• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
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    • 专利摘要:
    An absorbent article that reduces the dampness of the outer cover includes a fibrous barrier disposed between the absorbent core and the liquid impermeable breathable outer cover. The barrier layer may comprise at least one layer of meltblown fibers having a thickness of at least 0.03 cm and a hydrohead value of at least 18 mbar, and when dried, the WVTR of the absorbent article is about 1500 g / m 2/24 hours. When wet and wet, it is less than 15,000 g / m2 / 24 hours.
    公开号:KR20000069604A
    申请号:KR1019997005590
    申请日:1997-12-19
    公开日:2000-11-25
    发明作者:데이빗 크레이지 스트랙；앤 루이스 멕코맥；티모씨 레이 마틴
    申请人:로날드 디. 맥크레이；킴벌리-클라크 월드와이드, 인크.；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Absorbent Articles Having Reduced Outer Cover Dampness}
    Technical Field
    The present invention relates to an absorbent article. More specifically, the present invention relates to absorbent articles such as personal care articles that reduce the dampness of the outer cover.
    Background of the Invention
    Absorbent articles such as infant diapers, adult urinary incontinence garments, sanitary napkins, needle pads, panty liners, incontinence pads and the like are well known in the art. Such absorbent articles are inexpensive, disposable, disposable articles that can absorb and retain liquids and other body emissions. Usually such absorbent articles have an outer cover with a liquid impermeable plastic film such as polypropylene and / or polyethylene to prevent retained emissions from leaking out and contaminating articles such as clothing, bedding, furniture and the like. However, until recently, liquid impermeable outer covers have been used which are impermeable to liquid as well as water vapor. Because this outer cover was impermeable to both liquid and water vapor, the wearer often felt hot and moist even before the absorbent article absorbed the body discharge. In addition, poor skin permeability caused frequent skin irritation, and in some cases serious skin problems. For example, absorbent articles, such as diapers, can cause diaper rashes in infants when worn for long periods of time. In addition to skin safety problems, liquid impermeable plastic films used as outer covers often lack the cosmetic and feel properties required for personal care products such as disposable diapers.
    In response to the problems described above, liquid impermeable outer covers, such as breathable fabrics, have been developed. The developed structure, usually a stack of various sheets, is substantially impermeable to liquids but breathable in that water vapor passes through the outer cover. This breathable outer cover is becoming increasingly popular and commercialized in connection with personal hygiene absorbent articles, in particular disposable diapers. However, from the wearer's perspective, while providing a healthier and more comfortable product, liquid impermeable breathable outer covers often suffer from the dampness of unwanted and unpleasant outer covers. If the liquid is drained and the absorbent article continues to use it after it has been absorbed, the outer cover may feel wet or moist even after a short time. However, this unpleasant wet sensation is usually due to condensation of water vapor on the outer cover, not just by permeation through the liquid impermeable cover or by liquid leaking out of the absorbent article, but only by excess water passing through the outer cover.
    Thus, absorbent articles that allow sufficient water vapor transmission to the absorbent article to provide a product that is beneficial to the wearer's health and are comfortable, but do not allow excessive water vapor transmission that causes the outer cover to feel wet or moist after the liquid is discharged into the absorbent article. There is a demand for
    Summary of the Invention
    The present invention is a liquid impermeable breathable outer cover; (b) liquid permeable topsheets; (c) an absorber between the outer cover and the surface sheet; And (d) an absorbent article comprising a hydrophobic barrier layer disposed between the breathable outer cover and the absorber to solve the problems and problems discussed above as well as those encountered by those skilled in the art. The hydrophobic barrier layer may comprise at least one layer of porous material having a supported hydrohead value greater than 18 cm and a thickness of at least about 0.03 cm (0.012 inch), wherein the outer cover and barrier The layers together have an inverted-WVTR of less than 15,000 g / m 2 / day. In another aspect, the barrier layer of the absorbent article of the present invention may comprise a nonwoven web having a Frazier air permeability of at least 1.13 m 3 / min (40 ft 3 / min). In another aspect, the barrier layer may comprise one or more layers of meltblown fibrous nonwoven webs with a collective basis weight greater than 16 g / m 2. In another aspect, the barrier layer comprises a plurality of barrier layers comprising a meltblown fiber layer having a total basis weight greater than about 20 g / m 2, and preferably having a basis weight of about 25 g / m 2 to about 40 g / m 2. It may comprise a layer. In another aspect, the hydrophobic barrier layer of the present invention may include one or more spunbond layers and one meltblown layer.
    In another aspect, the absorbent article of the present invention includes a hydrophobic barrier layer extending substantially below the entire absorbent portion. For example, the hydrophobic barrier layer can only extend beyond the outer edge of the absorbent or along the central length of the absorbent article. In another aspect, the barrier layer of the present invention may include a wrapsheet portion at least partially around the absorbent body. For example, the wrapsheet may include a hydrophobic barrier layer on the first side of the absorber adjacent the outer cover and a hydrophilic nonwoven layer on the second side of the absorbent adjacent the surface sheet. Alternatively, the wrapsheet may comprise a sheet having a hydrophobic portion adjacent to the liquid impermeable outer cover and a hydrophilic portion on the second side of the absorbent adjacent the surface sheet such that the hydrophobic portion of the wrapsheet comprises at least part of the barrier layer. It may comprise a continuous sheet.
    1 is a partially cut away plan view of the diaper of the present invention in a flat, unshrunk state.
