a range of hydrophilic balance- lipophilic greater than 7, and from about 0.1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of sterol or sterol derivative.

38. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said composition has a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C.

39. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said composition has a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 70 ° C.

40. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said composition has a process viscosity greater than about 50 centipoise.

41. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said resolidified composition has a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to about 360 millimeters.

42. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said hydrophilic solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, propylene glycol, low molecular weight polyethylene glycol, glycerin, sorbitol, hydrogenated starch hydrolyzate, silicone glycol, and mixtures thereof. the same.

43. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said fatty alcohol is selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol and mixtures thereof.

44. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycols having an average molecular weight greater than 720 daltons.

45. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said humectant is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, sodium PCA, potassium PCA, sodium lactate and mixtures thereof .

46. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said surfactant is selected from the group consisting of glyceryl stearate SE, glyceryl stearate, glycol stearate SE, glycol stearate, and mixtures thereof.

47. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said sterol or sterol derivative is selected from the group consisting of cholesterol, sitosterol, stigmaterol, and ergosterol, latherterol, soy sterol, avocado sterols, cholesterol esters, sterol esters, lanolin, avocadin, sunflower seed, chamomile, sweet almond and hemp seed, and mixtures thereof.

48. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said natural oil or fat is selected from the group consisting of: avocado oil, apricot oil, babassu oil, borage oil, camellia oil, canola oil , castor oil, chamomile, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, afternoon primrose oil, hemp seed oil, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, oil beaten soybeans, prairie foam oil, palm kernel oil, phospholipids, rape seed oil, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, stearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, rosehip oil , safflower, sunflower oil, soybean oil, sweet almond, and mixtures thereof.

49. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that said amount of hydrophilic solvent is from about 5 weight percent to about 90 weight percent.

50. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that the amount of the hydrophilic solvent is from about 25 percent to about 75 percent.

51. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that the amount of said higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol is from about 5 weight percent to about 95 weight percent.

52. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that the amount of said higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol is from about 15 weight percent to about 50 weight percent.

53. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that the amount of said fatty alcohol is from about 1 percent to about 30 percent.

54. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that the amount of said surfactant is from about 1 percent to about 20 percent.

55. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that the amount of said sterol or sterol derivative is from about 0.1 percent to about 10 percent.

56. The composition as claimed in clause 37, characterized in that the amount of said natural fat or oil is from about 0.1 percent to about 30 percent.

57. A method for increasing / restoring / maintaining the barrier function of a user's skin comprising the steps of: a) contacting a face-to-body material with the skin of said user wherein said material comprises a skin barrier-enhancing / restorative / maintenance composition that provides an enhancing / restorative / skin barrier maintenance benefit with the transfer of said composition to the skin of the user; b) transferring at least a portion of said composition during the use of said material facing the body; Y c) repeating steps a) and b) with one or more additional face-to-body materials with sufficient frequency to increase / restore / maintain said skin barrier in an area of skin that has been connected by the material to the body , in relation to a skin contacted by an equivalent face-to-body material that does not comprise said skin barrier-enhancing / restorative / maintenance composition, where the skin reinforcing / restorative / maintenance barrier composition comprises: from about 5 weight percent to about 90 weight percent hydrophilic solvent, from about 5 weight percent weight at about 95 percent by weight of higher molecular weight polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 720 or greater, from about 1 weight percent to about 25 weight percent of a C14 fatty alcohol a C30 or higher, from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent humectant, from about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of an oil-in-oil emulsifier surfactant water having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance range greater than 7, and from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight of sterol or sterol derivative.

58. The method as claimed in clause 57, characterized in that said composition has a melting point of from about 30 ° C to about 100 ° C.

59. The method as claimed in clause 57, characterized in that said resolidified composition has a process viscosity of greater than about 50 centipoise.

60. The method as claimed in clause 57, characterized in that said resolidified composition has a penetration hardness of from about 5 millimeters to about 360 millimeters.

61. The method as claimed in clause 57, characterized in that the face-to-body material comprising the barrier enhancing / restorative / maintenance barrier composition is worn by said user on each occasion of use.

62. The method as claimed in clause 57, characterized in that said body facing material which does not comprise the barrier enhancing / restorative / maintenance barrier composition is used intermittently by said user.

63. The method as claimed in clause 57, characterized in that said body facing material comprising said skin barrier maintenance / enhancing / restorative composition is worn by a user whose skin is compromised and is frequently used. enough to improve the barrier function of the skin. SUMMARY A material facing the upper skin barrier enhancer body can be made on an absorbent article by applying, on the exterior surface of the material facing the body, a hydrophilic composition enriched with lipid and melt comprising a hydrophilic solvent, a polyethylene glycol of higher molecular weight, a fatty alcohol (C14-C30 or higher), a humectant, an oil-in-water emulsifying surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance range greater than 7, a sterol or a sterol derivative , and a natural fat or oil, and then resolidifying the composition to form a distribution of said solid composition on the outer surface of the material facing the body.