WO1991000719A1

WO1991000719A1 - Sanitary article and process for manufacturing it

Info

Publication number: WO1991000719A1
Application number: PCT/CH1990/000167
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerd W. P. Gerhartl
Original assignee: Flawa Schweizer Verbandstoff- Und Wattefabriken Ag
Priority date: 1989-07-10
Filing date: 1990-07-10
Publication date: 1991-01-24
Also published as: CH681688A5; EP0433417A1

Abstract

A sanitary article contains a layer (1) of absorbent material firmly connected to a layer (2) of resilient material. The side of the layer (2) of resilient material remote from the absorbent layer (1) is provided with a permanent adhesive (3) which is covered by a peel-off strip (4). The side of the absorbent layer (1) remote from the resilient layer (2) is provided with a surface layer (10) which does not adhere to wounds. The material of the absorbent layer (1) is stitched to the material of the resilient layer (2). This article is very absorbent and the individual layers adhere to each other very firmly.

Description

H ^ 9i§rιeart kei_und_Verfahren_zur_Herstel.J.ung_d same

The present invention relates to a hygiene article, in particular a panty liner with at least one absorbent layer, and a method for producing the same.

A panty liner of this type is already known. With this insert, the absorbent layer mainly consists of cellulose flakes. Strands made of a resilient elastic material are embedded in this absorbent layer. These strands form a support insert and they are made of a soft foam plastic. Microporous Wei ch polyethylene is preferred for these purposes. When in use, the entire layer structure is still covered with a covering nonwoven.

The cellulose flakes of this hygiene article are known to have a high absorbency. Despite this undisputed advantage, the known insert has the disadvantage, among other things, that the cellulose flakes collapse when wetted under lumps and hardness. In order to eliminate this disadvantage, the strands of a resilient elastic material are embedded in the layer of the cellulose flakes. However, it should be clear that the resilient strands prevent the assembly cannot prevent the cellulose flakes from sinking. These strands can only prevent the flakes of the insert from forming a single, large lump.

The object of the present invention is to provide a hygiene article which is highly absorbent to water and physiological liquids and in which no lumps can occur.

This object is achieved according to the invention in the hygiene article of the type mentioned at the outset, as defined in the characterizing part of claim 1. The present invention also relates to a method for producing said hygiene article.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. It shows :

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the present hygiene article, which is designed as a panty liner and which consists of several layers, some of the layers above are lifted off and a little folded back and

Fig. 2 in a vertical ^Q uerschnitt a section of the panty liner ge AESS Fig. 1, when the latter in their utility condition.

The flat hygiene article shown in Fig. 1 is designed so that it can absorb water, the body's own liquids and other liquids. Such hygiene articles can be placed directly on the part of the body from which the liquid escapes. On the other hand, such articles can also be used to cover primary bandages when so much body fluid flows from the wound that it emerges from the back of the primary bandage or when it is expected that the liquid will emerge from the back of the bandage. Such an application of the present hygiene article prevents laundry or the like from being contaminated by the escaping liquid. The hygiene article is attached to the inside of the item of laundry covering the body area in question, specifically at the point of the same which lies or is intended to lie over the wound or the like. The hygiene article can also be used as a panty liner.

The hygiene article shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has at least a first, absorbent layer 1. This absorbent layer 1 represents the thickest layer of the present hygiene article and it serves to store the liquid to be absorbed by this article. The thickness of the absorbent layer 1 is partially between 1mm and 10mm and this absorbent layer 1 expediently extends over the entire area of the present article. Loosely carded cotton can form the material of this depot layer 1. The wadding can consist exclusively of cotton or it can be a mixture of different fibers. The cotton wool advantageously consists of 80% cotton or viscose and 20% polyester fibers.

The fibers in the upper region of the absorbent layer 1 are compressed, which can be achieved, for example, by ironing the upper side of the absorbent layer 1. In the compressed upper side of the suction layer 1, elongated and practically parallel to the upper side of the suction layer 1, there are depressions or channels 6 with an approximately V-shaped or U-shaped cross section, which are only in the right section of the article shown in FIG. 1 ¬ are provided. In the example shown, the course of these channels 6 is such that the respective channel 6 reproduces the contour of a butterfly. However, it goes without saying that the channels 6 can also have a different course. For example, they can be straight, wavy, intersecting or similar.

