U.S. patent application number 09/335723 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-08 for blank for producing a shaped element, the shaped element, an absorbent product comprising the shaped element, method of producing the shaped element, and also method of producing the absorbent product.
Invention is credited to WIDLUND, URBAN.
Application Number | 20010039407 09/335723 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 20411757 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010039407 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WIDLUND, URBAN |
November 8, 2001 |
BLANK FOR PRODUCING A SHAPED ELEMENT, THE SHAPED ELEMENT, AN
ABSORBENT PRODUCT COMPRISING THE SHAPED ELEMENT, METHOD OF
PRODUCING THE SHAPED ELEMENT, AND ALSO METHOD OF PRODUCING THE
ABSORBENT PRODUCT
Abstract
The invention relates to a blank (1) intended to constitute a
shaped element (2) in an absorbent product, such as a sanitary
towel, an incontinence pad or a panty liner, which blank (1) is
made from a rigid material and initially has a plane and
essentially elongate shape with a longitudinal direction and a
transverse direction, two short sides (3, 4) and two long sides (5,
6), two end portions (7, 8) and a central portion (9), one end
portion (7) being wider than the central portion (9) and having a
width which increases towards the short side (3) of the blank (1)
and the other end portion (8) having a cutout (10). The invention
also relates to a shaped element produced from the blank, an
absorbent product comprising such a shaped element, and also
methods of producing a shaped element and an absorbent product
comprising the shaped element.
Inventors: |
WIDLUND, URBAN; (PIXBO,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
745 SOUTH 23RD STREET 2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
|
Family ID: |
20411757 |
Appl. No.: |
09/335723 |
Filed: |
June 18, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/385.01 ;
604/378; 604/387 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 13/4702
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/385.01 ;
604/378; 604/387 |
International
Class: |
A61F 013/15; A61F
013/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 18, 1998 |
SE |
9802176-9 |
Claims
1. A blank intended to constitute a shaped element (2) in an
absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel, an incontinence pad or
a panty liner, which blank is made from a rigid material and has a
plane and essentially elongate shape with a longitudinal direction
and a transverse direction, two short sides (3, 4) and two long
sides (5, 6), a central portion (9) and two end portions (7, 8),
characterized in that one end portion (7) is wider than the central
portion (9) and has a width which increases towards the short side
(3) of the blank and the other end portion (8) has an elongate
cutout, or slit (10).
2. A blank according to claim 1, characterized in that the widest
part on the end portion (7) is 1.5-5 times as wide as the narrowest
width on the central portion (9).
3. A shaped element for an absorbent product, such as a sanitary
towel, an incontinence pad or a panty liner, which shaped element
is made from a rigid material and has an essentially elongate shape
with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, a
longitudinal centre line (26), two short sides (14, 15) and two
long sides (16, 17), a central portion (20) and two end portions
(18, 19), one end portion (18) of which has a bowl-shaped portion
(21), characterized in that the shaped element (2) has been joined
together to form a raised portion (22) in one end portion, from a
plane blank (1), and in that the bowl-shaped portion (21) has been
created with the aid of a fold indication (24) extending
essentially in the transverse direction of the shaped element
(2).
4. A shaped element according to claim 3, characterized in that two
fold indications (28, 29) are arranged essentially in the
longitudinal direction of the blank, in at least the central
portion (20) of the blank, one on each side of a longitudinal
centre line (26).
5. An absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel, an incontinence
pad or a panty liner, which product has an essentially elongate
shape with two end portions (47, 48) and a central portion (50)
located between the end portions, and also a longitudinal centre
line (60), which product comprises a shaped element (2) and has a
bowl-shaped portion (46) in one end portion (47) and a ridge-like
raised portion (49) in the other end portion (48), characterized in
that the ridge-like raised portion (49) of the end portion has been
created by the shaped element (2) having been joined together to
form a raised portion from a plane blank (1), and in that the
bowl-shaped portion (46) has been created with the aid of a fold
indication (24) extending essentially in the transverse direction
of the shaped element (2).
6. An absorbent product according to claim 5, characterized in that
the absorbent product (43) has leakage barriers arranged on both
sides of the longitudinal centre line (60).
7. A method of producing a shaped element (2), characterized in
that a blank (1), intended to constitute the shaped element (2), is
produced in plane form with an essentially elongate shape with a
longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, two short sides
(3, 4) and two long sides (5, 6), two end portions (7, 8) and a
central portion (9), where one end portion (7) is given a width
which increases towards the short side (3) of the blank and a
cutout (10) is arranged in the other end portion (8), the blank (1)
is folded double along a longitudinal centre line (11) of the blank
(1), the cutout (10) is joined together and the joined parts are
folded up into a three-dimensional state.
8. A method of producing a shaped element (2) according to claim 7,
characterized in that fold indications (28, 29) are arranged in the
longitudinal direction of the blank before the cutout (10) is
joined together.
9. A method of producing an absorbent product, such as a sanitary
towel, an incontinence pad, or a panty liner, characterized in that
a blank (1) intended to constitute a shaped element (2) in the
absorbent product (43) is produced in plane form with an
essentially elongate shape with a longitudinal direction and a
transverse direction, two short sides (3, 4) and two long sides (5,
6), two end portions (7, 8) and a central portion (9), where one
end portion (7) is given a width which increases towards the short
side (3) of the blank and a cutout (10) is made in the other end
portion (8), the blank (1) is folded double along a longitudinal
centre line (11) of the blank, an absorption layer (53) and then an
outer layer (52) are arranged on each surface, after which the side
edges along the cutout (10) formed, the absorption layers (53) and
also the outer layers (52) are joined and the joined parts are
folded up into a plane state.
