U.S. patent application number 09/161022 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-29 for absorbent article having deformation inducing means.
Invention is credited to MIZUTANI, SATOSHI.
Application Number | 20010047159 09/161022 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26546606 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010047159 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MIZUTANI, SATOSHI |
November 29, 2001 |
ABSORBENT ARTICLE HAVING DEFORMATION INDUCING MEANS
Abstract
An absorbent article such as sanitary napkin having an absorbent
laminate is provided on a skin-noncontactable side of the laminate
with deformation inducing means. The deformation inducing means
include a hydrophobic panel member and an elastically stretchable
member adapted to pull the panel member toward its middle under
contractile force of the elastically stretchable member and thereby
to convexly deform the panel member toward a skin-contactable side
of the laminate. Convex deformation of the panel member by the
deformation inducing means allows the laminate to be convexly
deformed.
Inventors: |
MIZUTANI, SATOSHI;
(KAGAWA-KEN, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER & DANIELS
111 EAST WAYNE STREET
SUITE 800
FORT WAYNE
TX
46802
US
|
Family ID: |
26546606 |
Appl. No.: |
09/161022 |
Filed: |
September 25, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/385.23 ;
604/385.01; 604/385.25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 13/49017 20130101;
A61F 2013/49039 20130101; A61F 13/47263 20130101; A61F 13/47218
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/385.23 ;
604/385.01; 604/385.25 |
International
Class: |
A61F 013/15 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 29, 1997 |
JP |
9-264654 |
Sep 29, 1997 |
JP |
9-264655 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An absorbent article having a longitudinal center line, a
transverse center line being orthogonal to said longitudinal center
line, a skin-contactable side and a skin-noncontactable side, said
absorbent article comprising: an absorbent laminate and deformation
inducing means provided closely adjacent said skin-noncontactable
side so as to convexly deform said absorbent laminate toward said
skin-contactable side; said deformation inducing means including a
hydrophobic panel member and an elastically stretchable member
secured to said panel member parallel to said transverse center
line so as to convexly deform said panel member toward said
skin-contactable side as said elastically stretchable member
elastically contracts; and respective regions of said absorbent
laminate and said deformation inducing means having been convexly
deformed being deformable to substantially flat states against a
contractile force of said elastically stretchable member when a
contacting pressure directed from said skin-contactable side toward
said skin-noncontactable side is exerted on said article.
2. The article according to claim 1, wherein said convexly
deformable zone in said absorbent laminate lies on both sides of
said longitudinal center line so as to be contoured symmetrically
with respect to said longitudinal center line and includes first
deformation assisting means extending on said skin-nonconductable
side along a section of said longitudinal center line extending
across said convexly deformable zone.
3. The article according to claim 2, wherein said first deformation
assisting means comprise compressed grooves, slits or series of
compressed dots.
4. The article according to claim 11 wherein said convexly
deformable zone in said absorbent laminate further includes second
deformation assisting means lying close by at least transversely
opposite side edge sections of a boundary edge defining said
convexly deformable zone.
5. The article according to claim 4, wherein said second
deformation assisting means comprise series of compressed dots or
compressed grooves.
6. The article according to claim 1, wherein said panel member has
a potential fold directed toward said skin-contactable side along
said longitudinal center line.
7. The article according to claim 1, wherein said panel member has
a cantilever-measured value of 40.about.100 mm as measured
according to JIS.
8. The article according to claim 1, wherein said panel member is
made of a paper sheet, a fibrous sheet, a foamed plastic sheet or a
non-foamed plastic sheet alone, or a laminate consisting of at
least different two of these various sheets.
9. The article according to claim 1, wherein said panel member has
a width narrower than a width of said absorbent laminate both
measured along said transverse center line and lies short inwardly
of transversely opposite side edges of said absorbent laminate.
10. The article according to claim 1, wherein said elastically
stretchable member is secured to said panel member at two or more
positions thereof in the vicinity of its transversely opposite side
edges.
11. The article according to claim 1, wherein said elastically
stretchable member has a stretch stress of 50.about.1500 g.
12. The article according to claim 1, wherein said absorbent
laminate comprises a liquid-permeable topsheet, a
liquid-impermeable backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed
between said topsheet and said backsheet.
13. The article according to claim 12, wherein surfaces of said
liquid-absorbent core and said backsheet opposed to each other at
least in said convexly deformable zone are not secured together but
separable from each other.
