KR20000048503A - Absorbent article with finger pockets - Google Patents

Abstract

The absorbent article includes a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet coupled to the liquid permeable topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article also includes a fixture coupled to the backsheet, wherein the non-fixing portion moves freely from the backsheet to form an opening. The person wearing the diaper may insert a finger into the opening to control at least a portion of the absorbent article while the diaper is worn on or removed from the wearer.

Description

Absorbent product with finger pocket {ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH FINGER POCKETS}

Infants and incontinents often wear absorbent products, such as diapers, to receive and retain urine and other body waste. Absorbent products perform both the function of receiving the released material and of separating it from bedding and clothing. Disposable absorbent articles with many different designs are known in the art. For example, US Patent No. Re. Entitled “Disposable Diapers” issued to Duncan and Baker on January 31, 1967. 26,152 discloses a widely used and commercially successful absorbent diaper. U.S. Patent No. 3,863,003 entitled "Shrinkable Lateral Sides for Disposable Diapers" issued to Buell on January 14, 1975, and "Pre-arranged to Buell et al. On September 29, 1992. US Pat. No. 5,151,092, entitled "Absorbent Product with Dynamic Elastic Waist Features with Elastic Flexible Hinges," discloses a commercially successful improved disposable diaper.

Despite the improvements made in absorbent garments, such garments are often difficult to properly secure around the wearer. In particular, when the wearer moves or the wearer wears himself, proper fixing becomes a problem. In this case, only one hand can hold the garment around the wearer and fix the garment. Moreover, the wearer himself wearing the garment is difficult to find the direction of the fastening system, and such physical limitations make it almost impossible to wear the garment without assistance. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an absorbent article with improved structure that assists in reducing the difficulty associated with properly wearing the garment to the wearer.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article having a structure that can be more easily worn by the wearer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article with finger loops or pockets that can reduce the difficulty associated with wearing such garments to the wearer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper, with low cost means to reduce the difficulty associated with wearing such garments to the wearer.

These and other objects of the present invention can be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to a front waist region, a rear waist region, a crotch region located between the front waist region and the rear waist region, a longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a pair of opposite end edges, and an end edge generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline. An absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges in between. Preferably, the absorbent article includes a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet associated with the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The backsheet has a bodyside surface adjacent to at least a portion of the absorbent core and an opposing garment side surface. The finger pocket is located on the garment-side surface of the backsheet, and the finger pocket includes a fixture and an unfixed portion. Preferably, the fastening portion is coupled to the backsheet and the non-fixing portion is preferably freely moved from the backsheet to provide an opening, wherein the person wearing the diaper slides a finger into the opening to control at least a portion of the absorbent article. The diaper is worn or removed to the wearer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to absorbent garments with finger pockets, and more particularly to disposable absorbent garments such as diapers with finger pockets or loops to assist in wearing the garment around the wearer.

1 is a plan view of an absorbent article including a finger pocket of an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an absorbent article including a finger pocket of the present invention;

3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an absorbent article including a finger pocket of another embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an absorbent article including a finger pocket of another embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an absorbent article including a finger pocket of another embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an absorbent article including a finger pocket of another embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a garment product including a finger pocket of another embodiment of the present invention,

8 is a perspective view of one method of making a finger pocket of one embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a perspective view of one method of making a finger pocket of another embodiment of the present invention;

10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing the hand of a person wearing a diaper when the garment is worn to the wearer.

In the present specification, the term "absorbent article" refers to a product that absorbs and receives body discharges, and more specifically, to absorb and receive various discharges discharged from the wearer's body. It is placed close to or close to the body. Typically, absorbent products differ depending on whether they are reusable or disposable. "Disposable" refers to a product that is discarded after one use (ie, disposable is used to describe an absorbent product that cannot be reused as an absorbent product, whether washed or otherwise restored to its original state). Preferably, the absorbent article of the present invention is a disposable absorbent article. In addition, absorbent articles are defined according to whether they are "unitary" where no separate adjustment parts are needed, or include elements of a diaper system such as separate holders and liners. The absorbent article of the present invention is preferably integral. One preferred embodiment of the unitary disposable absorbent article of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. As used herein, the term "diaper" refers to garments worn by infants and incontinents around the lower body. However, the present invention is applicable to other disposable absorbent products such as incontinent briefs, oral absorbent inserts, disposable training pants, belt diapers, diaper holders, sanitary napkins, as well as apparel products or other products worn on the wearer. You should understand that.

