U.S. patent application number 10/594072 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-16 for disposable hygiene article.
Invention is credited to Carsten Wendelstorf.
Application Number | 20070191799 10/594072 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34963332 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070191799 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wendelstorf; Carsten |
August 16, 2007 |
Disposable hygiene article
Abstract
The invention relates to a disposable hygiene article comprising
an absorbing element component (12) which is used for storing body
liquids and can also contain superabsorbent materials. The
absorbing element component (12) is provided with a first area (18,
20), an absorbent material of which has a mass per unit area that
increases towards the lateral edges in the transversal direction
(16) of the hygiene article. The storage capacity of a section (44)
which extends along 20 to 100 percent of the length of the
absorbing element component (12) in the longitudinal direction (14)
is substantially constant relative to the longitudinal direction
(14).
Inventors: |
Wendelstorf; Carsten;
(Koblenz, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DREISS, FUHLENDORF, STEIMLE & BECKER
POSTFACH 10 37 62
D-70032 STUTTGART
DE
|
Family ID: |
34963332 |
Appl. No.: |
10/594072 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
March 31, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP05/03397 |
371 Date: |
September 25, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/374 ;
604/368; 604/385.28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 13/532
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/374 ;
604/368; 604/385.28 |
International
Class: |
A61F 13/15 20060101
A61F013/15 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 3, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 016 552.1 |
Claims
1-25. (canceled)
26. A disposable hygiene article having an absorbing element
component for storing body liquids, which may contain
superabsorbent materials, the absorbing element component
comprising: a first area having a mass per unit area of absorbent
material that increases in a transverse direction towards side
edges of the hygiene article, wherein a storage capacity of a
section extending in a longitudinal direction over 20 to 100% of a
length of the absorbing element component is substantially constant
along said longitudinal direction.
27. The hygiene article of claim 26, wherein said section of
constant storage capacity extends over 30 to 90%, 40 to 70%, or 45
to 60% of a length of the absorbing element component.
28. The hygiene article of claim 26, wherein the absorbing element
component further comprises a second area having a mass per unit
area of absorbent material which increases from a rear and/or front
area of the hygiene article towards a crotch area thereof.
29. The hygiene article of claim 26, wherein said first area of
increasing mass per unit area of absorbent material increases in
said transverse direction by 30 to 200%, 30 to 150%, or by 50 to
120%.
30. The hygiene article of claim 28, wherein said second area of
increasing mass per unit area of absorbent material of has a mass
per unit area increase in said longitudinal direction of 50 to
500%, 50 to 400% or 100 to 350%.
31. The hygiene article of claim 28, wherein a maximum mass per
unit area of said second area of increasing mass per unit area is
larger than a maximum mass per unit area of said first area of
increasing mass per unit area.
32. The hygiene article of claim 26, wherein said first area of
increasing mass per unit area is separated from a center of a
crotch area of the hygiene article.
33. The hygiene article of claim 32, wherein two said first areas
are provided, which are separated from a center of the crotch area
of the hygiene article.
34. The hygiene article of claim 26, wherein said first area or a
line of maximum mass per unit area of said first area extends in
said longitudinal direction on both sides of the hygiene article
over at least 15% of a length of the absorbing element
component.
35. The hygiene article of claim 34, wherein said first area or a
line of maximum mass per unit area of said first area extends in
said longitudinal direction on both sides along side edge areas of
the hygiene article.
36. The hygiene article of claim 28, wherein said first area of
increasing mass per unit area in said transverse direction and said
second area of increasing mass per unit area in said longitudinal
direction are disposed in direct abutment to or overlapping with
each other.
37. The hygiene article of claim 26, wherein a width of the
absorbing element component starting from a rear and/or front area
of the hygiene article is reduced towards a crotch area.
38. The hygiene article of claim 26, wherein the absorbing element
component is compressed to a substantially uniform thickness.
39. The hygiene article of claim 26, wherein areas of increasing
mass per unit area also form areas of increasing density.
40. The hygiene of claim 26, wherein the absorbing element
component comprises at least two absorbing element layers.
41. The hygiene of claim 40, wherein an absorbing element component
has a substantially uniform mass per unit area.
42. The hygiene article of claim 26, wherein the absorbing element
component has an absorbing element layer comprising cross-linked
cellulose fibers.
