Panty-type incontinence article

ES 2 380 409 T3

DESCRIPTION

Incontinence article in the form of a brief.

The invention relates to an incontinence article in the form of a brief for collecting body excretions, which comprises a front abdominal section and a rear dorsal section which, to form a continuous abdominal band and back band in the transverse direction or peripheral hip, with a closed hip opening in the peripheral direction of the hip, have been factory-bonded to each other in side seam zones arranged on both sides, and a crotch section having an absorption body and extending in a longitudinal direction between the abdominal section and the back section and is connected in a Indissoluble to the abdominal section and the dorsal section, both the crotch section and the abdominal section and the dorsal section limit the leg openings of the incontinence article. A three-component incontinence article of this kind is known, for example, from WO 2004/052260

A1. In this specific product concept, it can be realized after the connection of the crotch section extended in the longitudinal direction to the abdominal section extended substantially in the transverse direction or in the peripheral direction of the hip and to the correspondingly extended dorsal section, in the extended state. drawing of these three components, an H-shaped basic structure of the incontinence article. The incontinence article is then modularly formed from the crotch section, abdominal section, and back section components. These components are advantageously first joined to one another through the crotch section and preferably the abdominal section is then joined to the back section in side seam areas on both sides. In this case, it is a union made by the manufacturer through which the underpants shape is obtained. This bond is typically indissoluble. However, the underpants shape can also be undone especially along a nominal tear line which can run especially in the area of ​​the side seam, for example to remove a used incontinence article from a person in need of care.

Brief-shaped incontinence articles differ in principle from openable and closable incontinence articles in the form of a conventional diaper in which the perimeter of the hip is generally predetermined and adaptation to different body sizes is achieved on the basis of a plurality of basic sizes by means of an elastic extensibility of the article. To this end, elastification means, especially in the form of ribbons or threads, often called Lycra threads, are generally joined in a predilated state (stretch-glue method), with chassis materials of the incontinence article, that is to say that said elasticizing means are fixed in a predilated state to the chassis materials, for example by means of glue. As a consequence of their prestressing, these elastification means gather the chassis materials and then form pleats. The incontinence article or the elasticized chassis materials of the incontinence article can be elastically stretched again when the incontinence article is applied as a brief to the wearer. Multiple incontinence articles in the form of briefs with chassis materials elasticized in this way have been disclosed and also discussed, for example, in the aforementioned WO 2004/052260 A1.

In the fabrication of the H-shaped basic structure, that is, at the junction of the crotch section with the abdominal section and with the back section, a sufficient assembly joint has to be established for all the requirements of the intended use between these components, so that it can be excluded that, when presenting large tensile loads, the connection between the crotch section and the abdominal section or the dorsal section is broken. In the situation of use of an incontinence article in the form of briefs, large forces sometimes act, in particular, on the one hand, as a result of the force of the weight of an absorbing body loaded with considerable amounts of liquid. On the other hand, high tensile forces are transmitted within the chassis materials, specifically, on the one hand, due to the elastification means usually connected to the chassis materials by the stretch-glue procedure and, on the other hand, due to to traction forces that are transmitted by the effect of the user's movements. It has been seen here that these high tensile stresses are surprisingly present in mobile users, who almost use the incontinence article as a garment of underwear, and also in bedridden and care-seeking persons, whose mobility is severely restricted. Indeed, as a result of uncontrolled and especially slow movements, there is no possibility for chassis materials of the incontinence article to avoid the tensile stresses that arise. It is precisely in these situations that the assembly joints of the incontinence article are highly stressed, specifically just between the crotch section and the abdominal section and between the crotch section and the dorsal section.

When a large amount of particularly superficially applied glue material is used to establish a stable and durably tensile bond between the crotch section and the abdominal section and between the crotch section and the back section, this then leads to a disadvantage to a stiffening in the overlapping area of ​​the crotch section and the abdominal section or the back section.

This, on the one hand, is perceived as unpleasant and, on the other hand, it can hinder a desired extensibility of the chassis materials in this area, and it is worth mentioning on this site that it is common for this area not to

ES 2 380 409 T3 surface extensibility is desired. However, there is also the problem in this case that the glue materials make it difficult to set the desired properties of the product.

Starting from this, the present invention is based on the task of tackling the problems outlined above, that is to say, to configure especially a stable connection between the crotch section and the abdominal section and between the crotch section and the back section in an article of clothing. incontinence of the kind indicated in the form of briefs, without this being linked to a reduction in the comfort of use or other consequences that impair the functionality of the incontinence article.

This problem is solved according to the invention by means of an incontinence article with the characteristics of claim 1.

Since both the abdominal section and the dorsal section are formed with an edge contour that converges in the direction of a transverse mid-axis to limit the openings of the leg warmers, on the one hand, a large surface covering between the section of the legs can be achieved. crotch and the abdominal section or between the crotch section and the dorsal section, which is essential for the formation of a stable bond between the three components of the incontinence article. On the other hand, a contour line corresponding to the leg openings is thus created. Likewise, an area of ​​the abdominal section and the dorsal section is created that extends in the direction of the transverse median axis and is located on the side of the crotch and turned towards the leg openings, and in which the second elastification means they can be specifically incorporated in accordance with the stress conditions desired therein.