14. The article according to claim 12 , wherein said deformation
inducing means are disposed between said liquid-absorbent core and
said backsheet and secured to said liquid-absorbent core at two or
more positions thereof in the proximity of its transversely
opposite side edges.
15. The article according to claim 12, wherein said deformation
inducing means are disposed between said liquid-absorbent core and
said backsheet and secured to said backsheet at two or more
positions thereof in the proximity of its transversely opposite
side edges.
16. The article according to claim 12, wherein said deformation
inducing means are disposed on the outer surface of said backsheet
and secured to said backsheet at two or more positions thereof in
the proximity of its transversely opposite side edges.
17. The article according to claim 1, wherein said absorbent
laminate and said deformation inducing means are secured together
by means of said second deformation assisting means.
18. An absorbent article having a longitudinal center line, a
transverse center line being orthogonal to said longitudinal center
line, a skin-contactable side and a skin-noncontactable side, said
absorbent article comprising: an absorbent laminate and deformation
inducing means provided closely adjacent said skin-noncontactable
side so as to convexly deform said absorbent laminate toward said
skin-contactable side; said deformation inducing means including a
hydrophobic panel member and an elastically stretchable member
secured to said panel member along said longitudinal center line so
as to convexly deform said panel member toward said
skin-contactable side as said elastically stretchable member
elastically contracts; and respective regions of said absorbent
laminate and said deformation inducing means having been convexly
deformed are deformable to substantially flat states against a
contractile force of said elastically stretchable member when a
contacting pressure directed from said skin-contactable side toward
said skin-nonconductable side is exerted on said article.
19. The article according to claim 18, wherein said convexly
deformable zone in said absorbent laminate lies on both sides of
said longitudinal center line so as to be contoured symmetrically
with respect to said longitudinal center line and includes first
deformation assisting means extending on said skin-noncontactable
side along a section of said longitudinal center line extending
across said convexly deformable zone.
20. The article according to claim 18, wherein said first
deformation assisting means comprise compressed grooves, slits or
series of compressed dots.
21. The article according to claim 18, wherein said convexly
deformable zone in said absorbent laminate further includes second
deformation assisting means lying close by at least transversely
opposite side edge sections of a boundary edge defining said
convexly deformable zone.
22. The article according to claim 21, wherein said second
deformation assisting means comprise series of compressed dots or
compressed grooves.
23. The article according to claim 18, wherein said panel member
has a potential fold directed toward said skin-contactable side
along said longitudinal center line.
24. The article according to claim 18, wherein said panel member
has a cantilever-measured value of 40.about.100 mm as measured
according to JIS.
25. The article according to claim 18, wherein said panel member is
made of a paper sheet, a fibrous sheet, a foamed plastic sheet or a
non-foamed plastic sheet alone, or a laminate consisting of at
least different two of these various sheets.
26. The article according to claim 18, wherein said panel member
has a width narrower than a width of said absorbent laminate both
measured along said transverse center line and lies short inwardly
of transversely opposite side edges of said absorbent laminate.
27. The article according to claim 18, wherein said elastically
stretchable member is secured to said absorbent laminate or to said
panel member at two or more positions thereof in the vicinity of
longitudinally opposite ends of said absorbent laminate or said
panel member.
28. The article according to claim 18, wherein said elastically
stretchable member has a stretch stress of 50.about.1500 g.
29. The article according to claim 18, wherein said absorbent
laminate comprises a liquid-permeable topsheet, a
liquid-impermeable backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed
between said topsheet and said backsheet.
30. The article according to claim 29, wherein surfaces of said
liquid-absorbent core and said backsheet opposed to each other at
least in said convexly deformable zone are not secured together but
separable from each other.
31. The article according to claim 29, wherein said deformation
inducing means are disposed between said liquid-absorbent core and
said backsheet and secured to said liquid absorbent core at two or
more positions thereof in the proximity of its longitudinally
opposite ends.
32. The article according to claim 29, wherein said deformation
inducing means are disposed between said liquid-absorbent core and
said backsheet and secured to said backsheet at two or more
positions thereof in the proximity of its longitudinally opposite
ends.
33. The article according to claim 22, wherein said deformation
inducing means are disposed on the outer surface of said backsheet
and secured to said backsheet at two or more positions thereof in
the proximity of its transversely opposite side edges.