43. The hygiene of claim 26, wherein the hygiene article further
comprises cuff elements extending substantially in a longitudinal
direction and elevated at least in certain areas, said cuff
elements forming lateral outlet barriers and being fixed at least
along a cuff bottom line on a side of the article facing a user's
body.
44. The hygiene article of claim 43, wherein said cuff elements are
guided at varying separations between cuff bottom lines.
45. The hygiene article of claim 43, wherein said first area of
larger mass per unit area comprises at least one partial area in
which a mutual separation between said cuff bottom lines is larger
than outside of said partial area.
46. The hygiene article of claim 45, wherein said partial area is
disposed outside of a central longitudinal section of the hygiene
article and at a separation from a center of a crotch area of the
hygiene article.
47. The hygiene article of claim 43, wherein said cuff elements are
guided such that said cuff bottom lines are disposed at a maximum
separation from each other in said longitudinal direction.
48. The hygiene article of claim 47, wherein said maximum
separation is entirely within a portion of said first area.
49. The hygiene article of claim 47, wherein said maximum
separation between said cuff bottom lines is disposed in a front
area and/or a rear area of the hygiene article.
50. The hygiene article of claim 26, wherein the absorbing element
component comprises a mixture of fibers and particulate
superabsorbent materials.
Description
[0001] The invention concerns a disposable hygiene article,
comprising an absorbing element component which stores body liquids
and may also contain superabsorbent materials.
[0002] A hygiene article with an absorbent material, the mass per
unit area of which increases in an area in the transverse direction
towards the side edges, is described in patent application DE 103
26 022.6 of the Assignee which was not previously published.
[0003] The crotch area of hygiene articles of the above-mentioned
type, i.e. in particular baby diapers, incontinence diapers and
pants, absorbent liners, as well as sanitary towels and panty
liners, is problematic in that sufficient absorptive capacity must
be provided, but the space between the legs of the user is limited.
An excessive amount of voluminous absorbing element material in the
crotch area is unpleasant for the user, and the material may twist
and warp which impairs the function of the hygiene article. For
this reason, it has been proposed to provide a maximum amount of
superabsorbent, particulate materials in the crotch area, which
have a high permanent storage capacity and a very small initial
volume in the dry state, as is known per se and requires no further
description. The above-mentioned document DE 103 26 022.6 also
teaches displacement of the suction capacity from the crotch area
towards the front and rear areas.
[0004] It is the underlying purpose of the present invention to
provide a hygiene article having an optimum absorption capacity
distribution, which is nevertheless comfortable for the user.
[0005] This object is achieved in a disposable hygiene article,
with which the absorbing element component has a first area with an
absorbent material mass per unit area in this absorbing element
component, which increases in the transverse direction of the
hygiene article towards the side edges, wherein the storage
capacity of a section extending in the longitudinal direction
through 20 to 100% of the length of the absorbing element component
is substantially constant in that longitudinal direction.
[0006] In accordance with the invention, an absorbing element
component has an increasing mass per unit area and therefore an
increasing storage capacity of an absorbent material in the
transverse direction in at least one first area. The invention also
proposes design of the absorbing element component in such a manner
that it is optionally tapered in the crotch area (hour glass shape)
and still has a substantially constant storage capacity in the
longitudinal direction at least over a certain section length. In
accordance with the invention, it has turned out that a rather
uniform distribution of the storage capacity in the longitudinal
direction of the hygiene article, especially for tapering absorbing
element components, is accompanied by good comfort of wear, which
again has a positive effect on the usage properties of the overall
hygiene article, since the hygiene article and its absorbing
element components are less deformed or displaced.
[0007] An absorbing element component as mentioned above means an
entire absorbing element of a subject hygiene article, a layer of a
multi-layer absorbing element, or a three-dimensional component
thereof. Storage capacity as mentioned above means the capacity for
permanent storage of liquids within absorbing element materials,
the capacity being determined and defined by the retention capacity
in a centrifugal test, as is explained in detail below.
[0008] The above-mentioned section length of between 20 and 100% of
the length of the observed absorbing element component is
determined by a comparison of the storage capacity between
longitudinal sections of the hygiene article, the absorbing
element, or the absorbing element component. The absorbing element
or absorbing element component is thereby disposed on a flat
support and divided into longitudinal sections in the longitudinal
direction, in particular, of a length of 5 to 40 mm and preferably
into longitudinal sections of a length of approximately 20 mm. The
storage capacity of each longitudinal section of the absorbing
element or the absorbing element components is then experimentally
determined and/or calculated for comparison purposes.
