U.S. patent application number 10/936123 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-03 for drapeable absorbent article.
Invention is credited to Collado, Santos H., de Velez, Maria Elaine P., Haarer, Jutta S., Ludwig, Barbara Ann, Marcelo, Ana Maria Elena R., Moscherosch, H. Michael, Pilate, Rita Renee, Sturgeon, Jennifer L..
Application Number | 20050027276 10/936123 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21825202 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050027276 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Collado, Santos H. ; et
al. |
February 3, 2005 |
Drapeable absorbent article
Abstract
An absorbent article having a silhouette including a first end,
a second end, wherein the second end being in opposite relation to
the first end, and a first longitudinally extending edge opposed to
a second longitudinally extending edge, the first and second
longitudinally extending edges connecting the first end and the
second end; and a layered portion having a body-facing layer and a
garment-facing layer, wherein the absorbent article is
drapeable.
Inventors: |
Collado, Santos H.; (Las
Pinas City, PH) ; de Velez, Maria Elaine P.; (Quezon
City, PH) ; Haarer, Jutta S.; (Princeton, NJ)
; Ludwig, Barbara Ann; (Basking Ridge, NJ) ;
Marcelo, Ana Maria Elena R.; (North Brunswick, NJ) ;
Moscherosch, H. Michael; (Doylestown, PA) ; Pilate,
Rita Renee; (Washington Crossing, PA) ; Sturgeon,
Jennifer L.; (Long Valley, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIP S. JOHNSON
JOHNSON & JOHNSON
ONE JOHNSON & JOHNSON PLAZA
NEW BRUNSWICK
NJ
08933-7003
US
|
Family ID: |
21825202 |
Appl. No.: |
10/936123 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10936123 |
Sep 8, 2004 |
|
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10025299 |
Dec 19, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/385.04 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2013/15292
20130101; A61F 13/472 20130101; A61F 13/15203 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/385.04 |
International
Class: |
A61F 013/15; A61F
013/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An absorbent article comprising A. a silhouette comprising (i) a
first end, (ii) a second end, wherein the second end being in
opposite relation to the first end, and (iii) a first
longitudinally extending edge opposed to a second longitudinally
extending edge, the first and second longitudinally extending edges
connecting the first end and the second end; B. a layered portion
comprising (i) a body-facing layer and (ii) a garment-facing layer,
wherein the absorbent article is drapeable.
2. An absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the body-facing layer
comprises at least two layers.
3. An absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the first layer forms a
body facing surface and the second layer is absorbent.
4. An absorbent article of claim 3, wherein the first layer
comprises a spunlace material including from about 10 to about 65
wt % rayon and from about 35 to about 90 wt % polyester.
5. An absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the body-facing layer
is absorbent.
6. An absorbent article of claim 1, further comprising an absorbent
layer.
7. An absorbent article of claim 1, further comprising a transfer
layer.
8. An absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the body-facing layer
comprises, polyethylene, polyester, cellulose, and mixtures
thereof.
9. An absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the article is selected
from the group consisting of a pantiliner, a sanitary napkin and an
incontinence device.
10. An absorbent article of claim 1, further comprising at least
one wing extending from the first longitudinal edge or the second
longitudinal edge.
11. An absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the silhouette is
shaped to fit within the crotch of a thong.
12. An absorbent article of claim 11, further comprising at least
one wing extending from the first longitudinal edge or the second
longitudinal edge.
13. An article of claim 1, wherein at least one layer further
comprises a color selected from the group consisting of white,
black, red, yellow, blue, orange, green, indigo, violet, and
mixtures thereof.
14. An article of claim 13, wherein the color is black.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a divisional application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/025,299 filed on Dec. 19, 2001
priority of which is hereby claimed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to absorbent articles for use with
undergarments or other clothing, such as panty hose, swimsuits, or
leotards. In particular, the absorbent articles of the present
invention are drapeable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Disposable absorbent articles, such as pantiliners, sanitary
napkins, interlabial devices, adult incontinence devices and
diapers are well known in the art. These articles typically have a
fluid permeable body-facing side and fluid impermeable garment
facing side. Additionally, such articles may include an absorbent
layer for retaining fluids therebetween.
