Stretchable absorbent article

2103g~2 STRET~TART.F~ ABSORBENT ARTICLE T~r.hni ~ 1 Fi ~111 The present invention generally relates to absorbent articles such as ~pers, sanitary products, and absorbent members su~table for use in such diapers, and more particularly to an elastically stretchable absorbent article.

P~R~.l~r~lm~ of th~ Tnvf~nt~ on Disposable absorbent articles, such as diapers, sanitary products, incontinent pads, and the like have obtAine~ wide acceptance by consumers. Such absorbent articles generally include a liquid permeable sheet, a liquid impermeable sheet for preventing body exudates from le~k1 ng out, and an absorbent member interposed therebetween for absorbin~ sueh body exudates.

Conventional liquid impermeable sheets provide satisfactory liquid impermeablility. However, those sheets are not flexible enough to closely conform to the shape of wearer's body, and consequently provide poor leakage protection.

Various types of materials have been proposed for use in absorbent members and may have been put into actual practice.

Furthermore, with progress of development work on superabsorbent material comprising polymeric material capable of absorbing more than ten times its weight of liquids, absorbent mewbers ncorporating such super absorbent material have ~een widely utilized.

The absorbent members as have been already proposed or put 21~399~ into actual practice have a panel configuration for presenting a flat absorbent surface to be contacted by liquids over its entire area in an effort to obtain t~rget liquid absorbency.

Although such absorbent members provide satisfactory liquid absorbency, they are not flexible enough to conform to a wearer's body during their use.

In particular, absorbent members incorporating supera~sorbent material exhibit substantial increase in rigidity when the superabsorbent material absorbs liquids.

This increase in rigidity of the absorbent ~ b~rs causes poor conformity thereof to the wearer's body, which leads to liquid leakage from the sides thereof.

The present invention provides a highly-functional absorbent article which is capable of absorbing a desirable amount of liquids, and is at the same time elastically stretchable and contractible to better conform to the wearer's body during use.

5~mmary of Th~ Tnv~ntion The present invention provides a stretchable absorbent article for fitting about and enclosing a waist portion of a wearer.

The article comprises a main body comprising an elastic composite sheet.

The elastic composite sheet comprises an elastic sheet and a non-woven material in the form of nonwoven fabric secured to at least one surface of the elastic sheet.

The non-woven fabric is secure~ to the eiastic sheet continuously in a first d~rection and ~ntermittently in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to define 2103~9~ therebetween a plurality of parallel rhAnnels exten~ing in the first direction.

The elastic composite sheet may be dual-layered (i.e., doubled) in the region of at least one of a front waist portion, a rear waist portion, a crotch region, and a leg-hole surro--n~i n~ portion in the main body.

The present invention further provides a stret~h~ble absorbent article which comprises a liquid ~e -~hle layer, and liquid impe~meable elastic layer stretchably secured to the liquid permeable layer by a plurality of laterally spaced, parallel lines of sec~ t so as *o form laterally spaced, parallel regions of nonsecurement. The liguid pe o~ble layer forms corrugations at the respective regions of nonsecurement for defining a plurality of parallel ch~nnels between the liquid permeable layer and the liquid impermeable elastic layer. Absorbent material is disposed in a selected location of the absorbent article.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stretchable absorbent member which comprises a liquid permeable layer, and a liquid impermeable elastic layer stretchably secured to the liquid permeable layer at discrete regions so as to form re~ions of nonsecurement between the discrete regions of secul.- ent. The liqu~d permeable layer forms corru~ations at the respective reyions of nonsecurement for defining respective chA~nels between the liquid permeable layer and the liquid impermea~le elastic layer. Absorbent material is disposed in selected ones of the channels.

The present invention ~urther provides a stretchahle 2103992 absorbent member which comprises a liquid permeable layer, and a liquid impe ~-hle elastic layer stretchably secured to the liquid pel e~hle layer by a plurality of laterally spaced, parallel lines of securement so as to from laterally spaced, parallel regions of nonsecu~ t.

The liquid permeable layer forms corrugations at the respective regions of nonsecurement for defining a plurality of parallel ch~nnels between the liquid pel --hl e layer and the liquid impermeable elastic layer.

Absol~ent material is disposed in selected ones of the plurality of ~An~els~ Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description, the ~c~ ying drawings, and the appen~e~ claims.