[0009] A centrifugal test is used to determine the storage
capacity. The liquid retention of absorbent materials is thereby
determined at a defined acceleration of 276 g (g=9.81 m/sec.sup.2)
after a centrifuging time of 4 min. This centrifugal test can be
used to determine the storage capacity of any absorbent structures
or any components of absorbent structures, such as fibers of a
certain type, e.g. fluffed cellulose fibers, internally
cross-linked cellulose fibers, or superabsorbent materials. Towards
this end, the initial mass of a sample is determined using
precision scales. The sample is then immersed for 20 min into a
99.5% NaCl solution (neither dyed nor denatured: in demineralized
water).
[0010] The samples are then disposed against the drum wall of a
centrifuge. If liquid-impermeable materials are present (such as
backsheet foils), these are radially inwardly adjusted in order not
to obstruct escaping liquid. The samples are then centrifuged at
276 g for 4 minutes and re-weighed.
[0011] The liquid retention and therefore the storage capacity can
be determined in grams as the difference between the determined
masses subsequent to the centrifugal test (M.sub.wet) and prior to
the centrifugal test (M.sub.dry): Liquid
retention=M.sub.wet-M.sub.dry (in g)
[0012] The result can also be expressed relative to the masses (in
g/g) as Liquid retention (relative)= M wet - M dry M dry
##EQU1##
[0013] The result is rounded to an integer number, and stated in g
or g/g. The test number should be at least 6, wherein an average
value x, x.sub.min and x.sub.max and preferably also the standard
deviation S are determined.
[0014] In a particularly advantageous fashion, the storage capacity
of the absorbent materials used for an absorbing element is
determined in the above-mentioned fashion. The storage capacity of
this absorbing element area can then be determined via the mass per
unit area, i.e. considering or taking as a base the mass per unit
area of a respective absorbent material in an absorbing element
area. In this fashion, it is possible to state any storage capacity
profile of an absorbing element or an absorbing element component
for any region or direction.
[0015] For further definition of the inventive idea, the section of
constant storage capacity extends in the longitudinal direction
over 30 to 90%, in particular 40 to 70%, and moreover, in
particular 45 to 60%, of the length of the respective absorbing
element component. This section will advantageously substantially
be in the crotch area of the hygiene article, i.e. in the area
between the legs of the user.
[0016] In a further particularly advantageous fashion, an absorbing
element component has a second area with a mass per unit area of an
absorbing material of this absorbing element component, which
increases from the back and/or front area of the hygiene article
towards the crotch area. This takes into account that, when viewing
bordering longitudinal sections, tapered absorbing elements have a
smaller surface due to the tapering, which would reduce the storage
capacity in the tapered region for constant mass per unit area
(from section to section). Since the mass per unit area of an
absorbent material of the absorbing element component increases in
the second area towards the crotch area which is, in particular,
tapered, the storage capacity in the longitudinal direction can be
kept substantially constant. When the storage capacities of
absorbing element components in bordering longitudinal sections of
a hygiene article or absorbing element of a length of 10 mm are
compared, a deviation of up to .+-.15% is regarded as being
substantially constant in accordance with the invention. The
deviation is preferably less than 10%.
[0017] To state the inventive idea more precisely, the first area
of increasing mass per unit area of an absorbent material of an
absorbing element component increases in the transverse direction
by 30 to 200%, in particular 30 to 150% and preferentially 50 to
120%.
[0018] The second area of increasing mass per unit area of an
absorbent material of the absorbing element component increases in
the longitudinal direction by 50 to 500%, in particular 50 to 400%,
and preferentially by 100 to 350%.
[0019] In another advantageous fashion, the maximum mass per unit
area of the second area of increasing mass per unit area is larger
than the maximum mass per unit area of the first area of increasing
mass per unit area. This also takes into account strong tapering in
accordance with the invention.
[0020] The first area of increasing mass per unit area in the
transverse direction must not necessarily be disposed in the crotch
area of the hygiene article. Since the absorbing element or
absorbing element component is intentionally tapered in the crotch
area, this first area of increasing mass per unit area is
advantageously separated from a center of the crotch area of the
hygiene article. It may, in particular, be outside of the crotch
area in a front area and/or a rear area of the hygiene article.