[0004] Anatomical adaptation of an absorbent article may increase
comfort to the wearer. That is, movement by the wearer may cause
the absorbent article to conform to the geometry of the space
between the wearer's thighs. In contrast, if the absorbent article
is stiff to begin with, the wearer may experience discomfort and be
conscious of the absorbent article. Additionally, if such an
article bunches, there is a tendency to maintain its resulting
distorted shape, thereby providing inadequate protection.
[0005] Various methods have been used to improve the flexibility of
absorbent articles. For example, reducing the amount of absorbent
material, using less stiff resilient materials and using thinner
materials have been disclosed as possible solutions to the
improving the flexibility of absorbent articles. See, for example,
PCT Application No. WO 98/09593 to Gilman, which discloses a thin
absorbent article that has a thickness of less than five
millimeters and a crush recovery value of at least about fifteen
mm.
[0006] EP 1077052 (Lariviere et al.) discloses using preferential
bending zones extending along the longitudinal axis of an absorbent
article together with a pair of longitudinal adhesive zones that
register with the preferential bending zones to improve
flexibility.
[0007] Another method that has been disclosed to improve
flexibility is increasing the elasticity of the article. See, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,904 (Nakanishi et al.) and PCT
Application No. WO 96/10978 (Palumbo et al.). In EP 0705583 and EP
0705586 (both to Querqui), the purported flexible absorbent article
is disclosed as being elastically stretchable while having a water
vapor permeable backsheet and a specific adhesive
configuration.
[0008] Adding regions of corrugation have been disclosed as yet
another method to increase flexibility or conformability of
absorbent articles. EP 1088536 (Carvalho) discloses using
longitudinal corrugations to provide lateral extensibility.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,415 (Datta et al.) purports to
disclose an absorbent article having a basin-like moisture barrier
with corrugations to provide an extendable region.
[0009] NZ 236101 (Hujber et al.) discloses a pants liner having a
creped portion that attaches directly onto the crotch area of the
wearer's pants. Parts of the liner are capable of being draped down
the tubular leg portion of the pants, without any bunching or
folding occurring in the creped portion of the liner.
[0010] However, the above absorbent articles are not fully flexible
and do not adapt to the body as an undergarment alone does, thereby
sacrificing comfort, protection and discretion. Thus, there is a
need for a drapeable absorbent article that is fully flexible and
adapts to the body as an undergarment alone does without
sacrificing comfort, protection, and discretion. Applicants have
surprisingly discovered such an absorbent article, which is
described herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention is directed to an absorbent article
having a silhouette including a first end, a second end, wherein
the second end being in opposite relation to the first end, and a
first longitudinally extending edge opposed to a second
longitudinally extending edge, the first and second longitudinally
extending edges connecting the first end and the second end; and a
layered portion having a body-facing layer and a garment-facing
layer, wherein the absorbent article is drapeable.
[0012] In an alternate embodiment, the absorbent article also
includes an absorbent layer and a transfer layer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] As used herein, the terms "drapeable" and "drapability" are
used interchangeably and mean having a flexural resistance of about
35 g. or less as tested by the Modified Circular Bend Test, ASTM
4032-82 as set forth in the Example section below. It has been
found that, for example, cotton underwear (e.g., Hanes Cotton
underwear) has a flexural resistance of less than 35 g. Drapeable
articles of the present invention have also been found to have a
flexural resistance of about 30 or less, about 20 or less, and
about 17 or less.
[0014] As used herein, all ranges used herein expressly include at
least all numbers that fall between the endpoints of ranges.