10. A method of producing an absorbent product according to claim
9, characterized in that two fold indications (28, 29) are arranged
essentially in the longitudinal direction of the blank, in at least
the central portion (9) of the blank, one on each side of the
longitudinal centre line (11).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a blank intended for producing a
shaped element in an absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel,
an incontinence pad or panty liner, which blank is made from a
rigid material and initially has a plane and essentially elongate
shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, two
short sides and two long sides, a central portion and two end
portions.
[0002] The invention also relates to a shaped element for an
absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel, an incontinence pad or
panty liner, which shaped element is made from a rigid material and
has an essentially elongate shape with a longitudinal direction and
a transverse direction, two short sides and two long sides, a
central portion and two end portions, one end portion of which has
a bowl-shaped portion.
[0003] The invention also relates to an absorbent product, such as
a sanitary towel, an incontinence pad or a panty liner, which
product has an essentially elongate shape with two end portions and
a central portion located between the end portions, and a
longitudinal centre line, which product comprises a shaped element
and which product has a bowl-shaped portion in one end portion and
a ridge-like raised portion in the other end portion.
[0004] The invention also includes a method of producing a shaped
element according to the above, and also a method of producing an
absorbent product, such as a sanitary towel, an incontinence pad or
a panty liner.
BACKGROUND
[0005] Conventional absorbent products of the type referred to
above usually have a plane shape. As the genital area of women does
not have a correspondingly plane appearance, problems can therefore
arise in fitting and wearing such products. The bearing of the
product against the body is not the best that could be desired and
if looseness occurs there is also a great risk of leakage.
[0006] In order to solve this problem, it has been proposed that
the absorbent products should be of bowl-shaped design rather than
plane. Broadly speaking, this shape fits better against the
contours of the body. A bowl-shaped contour can be achieved by, for
example, fitting elastic to the product. EP 155 515 describes how
an absorbent product is imparted a bowl-shaped appearance by
elastic being fitted in the longitudinal side edges of the product.
WO 96/20679 describes an absorbent product which comprises a
resilient component and tensioning members in order to give the
product a bowl-shaped appearance.
[0007] A problem with products of the abovementioned type is that
they do not fit particularly well against the anatomy of the wearer
but simply have a generally bowl-shaped appearance. Such a shaped
product therefore does not have a good fit against the body.
[0008] Furthermore, gaps tend to occur between the body of the
wearer and the panties of the wearer because many women wear
panties of inferior quality, either from the outset or as a result
of great age, during their menstruation. When neither the absorbent
product nor the panties are capable of maintaining good contact
with the body of the wearer, the risk of leakage of menstrual fluid
past both the absorbent product and the panties becomes great.
[0009] EP 302 523 describes an absorbent product which has a
three-dimensionally designed, anatomically adapted shape. The
product has an end portion of flat or concave design and an end
portion which is provided with a raised portion. The flat or
concave end portion is intended to be placed in front of the mons
pubis of the wearer and the end portion comprising the raised
portion is intended to fit against the buttocks of the wearer. The
three-dimensional design of the product is obtained by folding a
moderately rigid absorption body. In order to make the raised
portion permanent, the rear side of the product is provided with a
glued surface in the end portion that is to have the raised
portion. When the raised portion has been created, it is preserved
with the aid of the glue. One problem with a product of this type
is that it tends to collapse under the pressure from the body of
the wearer. Another problem is that the glued sealing of the raised
portion loses its adhesion and the product is then flattened
out.
[0010] In order to solve this problem, it has been proposed that
products are provided with dimensionally stable, rigid members.
Such products are described in SE-A-9604223-9 and SE-A-9604221-3.
The members, or shaped elements, which bring about the dimensional
stability are three-dimensionally designed members made from
material which resists crumpling and flattening when it is
subjected to forces from the body of the wearer, for example when
the wearer walks or sits on the product.
[0011] A problem which is just as great as that constituted by
plane absorbent products when they are to be adapted to the
three-dimensional anatomy of the wearer is that constituted by the
three-dimensional absorbent in the production process.
Three-dimensional parts are difficult to handle in a production
process, for example when they are to be joined together to form an
absorbent product.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0012] An object of the invention is to remedy the abovementioned
problems and produce a shaped element for absorbent products which
is easy to produce and also an absorbent product comprising the
shaped element, which product is leakproof, comfortable and easy to
produce.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A blank of the type referred to in the introduction, in
which problems associated with previously known such products have
essentially been removed, is according to the invention
characterized in that one end portion on the blank is wider than
the central portion and has a width which increases towards the
short side of the blank and the other end portion has an elongate
cutout, or slit.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the invention, the widest part
on the end portion is 1.5-5 times as wide as the narrowest width on
the central portion.
[0015] According to another embodiment, the shaped element has been
joined together to form a raised portion in one end portion, from a
plane blank, and the bowl-shaped portion has been created with the
aid of a fold indication extending in the transverse direction of
the shaped element. Additional fold indications can be arranged
essentially in the longitudinal direction of the blank, in at least
the central portion of the blank, on each side of a longitudinal
centre line through the blank.
[0016] The invention also includes an absorbent product which is
characterized in that a ridge-like raised portion in one end
portion of the product has been created by the shaped element being
joined together to form a raised portion from a plane blank, and in
that a bowl-shaped portion has been created with the aid of a fold
indication extending in the transverse direction of the shaped
element.
[0017] According to an alternative embodiment, the absorbent
product has leakage barriers arranged on both sides of the
longitudinal centre line.
[0018] The invention also includes a method of producing a shaped
element, which is characterized in that a blank intended to
constitute the shaped element is produced in plane form with an
essentially elongate shape with a longitudinal direction and a
transverse direction, two short sides and two long sides, two end
portions and a central portion, where one end portion is given a
width which increases towards the short side of the blank and the
other end portion is provided with a cutout, the blank is folded
double along a longitudinal centre line of the blank so that two
surfaces are formed on the blank, the cutout is joined together and
the joined parts are folded up into a three-dimensional state.
