MXPA01006768A - Disposable absorbent article having improved side features - Google Patents

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article adapted to form a tridimensional shape before use with a generally upwardly convex rear region, having a body facing surface and a garment facing surface, a longitudinal symmetry plane, a front end edge and a rear end edge, and comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a backsheet joined to said topsheet and an absorbent core intermediate the backsheet and the topsheet. The disposable absorbent articles of the present invention are preferably applied directly to the user's body, and comprise improved side features which extend laterally and are capable of staying in close contact with the user's inner thigh area, and adjacent to that, when the disposable absorbent article is applied to the user's body.

Description

DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE THAT HAS IMPROVED SIDE CHARACTERISTICS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles. Disposable absorbent articles are considered to be absorbent devices designed to be carried externally to the body by a user and to receive discharged fluids from the body. In particular, the present invention relates to disposable absorbent sanitary napkins, catamenial products, incontinence inserts, and panty-locks that conform to the shape of a three-dimensional figure before use, in order to provide an increased fit for the body and reduced leakage. by means of said three-dimensional shape which coincides with non-planar surfaces and non-linear grooves of the body. The disposable absorbent articles of the present invention are preferably applied directly to the wearer's body, and comprise improved lateral features that extend laterally and are able to remain in close contact with the inner area of the wearer's thigh, and adjacent to it, when the disposable absorbent article is applied to the wearer's body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In its basic form, the disposable absorbent articles comprise an absorbent core interposed between a permeable element that is in contact with the body (alternately referred to as a top sheet or an envelope) and a protective waterproof barrier (alternatively referred to as a sheet). later).

Of course, the absorbent element is intended to receive and contain the fluids discharged from the body. The element that is in contact with the body is intended to provide comfortable contact and dry feeling with the surfaces of the body while allowing free passage of the fluid therethrough to the absorbent element. The protective barrier is intended to prevent fluids that are expelled or escaping from the absorbent element from staining the wearer's clothing. The main disadvantages of the known disposable absorbent articles intended to be brought externally to the body, for example, leakage, wet / dirty feeling, discomfort, are related to the poor body fit achieved by these articles. With respect to, for example, sanitary napkins, various attempts have been made in order to provide such articles with the ability to conform to the anatomy of the body. The absorbent articles that conform to the body are well known in the art, both those that are initially flat, and those that are adapted to form a three-dimensional figure before being used in order to match the anatomy of the wearer, for example incorporating lines of preferential folding, and those that are already formed before being used in the desired three-dimensional shape. In the European patent application No. 97122739.2 filed on December 23, 1997, entitled "Three-dimensional disposable absorbent article having a slit in the posterior region" (Case P &G CM1667Q), a three-dimensional disposable absorbent article having a three-dimensional shape before use and comprises an upwardly convex rear region preferably having an inverted V-shaped longitudinal shoulder. The absorbent article also comprises a slit or cut in the rear region which extends from the rear end edge and is oriented substantially longitudinally. The posterior cut or slit preferably gives the V-shaped back portion of the absorbent article the ability to bend around an axis which is perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the article, in order to better fit the various body shapes, specifically in the gluteal groove area, wherein the posterior region of the absorbent article preferably extends in order to provide better protection. Preferably, the three-dimensional disposable absorbent article can be applied directly to the user's body, instead of being first applied to the panty before using the same pantyhose with the absorbent article fixed thereon. The three-dimensional disposable absorbent article described in the European patent application No. 97122739.2 has the ability to better adjust its shape, particularly its convex posterior region upwards, to the different anatomies taking into consideration the possible interactions with the undergarment, and any the variations experienced during the time of use, due for example to the movements of the user, at the same time providing a better fit and an appropriate positioning of the posterior region interested by the posterior slit or incision with respect to the preferred acquisition region of the article absorbent. Disposable absorbent articles adapted to form a three-dimensional configuration before use, particularly those that are already formed prior to use such as those described in the aforementioned application, provide a good fit to the anatomy, and therefore better comfort for the patient. user and a reduced leak. This type of preferred article, particularly the three-dimensional disposable absorbent articles described in EP 971 10735.4, can be advantageously applied directly to the wearer's body, instead of being first applied to the panty before wearing the pantyhose itself with the absorbent article. fixed in it. This facilitates a good fit with the anatomy of the body, attributable both to the figure that conforms to the preferred feature that the article can achieve, as well as to the fact that a direct application makes the adjustability to the body of the absorbent article substantially independent of those of the article. different habits of the user and the styles of the panties. The wraparound side elements, or more simply the side flaps or wings are a well-known feature of the disposable absorbent articles. Generally, when the absorbent articles are provided, for example sanitary towels, with fins, the fins extend laterally from an absorbent central means and are intended to be folded around the edges of the wearer's panties in the crotch region. Commonly, the fins are provided with a fastening means to either secure the fins to the underside of the wearer's panties to the opposite fin. The fins are particularly effective to prevent the exudates from staining the edges of the wearer's panties, attributable, for example, to lateral leakage of the article in the case of misplacement, or particularly considerable flow. The fins also prevent portions of the pantyhose, particularly the elastic of the pantyhose in the crotch region of the undergarment, from entering at least partially between the absorbent article and the wearer's body, where the fluid already present may be in contact. on the surface that gives the body of the absorbent article, or flow directly from the body, therefore again leading to staining of the undergarment. The incorporation of the side flaps in the aforementioned body-forming absorbent articles would be particularly desirable in order to increase the protection of the wearer's panties against the staining of these articles, which are able to remain very close to the body due to its good fit, but problems are encountered when this preferred type of article is intended to be applied directly to the body, before the panties are worn. According to common practice with the known products, the absorbent article, for example, a sanitary napkin, is first applied to the crotch area of the panty, for example by means of a panty fastening means such as an adhesive means., and then the fins are wrapped around the edges of the pantyhose at the crotch portion, and are typically folded, and also preferably attached, to the underside of the crotch portion of the pantyhose. The absorbent articles comprising fins that automatically wrap the sides of the wearer's panties when the panties are pulled up, after application of the absorbent article to the panties, are also disclosed for example in the United States Patent No. 5,558,663 and in U.S. Patent No. 5,584,829. In both cases, the fins are wrapped around the crotch of the pantyhose once the article has already been applied to the panties. In an absorbent article that is applied directly to the wearer's body before the panties are pulled up, the correct placement of the fins can not be done in full. Once the absorbent article is only applied to the wearer's body, the fins have in fact to be held by the user outside the lateral edges of the pantyhose in the crotch region while the panties are pulled upwards, in order to cover the side edges correctly and provide the desired protection against staining. This requires attention by the user, and additional actions other than applying the article and subsequently using the panties, otherwise the fins can be contracted by the edges of the crotch area of the panties, which are also typically provided with elastic means. When the panties are pulled upwards and the edges move up along the inner part of the thighs of the wearer, the fins may for example be bent irregularly at least partially between the surface that gives the garment of the article absorbent and the same panties, therefore providing a less effective wrapping action of the edges of the panties and a reduced protection against staining. In some cases, the fins can not even prevent the lateral edges of the panties from entering between the absorbent article and the wearer's body, which is attributable, for example, to a complete folding of the fins against the surface that gives the garment absorbent article. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a disposable absorbent article adapted to form a three-dimensional figure before use, which is also intended to be applied directly to the wearer's body before the undergarment is worn, having lateral features capable of effectively staying on the edges of the panties in the crotch area, and covering them to provide protection against side leakage and spotting. It is a further object of the present invention to provide said disposable absorbent article in which lateral features are comprised in the lateral fins, in order to keep the lateral fins in close contact, and adjacent to, the inner thigh area of the wearer during the lifting of the panties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article adapted to form a three-dimensional figure before use, comprising a main body portion, a liquid permeable top sheet, a back sheet attached to the top sheet, and an intermediate absorbent core to the top sheet and the back sheet, a surface that gives the body a surface that gives the garment a longitudinal plane of symmetry, and a pair of longitudinal side edges; the absorbent core has a front portion, a central portion and a rear portion, respectively corresponding to a front section, a central section, and a rear section of the main body portion, wherein in each of the longitudinal side edges therefrom; less one mounting element is attached to the main body portion, wherein each of the mounting elements has a bending stiffness of at least 0.02 N as defined in the Bending Stiffness Test described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the description concludes with the claims singling out and claiming the present invention differently, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the following drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modality of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention, seen from the side thereof that gives the user during use; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin of Figure 1 on line 2-2; Figure 3 is a top view of the sanitary napkin of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a curve taken from an anatomical section of a user's body, which schematically represents the non-linear central groove of the female anatomy as seen in the lateral direction; Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c are cross-sectional views of the sanitary napkin of Figure 1 on lines 5a-5a, 5b-5b, and 5c-5c, respectively; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin of Figure 1, seen from the side that is located away from the user during use; Figures 7a and 7b are perspective views of the sanitary napkin according to the present invention similar to those illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, showing two positions of use of a different embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 illustrates an apparatus for carrying out the Bending Stiffness test.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles which are adapted to form a three-dimensional configuration before being used. This definition refers to articles that are already provided with a three-dimensional shape before being used, and also comprises articles that are initially flat, but that include features that allow the article to assume a preferred three-dimensional shape before being used, for example, being formed by the user by means of manipulation before taking them. Said features may for example comprise preferential bending lines printed on the structure of the article with known means, for example by embossing, joining, or sealing. Said articles in accordance with the present invention are distinct from conventional purely flat disposable absorbent articles which, when compressed and tapered during use, in any case assume a shape which can be said three dimensional as compared to the initial flat state, but they do not adapt to form a preferred three-dimensional configuration before being used.

