MXPA99004437A - Releasable cover arrangement for fasteners on absorbent articles - Google Patents

Abstract

Releasable cover arrangements for absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, adult incontinence devices, and the like are disclosed. In a first embodiment, the absorbent article is a sanitary napkin that has a particular type of side wrapping elements extending outward from the main body portion of the sanitary napkin for folding or wrapping the sides of the wearer's undergarments. The main body portion has a first end region, a second end region, and a central region disposed between the first and second end regions. The first and second end regions preferably comprise lobes that project laterally outward along each longitudinal edge of the main body portion. In the first embodiment, the lobes of the sanitary napkin are folded inward over the topsheet to expose adhesive patches on the lobes and the side wrapping elements. The exposed adhesive patches are covered with a sheet of release paper. The fastener on the garment facing side of the sanitary napkin is placed on a releasable wrapper, and the sanitary napkin and releasable wrapper are folded about a pair of transverse axes to form an individual package for the sanitary napkin. In another embodiment that is suitable for use with absorbent articles regardless of their configuration, the adhesive fasteners on the garment facing side of the main body portion can be covered with multiple release papers for ease of removal. These multiple release papers can comprise separate pieces of release paper, or they can comprise an individual release paper that is perforated so that it can be separated into more than one piece for removal.

Description

DETACHABLE COVER ARRANGEMENT FOR FASTENERS IN ABSORBING ITEMS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, linings for panties, and pads for adult incontinence. More particularly, the present invention relates to removable cover arrangements for fasteners in absorbent articles of the above type, including absorbent articles having side wrapping elements that fold around or wrap around the sides of a wearer's undergarment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, and incontinence pads are devices that are typically used in the crotch region of an undergarment. These devices are designed to absorb and retain liquids and other discharges from the human body and to prevent it from staining the body and clothes. Sanitary napkins are a type of absorbent article used by women in a pair of panties that are normally placed between the user's legs, adjacent to the perineal area of the body. All manners and varieties of absorbent articles configured for the absorption of bodily fluids such as menstruation, urine and faeces are well known. Absorbent articles, particularly sanitary napkins having wings or fins are disclosed in the literature and are available commercially. Generally, the flaps extend laterally from a central absorbent means and are intended to be folded around the edges of the wearer's panties within the crotch region. Commonly, the fins are provided with a fastening means for attaching the fins to the underside of the wearer's panties or to the opposite fin. The fins are generally effective, to varying degrees in preventing the exudates from staining the edges of the wearer's panties. Sanitary pads having fins of various types are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,687,478 entitled "Towel sanitary finned", which was issued to Van Tilburg on August 18, 1987; U.S. Patent No. B1 4,589,876 entitled "sanitary napkin" which was issued to Van Tilburg on May 20, 1986 and in U.S. Patent No. 5,389,094 entitled "Absorbing article having fins and zones of capacity. of differential extension ", which was issued to Lavash et al. on February 14, 1995. Although there are many variations in the specific structural characteristics of the absorbent articles, they are often presented to the consumer in the same manner. Essentially, the absorbent article, regardless of the specific structural characteristics that are used, is packaged in a box or bag from which the consumer removes ready-to-use items as needed. Typically, the absorbent article comprises a fastener, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive fastener on the garment-facing side of the absorbent article, for securing the absorbent article to the wearer's undergarments. The adhesive fastener must be provided with a removable cover strip to prevent the adhesive from sticking to different surfaces of the wearer's undergarment prior to use. The handling or handling of the absorbent articles, particularly if they are extensible, highly flexible or both, is difficult because parts of the absorbent article can be folded and the adhesive fastener over the bent portion can stick to a different part of the absorbent article and not be removable easily from it In addition, if these absorbent articles are large, the exact placement of the absorbent article in the wearer's undergarments can be difficult since it is difficult to reposition these items once they are in contact with and adhere to the undergarments of the wearer. the user. furtherIf the consumer needs only one item for the final use, the consumer must take precautions to prevent the item from staining or contaminating the moment it is removed from the box or bag until the item is used. This is a particular problem with respect to the catamenial pads. For example, if a woman wishes to wear a catamenial pad with her for use away from home, she would have to take precautions to ensure that the pad was not damaged or stained when carried in her purse or purse. The protection of individual absorbent articles has been addressed in the previous technique. Bands, for example, are commonly packaged individually (J and sold to the consumer in some type of container, which maintains a convenient number of individually packaged items.) The catamenial pads that have likewise been packaged and sold individually to the consumer inside a container handle a convenient number of items. packed individually.

U.S. Patent No. 2,750,033 entitled "Towel Packaging", which was issued to J.B. Pickens on June 12, 1956, and United States Patent No. 3,973,567, "Wrapped Sanitary Towels", which was issued to S. S. Srinivasan et al. On August 10, 1976, disclose examples of individually packaged sanitary napkins. Although these wrappers protect the enclosed sanitary napkin, they require an amount of wrapping material that is sufficient to cover the total surface area of each towel when it is exposed in a fully open position. Other attempts to protect the individual absorbent articles have reduced the amount of the wrapping material required for the protection of each absorbent article. Notably, U.S. Patent No. 4,556,146, entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article, Individually Packed", which was issued to Swanson et al. On December 3, 1985, and U.S. Patent No. 5,088,993 entitled "Towel sanitary with individual self-enclosing media ", which was issued to Gaur on February 18, 1992, disclose examples of individually packaged catamenial pads that require sufficient envelope material to cover only a larger surface (ie, any side facing the body or the side facing the garment) of the sanitary napkin, to allow protection of the sanitary napkin in a folded position. These publications, however, do not disclose the provisions for packaging absorbent articles having fins. The fins of these sanitary napkins can be folded to conserve space during the packaging, that is, the period between the manufacture of the sanitary napkin and its first use attempted by the user. At the time of first use by the user, the fins are normally unfolded to facilitate the installation of the sanitary napkin on the wearer's undergarment. Accordingly, when the wearer installs the sanitary napkin on the undergarment, the sanitary napkin is typically in the position of use, with the topsheet facing toward the wearer, while the wearer manipulates the flaps and any associated protective adhesive cover (or strip). of detachment). There may be an inconvenience associated with the manipulation of the fins and any associated release strip when the fins are folded over the backsheet. The fins folded over the backsheet are behind and hidden by the sanitary napkin, so that the fins can not be seen while the wearer is attempting to install the sanitary napkin to the undergarment. Also, the fins folded over the backsheet may have a tendency to adhere to the adhesive fastener on the backsheet, unless they are kept apart. In addition, this configuration leaves the surface that gives the body open to contamination. Therefore, there is a need for improved removable cover arrangements absorbent articles of different types and sizes. In particular, there is a need for improved peel-off cover arrangements for absorbent articles, especially especially large absorbent articles, having side wrapping elements. There is also a need for ispo & Removable cover ions that serve as an individual package for an absorbent article, and in particular that provides a small and convenient package for a relatively large absorbent article. further, there is a need for removable cover arrangements for fasteners over absorbent articles that are extensible, highly flexible or both, to allow the user to more easily handle and accurately place the absorbent article in an undergarment of the wearer. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved and alternating types of removable cover arrangements for the fasteners in the absorbent articles. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide removable cover arrangements for fasteners in absorbent articles, including but not limited to large absorbent articles having side wrapping elements that fold or wrap around the sides of the undergarment of the garment. user. It is another object of the present invention to provide removable cover arrangements that serve as a single package or package for an absorbent article, and in particular, which provide a small and convenient package for a relatively large absorbent article. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide removable cover arrangements for fasteners in absorbent articles that are extensible, highly flexible, or both, that allow the user to more easily and accurately handle and position the absorbent article in an undergarment. of the user. These and other objects of the present invention will be more readily apparent when considered with reference to the following description and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to removable cover arrangements for fasteners on the garment-facing side of absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and adult incontinence pads.