For the superficial elastification of the abdominal section and the back section, the respective first elastification means are provided extending at a distance from each other and parallel to each other in the transverse direction or in the peripheral direction of the hip. These means preferably have the same prestressing and serve substantially to effect a uniform surface-continuous elasticization of the abdominal section and the dorsal section in the area clearly above the leg openings. However, it is possible that the first elasticizing means have a greater pretension in an upper region of the edge of the hip or several of these elasticizing means are provided with a smaller distance between them in order to achieve a somewhat stronger elasticity. on the edge of the hip.

Since the crotch section is formed with a maximum cross-directional highly flown width of at least 200mm and the flown projection of the backsheet material and / or topsheet material added to both sides of the absorption body, it is that is, added to the left and to the right - it amounts to at least 25%, referred to the maximum width of the crotch section, a large overlap zone is materialized between, on the one hand, the crotch section and the abdominal section and, on the other hand, between the crotch section and the dorsal section. Due to the large flown projection of the chassis materials of the crotch section in the transverse direction with respect to the absorption body, a large-surface overlap zone between the crotch section and the abdominal section or the abdominal section is furthermore achieved. dorsal body outside the absorption body, which in turn is linked to technical operating advantages. Indeed, on the one hand, the connection between the crotch section and the abdominal section or the dorsal section must be optimized and, on the other hand, the component of the absorption body should thus be influenced as little as possible. The greater the area of ​​overlap of the crotch section and the abdominal section or the crotch section and the back section outside the absorption body, the greater the degrees of freedom with respect to the formation of a functionally suitable joint. . A large projection of the chassis materials in the transverse direction with respect to the absorption body also advantageously creates the possibility of providing additional means for elasticizing the leg loops in the longitudinal direction on both sides of the absorption body, which run at a The greatest possible distance from the absorption body. According to the invention, it is thus possible, according to the invention, to prevent forces from being exerted by the elasticizing means of the leg loops that twist the absorption body, that is to say that they strain and compress it. Indeed, such incalculable forces have a negative effect on the absorption behavior of the absorption body. In this case, uncontrolled compaction or widening of areas of the absorption body can occur, which adversely affects the intended absorption behavior. In this context, the relatively large overlap area between the crotch section and the abdominal section or between the crotch section and the back section is also characterized in that the ratio of the crotch section surface to the total surface of the wearable article incontinence is 25-55% and also because the crotch section overlaps at least 12% of the surface of the abdominal section and at least 20% of the surface of the dorsal section. With the features of claim 1, an incontinence article in the form of a brief is created as a whole with the aforementioned three-component constitution, in which, on the one hand, a secure union of the components can be realized, specifically without this going linked to a decrease in the wearing comfort or the functionality of the incontinence article or its components.

ES 2 380 409 T3

In a further development of the invention, it appears to be advantageous if the proportion of the area of ​​the crotch section in the total area of ​​the incontinence article is 30-47%, especially 35-47% and more especially 35-45%.

It is also found to be advantageous that the blown projection of the backsheet material and / or the topsheet material in a transverse direction with respect to the absorption body - added to both sides of the absorption body, that is to say, added to the left and the right - be 30-50%, especially 30-45% and more especially 35-45%, referred to the maximum width of the crotch section.

The overlap area between the crotch section and the abdominal section is configured in a further development of the invention such that the crotch section overlaps 15-40%, especially 15-35% and more especially 15-25% of the surface of the abdominal section. Advantageously, the crotch section overlaps the abdominal section with an area of ​​25000-45000 mm².

The overlap area of ​​the crotch section and the back section is configured in a further development of the invention such that the crotch section overlaps 20-40%, especially 20-35% and more especially 22-32% of the surface of the dorsal section. Advantageously, the crotch section overlaps the back section with an area of ​​35000-65000 mm², especially 40000-55000 mm².

The overlap of the crotch section with the back section is advantageously greater than the overlap of the crotch section with the abdominal section.

It is also found to be particularly advantageous if the crotch section can be connected to the abdominal section and / or to the back section by means of a layer of glue that does not cover the entire surface. Indeed, it has been seen that, when a glue layer is used that does not cover the entire surface, the properties of the chassis materials are influenced to a lesser extent than when a glue layer is used that covers the entire surface to form the union of the crotch section and the abdominal section or the crotch section and the dorsal section. A non-covering layer of glue may consist, for example, of a strip-shaped pattern, a continuous or non-continuous grid structure in a ribbed shape or areas in the shape of islands, or a glue structure in the shape of a strip. stripes.

In the implementation of the incontinence article according to the invention it is possible and, for certain reasons, advantageous that the absorption body also overlaps 5-20%, especially 5-15% of the surface of the abdominal section and / or 1020%, especially 10-15% of the surface of the dorsal section.

The extension of the abdominal section and the back section in the side seam area, in the longitudinal direction, is advantageously at least 100 mm, especially at least 150 mm and especially 150 mm to 220 mm.

The minimum distance between the abdominal section and the dorsal section in the longitudinal direction is advantageously 250 to 400 mm.

The maximum extension of the fold section in the transverse direction, that is to say the maximum width, is advantageously 200 to 350 mm, especially 250 to 320 mm.

Therefore, the relatively large flown projection of the backsheet material and / or the topsheet material on both sides of the absorption body means a wide crotch section with a relatively narrow absorption body. It is thus possible to provide in the crotch section a means for elasticizing the leg leg which extends along the leg openings and which has a relatively large distance from the absorbing body rich in material and therefore rigid to flexure. . This in turn results in good sealability and conformability of the edges on both sides of the leg openings of the crotch section. In fact, in such a case, the absorption body rich in material and stiff to twisting compared to thin chassis materials makes it only slightly difficult to form a liquid-tight leg closure; therefore, to form a liquid-tight leg closure, one does not have to work with extremely high stresses, which in turn has a positive effect on the wearing comfort of the incontinence article.