    2 is a side cross-sectional view of the absorbent core and the wrapsheet.
    3 is a side cross-sectional view of the absorbent core and the wrapsheet.
    Justice
    As used herein, the term "nonwoven" or "nonwoven web" refers to a web having a structure in which individual fibers or threads are entangled with one another (but not in an identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric). Nonwovens or webs have been formed by many processes, such as, for example, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, hydroentangling processes, and bonded carded web processes. .
    As used herein, the term “spunbonded fibers” is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,340,563 to Appel et al. And US Pat. No. 3,692,618 to Dolschner et al., Matsuki et al. U.S. Patents 3,802,817, Kinney U.S. Patents 3,338,992 and 3,341,394, Hartman U.S. Patent 3,502,763, Dobo et al. U.S. Patent 3,542,615, Strack, etc. The molten thermoplastic material was extruded into filaments from a circular capillary of a spinning machine having a diameter of a plurality of thin, typically extruded filaments, as described in US Pat. No. 5,336,552 and US Pat. No. 5,382,400 to Pike et al. Afterwards, small diameter fibers produced by compression are shown. Spunbond fibers generally do not stick when deposited on a collecting surface. Thus, spunbond fiber webs are described, for example, in US Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 362,328 to Arnold et al., Filed December 22, 1994, US Patent Nos. 4,374,888 to Bonslaeger and Hansen. It is common to treat the web to impart additional aggregation as described in US Pat. No. 3,855,046 to Hansen and Pennings. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and have an average diameter that is predominantly greater than 7 microns, more specifically about 10 to 50 microns (average of about 10 samples). However, fine spunbond fiber materials can be made and include fibers with denier of 2 or less here.
    As used herein, the term “meltblown fiber” refers to a high-speed, typically hot, high-temperature gas that converges a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of thin, typically circular die capillaries as molten threads or filaments. Eg, by air) extruded into a stream to attenuate filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameters (which may be fine fiber diameters). The meltblown fibers are then carried by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface to form a randomly consumed meltblown fibrous web. Such a process is described in various patents and publications such as US Pat. No. 3,849,241 to Butin et al .; NRL Report 4364, "Manufacture of Super-Fine Organic Fibers" by V.A. Wendt, E.L.Boone and C.O.Fluharty; Lawrence, R.T. Lukas and J.A. Young, NRL Report 5265, "An Improved Apparatus for the Formation of Super-Fine Thermoplastic Fibers". Meltblown fibers are generally microfibers that may be continuous or discontinuous and typically have an average diameter of less than 10 microns.
    As used herein, the term “polymer” generally includes, but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers such as blocks, grafts, random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, and the like and blends and modifications thereof. Also, unless specifically limited otherwise, the term "polymer" includes all possible geometries of the molecule. Such structures include, but are not limited to, isotropic, ordered and randomly symmetrical structures.
    As used herein, the term "multilayer laminate" refers to spunbond / meltblown / spunbond (SMS) laminates and Brock et al., US Pat. No. 4,041,203, Bonslegger US Pat. No. 4,374,888, Collier ( US Pat. No. 5,169,706 to Collier et al., US Pat. No. 5,145,727 to Potts et al., US Pat. No. 5,178,931 to Perkins et al. And US Pat. No. 5,188,885 to Timmons et al. Like the laminate, some of the layers are spunbonded and some mean meltblown laminates. Such a laminate may first deposit a spunbond fibrous layer on a moving forming belt, then a meltblown fibrous layer, and finally another spunbond layer in turn, and then deposit the laminate in the manner described in the references above. It can be formed by bonding. Alternatively, the fibrous layers can be prepared separately, collected in rolls, and joined in separate bonding steps. Multilayer stacks may also have a plurality of different meltblown layers or a plurality of spunbond layers in a variety of different structures and may include other materials such as film (F) or coform materials, such as SMMS, SFS, etc. Can be.
    As used herein, the term "coform" refers to a process in which one or more meltblown dieheads are placed near a chute that adds another material to the web during formation. The other material may be, for example, pulp, superabsorbent particles, cellulose or staple fibers. Coform processes are described in US Pat. No. 4,818,464 to Lau and US Pat. No. 4,100,324 to Anderson et al.
    As used herein, the term "point bonding" means bonding one or more fabric layers at a plurality of separate bonding points. For example, thermal point bonding generally involves passing one or more layers to be bonded between heated rolls, such as a carved pattern roll and a smooth calendar roll. The carved rolls are patterned to not bond the entire fabric over its entire surface, and the anvil roll is typically flat. Thus, various patterns have been developed for engraving rolls as well as for aesthetic reasons. One example of a pattern is dots, a Hansen Pennings or “H & P” pattern as taught in US Pat. No. 3,855,046, when new, having about 30% bond area and about 200 bonds per square inch. . Another typical point bonding has a lateral length of 0.023 inches, with each pin having a square pin engagement area of 1.575 mm (0.062 inches) and a depth of engagement of 0.838 mm (0.033 inches). The bonding area of the resulting pattern is about 15% when new. Another common pattern is a C-shaped pattern with a bond area of about 16.9% when new. The C-stellar pattern has a "corduroy" design that is interrupted by shooting cross bars or constellations. Other common patterns include repeating diamond patterns and slightly deviated diamond patterns with a bonding area of about 16%. Usually, the bond area percentage is less than about 50% of the area of the laminated fabric web and more preferably in the range of about 10% to about 30%.