A number of different removable cover arrangements are described herein. In a first embodiment, the absorbent article may be of any suitable size, but is preferably relatively large. The absorbent article has a particular type of lateral wrapping elements that fold or wrap the sides of a wearer's undergarment. The absorbent article comprises a main body portion and a pair of side extensions, or side wrapping elements for bending around the lateral edges of the wearer's undergarment. The main body portion has a first end region and a second end region, and a central region disposed between the first and second end regions. The first and second end regions preferably comprise globules or ears projecting laterally outwards along each longitudinal edge, such that the main body portion is narrower in width measured across its central region than in its end regions. A part of the longitudinal lateral edges in the region of the globules, in this way, define the laterally most outward portion of the main body portion. The side wrapping elements are attached to the main body portion at their proximal edges and extend laterally outward toward the distant edges (or "free ends"), from at least the central region of the main body portion. The lateral extensions may have a configuration where most of the surface area of the lateral extensions is located laterally inwardly of the portion laterally further outward of the main body portion. In the first embodiment, the globules or ears of the sanitary napkin are bent inwardly on the upper sheet of the sanitary napkin to expose the adhesive patches on the globules and on the side wrapping elements. The exposed patches of the adhesive are covered with a sheet of release paper. The sanitary napkin is provided with a fastener on the side facing the garment of the main body portion. The fastener on the garment-facing side of the sanitary napkin is placed on the release liner, and the sanitary napkin and the release liner are folded around a pair of transverse shafts to form an individual package for the sanitary napkin. This embodiment provides the advantage that a relatively small and convenient package for a relatively large pad is produced. In another embodiment, which is suitable for use with sanitary napkins of many different sizes, both with or without side wrapping elements, the adhesive fasteners on the garment-facing side of the main body portion can be covered with multiple wraps. detachment papers for easy removal. These multiple release papers may comprise separate pieces having overlapping portions, or they may comprise an individual release paper which is perforated so that it can be separated in more than one piece during the removal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the description concludes with the claims and by designing in a particular manner and claiming differently from the subject matter that is considered as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description, which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of a sanitary napkin that may be provided with the removable adhesive cover arrangements of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 1, taken along line 2-2. Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 1, which shows a possible pattern of the panty clip. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the assembly of the components of the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 1. Figure 4A is a top plan view of the secondary absorbent structure of the sanitary napkin shown in the Figures of the previous drawings with cuts formed in it.

Figure 4B is a top plan view of the secondary absorbent structure of Figure 4A showing how the cut portions thereof can be bent inward to form recessed or recessed areas for the side wrapping elements of the sanitary napkin. Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 1, which shows another possible pattern of the panty clip. Figure 6 is a top plan view of the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 5 when it is folded and placed on the peel wrap that will serve as a single package for the sanitary napkin. Figure 7 is a side view of the sanitary napkin and peel wrap shown in Figure 6, in a partially bent configuration. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin of Figure 7 with the release wrap completely folded around the sanitary napkin to form an individual package for the sanitary napkin. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin in a wearer's panties. Figure 10 is a top plan view of a sanitary napkin, which is provided with a multi-piece cover of the panty fastener, showing a way of bending the side wrapping elements. Figure 11 is a bottom plan view of the sanitary napkin shown in Figure 10. Figure 12 is a bottom plan view of a sanitary napkin having a perforated cover of the panty fastener that can be separated in more than one piece. during the removal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads. More particularly, the present invention relates to removable cover arrangements for fasteners on absorbent articles of the above type, including absorbent articles having side wrapping elements that fold around or wrap around the sides of a wearer's undergarment. Figures 1 to 3 show a preferred embodiment of a disposable absorbent article, sanitary napkin 20. It should be understood that the sanitary napkin shown is only a preferred embodiment, and that the present invention is limited to being used with absorbent articles of the type or have the specific configurations shown in the drawings. The sanitary napkin 20 basically comprises a main body portion 22 and two lateral extensions or side wrapping elements 24. The sanitary napkin 20 (and its main body portion) have two surfaces, a surface that is in contact with the liquid-permeable body. or "body surface" 20A and a liquid impervious surface 20B. The sanitary napkin 20 is shown in Figure 1 as seen from its body surface 20A. The body surface 20A is intended to be used adjacent to the wearer's body. The garment surface 20B of the sanitary napkin 20 (shown in Figure 2) is on the opposite side, and is intended to be placed adjacent to the wearer's undergarments when the sanitary napkin 20 is used. The sanitary napkin 20 has two central lines, a main longitudinal center line L and a main transverse center line T. The term "longitudinal", as used herein, refers to a line, axis or direction in the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 which is generally aligned with (eg, approximately parallel to) a vertical plane that divides a wearer standing in left and right body halves when the sanitary napkin is used 20. The terms "transverse" or "lateral", used herein are interchangeable , and refer to an axis line or direction that is located within the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Figure 1 shows that the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 comprises the part of the sanitary napkin without the side wrapping elements 24. The main body portion 22 has two separate longitudinal apart edges 26, two separate transverse or end (or "end") edges 28, which together form the periphery 30 of the main body portion of sanitary napkin 20. The main body portion 22 also has two end regions, which the first end region 32 and the second end region 34 are designated. A central check 36 is disposed between the end regions 32 and 34. The end regions 32 and 34 extend outwardly from the edges of the central region 36 of approximately one eighth to approximately 1 third of the length of the main body portion. A detailed description of the central region and of the two end regions for a sanitary napkin is contained in the patent of the United States No. 4,6980,680 issued to Higgins on September 1, 1987. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 is preferably hourglass-shaped or dog-bone shaped. The first and second end regions 32 and 34 of the main body portion 22, preferably comprise globules or ears 38 extending laterally outwardly on each longitudinal edge 26 of the main body portion such that the main body portion 22 it is narrower in width when measured through the central region 36 than in its end regions 32 and 34. The outermost edges of the globules 38, thus define portions of the longitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion 22. A portion of the longitudinal side edges 26 in the region of the globules 38 will also typically define the laterally most outward portion 40 of the main body portion 22. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 may be of any shape. thickness, including relatively thick, intermediate thickness (moderate), relatively thin or even very thin. The modality of the sanitary napkin 20 shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings predestined to make an example of a moderately thick sanitary napkin. In this embodiment, however, the main body portion 22 is generally thinner in the end regions 32 and 34, than in the central region 36, so that it will be more comfortable and discreet than if it were uniformly thick in a moderate manner. . The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin is also preferably enhanced with channels 42 such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,234,422 and 5,308,346 issued to Sneller et al. The sanitary towel 20 shown in Figure 1 can be of any suitable size. Preferably, the sanitary napkin 20 is of sufficient size to allow the side wrapping elements 24 to bend around the lateral edges of the wearer's panties as described in greater detail herein. The sanitary napkin 20 and the main body portion 22 thereof are preferably also relatively large in size such that they are capable of covering the maximum area of the wearer's panties to reduce or eliminate staining thereof by the body fluids of the user. In a preferred embodiment, the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 is approximately 8.26 cm wide at its narrowest point. The total sanitary napkin 20 in this embodiment is approximately 37.5 cm in length measured along the longitudinal center line L and approximately 16 cm in width (measured between the distant edges of the lateral wrapping elements. The width of the sanitary napkin 20 is the same, but the length varies from about 31.7 cm to about 34.5 cm.

Figure 2 shows the individual components of the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20. The main body portion 22 generally at least 3 primary components. These include a liquid-permeable top sheet 44, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 46, and a global nonabsorbent portion (or "absorbent core"), 48 positioned between the topsheet 44 and the backsheet 46. The absorbent core 48 preferably comprising an absorbent (or absorbent component), primary (or primary) structure, 50 and a secondary absorbent structure (or secondary component 52), the main absorbent component 50 is preferably centered at • approximately along the main longitudinal and transverse main lines L and T. In alternate embodiments, the main absorbent component 50 may be offset longitudinally forward or rearward, relative to the transverse center line T.