[0019] According to the invention, the fold indications can be
arranged in the longitudinal direction of the blank before the
cutout is joined together.
[0020] The invention also includes a method of producing an
absorbent product, according to which a blank intended to
constitute a shaped element in the absorbent product is produced in
plane form with an essentially elongate shape with a longitudinal
direction and a transverse direction, two short sides and two long
sides, two end portions and a central portion, where one end
portion is given a width which increases towards the short side of
the blank and the other end portion is provided with a cutout, the
blank is folded double along a longitudinal centre line of the
blank so that two surfaces are formed on the blank, an absorption
layer and then an outer layer are arranged on each surface, after
which the side edges along the cutout formed, the absorption layers
and also the outer layers are joined and the joined parts are
folded out into a plane state.
[0021] According to an alternative embodiment of the method of
producing the absorbent product, two fold indications are arranged
essentially in the longitudinal direction of the blank, in at least
the central portion of the blank, one on each side of the
longitudinal centre line.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The abovementioned problems are solved by the present
invention. This is brought about by a blank for a shaped element
being produced from a plane piece of rigid material. The blank is
clipped, punched or cut out from the piece of material so that it
has an essentially elongate shape with two long sides and two short
sides, two end portions and a central portion. One end portion has
a width which is considerably greater than the width at the
narrowest part of the blank, which is the central portion. The
other end portion has a longitudinal slit or cutout in the
longitudinal direction of the blank. The cutout is arranged along a
longitudinal centre line extending through the blank. The
longitudinal centre line is in this connection an imaginary line
which divides the blank into two preferably symmetrical parts of
the same size. The centre line is arranged in the longitudinal
direction of the blank at the same distance from its two long
sides. The slit or cutout is arranged in such a manner that, in the
part where the cutout is arranged, the blank assumes a shape with
two elongate parts which diverge in relation to the longitudinal
centre line.
[0023] The intention of arranging a shaped element in an absorbent
product is to be able to impart to the product a three-dimensional
shape which is retained and possibly also accentuated during use of
the product. Materials suitable for producing the blank for the
shaped element must have adequate bending and torsional rigidity in
order to resist deformation during use. Polyethylene or
polypropylene laminates with a layer thickness of at least 0.4 mm
can be mentioned as examples of plastic materials which have been
found to have adequate bending rigidity and torsional rigidity to
achieve the necessary dimensional stability. The material rigidity
of a plastic film which is suitable for use as a shaped element in
a product according to the invention should exceed 100 N, measured
according to ASTM D 4032-82 "Circular Bend Procedure", which method
is described in detail in EP 336 578. In this connection, material
rigidity means the bending rigidity of a plane material layer.
[0024] After the blank has been cut out, it is folded double along
the longitudinal centre line and along the cutout. In this state,
the cutout is joined together. This is done by, for example,
welding or gluing. The shaped element has thus been formed. That is
to say, when the blank has been cut out and joined together so that
it needs only to be folded up in order for it to assume a
three-dimensional shape, it is referred to as a shaped element.
[0025] In this plane state, the shaped element can be packed and
supplied to the user who can then herself make an absorbent product
by providing the shaped element with absorption layers and if
appropriate outer layers. In this way, a reusable shaped element
can be produced, something which is economically advantageous. The
user can replace absorption layers and outer layers but use the
shaped element a number of times.
[0026] Many users, however, attach great importance to convenience
and prefer to buy ready-made absorbent products. After the blank
has been joined together along the cutout to form a finished shaped
element, the shaped element is provided, while still in a folded
plane state, with an absorption layer and an outer layer on each
side. The absorption layer and the outer layer are joined together
by means of, for example, welding or gluing. Alternatively, outer
and absorption layers are arranged on the blank before the cutout
is joined together and the cutout, the absorption layers and the
outer layers are joined in one and the same step. A further
alternative for joining the absorbent product together is that the
blank is folded and the cutout is joined together so that the
shaped element is prepared. Then a continuous absorption layer is
folded around the shaped element while it is still folded together,
after which a continuous outer layer is folded in the same way
around the folded-together shaped element. In this way, a complete
absorbent product is obtained without the outer and absorption
layers having to be joined together from two parts each.
[0027] In conventional products, a liquid-impermeable layer is
joined to the rear side of the absorption layer and the product,
which is that side of the product which is intended to face towards
the undergarments of the wearer during use, that is to say away
from the wearer. This is so as to protect the undergarments of the
wearer against any leakage of fluid through the whole product. With
an absorbent product according to the invention, no such extra
liquid-impermeable layer is necessary. As the shaped element is
usually made of liquid-impermeable material, the shaped element
constitutes the liquid-impermeable rear side. A product according
to the invention is thus simpler in this way also than
conventionally constructed absorbent products.
[0028] The entire production of the absorbent product has been
carried out in plane form and the production process for a
dimensionally stable, three-dimensional product has thus been
simplified considerably in relation to production processes in
which a shaped element is moulded, as in, for example, SE,A,
9604224-7.
[0029] When an absorbent product according to the invention,
comprising a shaped element according to the invention, is folded
up into its use state, it will fit well against the anatomy of the
wearer. The end portions and the central portion on the blank or
shaped element do not constitute three delimiting parts of the same
size of the blank or shaped element but are indicated in order to
describe the three different appearances the blank has in the
longitudinal direction. One end portion, the front end portion, is
intended to face forwards on the user when used in a sanitary
towel. Forwards on the wearer means that the short side of the end
portion will be that part of the towel which faces towards the
abdomen of the wearer. The front end portion has a bowl-shaped
portion. When a sanitary towel comprising a shaped element
according to the invention is positioned with the bowl-shaped end
portion forwards on the wearer, said portion will surround the mons
pubis of the wearer. The other end portion, the rear end portion,
is intended to face backwards on the wearer during use. Backwards
on the wearer means that the short side of the end portion will be
that part of the towel which faces towards the back of the wearer.
