WO2022106501A1

WO2022106501A1 - Hygiene article with sustained positioning of faeces receiving opening relative to anus

Info

Publication number: WO2022106501A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/082058
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoph Schmitz
Original assignee: Concepts For Success (C4S)
Priority date: 2020-11-19
Filing date: 2021-11-18
Publication date: 2022-05-27
Also published as: DE112021006022T5; GB202018241D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of hygiene appliances, in particular to hygiene articles comprising a means for reducing soiling of the skin of a wearer by body exudates such as faeces, urine, or menses. In particular, it relates to an article with a Skin Protection 5Sheet that comprises at least one opening in registry with body exudate releasing body openings or genital organs, to which it is urged by a longitudinally acting pull means whilst being spread open cross-directionally by a spreading means. Longitudinal folds in the Skin Protection Sheet enhance the correct positioning during use. Such a hygiene article may suitably be a baby or adult diaper or pant, a training pant, or a menstrual pant.

Description

HYGIENE ARTICLE WITH SUSTAINED POSITIONING OF FAECES RECEIVING OPENING RELATIVE TO ANUS

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of hygiene appliances, in particular to hygiene articles comprising a means for reducing soiling of the skin of a wearer by body exudates such as faeces, urine, or menses. In particular, it relates to an article with a Skin Protection Sheet that comprises at least one opening in registry with body exudate releasing body openings or genital organs, to which it is urged by a longitudinally acting pull means whilst being spread open cross-directionally by a spreading means. Longitudinal folds in the Skin Protection Sheet enhance maintaining the correct positioning during use. Such a hygiene article may suitably be a baby or adult diaper or pant, a training pant, or a menstrual pant.

Background

There are multiple attempts to address the problem of contaminating and/or irritating the skin of a wearer especially if a wearer is unable to control bowel movement or defecation. EP359410A1 (Freeland; P&G) discloses a disposable absorbent article with an elastic topsheet having an aperture or passageway.

US3848599A (Schaar; Kendall) shows a diaper with two parts of an absorbent core, which are positioned longitudinally partially overlapping. In the overlapping region, the topsheet follows the shingled formation, thusly forming a cross-directional fold, which is affixed at the lateral margins of the article. Thus, upon donning of the article or during use, longitudinal forces reduce the overlap in the middle portion of the article and a trough-like cavity is formed into which faeces can be deposited.

In JP08-196565 (Onishi; Uni Charm) an absorbent article is described having an absorbing core with an upper layer core and a lower layer core. The upper layer core is divided in longitudinal direction and the two front and rear parts are separated by a distance. The topsheet is folded around the ends of the upper core and between the upper and lower core layer, thereby forming pockets into which faeces can be deposited.

EP908162A2 (Sayama; Uni Charm) shows a disposable diaper, wherein a supplemental member having two side walls is bonded to the top sheet and a top wall, thereby forming excreta guide openings or passageways.

US20080110553A1 (Otsubo; Uni Charm) discloses a pants-type diaper, wherein a separator sheet overlying the topsheet is connected thereto in the crotch region. Forwardly and rearwardly the separator sheet is unconnected to the topsheet in the mediar forward and rearward longitudinal end margins of the separator sheet are connected to each other, thusly forming in an in-use configuration cone-like spaces for receiving faeces and urine, respectively.

WO2011064272A2 (Schmitz, C4S) describes an article for being worn on the lower torso of a wearer, such as pants or diapers. The article has a flexible faeces separation member, such as a faeces trap sheet comprising an opening, which is attached in a particular way such that separation of faeces and skin respective genitals can be achieved.

WO2015/055696 (Schmitz, C4S) describes absorbent articles with overfolded side margins and a faeces trap sheet with an opening, as described in the above mentioned WO2011/064272, wherein the topsheet comprising an opening and a topsheet foreshortening means is adapted such that the topsheet is in direct contact with the skin of a wearer and the opening is positioned in the region of and aligned with the anus of a wearer during use.