In a still further development of the invention, it appears to be particularly advantageous if the elasticizing means of the leg warmers terminate in the longitudinal direction at least 10 mm, in particular at least 20 mm in front of the second elasticizing means. It is especially advantageous if the elasticizing means of the leg cuffs terminate in the longitudinal direction in front of the abdominal section and / or in front of the dorsal section. Therefore, the tension and the restoring force exerted by them do not influence the tension conditions envisaged according to the invention within the area of ​​the abdominal section and the back section that is located on the side of the crotch and turned towards the openings. of the leg loops and in which the second elastification means that unfold in a fan are provided.

ES 2 380 409 T3

Likewise, it is advantageous if the elasticizing means of the leg cuffs run at a variable distance from the absorption body and have a greater distance from the absorption body at their longitudinal ends than at their center.

As elasticizing means of the leg warmers, preferably filiform or wavy elasticizing means are used, such as rubber or polyether polyurethane or polyesterpolyurethane yarns, preferably elastic yarns such as Lycra® or Spandex® yarns. The leg warming means preferably have a thickness of 300-1500 dtex, especially 500-1200 dtex, more especially 500-900 dtex.

The elasticizing means of the leg loops are preferably immobilized under a pretension of 1.5-6.0, especially 2.5-4.5, in the shell materials forming the chassis of the crotch section. Prestress is defined as a factor of the degree of expansion compared to the unextended / relaxed state of the elasticizing means.

In the course of developing incontinence articles in the form of briefs, it has been recognized that the widest possible areas of the incontinence article should be configured as elastically flexible, that is, as extensible according to a body shape of the user. This has led to the assumption, not always pertinent, that as large a part as possible of the chassis materials forming the envelope of the incontinence article should be formed of elastically extensible or elasticized materials, especially by incorporating the elastification means. cited above in the stretch-glue procedure. However, or in addition, it has been intended to stretch the leg openings of the incontinence article as continuously as possible to provide safe protection against lateral leakage.

However, it has not been recognized that the elastic shaping of chassis materials, especially by incorporating linearly extended elastification means, is also linked to non-negligible drawbacks. It is true that with a superficial elastification of chassis materials, that is to say, a continuous elastification in substantially all its extension, it can be achieved that the incontinence article in the form of a brief can generally adapt in a certain way to different body shapes, that is to say that the article can generally be positioned as intended on a user. However, this is often linked to the formation of very high tensile stresses in the chassis materials, which can have an unpleasant impact on the user. In this case, the elastification means often dig into the surface of the wearer's skin, which is perceived as unpleasant and can even lead to pain, skin irritation and, especially in combination with a humid climate, even skin lesions. Chassis materials subjected to high expansion stress are often applied closely against the surface of the wearer's skin, which, even when using active materials in perspiration, leads to a humid microclimate in the area of ​​the skin's surface and can also have fatal consequences with regard to the surface of the wearer's skin. Indeed, in such a case, no gaseous phase is formed directly adjacent to the surface of the skin, but a liquid phase is formed. However, a strong pretension in the area of ​​the elasticizing means leads to a strong formation of folds, that is to say, to a large number of folds or pleats per centimeter (considered in the direction of the elastic action of the elasticizing means) . This three-dimensional wavy structure is then pressed against the surface of the skin under a great tension that is exerted through the elastification means, and causes, especially under high mobility of the user, relative movements which in turn irritate the surface of the skin. skin and lead to unpleasant and even medically troublesome skin irritations.

Even though the elasticizing means extends arc or transversely with respect to a machine direction, which is frequently applied to achieve a surface elasticization that encompasses substantially all of the chassis materials, there is a problem that As a consequence of the component transverse to the machine direction, a greater path has to be traveled and, therefore, a greater prestressing of the elastification means intervenes in the course of the stretching-gluing process. This typically leads to a higher resistance to elastic expansion of the corresponding areas of the chassis compared to areas in which the elasticizing means are incorporated running in the machine direction, which in turn can have a very problematic impact. high level.

For the superficial elastification of the abdominal section and the back section, the respective first elastification means arranged at a distance from each other and extending parallel to each other in the transverse direction or in the peripheral direction of the hip are provided. These means preferably have the same pretension and serve substantially to produce a uniform surface-continuous elasticization of the abdominal section and the dorsal section in the area clearly above the leg openings. However, it is possible that the first elasticizing means have a greater prestress in an upper region of the edge of the hip or that several of these elasticizing means are provided with a smaller distance from one to the other to achieve a somewhat stronger elasticity. on the edge of the hip.