    As used herein, the term “superabsorbent” or “superabsorbent” absorbs at least about 20 times, more preferably at least about 30 times, its own weight in an aqueous solution containing 0.9 wt.% Sodium chloride under preferred conditions. Water-swellable, water-soluble organic or inorganic substances which can be represented. Organic materials suitable for use as superabsorbent materials in connection with the present invention include natural materials such as guar, gum, agar, pectin and the like; And synthetic materials such as, but not limited to, synthetic hydrogel polymers. Examples of such hydrogel polymers are polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene, maleic anhydride copolymer, polyvinyl ether, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinylmorpholinone and vinyl sulfonic acid And alkali metal salts of polymers and copolymers such as polyacrylate, polyacrylamide and polyvinylpyridine. Other suitable polymers include hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch and isobutylene maleic anhydride polymers and mixtures thereof. This hydrogel polymer is preferably crosslinked slightly so that it is substantially insoluble in water. Crosslinking can be carried out, for example, by irradiation or by covalent bonds, ionic bonds, Vandelwald bonds or hydrogen bonds. Superabsorbent materials can be in any form suitable for use in absorbent composites, including particles, fibers, flakes, spheres, and the like. Usually, the superabsorbent material is present in the absorbent in an amount of about 5 to about 95 weight percent based on the total weight of the absorbent. Superabsorbents are generally available in particle sizes of about 20 to about 1000 microns. Examples of suitable superabsorbents on the market include SANWET IM 3900 (Hoescht Celanese, Potsmouth, VA) and DRYTECH 2035LD (Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Michigan).
    As used herein, the term “breathable” means a material that is permeable to water vapor with a WVTR of 1500 g / m 2/24 hours as measured by the water vapor permeability test, discussed below.
    As used herein, the term "personal hygiene article" refers to diapers, sportswear pants, absorbent underpants, adult incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and the like.
    Description of the invention
    Absorbent articles generally include a liquid permeable surface sheet facing the wearer and a liquid impermeable bottom sheet or outer cover. An absorbent core is disposed between the surface sheet and the outer cover, and often the surface sheet and the outer cover are sealed to enclose the absorbent core. Although described in the following detailed description with regard to disposable diapers, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concept of the present invention is also suitable for use in connection with other types of absorbent articles, in particular other personal care products. In addition, while the invention has been described in connection with some specific structures, those skilled in the art will recognize that further combinations or modifications of the specific structures discussed below may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
    As shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 10 includes a liquid impermeable breathable outer cover 12, a liquid permeable surface sheet 14 disposed in contact with the outer cover 12, a liquid permeable surface sheet 14, and an absorber. It may include an absorbent core 16 between the core 16 and the breathable outer cover 12. A hydrophobic breathable barrier layer 18 is disposed between the absorbent core 16 and the breathable outer cover 12.
    The diaper 10 may be of various shapes, for example an overall rectangular, T-shaped or glass clock. The surface sheet 14 generally has the same length as the outer cover 12, but may optionally be larger or smaller than the outer cover 12 area, as desired. Portions of the diaper 10, such as the peripheral section of the outer cover 12, may extend beyond the distal edge of the absorbent core 16. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer cover 12 may extend outward beyond the distal peripheral edge of the absorbent core 16.
    As typically illustrated in FIG. 1, the surface sheet 14 preferably exhibits a body contact surface that is compliant, soft to the touch, and does not irritate the wearer's skin. The surface sheet 14 is suitably used to help separate the wearer's skin from the liquid retained in the absorbent core 16. In order to provide a dryer surface to the wearer, the surface sheet 14 may have less hydrophilicity than the absorbent core 16 and may also be porous enough to permeate the liquid easily. Surface sheets are well known in the art and include porous foams, reticulated foams, perforated plastic films, natural fibers (ie wool or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (ie polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, etc.) or natural fibers. It can be made from a variety of materials, such as blends of synthetic fibers. For example, the surface sheet may comprise a meltblown or spunbonded web of polyolefin fibers or a bonded-carded web composed of natural and / or synthetic fibers. In this regard, the surface sheet may be composed of a substantially hydrophobic material that has been treated with a surfactant or processed to add wettability and permeability to a desired level. By way of example, the surfactant may be applied in an amount that adds the desired degree of hydrophilicity by conventional means such as spraying, printing, brush coating or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the surfacesheet is a polypropylene spunbond fiber or polyethylene / treated with the trade name Triton X-102 with a surfactant commercially available (octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol) from Union Carbide, Danbury, Conn. Nonwoven webs of propylene multicomponent spunbond fibers.
