NZ243940A - Nappy-pants has lateral leaktight barriers and waistband leaktight pockets - Google Patents

Description

243940 No.: Date: W.z PA- NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION OFF, hce AUO 1992 NAPPY-PANTS EQUIPPED WITH LEAKTIGHT LATERAL POCKETS AND LEAKTIGHT WAISTBAND POCKETS We, PEAUDOUCE, a French corporation, of 59, rue de la Vignette F-59126 Linselles, France, hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- - 1 -(followed by page la) - la - 24 3 94 0 The present invention relates to nappy-pants for small children or incontinent adults, of the type 5 comprising an outer sheet which is impermeable to liquids, capable of receiving an absorbent pad, the assembly being shaped so as to leave an indentation on each lateral side of the nappy-pants for the passage of the legs.

Nappy-pants of this type are already known and are mass produced continuously from a continuous film of synthetic material, for example made from thin polyethylene, which is unwound from a reel and coated with lines or strips of adhesive of the hot-melt type. 15 Individual absorbent pads are deposited at intervals on the continuous film. A continuous strip of permeable material, for example a nonwoven, is then applied over the film of impermeable synthetic material and over the absorbent pads so as to adhere to the said impermeable 20 sheet at least along its longitudinal edges. Longitudinal elastic elements are deposited and fixed in the stretched state on the continuous film of impermeable synthetic material or on the strip of permeable material made from nonwoven on each side of the longitudinal edges of the 25 absorbent pad in the crotch zone. Cutouts are then made in the assembly thus formed in the crotch zone in order to give an anatomical shape to the nappy-pants, yet still retaining, in the front and rear parts thereof, a width which is much greater than that of the corresponding 30 front and rear parts of the absorbent pad.

In certain cases, it is also possible not to fix the individual absorbent pads permanently by means of adhesive bonding onto the continuous film of impermeable synthetic material but, rather, to construct the nappy-35 pants in the form of a reusable envelope inside which an insert, in the form of an absorbent element which can be disposed of after use, may then be inserted. 28 AUG 1992 24 3 94 0 In all cases, these known methods and products have the drawback of requiring considerable wasteful consumption of raw materials forming the outer impermeable sheet of the nappy-pants, as well as, 5 optionally, the inner permeable sheet due to losses caused by the cutouts made in the crotch zone in order to form passages for the legs adapted to the anatomy of the wearer.

In certain nappy-pants of known type, as 10 described, for example, in French Patent Application 2,231,329 (STILLE-WERNER), the cutouts for the passage of the legs are avoided but this results in poor leaktightness at the location of these passages.

The aim of the invention is thus to solve the 15 problems of the prior art and, in particular, to permit the construction of lateral passages for the legs which are both suitably indented and rendered perfectly liquid-tight .

The invention thus permits a considerable 20 reduction in the consumption or raw material encountered in most conventional methods for manufacturing nappy-pants, thus reducing the cost price of these products while ensuring excellent leaktightness, particularly at the location of the lateral passages for the legs. 25 The nappy-pants for small children or incontinent adults according to the invention is of the type comprising an outer sheet which is impermeable to liquids, of general elongated shape, equipped with a front part and with a rear part. The impermeable sheet is 30 capable of receiving an absorbent pad, also of general elongated shape, placed on the impermeable sheet, it being possible for the absorbent pad to be covered with an inner sheet which is permeable to liquids. The assembly is shaped so as to leave, on each lateral side 35 of the nappy-pants, an indentation for the passage of the legs. Adhesive fastening devices may also be provided in the vicinity of the lateral edges of the rear part of the permeable sheet.

I 28 AUS 1992 243940 The invention comprises a combination of the following characteristics: The impermeable outer sheet has substantially the same width over the entire length of the nappy-pants. Two 5 lateral leaktight barriers, formed from strips of material which is permeable or impermeable to liquids, equipped with at least one elastic element in the vicinity of their edge directed towards the axis of the nappy-pants, are provided on each side over the length of 10 the nappy-pants so as to be located inside the marginal zones of the absorbent pad, forming lateral leaktight pockets. Two transverse strips which are impermeable to liquids are fixed to the outer sheet which is impermeable to liquids and/or to the inner sheet which is permeable 15 to liquids in the zones, respectively, of the front part and of the rear part of the said impermeable outer sheet. The two transverse strips have transverse dimensions which are greater than the width of the impermeable outer sheet.