[0015] Absorbent articles of this invention have three portions: an
anterior portion, a central portion, and a posterior portion and at
least a body-facing layer and a garment facing layer. Any sample of
the present invention taken from any portion of the entire article
that includes all of the layers of the finished product is
drapeable.
[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent
article has a body facing layer and a garment facing layer. In
another embodiment, the absorbent article additionally includes an
absorbent layer therebetween. Other embodiments may include
additional layers such as, a transfer or distribution layer,
multiple layer absorbent layers and unitized versions of two or
more layers.
[0017] The silhouette of absorbent articles of this invention
includes those designed to fit garments having
conventionally-shaped crotches, e.g., briefs and bikinis.
Additionally, absorbent articles of the present invention may also
be designed to fit garments having abbreviated crotches including
thong, string underwear, G-string, Rio cut, Brazilian cut, etc.
[0018] The absorbent article of the present invention includes a
liquid permeable layer also referred to as a body facing layer. The
exterior of the body facing layer forms the body-facing surface of
the absorbent article. The body facing layer may be a single layer
or be made from multiple layers. The body facing layer may be
formed from any fluid pervious material or combinations of
materials that are comfortable against the skin and permits fluid
to penetrate. For instance, the body facing layer may be a fibrous
non-woven fabric made of fibers or filaments of polymers, such as
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, or cellulose, and
combinations thereof. Alternatively, the body facing layer may be
formed from an apertured polymeric film. The thickness of the body
facing layer may vary from about 0.001 inch (0.025 mm) to about
0.200 inch (5.000 mm), depending on the material chosen. The weight
of the body facing layer material is between about 5 to about 150
gsm.
[0019] For example, any material with cloth-like features may be
used for the body facing layer. Such material includes nonwoven,
such as spunlace, woven, and knitted materials. In particular,
spunlace material may be made from about 0 to about 100% rayon and
from about 0 to about 100% polyester. The spunlace material may
also be made from about 10 to about 65% rayon and from about 35 to
about 90% polyester may be used. Optionally, the material used for
the body-facing layer may include binders, such as thermoplastic
binder fibers and latex binders.
[0020] In one embodiment, the body facing layer is a single sheet
of material having a width sufficient to form the body-facing
surface of the absorbent article. In another embodiment, the body
facing layer has at least two layers.
[0021] The body facing layer, whether a single layer or multiple
layers, may have absorbent capabilities, i.e., retains fluid. If a
separate absorbent layer is used, the body facing layer may be
longer and wider than the absorbent core or be of similar size as
the absorbent core.
[0022] The garment facing layer of the present invention may be
pliant and is typically referred to as a backsheet or barrier
layer. The exterior of the garment facing layer forms the
garment-facing surface of the absorbent article and, typically, is
impermeable to fluids. In one embodiment, the garment facing layer
may be any thin, flexible, fluid impermeable material, such as a
polymeric film, e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, or cellophane,
or a normally fluid pervious material that has been treated to be
impervious, such as impregnated fluid repellent paper or non-woven
material, including non-woven fabric material, or a flexible foam,
such as polyurethane or cross-linked polyethylene.
[0023] Additionally, the garment facing layer may be breathable,
i.e., permits vapor to transpire. Known materials for this purpose
include nonwoven materials and microporous films in which
microporosity is created by, inter alia, stretching an oriented
film. Single or multiple layers of permeable films, fabrics,
melt-blown materials, and combinations thereof that provide a
tortuous path, and/or whose surface characteristics provide a
liquid surface repellent to the penetration of liquids may also be
used to provide a breathable backsheet.
[0024] The thickness of the backsheet when formed from a polymeric
film typically is about 0.001 inch (0.025 mm) to about 0.002 inch
(0.051 mm).