Whilst this provides significant improvement with regard to handling of faeces, it has been discovered that there is still a tendency for faeces to migrate rearwardly, but also, faeces can migrate forwardly towards the genitals of a wearer. It has now been identified that a cause for this remaining soiling in the previous approaches is that the topsheets and/or faeces trap sheets span over the buttocks of a wearer as well as over the genitals, and thusly are not in sufficiently close contact to the skin of a wearer, especially in the anal cleft. Thus W02020/049149 (C4S. hereinafter referred to as WO’ 149,) describes a further improvement over WO2015/055696 by applying a pull means and a spreading means. The pull means extends along the longitudinal centreline of the article in a manufacturing configuration and is adapted to be lifted into the anal cleft in the in-use configuration, whilst the spreading means is adapted to spread the opening(s) cross-directionally open so as to allow bodily exudates to pass through in the in-use configuration.

However, by duly investigating the use of such articles, it has been detected that good fit of the article upon donning of the article may deteriorate during movement, such as when changing the position, and leakage may occur. Further investigation identified as a cause that e.g. when moving from a lying position to a sitting position, the lateral pull of the product side regions, particularly the side panels, may mitigate the lifting effect of the pull means, such that the Skin Protection Sheet is pulled out of the anal cleft, such that exudates may reach the thusly created space between Skin Protection Sheet and skin.

Thus it is an object of the present invention to alleviate this problem and to ensure correct positioning of the openings relative to the body releasing openings. Summary

The present is a hygiene article for being worn on the lower torso of a wearer and adapted to receive and retain bodily exudates. The article exhibits a length, longitudinal, x- direction and a longitudinally extending center line, a width, cross-directional, or y- direction, perpendicular thereto and corresponding to a left-right orientation of a user during its intended use, and a thickness or z-direction, perpendicular to both.

The article comprises, relative to a wearer during its intended use, a rear waist region and a front waist region, each comprising cross-directionally opposite first and second side panel sections and a center section there between, and a crotch point region positioned longitudinally between the waist regions and comprising a crotch point positioned between the anal opening and the genital organs of a wearer during its intended use, and a central portion extending in a longitudinal direction from the rear waist center section towards the front waist center section.

Further, the article comprises

- a skin protection sheet (SPS), adapted to be in direct contact with the skin of a wearer, comprising at least one opening positioned along its longitudinally extending centerline and being adapted to be in registry with a bodily releasing body opening or a genital organ;

- a backsheet;

- side panels extending laterally outwardly of the skin protection sheet at least in an in-use configuration;

- optionally an absorbent core positioned between the backsheet and the skin protection sheet;

- an essentially non-elastic longitudinal foreshortening pull means;

- at least one cross-directional spreading means.

The pull means and the spreading means are adapted to cooperatively lift the SPS z- directionally to fit into the anal cleft of a wearer in an in use configuration, whilst spreading the at least one opening cross-directionally open, whereby preferably the PM and the SM are executed unitary, forming a pull band.

Further, the SPS comprises two longitudinally extending preferably symmetrical z-folds that are positioned laterally outwardly of the longitudinal center line, and permanently affixed at least in the front and waist center sections. The longitudinal z-folds may exhibit an overfold width of more than al preferably more than about 10 mm, more preferably more than about 15 mm, and less than about 60 mm, preferably less than about 50 mm. The longitudinal z-folds may exhibit an overfold width of more than about 2 %, preferably more than about 5 %, more preferably more than about 12.5 % of the width of the backsheet, and less than about 30 %, preferably less than about 20 % of the width of the backsheet.

Each of the or more longitudinal z-folds exhibits two fold lines that may be positioned such that the fold line positioned closer to the longitudinal center lines exhibits a distance thereto of more than about 5 mm, preferably more than about 10 mm, more preferably more than about 15 mm, and less than about 60 mm, preferably less than about 50 mm.

Optionally, the hygiene article may comprise one or more cross-directional extending z- fold(s) in the crotch region of the backsheet, whereby the z-fold is permanently affixed laterally outwardly of the cross-directional central portion and not affixed within the central portion.

Optionally, the SPS of the hygiene article may comprise regions exhibiting different hydrophilicity, wherein a first hydrophilicity region comprises the central portion of the crotch and is more hydrophilic than the remainder of the SPS. The difference in hydrophilicity may be achieved by applying a hydrophilicity change agent to a first regions whilst no or a different hydrophilicity change agent is applied to a second region.

Optionally, the SPS may comprise sub-webs exhibiting different hydrophilicity, which are longitudinally affixed to form the SPS.

Optionally, the hygiene article may comprise a liquid barrier, preferably a melt fusion line or region or a glue line or region extending predominantly longitudinally and preventing liquid passage from the central portion laterally outwardly.