34. The article according to claim 28, wherein said absorbent
laminate and said deformation inducing means are secured together
by means of said second deformation assisting means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to disposable absorbent articles and
particularly to sanitary napkins adapted for absorptive hold of
menstrual discharge and incontinence pads for women.
[0002] Conventional sanitary napkins generally include an absorbent
laminate consisting of a liquid-permeable topsheet, a
liquid-impermeable backsheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed
between these two sheets. Sanitary napkins disclosed, for example,
in Japanese Patent Publication (Kokoku) No. Hei6-40888, Japanese
Patent Application Disclosure (Kokai) No. Hei2-7958 and Japanese
Patent Application (PCT) Disclosure (Kohyo) No. Hei9-507033
includes an elastically stretchable member provided on the
liquid-absorbent core so as to extend at least transversely thereof
and to deform the napkin convexly toward the wearer's skin as the
elastically stretchable member contracts. A sanitary napkin
disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Disclosure (Kokai) No.
Hei2-11138 includes a flexurally rigid element serving as a
deforming element provided on a lower surface of the
liquid-absorbent core so that the napkin may be normally forced by
the element to be convexly deformed toward the wearer's skin. A
sanitary napkin disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application
Disclosure No. Hei5-62228 includes an elastic member provided in a
liquid-absorbent core adjacent its upper layer along a longitudinal
center line so that the napkin may be convexly deformed toward the
wearer's skin as the elastic member contracts longitudinally of the
liquid-absorbent core.
[0003] In the case of the sanitary napkin disclosed by the
above-mentioned Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei6-40888,
Japanese Patent Application Disclosure No. Hei2-7958 and Japanese
Patent Application (PCT) Disclosure No. Hei9-507033, the convex
deformation occurs only under a contractile effect of the
elastically stretchable member. So far as the liquid-absorbent core
is not "collapsed" due to menstrual discharge absorbed therein or
not deformed by an external force exerted thereon during use of the
napkin, the convex deformation is maintained by the contractile
effect of the elastically stretchable member. However, when the
phenomenon of collapse as well as the deformation due to the
external force is inevitable, the napkin is impossible to maintain
the desired convex deformation since the convexity is lost or
changed into another shape due to these factors.
[0004] According to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application
Disclosure No. Hei2-11138, the convex deformation is obtained by a
convex shape previously given to said deforming element. Such a
sanitary napkin is necessarily bulky and this bulkiness may be
alleviated by packaging the napkin so as to be compressed in a
thickness direction of the napkin as in the conventional manner of
packaging. However, if a period before unpacking is relatively
long, the deforming element may not restore its original state
sufficiently to deform the napkin with a desired convexity. While
this inconvenience can be probably overcome by appropriately
selecting the material for the deforming element, this selection
will be considerably difficult. Furthermore, a predetermined
flexural resistance is required to maintain the desired convex
deformation and the material selected to meet this requirement has
often a relatively high rigidity. In consequence, the napkin is
provided with a correspondingly high rigidity which may give the
wearer uncomfortable stiff feeling.
[0005] According to the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model
Application Disclosure No. Hei5-62228, the upper layer of the
liquid-absorbent core tends to be lifted off the remainder
underlying the upper layer under a contractile force of the elastic
member. In consequence, body fluids discharged on the upper layer
can not be adequately absorbed by the remainder layer and often
stay on the upper layer until the body fluids leak laterally of the
napkin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the above problems, it is an object of the
invention to provide a sanitary napkin so improved to make
effective use of the advantages offered by the known sanitary
napkins and at the same time to eliminate the problems left
unsolved by these sanitary napkins.
[0007] According to the invention, there is provided an absorbent
article having a longitudinal center line, a transverse center line
being orthogonal to the longitudinal center line, a
skin-contactable side and a skin-noncontactable side, the absorbent
article comprising: an absorbent laminate and deformation inducing
means provided closely adjacent the skin-noncontactable side so as
to convexly deform the absorbent laminate toward the
skin-contactable side; the deformation inducing means including a
hydrophobic panel member and an elastically stretchable member
secured to the panel member parallel to the transverse center line
or along the longitudinal center line so as to convexly deform the
panel member toward the skin-contactable side as the elastically
stretchable member elastically contracts; and respective regions of
the absorbent laminate and the deformation inducing means having
been convexly deformed being deformable to substantially flat
states against a contractile force of the elastically stretchable
member when a contacting pressure directed from the
skin-contactable side toward the skin-noncontactable side is
exerted on the article.