ES 2 380 409 T3

It has been recognized with the present invention, among other things, that the stress conditions in the aforementioned area of ​​the abdominal section and the dorsal section located on the side of the crotch and turned towards the leg openings are responsible for the problems discussed. at the beginning and can be configured so that the above problems do not arise or only do so to a lesser extent. According to the invention, the area on the crotch side and turned towards the leg openings, in which the second elastification means fan out in the direction of the longitudinal median axis, is configured so that the restoring force which is presents under a superficial dilation of this zone is smaller than in the case of a superficial dilation in a zone on the hip side in which only the first elastification means are provided. With the term "area on the hip side" it is meant that this area is located in a longitudinal direction outside the area on the side of the crotch and turned towards the openings of the leg warmers carried by the second elastification means that they fan out. The restoring force is the force that the abdominal section and the dorsal section oppose to a superficial dilation in the direction of travel of the elastification means. According to the invention, it has been recognized as essential that the area located on the crotch side and turned towards the leg openings is formed under superficial expansion along the second elasticizing means with a restoring force smaller than that of of the areas adjacent to it in the longitudinal direction and which are farthest from the crotch and leg openings, for example especially the areas in which the first elastification means are arranged. In this way, greater comfort of use of the incontinence article is achieved and the aforementioned problems occur to a lesser extent, since the incontinence article can also be expanded to a greater extent, depending on the body shape, in the area of ​​the crotch or in the area of ​​the leg openings, without immediately producing an unpleasant increase in recovery forces with the consequences mentioned at the beginning.

To determine the restoring forces, the chassis areas to be constrained can be firmly clamped directly, so to speak without destruction, between two clamping jaws of the same defined width, and the recovery forces can be obtained under a defined expansion simulating the state of use of the areas to be measured around 30% or 50% or 80% of the starting length (of the distance between the clamping jaws when immobilizing the area to be measured in the untensioned state). The clamping jaws must immobilize as many elasticizing means as possible, but at least two juxtaposed elasticizing means of the area to be measured and must be oriented substantially perpendicular to the path of the elasticizing means, so that the expansion between the clamping jaws are carried out substantially in the direction of travel of the elastification means.

In a still more advanced embodiment of the present invention it has also been recognized that the stress conditions in the aforementioned area of ​​the abdominal section and the dorsal section, located on the crotch side and turned towards the leg openings, are essential. in terms of wearing comfort and can be configured so as to improve wearing comfort. To this end, the area located on the crotch side and facing the leg openings, in which the second elastification means fan out in the direction of the longitudinal median axis, is configured in such a way that, under an expansion surface of this area, the restoring force then present decreases in the direction of the crotch section.

Considering this area of ​​the abdominal section and the back section located on the crotch side and turned towards the leg openings, specifically in a direction that extends from the respective side seam zone in the direction of the crotch section , that is, in the direction of a longitudinal median axis of the incontinence article and somewhat in the direction of the arc-shaped fan deployment of the second elastification means, The restoring force that occurs under surface expansion is then reduced in this direction. Therefore, we are dealing here with the force that the abdominal section and the dorsal section oppose to a superficial dilation. A decrease in this restoring force, which is then naturally transmitted to the user, is linked to a considerable improvement in the wearing comfort of the incontinence article.

It also appears to be especially advantageous if the reduction in the restoring force in the aforementioned area of ​​the abdominal section and the dorsal section located on the crotch side and turned towards the leg openings is provided in such a way that it is formed in the direction to the crotch section a decreasing number of folds per centimeter in the transverse direction of the incontinence article. In such a case, the abdominal section and the back section can be expanded according to the body shape of the user without the elastic forces formed thereby attempting to gather the chassis material with a large number of folds. It should be explained here once again that the decrease in the restoring force in the direction of the crotch section means that the force generated as a result of a surface expansion turns out to be smaller as the approach to the crotch section increases. Therefore, the restoring force as a result of surface stretching is greater in an area closer to the side seam than in an area closer to the crotch section.

The aforementioned stress conditions can be achieved in very different ways, for example by using materials of different elasticity in the transverse direction in the area located on the crotch side and turned towards the leg openings, in which the second legs are also provided. means of elastification. Would

It is also conceivable that the pretension of the second elastification means is reduced by increasing the approach to the crotch section, that is, from the outside to the inside in the direction of a longitudinal median axis. Furthermore, it would be conceivable that the reduction of the restoring force under surface expansion is achieved by increasing the distance between the second elasticizing means, it being borne in mind here that this is not compensated for or even exceeded in the direction of an increasing restoring force. with a strong increase in prestress as a result of the fan-shaped path of the elasticizing means.

It has proven particularly advantageous that a minimum distance between the second elastification means (distance of directly juxtaposed elastification means) in the areas of the side seams is 3 to 8 mm, especially 3 to 7 mm and more especially 3 to 6 mm.

Furthermore, it has proven advantageous that a maximum distance between the second elastification means (distance of directly juxtaposed elastification means) at an edge of the absorption body or at a longitudinal edge of the crotch section is 7 to 35 mm, especially from 10 to 32 mm and more especially from 12 to 30 mm.

Likewise, it has been shown to be advantageous that the second elastification means have a degree of fan deployment F

F = (AB) / B * 100% from 50 to 900%, especially from 100 to 700% and more especially from 150 to 550%.

The degree of fan deployment F is defined here as the percentage ratio of the increase in distance (AB) to the minimum distance (B). The magnitudes A and B are defined here as the distance between the second outermost elasticizing means in the longitudinal direction and the second innermost elasticizing means in the longitudinal direction (that is, not the distance of directly juxtaposed second elasticizing means), being defined namely A as the maximum distance, especially at the longitudinal edge of the crotch section or at the edge of the absorber body, and B as the minimum distance, especially in the area of ​​the side seam. It has also been recognized that it is found to be advantageous that the degree of fan-out F of the second elastification means is greater in the dorsal section than in the abdominal section.