Preferably, the z-folds are affixed by melt-fusion bonding, more preferably by ultrasonic bonding.

Brief description of the Figures

Fig. 1 depicts the lower torso of a wearer to which an article according to the present invention may be donned.

Fig. 2A to C depict an execution of articles according to WO’ 149 and its fit on the lower torso of a wearer.

Fig. 3A to E depict particular elements as described in WO’ 149 and the inclusion into a hygiene product.

Fig. 4 A to E depict elements of an article comprising longitudinal folds according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 depicts a particular execution according to the present invention comprising zones with differing hydrophilicity.

Fig. 6A to C depict a particular execution according to the present invention comprising web materials exhibiting differing hydrophilicity.

Fig.7 A to C depict a particular execution according to the present invention comprising a liquid barrier.

Fig. 8 A to C depict a particular execution according to the present invention comprising cross-directional folds.

Figures are schematic and not to scale. Same numerals refer to same or equivalent features or elements. Numerals with apostrophes (xx¹, xx",...) denote multiple elements, e.g., first - second or left - right.

Detailed description

The present invention relates to a hygiene article comprising a skin protection sheet, hereinafter abbreviated as “SPS”. Such an article of manufacture is typically applied to the lower torso of a human, aiming at reducing soiling of the skin by body exudates, such as during menstruation or when a wearer is not able to control urination or bowel movement. Such hygiene articles further comprise a backsheet that retains the body exudates and prevents soiling of the environment, such as clothing or bedding. Often such articles also exhibit liquid absorbency. Optionally, a hygiene article according to the present invention may comprise an exudate separation sheet (ESS), which may separate exudates from each other, such as when contact of urine and faeces should be prevented, or from predetermined portions of the article, such as when a portion particularly adapted to receive urine should not be contaminated by faeces that may impede urine absorption. Thus, suitable hygiene articles may be diapers for babies or adults, be these of the “open type” with closure means such as tapes, or be these of the “pants type” closed at the sides so as to create a belt like system around the waist, training pants or fixation pants made of film or other materials. Suitable hygiene articles include diapers in an “all-in-one” execution, i.e. with combined liquid absorbency and liquid impermeable cover, or “two-piece”, i.e., separate means for addressing liquid absorbency and liquid barrier function, or “inserts”, wherein an absorbent article may be equipped with a replaceable absorbent pad. Other two-piece executions include the combination of an absorbent pad with fixation mean, such as a stretchable cover, such as a net pant. An article according to the present invention may also be used in combination with a conventional absorbent diaper or pant, e.g. to enhance bowel movement handling. Hygiene articles may be disposable, i.e. discarded and/or further tre environmentally friendly and sound manner and may also be made from or comprise reusable materials.

A hygiene article according to the present invention can be in a “manufacturing configuration” which refers to a state of being produced in a manufacturing system, preferably a high speed manufacturing system, allowing to produce more than hundred pieces per minute, more than 300 pieces per minute even more than 600 pieces per minute or even more than 1000 pieces per minute. At the end of the manufacturing line, the hygiene article may be brought into a “packaging configuration”, such as by being cut and folded, in which it is delivered to a user, as may be the wearer or a caretaker, who will then bring the article into a “pre-use configuration” such as by unfolding it. Upon donning on a wearer, the article takes an “in-use configuration”.

Typically, an absorbent article exhibits a width or cross-direction or y-direction, corresponding to a left-right orientation of a user during its intended use. Further, the length, longitudinal or x-direction of the article extends perpendicularly thereto, and in an in-use configuration from a first waist region, e.g. the rear waist region, through the crotch region to the opposite waist region, whereby the respective regions of the article correspond to the body regions of a wearer. Thus, in this in-use configuration the longitudinal center line of an article will take a U-shape configuration, whilst in a manufacturing configuration the longitudinal center line is often a straight line. Further, the article exhibits a thickness or z-direction, perpendicular to the x-, and y- directions. The overall length of the article in an in-use configuration corresponds to the outermost line of the article, which is the backsheet as described below, following this U-shape, thus stretching from the rear waist margin of the article through the crotch region to the front waist margin. In a manufacturing configuration, where individual articles are not yet separated but represent an essentially endless sequence of connected article precursors, the overall length of an article is considered to correspond to the distance of marked-up or imaginary lines where the articles are separated from adjacent ones towards the end of the manufacturing process.