[0021] The crotch area is usually that area of a hygiene article
which is disposed between the legs of a user during use. The center
of the crotch area of a hygiene article can be determined by
disposing an elastic thread or rubber band in the shape of an eight
about the legs of a user standing upright or a baby lying on a flat
support, such that the thread or band crosses at one point between
the legs. This crossing point is defined as the center of the
crotch area of the hygiene article during proper use. It is
difficult to exactly define a natural delimitation between the
crotch area and front area or rear area of the hygiene article.
However, in order to obtain a quantitative delimitation, the crotch
area is defined as that area of the hygiene article which extends
from the center of the crotch area through 25% of the overall
length of the absorbing element towards the front, and through 25%
of the overall length of the absorbing element towards the rear of
the hygiene article and merges into the front area and rear area,
respectively at these locations.
[0022] In a further development of the latter inventive idea, two
first areas of increasing mass per unit area are advantageously
provided in a transverse direction and are separated from the
center of the crotch area of the hygiene article in a longitudinal
direction, i.e. in particular, in the front area or rear area of
the hygiene article.
[0023] The first area or a line of maximum mass per unit area of
the first area advantageously extends on both sides of the hygiene
article over at least 15% of the length of the absorbing element
component in the longitudinal direction. When viewing the absorbing
element or absorbing element component from the top, strip-like
first areas may in this case extend on both sides in the
longitudinal direction. These strip-like areas may moreover
preferably extend along side edge areas of the hygiene article,
thereby forming a type of flank or flanking outlet protection.
[0024] In a particularly advantageous fashion, a first area of
increasing mass per unit area extending in the transverse direction
and a second area of increasing mass per unit area extending in the
longitudinal direction directly abut or overlap each other. This is
the case when the respective areas effectively merge due to the
absorbing element topography.
[0025] As mentioned above, in a particularly advantageous variant
of the invention, the width of the absorbing element component
decreases from the rear and/or front area of the hygiene article
towards the crotch area and the respective absorbing element
component and, in particular, the overall absorbing element is
tapered or has the shape of an hour glass or is T-shaped.
[0026] The increase in absorbent material of an absorbing element
component as required in accordance with the invention can be
realized in a particularly simple fashion through accumulation of
the respective material. Corresponding shapes may thereby be used
as negative molds, which then yield an absorbing element topography
in correspondence with the increase in mass per unit area during
production of the absorbing element or absorbing element component.
Departing from such an absorbing element topography of
substantially uniform density, the absorbing element or the
respective absorbing element component may advantageously be
subsequently compressed to a substantially uniform thickness after
producing the topography. The areas of increasing mass per unit
area also advantageously form areas of increasing density.
[0027] An inventive absorbing element component may comprise at
least two absorbing element layers, wherein one of the absorbing
element layers has a substantially uniform mass per unit area, i.e.
has a constant uniform mass per unit area in the longitudinal and
transverse directions. This layer may, in particular, be a basic or
ground mat or a distributing layer facing the body.
[0028] The absorbing element component moreover advantageously has
an absorbing element layer comprising cross-linked cellulose
fibers. Cross-linked cellulose fibers swell elastically, in
particular, in the wet state. They retain a large pore volume which
is necessary for rapid absorption of liquid, and are not
susceptible to "wet collapse". For this reason, they are suited for
use as liquid-receiving and liquid-distributing layers of absorbent
structures of hygiene articles which face the body.
[0029] In a further embodiment of the invention, the hygiene
article advantageously comprises cuff elements which are upright at
least in some areas, extend substantially in one longitudinal
direction, are fixed at least along one cuff bottom line on the
side of the article facing the body, and form lateral outlet
barriers. "Cuff elements" are barrier or lateral outlet protection
elements which are known per se and mostly comprise an elastifying
component which causes the cuff elements to rise and abut against
the surface of the user's skin during use.
[0030] These cuff elements moreover advantageously extend with
varying (transverse) separations between the cuff bottom lines. In
a further embodiment of this inventive idea, the first area of
larger mass per unit area (in the transverse direction) has at
least one partial area where the mutual separation between the cuff
bottom lines is larger than outside of this partial area. In
accordance with the invention, the cuff elements can be guided with
varying separations between the cuff bottom lines, such that they
have a larger separation from each other in a rear area, i.e.