[0008] According to the invention, cooperation of the panel member
and the elastically stretchable member constituting together the
deformation inducing means causes the absorbent laminate to be
convexly deformed toward the skin-contactable side and to be
closely placed against the wearer's external genital organs. With a
contacting pressure directed from the skin-contactable side to the
skin-noncontactable side being exerted thereon, the absorbent
laminate can be deformed together with the deformation inducing
means to its flat state against the contractile force of the
deformation inducing means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sanitary napkin according
to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a bottom side of the partly cutaway
napkin;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the napkin taken
along a line diving said napkin in front and rear halves;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a view schematic sectional similar to FIG. 3 but
of a sanitary napkin according to a second embodiment of the
invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view to FIG. 3 but of a
sanitary napkin according to a third embodiment of the
invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sanitary napkin according
to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a bottom side of the napkin
partly cutaway, shown in FIG. 6,
[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of the napkin, shown in
FIG. 6, taken along a line diving the napkin in front and rear
halves;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing a sanitary
napkin according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; and
[0018] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing a sanitary
napkin according to a six embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Details of an absorbent article according to the invention
will be more fully understood from the description of a sanitary
napkin, one of specific embodiments of the invention given
hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020] FIGS. 1-3 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a sanitary napkin is provided in the form
of an absorbent laminate 1 having a longitudinal center line 2, a
transverse center line 3 being orthogonal to the longitudinal
center line 2, a skin-contactable side 4 and a skin-noncontactable
side 5. The absorbent laminate 1 is composed of a liquid-permeable
topsheet 6, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 7 and a liquid-absorbent
core 8 disposed between these two sheets 6, 7. Being larger than
the core 8 in their longitudinal and transverse dimensions, both
the topsheet 6 and the backsheet 7 extend outward beyond peripheral
edges of the core 8. Transverse extensions 6a, 7a of the topsheet 6
and the backsheet 7 are covered with respective elongate sheets 9,
9 each folded in longitudinal halves so that each of the transverse
extensions 6a, 7a is sandwiched between the longitudinal halves. In
this manner, the transverse extensions 6a, 7a and the elongate
sheets 9, 9 form together a pair of side flaps 10, 10. Each of
these side flaps 10, 10 contains therein an elastically stretchable
member 11 attached thereto along its outer edge so that the member
11 may be longitudinally contractile and thereby this side flap 10
may rise upward (toward the wearer's skin).
[0021] The topsheet 6, the backsheet 7 and the core 8 may be made
of materials which have conventionally used for making well-known
sanitary napkins and disposable diapers. The topsheet 6 may be
made, for example, of a hydrophilic or hydrophobic nonwoven fabric,
a porous plastic film or a laminate of these nonwoven fabric and
plastic film. The backsheet 7 may be made, for example, of a
moisture permeable plastic film or a laminate of this and a
hydrophobic nonwoven fabric. The core 8 may be made, for example,
of a mixture of fluff pulp and superabsorbent polymer powder.
Employing these materials, both the topsheet 6 and the backsheet 7
have a high flexibility, on one hand, and the core 8 has a
semi-rigidity, on the other hand. Though not shown, the topsheet 6
preferably has a plurality of liquid-guiding openings over its
entire area. Of these liquid-guiding openings, those formed in a
convexly deformable zone 12 which will be described later
preferably have their diameters larger than those formed in the
remaining zone so as to offer a correspondingly higher
liquid-guiding ability. In addition, the topsheet 6 preferably
contains an amount of thermoplastic fibers at least required to
obtain a heat-sealing effect so far as the topsheet is made of a
nonwoven fabric. The core 8 also may contain a certain amount of
thermoplastic fibers, if desired, unless its absorptivity is
adversely affected thereby. The elongate sheet 9 may be made, for
example, of a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric or a plastic film. The
elastically stretchable member 11 may be made, for example, of
natural rubber, synthetic rubber, spandex or the like.
