Absorbent article with a raised portion

Abstract

The invention relates to an absorbent article intended for female users, such as a sanitary napkin, or an incontinence guard, having such a shape and size that it may be substantially accommodated in the crotch region of a pair of panties and having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a thickness direction. The article exhibits a liquid-pervious cover layer (2) and a liquid-impervious cover layer (3) and further an absorbent core consisting of at least one absorbent body (6), arranged between the two surfaces (2, 3), and wherein a hump (16) is arranged at the liquid-pervious cover layer (2) of the article. The invention is characterized in that the hump (16) is substantially shape permanent in the transverse direction of the article, both in a wet and in a dry state, and to such an extent that the hump (16) is not deformed in the transverse direction, either temporarily or permanently, by the forces acting on the hump (16) during use of the article.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an absorbent article, intended for female users, such as a sanitary napkin or an incontinence guard, with such a shape and size that it may be substantially accommodated in the crotch region of a pair of panties and having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a thickness direction, wherein the article exhibits a liquid-pervious surface, and a liquid-impervious surface, and further an absorbent core consisting of at least one absorbent body arranged between the two surfaces, and wherein a hump is arranged at the liquid-pervious surface of the article.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:[0002] A common problem associated with absorbent articles of the herein intended type is leakage of body fluid past the longitudinal side edges of the article. Such leakage is of course extremely undesirable, since it entails the risk of soiling the clothing of the user. Because of the fairly insignificant extension of the article also in the longitudinal direct...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Since the article is provided with a hump which is shape permanent both in a wet and in a dry state, it is possible to predict the shape of the hump in every situation. The fact that the hump is shape permanent implies that it remains essentially unaffected in normal use and is not deformed when it is subjected to pressure and shear forces which arise in use. It is particularly important that the hump is not compressed in the transverse direction, between the thighs of the user. It is, however, in general also an advantage if the hump is substantially incompressible also in the thickness direction.

[0017] A hump in accordance with the invention is relatively narrow, suitably between 2 mm and 25 mm at the base and preferably between 12 mm and 16 mm. At the top the hump is suitably between 3 mm and 10 mm wide and preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm. The hump is designed with a substantially triangular cross-section and is, consequently, wider at the base than at the top. Since the hump is comparatively narrow, it can protrude, without any discomfort to the user, slightly in between the labia pudendi of the user. Thereby, it is an advantage if the hump slightly separates the labia pudendi, since the liquid transfer from the user to the article is thus facilitated.

[0019] It is important that the body fluid which is emitted is immediately caught and absorbed into the hump. Liquid is thus prevented from collecting between the body of the user and the hump. When the user stands up or otherwise moves about, there is a risk that a gap will arise at the front portion of the hump, between the hump and the body of the user. If a large quantity of unabsorbed liquid has been trapped between the body of the user and the surface of the article, such liquid may then flow out through the gap. Such sudden liquid flows are extremely undesirable, partly because the user perceives them as unpleasant, and partly because they considerably increase the risk of leakage.

[0020] The length of the hump is furthermore of importance to the achievement of optimum contact between the hump and the body of the user. The hump should have such a shape and extend so far backwards on the article that it essentially seals against liquid flow backwards on the article. This is achieved by means of the hump being in sealing contact against the skin behind the vaginal opening of the user. A suitable length of the hump has thereby been found to be between 70 mm and 140 mm, preferably between 80 mm and 120 mm. The hump should not extend across the entire length of the article and, in particular, it is advantageuous if a portion at the front end of the article is free from the stiff, shape permanent hump. In this way, the front end may bend and conform to the curvature on the body of the user.

[0022] A raised edge barrier may advantageously be arranged at both sides of the central hump. The edge barriers increase the leakage-security of the article by serving as seals against the groin of the user. Raised edge barriers can be achieved in a number of different ways. Preferably, the edge barriers are made of the same material as the central hump and thereby have essentially the same resistance to deformation as the hump. However other types of edge barriers, such as elastic side edges, foam rubber strips, wadding, or the like, are conceivable. The edge barriers may either be purely physical barriers, or prevent liquid passage by means of absorbing body fluid.

Problems solved by technology

A common problem associated with absorbent articles of the herein intended type is leakage of body fluid past the longitudinal side edges of the article.

Such leakage is of course extremely undesirable, since it entails the risk of soiling the clothing of the user.

Thereby, a particular problem is leakage backwards which usually arises in connection with the user lying down, for example during the night.

The most frequent reason for edge leakage is that the absorbent article is deformed during use, when the article is squeezed between the thighs of the user.

In this way, wrinkling arises in an uncontrollable manner both in the absorbent core of the article and in its cover material.

Such wrinkling results in the formation of channels on the surface of the article, in which body fluid may seep out past the side edges.

A further problem in connection with the previously known absorbent articles is that the side edges of the articles risk being folded in over the liquid-pervious surface of the article because of the action from the body forces which arise when the user moves about.

Since the most commonly occuring absorbent material is so-called cellulose fluff pulp, such a hump, however, collapses and loses its shape when wetted.

The elastic members, however, do not to any great extent prevent compression and undesired deformation in the transverse direction of the article.

However, it is impossible to completely control, or anticipate the shape the article will adopt for each individiual user.

Furthermore, it is not possible to ensure the contact between the body of the user and the surface of the article, since the degree of bulging is completely determined by how much the article is compressed in a transverse direction.

Since the hump is so hard or stiff that it is essentially unyielding to the forces it is subjected to during use it is, however, important that the hump is not so high that it presses against the body of the user and thereby causes discomfort during use.

As earlier mentioned, such leakage backwards is particularly embarrassing when the user is lying down.

When the user stands up or otherwise moves about, there is a risk that a gap will arise at the front portion of the hump, between the hump and the body of the user.

Such sudden liquid flows are extremely undesirable, partly because the user perceives them as unpleasant, and partly because they considerably increase the risk of leakage.

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