Preferably, the present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles that are provided with the three-dimensional shape before being used, and more preferably having a convex posterior region upwardly., very preferably V-shaped transversely inverted, which exhibits absorption for bodily fluids, protection of the wearer's garments against staining, and improved physical comfort for the wearer, which are also easy to produce and pack . According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention which will be described hereinafter, said articles are provided in said convex rear region upwardly with at least one incision or a slit extending from the rear end edge substantially in the longitudinal direction . Said at least one incision or slit defines the cutting edges in the posterior region of the article that are allowed to move apart in order to provide the improved fit to the cue and better conformability to the user's anatomy, particularly in the posterior region , where the article typically extends through the posterior perineal area into the groove between the buttocks. Said three-dimensional disposable absorbent articles are also preferably provided with a three-dimensional structure capable of coinciding with the non-linear grooves and the non-planar surfaces of the female body. Unless stated otherwise, by simply saying "three-dimensional absorbent article" is hereby meant a disposable absorbent article adapted to form a three-dimensional configuration before use, as explained above. The disposable three-dimensional absorbent articles are described below by reference to a sanitary napkin or catamenial product. The term "sanitary napkin", as used herein, refers to an article that is carried by women externally to the body and adjacent to the pudendal region and which is intended to absorb and contain the various body fluids that they are discharged from the body (for example, vaginal discharge, menstruation, and / or urine) and which is intended to be discarded after a simple use. However, it should be understood that the present invention is also applicable to other feminine or catamenial hygiene pads such as pantiliners, or other absorbent articles such as incontinence pads, and the like. The term "use", as used herein, refers to the period of time that begins when the absorbent article is actually put in contact with the wearer's anatomy, and of course comprises the period during which the article is worn. The terms "attached" or "fixed", as used herein, encompass configurations by which a first member is directly connected to a second member and configurations by which a first member is indirectly connected to a second member by connecting the first member to intermediate members who are instead connected to the second member. As used herein, the term "pudendal" refers to the externally visible female genital organs and is limited to the labia majora, the labia minora, the clitoris, and the vestibule. According to the present invention, the three-dimensional disposable absorbent article comprises at least one mounting element attached to the main body portion and extending laterally from each longitudinal side edge, said assembling element having a stiffness to the bending with respect to the portion of the main body in such a way that it remains in close contact with the inner area of the thighs of the respective user, and adjacent to it, when the disposable absorbent article is applied to the body. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention with a preferred three-dimensional structure before use, with the majority of the portion of the sanitary napkin 20 facing toward or in contact with the wearer, oriented towards the observer. By "before use" it is implied that the preferred sanitary napkin of the present invention is provided with a three-dimensional structure before it is actually used. The sanitary napkin can, however, be packaged in a folded flat configuration, being later unfolded to get the three-dimensional shape just before using it. As best shown in Figure 2, the sanitary napkin 20 comprises a main body portion 80, a liquid-permeable upper sheet 22, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 23 bonded to the upper sheet 22, and an absorbent core 24 positioned between the upper sheet 22 and the back sheet 23. "Main body portion" as used herein is intended for the total absorbent article 20 excluding any of the side features such as the side flaps of the present invention which will be described in detail herein. later. In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings the main body portion 80 is the portion of the sanitary napkin 20 which corresponds substantially to the total extension of the absorbent core 24, and therefore comprises the absorbent core 24, the sheet upper 22 and the rear sheet 23, and is typically delimited by a peripheral seal line joining the upper sheet 22 and the rear sheet 23 along the periphery 30 as defined hereinafter. The sanitary napkin 20 has two surfaces, a surface facing towards or in contact with the cavity 20a and a surface facing towards or in contact with the garment 20b. The surface that is in contact with the body 20b is intended to be carried adjacent to the wearer's body while the garment surface 20b is on the opposite side and is intended to be directed towards the undergarment when the sanitary napkin 20 is worn, for example placed against it. The corresponding and corresponding garment-facing surfaces can also be identified in each individual layer constituting the sanitary napkin 20, for example, in the absorbent core 24. The sanitary napkin 20 has a plane of longitudinal symmetry S. "Longitudinal" term, as used herein, refers to a line, axis or direction in the sanitary napkin 20 that is generally aligned with (eg, approximately parallel to) a vertical plane that divides a wearer standing in halves of left and right when the sanitary towel 20 is carried. The plane of symmetry S of the sanitary napkin 20 substantially corresponds to this vertical plane that divides the user standing. Although it is preferred that the sanitary towel 20 be exactly divided by the plane of longitudinal symmetry S into two symmetrically equal halves, this does not exclude that the halves are not specular. The term "transverse", as used herein, refers to a direction that is generally pefendicular to the plane of longitudinal symmetry. The term "longitudinally oriented" refers to a direction, as seen in the plan view, within ± 45 degrees of the plane of longitudinal symmetry S; the term "transversally oriented" refers similarly to any other direction, as seen in the plan view. The terms "front" and "posterior", as used herein, refer to portions or edges on the sanitary napkin 20 that are oriented toward the front and back of the wearer's body, respectively, when the sanitary napkin is being used. 20. The main body portion 80 of the sanitary napkin 20 has a periphery 30, which is defined by the outer edges of the main body portion 80 and typically corresponds to the peripheral seal line along which the upper sheet 22 and the backsheet 23 are joined together around the absorbent core 24. The periphery 30 of the main core portion 80 also comprises longitudinal side edges 31 aligned with the longitudinal plane of symmetry S, and the end edges comprising an end edge. front 32a and a rear end edge 32b. The absorbent core 24 of the sanitary napkin has a front portion 40, a central portion 42 and a rear portion 44, respectively corresponding to a front section 82, a central section 84, and a rear section 86 in the main-area portion 80, each of the corresponding portions and sections preferably corresponding to approximately one third of the total length of the absorbent core 24. A front region 70 and a back region 72 are identified in the sanitary napkin 20, respectively comprising at least the front portion 40. and at least the rear portion 44 of the absorbent core 24. According to the present invention, the sanitary napkin 20 further comprises on each longitudinal side side 31 at least one mounting element 89 attached to the main body portion 80 and having a stiffness at bending with respect to the main body portion 80 of at least 0.02N, as measured from ac I agree to the Bending Stiffness Test described here below. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, the sanitary napkin 20 further comprises a pair of side wings 88, each extending laterally outwardly beyond a respective longitudinal side edge 31 of the main body portion. 80, to a respective distal edge 90, and attached to the main body portion 80 along the respective longitudinal side edge 31. The side flaps 88 extend along at least a portion of the center section 84 of the main body portion 80, but in the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 the side wings 88 extend substantially along substantially all of the front and center sections 82 and 84, and part of the back section 86. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, a mounting element 89 is comprised in each of the side flaps 88. Of course, the periphery 30 of the main core portion 80 does not correspond to the outer periphery of the entire sanitary napkin 20 in correspondence of the lateral fins 88.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the three-dimensional sanitary napkin is already provided before use with a three-dimensional structure which is intended to coincide with the complex shapes of the female anatomy. The three-dimensional structure more preferably has a three-dimensional structural capacity, by "structural three-dimensional capacity" it is implied that the structure can not be completely flattened on a flat surface while maintaining its integrity, that is, without being in any case example torn, crushed or pressed. In other words, the three-dimensional structure can not be achieved by simply folding or folding an initially flat article, but is inherently possessed by the absorbent article according to the present invention. The three-dimensional sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention preferably has a substantially constant thickness, which is more preferably less than 5 mm; therefore the sanitary towel can be considered the thin type. Although the topsheet, backsheet, and absorbent core can be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations (including so-called "tube" products or side flap products), Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the towel sanitary 20 in which the topsheet 22 and the backsheet 23 have length and width dimensions generally greater than those of the absorbent core 24. The topsheet 22 and the backsheet 23 extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 24 to form thus the periphery 30 of the main body portion 80 of the sanitary napkin 20, typically where they are joined together around the absorbent core 24 by means of a peripheral seal. The side flaps 88 can be provided as separate elements attached to the main body portion 80 along the longitudinal side edges 31. Alternatively, in the embodiments illustrated in the present invention the side flaps 88 are formed by portions of the upper sheet 22 and the rear sheet 23 further laterally extending beyond the periphery 30 of the main core portion 80. In the latter case, and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, a peripheral seal attaching the top sheet and the backsheet is preferably present around the absorbent core also in the area where the side flaps are present, running inward from the respective distal edge 90 of the side flap, and thereby corresponding to the longitudinal side edges 31 of the main body portion 80. Other component elements of the main body portion 80 further extending laterally to the Outside the longitudinal side edges 31 of the main body portion 80 can be comprised in the side flaps 88, or, alternatively, the side edges 88 can be formed by only a component element of the main body portion extending further laterally outward of the longitudinal side edges 31, for example, the top sheet, or preferably the back sheet. In alternate embodiments, this peripheral seal around the core, inward of the distal edge 90 of the lateral fins, may not be present in the area of the lateral fins 88; in this case the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion in this area are here implied to correspond to the longitudinal side edges of the absorbent core 24. The side flaps 88 are preferably liquid impervious. The topsheet 22 is docile, soft in feel, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, the topsheet 22 is permeable to liquid, allowing liquids (eg, menstruation and / or urine) to easily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable top sheet 22 can be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as woven and non-woven materials; polymeric materials such as thermoplastic films formed with openings, plastic films with openings, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; cross-linked foams, cross-linked thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic canvases. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials may be composed of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polymer fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers); or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. A preferred top sheet comprises a film formed with openings. Films formed with apertures for the topsheet are preferred because they are permeable to the fluids of the story and not yet absorbent and have a reduced tendency to allow liquids to pass back through and re-wet the wearer's skin. . In this way, the surface of the formed film which is in contact with the core remains dry, thus reducing the spotting of the core and creating a more comfortable feeling for the user. Suitable formed films are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,135, issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,324,246, issued to Mullane, and others on April 13, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,342,314, issued to Radel, and others on August 3, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,463,045, issued to Ahr, and others on July 31, 1984; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,006,394, issued to Baird on April 9, 1991. A preferred top sheet for the absorbent article of the present invention is a formed film described in one or more of the above patents and which sanitary napkins are marketed by The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as "DRI-WEAVE". In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the exposed or exposed surface of the formed film topsheet is hydrophilic to help transfer the liquid through the upper sheet faster than if the surface of the sheet were not hydrophilic to decrease the The likelihood of menstrual fluid flowing out of the upper sheet instead of flowing into and being absorbed by the absorbent core. In a preferred embodiment, surfactant is incorporated into the polymeric materials of the formed film topsheet as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07 / 794,745, Aziz et al., Filed on November 19. 1991. Alternatively, the surface area of the upper sheet can be made hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactant such as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,950,254. The absorbent core 24 comprises any absorbent means that is capable of absorbing or retaining liquids (e.g., menstruation and / or urine). The absorbent core 24 can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, oval, hourglass, asymmetrical, etc.) and from a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in sanitary napkins and other articles absorbers, such as ground wood pulp which is generally referred to as air felt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include acrylic cellulose wadding; modified cross-linked cellulose fibers (such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,217,445 issued to Young et al. on June 8, 1993), fibers with capillary channel (i.e., fibers having intrafiber capillary channels such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,200,248 issued to Thompson et al. on April 6, 1993), absorbent foams (such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,260,345 issued to DesMarais, and others on September 9, 1993). November 1993 and in United States Patent No. 5, 268,244 issued to DesMarais, and others on December 7, 1993), materials placed with thermally bonded air (such as those materials described in United States patent application Serial No. 08/141, 156, entitled "Structures catamenial absorbers that have thermally bonded layers for improved management of menstrual fluids and their use in catamenial pads that have improved fit and comfort "in the name of Richards, et al. on October 21, 1993), absorbent sponges, cut synthetic fibers , polymeric fibers, gelling agents of hydrogel-forming polymer, peat moss, tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates, or any equivalent materials or combinations of materials. Suitable absorbent cores comprising foams are described in European Patent Applications Nos. 0 598 833, 0 598 823 and 0 598 834. Suitable absorbent cores comprising tissue laminates with particles of gelling agent of hydrogel-forming polymer included they are described in the international patent applications WO 94/01069 and WO 95/17868. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core can also be varied (for example, the absent core may have zones of variable gauge, eg profiled to be thicker in the center), hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbent gradients, or acquisition zones with lower density and lower average base weight; or may comprise one or more layers or structures). The total absofent capacity of the absofent core must, however, be compatible with the design burden and intended use of the sanitary napkin. In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core can be varied to encompass different uses such as incontinence pads, pantiliners, regular sanitary napkins, or nighttime sanitary napkins. Preferably, the absorbent articles of the present invention are sanitary napkins which are of uniform thickness. The backsheet 23 and the topsheet 22 are positioned adjacent the garment-facing surface 20b and the body-facing surface 20a, respectively, of the absorbent core 24 and are preferably bonded to it and to each other by attachment means ( not shown) such as those well known in the art. For example, the backsheet 23 and / or the topsheet 22 can be secured to the absent core 24 or to each other by a continuous uniform adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, or an array of lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive separated. The adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota under the designation HL-1258 or H-2031. The attachment means will preferably comprise an open-pattern network of filaments of adhesives as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986 entitled "Disposable Garment of Waste Containment" which was issued to Minetola, and others on March 4. from 1986. An illustrative attachment means of an open pattern network of filaments comprises several lines of adhesive filaments twisted in a spiral pattern as illustrated by the apparatus and method shown in United States Patent No. 3,91. 1, 173 issued to Sprague, Jr on October 7, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 issued to Zieker, and others on November 22, 1978; and in U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Alternatively, the joining means may comprise heat bonds, pressure joints, ultrasonic joints, mechanical dynamic joints, or any other means of suitable binding or combinations of these joining means as are known in the art. The backsheet 23 is impermeable to liquids (eg, menstruation and / or urine) and is preferably manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. In use, the backsheet 23 is interposed between the absorbent core 24 and the wearer's undergarments. The function of the backsheet 23 is to prevent exudates that can be expelled from or which inadvertently divert the absent core 24 from contacting and staining the user's undergarments. The backsheet 23 can thus comprise a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or composite materials such as a film-coated nonwoven material. Preferably, the backsheet is a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.015 mm. Exemplary polyethylene films are manufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation P18-0401 and by Ethyl Coforation, a division of Visqueen, of Terre Haute, Indiana, under the designation XP-39385. The backsheet 23 is preferably finished in highlight and / or dull to provide a more fabric-like appearance. In addition, the backsheet 23 can allow the vapors of the absorbent core 24 to escape (ie, it can be breathable) while still preventing the exudates from passing through the backsheet 23. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 , the three-dimensional sanitary napkin 20 in its preferred embodiment has before its use a three-dimensional structure with a longitudinal projection oriented 50 in the central and posterior portions 4244 of the absorbent core 24, such that the line of intersection 46 of the longitudinal plane of symmetry S with the surface facing the area 20a has a slope that decreases backward, that is to say towards the rear end edge 32b, the central portion 42 and the rear portion 44 of the absorbent core 24. This can be seen more clearly in Figure 2, where the longitudinal sectional view of the sanitary napkin 20 shows the intersecting line 46 with its decreasing inclination in the central and rear portions 42, 44. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the sanitary napkin 20 further comprises an incision or slit 74 in its rear region 72, extending from the rear end edge 32b and, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, is aligned with the longitudinal plane of symmetry S. The incision or slit 74 affects the structure total of the sanitary napkin 20, that is, in the illustrated embodiment, the topsheet 22, the absorbent core 24 and the backsheet 23, thereby defining the corresponding cutting edges 76. It is preferred that the structure of the sanitary napkin 20 be sealed along the cutting edges 76, for example by joining together the topsheet 22 and the backsheet 23 by means of adhesive, or by heat, or any other known means , such that the portions of the cut absorbent core 24 are not exposed along the cutting edges 76. The incision or slit 74 allows the cutting edges 76 of the sanitary napkin 20 to move apart from each other along said incision or slit 74, so that the preferably longitudinally oriented inverted V-shaped structure of the shoulder 50 can bend at any point along the incision or groove 74 about an axis that is pefendicular to the plane of symmetry S, as is best shown in Figures 7a and 7b, where a slightly different embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in order to better fit the anatomy of the spine typically in the region of the groove of the teeth. buttocks, where the rear region 72 of the three-dimensional sanitary napkin 20 preferably extends in order to provide better back protection. More in detail, Figures 7a and 7b illustrate a sanitary napkin similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, and having a slightly different configuration of the side vanes 88, in two different embodiments of the back region 72, corresponding to two different use situations, wherein the structure of the inverted V-shaped shoulder 50, longitudinally oriented, bends at two different points around an axis perpendicular to the plane of symmetry S. This may be due to the adaptation of the article to the different anatomies, that is to say, users having different shape in the region of the gluteal groove, for example, Figure 7b can show the configuration of a sanitary napkin 20 while it is worn by a smaller user . Or, alternatively, this can be caused by, for example, different forces acting on the sanitary napkin during use. The incision or slit 74 therefore provides the structure of the inverted V-shaped shoulder 50, which may per se be less capable of bending around a pedendicular axis to the plane of symmetry S without bending and / or bending away from the body, and / or exerting a force on the remaining portions of the sanitary napkin 20 extending forward of the posterior region 72, with the ability to adapt to the various shapes of the spine, particularly in the region of the gluteal groove therefore adjusting to the different lengths and radius of curvature of the slot, and also to the changes that typically occur over time in the same user, for example, through the movements. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, the line of intersection 46 has a preferred profile with a slope that decreases backwards as seen in the cross-sectional view, as will be explained below in greater detail. The decreasing inclination of said line of intersection 46 can be expressed mathematically if said line of intersection 46 is considered in a Cartesian system xy located in the plane of symmetry S, where the x axis is defined by the two points of intersection of the plane of intersection. longitudinal symmetry S with the front end edge 32a and the rear end edge 32b of the sanitary napkin 20, substantially corresponding to the points indicated by numerals 32a and 32b in the cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin 20 illustrated in the Figure 2, and where the surface that gives the area 20a gives positive values of y. With respect to this system of axes one can form the first derivative of the line of intersection 46. According to the present invention, the first derivative of this line 46 in the longitudinal direction has at least one value that is greater in the portion central 42 of the absorbent core 24 that at least one value at the rear portion 44 of the absorbent core 24. This includes the preferred case, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, where the intersection line 46 is always inclined upwards towards the shore rear end 32b with two different inclinations in the central portion 42 and in the rear portion 44, and also the alternative embodiments in which, for example, the intersection line 46 is inclined upwardly in the central portion 42 and downward in the back portion 44. The consecutive values of the first derivative of the intersection line 46 may decrease continuously towards the end edge sterior 32b, implying that the intersection line 46 has a curved profile with an inclination that decreases continuously, or, alternatively, the first derivative may assume discrete different values along the length of the intersection line 46. For example, this may be constant in either the central portion 42, or in the posterior portion 44, or both, the latter being the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, where the intersection line 46 is formed by two substantially rectilinear portions having constant inclinations, with a change of inclination at a point 48 of the intersecting line 46 located where the central portion 42 of the absorbent core 24 is attached to the back portion 44. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention described herein, the sanitary napkin 20 uncovers an intersecting line 46 with the preferred profile, which is maintained with any possible configuration of ple of the rear region 72 since the incision or slit 74 does not extend to the point 48 where the pitch change occurs at the intersecting line 46. In other words, even if the cutting edges 76 of the rear region 72 of the Sanitary pad 20 are made to move apart along the total length of the incision or slit 74, the longitudinally oriented shoulder 50 still comprises an intersecting line 46 with the preferred tilt decreasing backward. In this preferred embodiment, therefore, the sanitary napkin 20 maintains its preferred three-dimensional structural capability wherever the pedendicular bending axis to the plane of symmetry S is located along the incision or slit 74 in the posterior region 72.