[0025] One embodiment of the present invention includes an
absorbent layer, which may be a single layer or, alternately, be
made of multiple layers. Absorbent materials used in the absorbent
layer may include, but are not limited to, absorbent fibers, such
as cellulose fibers, including, but not limited to wood pulp,
regenerated cellulose fibers, and cotton fibers, rayon fibers and
the like; superabsorbent fibers or particles; other naturally
occurring absorbent materials, such as peat moss; and other
synthetic absorbent materials, such as foams and the like. The
absorbent layer may also include one or more of the following:
thermoplastic binder fibers, latex binder, perfumes, or
odor-controlling compounds or compositions. The absorbent layer may
be compressed or uncompressed, embossed, or calendered.
Additionally, the absorbent core may be made from any known
absorbent bicomponent fibers, including those made, for example,
from polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene and any combinations
thereof.
[0026] The absorbent material may be woven, nonwoven, or knitted
and made by any process. For example the absorbent material may be
wet laid, carded, or air laid.
[0027] Absorbent articles of this invention may or may not include
wings, flaps or tabs for securing the absorbent article to an
undergarment.
[0028] Wings, also called, among other things, flaps or tabs, and
their use in sanitary protection articles is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,687,478 to Van Tilburg; U.S. Pat. No.4,589,876 also to Van
Tilburg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,320 to McCoy, and U.S. Pat.
No.4,608,047 to Mattingly. The disclosures of these patents are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. As disclosed in
the above documents, wings are generally speaking flexible and
configured to be folded over the edges of the underwear so that the
wings are disposed between the edges of the underwear.
[0029] The shape of the wings may also be varied as desired. The
wings may be rounded, rectangular, curvilinear, etc. The wings may
be regular or irregular, symmetric or asymmetric in shape.
[0030] The overall dimensions of the absorbent article of the
present invention may be as follows: a length of about 5 inches
(127 mm) to 8 inches (203 mm) and a thickness of about 0.02 inch
(0.5 mm) to 0.2 inch (5 mm).
[0031] Optionally, the absorbent article of the present invention
may include a transfer or distribution layer. If included in the
absorbent article, the transfer layer may be made of any known
material that will take up fluid and then distribute and release it
to an adjacent absorbent layer for storage. Transfer layers have a
relatively open structure that allows for movement of fluid within
the layer. Suitable materials for such transfer layers include
fibrous webs, resilient foams, and the like.
[0032] The mass of materials making up the transfer layer may be
absorbent, although the materials themselves are not absorbent.
Thus, transfer layers that are made of hydrophobic, nonabsorbent
fibers may be able to accept large volumes of fluid into interfiber
void spaces while the fibers themselves do not absorb any
significant quantities of fluid. Likewise, open-celled foam
structures that are made from nonabsorbent materials may also
absorb fluid into the cells of the foam. The walls of the cells,
however, do not absorb any fluid. The cumulative spaces within the
transfer layer, i.e., the interfiber void spaces in the fibrous
transfer layer or the open cells in the foam transfer layer,
function much like a container to hold fluid.
[0033] Typically, transfer layer fibrous webs are made of
resilient, nonabsorbent materials to provide void volume and to
allow for free movement of fluid through the structure. Transfer
layers that are made from webs of mostly absorbent fibers absorb
the fluid as it enters the structure and do not distribute it
throughout the rest of the structure as efficiently as webs
containing non-absorbent materials.
[0034] Adhesive is typically used to attach the layers into a
single absorbent article. For example, in one embodiment, the body
facing layer is attached to the barrier with adhesive HL 1491
available from H.B Fuller and Company (St. Paul, Minn.). The
adhesive may be applied in any method.
[0035] Secure attachment of absorbent article of the claimed
invention to the garment contributes to maintaining the feeling of
the user that the absorbent article and the garment are one in the
same, i.e., permits the absorbent article to move with the
underwear.
[0036] The absorbent article of the present invention may be
applied to the crotch by placing the garment-facing surface against
the inside surface of the crotch of the garment. Various methods of
attaching absorbent articles may be used. For example, chemical
means, e.g., adhesive, and mechanical attachment means, e.g.,
clips, laces, ties, and interlocking devices, e.g., snaps, buttons,
VELCRO (Velcro USA, Inc., Manchester, N.H.), zipper, and the like
are examples of the various options available to the artisan.