    The backsheet or or outer cover 12 may comprise a liquid impermeable breathable structure and may often comprise a multilayer stack. In certain embodiments as shown in FIG. 1, the outer cover comprises a liquid impermeable breathable film 26 and at least one additional nonwoven layer 28 (shown in FIG. 1 as a single layer). The specific structure and composition of the outer cover is selected from blends of various films and / or nonwovens; In general, the nonwoven layer is selected to provide the desired strength, wear resistance, feel properties, and / or appearance. In particular, the outermost portion of the outer cover 12, such as the nonwoven layer 28 shown in FIG. 1, preferably includes a durable material such as an SMS laminate having a fabric-like feel and good wear resistance. Liquid-impermeable outer covers comprising multilayer laminates with thin, nonporous films such as polyvinyl alcohol that allow the movement of water vapor through the film itself are known in the art. In addition, films are also known in the art that impart breathability by forming micropore gaps that allow water vapor to permeate while maintaining impermeability to liquids. Multilayer laminates incorporating a second type of breathable film are generally preferred. These films can allow vapor to permeate by adding filler particles to the film composition and rolling or stretching the film to form a gap where the filler particles are located. The amount of filler in the film and the degree of stretching and / or rolling are controlled to give the desired vapor permeability. Such films are usually made from polyolefin films such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Liquid impermeable breathable films and liquid impermeable multilayer laminates are disclosed in Sheth, US Pat. No. 4,777,073, Braun et al., US Pat. No. 4,818,600 and WO 95/16562 and WO 96/00. US Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 929,562 to McCormack et al., Filed September 19, 1997 and filed September 15, 1997, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Particularly preferred materials for use in liquid impermeable breathable multilayer laminates are biaxially oriented polyethylene microporous film materials having a calcium carbonate of about 50% by weight, Exon Chemical Company, Inc. under the tradename EXXAIRE. (Wxxon Chemical Co., Inc., Linden, NJ).
    Between the liquid impermeable breathable outer cover 12 and the liquid permeable surface sheet 14 usually include, but are not limited to, superabsorbent particles and, optionally, wood pulp fluff fibers, synthetic wood pulp fibers, synthetic fibers and combinations thereof. An absorbent core 16 is disposed that includes an additional absorbent material, such as but not limited to absorbent fibers. However, a common problem with wood pulp fluff is the lack of cohesion and the property of degradation when wet. Thus, it is often advantageous to add stiffer reinforcing fibers such as polyolefin meltblown fibers or short staple fibers (usually coform materials). For example, as noted above, superabsorbent particles such as wood pulp and / or staple fibers may be injected into the meltblown fiber stream to incorporate or bind to the meltblown fibers. The superabsorbent material can be substantially homogeneously mixed with the hydrophilic fibers or can be selectively positioned within the desired zone of the absorbent body to better retain and absorb body emissions. The concentration of superabsorbent material can also vary with the thickness of the absorbent core. Or the absorbent core may comprise means suitable for maintaining the laminate or superabsorbent of the fibrous web and the superabsorbent material in a defined area.
    The absorbent core can have any of a variety of shapes. For example, the absorbent core can be rectangular, I-shaped or T-shaped. In general, the absorbent core is preferably narrower in the crotch region than in the front or rear portion of the diaper. The size of the absorbent core and the choice of material present therein will vary depending on the desired loading capacity, the intended use of the absorbent article, and other factors known to those skilled in the art.
    Absorbent core 16 may optionally have a hydrophilic tissue wrapsheet (not shown in FIG. 1). Tissue wrapsheets help maintain the aggregation of some absorbent structures, such as air-inserted fibrous structures. In addition, tissue wrapsheets also help distribute the liquid throughout the volume of the absorbent (especially when using materials with good wicking properties such as absorbent cellulose materials). Examples of conventional tissue wrapsheet materials are creep bundles or high wet strength tissues. Other hydrophilic nonwovens can be used as absorbent core wraps (see US Pat. No. 5,458,592 to Abuto et al., Incorporated herein by reference).
    It is the breathable hydrophobic barrier layer 18 that separates the absorbent core 16 and the breathable outer cover 12. In this regard, it was surprisingly found that certain materials significantly reduced the WVTR of the diaper once the absorbent core absorbed the liquid without significantly limiting the WVTR of the dried diaper. Thus, the hydrophobic barrier layer of the present invention allows sufficient water vapor permeability when the absorbent article is in a dry state to keep the diaper breathable without significantly lowering the WVTR of the diaper. However, when the absorbent core absorbs the liquid discharged from the body, a hydrophobic barrier acts to substantially lower the WVTR of the absorbent article (compared to the same article without the hydrophobic barrier layer), so that the outer portion of the backsheet due to condensation Reduces or eliminates wet or damp feelings that can be felt at
    The liquid impermeable breathable cover 12 and barrier layer 18 together are less than 15,000 g / m 2 / day, preferably less than about 12,000 g / m 2 / day, more preferably less than about 11,000 g / m 2 / day. Has inverse-WVTR (described below). However, outer cover 12 and barrier layer 18 have a WVTR of at least 1500 g / m 2 / day, preferably at least 4000 g / m 2 / day. The hydrophobic barrier layer 18 need not have the same liquid barrier properties as the liquid impermeable outer cover, but need to have some "barrier" properties to selectively adjust the WVTR and limit the dampness of the outer cover. . In this regard, suitable materials are hydrophobic materials having a hydrohead value of at least 18 cm, preferably from about 30 cm to about 50 cm. In addition, the hydrophobic barrier has a thickness or bulk of 0.03 cm (0.012 inch), preferably about 0.046 cm to about 0.122 cm (about 0.046 inch to about 0.048 inch). The nonwoven barrier layer is also preferably at least about 6095 l / m 2 / min (20 ft 3 / ft 2 / min), more preferably at least 12192 l / m 2 / min (40 ft 3 / ft 2 / min) Gier has air permeability.