The rear end portion has a ridge-like raised portion. When a
sanitary towel comprising the shaped element according to the
invention is positioned with the ridge-like end portion backwards
on the wearer, that is to say towards the bottom region of the
wearer, the product will naturally fit against the anatomy of the
wearer and will therefore also bear closely against the body by
itself.
[0030] The central portion on the shaped element has a raised
portion. When a sanitary towel comprising a shaped element
according to the invention is positioned against the body of the
wearer, the raised portion on the central portion will fit against
the vestibule of the wearer. The raised portions in the central
portion and the end portion can constitute a continuous raised
portion. The central portion and the rear end portion have been
folded up so that they have ridge-like raised portions on the upper
side of the shaped element. A fold indication can be arranged on
the front end portion in order to facilitate the end portion being
folded up and turned inside out so that the end portion assumes a
bowl-shape on the upper side. Such a fold indication can consist of
perforations or of a material weakening produced by, for example,
cold or hot stamping. On turning inside out, the bowl-shaped
portion is folded up towards the upper side on the shaped element
so that the portion forms an angle with the other parts of the
shaped element, seen from one long side of the shaped element. The
angling and the bowl-shape together result in the shaped element
fitting well against the mons pubis of a prospective wearer. The
upper side on the shaped element is in this respect the side which
is intended to face towards the wearer during use. The rear side on
the shaped element is the side which is intended to face away from
the wearer during use. In a corresponding manner to a complete
absorbent product, the front end portion on the shaped element is
the end portion which is intended to face forwards on the wearer
during use, that is to say the end portion which is intended to
face towards the abdomen of the wearer. The rear end portion on the
shaped element is then the end portion which is intended to face
backwards on the wearer during use, that is to say the end portion
which is intended to face towards the back of the wearer.
[0031] In order further to improve an absorbent product according
to the invention, comprising a shaped element according to the
invention, the shaped element can be provided with one or more
longitudinal fold indications. These fold indications contribute to
shaping the shaped element and thus the absorbent product according
to the anatomy of the wearer. Another purpose of the fold
indications is to create channels in the shaped element and thus
leakage barriers in the finished product. As the shaped element and
the finished product have ridge-like raised portions in the central
portion and one end portion, there is a risk of fluid running down
the inclined side surfaces of the raised portions and on out past
the side edges of the product, leading to side leakage. Leakage
barriers moulded in a dimensionally stable shell for an absorbent
product having ridge-like raised portions are described in SE,A,
9702398-0. Such leakage barriers mean, however, that the shaped
element has a three-dimensional shape throughout the entire
production process of the absorbent product.
[0032] According to the present invention, the fold indications are
arranged in the shaped element before it is joined together with
the outer layer and the absorption layer to form the absorbent
product. It is also possible to arrange the fold indications after
joining together. In this way, the shaped element has a plane shape
throughout, broadly speaking, the entire production process of the
absorbent product. Fold indications can be produced in a number of
different ways. For example, the fold indications can consist of
stampings or weakenings in the material, such as grooves or the
like produced by means of small wheels or rollers. Alternatively,
the fold indications can be produced by compression moulding. It is
also possible to fold the finished product in the desired manner
and make the folds permanent by heating or pressing.
[0033] Fold indications which serve as side leakage barriers on
each side of the ridge-like raised portions in the central portion
and the end portion are advantageously arranged in the longitudinal
direction of the shaped element, starting from the longitudinal
centre line where it intersects a transverse fold line made in the
front end portion in order to create the bowl-shape in this
portion. From this starting point, a fold line is arranged on each
side of the longitudinal centre line and on both sides of the
raised portions in the central portion and the end portion. The
fold lines consist of straight lines which diverge from the centre
line so that channels are formed in the shaped element on the
central portion and relatively large parts of the end portion. The
fold lines stop a few centimeters from the short side of the
product in the end portion which has the raised portion.
[0034] The fold lines do not have to be straight but can, for
example, bend away towards the long sides of the shaped element.
This results in a product with a further improved body shape.
Another way of obtaining leakage barriers and increased adaptation
of the absorbent product to the body is to arrange a number of fold
lines on each side of the longitudinal centre line and on both
sides of the raised portions in the central portion and the
end-portion. For example, two or three fold lines can be arranged
on each side of the centre line. Extra lines, in addition to one on
each side of the longitudinal centre line, can start from the same
point as the two first fold lines. That is to say from an imaginary
intersection point between the longitudinal centre line and the
transverse fold line which makes the bowl-shape of the end portion
possible. From this starting point, they diverge further from the
longitudinal centre line. Additional lines can also be arranged
parallel to the two original fold lines. All the fold lines
described are arranged at a distance of at least several
millimeters from the long sides of the shaped element in order to
create channels and consequently leakage barriers in the finished
absorbent product.
[0035] In order to obtain better adaptation of the absorbent
product to the body, additional fold lines can be arranged on the
shaped element. For example, arc-shaped fold lines, which are
concave towards the longitudinal centre line, can be arranged on
each side of the longitudinal centre line in the end portion which
has the raised portion. That is to say arc-shaped fold lines are
arranged around the raised portion. Such fold lines can of course
also be arranged in the central portion or otherwise common lines
running through both the central portion and the end portion can be
arranged.