[0037] Adhesive may include pressure sensitive adhesive that is
applied as strips, swirls, or waves, and the like. As used herein,
the term pressure-sensitive adhesive refers to any releasable
adhesive or releasable tenacious means. Suitable adhesive
compositions, include, for example, water-based pressure-sensitive
adhesives such as acrylate adhesives. Alternatively, the adhesive
composition may include adhesives based on the following: emulsion
or solvent-borne adhesives of natural or synthetic polyisoprene,
styrene-butadiene, or polyacrylate, vinyl acetate copolymer or
combinations thereof; hot melt adhesives based on suitable block
copoylmers--suitable block copolymers for use in the invention
include linear or radial copolymer structures having the formula
(A-B)x wherein block A is a polyvinylarene block, block B is a
poly(monoalkenyl) block, x denotes the number of polymeric arms,
and wherein x is an integer greater than or equal to one. Suitable
block A polyvinylarenes include, but are not limited to
Polystyrene, Polyalpha-methylstyrene, Polyvinyltoluene, and
combinations thereof. Suitable Block B poly(monoalkenyl) blocks
include, but are not limited to conjugated diene elastomers such as
for example polybutadiene or polyisoprene or hydrogenated
elastomers such as ethylene butylene or ethylene propylene or
polyisobutylene, or combinations thereof. Commercial examples of
these types of block copolymers include Kraton.TM. elastomers from
Shell Chemical Company, Vector.TM. elastomers from Dexco,
Solprene.TM. from Enichem Elastomers and Stereon.TM. from Firestone
Tire & Rubber Co.; hot melt adhesive based on olefin polymers
and copolymers where in the olefin polymer is a terpolymer of
ethylene and a comonomers, such as vinyl acetate, acrylic acid,
methacrylic acid, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate
vinyl silane or maleic anhydride. Commercial examples of these
types of polymers include Ateva( polymers from AT plastics),
Nucrel( polymers from DuPont), Escor (from Exxon Chemical).
[0038] Where adhesive is used, a release strip may be applied to
protect the adhesive on the absorbent article prior to attaching
the absorbent article to the crotch. The release strip can be
formed from any suitable sheet-like material adheres with
sufficient tenacity to the adhesive to remain in place prior to use
but which can be readily removed when the absorbent article is to
be used. Optionally, a coating may be applied to release strip to
improve the ease of removabilty of the release strip from the
adhesive. Any coating capable of achieving this result may be used,
e.g., silicone.
[0039] Any or all of the cover, absorbent layer, transfer layer,
backsheet layer, and adhesive layers may be colored. Such coloring
includes, but is not limited to, white, black, red, yellow, blue,
orange, green, violet, and mixtures thereof. Color may be imparted
according the present invention through dying, pigmentation, and
printing. Colorants used according the present invention include
dyes and inorganic and organic pigments. The dyes include, but are
not limited to, anthraquinone dyes (Solvent Red 111, Disperse
Violet 1, Solvent Blue 56, and Solvent Green 3), Xanthene dyes
(Solvent Green 4, Acid Red 52, Basic Red 1, and Solvent Orange 63),
azine dyes (Jet black), and the like.
[0040] Inorganic pigments include, but are not limited to, titanium
dioxide (white), carbon black (black), iron oxides (red, yellow,
and brown), chromium oxide (green), ferric ammonium ferrocyanide
(blue), and the like.
[0041] Organic pigments include, but are not limited to diarylide
yellow AAOA (Pigment Yellow 12), diarylide yellow AAOT (Pigment
Yellow 14), phthalocyanine blue (Pigment Blue 15), lithol red
(Pigment Red 49:1), Red Lake C (Pigment Red), and the like.