Rr~f nP~r;pt;on of Th~. nr~w~n~ FIGURE 1 iS a perspective view illustrating a first embo~; ~ t of liquid impermeable protective article in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A A of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a composite sheet of the protective article of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a liquid impermea~le protective article in accordance with the present invention;

FIGU~E 5 is a cross-sectional view ta~en along a line B -B of FIGURE 4;

21~3~92 FIGURE 6 is a front view of a third embodiment of a liquid impermeable protective article in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C C of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a front view of fourth embodiment of a liquid impermeable protective article of the present invention;

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken alony a line D D of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth c bo~ t of a liquid impermeable protective article of the present invention;

FIGURE ll is a cross-sectional view illustrating an absorbent body and att~ t means thereof in the liquid impermeable protective article of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of a absorbent body and att~c~ --nt means thereof in the liquid impermeable protective article of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sixth embodiment of a liquid impermeable protective article in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 14 is fra~mentary enlarged cross-sectional view of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view illustrating a seventh embodiment of a liquid impermeable protective article in accordance with the present invention;

Fr~uRE 1~ is a cross-sectional view illustrat~ng a preferred construction of a securement portion of a liquid 2~ ~39~2 impermeable protective article in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 17 is a explanatory view illustrating various securement patterns applied to a securement portion of liquid impermeable protective article in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 18 is fragmentary perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the absorbent member embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIGU~E 19 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of the absorbent member of FIGURE 18;

FIGURE 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of the absorbent member in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 21 is a cross-sectional view illus~rating still ancther embodiment of the absorbent member in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one mold embodiment which is employed to manufacture the absorbent member in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another mold embodiment which is employed to manufacture the absorbent member in accordance with the present invention.

n~ ed ne~criptjon While the present ~nvention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the draw~ngs and will hereinafter be described in detail specific embodiments 21~9~2 thereof, with the underst~n~i ng that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating an absorbent articler such as a liquid impermeable protective article of a pant type, embodying the principles of the present invention. FIGURE 2 is a crosssectional view taken along the line A-A of FIGURE 1.

In FIGUREs 1 and 2, the liquid impel -~hle protective article is provided with a main body 10 which comprises a first portion 11 having a configuration covering a front face of a body waist and a second portion 12 for covering a back face of the body waist.

These first and second portions 11, 12 are formed by cutting a composite sheet 1, as will be hereinafter described, into a generally-rectangular piece, bi-folding the piece along a longitudinal center portion and ~oining the folded portions to each other at ~oint portions 13 located at respect~ve lateral ends of the folded portions.

The composite sheet 1 constituting the first and second portions 11, 12 is constructed by securing a non-woven fabric 3 onto at least one surface of a liquid impermeable elastic sheet 2, as shown in FI~URE 3.

The non~woven fabric 3 is secured to the elastic sheet 2 continuously in a first direction and intermittently in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

The securement of these two elements are made alon~ parallel sec~rement lines 4 spaced from each other such as at regular intervais. A width of the non-woven fabric 3 is formed ~03992 to be greater than that of the elastic sheet 2 between adjacent securement lines 4, so that a plurality of parallel ch~nn~l S 5 exte~ng in the first direction are formed between the elastic sheet 2 and the non-woven fabric 3. This composite sheet 1 is cut or contoured in accordance with desired shapes and d~ ?~c~ons of the f~rst and second portions 11, 12 which are then ~oined to each other so as to form the non-woven fabric 3 to face inwardly.

In a liquid impermeable protective article 10 of such 1~ construction, the inwardly placed non-woven fabric 3 contacts the body of a wearer when the article 10 is applied to the wearer and a plurality of elongated ch~nnel S 5 provided between such non-woven fabric 3 and the elastic sheet 2. Accordingly, breathab~lity and flexibility of the non-woven fabric 3 per se and the ~h~nnel S 5 are provides a comfortable feeling during use, by softness to skin. The outwardly placed elastic sheet 2 is liquid impermeable, so that liquids are effectively prevented from leaking through the article.

Although the main body 10 comprising the first and second portions 11, 12 is illustrated as being single-layered in its entire region in the embodiment of FIGURE 1, it may be duallaye{ed (i.e., doubled) by placing a belt-like strengthening member 14 of a suitable width cut from the composite sheet l onto respective upper end portions of the first and second portions 11, 12, as illustrated in F~GU~Es 4 and S. This construction increases strength as well as elastic contractibility is~ such portions, so that any breaka~e which may be caused by a careless handling of the article during use 2103992 will be avoided.