Due to the body shapes determined by nature in the dorsal area and in the abdominal area of ​​a user, the problems discussed here are typically manifested as more serious in the dorsal area or in the gluteal area. Therefore, it appears to be advantageous that the maximum distance between the second elastification means at one edge of the absorption body is greater in the back section than in the abdominal section.

It would be entirely conceivable for the second elastification means to run continuously from one side seam area to the other side seam area, which especially simplifies incorporation into a continuous manufacturing process compared to a "cut and place" process. As a consequence of the covering of the crotch section with the abdominal section and with the dorsal section, depending on the configuration, an overlap or covering of the absorption body rich in material with the abdominal section and / or the dorsal section can also occur, and, therefore, also with the area of ​​the abdominal section and the dorsal section that is located on the side of the crotch and turned towards the leg openings and in which the second elastification means run. The material-rich absorber body here usually hinders an elastic extensibility of the chassis materials. Furthermore, it is not absolutely advantageous for the material-rich absorption body to be stressed with additional tensile forces. For this reason, it appears to be advantageous if the second elastification means are deactivated in a zone of overlap with the absorption body of the crotch section with regard to their elastic properties. This deactivation can take place, for example, by means of a plurality of separating cuts through the second elastification means in the area covered by the absorption body, other separation methods being conceivable, such as, for example, by ultrasonic or laser welding medium.

It should be mentioned that the first elastification means can also be deactivated in the area covered by the absorption body with respect to their elastic properties.

It has already been pointed out that the second elastification means, despite the stress conditions to be caused according to the invention in accordance with the tracing of its fan-out path during the manufacture of the incontinence article, may be exposed to a greater expansion and , therefore, at a higher prestress than in a non-fanned area in which said means extend substantially equidistant from each other and in the machine direction. This higher prestress can typically result from the incorporation of the second elastification means in a conventional stretch-stick process and will therefore not be described in detail.

ES 2 380 409 T3

Regarding the overall dimensions of the incontinence article, it appears advantageous that the distance (C) between the second innermost elastic means of the abdominal section turned towards the crotch and the corresponding second innermost elastic means of the turned back section towards the crease is 250 to 420 mm.

The distance between the second innermost elasticizing means turned towards the crotch and the limiting edge contour of the leg openings in the area of ​​the abdominal section and the back section located on the crotch side and turned towards the openings of the crotch. the leg loops is preferably 2-40mm, more preferably

3-30 mm and in particular preferably 4-15 mm.

As first and / or second elastification means, filiform or belt-shaped elastification means are preferably used, such as rubber or polyether polyurethane or polyesterpolyurethane yarns, preferably elastic yarns, such as Lycra® or Spandex® yarns. The first and / or second elastification means preferably have a thickness of 300-1500 dtex, especially 500-900 dtex and more especially 500-600 dtex.

The first and / or second elastification means are preferably immobilized under a pretension of 1.5-6.0, especially 2.5-5.0 in the chassis-forming wrapping materials of the abdominal section and the dorsal section. Prestress is defined here as the factor of the degree of expansion relative to the unexpanded / relaxed state of the elasticizing means.

It appears to be advantageous that the abdominal section and the back section are elastified transversely on their surface along the longitudinal direction, substantially continuously, at least outside the absorption body, in which case the stress conditions according to the invention.

The chassis-forming materials of the abdominal section and / or the back section preferably comprise nonwoven materials, such as spun webs, card webs or air bonded card webs. The chassis-forming material of the abdominal section and / or the back section particularly preferably comprises a spunbond. The non-woven materials used for the abdominal section and / or the dorsal section advantageously have a specific gravity of 10-30 g / m², more preferably 15-25 g / m². The abdominal section and the back section comprise in a particularly preferred way a spunbond made of polypropylene, especially with a specific gravity of 15-25 g / m².

The crease section advantageously comprises a liquid impermeable backsheet material and a topsheet material in the form of a veil. The backsheet comprises in particular a film, especially with a specific gravity of 18-40 g / m². In particular, the backsheet comprises a film that is liquid-tight in use, but nevertheless active in perspiration, that is, permeable to water vapor, especially microporous. The water vapor permeability of the backsheet is especially at least 300 g / m²/ 24h, more especially at least 1000 g / m²/ 24h, more especially at least 2000 g / m²/ 24h, more especially at least 3000 g / m²/ 24h, more especially at least 4000 g / m²/ 24h and more especially at most 6000 g / m²/ 24h, measured according to DIN 53 122-1 (Edition: 2001-08).

The absorption body comprises materials for absorbing body fluids, such as natural or synthetic fibers, especially cellulose fibers, preferably in the form of a stuffed cellulosic material. Preferably, the absorption body further comprises superabsorbent materials (SAP), especially based on surface crosslinked and partially neutralized polyacrylates.