According to the above referenced WO’ 149, a pull means and a spreading means, may be combined in a pull band.

The principles of the present invention are now explained by referring to the figures, which should not be seen to be limiting, in particular not with regard to combining various features as described as exemplary executions. Fig. 1 depicts schematically a portion of the sagittal plane of a body, with lower torso 30, upper thigh of a leg 39 and buttocks 32, the latter being separated by the anal cleft 34. Further indicated are the anus 33 and the genital organs, here shown as labium 37, which is also the location of the male gei scrotum and penis. Left and right groin clefts extend from the crotch region forwardly. The perineum with a crotch point 35 is the region between anus and genital organs. The length of the perineal region has a person to person variability, and is also somewhat dependent on the gender and age. Typically, a range of 2.5 cm and 7 cm covers most of the adults, with a medium length of between 4 cm and 5 cm, both ranges being applicable to female and male persons. For Babies, the perineal length is typically shorter, though not below about 1 cm. Thus, typically, the crotch point on a wearer is positioned between about 0.5 cm and about 4 cm forwardly of the forward end of the anus.

Within the present description, the crotch point of an article 305 corresponding to the crotch point of a wearer 35 can be determined by placing an article on a wearer of the physical size for which the article is designed and who is in a fully upright standing position with his or her feet a shoulder width apart and then placing an extensible filament around the upper thighs in a figure eight configuration. The point in the article corresponding to the point of intersection of the filament is considered to be the crotch point of the article. Further, the crotch point region of an article is longitudinally extending forward and rearward of the crotch point corresponding to the perineal region of a wearer. In absence of concrete figures for a particular user, the crotch point region is considered to extend at least 1 cm forward and rearward of the crotch point.

In order to further explain the general functioning of the present invention, reference is made to Fig. 2A to 2C. Fig. 2A depicts schematically and non-limiting a top view of an execution of article 300 in a pre-use configuration, with longitudinal direction 13 and width direction 17. The article 300 comprises a front region 302 with front cross-directionally extending margin 303 and a rear region 308 with rear cross-directionally extending margin 307 and a crotch region 305 longitudinally there between. Further, front side panels 320’ and 320” and rear side panels 330’ and 330” extend laterally outwardly from a center piece 310. The side panels may be separate materials as connected to the backsheet material, or they may be lateral extensions of the backsheet material.

When reference is made to features, that are essentially symmetric to a longitudinal center line, as may be a “left-right” symmetry for an article, here shown for the side panels, the respective “left” or “right” features are denoted with single and double quotation marks, respectively, whilst in a general discussion of the feature, no quotation mark is used. The side panels may comprise closure means 340’ and 340” that allow fitting of the article around the waist of a wearer by connecting front and rear side panels, respectively. As most of the materials suitable for being used in the present invention are essentially flat or web materials, they generally exhibit two surfaces separated by the thickness. Withi context, a first surface of the materials is generally oriented towards the wearer and the second or opposite surface away from the wearer or outwardly, at least in the crotch region, and even if certain portions of the materials are overfolded or are positioned towards the legs of a wearer.

In this exemplary execution, the article 300 further comprises a rear or anal opening 306 and a front or genital opening 304, both being cross-directionally spread open by spreading means (SM) 1300. As will be discussed in more detail herein below, each of the spreading means comprises a pair of spreading elements, here shown for the front, 1302’ and 1302”, and the rear 1308’, 1308”. Pull means (PM) generally depicted as 1400, here shown as a pull means strip 1410 with a rear pull means 1408 and a front pull means 1402, are indicated as exhibiting a Y-shape, with the stem of the “Y” directed towards the openings 306 and 304, respectively, and the legs of the “Y” directing away from the opening and laterally outward. As shown, the pull means and the spreading means may be unitary, e.g. by being made of a single piece of material. A Skin Protection Sheet (SPS) 1500 is shown in the region of the center piece 310 except for the openings.