Under these conditions, the assembly formed, in particular by the impermeable outer sheet and the two transverse strips of greater width, constitutes lateral passages for the legs which are suitably indented. Lateral leaktightness is completely ensured by the two 25 lateral leaktight barriers forming leaktight pockets.

The transverse strips which are impermeable to liquids preferably comprise at least one elasticated transverse portion. They thus constitute impermeable front and rear transverse barriers and elastic waistband 30 portions for the nappy-pants.

The longitudinal edges of the impermeable sheet may, in an advantageous embodiment, be folded up into a Z on each side of the absorbent pad over the length of the nappy-pants. The two lateral leaktight barriers may 35 then be fixed to the longitudinal edges of the impermeable sheet on the folded-up portion located substantially in the same plane as the inner face of the absorbent pad. Such a fixing of the lateral leaktight N.Z. P/'.7'~' '7 Q; 28 AUG iS 24394 0 barriers makes it possible considerably to increase their efficiency by improving the contact of the said leaktight barriers with the thighs of the wearer of the nappy-pants.

Preferably, one or more longitudinal elastic elements is/are fixed in the stretched state on the longitudinal edges of the impermeable sheet, at least in the zone of the lateral passages for the legs, on each side of the absorbent pad, so as to improve the fit of 10 the nappy-pants with respect to the anatomy of the wearer while contributing to lateral leaktightness.

In certain embodiments, the absorbent pad may be fixed permanently on the internal face of the impermeable outer sheet, being enclosed between the latter and a 15 permeable inner sheet.

The lateral leaktight barriers may be fixed advantageously on the inner face of the permeable sheet in the vicinity of the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad.

In a variant, permitting the formation of double leaktight pockets, the two lateral leaktight barriers are fixed in their central zones, each of their free edges having an elastic element. Each lateral leaktight barrier thus forms a double leaktight pocket in the vicinity of 25 the corresponding longitudinal edge of the absorbent pad.

In other embodiments, the absorbent pad may simply be inserted in a removable manner inside a reusable envelope constituted by the impermeable outer sheet, the two lateral leaktight barriers and the two 30 impermeable transverse strips. In order to produce such an envelope, it is preferable for the longitudinal edges of the impermeable sheet to be folded up into a Z, as was indicated above.

In all cases, the adhesive fastening devices are 35 advantageously fixed directly onto the transverse strip located in the zone of the rear part of the impermeable outer sheet.

N.7. pr • , 28 AU3 1532 243940 The invention will be better understood by studying a number of embodiments taken by way of examples which are in no way limiting and are illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view with certain parts cut away of a first embodiment of nappy-pants according to the invention; Figures 2, 3 and 4 are sectional views taken, respectively, along the sectional lines II-II, III-III 10 and IV-IV in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a plan view with parts cut away of an alternative embodiment; Figures 6 and 7 are sectional views along, respectively, sectional lines VI-VI and VII-VII in 15 Figure 5; Figure 8 is a plan view with partial cutaway of a second embodiment of nappy-pants according to the invention; Figures 9, 10 and 11 are sectional views along 20 sectional lines IX-IX, X-X and XI-XI in Figure 8; Figure 12 is a plan view with partial cutaway of a third embodiment of nappy-pants according to the invention, comprising a reusable impermeable envelope and an absorbent pad inserted inside the said envelope; and 25 Figures 13, 14 and 15 are sectional views along sectional lines XIII-XIII, XIV-XIV and XV-XV in Figure 12.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the nappy-pants according to the invention comprise an outer sheet 1 30 which is impermeable to liquids produced, for example, from polyethylene and which has been obtained from a continuous film of synthetic material of a width smaller that the width of the finished nappy-pants, the difference in width being equal to 2a1. The width of the 35 sheet 1 is, however, sufficient to slightly exceed the transverse dimensions of the front and rear end edges of the absorbent pad 2, the front edge 2a being located in the lower part of Figure 1 whilst the rear edge 2b is [\l r. • - AUG 1992 ••I - 'tz 243940 located in the upper part of Figure 1. A continuous strip 3 of permeable material of a width equal to or slightly smaller than that of the film 1 is adhesively bonded onto the inner face of the said film after a 5 succession of absorbent pads 2, arranged at uniform intervals, has been fixed by adhesive bonding onto to said film 1. Under these conditions/ it will be understood that the adhesive bonding of the strip 3 of permeable material takes place right round the various 10 absorbent pads 2 in the zones 6 of the film 1.