    The barrier layer includes, but is not limited to, meltblown webs, fine fiber spunbond webs with fiber denier of less than about 2, bonded-carded webs, hydroentangled fabrics, and other fabrics having similar properties. Breathable fibrous materials such as woven or nonwoven fabrics having properties. Suitable polymeric materials for preparing the barrier layer are those capable of forming fibrous webs, including, but not limited to, polyamides, polyesters, and polyolefins (eg, polyethylene and / or polypropylene). In a preferred embodiment, the barrier layer will comprise a meltblown web of polypropylene fibers having a basis weight of from 16 to about 64 g / m 2 or less, more preferably from about 20 g / m 2 to about 40 g / m 2 or less. Can be. The fibrous barrier layer 18 may together comprise a single sheet or a multilayer sheet having desired properties. However, when using multi-layer sheets, it is desirable to juxtapose or bond in a manner that substantially limits the breathability of the layer without point bonding to the entire actual surface area of the layer. Similarly, in a preferred embodiment, it is preferred that the barrier layer neither be point bonded by heat nor laminated to the liquid impermeable outer cover in a manner that disrupts the breathability of the article. In this regard, it may be desirable for the breathable hydrophobic barrier layer to adhere to the absorbent article primarily at the periphery of the barrier layer. The plurality of layers can be joined by heat, by ultrasound, by adhesive or by other means known in the art.
    As shown in FIG. 1, on one side, barrier sheet 18 may be disposed between absorbent core 16 and outer cover 12, optionally including a hydrophilic wrapsheet (not shown). The barrier sheet should usually extend below the area of the absorbent core 16 which retains at least most of the body discharge. The barrier sheet 18 also preferably extends under substantially the entire portion of the absorbent core 16 and may also extend beyond the edge of the absorbent core 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the barrier sheet 18 may extend along the length of the central portion of the diaper 10 under the absorbent core 16. The diaper structure, in which the barrier extends below the entire absorbent core, is highly desirable when the absorbent core 16 includes a hydrophilic wrapsheet having good absorbent properties, such as when using a tissue core wrap.
    In another aspect of the invention, the barrier layer may comprise at least a portion of the absorbent core wrapsheet. The barrier layer may have a sufficiently wide width that can be folded over itself and then sealed on, for example, adhesive, heat, ultrasonic waves, and / or pressure on the top, bottom, or side surfaces of the wrapsheet. Folding the barrier layer can be accomplished using conventional sheet folding means such as a curved plate that folds the barrier sheet over itself. However, when the absorbent core 16, such as the wrapsheet 30, is wrapped using a continuous barrier fabric sheet, it is desirable to treat the selected portion of the sheet to make the region adjacent to the liquid permeable surface sheet 14 hydrophilic. Do. This can be done by zone treating the barrier layer with a surfactant to impart wettability to certain regions.
    Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent core wrapsheet 30 has hydrophilic regions 32 on the first side of the absorbent core 16 and hydrophobic regions 34 on the second side of the absorbent core 16. It may include a continuous sheet having. When incorporated into a diaper as shown in FIG. 1, the hydrophilic region abuts the liquid permeable surface sheet 14 and the opposite hydrophobic region will comprise at least a portion of the barrier layer.
    In other embodiments, the absorbent core may have a wrapsheet 30 comprising two or more sheets bonded to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the wrapsheet 30 is a hydrophilic liquid permeable sheet on the first side of the absorbent core 16 adjacent to the wearer side, that is, adjacent to the surface sheet 14 of FIG. 1. 36 and the hydrophobic barrier sheet 38 adjacent the second side of the absorbent core 16. The two sheets 36 and 38 together form the wrapsheet 30 and may be sealed by one of various means in the art, such as using adhesive, thermal, ultrasonic and / or pressure bonding. .
    In addition, the diaper 10 may further include a pair of fasteners 40 used to secure the diaper 10 to the waist circumference (not shown) of the wearer, as shown in FIG. 1. Suitable fasteners include hook-and-loop fasteners, adhesive tape fasteners, buttons, snaps, mushroom-and-loop fasteners, and the like. In addition, although not discussed above, those skilled in the art will recognize that additional components may be incorporated into the diaper without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is common for an elastic leg band (not shown) to be included in the diaper to assist in securing the diaper to the wearer and to prevent leakage from the diaper. Similarly, it also includes a pair of longitudinally extending elastic containment flaps (not shown) that have a structure that maintains a substantially straight vertical placement along the center of the diaper to act as an additional barrier to the lateral flow of body discharge. Known. In addition, it is also common to include a push control layer disposed between the surface sheet 14 and the absorbent core 16 to prevent liquid collection on the portion of the diaper adjacent to the wearer's skin. These or other parts are known and those skilled in the art will also readily know how and how to use them in connection with the absorbent articles of the present invention.
    The various parts of the diaper are assembled together using various attachment means known in the art, such as adhesive bonds, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, or a combination thereof.
    Inspection procedure
    Thickness: A measure of the thickness of a fabric. The bulk or thickness can be determined using a 3 inch acrylic platen with a 0.05 psi load according to ASTM Standard Test Method D 5729-95 for nonwoven thickness.
    Hydroheads: Measuring the liquid barrier properties of a fabric is a hydrohead test. The hydrohead inspection measures the amount of water or the amount of water pressure (mbar) that the fabric supports before the liquid passes. Fabrics with higher hydrohead values indicate a stronger barrier to liquid permeation than fabrics with lower hydrohead values. Hydroheads can be performed according to Federal Test Standard 191A, Method 5514. The hydrohead data referred to herein were obtained using a test similar to the Federal Test Standard except for the changes described below. Hydroheads were determined using hydrostatic head testers available from Marlo Enterprises, Inc. (Marlo Enterprises, Inc., Concord, North Carolina). The specimens were subjected to standardized water pressure and increased at a constant rate until the first leak mark appeared on the surface of the fabric in three separate areas (ignoring leakage at the edges adjacent to the clamp). Unsupported fabrics, such as thin films, can be supported to prevent premature rupture of the specimen.