[0042] The absorbent article may include other known materials,
layers, and additives, such as, foam, net-like material, perfumes,
medicaments or pharmaceutical agents, moisturizers, odor control
agents, and the like. The absorbent article can optionally be
embossed with decorative designs.
[0043] The absorbent article may be packaged as unwrapped absorbent
articles within a carton, box or bag. The consumer withdraws the
ready-to-use article as needed. The absorbent article may also be
individually packaged (each absorbent article encased within an
overwrap).
[0044] Also contemplated herein include asymmetrical and
symmetrical absorbent articles having parallel longitudinal edges,
dog bone- or peanut-shaped, and the like.
[0045] From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can
ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and
without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make
various changes and modifications. Embodiments set forth by way of
illustration are not intended as limitations on the variations
possible in practicing the present invention.
EXAMPLE
[0046] Samples of commercially available pantiliners were compared
to samples of the present invention and samples from the crotch
portion of an undergarment.
[0047] Peak bending stiffness is determined by a test that is
modeled after the ASTM D 4032-82 CIRCULAR BEND PROCEDURE, the
procedure being considerably modified and performed as follows. The
CIRCULAR BEND PROCEDURE is a simultaneous multi-directional
deformation of a material in which one face of a specimen becomes
concave and the other face becomes convex. The CIRCULAR BEND
PROCEDURE gives a force value related to flexural resistance,
simultaneously averaging stiffness in all directions.
[0048] The apparatus necessary for the CIRCULAR BEND PROCEDURE is a
modified Circular Bend Stiffness Tester, having the following
parts:
[0049] 1. A smooth-polished steel plate platform, which is 102.0 mm
by 102.0 by 6.35 mm having an 18.75 mm diameter orifice. The lap
edge of the orifice should be at a 45 degree angle to/ a depth of
4.75 mm;
[0050] 2. A plunger having an overall length of 72.2 mm, a diameter
of 6.25 mm, a ball nose having a radius of 2.97 mm and a
needle-point extending 0.88 mm therefrom having a 0.33 mm base
diameter and a point having a radius of less than 0.5 mm, the
plunger being mounted concentric with the orifice and having equal
clearance on all sides. Note that the needle-point is merely to
prevent lateral movement of the test specimen during testing.
Therefore, if the needle-point significantly adversely affects the
test specimen (for example, punctures an inflatable structure),
than the needle-point should not be used. The bottom of the plunger
should be set well above the top of the orifice plate. From this
position, the downward stroke of the ball nose is to the exact
bottom of the plate orifice;
[0051] 3. A force-measurement gauge and more specifically an
Instron inverted compression load cell. The load cell has a load
range of from about 0.0 to about 2000.0 g;
[0052] 4. An actuator and more specifically the Instron Model No.
1122 having an inverted compression load cell. The Instron 1122 is
made by the Instron Engineering Corporation, Canton, Mass.
[0053] In order to perform the procedure for this test, as
explained below, five representative samples for each article are
necessary. From each of the five samples to be tested, some number
"Y" of 37.5 mm by 37.5 mm test specimens are cut. For
undergarments, the crotch portion was made from at least one layer.
For absorbent articles, test specimens were cut from anterior
portion, the central portion, and the posterior portion. This test
is directed to the overall drapeability of the article and not
merely the peripheral portions thereof and, therefore, the
drapeability of the present invention is more concerned with the
drapeability of the entire article than any specific portion
thereof.
[0054] The test specimens should not be folded or bent by the test
person, and the handling of specimens must be kept to a minimum and
to the edges to avoid affecting flexural-resistance properties.
[0055] The procedure for the CIRCULAR BEND PROCEDURE is as follows.