The channels 6 can be created by locally compressing the upper area or the upper layers of the absorbent layer 1, for example by embossing this area. The concentration the fibers in the area of the bottom of the channels 6 is consequently greater than the density of the fibers in the area of the channel walls. The channels 6, since they are designed in the upper area of the suction layer 1, open towards the top of the hygiene article. In contrast, the underside of the fibers forming the bottom of the channel 6 is in direct contact with the fibers in the remaining part of the fibrous absorbent layer 1.

The hygienic article, if it is used, for example, as a panty liner, must, after relieving it in a direction which practically coincides with the direction of the surface thereof, expand in the direction of the relief and in accordance with the degree of the relief, or it must be Under certain circumstances, even restore the original shape so that no gaps can arise between its edge and the body part abutting against this edge. To achieve this, the present hygiene article has a second layer 2, which is made of a resilient material.

In the example shown, the rearmost material 2 forms a coherent layer which extends over the entire surface of the hygiene article. This second layer 2 also serves as a supporting layer for the absorbent layer 1. The shape of the carrier layer 2 essentially determines lent the shape of the hygiene article. If this is to serve as a slip insert, then the carrier layer 2 has an elongated shape. The floor plan of the hygiene article can be square, oval, oblong with rounded or ogival end parts, etc. For other applications, the carrier layer 2 can have a square, circular or polygonal plan. There may be cases in which it is advantageous if the area of the carrier layer 2 is larger (not shown) than the area of the absorbent layer 1. The edge portion of the carrier layer 2 protruding beyond the absorbent layer 1 can then be used for further purposes, such as B. supply agents for attaching additional Befesti¬ or similar exploited who ^'the.

The absorbent layer 1 is attached to one side of the carrier layer 2 and is firmly connected to the carrier layer 2. In the state of use, the absorbent layer 1 of the hygiene article is located on the side of the carrier layer 2 which faces that body point from which the liquid emerges. In this sense, the rearmost support layer 2 is located under or behind the absorbent layer 1 and it covers at least part of the back of the absorbent layer 1.

The return elastic layer 2 is advantageously made of a plastic which is not only resilient but also has the toughness required to carry the absorbent layer 1. In addition, this plastic must not lose its resilience due to permanent exposure to body heat. This plastic advantageously has the structure of a foam. This is advantageous in the present case because foam is permeable to air, which significantly increases the comfort when using such a hygiene article. This carrier layer 2, since the plastic is impermeable to the liquid to be absorbed, can also be used as laundry protection.

If an increased permeability to moisture is required for the support layer 2, then this support layer 2 can be perforated (not shown). However, the size of the holes in the carrier layer or the number thereof is subject to a certain limitation. This is because these openings must not significantly reduce the restoring force of the material of the carrier layer 2. The number of openings and the size thereof are therefore to be selected in accordance with the circumstances of the case in question.

That side of the carrier layer 2 which faces away from the absorbent layer 1 is provided with a layer 3 made of a permanent adhesive. This permanent adhesive 3 is used to attach the hygiene article to the inside of a laundry item. This attachment is intended to prevent the article from moving away from that body. removed from which the liquid to be absorbed emerges. In order for the permanent adhesive 3 to adhere better to the back of the backing layer 2, this back can be slightly digested. This can be achieved, for example, by thermal treatment of this surface of the plastic layer 2.

The permanent adhesive 3 can either cover the entire rear side of the carrier layer 2 or only a certain area thereof. However, it can also only form a strip on the rear side of the carrier layer 2. If only a single strip from the permanent adhesive 3 is present, then this is advantageously located in the region of the longitudinal axis of the article. The width of this strip is advantageously greater than a third of the width of the hygiene article. If the permanent adhesive 3 forms several strips, then it is expedient to arrange them parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hygi enea rti ke Ls and symmetrically to the latter.

The side of the permanent adhesive 3 facing away from the absorbent layer 1 is provided with a release strip 4. This strip 4 can be made of paper, plastic film, fleece or the like. It is a strip which is impregnated with wax, silicone or the like. This release strip 4 adheres only slightly to the outside of the permanent adhesive layer 3 and therefore this strip 4 can be easily removed from the permanent adhesive 3 move away. This usually takes place immediately before the hygiene article is attached to the relevant point on the laundry item or the like. The release strip 4 is intended to protect the surface of the permanent adhesive 3 from dirt on the outside thereof, which could impair the adhesive ability of the permanent adhesive 3.