    Frazier Permeability: The permeability value of a fabric or web to air is Frazier permeability, performed according to Federal Test Standard 191A, Method 5450, dated July 20, 1978 and reporting the average of three measurements. Frazier permeability measures the air flow rate (ft 3 / ft 2 / min or CFM) through the web. CFM can be converted to l / m 2 / min (LMM) by multiplying CFM by 304.8.
    WVTR: Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) for the sample material was calculated according to ASTM Standard E96-80. A control sample was cut from the test material, a circular sample each 3 inches in diameter and a CELGARD® 2500 film piece obtained from Hoechst Celanese Corporation (Summerville, NJ). The CELGARD 2500 film was a microporous polypropylene film. Three samples were prepared from each material. The test plate was distributed by No. 3 distributed by Thwing-Albert Instrument Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 60-1 evaporator fan. 100 ml of water was poured into each evaporator pan and each sample of test material and control material was spread on the open top of each pan. The screwed flange was tightened to seal along the edge of the pan and the relevant test material or control material was exposed to the ambient atmosphere on a disc of 6.5 cm in diameter with an exposure area of approximately 33.17 cm 2. The pan was allowed to equilibrate by standing in a pressurized air oven at 32 ° C. (100 ° F.) for 1 hour. The oven was a constant temperature oven that circulated outside air to prevent water vapor from enclosing inside. Suitable pressurized air ovens are, for example, Blue M. It is a Blue M Power-O-Matic 60 oven distributed by Electric Company (Blue M. Electric Company, Blue Island, Illinois). At the end of equilibration, the pan was withdrawn from the oven, weighed and immediately placed back into the oven. After 24 hours, the pan was withdrawn from the oven and weighed again. The primary test water vapor transmission rate was calculated using the following equation (I).
    (1) Inspection WVTR = (weight loss over 24 hours g) X 315.5 g / m 2/24 hours
    The relative humidity in the oven was not particularly adjusted.
    Under predetermined conditions fixed at 32 ° C. (100 ° F.) and ambient relative humidity, the WVTR of the CELGARD® 2500 control was determined to be 5000 g / m 2/24 hours. Therefore, control samples were performed together in each test and the first test values were collected to adjust the conditions according to equation (II) below.
    (II) WVTR = (Inspection WVTR / Control WVTR) X (5000 g / m2 / 24 hours)
    Reverse-WVTR: This test is similar to the WVTR discussed above, except that the cup is turned upside down to contact the fabric being inspected. In addition, since the WVTR of the CELGUARD 2500 was not 5000 g / m 2/24 hours in the reverse test, this control and the correction part were excluded from the calculation of the reverse vapor permeability test. This test is believed to more accurately indicate the vapor delivery of the loaded absorbent article.
    Example 1
    Propylene meltblown fibrous nonwoven webs were prepared using Himont PF-015 polypropylene polymers obtained from USA of Himont, Wilmington, Delaware. Meltblown webs were prepared according to the meltblowing technique described in US Pat. No. 5,458,592 using a multilayer array meltblown apparatus. Polypropylene was extruded through a multilayer melt blown die assembly at an output of 2.5 pounds / inch / hour (PIH). The extruded molten polymer stream was attenuated with primary aeration air delivered at a rate of about 1700 to 2000 ft 3 / ft 2 / min at a temperature of 277 ° C (530 ° F). The basis weight of the resulting meltblown was 8.0 g / m 2 and thickness was 0.015 cm (0.006 inch). The average flow pore size of the sample was about 25 microns and the maximum flow pore size was 47 microns, with 0.5% of the total porosity having pore sizes greater than 50 microns. The web had a supported hydrohead of 17.6 mbar and an unsupported hydrohead of 19.5 mbar, and Frazier air permeability was 287 ft 3 / ft 2 / min (CFM). The meltblown web samples were then juxtaposed with a CELGUARD 2500 film with a thickness of 0.0025 cm without bonding or laminating each other. The liquid impermeable breathable film and the meltblown layer together had a WVTR of 5154 g / m 2 / day and a reverse-WVTR of 19396 g / m 2 / day. The results discussed above are shown in Table 1.
    Example 2
    Nonwoven webs of polypropylene meltblown fibers as described in Example 1 were also used in this example. Three layers of nonwoven web were juxtaposed without bonding or lamination, total thickness was 0.03 cm (0.012 inch), supported hydrohead was 37.7 mbar, unsupported hydrohead was 37.4 mbar, and Frazier air permeability was 81.4 CMF. The three nonwoven layers were then juxtaposed onto a liquid impermeable breathable barrier of CELGUARD 2500 film with a thickness of 0.0025 cm without bonding or laminating each other. The breathable film and the nonwoven layer together had a WVTR of about 5154 g / m 2 / day and a reverse-WVTR of 10367 g / m 2 / day. The results discussed above are shown in Table 1.