Its stability about the body waist during application will also be improved.

The securement of the main body 10 and the streng~hening member 14 may be readily made by the use of heat compression, adhesives of the hotmelt type and the like.

Such strength~ni~ may altPrnatively be accomplished by forming the main body 10 longer than a desired ~ ~nsion and folding its upper end portion onto itself.

Alternatively, the main body 10 may be dual-layered in its crotch region by providing a streng~hen~n~ member 15 having a shape correspon~i n~ to such region, as illustrated in FIGURE 6 and 7.

In still another embodiment, reinforcing mem~ers 14a, 14b may be respectively att~he~ to two portions surrolln~g the leg holes, as illustrated in FIGUREs 8 and 9.

In either embodiment, the leg hole portions, to which a relatively great stret~hing force is applied when the article is put on or ~- ,ved from the wearer, are constructed to be dual-layered, so that brea~age in such portions is effectively prevented.

The crotch or leg hole strengthen~ng portion may be combined with a waist strength~ni~g portion as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 10 shows another embodiment of a liquid impermeable protective ar~icle in accordance with the present invention.

The liquid impermeable protective article 20 of this embodiment has the main body 10 of the construction, in which the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 are joined to each other at joint portions 13, formed with the folded portion 14 in its upper end portion, similar to the construction shown in F~G~RE 4.

The article 20 is also provided with an absor~ent body 21 positioned in its crotch region.

The absorbent body 21 may be 2~03992 of the type as employed for conventional diapers or sanitary napkins and fixedly secured in a predete, ined position by means such as glues, hotmelt adhesives and the like.

Such an absorbent body as described above is per se rigid, and accordingly lacks elasticity and flexibility like the composite sheet 1 has, with the result that elasticity in a portion of the main body 10 is disturbed when such a rigid absorbent body is at~che~ to the port~on of the main body of the present article. The att~ t as illustrated in FIGURE 11 and 12 may be preferably utilized in order to avoid such drAwl~ks: .

The absorbent body 21, as illustrated in FIGURE 11, comprises an absorbent member 22 and a liquid permeable cover 23 for enclosing the absorbent member 22. The absorbent body 21 is at its transverse center portion secured to the non-woven fabric side of the composite sheet 1 only along a band-like elongated securement portion 24 ext~n~; ng a full length of the absorbent body, and formed such as by adhesives, hotmelts and the like. Such construction permits the composite sheet to be less affected by the securement of the absorbent body 21 thereto and allows the absorbent body 21 to be freed from the stretching and contracting action of the composite sheet.

Accordingly, the construction permits any deformation of the absorbent body along a wearer's body shape and accommodat~s a ~ ~n~ional change of the absorbent member after liquid absorption. Furthermore, the absorbent body does not move or deviate from the predetermined position. Therefore, lea~age is completely pre~ented and a very comfortable feelin~ is 2103992 achieved.

Alternatively, the absorbent body 21 may comprise a liquid permeable topsheet 25 for covering top and side surfaces of the absorbent member 22 and a baçksheet 26 for covering a bottom surface of the absorbent member 22, as illustrated in FIGURE 12. Portions of the topsheet 25 and the backsheet 26 ext~n~n~ from each side edge of the absorbent member 22 are folded beneath the absorbent member 22 to take a U-shaped configuration. The portions are secured to the composite sheet 1 at band-like secul~ ? t portion 27 which are located at ~ ng ends of the extension portions, and are formed such as by ~hesives, hotmelts and the like. In this construction, the absorbent member 22 takes a position as if it "floats" above the composite sheet so that ~ t of the absorbent member 22 substantially independent of ~v. ?nt of the composite sheet.

This provides about the same or higher degrees of leakage protection and comfort than the construction of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 13 shows another embodiment of the liquid impermeable protective article 30 which is int~nde~ to further enhance the effects of the present invention. In this embodiment, the composite sheet 1 includes absorbent material 6 positioned within rh~nn~1s defined between the elastic sheet 2 and the non-woven fabric 3, as illustrated in FIGURE 14. trhe absorbent material 6 may be positioned in the entire region of the composite sheet 1~ Alternatively, the absorbent material 6 may be positione~ only in a crotch region of the composite sheet 1 with which contact with body exudate is possible, as illustrated in FIGURE 13. Such absorbent material 6 absorbs 2103992 body exudates which have passed through the non-woven fabric 3 and entered into ch~nnel S 5. This eliminates the need to provide a separate absolbent body.