The crotch section or the longitudinal edges of the crotch section which limit the leg openings are advantageously contoured in the shape of an arc.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention appear from the appended claims and from the representation in the drawings and the subsequent description of a preferred embodiment of the incontinence article according to the invention. They show in the drawing:

Figure 1, a plan view of an incontinence article according to the invention, in which an abdominal section, a dorsal section and a crotch section joining the other two sections of the incontinence article are not yet joined to obtain a shape of underpants, but are represented in a flattened and extended state;

FIG. 2 a fragmentary representation of the incontinence article according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the crotch section of the incontinence article according to FIG. 1, again in the flattened and extended state;

ES 2 380 409 T3

Figure 4, a sectional view (schematic) along a transverse mid-axis of the crotch section with a section plane IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5, a sectional view (schematic) - corresponding to Figure 4 - of the crotch section with a cut plane VV of Figure 3, with barrier means deployed and raised;

Figure 6, a perspective view (schematic) of the incontinence article according to Figure 1 applied to a user;

Figure 7, a plan view - corresponding to Figure 1 - of the incontinence article according to the invention to illustrate the union of the crotch section and the abdominal section or the dorsal section, and

Figures 8 and 9, by way of example, the determination of restoring forces in the abdominal section and in the dorsal section, respectively, of the incontinence article according to the invention.

The figures show an incontinence article designated in total with the reference numeral 2, in the form of a brief, for the collection of solid and liquid body excretions. The incontinence article 2 is made up of three components that can be manufactured with the greatest independence from one another, namely, a front abdominal section 4, a rear dorsal section 6 and a crotch section 8 that is arranged between these and presents an absorption body 7, wherein the crotch section 8 overlaps by a significant portion of the surface with the abdominal section 4, on the one hand, and with the dorsal section 6, on the other, and it has been joined to these in the factory indissolubly in the overlapping area. As can be seen in figure 1, this leads to an H-shaped basic structure of the incontinence article with a longitudinal direction 9. The integral parts assembled with one another, represented in figure 1, are then also joined one with another in the factory, to obtain the underpants shape schematically represented in figure 6, in respective lateral longitudinal edge sections 10, 12 of the section abdominal 4 and dorsal section 6, whereby side seam zones 14 are formed on both sides (figure 6). In this brief form state produced by the manufacturer of the incontinence article, the abdominal section 4 and the back section 6 extend continuously in the transverse direction or in the peripheral direction 16 of the hip up to the side seam zones 14 and thus define a hip opening 18 closed in the peripheral direction of the hip and leg openings 19, through which the user dons the incontinence article like a brief.

The abdominal section 4 can be subdivided into an area 20 on the hip side and an area 22 on the crotch side and turned towards the leg openings. A corresponding subdivision is provided in the back section 6, specifically also in an area 24 on the hip side and an area 26 located on the crotch side and turned towards the leg openings.

In the region 20 on the hip side of the abdominal section 4 and in the region 24 on the hip side of the dorsal section 6, first elastification means 28 are provided, consisting in particular of filiform elastification elements, such as threads. Lycra®, which, in the predilated state, have been joined by the so-called stretch-glue procedure with the flat materials (chassis materials) of the abdominal section 4 and the dorsal section 6. These first elasticizing means 28 extend in the transverse direction or in the peripheral direction 16 of the hip from one side seam zone 14 to the other.

The area 22 of the abdominal section 4 and the area 26 of the back section 6, located on the crotch side and turned towards the leg openings 19, have an edge contour 32 or 34, respectively, which deviates from the transverse direction or peripheral direction 16 of the hip and converges in the direction of a transverse mid-axis 30 of the crotch section 8. This edge contour 32, 34 is also arc-shaped in the representation according to FIG. 1 and is therefore suitable for limiting the openings 19 of the leg cuffs. Due to this path of the zone 22 or 26 located on the side of the crotch and turned towards the leg openings, a relatively large overlapping zone 36, 38 also materializes between the crotch section 8 and the abdominal section 4 or the dorsal section 6, respectively, which is essential in order to obtain a tear-resistant connection of the crotch section 8 and the abdominal section 4 or the dorsal section 6. The larger the overlap area 36, ​​38, the smaller amounts of glue that can be used, based on the area of ​​the overlap area, which has an advantageous effect on the rigidity of the chassis materials. In particular, a layer of glue that does not cover the entire surface can be used to establish the bond of the components.

The respective area 22, 26 of the abdominal section 4 or of the back section 6, located on the crotch side and turned towards the leg openings 19, is also made in an elasticized way. Second elasticizing means 40 or 42 are provided there. The second elasticizing means 40, 42 each extend from the side seam areas 14 in the direction of a longitudinal median axis 44 of the incontinence article. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the second elastification means 40, 42 fan out in the direction of the longitudinal median axis 44. This means that the distance between them increases in the direction of the median axis.

ES 2 380 409 T3 longitudinal 44. This fan-out of the second elastification means 40 or 42 can also be expressed quantitatively in more detail with the aid of FIG. 2. For example, the second elastification means 42 of the back section 6, represented in FIG. 2, have a minimum distance of 3 to 8 mm between them in the lateral seam zones 14 (distance of directly juxtaposed elastification means) and a maximum distance (distance of directly juxtaposed elastification means) of 7 to 35 mm between them at an edge 46 of the absorption body or at a longitudinal edge 48 of the crotch section 8. With the help of figure 2, a degree of fan-out F can also be defined as follows:

F = (AB) / B * 100%.

This degree of fan-out may advantageously be between 50 and 900%, especially between 100 and 700% and more especially between 150 and 550%. It is advantageously larger in the dorsal section 6 than in the abdominal section 4. The quantities A and B are defined here as the distance between the outermost second stretch means 40, 42 in the longitudinal direction 9 and the innermost second stretch means 40, 42 in the longitudinal direction 9 (i.e. not the distance of directly juxtaposed elastification means), and specifically A is defined as the maximum distance, especially at the longitudinal edge 48 of the crotch section 8, and B is defined as the minimum distance, especially in the area of ​​the side seam 14.