Suitable materials for the various components of the sanitary napkin 20 shown in Figure 2 are described below. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the top sheet 44 comprises a composite or "hybrid" top sheet structure, the hybrid top sheet 44 generally comprises a longitudinally oriented central region 54 and longitudinal side regions 56 located laterally outwardly from the central area 54. The structure of the sheet hybrid upper 44, preferably comprises a thermoplastic film with opening 58 in the central region 54 of the structure of the upper hybrid sheet 44 and a tactilely pleasing outer covering forming the longitudinal side regions 56 of the topsheet. This top sheet 44 is useful for improving the skin feel and comfort of the top sheets made of apertured plastic films. In particular, said upper sheet 44 reduces the tendency that some people find plastic films with openings with hot, sweaty and sticky feeling. This is especially useful in the case of relatively large absorbent articles such as that shown in Figures 1 to 3, where there is a large part of the upper sheet 44, which is in contact with the user's body. The structures of the hybrid topsheet (although not the particularly preferred hybrid topsheet used here), are generally described in U.S. Patent No. 4,687,478, issued to Van Tilburg and in PCT Publication No. 93/09744 assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company, which was published on May 27, 1993, in the name of Sugahara. In the particularly preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the apertured thermoplastic film 58 of the hybrid upper sheet 44 preferably extends the full width of the sanitary napkin 20. The apertured thermoplastic film 8 preferably comprises a film with openings sold in sanitary napkins by The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the trademark DRI-WEAVE, which is manufactured under United States Patent No. 4,342,314 issued to Radel et al. On August 3, 1982 and under United States Patent No. 4,463,045 issued to Ahr et al. on July 31, 1984. In the preferred embodiments, the apertured thermoplastic film 58 is made hydrophilic in such a way that liquids will transfer through the thermoplastic film with faster openings. This will decrease the likelihood that the body exudates will flow out of the apertured thermoplastic film 58 instead of being drawn through the apertured thermoplastic film and absorbed by the absorbent core 48. The apertured thermoplastic film 58 can be made hydrophilic treating it with surfactants. Suitable methods for applying the surfactants are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,950,254 and 5,009,653, issued to Osbom. Preferably the surfactant is incorporated into the resin used to make the film with openings. The tactilely pleasing outer cover 60 may be of any type of material (or web of material), which is permeable to liquid and which is more comfortable for the user's skin than the apertured film 58 which forms the central area 54 of the top sheet). Suitable materials include films with openings with a feeling less similar to plastic and non-woven materials. Films with apertures less similar to the suitable plastic include the apertured film described in U.S. Patent No. 4,629,643 entitled "Polymeric screen with micro apertures exhibiting soft, silky touch printing", issued to Curro et al. On December 16 1986, and hydroformed films made by the method described in U.S. Patent No. 4,695,422 entitled "Production of material formed by solid state formation, GW high pressure liquid stream", issued to Curro et al. 22 de sep-embre d © (0 1987. Suitable non-woven materials can be made from natural fibers (for example, wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (for example, polyester, polyethylene or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. This nonwoven outer cover can be made by a number of manufacturing techniques. For example, the outer non-woven cover can be spun bonded, carded, placed in wet, blown in the molten state, hydrangled, to name a few of the types of possible processes. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the outer cover 60 is a non-woven material (or non-woven weft). The nonwoven material 60, as shown in Figure 2, has a body surface 60A and a garment facing surface 60B that are 0 apart from one another by an intermediate portion 60C. The nonwoven material 60 can comprise any type of suitable nonwoven material described above. Preferably, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the nonwoven material 60 comprises a spunbonded polyethylene nonwoven material of 23 grams per square meter known as COROLIND non-woven material available from Corovin GmbH of Peine, Germany. The non-woven spunbonded polyethylene material is preferably treated in such a way that the body surface 60A of the non-woven material exhibits a surface energy that is less than the surface energy of the intermediate portion 60C of the non-woven material. That is, there is a gradient of surface energy between these parts of the nonwoven material. The term "surface energy", as used herein, refers to the energy required to separate a liquid from a solid surface (e.g., a film, or, in this case, a fiber). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the surface of the treated nonwoven material also exhibits a plurality of comparatively low surface energy regions that define the surface energy gradients where they interface with the surface of the weft with upper surface energy. The plots having such surface energy gradients are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 08 / 442,935, filed May 31, 1995 in the name of Ouellette et al., (PCT Publication No. WO) 96/00548), published on January 11, 1996). The treatment of the web to form a surface energy gradient can be referred to herein as a SEG treatment for brevity. The SEG treatment is intended to reduce the hydrophilic capacity of the non-woven material 60 and improve if concealment of the stain and the rewetting properties of the non-woven material. The nonwoven material 60 will have a reduced tendency to retain liquids on its surface, and liquids, such as menstruation, which are deposited on the nonwoven material, will be able to better pass through the nonwoven material 60 towards the components underlying absorbents. As a result, the liquid handling properties and concealing properties of the nonwoven material 60 will more closely approximate those of the apertured film 58. The SEG treatment may be applied, either before or after they are assembled the components of the hybrid top sheet. However, the SEG treatment is preferably applied before the components are assembled in such a way that it can be applied more precisely. The SEG treatment is preferably performed by applying a suitable surface treatment to the nonwoven web 60. A suitable surface treatment is a silicone release liner from Dow Corning of Midland, Michigan, known as SYL-OFF 7677 to which a crosslinker is added. known as SYL-OFF 7048 in weight proportions of 100 parts to 10 parts, respectively. Another suitable surface treatment is a UV curable silicone coating comprising a mixture of two silicones commercially available from General Electric Company, Silicone Products Division, of Waterford, NY., Under the designations UV 9300 and UV 9380C-D1, in proportions by weight to 100 parts to 2.5 parts, respectively. The surface treatments can be applied to the body surface 60A of the nonwoven web by techniques known in the art such as screen printing, printing or gravure, spraying, coating, immersion, etc. The nonwoven material 60 is preferably coated with silicone on the surface which is in contact with the user at a basis weight of one gram per square meter. The basis weight of the SYL-OFF material is determined by subtracting the basis weight of the nonwoven material in an uncoated condition (grams per square meter), from the basis weight (grams per square meter), of the coated nonwoven material. In addition, of the liquid handling characteristics provided by the SEG treatment of the non-woven component 60 of the hybrid topsheet 44, the treatment has also been found to improve the tear and tensile strength of the non-woven material 60. It is believed that the SEG treatment reduces the modulus of elasticity of the fiber network in the non-woven material, making it softer, more flexible, and more drapeable. This is useful when subsequent mechanical operations, such as the ring rolling process described below, will be performed on this portion of the hybrid upper sheet 44 in order to provide more flexible and extensible regions 48 shown in the drawings.The non-woven material 60 is preferably secured in at least the partial contacting relationship with the thermoplastic film component with opening 58 of the hybrid upper sheet 44. The non-woven material 60 can be maintained in contact with the thermoplastic film with aperture. 58, joining by melting, bonding the layers, or by any other suitable securing means known in the art. Fusion bonding includes bonding with heat and / or pressure, ultrasonic bonding and the like. The two layers can be joined continuously, partially, or intermittently together. The attachment of the non-woven material 60 to the apertured thermoplastic film 58 can prevent the non-woven material 60 from being torn or being unrolled on itself as on its inner edges 62, which would create an uncomfortable feeling. In a preferred embodiment, the non-woven material 60 and the apertured thermoplastic film layer 58 are adhesively bonded together, using a pattern of spiral adhesives and are also stitched together in a plurality of small separate circular fusion bonds 64. Several alternate embodiments of the hybrid upper sheet 44 are possible. In alternate embodiments of the hybrid upper sheet the non-woven material (or other tactilely pleasing outer cover) may be of a different color from the apertured film 58. This may be used to provide the product with a barrier appearance at the boundaries of the apertured film 58 and the non-woven material (or other tactilely pleasing outer cover 60). Examples of suitable colors for the non-woven material (or other tactilely pleasing outer cover) 60 would be pink, peach, light blue or lavender.