An intersecting line 46 with the profile described above in combination with the incision or slit 74 in the back region 72 provides the sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention with a longitudinally oriented shoulder 50 in the central and posterior portions 42, 44 of the core. absofent 24. The shoulder 50 has a non-linear longitudinal profile which is intended to coincide during use with the nonlinear central groove of the female anatomy extending from the labia majora to the perineum and towards the groove of the buttocks, and which has approximately the schematically indicated form in the corresponding central and rear portions 42 ', 44' of the curve G, also incoping a corresponding front portion 40 ', illustrated in Figure 4, wherein the coincident profile of an intersecting line 46 in a sanitary napkin illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 is also shown. The incision or slit 74 in the posterior region 72 also provides the longitudinally oriented shoulder 50 with the ability to bend around a pedendicular axis to the plane of symmetry S and placed anywhere along the incision or slit 74 itself, with the purpose of adjusting better to the different anatomies of the cuefo and to the variations in the conditions of use in the region of the gluteal groove. The dotted line following the back portion of the profile of the intersecting line 46 in Figure 4 corresponds to the portion of the incision or back slit 74 where the cutting edges 76 are actually displaced from one another during the use of the sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention. Said dotted line does not correspond to an intersection line since, as already explained, there can be no intersection between the plane of symmetry S and the surface that gives the area 20a where it causes the cutting edges to move apart. This in turn indicates the actual profile described by one of the cutting edges 76 in the back region 72 of the sanitary napkin 20 as seen in the cross-sectional view, where the inverted V-shaped rear region, convex upwards, of the sanitary napkin 20 is allowed to bend along a pedendicular axis to the plane of symmetry S in order to better fit the anatomy of the spine in the region of the gluteal groove, which corresponds to the most posterior part of the rear portion 44 'of the curve G. The profile shown in Figure 4 can be considered as corresponding substantially to a sanitary napkin having the configuration illustrated in Figure 7a, with the axis of bending perpendicular to the plane of symmetry S located closer to the rear end edge 32b. The profile of the longitudinally oriented shoulder 50 as defined by the intersection line 46 with its inclination decreasing backward, and in combination with the incision or slit 74 in the rear region 72, can provide the sanitary napkin 20 with an improved fit user's story In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, when going from the front to the rear, the front portion of the shoulder 50, with a substantially constant inclination, is adapted to adjust the groove between the larger lips. The subsequent posterior potion of the shoulder 50 which bypasses the central and rear portions 42, 44 of the absorbent core 24, with its change in inclination, has a profile which is capable of coinciding in use with the concave portion downwardly of the central nonlinear slot. of the female anatomy in the region that goes from the back of the labia majora to the perineum, to achieve a continuous contact with the body. This provides better comfort and a more effective intersection of the fluids as they are released from the body. The rear portion of the longitudinally oriented shoulder 50, still belonging to the rear portion 44 of the absorbent core 24 and having a constant inclination in the embodiment of Figure 1, is intended to extend between the buttocks within the gluteal groove. Attributed to its lighter inclination, as compared to the front portion of the shoulder, it is able to make contact with the body without causing any tension between the anatomy and this portion of the sanitary napkin, which can instead cause discomfort, and / or avoiding the desired substantially continuous contact between the shoulder 50 and the anatomy of the wearer along the entire length of the nonlinear groove extending from the labia majora to the groove of the gluteus. Finally, the rearmost portion of the shoulder 50, preferably characterized by the presence of the incision or slit 74, can bend, typically upwards, around a pedendicular axis to the plane of symmetry S, in order to better fit the shape of the body. in the gluteal groove area, where the posterior region 72 of the sanitary napkin 20 preferably extends to provide increased protection, for example, against subsequent leaks that may be experienced during movement or during rest or rest, when the user lies on her back. This provides an improved fit of the sanitary napkin 20 in the gluteal groove area, also avoiding any possible negative interaction with the undergarment, which may otherwise exert a force on the convex posterior region of the sanitary napkin 20 extending backward, thereby causing said convex region upward to fold or move away from the cue. A shoulder 50 with a preferred profile having a rearward decreasing inclination can be pushed further into the non-linear groove of the female anatomy, as schematically indicated in Figure 4. The shoulder 50 with the profile indicated by the line 46 it is in fact able to follow the profile of the slot, indicated by the curve G, extending by passing a line, indicated by the line of dashes in Figure 4, which connects two points along the central groove of the surface of the where the sanitary napkin has contact with the anatomy, for example the two points where the sanitary napkin is in contact with the spout in correspondence of the front and rear portions of the hump. The trailing end of the dashed line actually goes to the backmost portion of the shoulder 50 where the cutting edges 76 are in the offset shape from each other.; this therefore corresponds to the beginning of the dashed line, as explained here above, following the profile of the intersecting line 46. A ledge formed with a linear profile as those known in the art can not extend past this line, since that said shoulder substantially corresponds to this line, and therefore can not provide continuous contact with the body along the entire length of the shoulder. Of course, the situation described so far of a preferred three-dimensional sanitary towel 20 and its interaction with the user's anatomy represents only a particular preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is intended to indicate the overall capacity of the shoulder 50 with the non-linear profile. preferred longitudinal, preferably in combination with the incision or the posterior slit 74, to coincide in use along its entire length to the non-linear central groove of the female anatomy, thereby providing better contact with the spine and a comfortable increased. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the three-dimensional sanitary napkin 20 preferably has a low constant thickness that is less than 5mm, wherein the three-dimensional structure is provided without the use of humps or regions of different thickness, and this is an inherent characteristic of the sanitary napkin 20, rather than an added feature, achieved for example by bending, folding, or joining together an initially planar structure. As shown in the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front portion 40 of the absent core 24 is preferably concave upward, so as to better conform to the wearer's anatomy in the mountainous region. pubic. The sanitary napkin 20 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 shows a particularly preferred configuration for the front, middle and rear portions 40, 42 and 44 of the absent core 24. As seen in the cross section the front, middle and rear portions of the core absorbent 24 have respectively a V-shape, a W-shape, an inverted V-shape, as best shown in Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c, where the cross sections of the sanitary napkin 20 taken on lines 5a-5a , 5b-5b, and 5c-5c respectively of Figure 1 are illustrated. These different shapes provide the sanitary napkin 20 with the additional ability to conform to the anatomy of the wearer in a direction substantially pedendicular to the plane of symmetry S already defined. The V-shape of the front portion 40 and the inverted V-shape of the posterior portion 44 join together gradually in the central portion 42, where the resulting W-shape is predisposed to adjust the area of the labia majora and the perineum. . In use, the longitudinally oriented shoulder 50 is adapted to adjust the longitudinal central groove as described above, while the side portions 51 fold upward may coincide with the crease of the groin, ie, the two grooves that are formed between the groove. and legs, typically in the area where the elastics of the panties are in contact with the body. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the sanitary napkin 20 is provided with an increased conformability to the wearer's anatomy than that simply given by the known differentiated transverse configuration of the different portions of the absorbent core. 24. The three-dimensional structure of the sanitary napkin 20 before being used is such that the width of the angle? of the inverted V-shaped portion increases towards the rear end edge 32b of the sanitary napkin 20 starting from a preferred minimum value in a position corresponding to the junction of the posterior portion 44 with the central portion 42 of the absorbent core 24, where it corresponds substantially to the angle ß of the inverted V-shaped central part of the W-shaped central portion 42, which is instead substantially constant along the length of this portion 42. Therefore, the back portion of the shoulder 50, typically placed in use between the buttocks, can more easily widen its inverted V shape during product use without being limited, thereby providing the sanitary towel with better conformability to the configuration anatomical of the user. Of course, the additional feature of the incision or slit 74 in the back region 72 of the sanitary napkin 20, not shown in Figure 5c, which is a section taken in a location where the incision or slit 72 is not present, allows that the cutting edges 76 of the backmost portion of the shoulder 50 move apart from one another to better fit the gluteal groove region, thus adapting to the different lengths and radii of curvature of said groove. A feature similar to that described for the back portion 44 is preferably provided in the V-shaped front portion 40 of the absent core 24, where the angle A of the V increases its width toward the front end edge 32a of the sanitary napkin 20 from a preferred minimum value at a point corresponding to the junction of the front portion 40 with the central portion 42. This will allow the portion of the sanitary towel 20 that is closest to the front end edge 32a to flatten more easily in the transverse direction during use in order to fit the relatively flat front of the pubic mound, while still providing a global concave shape to effectively follow the surface of the pubic mound. The angles of the V-shaped front portion 40 and / or the inverted V-shaped rear portion 44 of the absorbent core 24, and consequently the total sanitary napkin 20, can therefore increase toward their respective end edges 32a and / or 32b to values of around 180 °, in order to better suit the anatomy of the wearer without inducing any substantial tension in the structure, thereby providing better fit and comfort.