[0036] In order to obtain a further improved adaptation to the body
of the end portion against the mons pubis of the wearer, that end
portion of the product which is to form the bowl-shaped portion in
the shaped element can also be cut out with a cutout. In this way,
greater rounding of the bowl can be obtained. The production
process is of course more complicated because two cutouts are to be
joined together before the shaped element can be folded up into its
final shape.
[0037] The invention also includes an absorbent product which
comprises the shaped element according to the invention. The
designations used for the product and for the shaped element apply
similarly for the absorbent product also. For example, the front
end portion on the blank is intended to constitute the front end
portion on the shaped element which is arranged in the front end
portion on the absorbent product.
[0038] An absorbent product comprising a shaped element according
to the invention does not require any fastening arrangement such as
glued surfaces on the rear side of the product. A product according
to the invention stays in place naturally by means of its
anatomical design. Such products are described in SE,A, 9604222-1
and SE,A,9604224-7. The decisive factor with regard to whether the
product stays in place by itself is the rigidity of the shaped
element and the design of the shaped element. The end portion which
is intended to face forwards on the wearer during use is to be
wider than the central portion. It is also an advantage if the
other end portion is somewhat wider than the central portion but
this is not crucial for fastening. Preferably, the widest part on
the front end portion is 1.5-5 times as wide as the smallest width
on the central portion.
[0039] In order that the shaped element and thus the product will
not cause discomfort for the wearer and possibly leakage, it is
important that the cross section or width of the central portion is
adapted according to the anatomy of the wearer. The most critical
area in the crotch region of the wearer from the point of view of
comfort as far as the width of the product is concerned is where
the muscle group passes which has its origin on the inside of the
pelvic diaphragm and its attachment along the thigh. This muscle
group consists of the adductor brevis, adductor longus, gracilis
and adductor magnus muscles.
[0040] Measurements have shown that the distance in the crotch
region of the wearer between the adductor muscle groups on the left
side and the right side is surprisingly alike for all people and is
around 30 mm. Fatness of course influences the width between the
thighs but the width between the muscle groups in the crotch region
is the same and it is this width which determines whether a product
may feel as if it rubs. The fat tissue settles on the outside of
the muscles but does not contribute to any feeling of discomfort.
If the product is constructed from a very rigid material, the width
of the central portion should therefore not exceed 35 mm, at least
in the area which is to fit between the muscle groups. This
critical area is approximately 5-15 mm long in the longitudinal
direction of the product.
[0041] A product according to the invention, which stays in place
without any special fastening arrangements, comprises a shaped
element made of a rigid material, which shaped element comprises a
front end portion which is 1.5-5 times as wide in its widest
portion as its central portion is in its narrowest portion. The
rear end portion is advantageously also wider than the central
portion so as to avoid the absorbent product "wandering" in any
direction.
[0042] The central portion on the shaped element is 35 mm or
narrower, within at least an area of the central portion which is
5-15 mm long. The front end portion is wider on that part of the
end portion which faces towards the front short side of the
product, that is to say the side which is intended to face forwards
on the wearer during use, than on the part which faces towards the
central portion. The front end portion can have, for example, a
triangular shape. The front end portion is 52.5-175 mm wide at its
widest. The front end portion is advantageously also shaped so that
it has an angle in relation to the other parts of the shaped
element, seen from one long side of the shaped element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0043] The invention will be described in greater detail below with
reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in
which
[0044] FIG. 1 shows a blank according to the invention;
[0045] FIG. 2 shows a blank according to the invention folded
double, viewed from one of its long sides;
[0046] FIG. 3 shows a shaped element according to the
invention;
[0047] FIG. 4 shows a shaped element according to the invention,
viewed from one of the long sides of the shaped element;
[0048] FIG. 5 shows a shaped element according to an embodiment of
the invention;
[0049] FIG. 6 shows a shaped element according to an alternative
embodiment of the invention;
[0050] FIG. 7 shows a shaped element according to a further
embodiment of the invention;
[0051] FIG. 8 shows a shaped element according to yet another
embodiment of the invention;
[0052] FIG. 9 shows the blank for the shaped element in FIG. 8;
[0053] FIG. 10 shows a sanitary towel according to the
invention;
[0054] FIG. 11a shows a section along the line XIa-XIa through the
sanitary towel in FIG. 10;
[0055] FIG. 11b shows a section along the line XIb-XIb through the
sanitary towel in FIG. 10, and
[0056] FIG. 11c shows a section along the line XIc-XIc through the
sanitary towel in FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND EMBODIMENTS
[0057] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a blank 1 for a shaped element intended
to be positioned in an absorbent product such as a sanitary towel,
an incontinence pad or a panty liner. The blank 1 is the
description of the shaped element before it has been joined
together to create its final three-dimensional shape.
[0058] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the shaped element 2 as it appears when
it is positioned in an absorbent product.
[0059] The blank 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a plane and essentially
elongate shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse
direction, two short sides 3, 4 and two long sides 5, 6, two end
portions 7, 8 and a central portion 9. One end portion 7 has a
width which increases towards the short side 3 of the blank and the
other end portion 8 has a cutout 10. The cutout 10 is arranged
along the longitudinal centre line 11 of the blank. The
longitudinal centre line 11 of the blank means an imaginary line
which is located in the longitudinal direction of the blank, at the
same distance from the two long sides 5, 6 of the blank.
[0060] FIG. 2 shows the blank 1 seen from one 5 of its long sides.
The blank 1 has been folded double along its longitudinal centre
line 11, that is to say along the cutout 10. In this state, the
cutout 10 is joined together. This is carried out by, for example,
welding or gluing. The shaped element 2 has thus been formed.
[0061] The shaped element 2 shown in FIG. 3 has a three-dimensional
and essentially elongate shape with a longitudinal direction and a
transverse direction, an upper side 12 and a lower side 13, two
short sides 14, 15 and two long sides 16, 17, two end portions 18,
19 and a central portion 20. The end portions 18, 19 and the
central portion 20 do not constitute three delimiting parts of the
same size of the blank but are indicated in order to describe the
three different appearances the shaped element has in the
longitudinal direction.