Preferably, however, the nonwoven material 60 (or other tactilely pleasing outer cover) is white. The absorbent core 48, as indicated above, preferably comprises a primary absorbent structure 50. The primary absorbent structure 50 is located below the hybrid topsheet 44. The primary absorbent structure 50 serves as the main absorbent component of the sanitary napkin 20. The primary absorbent structure 50 absorbs body exudates that are deposited directly on the sanitary napkin in the area of typical liquid deposition. The primary absorbent structure 50 may be of any type of suitable absorbent structure. Suitable absorbent structures are described in the patents that are incorporated herein by reference. In the preferred embodiment, shown in Figures 1 to 4, of the primary absorbent structure 50, it comprises an air filter absorbent component with an oval shape or race track similar to the absorbent core described in U.S. Pat. 5,234,422 and 5,308,346 issued to Sneller et al. As shown in Figure 4, the primary absorbent structure 50 is "profiled", such that it is provided with a central region that is thicker than its edges and ends. The primary absorbent structure 50 may be oriented such that the profiled central region is facing upwards as shown in Figure 4 or downward. The secondary absorbent structure 52 serves as a backup absorbent for the primary absorbent structure 50. The secondary absorbent structure 52 is adapted to absorb and contain exudates from the body that do not deposit directly on the primary absorbent structure 50. The secondary absorbent structure 52 it can also absorb the exudates flowing through the topsheet beyond the boundaries of the primary absorbent structure, with which they overload any of the parts of the primary absorbent structure 50. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the secondary absorbent structure 52 is located below the primary absorbent structure 50. The secondary absorbent structure 50 can comprise any type of absorbent material that is suitable for these purposes. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the secondary absorbent structure 52, comprises a non-woven material placed with thermally bonded high-capacity air made from a mixture of cellulose and two-component fiber (referred to as "TBAL" material for brevity), the TBAL material preferably comprises a homogeneous mixture of approximately 55% Flint River lint (cellulose), 34% Nalco 1180 gelling absorbent material particles obtained from Nalco from Naperville, IL, and 11% dmm x 3.3 bi-component fibers from Dan citéx Web of Aarhus, Denmark. The TBAL material is formed of a weft having a basis weight of approximately 210 grams / m2, and a gauge of approximately 1.6 mm measured under a load of approximately 1.2 g / cm2. The secondary absorbent structure 52 is preferably covered by an optional intermediate acquisition component 66. The optional intermediate acquisition component 66 serves to drain the liquids through the upper sheet 44, and provides hollow volume in such a way that the underlying TBAL layer (which has a high storage capacity, but relatively low at absorbency rate) ), will have time to absorb the body exudates deposited on it. The optional acquisition component 66 is thus more important for use with the part of the secondary absorbent structure 52 that is located outside the boundaries of the primary absorbent structure 50. The acquisition component 66 may comprise any material that be suitable for the purposes mentioned above. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the acquisition component 66 comprises a nonwoven layer of spunbonded polypropylene material of 21.5 g / m2 known as CELESTRA available from Fiberweb, North America of Simpsonville, SC, which is enhanced with the pattern described in U.S. Patent No. 4,781,710 issued to Megison et al. on November 1, 1988. The acquisition component is preferably in the same shape and size as the TABAL layer. The CELESTRA material is preferably bonded to the overlying components (which will be any of the primary absorbent structure 50 or, for the acquisition component 66 parts that are located outwardly of the primary absorbent structure 50, the underside of the top sheet hybrid 44), but it is disjoint to the TBAL layer. In an alternate embodiment, the positions of the absorbent materials can be absorbed in such a way that the TBAL material is located above the air filter component. In such a case, the TBAL layer can be considered to comprise the primary absorbent structure, and the air filter component can be considered to comprise the secondary absorbent structure that provides a portion of the sanitary napkin with additional volume. In other alternate embodiments, this volume: material may comprise any other suitable absorbent materials, or even non-absorbent materials. A suitable absorbent material comprises a nonwoven webbed material, or thermally placed with air, bound with continuous air, composed of bicomponent fibers having an eccentric cross section having a wetting agent included in the cover resin and a wetting agent permanent applied to the surface, which is described in greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 6,231, 122 issued to Palumbo et al. Suitable non-absorbent materials may comprise closed cell foams, polyurethane foams, and high-floor non-woven webs composed of synthetic fibers. The backsheet 46 prevents the exudates absorbed by and contained within the components of the absorbent core 48 from wetting the articles that are in contact with the sanitary napkin 20, such as underpants, pajamas and undergarments of the wearer. The back sheet 46 should be flexible and impermeable to liquids (eg menstruation and / or urine). The backsheet 46 may comprise a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or composite materials. Preferably, the backsheet 46 comprises a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Exemplary polyethylene films are a product known as microflex 1401 manufactured by The Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio. The topsheet 44, the backsheet 46, and the absorbent core 48 can be assembled in a variety of configurations known in the art (including so-called "sandwich" products, and "tube" products). In addition to the description provided herein, various configurations and features of the preferred sanitary napkin that can be provided to the sanitary napkin are generally described in U.S. Patent No. 4,321,924, "Bordered Disposable Absorbent Article", issued to Ahr 30. March 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,425,130, "Composite sanitary towel" issued to DesMarais on January 10, 1984; U.S. Patent No. 4,950,264 and 5,009,653, both entitled "Flexible, thin sanitary towel", issued to Osborn on August 2, 1990 and April 23, 1991, respectively; and the aforementioned patent publications issued to Sneller et al. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin may also be composed of one or more extensible components and may have any general extension capacity, or regions with extension capacity such as those sanitary napkins, and the like, described in the application for U.S. Patent No. 07 / 915,133 filed July 23, 1992, in the name of Osborn et al. (PCT Publication No. WO 93/01785, published February 4, 1993), now pending in the application form of continuation No. of Series 08 / 503,895 granted, filed July 18, 1995, and United States patent application Serial No. 07 / 915,284 filed July 23, 1992 in the name of Osborn et al. (PCT Publication No. 03/01786 , published on February 4, 1993), now pending in the form of divisional application granted Serial No. 08 / 476,238, filed on June 7, 1995.

The sanitary napkin 20 shown in Figures 2 and 4 is preferably assembled in a sandwich construction in which the topsheet 44 and the backsheet 46 have dimensions that are generally larger than those of the absorbent core 48. Figure 4 shows the assembly of the components of the sanitary napkin 20. As shown in Figure 4, the hybrid upper sheet 44 is attached to the primary absorbent structure 50 in the region of the sanitary napkin that includes the primary absorbent structure 50. The upper sheet Hybrid 44 is attached to the optional intermediate acquisition component 66 in the region of the sanitary napkin which is located outwardly of the primary absorbent structure 50. The hybrid upper sheet 44 is attached to the upper sheet 46 in the region of the sanitary napkin which is located outside the absorbent core 48.

Preferably, the hybrid topsheet 44 is attached to these components by a core bonding adhesive that is applied in a spiral pattern. The secondary absorbent structure 52 is preferably attached to the backsheet 46. Preferably, the secondary absorbent structure 52 and the backsheet 46 are joined using a core integrity adhesive 70 applied on a plurality of adhesive strips, each of which comprises spirals of adhesive: the exemplary means for joining these components of the towel sanitary 20 comprise several lines of adhesive filaments twisted in a spiral pattern as illustrated by the apparatus and method shown in United States Patent No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Jr. on October 7, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker et al. on November 22, 1978; and U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666 issued June 27, 1989. The core integrity adhesive 70 can be applied over the entire garment-side of the secondary absorbent structure 52, over the width of the total product (including the extensions of the back sheet that are located beyond the edges of the secondary absorbent structure.) Or any part thereof.

Preferably, the core integrity adhesive 70 is applied to the total interface between the garment-facing side of the secondary absorbent structure 52 and the backsheet 46. In addition, to join the faces of the components of the sanitary napkin 20 as As described above, Figure 1 shows that the topsheet 44 and the backsheet 46 are joined together to form a seam 72 along at least part of the periphery 30 of the main body portion. The seam 72 can be formed by any means commonly used in the art for this purpose, such as by gluing, pleating or: melting. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1, the seam 72 - -Di aa by a plurality of separate rectangular fusion bonds 72A (only a few of which are shown for simplicity). In addition, longitudinally oriented fusion bonds 72B are applied to the central region of the side wrapping elements 24 along the distant edge 76 thereof. It should be understood that the embodiment illustrated in the drawings is only one possible modality, although it is a preferred one. Other possible embodiments include one in which an absorbent core 48 is essentially completely wrapped with a top sheet before it is placed on a backsheet. The main body portion 22 may also comprise an absorbent core having sufficient integrity to remain alone and which is permeable to liquid on one surface while the other surface has been treated to render it impermeable to the liquid. The sanitary towel 20 shown in the drawings comprises a pair of side extensions (or "side wrapping elements") 24 for bending around the lateral edges of the wearer's panties (or other undergarments). As shown in Figure 1, the main body portion 22 is narrower in width as measured through its central region 36 than in its end regions 32 and 34. The side wrapping elements 24 extend from at least the central region 36 of the main body portion 22. The lateral wrapping elements 24 are preferably configured such that the majority of the surface area of the side wrapping elements 24 is located laterally inward of the laterally most outward portion 40 of the portion main body 22. The sanitary towel 20 can thus be considered as having "internal fins", which can be folded around an undergarment of the wearer. The side wrapping elements 24 each have a proximal edge 74 and a distant edge 76. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the proximal edges 74 of the side wrapping elements 24 are preferably concave (related to the distant edges 76). The distal edges 76 of the side wrapping elements 24 are preferably parallel to approximately the longitudinal center line L the sanitary napkin 20 shown in the drawings can be considered as having "inner fins", because the side wrapping elements 24 are longitudinally inwardly of each other. the outermost edges of the globules 38 of the main body portion 22 and the distant edges 76 of the side wrapping elements 24 preferably do not extend appreciably laterally outwardly beyond the outermost edges of the globules 38 of the main portion. of body 22 of sanitary napkin 20, and of any peripheral flange, such as seam 72 around it. The side wrapping elements 24 are attached to the main body portion 22 at their proximal edges 74. The term "attached", as used herein, encompasses configurations in which one element is directly secured to the other element, fixing the element directly to the other element. another element; configurations in which the element is indirectly secured to the other element by fixing the element to a member or intermediate members which in turn are fixed to the other element; and configurations in which one element is integral with the other element, that is, one element is essentially part of the other element. The side wrapping elements 24 in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 are preferably integral with the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin. In such a case, the top sheet 44 can form a part of the side wrapping elements 24 and the back sheet 46 can also form a part thereof. For example, the topsheet 44 can form the body-facing surface of both of the side wrapping elements 24 and of the main body portion 22, and the backsheet 40 can form the facing surface of the garment of the garment. same. It is also possible for the absorbent material of the sanitary napkin 20 to extend towards the side wrapping elements 24, as described in greater detail for the side flaps of the sanitary napkin in U.S. Patent No. 4,917,697. In the alternate embodiments, the side wrapping elements 24 may be composed of separate pieces of material or separate elements which are attached to the main body portion 22. The side wrapping elements 24 may be attached in any of the ways that the fins are attached. lateral to the absorbent article disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,389,094 issued to Lavash et al. on February 14, 1995.