1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a diaper 20 in an unfolded and non-contracted state (ie, no shrinkage pull by all elasticity), with a portion of the structure more clearly showing the undercarriage of the diaper 20 Part of the diaper 20, which is partially cut away, is in contact with the wearer towards the viewer. The diaper 20 is shown having a front waist region 36, a rear waist region 38 and a crotch region 37 located between the front waist region 36 and the rear waist region 38. In general, the waist region includes a portion of the diaper 20 that surrounds the wearer's waist when worn. The waist region may include elastic elements or other means for shrinking and extending around the wearer's waist to improve fit and retention. The crotch region 37 is a portion located between the front waist region 36 and the rear waist region 38 when the diaper 20 is worn and located approximately between the wearer's legs.

Preferably, the diaper 20 includes a liquid permeable topsheet 22, a liquid impermeable backsheet 24, and an absorbent core 26, preferably positioned between the topsheet 22 and the backsheet 24. Include. Preferably, the absorbent core 26 has a garment side surface opposite the wearer and a body side surface generally in contact with the wearer. Preferably, the diaper 20 also includes at least one finger pocket 50 that can be used to help wear the diaper 20 to the wearer. In addition, the diaper 20 is known in the art and has a better fit, retention, including other features including leg cuffs 28, front and rear ear panels 30, waist features 32, elastomers, and the like. It may also provide sexual and aesthetic characteristics. These additional features are described in US Pat. No. 3,860,003 entitled “Shrinkable Sides for Disposable Diapers” issued to Buell on January 14, 1975, and to Buell et al. On September 29, 1992. US Pat. No. 5,151,092, entitled "Absorbent Product with Dynamic Elastic Waist Features with Prepositioned Elastic Flexible Hinge." Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference.

In a preferred embodiment of the diaper 20 where the length and width dimensions of the backsheet 24 are generally greater than the length and width dimensions of the absorbent core 26, the backsheet 24 extends beyond the edge of the absorbent core 260. To define the periphery of the absorbent article, the periphery defining the outer periphery, ie the edge of the diaper 20. The perimeter includes a longitudinal edge 42 and an end edge 44. As shown in Fig. 1, The topsheet 22 may extend the same as the backsheet 24 along the longitudinal edge 42 as well as the end edge 44 of the diaper 20.

The absorbent core 26 can be made of any absorbent material that is flexible, soft to the touch, harmless to the wearer's skin, and can absorb and retain liquids and certain body discharges. The absorbent core 26 can be manufactured in a wide range of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, hourglass, symmetrical, etc.) and is a wide range of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles, commonly referred to as air felts. Can be made into pulverized wood pulp. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include creped cellulose wort, absorbent foam, absorbent sponge, superabsorbent polymer, absorbent gelling material, or all equivalents and combinations of these materials. The overall absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 26 should be suitable for the required use of the diaper 20. Moreover, the absorbent capacity and configuration of the absorbent core 26 may be adapted to suit the wearer from infant to adult (ie, the absorbent core may have various calipers, or hydrophilicity, maternal difference, low density regions, or With or without an absorbent gelling material).

The absorbent core 26 is a layer of absorbent material composed of hydrophilic fibers and particles of absorbent gelling material (hydrogel), e.g. September 9, 1986. Paul T. Wiseman and Steven A. It may also include an absorbent structure disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,610,678 entitled “High Density Absorbing Structure” to Steven A. Goldman. This specification is incorporated by reference. Preferred embodiments of the absorbent core 26 are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,234,423 entitled "Elastic Waist Feature and Absorbent Product with Improved Absorbency," issued to Alemany et al. On August 10, 1993; US Pat. No. 5,217,445, entitled “Absorbent Structure Containing Web of Superabsorbent Materials and Wet Layer Reinforcing Fibers,” issued to Young et al. On June 8, 1993, which is herein incorporated by reference. Quote for reference. Other exemplary absorbent cores useful in the present invention are described in US Pat. No. 5,124,188, entitled "Porous Absorbent Polymer Microporous Structures and Methods for Making It," issued June 23, 1992 to Roe et al. US Pat. No. 5,137,537, entitled "Absorbent Structure Containing Individual Polykixic Acid Crosslinked Wood Pulp Cellulose Fibers," issued to Herron et al., Dated 11, and Berg, dated January 19, 1993. US Pat. No. 5,180,622 entitled " Intrinsic Particle Crosslinked Mixtures ", to " absorbent foam materials for aqueous body liquids ", issued November 9, 1993 to DesMarais et al., US Pat. No. 5,260,345, entitled "Absorbent Product Containing This Substance," and Polty, dated June 16, 1987. Paul T. Wiseman, Down Eye. Dawn I. Houghton and Dale A. Absorbent products with US Pat. No. 4,673,402 entitled "Absorbent Products with Double Layer Cores" issued to Dale A. Gellert and "Rapid Capture Multilayer Absorbent Cores, published July 23, 1992." International Application Publication No. WO 92/11830 entitled ". All of these patents and publications are incorporated herein by reference.