[0062] One end portion, the front end portion 18, is intended to
face forwards on the wearer when used in a sanitary towel. Forwards
on the wearer means that the short side 14 of the end portion will
be that part of the towel which faces towards the abdomen of the
wearer. The front end portion 18 has a bowl-shaped portion 21. When
a sanitary towel comprising a shaped element 2 according to the
invention is positioned with the bowl-shaped end portion 21
forwards on the wearer, said portion will surround the mons pubis
of the wearer.
[0063] The other end portion, the rear end portion 19, is intended
to face backwards on the wearer during use. Backwards on the wearer
means that the short side 15 of the end portion will be that part
of the shaped element and thus of the towel which faces towards the
back of the wearer. The rear end portion 19 has a ridge-like raised
portion 22. When a sanitary towel comprising the shaped element 2
according to the invention is positioned with the rear end portion
19 backwards on the wearer, that is to say towards the bottom
region of the wearer, the product will naturally fit against the
anatomy of the wearer and will therefore also bear closely against
the body by itself.
[0064] The central portion 20 on the shaped element 2 has a raised
portion 23. When a sanitary towel comprising a shaped element 2
according to the invention is positioned against the body of the
wearer, the raised portion 23 on the central portion 20 will fit
against the vestibule of the wearer.
[0065] FIG. 3 shows the shaped element 2 folded up or folded apart,
that is to say with the front portion angled upwards and also with
the central portion and the rear portion folded out, the position
the shaped element is in when it is used in an absorbent product. A
fold indication 24 has been arranged on the front end portion 18
and the end portion 18 has been folded up and turned inside out so
that the end portion 18 has a bowl-shaped portion 21 on its upper
side 12. The fold indication 24 shown is not critical in order to
bring about the folding up of the front end portion 18 but simply
constitutes an advantageous means of facilitating such folding. The
central portion 20 and the rear end portion 19 have been folded up
so that they have ridge-like raised portions 22, 23 on the upper
side 12 of the shaped element. On turning inside out, the
bowl-shaped portion 21 is folded up towards the upper side 12 on
the shaped element 2 so that the portion 21 forms an angle with the
other parts of the shaped element, seen from one long side 16 of
the shaped element. The angling and the bowl-shape together result
in the shaped element 2 fitting well against the mons pubis of a
prospective wearer. The upper side 12 on the shaped element 2 is
that side on the shaped element which is intended to face towards
the wearer during use. The lower side 13 on the shaped element 2 is
the side which is intended to face away from the wearer during use.
As mentioned above, the front end portion 18 on the shaped element
2 is the end portion which is intended to face forwards on the
wearer during use, that is to say the end portion which is intended
to face towards the mons pubis of the wearer. The rear end portion
19 on the shaped element 2 is, therefore, the end portion which is
intended to face backwards on the wearer during use, that is to say
the end portion which is intended to face towards the buttocks of
the wearer.
[0066] The rear end portion 19 on the shaped element 2 in FIG. 3
has on the short side 15 a small, wedge-shaped cutout 25, arranged
symmetrically about a longitudinal centre line 26 of the shaped
element 2. A longitudinal centre line of the shaped element means
an imaginary line extending in the longitudinal direction of the
shaped element, which line divides the shaped element into two
essentially symmetrical parts of the same size. The cutout 25 has a
triangular shape. The purpose of the cutout 25 is to increase
adaptation to the body and comfort for the wearer.
[0067] FIG. 4 shows the shaped element 2 seen from one 16 of its
long sides. The three-dimensional shape of the shaped element is
clear here. The lower side 13 on the shaped element 2 is hatched.
The front end portion 18 of the shaped element has a bowl-shaped
portion 21 which forms an angle in relation to the longitudinal
centre line 26 of the shaped element 2 and to the central portion
20 and rear end portion 19 of the shaped element. The central
portion 20 of the shaped element has a raised portion 23 intended
to fit against the vestibule of the wearer during use. The rear end
portion 19 also has a raised portion 22 intended to fit against the
buttocks of the wearer. The two raised portions 22, 23 constitute a
continuous raised portion in relation to the long sides 16, 17 of
the shaped element. However, as can be seen in the figure, there is
a valley-shaped portion 27 half-way between the raised portion 23
on the central portion 20 and the raised portion 22 on the rear end
portion 19. The valley-shaped portion 27 is to fit against the
perineum of the wearer during use. It is possible for the raised
portions 22, 23 of the central portion and the end portion to
constitute a single continuous raised portion rising gradually
towards the rear end portion. Such a raised portion does not
display the same adaptation to the body of the wearer but is easier
to produce. Some users also experience discomfort from sanitary
towels which are very well adapted to the body, as a result of
which there may be cause for this reason also to employ a simpler
construction of the raised portions 22, 23.
[0068] FIG. 5 shows a shaped element 2 according to a further
embodiment of the invention. The shaped element 2 according to FIG.
5 has all the characteristics which the shaped element 2 in FIG. 3
has. The shaped element 2 has a fold indication 24 in the front end
portion 18, arranged in the transverse direction of the shaped
element. Two additional fold indications, or fold lines, 28, 29 are
arranged essentially in the longitudinal direction of the shaped
element. These two fold lines 28, 29 have their starting point at
the point 30 where the longitudinal centre line 26 of the shaped
element intersects the transverse fold line 24 in the front end
portion 18. From this point, the fold lines 28, 29 run in a
diverging manner, one on each side of the longitudinal centre line
26. Alternatively, for example in embodiments where the transverse
fold line has been omitted, the fold lines 28, 29 can diverge from
a point located slightly further back or further forward on the
shaped element. Longitudinal fold lines 28, 29 can thus be arranged
so that they start from the narrowest portion of the shaped
element. It is also possible to arrange fold lines which do not run
together at a point but are arranged at a distance from one another
at their front ends also.