usually outside of a crotch area of the hygiene article, which
produces a larger surface for receiving liquid. When, due to rapid
liquid load, the liquid is distributed on the surface of the
hygiene article, i.e. between the upright cuff elements, the
receiving surface is advantageously as large as possible to ensure
rapid liquid absorption. This means, however, that the cuff
elements and the pockets formed thereby to receive body liquids,
reach the vicinity of the absorbing element edge, where the
absorption capacity is probably insufficient, or sufficient sealing
or receiving capacity is not ensured due to the interaction with
the edge of the absorbing element. The cuff elements are moreover
connected to the materials of the hygiene article in such a manner
that they disadvantageously enhance capillary liquid transport
towards the edges of the hygiene article unless sufficient
absorption capacity is provided at these locations. The present
invention has shown that, by increasing the mass per unit area of
an absorbent material of the absorbing element component at that
location where the separation between the cuff bottom lines is
larger than at another location, the liquid receiving
characteristic of the hygiene article during use can be improved
and its susceptibility to malfunction reduced.
[0031] The above-mentioned partial area is preferably disposed
outside of a central longitudinal section of the hygiene article
and at a separation from the center of the crotch area. It is
shifted from the center of the crotch area towards the front area
and/or the rear area.
[0032] The above-mentioned cuff elements are preferably guided in
the longitudinal direction to have a maximum separation from each
other. This maximum advantageously lies completely within the
above-mentioned partial area of the first area of larger mass per
unit area (in the transverse direction).
[0033] The maximum or the maxima of the separation between the cuff
bottom lines is/are moreover advantageously located in a front area
and/or rear area of the hygiene article.
[0034] The above-mentioned absorbing element component
advantageously comprises a mixture of fibers and particulate
superabsorbent materials.
[0035] Further features, advantages and details of the inventive
hygiene article can be extracted from the enclosed claims, the
drawing, and the following description of a preferred embodiment of
the invention.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a "negative" mold of an
inventive absorbing element topography which can be formed by
introducing or disposing the absorbing element materials into this
"negative" mold with substantially uniform density;
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a top view of an absorbing element which is
formed using the "negative" mold of FIG. 1;
[0038] FIGS. 3, 4 show the given storage capacity in longitudinal
sections;
[0039] FIG. 5 (schematically) shows a top view of an inventive
hygiene article; and
[0040] FIG. 6 shows a section through the hygiene article of FIG.
5.
[0041] The substantially rectangular area of the mold designated
with 1 in FIG. 1 designates the extension of a ground mat of
fluffed cellulose fibers of a uniform mass per unit area. The areas
of the mold designated with reference numerals 2 through 7 form a
three-dimensional volume, i.e. a topography, for the inventive
design of an absorbing element component 12. The inventive
absorbing element component 12 may e.g. be obtained by introducing
a, per se, homogeneous mixture of fluffed cellulose fibers and
superabsorbent particulate materials into the areas 2 through 7 of
the mold. Depending on the depth of the mold in the Z-direction,
the absorbing element component 12 has a more or less large mass
per unit area of the absorbent material forming the absorbing
element component 12.
[0042] Considering e.g. the areas 2 and 3, starting from a
longitudinal center line 14 (extending in the longitudinal
direction Y), and their transition to areas 5 and 6 (in the
transverse direction 16), one can see that the mass per unit area
of the absorbent material of the absorbing element component 12 in
the transverse direction increases on both sides towards the side
edges of the absorbing element component 12. This can be
correspondingly observed starting from area 4 in the transverse
direction 16 at the transition to areas 5, 6.
[0043] The absorbing element component 12 therefore has two first
areas 18, 20 with increasing mass per unit area of the absorbent
material of this absorbing element component in the transverse
direction 16 towards the side edges.
[0044] The mass per unit area of the absorbent material of the
absorbing element component 12 also increases in the longitudinal
direction 14 starting from a rear area 22 and a front area 24
towards a crotch area 26. This increase in mass per unit area of
the absorbing element component 12 starts at an edge 28, facing the
crotch area 26, of the area 2 in the rear area 22 and at an edge 30
of the area 2 in the front area 24 without considering the ground
mat 10. The area between the edges 28 and 30 is therefore called
second area 32 of increasing mass per unit area of an absorbing
material of the absorbing element component 12 in the longitudinal
direction 14 towards the crotch area 26.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows a top view of an absorbing element produced
using the mold of FIG. 1 in a manner described in connection
therewith, and the above-mentioned ground mat 10, the absorbing
element component 12 and additionally a distributing layer 40
facing the body, which has an hour glass shape and covers
approximately the parts of the three-dimensional structure of the
absorbing element component 12, which corresponds to the areas 3
through 7. The illustrated absorbing element has a ground mat 10
having a uniform mass per unit area, an absorbing element component
12, shown herein as three-dimensional topology, and a distributing
layer 40, also having a uniform mass per unit area. In the present
case, which is only an example, the ground mat 10 consists of
fluffed natural cellulose fibers, the absorbing element component
12 consists of a homogeneous mixture of natural fluffed cellulose
fibers and superabsorbent particulate materials (SAP), and the
distributing layer 40 consists of internally cross-linked cellulose
fibers.