The topsheet 22 is preferably flexible, soft to the touch, and harmless to the wearer's skin. Moreover, the topsheet 22 is liquid permeable which allows the liquid to pass easily through its thickness. Suitable topsheets 22 include porous foams, reticulated foams, molded membranes, perforated plastic membranes, natural fibers (eg, wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (eg, polyester or polypropylene fibers), It can be made from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. There are many manufacturing techniques used to manufacture the top sheet 22. For example, the topsheet 22 may be woven, nonwoven, spunbonded, carded. One preferred topsheet 22 is a poly with approximately 2.2 denier, such as P-8, manufactured by Veratec, Inc., a Division of the International Paper Company, Walpole, Massachusetts. Propylene fibers. Preferred topsheets 22 are carded and heat bonded by means known to those skilled in the fiber art.

Preferably, the topsheet 22 is made of hydrophobic material to separate the wearer's skin from the liquid of the absorbent core 26. If the topsheet 22 is made of hydrophobic material, at least the top surface of the topsheet 22 is treated to be hydrophilic, allowing liquid to pass through the topsheet 22 more quickly. This reduces the tendency for body waste to flow out of the topsheet 22 and be absorbed by the absorbent core 26 rather than being sucked through the topsheet 22. The topsheet 22 may be made hydrophilic by treating the topsheet 22 with the surface active agent, or by submerging the material in the surface active agent, including spraying the surface active agent onto the topsheet 22 material. A more detailed description of this treatment is described in US Pat. No. 4,988,344, entitled "Absorbent Product with Multilayer Absorbent Layer," issued to Reising et al. On January 29, 1991, and January 29, 1991. US Pat. No. 4,988,345, entitled "Absorbent Product with Rapid Capture Absorbent Core," to Reising, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Topsheet 22 and backsheet 24 may be joined together in any suitable manner known in the diaper manufacturing art. In this specification, the term "joined" includes a configuration in which the elements of the diaper 20 are directly or indirectly bonded to each other. Accordingly, the topsheet 22 may be directly bonded to the backsheet 24 by adhering the topsheet 22 to the backsheet 24, or the topsheet 22 is adhered to the intermediate member and the intermediate member is the backsheet. It may be indirectly bonded to the backsheet 24 by being adhered to the 24. In a preferred embodiment, the topsheet 22 and the backsheet 24 are directly bonded to each other at the periphery of the diaper by adhesives or any other adhesive means known in the art. Optional suitable attachment means are described below in connection with the backsheet 24.

Preferably, the backsheet 24 is positioned adjacent the garment-side surface of the absorbent core 26 opposite the wearer, and attached to the absorbent core by attachment means such as known to those skilled in the art. desirable. For example, the backsheet 24 may be attached to the absorbent core 26 by a constant continuous adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer or a series of individual lines or dots of adhesive. Optionally, the attachment means include heating bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds or other suitable attachment means or combinations of these attachment means known in the art. Adhesives known to be satisfactory include adhesives manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company, St., Minn., And sold under the trade name "HL-1258". Preferably, the means for attaching the core is described in March 4, 1986. a. J. A. Minetola and David R. An open pattern network of adhesive filaments, as assigned to David R. Tucker and disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,573,986, entitled “Disposable Emission Retaining Garments,” which is incorporated herein by reference. Exemplary means of attachment of the filament's open pattern network include U.S. Patent No. 3,911,173, issued to Sprague, Jr. on October 7, 1975, and Ziecker, November 22, 1978. Of several lines wound in a spiral pattern by the apparatus and method disclosed and shown in U.S. Patent 4,785,996 to U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 and U.S. Patent 4,842,666 to Werennicz, dated June 27,1989. Adhesive filaments. These patents are incorporated herein by reference.