Fig. 2B depicts the portion of the sagittal plane of a body as in Fig. 1 with an article in a pre-use configuration as shown in Fig. 2A with the side panels not being fully outwardly folded and openings, PM, and SM omitted. The SPS 1500 and the backsheet 318 exhibit essentially the same longitudinal extension. Upon donning, and as depicted in Fig 2C, the outward folding of the sidepanels for closure of the article around the waist pulls the front and rear ends of the Y-shaped pull means 1402 and 1408 laterally outward, thusly foreshortening the available longitudinal extension, and thusly urging the pull means 1400 as well as the SPS 1500 connected thereto into the anal cleft such that the openings are also urged towards the anus and genital organs whilst the backsheet remains spaced apart. At the same time, the spreading means induce a lateral pull to the openings, thereby widening their CD-extension at predetermined size, such that the rear opening fits tightly to the anus and the front opening is adapted to allow the genital organs to pass through. Thus exudates pass through the openings into the space created between the SPS and the backsheet, separated from the skin by the SPS.

In order to further explain the principles of the present invention, Fig. 3 A to E depict exemplarily particular elements as described in WO’ 149 and the inclusion into a hygiene product.

Fig. 3A, B and E now refer to features of the pull means 1400 and spreading means 1300, as indicated in the above in the context of Fig. 2 for the particular execution of these being unitary, i.e. made of a single piece of material, as may be referred to as Combi

Spreading Means CPSM 1390. In Fig. 3A and E it is shown in a manufacturing configuration, whilst Fig. 3B depicts schematically an in-use configuration (not showing the three-dimensional U-shape), with a view on the wearer oriented first surface. A simple strip of skin friendly material, such as conventional nonwoven material of sufficient strength is provided, optionally with a plurality of discontinuities or separation lines, such as may be full cut lines or tear open lines (“perf n pop). It is further contemplated though less preferred, that the spreading means may be introduced as a separate material strip. In another execution, the spreading means is provided by directly attaching the overfolded center piece side portions aside the openings in SPS and pull means.

Front (1402) and rear (1408) pull means comprise discontinuities 1403, 1407, respectively, that extend from the front (1392), respective rear (1398) margins of the CPSM, also indicated by point F and A, respectively, and coinciding with the front and rear margins of the article (shown in Fig. 2A, 303 and 307, respectively). The discontinuities stretch towards the crotch point 305 and stop at points E and B, respectively, corresponding to the node points of the Y-structures described in the above. The stems of the Y-structures, 1404 and 1406, respectively, further extend from the node points E and B in the direction towards the crotch point up to the discontinuities for the openings 304 and 306. These discontinuities extend further in the direction towards the crotch point 305, but will not reach there, such that an unseparated region remains in the crotch point region.

For the exemplary execution as shown in Fig. 2 and 3, spreading means 1300 are executed as pairs of partially separated strips 1312’ and 1312” for the front opening 304, and 1318’ and 1318” for the rear opening 306. These strips are partially separated from the CPSM material by separation lines 1313, 1317, that extend from and intersect a longitudinal side margin 1395’, 1395” of the CPSM towards but terminating before intersecting the discontinuity for the openings 304, 306, respectively, whereby the intersection with the longitudinally extending side margins and thus the laterally outward end portions 1311’, 1311”, 1319’, 1319” of the spreading means strips 1312, 1218 are distanced further away from the crotch point 305 than the termination points C and D that are positioned just laterally outwardly of the openings and about midways of the length of the respective discontinuities (as indicated for point C) or more towards the crotch point (as indicated for point D).

In addition to these discontinuities, the CPSM comprises connection points for connecting to other elements of the hygiene article.

As to the pull means function, the front pull means connecting regions 1401’, 1401” near the front margin 1412 and corresponding to point F, and the rear pull mean* regions 1409’, 1409” nearthe rear margin 1418 and corresponding to point A are positioned laterally outward of the discontinuities 1403 and 1407, respectively, and connect to overfolded portions of the center piece and to the side panels, as will be discussed in more detail herein below.

Similarly, the spreading function is enabled by connecting the laterally outward end portions 1311’, 1311”, 1319’, 1319” in respective connecting regions 1314’, 1314”, 1316’, 1316” to overfolded portions of the center piece and to the side panels, as will be discussed in more detail herein below. Alternatively, the overfolded center piece portions may be connected directly to connecting regions 1314, 1316 as in Fig. 3E.

Further, the peripheries of the discontinuities forming opening 304 and 306 are connected to the over- or underlying portion of the SPS, which comprises corresponding discontinuities, as will also be discussed herein below.