[0069] The fold lines 28, 29 shown in FIG. 5 run rectilinearly
through the entire central portion 20 on each side of the raised
portion 23 and stop at the transition between the central portion
20 and the rear end portion 19. Alternatively, it is of course
possible to make the fold lines 28, 29 shorter or longer than those
shown in FIG. 5.
[0070] As FIG. 6 shows, fold lines 31, 32 on both sides of the
raised portion 23 can be arranged in lines which are not straight,
essentially arranged in the longitudinal direction of the shaped
element. The fold lines 31, 32 in FIG. 6 start from the
intersection point 30 between the longitudinal centre line 26 of
the shaped element and the transverse fold line 24 in the front end
portion 18. From this point 30, the two fold lines 31, 32 run in an
arc-shaped manner, one on each side of the longitudinal centre line
26, through the central portion 20 of the shaped element, to
terminate in the rear end portion 19 of the shaped element a few
millimeters from the long sides 16, 17 of the shaped element. The
fold lines 31, 32 diverge from the longitudinal centre line 26.
[0071] FIG. 7 shows a further alternative embodiment of the
invention. This figure shows a shaped element 2 which has, in
addition to two rectilinear fold lines 28, 29 arranged essentially
in the longitudinal direction of the shaped element, four extra
fold lines 33-36 arranged in the longitudinal direction. That is to
say, the shaped element 2 has six longitudinal fold lines 28-36,
three on each side of the longitudinal centre line 26. These fold
lines 33-36 are also rectilinear and two run on each side of the
longitudinal centre line 26. Two of the additional fold lines 33,
34 start from the same starting point as the original two fold
lines 28, 29, namely the intersection point 30 between the
longitudinal centre line 26 and the transverse fold line 24 in the
front end portion 18. The two lines 33, 34 then run outside the
original two 28, 29 in the same manner as these. That is to say
they diverge from the centre line 26 while running through the
central portion 20 of the shaped element towards its rear end
portion 19. The two additional fold lines 33, 34 are arranged one
on either side of the centre line 26, outside the original fold
lines 28, 29, seen from the centre line 26. Arranged outside the
additional fold lines 33, 34 are another two fold lines 35, 36, one
on each side of the longitudinal centre line 26. These fold lines
35, 36 are arranged parallel to the two fold lines 33, 34 lying
closest to them. Consequently, they do not start from the same
points as each other or the other fold lines 28, 29, 33, 34.
[0072] FIG. 8 shows a shaped element 2 according to yet another
embodiment of the invention. As in the preceding figures, the
shaped element 2 has a transverse fold line 24 arranged in the
front end portion 18 of the shaped element and also two fold lines
28, 29 arranged essentially in the longitudinal direction of the
shaped element. The two longitudinal fold lines 28, 29 start from
the intersection point 30 between the longitudinal centre line 26
and the transverse fold line 24. From this point 30, the fold lines
28, 29 diverge from the longitudinal centre line 26 as they run
through the shaped element 2. The longitudinal fold lines 28, 29
stop at the transition between the central portion 20 and the rear
end portion 19.
[0073] In addition to the fold lines 28, 29 indicated, the shaped
element also has, according to FIG. 8, two fold lines 37, 38
arranged essentially parallel to the original longitudinal fold
lines 28, 29 and outside these in relation to the centre line 26.
These additional fold lines 37, 38 are considerably shorter than
the original fold lines 28, 29 lying inside them and run between
the transition between the front end portion 18 and the central
portion 20 and an imaginary transverse centre line 39 of the shaped
element 2. A transverse centre line 39 is a line arranged in the
transverse direction of the shaped element at the same distance
from the two short sides 14, 15 of the shaped element. Fold lines
40, 41 are also arranged in the rear end portion 19 of the shaped
element. These fold lines 40, 41 are arranged symmetrically and in
an arc-shaped manner along the longitudinal centre line 26 of the
shaped element. The fold lines 40, 41 are thus arranged in a convex
manner around the longitudinal centre line 26.
[0074] FIG. 9 shows a blank 1 for the shaped element 2 in FIG. 8.
The blank 1 has the fold lines described above in connection with
FIG. 8. That is to say the fold lines 24, 28, 29, 37, 38, 40, 41
have been made before the joining together of the blank 1. As an
alternative to this, the fold lines 24, 28, 29, 37, 38, 40, 41 can
be arranged after the blank 1 has been joined together to form the
shaped element 2. The blank 1 has a cutout 42 in the front end
portion 7. This cutout 42 is joined together after the blank 1 has
been folded in the same way as the cutout 10 in the rear end
portion 9. Arranging a cutout 42 in the front end portion 7 also of
course complicates the production process but makes possible even
better adaptation to the body. The bowl-shaped portion in the
shaped element formed can in this way be adapted better to the mons
pubis of the wearer.
[0075] FIG. 10 shows a sanitary towel 43 comprising a shaped
element 2 according to the invention. The sanitary towel 43 has an
upper side 44 and a lower side 45, the upper side 44 being
liquid-permeable and the lower side 45 being liquid-impermeable.