Lateral leaktight barriers 9, also visible in Figure 3, are formed from strips of permeable material, for example made from a nonwoven material equipped with an elastic element 10 in the vicinity of their borders 15 located towards the longitudinal axis of the nappy-pants. As may be seen in Figure 3, the elastic element 10 is enclosed in a folded-up border of the lateral leaktight barrier 9 and fixed in the stretched state inside this border and over at least a part of its length, for 20 example by means of a hot adhesive coating the elastic element on its periphery. The elastic element may be produced in the form of a strand or of a thin filament made from rubber or the like or, alternatively, from an elastic narrow band. Generally, use will be made, for the 25 elastic elements 10, of the same materials and the same shape as for the lateral elastic elements 5 described below. The lateral leaktight barriers 9 are deposited during manufacture on the permeable inner sheet 3, that is to say on the inner side of the latter, and fixed on 30 the said permeable sheet 3 by means of at least one continuous longitudinal adhesive line 11 in the vicinity of the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad 2. As may be seen in Figure 3, the adhesive line 11 is located above, that is to say towards the inside of the absorbent 35 pad 2 in the vicinity of its longitudinal edge. The lateral leaktight barriers 9, equipped with their elastic element 10, are thus capable of forming leaktight pockets on the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad 2. h . r • 'v'v.v; 23 WD 1532 [ 24 3 9 4 0 In a subsequent stage of manufacture, transverse strips 12 are deposited at uniform intervals perpendicularly to the direction of manufacture of the nappy-pants and above the continuous strip 3 of permeable. material and the longitudinal ends of the lateral leak-tight barriers 9. The transverse strips 12 have transverse dimensions, relative to the longitudinal axis of the nappy-pants, which are greater by 2a1 than the width of the film 1 of synthetic material. The transverse strip 10 12 is arranged in a symmetrical manner so as to leave a portion of width al remaining on each side, as may be seen in Figure 1. The length, in the direction pf manufacture, of the transverse strip 12 is equal to 2A, A the being the distance separating the transverse edge 15 of the nappy-pants subsequently manufactured from a zone located above an absorbent pad 2 close to its transverse edge substantially covering over the respective front and rear parts 2a, 2b.

The transverse strips 12 may consist of a 20 composite material which is impermeable to liquids and elasticated over at least a part of its length. By way of example, Figure 2 shows an impermeable transverse strip 12 comprising, successively from the inside towards the outside, a strip 4 of nonwoven which is permeable to 25 liquids, an impermeable polyethylene film 13 and an elastic element 8 as a strip intended to constitute an elasticated waistband portion for the nappy-pants after manufacture.

The impermeable transverse strips 12 are fixed to 30 the continuous permeable strip 3 and/or to the impermeable film 1 of synthetic material by any means, such as adhesive bonding, heat sealing or the like.

A plurality of elastic elements 5 consisting, for example, of parallel thin filaments or strands, which are 35 four in number in the example illustrated, are fixed in the stretched state parallel to one another on each side of the absorbent pad 2 in the marginal zones 6 of the continuous impermeable film 1. Such strands or r£±±«men%s- f" ' 1 - r. 0 Aju 24394 0 may, for example, have a substantially circular section and preferably have characteristics of considerable extension of the order of 300 to 400%. They may be produced from rubber or from any other suitable material.