Suitable absorbent material 6 for pl~c- ?~t within the ~-hAn~els 5 includes hydlvphilic material such as wood pulp or cotton, or synthetic fibrous material such as polypropylene, polyester and the like which is hydlOphil~ 7e~ by ~dlo~hilic treatment. Preferably, such absoLbent material uff l~ 7es superabsolbent material which is generally referred to as S.A.P.~Super Absolbent Polymer) capable of absorbing several times its own weight of water or aqueous liquids.

In the event the superab~olbel-t material is utilized in a particulate form, the non-woven fabric constituting walls of the ~h~nnels 5 is required to be of high quality in terms of a filtering function to prevent the particulates from passing theleW,lough. Preferably, the supera~so,~ent material may be incorporated in the absorbent material in various forms. One example would be strips of suitable widths cut from a composite sheet material comprising superabsorbent material particles and wood pulp or a fibrous web. Another example is a bundle of fibrous superabsorbent material, such as RUNSEAL manufactured and marketed by Toyobo Corp. under such trade name. Strips slit from a fibrous web with superabsorbent material deposited on its surface may also be employed. Such material may be manufactured by polymerizing and cross-linking a monomer solution placed on the fibrous web surface.

The volume of the absorbent material increases as it absorbs liquids. In particular, the superabsorbent materia~ 12 2103~92 exhibits a drastic volume change before and after liquid absorption. Therefore, when a cross-sectional area of the absorbent material is selected to substantially correspond to that of the ch~nnel space, the ch~nnel would be enlarged by the amount that the superabsorbent material swells as it absorbs liquids. Such enla,~ -nt would be readily ~c~~ ~dated primarily by a stretching action of the elastic sheet.

However, it is preferable that such a cross-sectional area of the absorbent material is selected within a range such that the cross-sectional area after swelling remains smaller than that of the ch~nnel space when the swell~ n~ of the a~sorbent material is drastic, such as with superabsorbent material, or such volume change is not desirable. Such range selection creates a free space within the ~h~n~el~ so that superabsorbent material is able to swell freely without restriction and fully utilize its absorbent capacity.

In respective embodiments as illustrated in FIGUREs 1 14, the main body is constructed by fol ~ ng leg holes on a generally-rectangular single composite sheet 1, bi-folding the sheet 1 along its longit~l~in~l center portion and ~oining or securing the folded portions to each other at their respective opposite side ends. In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIGURE 15, the main body 10 is constructed by securing the first and second portions 11, 12 separately cut from the composite shee~ along side end securement portions 1~ and a lower end securement portion 15.

In respec~ive embodiments as described above, the securement portions for securing the first and second portions 13 2103g92 to each other may be formed by securing opposing inwardlyfacing non-woven fabrics 3 to each other by suitable secu~ t means such as heat-seAl~g, adhesives of the hotmelt type and the like. Preferably, the main body 10 is, at portions correspon~n~ to the securement portions, folded outwardly to deflne folded portions la having a suitable width, preferably equal to that of the securement portion. The folded portions la are seculed ~o~her along securement lines 16. In this con~ ion, the U-folded non-woven fabrics 3 are posltioned at side edges of respective se~ nt portions so that those portions provide soft and smooth surfaces such as against an outside clothing thereby providing a more comfortable fe~ ng during wearing as contrasted to the previous construction wherein cut edges of the elastic sheet 2 pro;ect to those portions.

In addition, the secu~ of the composite sheet 1 to itself at securement portions 13, 15 may be made along two securement lines 16 parallel to each other, as illustrated in FIGURE 16. Alternatively, the securement may be made in such patterns (a) - (n) as illustrated in FIGURE 17. Particularly, intermittent patterns such as (c) - (n) in FI~URE 17 provide lower strength than continuous patterns. Such intermittent patterns may be preferably utilized for articles such as d~aper covers which are desired to be 1- ~ved from a wearer by brea~ing the main body 10.