The preferred feature of the angles increasing towards the respective end edges in the V-shaped and inverted-V-shaped portions is achieved by giving the front portion 40 and / or the rear portion 44 of the absorbent core 24 a shaped structure. of cup with any means known to the person skilled in the art. For example, in the sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, this is accomplished by trimming a narrow V-shaped material portion centered along the longitudinal centerline of the initially flat front portion 40 and the rear portion 44 of absorbent core 24, and upper sheet 22 and rear sheet 23 also, and having substantially the same length of front portion 40 and rear portion 44, and then join together cutting edges with means known, for example by thermal bonding, along the splice lines identified as 52 and 54 in Figure 3. Of course, the splice line 54 does not extend to the rear end edge 32b when the incision has to be formed or slit 74 preferred. The final three-dimensional structure illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is then achieved by suitably bending the non-planar sanitary napkin 20, for example along the preferential folding lines, formed in the absorbent core 24 by means of for example enhancements, and / or partial incisions, such as the enhancements 56 in Figure 3, as can be readily determined by the person skilled in the art. In this preferred embodiment, the cup-like structure of the central and rear portions 42, 44 of the absorbent core 24, and therefore of the corresponding posterior region 72 of the sanitary napkin 20, is intrinsically stable, i.e. has already the defined three-dimensional structural capacity that is not hindered by the incision or posterior slit 74, since this does not run the full length of the posterior portion 44 of the absorbent core 24 to the top 48. The presence of the preferred feature described above on the towel The sanitary ware of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 can be easily determined when the sanitary napkin 20 is folded transversely so as to overlap the front portion 40 or the back portion 44 of the absorbent core over the central portion 42 along a bending line that approximately in the unfolded sanitary towel corresponds to a line that separates respectively the frontal portion 40 or rear portion 44 of central portion 42; in both cases the bending line will show an angle instead of being rectilinear. The combination of the three-dimensional structure of the sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention, comprising the longitudinally oriented shoulder 50 with the preferred profile of the intersecting line 46, with the posterior incision or slit 74 preferred in the posterior region 72, provides to the sanitary napkin 20 with an increased capacity to adjust to the non-planar surfaces and to the non-linear grooves of the female anatomy, along the entire length of the sanitary napkin. The improved fit achieved by a three-dimensional sanitary napkin, particularly a three-dimensional sanitary napkin in the preferred embodiment described thus far, is capable of providing proper placement and establishes the sanitary napkin during use. Therefore there is no risk of the sanitary napkin being misplaced with respect to the anatomy, or moving from its preferred location during use. This provides that in use the liquid is received and acquired in an appropriate manner in an acquisition zone located preferably in the central portion 42 of the absorbent core 24, typically forward of the top 48 of the shoulder 50, while the posterior region of the sanitary napkin preferably characterized by the slit or incision is positioned rearwardly of this acquisition zone. The incision or slit 74, however, being substantially longitudinally oriented, does not create any obstacle to the diffusion of liquid into the absent core 24, which occurs in a preferred path oriented in a longitudinal direction.