[0046] FIG. 2 shows a subdivision of the absorbing element into 21
longitudinal sections 42, i.e. sections of a length of
approximately 20 mm abutting one another in the longitudinal
direction 14.
[0047] The absorbing element component 12 is designed to have a
substantially constant storage capacity in the longitudinal
direction 14 over at least 20% of the length of the absorbing
element component 12. The longitudinal sections 42 (sectors 01 to
21) are thereby used, whose storage capacity is determined as
mentioned above.
[0048] The following table shows the mass per unit areas of an
exemplary and preferred absorbing element composition in each area
1 through 7 of the topology of FIG. 1. It shows the mass per unit
areas of natural fluffed cellulose fibers ("fluff") or internally
cross-linked cellulose fibers of the distributing layer 40 ("CF")
and the mass per unit areas of superaborbent particle materials
("SAP"), each in g/m.sup.2. TABLE-US-00001 G/m.sup.2 Fluff CF SAP
Level 1 136 0 0 Level 2 289 0 211 Level 3 367 215 327 Level 4 382
215 340 Level 5 395 0 352 Level 6 444 215 425 Level 7 708 215
789
[0049] The applicant has determined the retention value of the used
superabsorbent materials, the internally cross-linked cellulose
fibers ("CF"), and the natural fluffed cellulose fibers ("fluff").
The retention value for fluffed natural cellulose fibers and
internally cross-linked cellulose fibers was 1 g/g and for the
superabsorbent materials 30 g/g in accordance with the
above-mentioned method. From these values, we can calculate the
storage capacity available in any longitudinal section 42 (sectors
1 through 21) thereby taking into consideration the area or volume
portions of the respective areas 1 through 7. The result is shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0050] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the storage capacity (in g of the
storable liquid) in the form of a table and diagram. The ground mat
10 and the distributing layer 40 were taken into consideration in
the values which are slightly higher in FIG. 4 and the associated
table.
[0051] The storage capacity in a section 44 of the absorbing
element component which comprises sectors 3 through 14 of the
longitudinal sections 42, is substantially constant over the
longitudinal sections 42, i.e. in the longitudinal direction
14.
[0052] FIG. 5 finally shows a schematic top view and FIG. 6 shows a
sectional view of an inventive hygiene article 50 in the form of a
diaper. The hygiene article 50 comprises a liquid-impermeable
backsheet 52 facing away from the body, and a liquid-permeable
topsheet 54 with an intermediate absorbing element 56, which
comprises the above-described ground mat 10, absorbing element
component 12 and distributing layer 40. The schematic view of FIG.
5 shows the topography of the absorbing element component 12
according to FIG. 2. It also shows lateral liquid barriers,
so-called upright cuff elements 58 with elastification elements 60
at the distal end. These conventional cuff elements 58 are
connected to the chassis materials, usually to a non-woven
component of the topsheet 54 and/or to a further cover layer
component 64 along a cuff bottom line 62. The reference numeral 66
in FIG. 5 indicates the distal end of the cuff elements 58. The
illustration of FIG. 5 shows a varying separation 68 between the
cuff bottom lines 62, i.e. in the transverse direction 16 of the
hygiene article 50 along the longitudinal direction 14. The
separation between the cuff bottom lines in the longitudinal
direction of the hygiene article passes through two maxima, and the
maxima overlap the respective first area 18, 20 of increasing mass
per unit area of an absorbent component in the transverse direction
16. A high absorption capacity in the absorbing element edge region
is thereby ensured in regions of maximum separation 68 between the
cuff bottom lines 62. These first regions 18, 20 of increasing mass
per unit area in the transverse direction extend approximately like
strips in the side edge regions of the absorbing element 56. They
form approximately the legs of the letter "H" or "X", as viewed
from the top, wherein in the present case, the mass per unit area
of the absorbent material does not increase in the transverse
direction of the hygiene article in the crotch area or at least in
the area bordering the center of the crotch area.
* * * * *