    Example 3
    Nonwoven webs of polypropylene meltblown fibers as described in Example 1 were also used in this example. Five layers of nonwoven web were juxtaposed without bonding or lamination, total thickness was 0.04 cm (0.017 inches), supported hydrohead was 50.5 mbar, unsupported hydrohead was 46.1 mbar, and Frazier air permeability was 81.4 CMF. The five nonwoven layers were then juxtaposed on a liquid impermeable breathable barrier of CELGUARD 2500 film with a thickness of 0.0025 cm without bonding or laminating each other. The breathable film and the nonwoven layer together had a WVTR of about 4528 g / m 2 / day and a reverse-WVTR of 12055 g / m 2 / day. The results discussed above are shown in Table 1.
    Example 4
    Spunbond materials were prepared according to the teachings described herein to obtain 0.5 osy (17 g / m 2) webs of continuous spunbond fibers. The spunbond layer was juxtaposed with the meltblown two layers of Example 1 such that the spunbond layer was positioned between the two meltblown layers. Meltblown / spunbond / meltblown materials were not bonded or laminated to each other. The total thickness of this three-layer structure was 0.04 cm (0.016 inches), the supported hydrohead was 30.8 mbar, the unsupported hydrohead was 39.7 mbar, and Frazier air permeability was 112.4 CMF. The three nonwoven layers were then juxtaposed onto a liquid impermeable breathable barrier of CELGUARD 2500 film with a thickness of 0.0025 cm without bonding or laminating each other. The liquid impermeable breathable film and the nonwoven layer together had a WVTR of about 4609 g / m 2 / day and a reverse-WVTR of 10739 g / m 2 / day. The results discussed above are shown in Table 1.
    Example 5
    The meltblown web prepared in Example 1 was juxtaposed with the second layer of spunbond web of Example 4 such that the meltblown web was positioned between the two layers of spunbond. The total thickness of this three-layer structure was 0.05 cm (0.019 inches), the supported hydrohead was 27.4 mbar, the unsupported hydrohead was 29.3 mbar, and Frazier air permeability was 181 CMF. The three nonwoven layers were then juxtaposed onto a liquid impermeable breathable barrier of CELGUARD 2500 film with a thickness of 0.0025 cm without bonding or laminating each other. The liquid impermeable breathable film and the three layered structure together had a WVTR of about 4415 g / m 2 / day and a reverse-WVTR of 11486 g / m 2 / day.
    Example 6
    A CELGUARD 2500 film with a thickness of 0.0025 cm was juxtaposed with the second layer of spunbond web of Example 4 such that the breathable film was positioned between the two layers of spunbond. The thickness of this three-layer structure was 0.046 cm (0.018 inches), the supported hydrohead was 206.8 mbar, the unsupported hydrohead was 190.9 mbar, and Frazier air permeability was 0.172 CMF. The three nonwoven layers were then juxtaposed onto a liquid impermeable breathable barrier of CELGUARD 2500 film with a thickness of 0.0025 cm without bonding or laminating each other. The breathable film and the three layered structure together had a WVTR of about 4652 g / m 2 / day and a reverse-WVTR of 12315 g / m 2 / day. The results discussed above are shown in Table 1.
    As can be more readily understood from Table 1, it has been found that certain materials show little effect on the WVTR of the absorbent article when dried, but significantly lower the WVTR of the absorbent article when loaded. Referring to Table 1, the meltblown material with a thickness of 0.006 inches had a good WVTR of 5153 CFM and a corresponding high reverse-WVTR of 19396 CFM with CELGUARD 2500. However, the 0.012 inch (0.012 inch) thick multi-layer meltblown layer had a good WVTR of 4807 CFM. However, the reverse-WVTR of Example 2 was only 10376 CFM. Thus, thicker meltblown dramatically reduced the reverse-WVTR by about 50% compared to both the control and Example 1 without significantly limiting the WVTR. Therefore, absorbent articles using such barrier layers will eliminate or reduce the dampness of the outer cover caused by condensation by having the desired breathability when dry and having a reduced WVTR when loaded. Similar results are obtained with other material layers having the essential functional properties described herein. As also illustrated in Example 6, these results are comparable to those using a second liquid impermeable breathable layer. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the high costs associated with liquid impermeable breathable covers, such as microporous films, can be avoided in the absorbent articles of the present invention.
    While the invention has been illustrated and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
    Example Thickness (In) Hydro head-supported (mbar) Hydro Head-Not Supported (mbar) Air permeability (ft 3 / min) WVTR (g / m 2 / day) Reverse-WVTR (g / m 2 / day) CELGUARD-CONTROL 22402.3 1 Meltblown-1F 0.0060 17.600 19.450 287.300 103.1 19396.0 2 Melt Blown-3rd Floor 0.0120 37.700 37.400 81.360 96.1 10376.0 3 Melt Blown-5th Floor 0.0170 50.500 46.100 44.690 90.6 12055.0 4 MB / SB / MB 0.0160 37.950 39.700 112.400 92.2 10739.0 5 SB / MB / SB 0.0190 29.400 29.300 181.200 88.3 11486.0 6 SB / CELGUARD / SB 0.0180 206.800 190.900 0.172 93.0 12315.0
    权利要求:
    Claims (22)
    [1" claim-type="Currently amended] Liquid impermeable breathable outer cover;
    Liquid permeable topsheets;
    An absorber between the outer cover and the surface sheet; And
    A hydrophobic barrier layer disposed between the breathable outer cover and the absorbent body
    Wherein the barrier layer has a hydrohead value of at least 18 mbar and comprises a fibrous material having a thickness of about 0.03 cm, wherein the outer cover and barrier layer are together about 15,000 g / m 2 / day An absorbent article having less than an inverted-WVTR.