The back slot or incision 74 can therefore be left completely open, without the need for additional material joining the cutting edges 76. In a preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention, however, illustrated in Figures 7a and 7b , the sanitary napkin 20 may comprise a material 78 that connects the cutting edges 76 of the incision or posterior slit 74, and which allows the cutting edges 76 to move apart. Said material 78 is preferably impermeable to liquid, thereby providing the article with additional protection in the back region 72 with the incision or slit 74. Said material 78 must be provided by any known means with the ability to allow the edges of cutting 76 move apart, for example it can be extensible, elastic, or folded, as illustrated in Figures 7a and 7b, where a plastic film impervious to liquid 78 provided with folds 81 and attaching to cutting edges 76 is shown. along its total length. The material 78 can be a separate element added to the structure of the sanitary napkin 20, for example attached to the backsheet 23, or it can be integral with the structure, for example a portion of the backsheet 23 made extensible by known means. . In the preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 7 the sanitary napkin 20 always comprises a single rear slit 74 in its rear region 72, extending from the rear end edge 32b substantially along the longitudinal plane of symmetry S. In the alternative embodiments of the present invention, more than one incision or slit may be provided in the back region of a three dimensional absorbent article. In the further alternative embodiments, at least one incision or slit does not necessarily run along the longitudinal plane of symmetry S of the three-dimensional absorbent article, provided that at least one incision or slit extends from the rear end edge in a direction toward a point located on the longitudinal plane of symmetry S. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention a three-dimensional shape similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 to 5c can also be obtained by including in a disposable absorbent article a resilient insert having a shape desired, for example between the backsheet and the absorbent core. The insert may be included for example only in the central and rear portions of the absorbent article, where the shoulder with the desired profile is to be provided, or may extend along the entire length of the absent article, in order to provide its total form. The resilient insert can be made of any suitable known material, for example absorbent or non-absent material, and can be produced for example by thermal forming to give the desired three-dimensional shape, preferably with a constant thickness. The insert can completely provide the three-dimensional structure, or it can alternatively contribute to create and maintain said structure in an absent article already formed. The insert may also comprise the incision or slit. In accordance with the present invention, the sanitary napkin 20 further comprises at least one mounting element 89 on each longitudinal side edge 31, attached to the main body portion 80. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the appended figures The sanitary napkin also comprises a side flap 88 along each longitudinal side edge 31 of the main body portion 80, wherein each side flap 88 comprises a mounting element 89. The side flaps 88 should extend along the edge longitudinal side 31 in at least part of the central section 84 of the main core portion 80. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the side wings 88 actually extend from substantially along the entire front section 82 to part of the rear section 86. Each mounting element 89 is attached to the main body portion 80 and has a bending stiffness with respect to the main body portion 80 of at least 0.02 N as defined in the Bending Stiffness Test described hereinafter. Preferably, the bending rigidity of the mounting element 89 is comprised between 0.042 N and 0.25 N, more preferably between 0.07 N and 0.15 N. The bend stiffness test measures the force required to bend down the mounting element 89 with respect to the main body portion 80, substantially around the longitudinal side edge 31. Of course, as best explained in the description of the test method, the bending stiffness of an assembling element 89 comprised in a side flap 88, which constitutes A preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, will also comprise a contribution provided by the lateral flap itself. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, each side flap 88 comprising the assembling element 89 is constituted by portions of the upper sheet 22 and the rear sheet 23 which extend more laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal side edges 31 of the main body portion, but alternately, the side flaps 88 may also be separate components attached to the main-core portion 80. The laterally extending portions of the upper sheet 22 and the backsheet 23, on the other hand, comprise the mounting element. 89 among them. Each mounting element 89, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, extends from approximately half of the central section 89, to part of the front section 82. In Figures 1 to 3 the position of the assembling elements 89 comprised between the upper sheet 22 and rear sheet 23 forming side flaps 88 is indicated by dotted lines 91. In the illustrated embodiment the mounting elements 89, upper sheet 22, and rear sheet 23 forming side flaps 88 extend laterally up to a common distal edge 90, but other embodiments are also possible, for example with the assembling element 89 having a distant edge inwardly or outwardly from the distant edge of the side tab 88. The mounting element 89, as best illustrated in FIG. sectional view of Figure 5b, is attached to the absent core 24 along, for example, a seam line 94 by known means for example adhesive. heat sealing, and also to the upper sheet 22 and to the rear sheet 23. In a similar embodiment, each side flap may also be provided in for example two longitudinally spaced sections placed forwardly or rearwardly of the respective mounting element 89, and attached thereto along the seal lines corresponding for example to dotted lines 91 of Figure 1. Other equivalent solutions are also possible. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the absent core 24 has a width in the transverse direction that is smaller in its central portion 42, corresponding to the central section 84 of the main core portion 80, as compared to the back portion 44 and the corresponding back section 86. The total width of the absorbent core 24 in its three-dimensional form before use, particularly in the preferred embodiment of the present invention where the total absorbent article has the three dimensional structural capacity as defined herein, corresponds to the shortest total distance measured throughout of the surface that gives the core body 24 between a point on the line of intersection 46 and each longitudinal side edge of the core 24, or alternatively, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, between the points corresponding to each cutting edge 76 and the respective longitudinal side edges in the region of the core 24 comprising the incision or slit 74. All dimensions of the width in the absent article 20 of the present invention can be conducted in accordance with this basic principle , as can be easily determined by the expert person.