The specimens are conditioned by leaving them in a room that is
21oC, +/-0.1oC. and 50%, +/- 2.0%, relative humidity for a period
of two hours. The plunger speed is set at 50.0 cm per minute per
full stroke length. A specimen is centered on the orifice platform
below the plunger such that the body facing layer of the specimen
is facing the plunger and the barrier layer of the specimen is
facing the platform. The indicator zero is checked and adjusted, if
necessary. The plunger is actuated. Touching the specimen during
the testing should be avoided. The maximum force reading to the
nearest gram is recorded. The above steps are repeated until all of
the specimens have been tested.
CALCULATIONS
[0056] The peak bending stiffness for each specimen is the maximum
force reading for that specimen. Remember that "Y" number of sets
of five samples were cut. The values received for each specimen
were averaged. The flexural resistance for an article is the
average peak bending stiffnesses for all "Y" specimens taken from
each sample of that article.
1TABLE 1 Average Percent Sample Number Peak Load (grams) Standard
Deviation Commercially Available 2.17 8.91 Underwear Sample 1
Commercially Available 2.83 12.37 Underwear Sample 2 Commercially
Available 4.78 30.57 Underwear Sample 3 Inventive Sample 1 17.07
10.8 Inventive Sample 2 17.56 8.00 Inventive Sample 3 27.58 18.5
Comparative Sample 1 46.21 12.8 Comparative Sample 2 49.56 7.9
Comparative Sample 3 127.02 14.1 Comparative Sample 4 150.87 9.1
Comparative Sample 5 173.26 8.2 Comparative Sample 6 256.58 7.9
Comparative Sample 7 286.72 9.1
[0057] Commercially Available Underwear Sample 1 Hanes Her Way 100%
Nylon with 100% Cotton Crotch (Grey) This article had two crotch
layers, one was nylon and body-facing layer was cotton, which were
not bonded together. Only the body-facing layer was tested.
[0058] Commercially Available Underwear Sample 2 Hanes Her Way 100%
Nylon (black) ribbed crotch. This article had one crotch layer.
[0059] Commercially Available Underwear Sample 3 Fruit of the Loom
100% cotton jersey (cream colored). This article had two crotch
layers, both were cotton. Only layer was tested.
[0060] Inventive Sample 1 having a 75 gsm spunlace body facing
layer made from 75% polyester and 25% rayon (3P075V25P75 from
Spuntech Industries Ltd., Upper Tiberias, Israel) and a 30 gsm
microporous polyethylene backsheet (01030A1-1-1-1-2, FullSafe,
Manila, Philippines).
[0061] Inventive Sample 2 having a 75 gsm spunlace body facing
layer made from 75% polyester and 25% rayon (LBN040, from PGI,
Benson, N.C.) and a 30 gsm microporous polyethylene backsheet
(01030A1-1-1-1-2, FullSafe, Manila, Philippines).
[0062] Inventive Sample 3 having a 55 gsm spunlace body facing
layer made from 35% polyester and 65% rayon (LIDRO 356355--Jacob
Holm Industries S.A.S, Soultz, France), and a three-layer absorbent
core made from three layers (first layer: 10 gsm 100% PET/PE,
second layer: 15 gsm 66% PET/PE/34% rayon and third layer: 15 gsm
66 PET/PE/34% rayon) (JS40-1, Kang Na Hsiuing Enterprise Company,
Ltd., Taipei, Tawain), and a 30 gsm microporous polyethylene
backsheet (01030A1-1-1-1-2, FullSafe, Manila, Philippines).
[0063] Comparative Samples 1-7 were samples of pantiliners
commercially available.
2 Sample number Commercial Product Name (date code) Comparative
Sample 1 Sofy Regular Pantiliner Comparative Sample 2 Sofy
Breathable (00120702123) Comparative Sample 3 Kotex Lightdays
(LF101002C) Comparative Sample 4 Carefree Ultrathins Comparative
Sample 5 Carefree Body Shape (1996M02341) Comparative Sample 6
Carefree (Europe) (1057A) Comparative Sample 7 Procter & Gamble
Alldays Freshweave (0344CA11762040B)
* * * * *