When the side wrapping elements 24 comprise separate elements, these may be attached to the main body portion 22 by any of the techniques known to those skilled in the art. These techniques include, but are not limited to adhesives, heat and / or ultrasonic pressure, etc. The side wrapping elements 24, if they are integral with the main body portion or are separate elements attached thereto, each are associated with the main body portion 22 along a joint. The gasket is typically a longitudinally oriented ("or longitudinal") gasket, such as gasket line 78. As used herein, the terms "gasket" (or "gasket line") refers to the regions where gaskets are used. side wrapping elements 24 extend from or are attached to the main body portion 22. The joints 78 can be any of several curved or straight lines, but these are not limited to lines. Therefore, the joints may comprise regions, tabs, strips, flashing lines and the like. In the sanitary napkin 20 illustrated in Figure 1, the seam line 78 is a generally longitudinally oriented region that is concave relative to the distal edges 76 of the side wrapping elements. When the side wrapping elements 24 with the main body portion 22 are integral, the joint lines 78 may represent demarcation lines between the main body portion 22 and the side wrapping elements 24, although it is not necessary to find a precise demarcation line. . The side wrapping elements 24 are preferably more flexible (ie) less rigid than those parts of the main body portion forming the longitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion. The difference in stiffness along the longitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion 22 provides the sanitary napkin 20 with a curved hinge line around which the side wrapping elements 24 can bend. As shown in the Figure 1, each side wrapping element 24 is divided into a front half 80, and a rear half 82 by a transverse center line T., of the side wrapping element. The transverse centerline of the lateral wrapping element may coincide with the main transverse centerline T of the sanitary napkin, but this is not absolutely required. In other embodiments where the main body portion 22 is not symmetrical along the length, the wraparound side elements 24 can be located more towards one end of the main body portion, and the transverse center line T, of the element The side can therefore be misaligned, either towards the front or towards the back of the main transverse center line T.

The side wrapping elements 24 are provided with weakened regions 84 which are more flexible than the adjacent regions 86 of the side wrapping elements. The weakened regions 84 are located in such a manner on each side wrapping element 24, at least one weakened region, or part thereof, is located on each side of the transverse center lines T., of lateral wrapping element. The weakened regions 84 are preferably disposed at least partially longitudinally away from the transverse central edge of the fin, in both directions. (In this way, the weakened regions 84 can be described as being "longitudinally" longitudinally, of the transverse center line T, of the lateral wrapping element). In the highly preferred case (as will be described later in greater detail), the weakened regions 84 are located along a portion of the fold line where the lateral wrapping elements 24 are folded around the crotch of the wearer's pant leg. The fold line will typically be located along or adjacent to the longitudinal joint 78 of each wrapping element 24. Since the terms "portions", "zones", and "regions", as used herein, refer to general areas, weakened regions 84 are not, thus limited to points that are located precisely on the line of joints 78. Typically, these will include both those points that are located on the joint lines 78 as well as the surrounding areas of the sanitary napkin 20 that include the fold lines mentioned above). The longitudinal joints, in this way, can generally serve as approximations for the location of the weakened regions 84. The weakened regions 84 are also preferably extensible. The weakened regions 84 can thus be considered as comprising zones of differential extension capacity (or "zones of extensibility"). The term "differential extension capacity zones", as used herein, refers to a portion of the lateral wrapper member 24 that is capable of extending to a different amount (preferably a larger amount) than the adjacent regions 86 of the shell member. lateral 24. The extension capacity of the weakened regions 84 releases the tensions that develop in the lateral wraparound elements 24 when they are folded around the crotch sides of the wearer's panties. The weakened regions 84 are preferably extensible mainly outwardly generally in the transverse direction. As used herein, the phrase, "generally in the transverse direction", means that the extension capacity has a transverse component. All of the extension, however, does not need to be exactly parallel to the main transverse centerline T of the sanitary napkin. For example, in the embodiment shown in the Figural, the weakened regions 84 are extendable in a direction between the longitudinal and transverse directions. The extensibility of weakened regions 84, however, is preferably oriented more in the transverse direction than in the longitudinal direction such that it is still generally in the transverse direction. However, it is possible that in other embodiments, the extension capacity of the weakened regions 84 may be oriented more in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction, or even entirely in the longitudinal direction. The weakened regions 84 can comprise any structure that is more flexible and extensible than the adjacent regions 86 of the side wrapping elements 24. The weakened regions 84 (although shown in Figures 1 to 3, as being only part of the side wrapping elements 24 ), may comprise parts of the main body portion 22, parts of the side wrapping elements 24, or both. Suitable structures for the weakened regions 84 include, but are not limited to, the area of the material that are mechanically deformed, corrugated, "ring-rolled", the term (ring-rolled, refers to a deformation / activation achieved by feeding a material through internal gear corrugation rollers), bent, formed into a film in the form of structural elastic, or folded, or joined along a curved joint. Film structures in the structural elastic form are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801 entitled "Screen materials exhibiting performance in the form of elastic", issued to Chappel et al. On May 21, 1996, and in U.S. Patent Application No. 08 / 124,180 filed by Mansfield, et al. (PCT Publication No. WO 94/10200). Examples of sanitary napkins having fins and zones of differential extension capacity are further described in U.S. Patent No. 5,354,000 issued to Lavash et al. On October 11, 1994, and in the United States patent. No. 5,389,094 issued to Lavash and others on October 14, 1995. Other examples of structures, but less preferred that can provide the side wrapping elements 24 with a degree of flexibility and extensibility are the notches shown in Figure 5 of U.S. Patent No. B1 4,589,876 issued to Van Tilburg and the stress relieving means described in U.S. Patent No. 4,917, 697, issued to Osborn et al. The sanitary napkin 20 shown in Figures 1 to 3 has side wrapping elements 24 which have been provided with the weakened regions 64 by rolling with ring the desired regions of the side wrapping elements 24. The weakened regions 84 can be rolled with ring according to the methods described in U.S. Patent No. 4,107,364 issued to Sisson on August 15, 1978, U.S. Patent No. 4,834,741 issued to Sabee on May 30, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 5,143,679 issued to Gerald M. Weber et al. on September 1, 1992, U.S. Patent No. 5,156.79 e issued to Kenneth B. Buell et al., on October 20, 1992, and U.S. Patent No. 5,167,897 issued to Gerald M. Weber et al. on December 1, 1992. Ring rolling forms corrugations in weakened regions 84. Corrugations comprise mounts and valleys that are defined by bending lines 88. The fold lines 88 can form any desired angle relative to the main longitudinal center line L. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the fold lines 88 form an angle of between about 40 ° -45 ° with the main longitudinal center line L. This will provide the direction of the desired extension capacity. The side wrapping elements 24 are sufficiently flexible and are dimensioned and configured in such a way that they are capable of folding around the lateral edges of a crotch region of an undergarment of the wearer. In order to be able to fold around the sides of the undergarment, the wraparound side elements 24 must be of a certain minimum size. Otherwise, the more rigid adjacent portions of the sanitary napkin 20, such as the globules 38 of the main body portion 22, to which the side wrapping elements 24 are attached, will restrict and prevent the side wrapping elements 24 from bending. The side wrapping elements 24 preferably vary in size preferably 2 cm in width (transverse direction from the proximal edge, towards its distant edge), and from approximately 16.5 sm in length (longitudinal direction) to approximately 4.5 or 5 cm in width and approximately 23.5 cm long. The side wrapping elements 24 in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 are preferably approximately 5 cm wide from their proximal edge to their distant edge and approximately 20 cm long. The side wrapping elements 24 shown in the drawings preferably also measure more than or equal to about 160 mm, more preferably more than or equal to about 170 mm more preferably more than or equal to about 180 mm, even more preferably more than or equal to about 190 mm and most preferably more than or equal to about 200 mm along its curvilinear proximal edge.