It has been found that the very flexible nature of the composite sheet allows folding thereof into a compact form so that carrying and use thereof are facilitated.

14 2 103992 FIGURE 18 is a perspective view illustrating an absorbent member embodying the principles of the present invention.

FIGURE 19 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of FIGURE 18.

In FIGURE 18 and 19, an absorbent member 110 in a sheet form e- ,lises an elastic sheet 111 and a non-woven fabric 112 which are secured together continuously in a first direction of the non-woven fabric 112, such as in a machine direction, and intermittently in a second direction perpend$cular to the first direction, i.e.in a cross-machine direction, along securement lines 113. A width of the nonwoven fabric 112 between neighboring securement lines 113 is selected to be greater than that of the elastic sheet 111 so that a plurality of ch~nnels 114 exten~1 ng in the machine direction are formed between the elastic sheet 111 and the nonwoven fabric 112.

An absorbent material 115, such as of an elongated bandlike configuration cut from superabsorbent sheet is positioned in the channels 114 so as to extend a full length of the respective çh~nnel 114. A cross-sectional area of the absorbent material 115 is selected to be about 1/2 or smaller, for example 1/5 of that of the ch~nnel 114 The absorbent member 110 thus constructed is placed in actual use so that the non-woven fabric 112 contacts liquids.

For example, when the absorbent member 1~0 is incorporated in a diaper or sanitary napkin, the non-woven fabric 112 serves as a topsheet for facing the body of the wearer and the elastlc shest 111 serves as a liquid impermeable backsheet for preventi~g liquid leakage.

The liquid is absorbed by the 21033~2 absorbent materials 115 positioned in the çh~nnels 114.

FIGURE 20 illustrates another embodiment of the absolLent member in accordance with the present invention.

The absorbent member 220 in this embo~ -It has tow different ch~n~els 221, 222 of different cross-sect~onAl areas. A cross-sectional area of each of the first ~hAnn~ls 221, which are positioned in a laterally central portion A of the absorbent sheet 220, is greater than that of the s~ond rh~nnel~ 222 which are posit~one~ in lateral side portions B on opposite sides of the laterally central portion A. A cross-sectional area of first abso,~ent materials 223 placed in the first ch~nnels 221 is p~G~Ol ~ionally greater than that of second absorbent materials 224 placed in the ~econ~ ~h~nnel~ 222.

The absorbent member 220 of the construction as illustrated in FIGURE 20, accordingly has a higher liquid absorbency in the central portion A than in the side portions B.

This feature is especially suitable for use in articles having a narrow central region to which liquids are discharged in a concentrated manner.

The chAnnel structure of the absorbent members as illustrated in FIGURES 18 - 21 is in its dry state (before liquid absorption) effective in e-nh~n~ng diffusion and flow-in of liquids and air in a longit~d;n~l direction, and in its wet state (after liguid absorption3 effective in enh~ncing liquid diffusion to rapidly diffuse liquids recelved therein in the longitudinal direction, with the result that liguids are distributed within ent~re regions of the absorbent members placed in the chAnnels in a short period of time, and effective 16 2103992 absorbency of the absorbent sheet is exhibited.

Means for securing the elastic sheet 211 and the non-woven fabric 212 so as to form ch~nnels 214 are not limited to any specific manner. For example, the pre-shaped wavy non-woven fabric 212 may be placed on the flat elastic sheet 211 so as to contact to each other. The contact portions are then secured together by any suitable means such as adhesives, sonic~e~l iny, heat-compression and the li~e. The most preferable method is to finish securement by p~ ng the non-woven fabric in contact with the elastic sheet while it is tacky in its manufacturing process.

Alternative means for forming ch~nnels may utilize a difference between ~Ch; ~e-directional and cross ~chinedirectional elongation rates of the non-woven fabric.

Specifically, the non-woven fabric is placed on at least one surface of the elastic sheet. They are secured together continuously in the machine direction and intermittently in the cross ~hi ne direction to form the composite sheet. the composite sheet is then stretched in a cross- -chine direction at a ratio excee~;ng an elastic limit of the non-woven fabric so that a permanent elongation is created in the non-woven fabric. When released, the ch~nnels are formed in the composite sheet since the peL ~nently elongated non-woven fabric has a width greater than a width of the elastic sheet between the neighboring securement l~nes. Non-woven fabrics having a higher elongation rate in the cross-machine direction than in the machine direction s~ch as il~strated as No.3 and No.4 in ~able I are suitably used for such method for forming 2~03992 channels.