[0022] The absorbent laminate 1 has a pair of deformation assisting
means 13 longitudinally extending across a longitudinally as well
as transversely middle region of this laminate 1, describing a pair
of lines curved outward symmetrically on both sides of the
longitudinal center line 2. This pair of deformation assisting
means 13 define a convexly deformable zone 12. The laminate 1
additionally has another pair of deformation assisting means 20
extending adjacent outer sides of the first-mentioned pair of
deformation assisting means 13, respectively, describing lines
curved inward symmetrically on both sides of the longitudinal
center line 2. These pairs of deformation assisting means 13, 20
may be formed by respective series of compressed dots (i.e.,
embosses) or respective compressed grooves. The laminate 1 is
further provided in the convexly deformable zone 12 with single
deformation assisting means 14 extending on a bottom surface (i.e.,
on the skin-noncontactable side 5) of the core 8 along the
longitudinal center line 2. While this deformation assisting means
14 is shown to be formed by a compressed groove, it is also
possible to form this deformation assisting means 14 by a slit
dividing the core 8 in two or a series of compressed dots (i.e.,
embosses). In the middle of the convexly deformable zone 12, the
laminate 1 is provided on the bottom surface (i.e., on the
skin-noncontactable side 5) with deformation inducing means 15. The
deformation inducing means 15 include a rectangular hydrophobic
panel member 16 and an elastically stretchable member 17 both
extending transversely of the laminate 1. The panel member 16 is
deformable to a substantially flat state and includes a middle
portion 18 having a tendency to be folded (so-called potential
fold) toward the skin-contactable side 4 along the longitudinal
center line 2. The middle portion 18 of the panel member 16 extends
in conformity with the compressed groove 14 functioning as the
deformation assisting means for the core 8. The elastically
stretchable member 17 is secured to the panel member 16 in the
proximity of transversely opposite side edges of the panel member
16 under longitudinal tension. Consequently, the panel member 16 is
convexly deformed toward the skin-contactable side 4 along the
potential fold of the middle portion 18 as the elastically
stretchable member 17 contracts. A lifting effect owing to this
deformation of the panel member 16 causes the core 8 to be convexly
deformed upward (i.e., toward the wearer's skin) together with the
topsheet 6 in the convexly deformable zone 12 along the compressed
groove 14 functioning as the deformation assisting means for the
core 8. This deformation causes, in the convexly deformable zone
12, the core 8 to be spaced from the backsheet 7 and thereby a
space is formed between these two components 7, 8. When a
contacting pressure directed from the skin-contactable side 4
toward the skin-noncontactable side 5 is exerted on the laminate 1,
the topsheet 6, the core 8 and the panel member 16 are deformed to
a flat state against the contracting effect of the elastically
stretchable member 17. With a consequence, the skin-contactable
side 4 in the convexly deformable zone 12 tightly fits to the
wearer's external genital organs and a leakage of menstrual
discharge is effectively avoided. It should be understood that the
contacting pressure and release thereof are more or less repeated
as the wearer of the napkin moves her body. As a result, the space
between the core 8 and the backsheet 7 is repeatedly collapsed and
restored. This causes a pumping effect serving to expel an amount
of water vapor or moisture staying in this space and in the
vicinity thereof out from the napkin, on one hand, and to suck
fresh atmospheric air into the napkin, on the other hand. In this
way, an uncomfortable feeling due to waver vapor or moisture is
more or less alleviated.
[0023] The panel member 16 has its transversely opposite side edges
extending outward slightly beyond the transversely opposite side
edges of the deformation assisting means 13 and secured to the core
8 in the proximity of the transversely opposite side edges of the
core 8 by means of the series of compressed dots (i.e., the
heat-sealed dots formed by embossing) 13. Such securing may be
achieved also by hot melt adhesive means instead of the
heat-sealing.
[0024] The panel member 16 may be made, for example, of a paper
sheet, a fibrous sheet, a foamed plastic sheet or a laminate
consisting of at least two of these sheets. Depending on a
particular bending resistance (i.e., rigidity) of the laminate 1,
the panel member 16 generally has a cantilever measured value of
40.about.100 mm and preferably of 50.about.80 mm under the
prescription according to the Japanese Industry Standard (JIS). The
panel member 16 is of hydrophobic nature and can induce a desired
deformation of the core 8 without suffering from so-called collapse
phenomenon even when the panel member 16 is wetted with body fluids
such as menstrual discharge. The elastically stretchable member 17
may be, for example, of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, spandex,
an elastic foamed sheet or an elastic nonwoven fibrous sheet.