The side flaps 88 extend laterally with their respective distant edges 90 with a total transverse width that is preferably greater than the largest width of the back section 86 of the main body portion 80, as shown in Figure 3. Preferably, the side flaps 88 may have a maximum width, as measured between the distant edge 90 of the lateral flap and the respective longitudinal side edge 31 of the main core portion 80, or from 15 mm to 50 mm, preferably from 20 mm to 30 mm. mm, more preferably approximately 25 mm. The width of the mounting elements 89 preferably corresponds when possible to the width of the side flaps 88 in the absorbent article according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention., where the assembling elements 89 are preferably comprised in the side flaps 88. More generally, the width of the assembling elements 89, included in the side flaps 88 as is preferred, or alternatively constituting the only lateral feature of a Three-dimensional disposable absorbent article according to the present invention, will be measured between the longitudinal side edge of the absent core 24 and the respective distant edge of the assembler element. Preferably, the width of the mounting elements is between 20 mm and 50 mm, more preferably between 25 mm and 40 mm. Preferably, the width of the side flaps 88 is not constant along its length, having a maximum value preferably where the respective mounting element 89 is preferably comprised. As shown in the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and 6, said width of the side flaps 88 may become narrower towards the front end edge 32a of the disposable absorbent article. The same drawings also show the width of the side flaps 88 gradually decreasing in the back section 86 of the main body portion 80, where the side flaps 88 join the main body portion 80 with the absorbent core 24 having a width that increases correspondingly. The side wings 88 are attached to the longitudinal side edges 31 of the main core portion 80 along their total length. By "joined", it is implied herein whether the side flaps 88 are constituted by separate elements actually fixed or joined by known means, such as adhesive or heat sealing, to the respective longitudinal side edge 31 of the portion of main body 80, or, as already explained above, that the side flaps 88 are formed by means of parts of other constituent elements of the sanitary napkin 20, for example preferably the backsheet 23 and the top sheet 22, which extend laterally further beyond the longitudinal side edges 31 of the main body portion 80, as actually shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, and also in detail in the cross sections of Figures 5a, and 5b. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention of Figures 1 to 6, at least one mounting element 89, which is comprised in a respective side flap 88, which is attributed to its stiffness to the preferred bend with respect to the portion of the body. main 80, which in this preferred embodiment really corresponds to the force necessary to fold down the side flap 88 where it comprises the mounting element 89, substantially around the longitudinal side edge 31, and as explained in detail in the test the bending stiffness described hereinafter, keeps the lateral flap 88 extending laterally outwardly from the longitudinal edges of the main body portion of the article, in close contact with the inner thigh area of the wearer, and substantially adjacent thereto. , when the absent article, which has its preferred three-dimensional shape before being used, is actually applied directly on re the story. Both during and after the desired positioning of the article on the body that is achieved, the side flaps 88 will therefore remain in contact with the inner area of the thigh, and when they are subsequently pulled up the panties, the side edges of the portion crotch of the panties, typically comprising elastic filaments and moving up along the surface of the inner thighs, will not contract the side flaps with the assembling elements nor cause them to bend improperly against the surface that gives the article garment attributable to the rigidity to the folding induced by the assembling elements. The lateral edges of the crotch of the panties instead will be placed correctly under the assembling elements and therefore, below the lateral fins, i.e., separated from the inner thigh by the respective lateral fin, typically finding its place along the longitudinal side edges 31 of the cue or main portion of the sanitary napkin 20. This also explains the name "erector" given to this specific element incoforado preferably in the lateral fins according to the present invention. The preferred bending stiffness in fact gives the assembling elements the ability to actually "ride" to the typically elastified side edges at the crotch of the panties, typically when the panties are pulled up by the wearer, and also after they are pulled up. They have really been worn. The assembling elements in the lateral fins of the absent article according to the present invention can also be operated in combination with the edges of the pantyhose in the crotch area during the time of use, since the edges of the panty, preferably elasticized, they cooperate with the assemblers in the lateral fins by attributing the preferred bending rigidity and flexibility in order to keep the absorbent article in its correct place in close contact with the anatomy of the cue during the time of use. This ability to "assemble" the assembling elements, in terms of the ability to protect the crotch elastic of the panty, and to cooperate with them in use to increase fit to the cue, is also provided in an alternative embodiment of the present invention. invention, not shown here, wherein the sanitary napkin 20 only comprises on each longitudinal side edge at least one mounting element attached to the main body portion, but without the lateral wings. Of course, the inclusion of the assembling elements in the fin structure, as shown in the accompanying drawings, is preferred in order to provide a three-dimensional disposable absorbent article, typically applied directly on the wearer's body before the panty pull upwards, with the known benefits of the lateral fins, combined with the peculiar advantages of the assembling elements. The desired bending stiffness of the assembling elements, preferably uncoated in the side flaps of the absorbent articles according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as defined in the Bending Stiffness Test described hereinafter, is determined in combination by the intrinsic characteristics of the flexibility of the material constituting the assembling elements, and by the manner in which the assembling element is actually attached to the main-body portion 80, specifically the absorbent core 24 along for example the junction line or splice 94, as shown in Figure 5b. This corresponds in fact to a resistor opposed by the mounting element 89, suitably attached to the main body portion 80, to a bending force which attempts to bend the assembler element 89, alone or, preferably, comprised in the side flap 88, down with respect to the main body portion 80 itself, and typically around the respective longitudinal side edge 31. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, a mounting element 89 is comprised in each side flap 88 of the absorbent article 20, wherein each mounting element 89 extends in the longitudinal direction along at least part of the central section 84 of the main core portion 80, but in the alternative embodiments even with the assembling elements comprised in the lateral fins, each lateral fin may also comprise more than one assembling element, for example two separate assembling elements.; a front one located between the front and central section 82 and 84 of the main body portion 80 and a rear one located in the rear section 86. Alternately, the multiple mounting elements comprised in a side flap and forming a type of frame as well They're possible. Less preferably, absorbent articles comprising only one or more mounting elements along each longitudinal side edge are also possible. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and 6, the side flaps 88 are constituted by parts of the upper sheet 22 and of the rear sheet 23 of the sanitary napkin 20, comprising between them the elements assemblers 89 as already explained. The materials for the component elements of the side flaps 88, ie for the top sheet 22 and the back sheet 23, are therefore those commonly used in the art for this scope, being typically soft and flexible to increase comfort. Preferred materials for the assembling elements comprise resilient, flexible materials, which are also soft for better wearing comfort. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and 6, a material suitable for the mounting elements 89 comprised in the side wings 88 is a layer of a polyethylene foam impermeable to the fluid having a thickness of 0.5 mm. and a density of 0.2 gm / cm 3, such as that sold by Álveo AG of Lucerna, Switzerland, under the trade name Alveolit TEE0500.5. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, where, as already explained, the main body portion 80 is wider in the transverse direction in its rear section 86 as compared to the center section 84, the absorbent core 24 comprises at its rear portion 44, corresponding to the rear section 86 of the main body portion, two lateral extensions 96. The lateral extensions 96 may be constituted by any suitable material, but preferably comprise the same absorbent material of the core absorbent 24 so that they can provide the core with increased absorption capacity. The lateral extensions 96 are attached to the core preferably by means of hinge lines 98, which allow each lateral extension 96 to bend along said line 98 with respect to the remaining remaining portion of the core 24. Suitable hinge lines 98 they can be provided with any known means, for example incisions, pre-bent lines, or raised lines. Preferably the hinge lines 98 should be provided in a manner that maintains the preferred absorbent side extensions 96 in fluid communication with the remaining part of the core 24. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the hinge lines are constituted by raised lines, as can be more clearly seen in the sectional view of Figure 5c. The lateral extensions 96 in the back section 86 of the main body portion 80 provide the sanitary napkin 20 with a further advantage, particularly in the preferred embodiment illustrated when an incision or slit 74 is comprised in the posterior region 72. As seen. in Figures 1 and 3, the side flaps 88 are attached to the main body portion 80 in the back section 86 substantially to the side extensions 86 of the absorbent core 24. Possible bending movements of the side extensions 96 around the lines of articulation 98 prevent that in some circumstance a tension in the longitudinal direction can be directly transmitted between for example the lateral fins 88 and the rear section 86 of the main-body portion 80. A longitudinal tension exerted by a lateral fin 88 on the extension lateral 96 respectively, due for example to the movements of the body acting on the lateral flap itself, can in fact at least in part tend to open the incision or slit 72, with a possible reduction of the height of the shoulder on the back portion of the absorbent article , and a less suitable setting. However, by providing the possibility of an articulation movement between the lateral extensions 96 and the remaining portion of the absorbent core 24, part of this tension may be directed in a direction that does not pull directly on the sides of the incision or slit 72, by example by bending the side extensions 96 slightly upwards with respect to the remaining portion of the absorbent core. This would also achieve a closer adjustment to the area in the region of the squatters. The lateral extensions 96 in the rear section 86 of the main core portion 80, particularly when these are attached to the remaining portions of the absorbent core by means of a hinge line 98, on the other hand also help the absorbent article to remain open and in place. total contact with the body, particularly in the back section 86. This is particularly important when, as is preferred, the absorbent article is applied directly to the body, before the undergarment is worn. During the use of the undergarment once the absent article is already in position on the body, the crotch of the pantyhose finds its most effective manner within the inverted V of the back section 86 of the main body portion 80 of the absorbent article, attributable to the wider posterior section 86 that is kept open and in total contact with the item. In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the assembling elements 89, preferably uncovered in the side wings 88, are substantially flat, as can be seen more in detail in the sections of Figures 5a and 5b. However, in a preferred alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the mounting elements 89 can also be bent upwards as seen in the cross section, for example along a continuous curve, or alternately comprising flat portions that are angled along a bending line. This preferred folding in the transverse direction contributes to keeping the assembling elements 89 in even closer contact with the inner thigh area of the wearer when the absent article is applied to the body. In the alternative embodiments of the present invention, the side flaps 88 that enclose the assembling elements may also be preferably included, wherein the side flaps also comprise portions that are extensible, preferably in the longitudinal direction, and / or portions that are elastically extensible, also preferably in the longitudinal direction. Within this context, the terms "elastically extensible" and "elastic" are considered to be synonymous. As is known in the art, the extension capacity and / or elastic extensibility can be provided in selected portions of the side flaps 88 in a number of different non-limiting ways. For example, the side flaps 88 may comprise a substantially non-extensible material, such as the preferred laminate described comprising the topsheet 22 and the backsheet 23 which also extend laterally outward from the main body portion 80. The capacity zones extension may for example be formed by ring rolling (op re-corrugated) in selected regions, as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,107,364, U.S. Patent No. 4,834,741, U.S. Patent No 5,143,679, U.S. Patent No. 5,156,793, U.S. Patent No. 5,167,897. This preferred material for the side flaps 88 can also be modified to have a deformable network exhibiting elastic behavior without the additional elastic material. This type of material is also referred to herein as a material in the form of structural elastic or "SELF" material. Suitable SELF materials can be made according to the description in PCT applications WO 95/07675 and WO 95/20932. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated by example in Figures 7a and 7b, the assembling elements 89 positioned in and constituted by as already described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and 6, are preferably comprised within the side flaps 88 which comprise portions 100 located longitudinally forward of the mounting elements 89 which are provided with extension capacity in the longitudinal direction, wherein the extension capacity is indicated in the drawings by means of a row of short parallel lines substantially pedendicular to the direction of the capacity of extension, and portions 101 located longitudinally rearwardly of the mounting elements 89 which are provided with elastic extension capacity in the longitudinal direction. Said elastic portions 101 are indicated in Figures 7a and 7b in a similar manner as the extensible portions 100, but with parallel lines less tightly tightened. The portions of the lateral fins that are capable of extending in the longitudinal direction facilitate bending of the lateral fins with respect to the main body portion, and substantially around the longitudinal lateral edges 31, in the three-dimensional configuration that the absorbent article has. before use This of course occurs in combination with the bending mechanism of the assembling elements already explained here above, typically during the direct application of the absent article to the cue, before the undergarment is actually worn.