The plAc~ ?nt of the absorbent material in ch~nnel structures may be performed by positioning the absorbent material between the elastic sheet and the non-woven fabric before they are secured together to form ch~nnels. However, in - order to place the absorbent material in precise positions in actual industrial practice, a method as illustrated in FIGURES 22 and 23 may be preferably employed. The non-woven fabric 312 is tucked into a mold 351 or 352 having rows of ylo~ves, 10 -ch~ni cally or by vacuum suction so that a plurality of spaced top surface portions and ~hAn~els between the ad~acent top surface portions are provided. A plurality of individual absorbent materials 315 are then placed in the respective ~h~nnel S of the non-woven sheet 312. Finally, the elastic sheet 311 is secured onto the spaced top surface portions of the non-woven fabric 312 to enclose the individual absorbent materials 315 within the respective ~h~nnel S.

The mold 351 illustrated in FIGURE 22 has a plurality of y~ooves of equal cross-sectional area into which the individual absorbent materials of equal cross-sectional area are positioned. On the other hand, the mold 352 illustrated in FIGURE 23 has central grooves having a greater cross-sectional area than that of side grooves on opposite sides of the central grooves. ~ikewise, the individual absorbent materials 315 positioned in the central grooves have a ~reater cross-sectional area than that in the side grooves.

Additionally, the composite absorbent member in accordance with the present invention has a construction such that 21~3992 absorbent materials of high liquid absorbency are positioned in the ~h~n~els defined between the elastic sheet and the nonwoven fabric. Liquids pass through the non-woven fabric into the ch~n~els where they are absorbed by the absorbent materials.

Suitable absolbent materials for pl~ ?nt within the ~h~nn~,l ~ include ~lydLu~h~l~c material such as wood pulp or cotton, or synthetic fibrous material such as polyyL~yylene, polyester and the li~e which are ~Iy~Oph~ 1~7ed by ~ly~-G~hil~c treatment. Preferably, such absorbent materials ut~ e superabsorbent material which is generally referred to as S.A.P.(Super Absorbent Polymer~ capable of absorbing up to several tens times its own weight of water or aqueous liquids.

In the event the superabsorbent material is utilized in a particulate form, the non-woven fabric constituting walls of the filter function to prevent the particles from passing therethrough. Preferably, the superabsorbent material may be incorporated in the ch~nnels in various forms. One example would be strips of suitable widths cut from a composite sheet material c ,~lising superabsorbent material particles and wood pulp or fibrous web. ~nother example is a bundle of fibrous superahsorbent material, such as RUNSEAL manufactured and marketed by Toyobo Corp. under such trade name. Strips slit from a fibrous web with superabsorbent material deposited on its surface may also be employed. Such material may be manufactured by polymerizing and cross-linking a monomer placed on the fibrous web surface.

The volume of the a~sor~ent material increases as it 19 2103992 absorbs liquids. In particular, the superabsorbent material exhibits a drastic volume change before and after liquid absorption. Therefore, when a cross-sectional area of the absorbent material is selected to be substantially correspond to that of ch~nnel space, the ch~nnel would be enlarged by the amount that the superabsorbent material swells as it absorbs liquids. Such enla~ t would ~e readily ac~- -dated primarily by a stretch ~ n~ action of the elastic sheet.

However, it is preferable that such a cross-sectional area of the absorbent material is selected within a range such that the cross-sectional area after swe~ g stays smaller than that of the ~h~n~el space when swell~ n~ of the absorbent material is drastic such as of superabsorbent material, or such a volume change is not desirable. Such range selection creates a free space within the ch~nnel~ so that superabsorbent material is able to swell freely without restriction and fully utilize its absorbent capacity.

When it is desired that a selected portion of the absorbent surface of the absorbent member of the present invention absorb higher volume of liquids than the ~ n~ ng portions of the absorbent surface, the amount of the absorbent materials positioned in the ch~nnels located in the selected portion may be increased. Such density distribution of the absorbent members may preferably be made by varying crosssectional areas of the ch~nnel S for enclosing absorbent materials in selected portions of the absorbent surface in accordance with a desired distribution. The absorbent member of such construction is partirularly suitable for use in infant 2~03~92 diapers and sanitary napkins which have a central target zone into which liquids are heavily discharged.