The increased flexibility and extensibility of the weakened regions 84, together with the difference in flexibility between the side wrapping elements 24 and the longitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion 22, allows the side wrapping elements 24 to easily bend around the edges. shores of the wearer's panties. If the longitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion 22 are approximately equal in shape and size as the lateral edges of the wearer's panties, the side wrapping elements 24 in a highly preferred embodiment can bend over a curvilinear line of virtually Exactly along the side edges of the wearer's panties. Preferably, the lateral elements 24 fold at least along a generally curvilinear line which is located at least generally along the lateral edges of the wearer's panties. The side wrapping elements 24 can, if desired, bend or flex through an angle of 180 ° and be fixed to the underside of the wearer's panties. The fact that the lateral wrapping elements 24 can bend along a curvilinear line, allows the lateral wrapping elements to form a flat fold along the length of the edges of the wearer's panties. This reduces the tendency for the side wrapping elements to bulge longitudinally inwardly in a manner that would reduce the area of the wearer's panties that the side wrapping elements 24 are capable of covering. This also reduces the tendency for the ends of the main body portion along the longitudinal side edges thereof to come apart from the wearer's panties and lift up and fold over the top sheet. If it is substantially reduced further, if not eliminated, any tendency for the lateral wrapping elements 24 to unseat the underside of the wearer's panties, or for the fastener on the side wrapping elements to loose their attachment to the underside of the panties ).

The side wrapping elements 24 can be formed in any suitable manner. For example, in a version of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the areas for the lateral wrapping elements 24 can be formed by cutting the secondary absorbent structure 52 in certain places and then bending the portions of the secondary absorbent structure inwardly over the central region absorbing it. As shown in Figure 4A, a pair of curvilinear slots 90 is formed in the secondary absorbent structure 52. The slits 90 extend from points on the longitudinal side edges of the secondary absorbent structure 52 toward, but not all the way to, the transverse central line of the same. The outer portions 92 of the secondary absorbent structure that is facing away from the slits are then bent inwardly as shown in Figure 4B. This leaves a cutout area having a curvilinear edge 93. The curvilinear edge 93 is preferably at least about 160 mm long and the outer portion 92 formed by the cut is preferably about 5 cm wide at its widest portion and approximately 10 cm long measured in the longitudinal direction. The portions 92 of the secondary absorbent structure that are bent can be bent, either above or below the central region of the secondary absorbent structure 52. These external portions 92 can be bent, either over or under the structure primary absorbent 50. The sanitary napkin 20 is formed by adding a rectangular topsheet and a backsheet, and attaching the components of the sanitary napkin as described above. In the cropped region, the topsheet 44 and the backsheet 46 are preferably at least partially secured together by adhesives. Since the upper sheet 44 and the rear sheet 46 comprise generally rectangular sheets, this provides the advantage that the sanitary napkin will use all the materials of the upper sheet and the back sheet without requiring that any part of them be removed and discarded as waste, as is generally done when sanitary napkins are made lateral fins that extend outwards that are integral with the upper leaf and the posterior leaf. (Ordinarily, when sanitary towels with conventional outwardly extending fins are made, the material that is cut around the fins will be removed). The method of making the sanitary napkin described above also provides additional absorbency without the need to remove parts of the secondary absorbent structure as waste. Alternatively, the folded portions of the secondary absorbent structure 72 can provide the sanitary napkin with all the desired absorbency without adding a separate primary absorbent structure. The sanitary napkin 20 preferably has fasteners that are adapted to secure the sanitary napkin 20 to the crotch region of the undergarment. Figures 2 and 3 show a preferred type of fastener, in the form of an adhesive bonding means, such as the adhesive of the central pad 94 and the adhesive of the side wrapping element 96: The fasteners used with the sanitary napkin are not, however, limited to the fixing means or adhesive bond. Any type of fastener used in the art can be used for this purpose. For example, the sanitary napkin 20 can be secured to the wearer's undergarment by friction clips, mechanical fasteners or a combination of any of the foregoing types of fasteners. However, for simplicity the fasteners will be described in terms of adhesive fastening means and are preferably the fasteners of pressure sensitive adhesives. Suitable pressure sensitive adhesive fasteners are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 4,917,697. The adhesive fasteners 94 and 96 can be arranged in any suitable configuration. Figure 3 shows a possible pattern of the panty clip. The panty fastener pattern shown in Figure 3 comprises a pair of centrally or longitudinally oriented pad fasteners 94 that are located on opposite sides of the main center line L. the longitudinally oriented central pad fasteners 94 shown in the Figure 3, preferably extend substantially to the total length of the absorbent core 48. The longitudinally oriented central pad fasteners 94 each preferably have an inner edge 94A which is generally linear. The inner edges 94A of the longitudinally oriented fasteners 94 are preferably spaced apart from each other and from the main longitudinal centerline L of the sanitary napkin 20. This allows the central region to be longitudinally oriented. oriented of the 2G sanitary napkin (which does not have a fastener on it) move apart from the wearer's panties and move toward the close contact with the wearer's body. The longitudinally oriented central pad fasteners 94 preferably have outer edges 94B and ends 94C that are formed similarly to the outer edges of the absorbent core 48. This provides a central pad fastener 94 that is generally hourglass-shaped with a longitudinally oriented space in the center. In addition, of the longitudinally oriented central pad fasteners 94, the sanitary napkin 20 preferably has a fastener 96 of the rectangular side wrapping element on each side wrapping element 24 which are located along the transverse line T of the sanitary napkin 20 Figure 5 shows a sanitary napkin 20 having another possible pantyliner pattern. The panty fastener shown in Figure 5 comprises a fastener 94 of the central pad comprising a longitudinally oriented rectangular area that is centered along the longitudinal center line L of the sanitary napkin 20 and extends approximately to the total length of the core absorbent 48. Sanitary pad 20 also preferably comprises a pair of separate rectangular patches of fastener material in each end region, 32 and 34 of the sanitary napkin. The pairs of rectangular patches spaced apart in the end regions preferably comprise a patch adjacent to each edge of the globules 38 formed by the absorbent core 48. In addition, as in the case of the above embodiment, the sanitary napkin 20 preferably also comprises a fastener 96 of the rectangular, lateral wrapping element on each side wrapping element 24 located along the transverse center line T of the sanitary napkin 20. The adhesive attachment means, such as the adhesive of the central pad 94 and the adhesive fasteners 96 of the lateral wraparound element, each can be covered by rem and remover liningsSeparate videos to prevent e! Adhesive stick to foreign surfaces before use. A suitable release liner that can be used for the fasteners 96 of the side wrapping element is described in United States Patent Application No. 08 / 247,912 filed May 23, 1994, entitled "Absorbent article having fins with strip Unitary Release ", in the name of Osborn, which was originally filed on June 5, 1990, (PCT Publication No. WO 91/18574, published December 12, 1991). Preferably, however, both of the adhesive attachment means are covered by an arrangement or arrangement wherein at least one of the release liners comprises a release liner 100 that also serves as an individual package for the sanitary napkin. Suitable release liners that serve as an individual package for a sanitary napkin are generally described in the US patent.