As long as the degree of fan deployment in the second elastification means 40, 42 is chosen to be sufficiently large, a decreasing restoring force can then be realized in this way within the zone 22 or 26 located on the crotch and back side. towards the leg openings 19, in the direction 56 to the crotch section 8, when it is ensured that, as a consequence of the arc-shaped travel of the second elastification means 40, 42 which is away from the hip direction or transverse direction 16, does not result in too strong an increase in prestress due to the greater travel of these second elasticizing means 40, 42. If an area 50 - located closer to the side seam area 14 of the corresponding area 22 or 26 located on the crotch side is then considered with an area 52 located closer to the crotch section 8, the restoring force that is adjusted under a surface expansion of area 52 (expansion in the direction of the elastification means 42), is smaller than the restoring force that is adjusted as area 50 expands. This also advantageously leads to the fact that, as a consequence of the lower elastic forces exerted by the second elastification means 40, 42 in the case represented by way of example, the materials of the chassis of the abdominal section 4 and the back section 6 are less tightly gathered, which also results in a smaller number of pleats / pleats 54, specifically from the respective side seam area 14 in the direction of the crotch section 8. As the restoring forces that are adjusted under a superficial dilation of the abdominal section in the zone 22 of the abdominal section 4 or in the zone 26 of the dorsal section 6, located on the side of the crotch and turned towards the openings of the leg loops, decrease in the direction of the arrow 56, that is, generally from the side seam area 14 in the direction of the crotch section 8, a considerable improvement in wearing comfort is achieved, since it is precisely in this area - as has been verified according to the invention - elastically extensible materials are especially problematic because these materials are stressed in these areas especially with traction and expansion in line with the physiognomy of the human body shape. Due to an intentionally anticipated reduction of this restoring force according to the invention, that is, due to a decreasing restoring force in the direction of arrow 56, that is, in the direction of an increasing approach to the crotch section 8, a here it creates a degree of freedom not previously materialized, with which the problems outlined at the beginning are overcome.

As explained at the beginning, recovery forces can be determined directly on the chassis of the incontinence article. To this end, the corresponding area of ​​the abdominal section 4 or of the back section 6 is clamped between two clamping jaws 102, 104 (see figure 8) of the same defined width (b) and the restoring forces are then obtained. at a defined expansion simulating the state of use of the areas to be measured around 30% or 50% or 80% of the starting length (the distance between the clamping jaws in the untensioned state). The clamping jaws 102, 104 then move away from each other. The clamping jaws 102, 104 should immobilize as many as possible, but at least two juxtaposed elastification means 40, 42 or 28 of the area to be measured and must be oriented substantially at right angles to the path of the elastification means, of so that the expansion between the clamping jaws 102, 104, that is, the movement away from the clamping jaws 102, 104, is carried out substantially in the direction of travel of the elastification means. This is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 shows the principle of the clamping jaw arrangement 102, 104 for comparing the restoring forces in the zone 22, 26 located on the side of the crotch and turned towards the openings. of the legs with the recovery forces in a zone 20, 24 on the hip side. Figure 9 shows the principle of the clamping jaw arrangement 102, 104 to compare the restoring forces in an area closer to the crotch section 8 with the restoring forces in an area closer to the side seam zone 14 .

ES 2 380 409 T3

In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the incontinence article 2 a distance C between the second innermost elastification means 40 of the abdominal section 4 turned towards the crotch and the corresponding second innermost elastic means 42 of the back section 6 turned towards the crotch is between 250 and 420 mm, depending on the size of the incontinence article. The second elastification means 40, 42 extend substantially to the transverse edge 58, 60 of the abdominal section 4 and the back section 6 which is turned towards the crotch. The distance between the abdominal section 4 and the dorsal section 6 is 250-400 mm.

The distance between the second innermost elastification means 40, 42 turned towards the crotch and the edge contour 32, 34 - limiting the leg openings - of the zone 22, 26 of the abdominal section 4 and the dorsal section 6 , located on the crotch side and turned towards the leg openings, is preferably 2-40 mm, more preferably 3-30 mm and particularly preferably 4-15 mm.

The extension of the abdominal section 4 and the back section 6 in the lateral seam zone 14, in the longitudinal direction 9, is advantageously between 100 and 220 mm. The maximum extension of the crotch section 8 in the transverse direction 16 is advantageously 200 to 350 mm.

The crotch section 8 comprises a liquid-impermeable backsheet material 62, which may be formed especially of a perspiration-active, but liquid-tight, film material, and a topsheet material 64 preferably constructed of a veil. Between the backsheet material and the topsheet material, the absorption body 7 is arranged, as can be seen in Figures 4 and 5. In the case presented by way of example, the backsheet material 62 forms in the transverse direction 16 a projected projection 66 relative to the absorption body 7. The topsheet 64 protrudes from the absorption body 7 in the transverse direction by only a relatively insignificant extent; however, running on both sides of the absorption body 7 in the longitudinal direction 9 is provided a respective upright barrier means 68 which is typically called hem element or upright band element and is preferably formed of a hydrophobic non-woven material, especially liquid impervious, extending in the transverse direction 16, preferably up to the lateral longitudinal edges 48 of the crotch section 8. The distal ends 70 of the barrier means 68 are provided with other elastification means 72 which raise the barrier means 68 during use of the incontinence article against the surface of the wearer's skin, as schematically depicted in Figure 5. . In their respective longitudinal end regions 74 the lateral barrier means 68 are immobilized via schematically insinuated attachments 76, 78 on the topsheet 64 or on themselves in a C-shaped folded configuration. It is here advantageous and noteworthy that the respective inner fastening 78 in FIG. 4 immobilizes the barrier means 68 on itself, specifically in the transverse direction 16 within the outer fastening 76, which forms a hem skirting line 80 continuously extended in the longitudinal direction 9. On the contrary, the internal fixation 78 is provided only in the longitudinal end regions 74 of the barrier means 68.