The portions of the side flaps 88 located rearwardly of the mounting elements 89, as shown in the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 7a and 7b, or located more generally along at least part of the central section 84 and the rear section 86 of the main body portion 80 can advantageously be provided with elastic extension capacity at least in the longitudinal direction, in order to preferably behave in a similar manner as the folding elements thus calls described in the international patent application filed by the applicant on the same day and entitled "Abstraction disposable three-dimensional article having improved lateral characteristics" (Case P &G CM1979FQ), inside a lateral flap comprising assembly elements in accordance with the present invention. According to the aforementioned application, the portions 101 of the side flaps 88 provided with the elastic extension capacity at least in the longitudinal direction are in fact in the relaxed state when the article absent in its preferred three-dimensional shape before being used, differently for example from the known disposable absorbent articles comprising fins with elasticized portions, in which the elasticized portions are applied in their stretched state to a product that is either initially flat or already curved, and in which the elasticized portions themselves keep the product in its curved shape recovering its initially relaxed state. According to this preferred alternative embodiment of the disposable absorbent article of the present invention illustrated in Figures 7a and 7b, the preferred three-dimensional figure formed before use on the one hand does not conform to the elasticity of the elasticized portions 101 of the side flaps 88. in order to be achieved, and on the other hand it also helps to prevent the elasticized portions 101 of the side flaps 88 themselves from being flattened on the surface of the absent article, in combination with the already explained mechanism related to the assembling elements 89. When it uses the sanitary napkin 20, typically by direct application on the wearer's body, and in combination with the mechanism already explained due to the interaction of the assembling elements 89 and the wearer's body, the posterior portions 101 of the side flaps 88 , attributable to its elastic extension capacity at least in the longitudinal direction, will cover The outer surface of the main body portion of the sanitary napkin 20 which is made to follow the curvature of the sanitary napkin 20 which changes from the central section 84 to the rear section 86 of the main body portion is efficiently made. 80. This in turn contributes to creating a barrier along the longitudinal side edges 31 of the main body portion where the elasticized portions 101 of the side flaps 88 extend, up to the interference between the pad and the body, particularly in the region of the groin where a possible movement of the part of the undergarment between the absorbent article and the item is more likely to occur. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the incision or slit 74 extends from the rear end edge 32b substantially along the plane of symmetry S. Therefore, the line can not be identified. actual intersection 46 where the cutting edges 76 separate from each other, but only where the incision or slit does not exist, or also where the cutting edges 76 are held close to each other and the displacement of them does not occur. This is typically the case of the three-dimensional sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention since the axis of flexion perpendicular to the plane of symmetry S can move along the incision or slit 74 in accordance with different anatomies and / or changes. Experienced during the time of use. The sanitary napkin 20 according to the present invention having the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5c and described herein above is typically intended to be applied by the user directly to the body., and also preferably comprises means 58 for retaining and applying it located on the surface that gives the garment 20b and which are transversely oriented, such as those described in the European patent application EP 971 10734.7 As illustrated in Figure 6, shows a perspective view of the sanitary napkin 20 similar to that of Figure 1, and further comprising the means 58, is shown, as seen from the side that is located away from the wearer during use, ie, with the surface that gives the garment 20b towards the observer. The means 58 for maintaining and applying the sanitary napkin 20 are also referred to herein as a handling aid. Of course the means 58 for maintaining and applying the sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention are also intended for use by a person providing the care of a user, for example a nurse, who handles the sanitary napkin 20 and applies it to the the user. In the preferred embodiment of Figure 6, the means 58 for maintaining and applying the sanitary napkin 20 comprises an elongated strip of elastic film material 58 oriented pedendicularly to the longitudinal symmetry plane S and located on the garment-facing surface 20b of the sanitary napkin 20, in correspondence of the central portion 42 of the absorbent core 24, in an approximately intermediate position longitudinally between the front end edge 32a and the rear end edge 32b of the sanitary napkin 20. The strip 58 is fixed to the backsheet 23 at its two separate apart ends 60 disposed on opposite sides of the plane of symmetry S, with an intermediate portion 62 that is not attached to the surface that gives the garment 20b and defining a space 64, intended for the insertion of at least one finger of the wearer to maintain and apply the sanitary napkin 20. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, where the sanitary napkin 20 has the preferred three-dimensional shape before being used, the space 64 is actually comprised between the intermediate portion 62 of the strip 58 and the garment-facing surface 20b of the central portion of the sanitary napkin, which is concave on its surface which gives the garment 20b, since it corresponds to the shoulder 50 on the surface that gives the area 20b. Typically, the spaced apart ends 60 of the strip 58 are fixed with known means, for example, with an adhesive, or by thermal bonding, to the garment facing surface 20b of the backsheet 23 at intermediate sites between each line of bending corresponding to the elevations 56, and the respective longitudinal edge 31. The wearer can place the sanitary napkin 20 on the palm of her hand with the surface that gives the garment 20b making contact with the hand and with the front end edge 32a facing the wrist, at the same time inserting in a typical manner one of your fingers, for example the middle finger, within the space 64 between the intermediate portion 62 of the strip 58 and the back sheet 23. Therefore the wearer can hold the sanitary towel 20 in her open hand without exerting any force, also attributed to the elasticity of the preferred material constituting the strip 58, with substantially the front portion of the sanitary napkin 20 lying on its palm. The application to the cuefo can then be easily performed by the user with a simple movement of her open hand, which is simple and self-explanatory as placing the empty hand on the cue. On the other hand, the movements of the hand and fingers allow the user to completely control the manipulation of the sanitary towel 20 during its application to the cuefo, making use of the sensitivity to the touch of the fingers to find the correct position for the towel 20. In particular, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the finger inserted into the space 64 is substantially aligned with the shoulder 50 on the surface that faces the 20a of the sanitary napkin 20a., and therefore can provide guidance for controlling the proper placement of the sanitary napkin 20 on the anatomy of the body, i.e. with the shoulder 50 appropriately registered with the nonlinear longitudinal groove of the female anatomy extending from the lips older to the channel or groove of the buttocks. The front portion of the shoulder can for example be easily identified by the user with her finger inserted into the space 64, and used as a reference to direct the sanitary towel to an optimal position on the body. The handling aid constituted by the strip 58 also allows easy removal of the hand once the sanitary napkin 20 is in place, without disturbing or modifying the position of the towel 20. As in the preferred embodiment of the present The above-described three-dimensional sanitary napkin 20 does not comprise a panty fastener system, the hollow volume high fluid handling aid of the present invention illustrated in Figure 6 also preferably allows for easy removal and, possibly, a subsequent reapplication of the sanitary towel 20 from the cue to use the toilet, or to verify the product, or in any case in order to finally dispose of the product. The wearer can in fact easily grasp the sanitary napkin 20 while it is being used by placing her hand in substantially the same manner as for the application, with one of her fingers inserted into the space 64 between the unattached portion 62 of the strip 58 and the back sheet 23. The sanitary towel 20 can therefore be removed from the body and safely retained by the user; the high volume hollow fluid handling aid can also be used to temporarily store the sanitary napkin, for example while using the toilet, on the user's hand, without the need to actually hold it with the fingers, or by exerting any force About this. The handling aid constituted by the strip 58 allows in any event that the user manages / manipulates the sanitary napkin 20 making contact with its surface that gives the garment 20b only, thus protecting her hand from the surface that gives the body possibly dirty In the absorbent articles of the present invention having a three-dimensional shape prior to use preferably comprising the handling aid, such as the sanitary napkin 20 in the preferred embodiment described hereinbefore, the handling aid also preferably contributes to maintaining the three-dimensional shape of the sanitary napkin. article during use, for example in the case of movements of the body that may disturb the proper fit of the product, or when in general there is a risk of collapse of the three-dimensional shape that fits the body. Otherwise the handling aid, for example constituted by the strip 58 illustrated in Figure 6, remains aligned or bent or loose on the surface that gives the garment 20b of the product and does not disturb the operation of the product. In the alternative embodiments of the present invention, the handling aid may be constituted by more than one strip of material, or by one or more cords or tapes, while the material may also be non-elastic. The handling aid can also be constituted by a strip arranged as a loop or loop and applied to the surface that gives the garment 20b of the article, or by means of a series of loops or coils, intended to allow the insertion of at least one user's finger. The handling aid can also be activated by the user, for example by being applied to the surface that gives the garment of the absorbent article just before use; alternatively, a handling aid for example constituted by a strip 58 can be detached for example at one of its ends from the surface that gives the garment of the absorbent article and then repositioned in a different place, in order to control or partially adapting a three-dimensional shape already provided in the absorbent article, or modifying the available space 64 for the insertion of at least one finger of the user. A handling aid preferably constituted by a strip 58 can therefore be removably affixed to the garment surface 20b of the absorbent article, at either one or both ends 60, for example by means of a resealable adhesive, or of a hook-and-loop type mechanical fastener, such as that marketed under the trade name VELCRO. A handling aid in the form of a clip can be modified by the user in order to change the diameter of the clip, and therefore the space available for the insertion of the finger or fingers. In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention the disposable absorbent article may comprise a release cover removably attached to the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article, wherein the handling aid is located on the release liner. In use, after the application of the absent article to the item by means of the handling aid, the detachment cover can be detached from the surface that it gives to the garment of the article, leaving the adhesive exposed, which can in this way serve as a panty fastener device as is known in the art. The successive removal of the absorbent article would be performed for example with the known method, using the panty, with the absorbent article now attached, as a handling aid. The handling aid does not necessarily extend through the total width of the absorbent article, in order to define a suitable space for the insertion of at least one finger of the user, which is able to achieve a sufficiently firm fit with said at minus one finger. As illustrated in the preferred embodiment of Figure 6, the handling aid does not extend in the longitudinal direction over a major portion of the length of the disposable absent article; preferably, it extends over less than 10% of the length, more preferably being a narrow strip with a width, extending in the longitudinal direction, of about 1 cm.

The absorbent article of the present invention may also be provided with a panty fastener means, which provides the means for securing the article to the undergarment after it is applied to the bib. This would later allow the removal of the item from the item in a traditionally changed manner, ie by means of the panty to which the item adheres. The panty fastening means may be located on a limited portion of the surface that gives the garment of the absorbent article, in order to avoid the risk of it sticking to the wearer's hand during the handling and application of the absent article, or, alternatively, this may be activated by the user after the absorbent article has actually been applied to the item, for example by removing a release paper. In any case the fastener means of the panty may comprise a mechanical fastener such as the hook and loop fasteners as sold under the trade name VELCRO, snaps or retainers, which would have the advantage that they do not stick to the fastener. user's hand. Alternatively, the absorbent article can be attached to the undergarment by means of the panty fastening adhesive on the backsheet 23. The panty fastening adhesive would provide a means for securing the absorbent article to the panty and preferably a means for Secure the absorbent article when staining to fold and wrap the package for convenient disposal. Any adhesive or glue used in the art for these purposes can be used for the fastening adhesive of the pantyhose herein. Pressure sensitive adhesives are very preferred. Suitable adhesives include Century A-305-IV manufactured by Century Adhesives Coforation of Columbus, Ohio, and Instant LOK 34-2823 manufactured by National Starch and Chemical Company of Bridgewater, New Jersey, 3 Sigma 3153 manufactured by 3 Sigma and Fuller H- 2238ZP manufactured by HB Fuller Co.