The article also contains a cover layer 10, which is located on the top or outside of the absorbent layer 1. This cover layer 10 covers the upper side of the absorbent layer 1 and thus also the upper mouths of the elongated recesses 6 in the absorbent layer 1. The cover layer 10 thus forms the upper end of the article and a spacer between the absorbent layer 1 and the relevant skin. or mucous membrane district. One of the tasks of the cover layer 10 is to prevent the absorbent layer 1 from sticking to that part of the body from which the liquid emerges. Furthermore, this cover layer 10 is intended to prevent fibers of the absorbent layer 1 from entering the body opening from which the liquid exits and that fibers of the absorbent layer 1 remain on the edges of the body area after the hygiene article has been removed from this body area . The surface layer 10 is designed in such a way that it is permeable to the liquid to be absorbed and that it does not stick to the part of the body on which it can lie directly. The surface layer 10 can Be fibers that represent at least one layer. These fibers can form a fleece or a fabric.

In the example shown, the surface layer 10 has two layers 11 and 12 (FIG. 2) made of fibers, of which the first layer 11 is located on the outside of the surface layer 10. The second layer 12 is arranged on that side of the surface layer 10 which faces the absorbent layer 1. The layers 11 and 12 are intimately connected to one another so that they cannot be separated from one another. This intimate connection of the layers 11 and 12 consisting of fibers can be achieved, for example, by laminating - nonwoven fabric. In the transition area between such layers 11 and 12 there is a mixture of the fibers of the two types.

The liquid is not stored in the surface layer 10. This is because this layer 10 is very thin, because the materials of the sub-layers 11 and 12 are not wettable by the liquid and because the liquid is in the free space of the upwardly opening channels 6 in the absorbent layer 1 due to the very porous and thin Upper smile layer 10 can reach practically unhindered. The capillary forces also help to draw the liquid into the channels 6 because the width of the channels 6 is very small. The width of the channels 6 can be see 0.25mm and 1mm lie. The depth of these channels 6 are in the same range. In addition, individual fibers of the material of the absorbent layer 1 protrude into the cavity of the eternal channel 6, which are readily wettable by the liquid.

The upper or outer layer 11 of the surface layer 10 mainly contains fibers made of a material, for example polypropylene, which is repellent to the liquid. The density of this cover layer 11 is selected so that the liquid, which may even be viscous under certain circumstances, can pass through this layer 11 without any appreciable resistance being opposed to its passage through the cover layer 11.

The lower or inner layer 12 of the surface layer 10 predominantly contains fibers made of a material, for example of polyethylene, which enables a connection between the fibers of the cover layer 11 of the surface layer 10 and the fibers of the absorbent layer 1. The binding layer 12 thus serves as an adhesion promoter between the polypropylene fibers of the cover layer 11 and the calibrated ⁽ compressed) cotton wool of the suction layer 1.

Because of the strongly compressed upper area of the suction layer 1, in which the fibers mostly parallel to the surface of the suction are layer-oriented and which is therefore only slightly absorbent and permeable to liquid, most of the liquid to be absorbed by the hygiene article will pass through the upper channel openings into the interior of the channels 6. The liquid will reach the bottom of the channels 6 and it fills the respective channel 6. Since the density of the fiber material in the area of the channel floor is relatively large, the liquid cannot seep into the channel floor 4 immediately. For this reason, the liquid in channel 6 quickly flows away from that point where it reaches channel 6 and thereby or thereby spreads evenly over the surface of the hygiene article. Only after the liquid has spread over the surface of the article does it begin to penetrate through the bottom and through the walls of the embossed channels into the loose, fibrous areas of the absorbent layer 1. At the same time, however, the liquid also penetrates into the surface of the absorbent layer 1 in those areas thereof which lie between the channels. However, since these fiber areas are ^' compressed, less liquid penetrates through them into the suction layer 1 than where the channels 6 are located. The horizontal orientation of the fibers in this ironed surface area of the absorbent layer 1 is also conducive to the areal distribution of the liquid to be absorbed.

The hygiene article can be perfumed. You can do this with achieve, for example, that the article contains microencapsulated fragrances. These are advantageously deposited in the suction layer 1, from which they can escape most easily. In addition, the hygiene article can contain odor stopper of a known type or even medicinal preparations.

In the manufacture of the present article, the absorbent layer 1 is first applied to the carrier layer 2. Fastening a cotton layer 1 on a plastic layer 2 normally presents considerable difficulties because such layers are normally connected to one another with the aid of an adhesive. However, this adhesive only holds a thin outer layer of the wadding. As is known, the cohesion in the cotton layer itself is not great, and it therefore happens that the remaining amount of cotton detaches from the bonded cotton layer.