Depending on a particular bending resistance (i.e., rigidity) of
the absorbent laminate 1 and/or the panel member 16, the
elastically stretchable member 17 generally has a stretch stress of
50.about.1500 g, preferably 100.about.1000 g and more preferably
150.about.800 g as measured with the elastically member 17 being
stretched from its initial length of 100 mm by the same length.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 4, the panel member 16 has its transversely
opposite side edges lying short of the transversely opposite side
edges of the deformation assisting means 13 and secured to the
backsheet 7 by means of hot melt adhesive means 19a. The
elastically stretchable member 17 also is secured to the panel
member 16 by means of hot melt adhesive means 19b in the proximity
of the transversely opposite side edges of the panel member 16.
Obviously, such securing may be achieved by heat-sealing instead of
using the hot melt adhesive means 19a, 19b.
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 5, the deformation inducing means 15 is secured
to the outer surface of the backsheet 7 utilizing a series of
compressed dots (i.e., heat-sealed dots formed by embossing) 13a
serving as the deformation assisting means 13. Such securing may be
achieved by means of hot melt adhesive means instead of the
heat-sealing. The deformation inducing means 15 may have its
transversely opposite ends lying short of the transversely opposite
side edges of the deformation assisting means 13. As will be
readily understood, the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 5 is
characterized in that, in a region of the absorbent laminate 1
defining the convexly deformable zone 12, the topsheet 6, the core
8 and the backsheet 7 are convexly deformed together under the
effect of the deformation inducing means 15.
[0027] FIGS. 6-8 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention.
The elastically stretchable member 17 extends outward beyond
longitudinally opposite ends of the panel member 16 and is secured
to the core 8 in the proximity of longitudinally opposite ends of
the core 8 with a longitudinal tension. It is also possible to
secure the elastically stretchable member 17 to the panel member 16
in the proximity of the longitudinally opposite ends of said panel
member 16. Consequently, the panel member 16 is convexly deformed
toward the skin-contactable side 4 along the potential fold of the
middle portion 18 as the elastically stretchable member 17
contracts.
[0028] FIG. 9 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 9, the panel member 16 has its transversely
opposite side edges lying short of the transversely opposite side
edges of the deformation assisting means 13 and secured to the
backsheet 7 by means of hot melt adhesive means 19. Obviously, such
securing may be achieved also by heat-sealing.
[0029] FIG. 10 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the inventions.
Referring to FIG. 10, the deformation inducing means 15 is secured
to the outer surface of the backsheet 7 utilizing a series of
compressed dots (i.e., heat-sealed dots formed by embossing) 13a
serving as the deformation assisting means 13. Such securing may be
achieved by mean of hot melt adhesive means instead of the
heat-sealing. The deformation inducing means 15 may have its
transversely opposite ends lying short of the transversely opposite
side edges of the deformation assisting means 13. As will be
readily understood, the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 10 is
characterized in that, in a region of the absorbent laminate 1
defining the convexly deformable zone 12, the topsheet 6, the core
8 and the backsheet 7 are convexly deformed together under the
effect of the deformation inducing means 15.
[0030] The absorbent article according to the invention includes
the deformation inducing means formed separately of the absorbent
laminate itself and provided on the skin-noncontactable side of the
laminate. The deformation inducing means have hydrophobicity as
well as rigidity required for its desired function. The function of
the deformation inducing means ensures the region of the laminate
defining the convexly deformable zone to be convexly deformed
toward the wearer's skin even when the laminate is wetted with body
fluids such as menstrual, discharge. In consequence, a fitness of
the article to the wearer's external genital organs is improved and
thereby a leakage of menstrual discharge is effectively
avoided.
[0031] The deformation inducing means comprise the hydrophobic
panel member which is deformable to its substantially flat state
and the elastically stretchable member. Cooperation of these two
members causes the region of the absorbent laminate defining the
convexly deformable zone to be convexly deformed. Such a unique
arrangement can offer various advantages. For example, the
absorbent laminate and the deformation inducing means can be
packaged together in the form of a substantially flat article. Even
after the article has been packaged in the flat state, said
convexly deformed state can be restored as the elastically
stretchable member contracts again as soon as the package is
opened.
* * * * *