2 to 9 show examples of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In each case, the garment 20 includes at least one finger pocket 50. Finger pocket 50 is useful to reduce the difficulty associated with wearing a garment such as a disposable absorbent garment to a wearer. Depending on whether the wearer is himself or another, the person who wears the garment 20 to the wearer may use the finger pocket 50 to fasten or refasten the closure system of the garment while initially wearing the garment to the wearer. The removal of the garment from or from the wearer may help to control a portion or portions of the garment 20. In all cases, the person wearing the garment 20 can slide one or more fingers into the finger pocket 50. In the pocket 50, the finger can more easily control the periphery of the garment 20 and more easily position the garment 20 around the wearer. This positive control can be particularly useful when the wearer removes or in all cases where the garment 20 is worn by the he or she to the wearer.

2 shows an embodiment of one preferred absorbent article of the present invention. (The term "absorbent product" is used to describe most of the examples, but these examples do not limit the invention to absorbent or disposable absorbent articles. For example, many of the described examples will not absorb body excrement. The absorbent article 20 is preferably two finger pockets 50 disposed along each longitudinal edge 42 adjacent the end edge 44 of the diaper 20. ). Preferably, finger pocket 50 is located on garment-side surface 48 of backsheet 24 in front waist region 36. Each finger pocket 50 preferably includes a fixing portion 52 coupled to the back sheet 24 and a non-fixing portion 54. The non-fixing portion 54 can be moved away from the backsheet 24, thereby providing an opening 56 through which the person wearing the diaper can slide one or more fingers.

Finger pocket 50 may be a separate member integral with or attached to diaper 20. Moreover, finger pocket 50 can take any size and shape as long as the finger pocket can be provided in a configuration that allows at least one finger to slide into its opening 56. In one preferred embodiment, the finger pocket 50 comprises a generally rectangular member with opposite fastening portions 52 and intermediate unfixed portions 54, as shown in FIG. Optionally, finger pocket 50 may also include a generally rectangular member having three sides closely or coupled to backsheet 22 as shown in FIG. In another embodiment, the finger pocket 50 generally includes a triangular member, at least a portion of two of the three sides being fixed and at least a portion of the third side not being fixed to form the opening 56. .

The number of finger pockets 50 included in every single product or garment may vary. For example, two finger pockets 50 are shown in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8. A single finger pocket 50 is shown in FIG. 6, and four finger pockets 50 are shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, in absorbent articles such as diapers, the finger pocket 50 may be located on all surfaces of the garment 20 in the front waist region 36, the rear waist region 38 or the crotch region 37.

In case the finger pocket 50 is a separate element attached to the diaper 20, the finger pocket can be coupled to the diaper 20 by any means known in the art. For example, the fastening portion 52 of the finger pocket 50 may be a diaper 20 by a continuous or intermittent adhesive bond or a thermal bond or an ultrasonic bond or other mechanical coupling means such as rivets, staples, hooks and looped fasteners. ) May be combined. (In this specification, the term "intermittent" refers to a bond that is broken or discontinuous. The term "continuous" refers to a bond that is broken or discontinuous.)

Another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 includes a finger pocket 50 integral with the backsheet 24. In FIG. 6, the finger pocket 50 includes a slit 58 in the backsheet 24. The slit 58 includes a fixing portion 52 at both ends and an opening portion 54 in the middle of the fixing portion 52. The non-fixing portion 54 provides an opening 56, wherein the diaper may slide one or more fingers through the opening 56. Although specific slit lengths and orientations are shown in FIG. 6, any size, shape, orientation or number of slits may be used to provide the finger pocket 50 of the present invention. If the backsheet 24 is a laminate of two or more laminates, the slits 58 may pass through any or all of the layers. Additional integral finger pockets 50 may be provided to crimp or fold the selector of absorbent article 20.

An example of a folded integral finger pocket 50 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In the figure, garment 20 includes ear flaps 60 extending laterally outward from adjacent absorbent core 26 and located in front waist region 36. Each ear flap 60 is proximal to the proximal edge 62 positioned generally adjacent to the absorbent core 26 and laterally from the proximal edge when the ear flap 60 is in an open, extended form (shown in dashed lines in the figure). An outer edge 64 located outside. In order to provide the finger pocket 50, the ear flap 60 is folded inward on at least a portion of the backsheet 24 and is coupled to the securing portion 52. The size and shape of the finger pocket 50 and the position of the fixing portion 52 may vary as necessary.