As indicated in Fig. 3C, a hygiene article 300 comprising a CPSM 1390 is shown in a manufacturing configuration, corresponding to an article as shown in Fig 2A in a pre-use configuration. The exemplary article comprises a front side panels 320’, 320”, rear side panels 330’, 330” with closure means 340’, 340”. and a center piece 310. The center piece 310 comprises at least a SPS sheet 1512 as described in the above, and a backsheet 318, typically, though not necessarily an absorbent core (not shown), and exhibits an overfolded “C-shape”, with longitudinally extending side margins 314’, 314” that are overfolded along longitudinal fold lines 316’, 316” towards but not over the longitudinal center line 15 of the article, such that in the overfolded portions 309 the backsheet 318 faces the viewer. A central portion extends longitudinally along the article and cross-directional from a first of the longitudinal fold lines 316 via the longitudinal center line 15 to the opposite fold line 316. The center piece 310 exhibits a first surface 313, as may also be referred to as topsheet side, that apart from overfolded regions generally faces towards a wearer in the in-use configuration, and in the manufacturing configuration of Fig. 3 C it is merely visible at the front margin 303. In the execution as exemplarily shown in Fig. 2 and 3, this surface is of the SPS as described above. The side panels are connected to these overfolded portions in proximity of the longitudinal side margins 314, and may - in another variant of a manufacturing configuration - also be downwardly folded around the longitudinal fold line of the center piece, such that this manufacturing configuration is essentially rectangular.

An article may further comprise various other functional or aesthetic elements, such as side panel extensions, barrier leg cuffs, leg hoops, leg elastics, waist elastics, landing zones and related fasteners, lotions, printing, and other elements as used in products currently available for purchase, all well known as such in the art.

Whilst such designs exhibit good overall fit of the article on the body as well as good positioning of the openings relative to anus or genitals, fit and positioning may deteriorate during use, due to the lateral force induced by the front and rear side panels onto the center piece.

A first cause for deteriorating fit during use can be movement of the wearer, especially changing position e.g. from lying to sitting and/or standing, induces shifting of body tissue, such as muscles or fat. Articles according to WO’ 149 allow for good overall fit, as can be observed by the article covering substantially the same body portions even upon repeated movement of the wearer.

However, the geometric effect of the buttocks and the depth of the anal groove between them may, aside from the bending or stretching the hip joint as well as the shifting of body tissue, under certain body conditions induce a lateral strain to the SPS. This strain may interfere with the “pull” function of the pull means, namely pulling the SPS into the anal cleft. As a consequence, the lateral strain may reduce the pull force effect of the pull means, and the opening of the SPS loses its tight fit in the body cleft, especially in the anal region. Referring now to Fig. 4A to E, an article 300 as generally disclosed in WO’ 149 is depicted a view onto its user oriented surface, in analogy to Fig. 3D, but simplified by only schematically showing the article 300 with a SPS 1500, a backsheet 318, and an absorbent core 315 in between. As shown in the cross-sectional views in Fig. 4 B to D, the SPS 1500 comprises two “z-folds” 1505’, and 1505” laterally outward and parallel to the longitudinal centreline 15, each with a laterally more outwardly first fold line 1503’, 1503” and a laterally more inwardly positioned second fold line 1507’, 1507”. The SPS lies on the z- directionally underlying layer, e.g. the absorbent core 315 or the backsheet 318, is folded onto itself at the first fold lines, and again folded onto itself at the second fold lines, thus forming two folds which are in the form of a “z” in the cross-sectional view.

The folds may be such that the width of overfold is more than about 4 mm, or more than about 10 mm, or more than about 15 mm or more than about 25 mm, but typically less than about 60 mm, or less than about 50 mm, or less than about 40 mm. The width of the overfold may be more than about 2 % or more than about 5 % or more than about 12.5% of the width of the backsheet, but typically less than about 30 % or less than about 20% of the width of the backsheet.

The inwardly positioned fold line may be positioned at a distance from the longitudinal centreline of more than about 5 mm, or more than about 10 mm, or more than about 15 mm, or more than about 20 mm, and typically less than about 60 mm, or less than about 50 mm, or less than about 40 mm.