It appears here as particularly advantageous that the aforementioned flying projection 66 of the backsheet material 62 and / or the topsheet material 64 with respect to the absorption body 7 - added to both sides of the absorption body, that is to say, added to the left and right - is at least 25%, referred to the maximum width of the crotch section 8. Indeed, in this way there is space in the transverse direction 16 to provide there an elastification means 82 of the leg cuffs extending along the leg openings 19. It is specifically shown to be advantageous that the elastification means 82 of the leg loops run at a certain distance from the absorption body 7 rich in material and, therefore, rather rigid to bending in order, on the one hand, not to exert expansion forces. or additional kinking on the absorption body, which could adversely influence the absorption behavior of the latter, and, on the other hand, materialize a liquid-tight leg cuff that is largely free from influences from the absorption body. In the case presented, it is found to be particularly advantageous if these leg stretch means 82 terminate in the longitudinal direction 9 with a clear distance of in particular at least 10 mm, preferably at least 20 mm, in front of the second stretch means 40 and 42 of the abdominal section 4 and the dorsal section 6. Preferably, these leg stretch means 82 terminate in the longitudinal direction 9 in front of the abdominal section 4 and the back section 6. This is advantageous and essential because, in such a case, the leg leg stretch means 82 they have little or no influence on the tension behavior of the abdominal section 4 and the dorsal section 6. Indeed, it has been recognized that, with respect to the objective of improving the wearing comfort that is intended to be achieved according to the invention precisely in the areas 22 and 26 of the abdominal section 4 and the back section 6, located on the side of the crotch and turns towards the openings 19 of the leg loops, Negative is the fact that the elasticizing means 82 for the leg warmers, which are usually constructed with high prestressing and correspondingly large restoring force, run additionally there.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, in the crotch section 8 a relatively large projection 66 is embodied in a transverse direction with respect to the absorption body 7, that is to say, especially

ES 2 380 409 T3 also in areas of the crotch section 8 turns towards the abdominal section 4 or the dorsal section 6. Thus, a relatively large overlap area 36, ​​38 of the section is materialized - as already mentioned. crotch 8 with abdominal section 4 and back section 6. According to a preferred embodiment variant, the overlapping zone 36 of the crotch section 8 with the abdominal section 4 comprises at least 12% of the surface of the abdominal section 4, and the overlapping zone 38 of the crotch section 8 with the dorsal section 6 it comprises at least 20% of the surface of the dorsal section 6. This appears to be advantageous, since in such a case a secure fixing of the crotch section 8 to the abdominal section 4 and the back section 6 can be achieved, in particular even if a glue layer covering the entire surface is not used. In such a case, it is advantageously sufficient that only a sectional or woven layer of glue is used to effect the bonding. This is advantageous because, in such a case, the materials assembled with one another do not become too rigid.

With the aid of FIG. 7, which corresponds to FIG. 1, another advantageous detail of the incontinence article according to the invention is explained. Following the concept of three components for the manufacture of the incontinence article according to the invention, a transition 90 is obtained between the crotch section 8 and the abdominal section 4, as well as a transition 92 between the crotch section 8 and the back section 6, in which a discontinuous path usually results - that is, provided with corners or angles or elbows - of the edges of the chassis materials that limit the openings 19 of the leg cuffs. This poses the risk that force points are formed in the area of ​​the transitions 90, 92 that lead to tearing of the chassis materials, which can impair the connection of the crotch section 8 to the abdominal section 4 and the back section 6. To counteract this, a reinforcing coating 94, 96 of the liquid-impermeable backsheet material 62 of the crotch section 8 is provided at the respective transition 90 and 92. It appears sufficient that this reinforcing coating 94, 96 is provided only in the respective area of ​​figure 7 indicated by the unbroken line. In the case presented by way of example and as preferable, the reinforcing liner 94, 96 overlaps the abdominal section 4 and the dorsal section 6 in the longitudinal direction 9 only by about 10 to 20 mm, in particular by about 15 mm. The reinforcing liner always ends in the longitudinal direction 9 in front of the longitudinal ends 98, 100 of the crotch section, specifically at least 30 mm in front of the longitudinal end 98 on the abdomen side and at least 90 mm in front of the end longitudinal 100 on the side of the back. This appears to be advantageous, since, in such a case, the reinforcing lining 94, 96 does not contribute unnecessarily to the stiffening of the chassis materials in areas where this is not useful, but rather is not desirable and is disadvantageous. Furthermore, material costs can be saved in this way. However, the possibility of providing the reinforcing liner 94, 96 not only at the transition 90 or 92 remains intact.

The reinforcing liner 94, 96 preferably consists of a non-woven material, especially a polypropylene spunbond, especially with a specific gravity of 10-20 g / m², in particular 12-17 g / m².