United States No. 4,556,146 issued to Swanson et al. (Which discloses a sanitary towel folded three times and a wrap), and in United States Patent No. 5,413,568 issued to Roach et al. And in United States Patent No. 5,462,166 issued to Minton et al. The sanitary napkin 20 described here, however, is considerably larger than the sanitary napkins currently in use. Because of its unusual shape and configuration of the panty fastener, particularly the configuration of the panty fastener shown in Figure 5, the sanitary napkin 20 requires a novelty version of these detachable wraps in order to form a package that is Compact enough to be conveniently carried by a consumer. Figure 6 shows the sanitary napkin 20 after it has been folded and placed on a removable wrapper (or "main wrap sheet") 100 which will serve as an individual package for the sanitary napkin 20. The peel wrap 100 has a surface internal, an external surface. The outer surface of the squeezable wrapper 100 is able to releasably adhere the release liner 100 to the adhesive fastener or fasteners on the sanitary napkin 20. This peel ability can be achieved in a number of ways. The various preferred manners are disclosed in the patents that disclose removable wrappers which are incorporated by reference herein. As shown in Figure 6, the globules 38 and the side wrapping elements 24 of the sanitary napkin 20 are preferably folded inwardly along the longitudinal fold lines, F, on the topsheet 44. This exposes the pairs of patches of adhesives 94 in the end regions of the sanitary napkin 20 and to the adhesive fasteners 96 of the side wrapping element. The sanitary napkin 20 is placed with the garment surface 20B down on the release wrapper 100 such that the fastener 94 of the central pad is removably attached to the inner surface of the release wrapper 100. The pairs of the patches adhesives 94 exposed in each end region of the sanitary napkin and fasteners 96 of the side wrapping element are then covered with a single sheet of release paper strip (or "release element), 102 preferably extending substantially to length total of the main body portion 22. The release paper strip 102 ti has an internal surface capable of releasably adhering the adhesive fasteners on the sanitary napkin 20. The sanitary napkin 20 and the release wrapper 100 are then preferably folded around a pair of separate transversal axes F1 and F2 to form an individual package for the The sanitary napkin 20. The removable wrapper 100 is preferably provided with a removable adhesive wrap closure fastener, such as the adhesive tape tab 104, for holding the folded sanitary napkin and the wrapper in its folded configuration. Figures 7 and 8 show the folding of the sanitary napkin 20 and the release wrap 100 to form an individual package for the sanitary napkin. Figure 7 shows that the second end region 34 of the sanitary napkin 20 is folded over the central region 36 of the sanitary napkin 20. The first end region 32 of the sanitary napkin 20 is then folded over the top of the second end region. 34. Figure 8 shows that the adhesive tape tab 104 is then used to releasably secure the sanitary towel 20 in its folded configuration. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the longitudinal edges 106 of the release liner 100 extend beyond the side edges of the folded sanitary napkin 20. The longitudinal edges 106 of the release liner 100 are then preferably frangibly sealed together to close the sides of the package. Methods for frangibly sealing the longitudinal edges 106 of this package are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,556,146 issued to Swanson et al .; United States patent No. 5,181, 610 issued to Quick, and in United States Patent No. 5,462,166 issued to Minton et al. The bent configuration shown in Figures 6 to 8 provides the advantage that it produces a relatively small and convenient package for a relatively large pad. The folded package preferably has overall dimensions of approximately 14 cm measured in the longitudinal direction, approximately 3 cm wide, and less than or equal to approximately 2.5 cm in thickness. The sanitary napkin 20 is removed to be used by separating to open the tape tab 104 then unfolding the end regions of the sanitary napkin 20 in reverse order of which they were originally folded to pack through the sanitary napkin 20. This breaks the frangible seals along the longitudinal side edges 106 of the peelable wrapper 100 and affix the sanitary napkin 20 and the peel wrapper 100 in the flat, disposed configuration, as shown in Figure 6. The consumer can then separate the peel wrapper 100. from! fastener 94 of the central body. The consumer can then place the sanitary napkin 20 in the crotch region of his panties and can adjust the sanitary napkin until it is in the desired position. All this can be done while the release paper strip 102 still covers the fasteners on the globules 38 of the sanitary napkin and the side wrapping elements 24 are erased. This provides the advantage that the fasteners 94 and 96 in these portions of the sanitary napkin 20 will not be able to fold over on themselves and to stick to themselves or to an erroneous part of the wearer's panties. The consumer can then detach back the release strip 102 and unfold the globules 38 and the side wrapping elements 24. The consumer can then secure the globules 38 to their panties and fold the side wrapping elements 24 around the edge of their panties and fastening the fasteners 96 of the lateral wrapping element to the underside of your panties. Figure 9 is a representation of the sanitary napkin 20 in place in an undergarment of the type commonly worn by many women and well known as a panty hose 10. The configuration of the sanitary napkin 20 in the pantyhose shown in Figure 9 is presented primarily for discussion purposes, rather than limiting the possible configurations of the sanitary napkin 20 that it may adopt in use. It should be understood that the sanitary napkin 20 described herein may also adopt other configurations during use. For example, the side wrapping elements of the sanitary napkin 20 can, if desired, adopt the usage patterns similar to those of the fins described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,687,487 and 5,267, 992 issued to Van Tilburg or in US Pat. U.S. Patent No. 5,354,400 issued to Lavash et al. However, in the configuration in use it may differ in some respects since the distance or space of the lateral wrapping elements 24 will typically be less than those of the atheists. The panty 10 comprises a crotch portion 12, a front section 14, and a back section 16. The crotch portion 12 joins the front and back sections and comprises two elastified side edges 18. As shown in Figure 9, the center of the main body portion 22 is placed in the crotch portion 12 of the pantyhose 10 with the backsheet in contact with the inner surface of the crotch portion 12 of the pantyhose and one end of the main body portion 22 extending towards the front section 14 of the panty and the other end towards the rear section 16. The adhesive 94 of the central pad, keeps the main body portion d22 in its position. The distal portions 76 of the side wrapping elements 24 are folded around the elasticized side edges 18 of the panty. The portions of the flap adhesive 96 secure the side wrapping elements 20 to the bottom of the panty. Figures 10 and 11 show an alternate way of covering the adhesive fasteners on the garment-facing side of the sanitary napkin. As Figure 10 shows, in this embodiment, the side wrapping elements 24 are bent over the side facing body 20A of the main body portion 22 and the adhesive fasteners 96 thereon are covered with a detachment strip 110. As shown in FIG. Figure 11, the adhesive fasteners 94 on the garment-facing side 20B of the main body portion 22 are covered with multiple release papers such as release papers 112 and 114. Preferably, these multiple release papers 112 and 114 are oriented in an end-to-end relationship in the longitudinal direction. Each of the release papers 112 and 114 generally resemble the shape of the half of an hourglass. The release papers 112 and 114 preferably have a portion adjacent to at least ur * edge, which is preferably an end edge, such as "-12A" ie, rc adhesive, which overlaps with an adjacent part of the end edge (such as 114A) of the adjacent release paper In the preferred embodiment shown, the non-adhesive end edge is preferably also bent backwards, (such as along F3 and F4) to provide a graspable tab 116 and 118 so that the consumer grasps it in order to more easily remove the release papers 112 and 114. In other embodiments, the extreme edges of the release papers may adjoin, rather than overlap.In still other (but less preferred) embodiments, the edges The other ends may be separated slightly apart from each other, and numerous other arrangements of multiple release papers are possible, for example, in other embodiments. they can arrange the multiple release papers in a side-by-side arrangement, rather than end-to-end. In these or other modalities, more than two release papers can be used. It is not mandatory for the dividing line between the release papers to be symmetrically arranged in relation to the sanitary napkin. For example, if two release papers are used, one can cover more than half of the sanitary napkin and the other can cover less than half of the sanitary napkin. In addition, multiple release papers can also be provided with arrows, or any other suitable indicator to indicate to the user where to release the release papers by separation. The embodiments of the multiple release papers described above are particularly useful when the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin is extensible, highly flexible, or both. These dispositions of multiple release papers provides ease in handling these types of sanitary napkins and allows the user to place the same on their panties without parts of the adhesive fastener on the sanitary napkin that bends over the sanitary napkin that bends over and sticks in a manner poured other parts of the sanitary napkin. In the multiple part release paper embodiments or in any of the other embodiments described herein, the release paper may be provided with additional stiffness to assist in handling the extensible and / or highly flexible sanitary napkins. This release paper is preferably stiffer than the release papers currently in use. More specifically, the release paper preferably has a stiffness greater than or equal to about 1.0 grams / cm measured according to the industry association of the non-woven fabric tested INDA IST 90.1-92 and / or Taber stiffness greater than or equal to approximately 0.12 grams-cm measured according to TAPPI test T489 os-76. More preferably the release paper may have a stiffness greater than or equal to 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc., grams-centimeters under an INDA and / or 0.13 test., 0M4, 0.15., Etc., under the Taber stiffness test. The rest of the numbers in the series are included here, even though these are not specifically listed. The release paper may have a stiffness of up to, or in excess of the stiffness of the sanitary napkin measured without a release paper thereon. This will allow the sanitary napkin 20 to have stiffness when desired, such as to assist in the handling of the sanitary napkin, without altering the properties of the sanitary napkin when flexibility is desired, such as when the sanitary napkin 20 is placed on the panties of the user. Figure 12 shows another alternate way of covering the adhesive fasteners 94 on the side facing the garment of the sanitary napkin. In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the adhesive fasteners 94 are arranged in the configuration of a number of regions of separate circular adhesives. (However, it should be understood that this configuration of the adhesive fastener is for illustration purposes only, and that this type of adhesive cover, as in the foregoing embodiments, is not limited to * warse with the particular configuration of the adhesive fastener shown in FIG. the drawings). The adhesive fasteners 94 are covered with a release paper 120 which is perforated so that it can be separated in more than one piece during removal. More specifically, the embodiment shown in Figure 12 comprises an hourglass-shaped release strip 120 having a perforated line 122 in a dog bone shape in the center. The perforated line 122 allows the user to separately remove the dog bone-shaped part 124 and the rest of the release paper 120. The release paper 120 and perforation line 122, however, can be in any desired configuration which allows the release paper 120 to be separated more than one piece during removal. The embodiment shown in Figure 12 provides the advantage that allows the user to remove the selected portions of the release strip, such that certain parts of the adhesive fastener 94 will be exposed to control the amount and location of the towel adhesion. Sanitary 20 to your undergarment. Numerous other alternate embodiments of the absorbent article and the dispositions of the release cover described herein are possible. For example, any of the removable cover arrangements described herein can be applied to sanitary napkins, pantiliners and adult incontinence pads, or other types of absorbent articles, regardless of the type and configuration of the absorbent article, or the fastener thereon, while the release cover is compatible with the absorbent article and the fastener. Suitable absorbent articles in the form of pantyhose that can be provided with the fasteners and dispositions of the release liner of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,738,676 entitled "Pantiprotector", issued to Osborn on 19 April 1988. Suitable absorbent articles, at least some of which are in the form of adult incontinence products that can be provided with the features of the present invention, are described in U.S. Pat. 5,300,054 issued to Feist et al. On April 5, 1994, and 5,304,161, issued to Noel et al. On April 19, 1994. Further, if the fasteners comprise a different type of fastener than the pressure sensitive adhesive, for example a fastener Mechanical, such as a hook material, the fastener can be covered by a material that (attach and) detach from it, such as a curl material or a non-woven material, etc., instead of covering the fasteners with conventional types of release papers coated with silicone. Disclosures of all patents, patent applications (and any of the patents issued thereon, as well as any corresponding published foreign patent applications), and the publications mentioned in this disclosure are hereby incorporated by reference herein. How, it is not expressly admitted that any of the documents incorporated by reference herein, teach or disclose the present invention. Although the particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. - A removable wrapping system for a sanitary napkin, the sanitary napkin of which has a main body part having a pair of end regions, a central region disposed between the end regions, a longitudinal centerline, and a pair of longitudinal side edges, the main body portion comprising a side facing the liquid permeable body, a side facing the liquid impervious to the liquid, an absorbent core positioned between the side facing the body and the side facing the garment and a adhesive fastener on the side facing the garment of the main body portion, characterized in that the sanitary napkin further comprises a pair of lateral wrapping elements extending laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main portion of body from at least the central region of the main body portion, said envelope elements later Each one having an adhesive fastener on its side facing the garment, said removable wrapping system comprising: a main wrapping sheet having an internal surface, an outer surface, the inner surface being able to releasably adhere the sheet from the main wrapping to the adhesive fastener on the side facing the garment of the main body portion; and at least one detachment element, preferably extending to the full length of the main body portion of the sanitary napkin, said detachment element having an inner surface, an outer surface and a release material on the inner surface to secure in a releasable to the detachment element to at least one of the adhesive fasteners on the side wrapping elements, said side wrapping elements and a part of the main body portion being folded on the side facing the body of the main body side to expose the adhesive on the side wrapping elements and at least a portion of the adhesive fastener on the garment-facing side of the main portion, wherein the adhesive fasteners exposed on the side wrapping elements and the bent portion of the main body portion they are covered by the detachment element and the detachment element extends over the end regions of the sanitary napkin.