The panty fastener adhesive can typically be applied to the backsheet by slot coating or sprinkling in various distribution patterns, such as for example continuous or discontinuous strips, intermittent dots, spirals with random patterns. The panty fastener adhesive should typically be covered with removable paper or removable film in order to prevent the adhesive from drying or adhering to a different surface of the panty. Any commercially available release paper or film can be used. Suitable examples include BL 30MG-A SILOX El / O and BL 30 MG-A SILOX 4 P / O available from Akrosil Coforation. In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the three-dimensional disposable absorbent article may comprise a foamed adhesive on its surface which gives the foil in order to be adhered directly to the wearer's body, preferably without the need for a panty fastener adhesive. . The three-dimensional absorbent articles of the present invention, particularly the sanitary napkin 20, have a length that preferably varies between the typical values commonly used for the different sizes of the sanitary articles intended for the substantially external arrangement adjacent to the wearer's body. Particularly, the central and rear portions 42 and 44 of the absorbent core 24 preferably do not have a length that is less than the maximum total length of the major lips of an average user. The three-dimensional absorbent articles of the present invention may further comprise a material for odor control to control unpleasant odors associated with absorbed body fluids. Any known odor control agent or combinations thereof can be suitably included within a disposable absorbent article, including other materials such as binders and / or substrates, which may be included in the article of the present invention as the material for odor control. The odor control material can be incorporated into the absorbent article by methods known in the art, for example in layers or in the absorbent core or mixed within the absorbent core. In further alternate embodiments of the present invention, the absorbent article may also comprise additional elements, such as an acquisition layer or a secondary topsheet placed between the topsheet 22 and the absorbent core 24 or, alternatively, in any other position adequate Although the disposable absent article of the present invention has been described with reference to a sanitary napkin, it can be used beneficially in the context of other disposable absorbent articles such as panty-hose and incontinence articles. The disposable absorbent article can thus also have all those characteristics and parts that are typical for the products in the context of their intended use.

TEST METHODS Test of Rigidity when Bending This test method, which will be described hereinafter with reference to Figure 8, is intended to measure the force needed to bend downward, i.e. in the direction from the surface that gives the material to the surface that gives the garment of the absent article, the assembling element of a disposable absent article according to the present invention. The Bending Stiffness Test used here is a dynamic measurement of stiffness (force to deform vs. deformed distance), which determines the average force (in Newton) required to bend an assembler element with respect to the main body portion of the article. Absorbent, substantially around the respective longitudinal side edge along which the assembling element is attached to the main body portion.

Preparation of the sample The sample is made on samples 1 10 prepared from the selected absorbent articles incorporating the assembling elements. The absent article from which samples are prepared must be new and not yet handled, or directly removed from the package in which it is provided by the manufacturer. Each sample is prepared by cutting the absorbent article with scissors along the intersecting line 46 of the longitudinal plane of symmetry S with the surface facing the 20a. The different elements constituting the sanitary napkin 20 are indicated in the sample 1 10 of Figure 8 with the corresponding reference numbers as in Figures 1 to 3. The cross section of the sample indicated as 110 corresponds substantially to the portion of the right half of a cross section of the absorbent article like that illustrated in Figure 5b, wherein the sample has been flattened on a flat surface. Apparatus 1) Climate controlled laboratory Maintenance of 23 ° C and 50% relative humidity. 2) Instron Limited, model 6021 Dynamometer Interconnected to an IBM standard computer with the RS232 interface to extract data. Data sent to the computer in the form of distance and force values, and which are read in a standard Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for analysis. The Instom is adjusted to run three cycles of the compression test. Load cell = 10 N Initial separation of the clamp = 80 mm Final separation of the clamp = 62 mm Distance of the sample to be deformed = 18 mm Compression speed = 10 mm / min 3) Scissors. 4) Plexiglas plate The plexiglass plate 112 is used to keep the sample 1 10 in a flattened state when the test is carried out. The plexiglass plate 112 has a flat upper surface and also comprises a support, by which it can be fixed to the fixed clamp of the dynamometer with the upper surface perpendicular to the direction of movement of the movable jaw. The upper surface is larger than the sample to be tested and may have an approximately rectangular shape, with the longer sides substantially aligned with the length of the sample. One of the two larger sides must also have an outline that coincides with the contour of the longitudinal side edge of the absorbent core 24 of the sample to be tested, at least along the total length of the longitudinal side edge of the core where the lateral fin of the sample comprises the assembling element 89, the bending rigidity of which it has to be measured. 5) Compression tool The compression tool 114 is a metallic cylindrical bar with a diameter of 2 mm and a rounded edge, fixed to the movable jaw by means of for example an L-shaped connection portion, so that it is parallel to the direction of movement of the mobile clamp, as illustrated in Figure 8.

Measurement of bending stiffness The sample 110 is placed on the upper surface of the plexiglass plate 112 in a flattened condition, so that the longitudinal side edge of the absorbent core 24 is aligned with the larger, contoured, coincident side of the plexiglass plate 112, and with the side flap 88 projecting completely away from the surface of the plexiglass plate, as shown in FIG. Figure 8. The sample is fixed in a flattened condition on the upper surface of the plexiglass plate by suitable means, for example by means of a double-sided adhesive tape 1 16. The fixation is obtained on the total area of the surface that gives to the garment 20b of the sample that is in contact with the upper surface of the plexiglass plate. If the absorbent article is a thin sanitary napkin according to one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention described so far and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, preferably characterized by the "structural three dimensional capacity" already defined, the sample corresponding to the cut of the Half of the portion along the line of intersection 46 can be easily and completely flattened on a surface without imparting substantial deformation and internal stresses to the structure. Alternatively, in the case of a flattened condition for the sample that is not easily achieved in this manner, the sample 110 can be maintained in a flattened condition on the upper surface of the plexiglass plate 112 by means of a second flat plate, not shown, superimposed on the plexiglass plate and fixed in a manner suitable thereto, and comprising the sample 110 therebetween. Another suitable means may be used in order to achieve this flattened condition for the sample, for example a smaller sample may also be prepared by cutting from the absorbent article a portion comprising only one complete assembly element and the total portion of the portion Main feature where the assembler element is attached. In any case, the fixation of the sample 110 to the upper surface of the plexiglass plate 112 should be such that the sample portion directly attached to the plexiglass plate does not move with respect to the plexiglass plate during the test. The jaws are placed in such a way to start the compression from a distance of 80 mm. The plexiglass plate and the compression tool are connected to the fixed jaw and the movable jaw respectively, and these are positioned in such a way, with respect to each other, that the edge of the compression tool only touches the surface that gives the body of the assembler element 89 at a point P without exerting any pressure on it. Of course, in the preferred embodiments of the present invention such as those illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, the contact of the compression tool is actually achieved with the surface facing the wing flap 88, where it comprises the mounting element. 89. In said preferred embodiment, the stiffness value of the bending of the assembling element evaluated according to the test method of course also comprises a contribution provided with the elements forming the lateral fin, for example the upper sheet and the back sheet which comprises the assembling element between them. The distance Di measured between the point where the compression tool makes contact with the lateral fin and the longitudinal side edge of the core 24, should be 20 mm, as shown in Figure 8. The position of the point P along the the length of the assembling element 89 is not relevant, provided that the width of the assembling element is therefore sufficient to allow the desired placement of P at 20 mm from the lateral edge of the absent core. However, it is preferred that P is located in correspondence with the greater width of the mounting element. In the event that the width of the mounting element is not sufficient on either side to allow the location of the point P to the required distance of 20 mm from the edge of the core, and also preferably when the largest width of the assembling element is less than 35 mm, the measurement of the bending stiffness can be made on the corresponding sample having the same characteristics, but unincorporating a wider mounting element having a wider width large 35 mm. The measurement is performed as described with the point P placed as required in correspondence with this larger width the assembling element, and then the assembling element is cut to its desired real width. The sample is compressed over a distance of 18 mm to a final clamp clearance of 62 mm. Three compression cycles are run. The details of the instrument are given above. The Instron records the separation of the clamp (in mm) and the force exerted to achieve this separation (in Newton) and sends this data via the RS232 interface to an IBM computer equipped with the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The force and distance data are loaded into the Excel software and the maximum force measurement is determined for each of the three compression cycles at 18 mm. Bend stiffness is evaluated as the average value of the three maximum values. The measurements are made and averaged on five samples of the same type to ensure a representative value of the bend stiffness to be determined for each sample under investigation. The bending rigidity of a mounting element of an absent article as described herein will be in accordance with the present invention, if at least one point P can be identified in at least one mounting element, where the bending stiffness of the article is evaluated. assembling element according to the method of test of the bending stiffness described so far having the preferred values mentioned in the description, and wherein preferably the second and third maximum value of the force does not decrease more than 20% with respect to the first maximum value, in the three compression cycles of the same test.

Claims (9)

1. A disposable absent article adapted to form a three-dimensional figure before use, the disposable absorbent article comprising: a main body portion, a liquid pervious top sheet, a back sheet attached to the top sheet, and an intermediate absorbent core to the sheet upper and the backsheet, and a surface that gives the body, a surface that gives the garment, a longitudinal plane of symmetry, and a pair of longitudinal side edges, the absorbent core having a front portion, a central portion, and a rear portion, respectively corresponding to a front section, a central section and a rear section of the main body portion, the disposable absorbent article further comprising said disposable absent article characterized in that at each of the longitudinal lateral edges at least one element assembler to the main body portion, where each of the assembling elements have a bending stiffness of at least 0.02 N as defined in the bending stiffness test described herein.

2. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises two side wings each joined laterally to the main body portion along a respective longitudinal side edge and extending laterally outwardly beyond the side portion. respective longitudinal side edge of the main body portion towards a respective distant edge, wherein each of the fins comprises at least one of the assembling elements.

3. A disposable absent article according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the stiffness to bending is between 0.04 N and 0.25 N, preferably between 0.07 N and 0.15 N.

4. A disposable absorbent article according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the main body portion is narrower in the middle section than in the rear section.

A disposable absorbent article according to any of claims 2 to 4, further characterized in that each of the side flaps extends from at least part of the front section toward at least part of the rear section, and wherein each of the lateral fins comprises a mounting element extending in the longitudinal direction along at least part of the central section.

6. A disposable absorbent article according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that each of the side wings is extendable at least in the longitudinal direction along at least part of its length.

7. A disposable absent article according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that each of the fins is elastically extensible at least in the longitudinal direction along at least part of its length.

8. A disposable absent article according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the assembling elements have a width comprised between 20 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 25 mm and 40 mm, as measured between the longitudinal side edge of the absent core, and a respective distant edge of said mounting element.

9. A disposable absent article according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that the disposable absent article is adapted to be applied directly to the wearer's body.