9 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention including an integrated finger pocket 50. Finger pocket 50 is formed by folding end edge 44 of product 20 longitudinally inwardly on backsheet 24. One or more fasteners 52 are associated with the undercarriage of the product 20. As shown, the finger pocket 50 formed in this configuration is relatively large and may have an opening 56 large enough to receive two or more diaper fingers. In other embodiments, the end edges 44 in the rear waist region 38 are folded to form different finger pockets 50.

Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment of the invention formed on a garment such as a shirt or dress. Finger pocket 50 may be located at any position on the garment to allow for faster wearing and taking off of the garment. For example, finger pocket 50 may be located along the front opening of the shirt. When combined with mechanical fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners, such garments can be worn or removed even with limited physical movement of the wearer's hand or wrist. Of course, these finger pockets 50 can have any type of garment and can flow to many different types of fastening devices.

In the case of the diaper and diaper cover embodiment of the present invention is worn by the wearer as follows. The diaper and diaper cover are spread out on the surface and the wearer is placed on the top sheet of the product such that the wearer or the like is adjacent to the rear waist region 38 of the diaper 20. Next, the front waist region 36 is pulled through the wearer's legs and positioned across the wearer's front waist. The person wearing the diaper places one or more fingers into some finger pocket 50. Finger pocket 50 may be particularly useful when the wearer moves at the time of wearing the diaper. The hand of the person wearing the diaper can be used to position the diaper as well as to control the wearer as shown in FIG. 10.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, those skilled in the art may make various changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims cover all modifications falling within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (9)

Between the front waist region, the rear waist region, the crotch region located between the front waist region and the rear waist region, a longitudinal centerline, a transverse centerline, a pair of opposite end edges, and the end edge Having a plurality of longitudinal edges formed generally parallel to said longitudinal centerline; A liquid impermeable backsheet having a liquid permeable topsheet, a body side surface coupled to at least a portion of the absorbent core and opposite the garment side surface, wherein the topsheet and the backsheet are positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core, wherein And further comprising a finger pocket located on the garment-side surface of the back sheet, the finger pocket comprising a fixing portion and a non-fixing portion, wherein the fixing portion is coupled to the back sheet, and the non-fixing portion is the back sheet. Freely displaced from and forming an opening, wherein the person wearing the diaper can insert a finger into the opening to control at least a portion of the absorbent article while the diaper is worn or removed from the wearer. Absorbent products. The method of claim 1, The finger pocket comprises a generally rectangular member with opposite fastening portions and an intermediate unfixed portion. Absorbent products. The method of claim 1, The finger pocket comprises a generally triangular member having three sides, the triangular member being coupled to the backsheet adjacent to at least a portion of two of the three sides. Absorbent products. The method of claim 1, The finger pocket includes a wrinkle portion formed in the back sheet Absorbent products. The method of claim 1, The finger pocket is formed from a front ear flap extending transversely outward from the absorbent core in the front waist region, the front ear flap being proximal edge disposed adjacent the absorbent core and transversely outward from the proximal edge. A distal edge spaced apart, wherein the distal edge of the front ear flap is folded transversely inward on at least a portion of the backsheet to form the finger pocket. Absorbent products. The method of claim 1, The backsheet includes a slit to form the finger pocket Absorbent products. Between the front waist region, the rear waist region, the crotch region located between the front waist region and the rear waist region, a longitudinal centerline, a transverse centerline, a pair of opposite end edges, and the end edge Having a plurality of longitudinal edges formed generally parallel to said longitudinal centerline; A diaper cover comprising a liquid impermeable backsheet having a body side surface and a garment side surface opposite thereto, And further comprising a finger pocket located on the garment-side surface of the back sheet, the finger pocket comprising a fixing portion and a non-fixing portion, wherein the fixing portion is coupled to the back sheet, and the non-fixing portion is the back sheet. Freely displaced from and forming an opening, wherein the person wearing the diaper can insert a finger into the opening to control at least a portion of the diaper cover while the diaper cover is being worn or removed by the wearer. Absorbent products. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A single finger pocket adjacent said end edge located in said front waist region; Absorbent products. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, Two finger pockets, one of the finger pockets positioned adjacent to each of the longitudinal edges in the front waist region; Absorbent products.