The liquid-permeable upper side 44 on the sanitary towel 43 is
intended to face towards the body of the wearer during use and the
liquid-impermeable lower side 45 is intended to face away from the
body of the wearer during use. Liquid-permeability and
liquid-impermeability are achieved in conventional sanitary towels
by each side 44, 45 being provided with layers which are
liquid-permeable and liquid-impermeable respectively. On the
sanitary towel 43 according to the invention, there is no separate
liquid-impermeable layer but the shaped element 2 is made from a
liquid-impermeable material and thus constitutes the
liquid-impermeable rear side on the sanitary towel 43. The upper
side 44 on the sanitary towel 43 has a bowl-shaped portion 46 in
one end portion 47 and a ridge-like raised portion 49 in the other
end portion 48. The central portion 50 has a ridge-like raised
portion 51 on the upper side 44 of the sanitary towel.
[0076] The sanitary towel 43 in FIG. 10 has a liquid-permeable
outer layer 52 arranged on that side of the sanitary towel 43 which
is intended to face towards the wearer during use. An absorption
layer 53 is arranged immediately inside the outer layer 52. The
shaped element 2 is arranged adjacent to the other side of the
absorption layer. The layers 52, 53, 2 are joined together with one
another, for example by gluing or ultrasonic welding.
[0077] The material in the outer layer 52 can be, for example, a
perforated plastic film, a netting made of plastic or textile
material, a non-woven or a laminate made of, for example, a
perforated plastic layer and a non-woven layer. The plastic may be
a thermoplastic, such as polyethylene. The non-woven material may
be made of natural fibres, such as cellulose or cotton, or
synthetic fibres, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester,
polyurethane, nylon or regenerated cellulose.
[0078] The main functions of the outer layer 52 in the sanitary
towel are to guide fluid into the sanitary towel 43, to feel soft
and agreeable against the body of the wearer, and to prevent
so-called back-wetting, that is to say absorbed bodily fluid
forcing back against the skin of the wearer. For reasons of comfort
and in order to avoid skin irritation, it is important that the
surface on that part of the sanitary towel which bears against the
skin of the wearer is kept as dry as possible during use. A dry
surface on the sanitary towel moreover feels cooler and more
pleasant to the wearer during use, and is more acceptable, both in
purely visual terms and during handling of the sanitary towel when
the latter is to be changed, than a soiled, wet surface.
[0079] The absorption layer 53 is suitably made from cellulose
pulp. This may be in the form of rolls, bales or sheets which are
dry-defibrated and converted in fluffed form into a pulp mat,
sometimes with the addition of so-called superabsorbents which are
polymers with the capacity to absorb several times their own weight
of water or bodily fluid. Examples of other materials which can be
used are various types of natural fibres such as cotton fibres,
peat or the like. It is of course also possible to use absorbent
synthetic fibres, or mixtures of natural fibres and synthetic
fibres. The absorption material can also contain other components,
such as dimensionally stabilizing means, liquid-dispersing means,
or binders such as, for example, thermoplastic fibres which have
been heat-treated in order to hold short fibres and particles
together as a coherent unit. It is also possible to use different
types of absorbent foam material in the absorption layer.
[0080] Along the periphery of the sanitary towel 54, the outer
layer 52 and the shaped element 2 are joined by a long, narrow
piece of material which has been folded to form a seam 55 around
the edge of the sanitary towel at its periphery 54. The material
used for the seam 55 is preferably a hydrophobic material so as to
prevent side leakage. It is also important that the material used
for the seam 55 feels soft and pleasant against the skin of the
wearer. An example of a suitable material for the seam 55 is a
hydrophobic nonwoven.
[0081] The sanitary towel 43 has an essentially elongate shape with
a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and has two
long sides 56, 57, two short sides 58, 59, two end portions 47, 48
and a central portion 50 located between the end portions, and also
a longitudinal centre line 60.
[0082] FIGS. 11a-11c show a cross section through the sanitary
towel 43 in FIG. 10. FIG. 11a shows a cross section through the
front end portion 47 of the sanitary towel. The front end portion
47 is the portion which is intended to face forwards on the wearer
during use. The front end portion 47 has a bowl-shaped portion 46
which is to fit against the mons pubis of the wearer.
[0083] FIG. 11b shows a cross section through the central portion
50 of the sanitary towel. The central portion 50 has a ridge-like
raised portion 51 intended to fit against the vestibule of the
wearer.
[0084] FIG. 11c shows a cross section through the rear end portion
48 of the sanitary towel. The rear end portion 48 has a ridge-like
raised portion 49 which is intended to fit against the buttocks of
the wearer during use.
[0085] It is of course possible to combine the various fold lines
shown in the different embodiments freely with one another as long
as the purpose of the fold lines, namely that of creating a shape
adapted to the body and/or creating leakage barriers, is not
compromised. For example, a number of curved fold lines can be
arranged along the shaped element. Two or more curved fold lines in
the central portion, which are concave in relation to the
longitudinal centre line, can advantageously be combined with two
or more curved fold lines in the rear end portion, which are convex
in relation to the longitudinal centre line. The front end portion
can also have longitudinal fold lines which are convex in relation
to the longitudinal centre line of the shaped element. Such fold
lines allow the shaping of the bowl-shaped portion in the front end
portion.
[0086] The different embodiments with fold lines can also be
combined freely with a shaped element having a continuous raised
portion in the central portion and the rear end portion and with a
shaped element having a raised portion in the central portion and a
raised portion in the end portion separated by a valley.
[0087] The shaped element does not have to constitute the
liquidtight rear side on the absorbent product according to the
invention. A separate liquid-blocking layer made of, for example,
polyethylene can constitute the liquidtight rear side of the
product. This may be suitable in a case where the shaped element is
not liquidtight. The shaped element does not have to lie adjacent
to the rear side on the product but may, for example, lie between
the outer layer and the absorption layer. In this case, the shaped
element can be perforated so as to allow bodily fluid through. A
separate liquid-blocking layer is of course then necessary.
[0088] The invention is not to be considered as being limited to
the embodiments described here, but a number of further variants
and modifications are possible within the scope of the patent
claims below.
* * * * *