It is important that the folds are permanently affixed in the proximity of the front (302) and rear (308) waist region of the article, indicated by front (1502’, 1502”) and rear (1508’, 1508”) connection regions. Whilst in the continuous manufacturing process, the product endbond automatically makes a bond in the SPS also where it is folded, it is preferred to have an additional bond in the z-fold of the SPS in order to ensure that the fold is maintained throughout the process. Within the present context, the term “affixed”, “bonded” or related terms in the context of the z-fold refer to the fact that the z-fold remains as such against a pull force as typically arises during processing or the intended use. It is preferred that the connection is executed by two ultrasonic bond lines as indicated in 4 A, B, and D. This allows for easy and strong connecting, also as it results in a shear mode strain rather than a butt or peel mode. However, it may also be a single bond line or a bond area between the indicated lines, and any other bonding technology may be applied.

Fig. 4E depicts a cross-section of a product as seen in Fig. 4C after it is overfolded in analogy to the view in Fig. 3C. In case that the product comprises an ESS (not shown in the figures), the SPS folds are also affixed in the crotch region, where the ESS is attached to the SPS.

This design allows to remove any strain that could be transferred from the side portions of the article towards the opening(s) in the crotch region, maintain the shortening effect when the side panels are folded open upon donning. Consequently, the edges of opening(s) of the SPS remain in close contact with the skin of the wearer also in the proximity of the anal opening in the anal cleft, without enlarging the overall size of the article, hence also avoiding material usage increase of the other article components.

The fold lines may be readily applied to the web forming the SPS just prior to the being fed to be combined with other webs of the article. Optionally, a pull band may be connected to the SPS before this. In the case of employing an ESS, the SPS should be folded prior to connecting the SPS and the ESS.

Optionally, and often preferably, the SPS sheet may exhibit zones of varying fluid handling properties so as to minimize or avoid lateral liquid transfer whilst maintaining good liquid acquisition where required, wherein a first zone is at least positioned in the central portion of the crotch region, exhibiting good liquid handling properties, e.g. by exhibiting relatively higher hydrophilicity than the remainder of the SPS.

In a first execution as schematically depicted in Fig. 5, showing atop view as in Fig. 4A, a longitudinally extending central portion 1506 of the SPS 1500 may be executed as a generally hydrophilic web material, such as being treated with a hydrophilicity change agent as may be applied to the surface of the web material, or incorporated int( the material, e.g. in the surface of the fibers forming the web. Optionally, the more hydrophilic section may extend over the full length of the article, or may be restricted to the crotch region around the crotch point 305, reaching longitudinally towards and slightly beyond the front respectively rear opening. The skilled person will readily realize that, e.g. in case of a generally hydrophilic web material, the remainder may be treated to enhance hydrophobicity. In a second execution, composite material as depicted in Fig. 6A to C, hydrophobic (1515) and hydrophilic (1517) webs are positioned cross-directionally adjacent to each other and connected longitudinally, e.g. by the above mentioned ultrasonic bonding along connection line 1516.

Optionally, the hydrophobic web may also be executed as a film or a film-fiber composite, as may also comprise apertures, as may have directional liquid permeability, such as known from EPl 124520 (P&G, Cree, 1998).

Further, as indicated in Fig 7 A to C a liquid barrier may be created alternatively or additionally by applying a barrier material 1518, e.g. a melt fusion line or a glue barrier that penetrates into the pores of a fibrous web thus liquid passage from the central portion laterally outwardly.

A further cause for deteriorating fit during use of the article may depend on the amount of exudates applied to the article, as faeces may require additional volume in the article and/or liquid absorbed by the core of the article may expand the thickness of the absorbent core. Similarly, for male user it may be more comfortable to have additional space for the genitals.

Thus, in order to maintain close contact of the SPS and the skin of the wearer, additional space should be made available within the article, i.e. between the SPS and the backsheet. This may be addressed - alone or in combination with the above longitudinal folds - by at least one cross-directional z-fold in the outermost layer, the backsheet. Fig. 8 A to C, depict the preferred execution of two cross-directional z-type foldlines, though the skilled person will be able to readily transfer the teaching to a single fold, or to multiple folds.

Fig. 6A depicts schematically an exemplary execution with a view on an article 300 onto a backsheet 318, with an absorbent core 315 indicated and further elements not visible (like SPS) or omitted (like side panels). A cross-directional fold, preferably two are applied to the backsheet 318, here shown with a frontal fold 1511’, positioned forwardly of the crotch point 305, and a rear fold 1511”, positioned rearwardly of the crotch point 305. Each of the folds comprises a first (1512’) and a second (1512”) fold line, thereby forming the z-type fold. Each of the folds is affixed by cross-directional fold connection regions, lir

1513, positioned laterally outwardly of the center portion / core region, but leaving the center portion unconnected, as depicted in Fig. 8 A.