The elastic ~heet for use in the absorbent member of the present invention includes thin-layered sheet such as films consisting of a material selected from a natural or synthetic rubber, polyurethane, styrene-butadiene block polymer, EVA, LLDPE of ultra low density ethylene-propylene elastomer, ethylene-methylacrylate elastomer and a mixture thereof with a styrene-ethylene-butadiene-~y~ e block copolymer; co-extruded films of polyurethane elastomers and polyolefine ela~c Qrs;

and polyurethane meltblown non-woven fabrics.

The non-woven fabric for use in the absor~ent member of the present invention is selected by considering firstly its function as an absorbent and secondly its ability to form ch~nn~ls.

In order for the non-woven fabric to function as an absorbent, it needs to be liquid permeable without adverse result during use against skin. Its adhesive characteristic with film, and its ability to maintain a channel configuration, 2Q should be taken into consideration from a view point of the ability to form channels.

Based on the above consideration, the following non-woven ~abrics may be advantageously employed; non-woven fabrics of a lower basis weight (preferably lower than SO ~ m2) manufa~tured by methods such as dry-laid, spunbond, spun7ace and the like, from fi~ers of relative~y low denier (preferably lower than 5d) comprising hydrophobic synthetic fi~ers such as polypropylene, polyester, nylon and the li~e, hydrophili.c 21 ~3~92 fibers such as rayon, cotton and the like, or any combination thereof.

Non-woven fabric pred~ inAntly comprising hydrophobic fibers may be preferably treated by surfactants which are safe to skin to render the fabrics highly liquid permeable.

When the non-woven fabric pre~ ~n~ntly ,~ ises hydrophilic fibers such as rayon fibers, it is desirable that such hyd~Ophilic fibers comprise anti-bacterial fibers that are safe to the skin for the purpose of preventing adverse effects to skin which may be caused by high water content in a surface layer of the ~ydLophilic fibers.

Such ~_- ?rcially available fibers as C~ITOCELL or CHITOPOLY manufactured by Fuji Spinning Corp. may be effectively used.

Table I provides a list of typical non-woven fabrics for use in the absorbent member of the present invention.

Particularly, the spunlaced non-woven fabrics such as listed as No.3 in Table I are particularly suited for the intended purpose since they exhibit a high elongation rate in a width direction of the channel and also have a high strength.

Exemplified non-woven fabrics suitable for the present invention are illustrated in Table I.

22 21û3992 TABLE 1 No. ~ype of N.W. Raw fiber Web - 1 spllnhon~ PPx2.2dx random continuous filament 2 thermally-bon~ed PPx2.2dx35m/m random 3 spl~nlAce~ PPxl.5dx45m/m parallel 4 tow acetate tow parallel ________________________________________________________ No.Basis weight Strength(kg/2.5cm) Elongation(~] (g/m2) MD CD MD/CD MD CD MD/CD 1 30 5.3 2.2 2.4 30 48 1.6 2 32 3.9 0.6 6.5 21 70 3.3 3 35 3.7 0.8 4.6 20 230 11.6 4 40 5.2 0.4 13 15 290 19.3 ________________________________________________________ As described above, the absorbent member of the present invention is cons~L~ed by securing the non-woven fabric to at least one face of the highly-stretchable, liquid impermeable elastic sheet continuously in one direction and intermittently in a direction perpendicular to the one direction along the sec~L~ ent portions, forming a plurality of çh~nnels exten~ng parallel to each other between the non-woven fabric and the elastic sheet, and positioning the absorbent members in the ch~nnels. Accordingly, the absorbent member has excellent elastic and watar-proof characteristics. Also the non-woven 2103992 fabric of the absorbent member provides excellent flexi h~ 1 i ty and breathability characteristics. Therefore, the present ab~o.bent member is most suitable for use in a variety of art1cles which contact skin during use, such as disposable ~p~rs~ sanitary n~pk~ n~ and the like which are applied to the waist or crotch of the wearer.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit an scope of the novel concept of the ~.ese~ invention. It i8 to be unde.~ood that no limitation with respect to the specific embo~ - t illustrated herein is inten~ or should be inferred. The disclosure is int~nd~ to cover by the ~pp~-n~e~ claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

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