    [2" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer comprises multiple layers of nonwoven layers, the layer comprising at least one meltblown fibrous layer, wherein the basis weight of the entire nonwoven layer is greater than 16 g / m 2.
    [3" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the barrier layer comprises a nonwoven web of meltblown fibers having a basis weight of greater than 20 g / m 2.
    [4" claim-type="Currently amended] The nonwoven layer of claim 1 wherein the barrier layer comprises multiple layers of nonwoven layers, the layer comprising at least one meltblown fibrous layer, wherein the basis weight of the entirety of the various nonwoven layers is greater than 20 g / m 2 and about 40 g. Absorbent article less than / m 2.
    [5" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein the hydrophobic barrier layer has a basis weight of about 25 g / m 2.
    [6" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic barrier layer comprises a fibrous material having a thickness of 0.045 cm to about 0.05 cm.
    [7" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said hydrophobic barrier layer comprises at least one meltblown layer, said meltblown layer proximate said absorbent core.
    [8" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the hydrophobic barrier layer extends substantially below the entirety of the absorbent body.
    [9" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the hydrophobic barrier layer extends beyond the outer edge of the absorbent body.
    [10" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic barrier sheet extends along the length of the central portion of the absorbent article.
    [11" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 2 further comprising a wrapsheet around the absorbent body.
    [12" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the barrier layer comprises at least one nonwoven layer having a hydrohead of at least 30 mbar and a basis weight of at least 20 g / m 2.
    [13" claim-type="Currently amended] 12. The absorbent article as in claim 11, wherein said wrapsheet comprises a barrier layer on a first side of said absorbent and a hydrophilic nonwoven layer on a second side of said absorbent.
    [14" claim-type="Currently amended] 12. The sheet of claim 11, wherein the wrapsheet comprises a continuous sheet having a hydrophilic portion adjacent to the first side of the absorbent body and a hydrophobic portion adjacent to the second side of the absorbent body, wherein the hydrophilic portion of the wrapsheet comprises the surface sheet. Absorbent supplies adjacent to.
    [15" claim-type="Currently amended] The liquid hydrophobic barrier of claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic barrier layer comprises a plurality of nonwoven webs of polyolefin meltblown fibers having a collective basis weight of at least about 20 g / m 2 and a hydrohead value of at least about 30 mbar. An absorbent article having a permeable breathable outer cover and the barrier layer has a WVTR of 1500 g / m 2 / day and a reverse-WVTR of 12000 g / m 2 / day.
    [16" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 15 wherein the barrier layer has a WVTR of at least 3000 g / m 2 / day.
    [17" claim-type="Currently amended] The hydrophobic barrier layer of claim 1, wherein the hydrohead has a hydrohead value of at least about 30 mbar, a basis weight of at least about 25 g / m 2, and the liquid impermeable breathable outer cover and the barrier layer at 3500 g / m 2 /. An absorbent article having at least one WVTR and a reverse-WVTR of less than about 11000 g / m 2 / day.
    [18" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier layer comprises a meltblown fibrous layer and a spunbond fiber layer, wherein the liquid impermeable outer cover and the barrier layer are less than about 12000 g / m 2 / day with a WVTR of at least 4000 g / m 2 / day. Absorbent article having a reverse-WVTR.
    [19" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 16 wherein the barrier layer has a basis weight of at least about 25 g / m 2.
    [20" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 1 comprising a personal care article.
    [21" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 1 comprising a baby diaper.
    [22" claim-type="Currently amended] The absorbent article of claim 1 comprising an adult incontinence garment.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    EP0957873B1|2003-02-19|
    CA2273854A1|1998-07-02|
    CN1321623C|2007-06-20|
    AU737293B2|2001-08-16|
    WO1998027920A1|1998-07-02|
    TR199901419T2|1999-08-23|
    US6369292B1|2002-04-09|
    DE69719217D1|2003-03-27|
    PL186958B1|2004-04-30|
    BR9714991A|2001-12-11|
    PL334129A1|2000-02-14|
    CA2273854C|2005-08-16|
    ID22485A|1999-10-21|
    CN1247464A|2000-03-15|
    KR100499299B1|2005-07-04|
    DE69719217T2|2003-12-04|
    AU5717498A|1998-07-17|
    EP0957873A1|1999-11-24|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    1996-12-20|Priority to US3258096P
    1996-12-20|Priority to US60/032,580
    1997-12-19|Application filed by 로날드 디. 맥크레이, 킴벌리-클라크 월드와이드, 인크.
    1997-12-19|Priority to US08/994,530
    1997-12-19|Priority to US08/994,530
    1997-12-19|Priority to PCT/US1997/023809
    1997-12-19|Priority to US8/994,530
    2000-11-25|Publication of KR20000069604A
    2003-11-17|First worldwide family litigation filed
    2005-07-04|Application granted
    2005-07-04|Publication of KR100499299B1
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US3258096P| true| 1996-12-20|1996-12-20|
    US60/032,580|1996-12-20|
    US08/994,530|1997-12-19|
    PCT/US1997/023809|WO1998027920A1|1996-12-20|1997-12-19|Absorbent articles having reduced outer cover dampness|
    US8/994,530|1997-12-19|
    US08/994,530|US6369292B1|1996-12-20|1997-12-19|Absorbent articles having reduced outer cover dampness|
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