2. The removable wrapping system according to claim 1, wherein the side wrapping elements and the portion of the main body part are folded around a longitudinally oriented fold line. A sanitary napkin having adhesive fasteners covered by a removable wrapping system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the portion of the main body portion of the sanitary napkin that is bent comprises a pair of blood cells extending laterally outwardly along the longitudinal side edges of the sanitary napkin in the end regions thereof. 4. A sanitary napkin having adhesive fasteners covered by a removable wrapping system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sanitary napkin, the peel-off element and the main wrapping sheet are all folded as a unit around a at least one transverse axis. 5. An absorbent article, preferably a sanitary napkin, more preferably said sanitary napkin also having a main extendible body portion, characterized in that the absorbent article has a side facing the body, a garment side, and a fastener adhesive on the garment side, the absorbent article being provided with the multi-piece adhesive cover comprising: a first piece having two surfaces and two ends, wherein one surface is releasably adhered to the adhesive fastener and one end it is bent backwards, to form a portion of reachable tongue; and a second piece extends two surfaces and two ends, wherein one surface is detachably adhered to the adhesive fastener, and one end is folded back to form a graspable or graspable tab portion. The multi-piece adhesive cover according to claim 5, wherein the second piece partially overlaps the first piece to form an overlapping portion of the second piece, said overlapping portion of the second piece preferably comprising a grasping tongue portion. of the second piece. 7. A cover for an adhesive fastener on the garment-facing side of an absorbent article, characterized in that the cover comprises a main sheet having a plurality of perforations therein for tearing the main sheet, wherein the perforations are arranged in such a way that a piece of said main sheet will be separable from the rest of the main sheet when the main sheet is torn along the perforations, and at least one of said piece and said main sheet preferably comprises a tongue for use by separately removing the piece and the main sheet. 8. An absorbent article having a stiffness and an adhesive cover for the absorbent article, said adhesive cover having a stiffness, said absorbent article having a side facing the body, a garment side, and an adhesive fastener over the garment side, the adhesive fastener being covered with said cover for the adhesive characterized in that the cover for the adhesive has a Taber stiffness greater than or equal to about 0.15 g-cm, or wherein the stiffness of the cover for the adhesive is greater than the stiffness of the absorbent article. A method for packaging a sanitary napkin having adhesive fasteners thereon, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: a) providing a removable wrapper for a sanitary napkin, said peel-away wrapper comprising a sheet having two sides, at least one of which is releasably attachable to the adhesive fasteners; b) providing a sanitary napkin comprising a main body portion having a side facing the body, a side facing the garment, a pair of end regions, a central region disposed between the end regions, two edges longitudinally separated laterals, and two separate end edges, said main body portion being narrower in width in the central region than in the end regions, and a pair of lateral wrapping elements extending beyond the edge of the main portion of the body. body in the central region, the main body portion having fasteners in said end regions and said side wrapping elements having fasteners; c) releasably securing at least a portion of the fastener on the garment-facing side of the main body portion to the release liner; d) folding a part of the main body portion of the sanitary napkin and of the lateral wrapping elements inward toward the longitudinal centerline of the sanitary napkin around at least one longitudinally oriented bending line to expose the adhesive fasteners in the globules of the main portion of the body and on the lateral enveloping elements; e) providing a release sheet having a length and width that is sufficient to cover the adhesive fasteners in the bent portions above in said end regions of the main body portion and in the side wrapping elements, the release sheet having two sides, at least one of which is releasably attachable to the adhesive fasteners; f) covering the exposed adhesive fasteners with the release sheet by placing the release sheet over the folded portions above in the end regions of the main body portion and the fasteners in the side wrapping heads in such a way that the sheet detachment extends longitudinally along the entire length of the folded sanitary napkin; and g) folding the sanitary napkin covered, the release sheet and the release wrap as a unit around at least one transversely oriented axis. 10. A method for applying a sanitary napkin, a pair of panties comprising the steps of: a) providing a sanitary napkin packaged according to the method of claim 9; b) removing the removable wrap from at least the portion of the adhesive fastener on the garment-facing side of the main body portion of the sanitary napkin; c) placing the main body portion of the sanitary napkin inside the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment, and attaching said portion of the main body portion thereto, with the adhesive fastener; d) removing the release sheet from the adhesive fasteners in the folded portions above the main body portion and the side wrapping elements; e) unfolding the folded portions above the main body portion and the side wrapping elements; f) securing the folded portions above the main body portion to the interior of the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarments; and g) folding the lateral wrapping elements around the lateral edges of the wearer's undergarment, and attaching the adhesive fasteners thereon to the underside of the wearer's undergarment.