In order to achieve good retention of the entire cotton layer 1 on the carrier layer 2, the absorbent layer 1 is connected to the carrier layer 2 by needling. The wadding layer 1 is placed on the carrier layer 2 and needles (not shown) are repeated into the wadding layer 1 from above and are pierced with a suitable feed. The stroke of the needles is dimensioned such that the needle tip penetrates into the carrier layer 2, but that it does not pass through it. stings. When entering the plastic layer 2, the needle tip takes some cotton fibers with it and presses them into the plastic layer 2. Since the needle repeatedly penetrates the cotton layer 1 from above, it also takes fibers from the upper region of the absorbent layer 1 with it. Consequently, fibers are also drawn into the holes 13 (FIG. 2) in the carrier layer 2, the other end of which lies in the upper region of the absorbent layer 1. In this way, the absorbent layer 1 is anchored in the carrier layer 2 over its entire height.

The top of the absorbent layer 1 can be ironed and / or embossed in order to carry out the channels 6 therein. The surface layer 10 is then applied to the absorbent layer 1. The connection between these two layers 1 and 10 can be achieved using heat, the fibers of the inner layer 11 of the surface layer 10 fusing with the compressed fibers in the upper region of the absorbent layer 1. The formation of the channels 6 in the absorbent layer 1 and the connection of the surface layer 10 with the absorbent layer 1 can, however, also take place in a single production step. The surface layer 10 is placed on the absorbent layer 1 and the cover layer 10 is sealed on the absorbent layer 1 with the aid of an embossing roller and with the application of heat.

On the underside of the foam material 2, the permanent adhesive 3 applied and covered with release strip 4.

The surface layer 10 is produced by bringing together the material of the cover layer 11 and that of the binding layer 12 and by an intimate connection of these layers 11 and 12, for example by lamination. During the manufacturing process, the outside of the cover layer 11 is ironed, which results in a smooth, soft surface of this cover layer 11, which is one of the reasons why the surface layer 10 is not adhesive to the wound.

The material of the surface layer 10 is then heated and placed on the top of the control layer 2, where this surface layer 10 can cool down. In this case, the material of the binding layer 12 and that of the absorbent layer 1 are glued. The materials of the individual layers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10 advantageously form webs which are brought together during the production process and are led into a device where the individual articles are cut out from such a sandwich. This can be done, for example, using the ultrasound technology known per se.

Simultaneously with the detachment of the hygiene article from the web, the edge portions of the individual layers are welded together. A possible rounding of the corners of the hy 16

gienearti ke Is also takes place during the cutting of the same. The articles are softly sealed all around and no fiber particles can escape from them.

The present hygiene article can be used, for example, as a panty liner, sanitary napkin, diaper, incontinence layer or the like, and it can also be used in the medical and cosmetic fields.

Claims

1. Hygiene article, in particular a panty liner, with at least one absorbent layer (1), characterized in that it also has a layer (2) made of a material which is residue and that the absorbent layer ⁽ 1 ⁾ is located on one side of the layer (2) made of a resilient material.

2. Hygiene article according to claim 1, characterized in that the last elastic layer (2) extends over the entire surface of the article and that it is advantageously made of a plastic, which can be a foam.

3. Hygiene article according to claim 1, characterized in that the absorbent layer ⁽ 1) is made of cotton wool.

4. Hygiene article according to claim 1, characterized in that that side of the layer (2) made of a resilient material, which faces away from the absorbent layer (1), is provided with a permanent adhesive (3).

5. Hygiene article according to claim 1, characterized in that that side of the absorbent layer (1) which from the rear l lelas- 18th

table layer (2) facing away, is provided with a surface layer (10).

6. Hygiene article according to claim 5, characterized in that the surface layer (10) is designed as a melt fiber fleece (11, 12) and that this fleece has two fiber components, the fiber of the first component (11) made of polypro pylene and the fibers of the second component are made of polyethylene ⁽ 12).

7. Hygiene article according to claim 4, characterized in that the resilient layer. (2) facing away from the permanent adhesive (3) with a release strip (4) i st.

8. The method for producing the hygiene article according to claim 1, characterized in that the material of the absorbent layer (1) is needled with the material of the resilient layer (2).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the surface layer (10) is connected by embossing and under the action of heat to the uppermost layer of the absorbent layer (1),

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the is provided by the absorbent layer ⁽¹⁾ facing away from the side rückstellelasti¬ rule layer (2) with the permanent adhesive (3) and this with the release strip (4).