Whilst other fixation methods can be applied, it is preferred that the connection is executed as a melt-fusion bond, more preferably as a ultrasonic bond and even more preferably by two ultrasonic bond lines as indicated in 8A, B, and C. This allows for easy and strong connecting, also as it results in a shear mode strain rather than a butt or peel mode. However, it may also be a single bond line or by a bond area between the indicated lines, and any other bonding technology may be applied. The skilled person will readily realize that modifications of the fold lines present equivalent executions, e.g. with an inverted orientation of the folds, see Fig. 8A to C, or more or less than the two fold lines (not shown). Similarly, the z-fold may be executed in a mirrored fashion.

The effect of the CD-folds is that already upon creating the U-shape on a wearer, less squeezing of the backsheet towards the skin is induced, which becomes more pronounced upon loading, without enlarging the overall size of the article, hence also avoiding material usage increase of the other article components.

Claims

1. A hygiene article, for being worn on the lower torso of a wearer and adapted to receive and retain bodily exudates, said article exhibiting a length / longitudinal / x - direction, and a longitudinally extending center line, a width / cross-directional / y-direction, perpendicular thereto and corresponding to a left-right orientation of a user during its intended use, a thickness / z-direction, perpendicular to both, said article comprising, relative to a wearer during its intended use, a rear waist region and a front waist region, each comprising cross-directionally opposite first and second side panel sections and a center section there between, and a crotch point region positioned longitudinally between said waist regions and comprising a crotch point positioned between the anal opening and the genital organs of a wearer during its intended use, a central portion extending in a longitudinal direction from said rear waist center section towards said front waist center section, said article comprising

- a backsheet;

- side panels extending laterally outwardly of said skin protection sheet at least in an in-use configuration;

- optionally an absorbent core positioned between said backsheet and said skin protection sheet;

- an essentially non-elastic longitudinal foreshortening pull means;

- at least one cross-directional spreading means; wherein

- said pull means and said spreading means are adapted to cooperatively lift said SPS z-directionally to fit into the anal cleft of a wearer in an in use configuration, whilst spreading said at least one opening cross-directionally open, whereby preferably said PM and said SM being unitary, forming a pull band; wherein further

- said SPS comprises two longitudinally extending preferably symmetrical z-folds, positioned laterally outwardly of said longitudinal center line, that are permanently affixed at least in the front and rear portions.

2. A hygiene article according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal z-folds exhibit an overfold width of more than about 4 mm, preferably more than about 10 mm, more preferably more than about 15 mm, and less than about 60 mm, preferably less than about 50 mm.

3. A hygiene article according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal z-folds exhibit an overfold width of more than about 2 %, preferably more than about 5 %, more preferably more than about 12.5 % of the width of the backsheet, and less than about 30 %, preferably less than about 20 % of the width of the backsheet.

4. A hygiene article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said longitudinal z- fold exhibits two fold lines, whereby the fold line positioned closer to the longitudinal center lines exhibits a distance thereto of more than about 5 mm, preferably more than about 10 mm, more preferably more than about 15 mm, and less than about 60 mm, preferably less than about 50 mm.

5. A hygiene article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said backsheet comprises at least one cross-directional extending z-fold in the crotch region, which is permanently affixed laterally outwardly of the cross-directional central portion and not affixed within the central portion.

6. A hygiene article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said SPS comprises regions exhibiting different hydrophilicity, wherein a first hydrophilicity region comprises the central portion of the crotch and is more hydrophilic than the remainder of the SPS. 17

7. A hygiene article according to claim 6, wherein said SPS comprises a first region to which a hydrophilicity change agent is applied and a second region to which no or a different hydrophilicity change agent is applied, thereby comprising regions of different hydrophilicity, or comprises sub-webs exhibiting different hydrophilicity, which are longitudinally affixed to form the SPS.

8. A hygiene article according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a liquid barrier, preferably a melt fusion line or region or a glue line or region extending predominantly longitudinally and preventing liquid passage from the central portion laterally outwardly.

9. A hygiene article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said z-folds are affixed by melt-fusion bonding, preferably by ultrasonic bonding.