Fixing preferably takes place by coating the strands over their entire periphery with a hot liquid adhesive. It is also possible to replace these strands by elastic narrow bands placed parallel and fixed by coating with hot liquid adhesive on one or on both faces. Such narrow 10 bands generally have an extension of 100 to 200%. In all cases, the adhesive bonding of the elastic element takes place solely in the central zone of the nappy-pants corresponding substantially to the lateral indentations for the passage of the legs, the portions of the elastic 15 elements which subsequently correspond to their ends not being adhesively bonded.

In the example illustrated in Figure 1, a cutout 14 has also been made in each of the lateral edges of the assembly thus formed, in the zone intended subsequently 20 to constitute the lateral passages for the legs of the nappy-pants, in order to improve the anatomical fit thereof. These cutouts 14 are made in the film 1, the strip 3 and the transverse strips 12. The parts of material which are removed have been shown as cross-25 hatching in Figure 1. Compared with the manufacture of conventional nappy-pants, in which the continuous film 1 has the final width of the nappy-pants, it appears that the method of the invention makes it possible to achieve a substantial saving in terms of raw materials both as 30 regards the impermeable film generally made from polyethylene and the permeable sheet generally made from nonwoven. The surface area saved is nearly 2a1 x the crotch length, for each one of the nappy-pants produced.

The last stage of manufacture consists in trans-35 versely cutting out the continuous composite structure thus obtained in order to form a succession of individual nappy-pants. Cutting-out takes place in the zone located between two successive absorbent pads 2 thus separating. u. 23 AUG 1392 243940 each transverse strip 12 into two equal parts of length A located, as shown in Figure 1, in the respective zones of the front part 2a and the rear part 2b of the absorbent pad and of the impermeable outer sheet 1. During this 5 operation, the ends which are not adhesively bonded of the elastic elements 5 are generally retracted inside the elements of the nappy-pants.

The nappy-pants obtained are provided, in their front and rear end zones, with elasticated transverse 10 leaktight barriers constituted by the transverse strips 12 equipped with elasticated zones 8 which form, as it were, waistband leaktight pockets. As may indeed be noted in Figure 2, the free transverse edge of the transverse strip 12 located above the absorbent pad 2 effectively 15 forms a waistband leaktight pocket of width A.

It will be observed that the adhesive fasteners 7 are fixed directly onto the transverse strip 12 corresponding to the rear part of the nappy-pants.

Moreover, an examination of Figure 3 shows that 20 the nappy-pants also comprise lateral leaktight pockets constituted by the elasticated barriers 9 whose free edges are also located above the absorbent pad 2, that is to say on its inner-face side.

Nappy-pants are thus obtained which can not only 25 be manufactured at a reduced cost but which also have improved leaktight characteristics.

The variant illustrated in Figures 5 to 7 differs from that in Figures 1 to 4 principally in the use of lateral leaktight barriers 15 fixed in their central zone 30 by a longitudinal adhesive zone 16 so as to form a leaktight pocket 15a, 15b on each side of the said central zone. The leaktight pocket 15b is directed towards the longitudinal axis of the nappy-pants whilst the leaktight pocket 15a is directed in the opposite 35 direction. Under these conditions, each lateral leaktight barrier 15 constitutes a double leaktight pocket equipped each time with at least one elastic element 10. The pockets 15a and 15b may have the same width but, N.7.. P' T"- >T Or-TiCE 23 fiiJO 1992 243 preferably, the inner pocket 15b may be narrower than the outer pocket 15a. Moreover, by fixing several elastic elements onto the free edge of the leaktight pocket 15a, it is possible to cut down or dispense with the elastic 5 elements 5 on the impermeable sheet 1.

It will also be noted that, in the example illustrated, the absorbent pad 2 has a rectangular shape unlike the hourglass shape illustrated in the variant in Figure 1.

Naturally, any other shape of absorbent pad could be envisaged.

The other elements which are identical to the preceding variant bear the same reference numbers.

In Figures 8 to 11, which illustrate another 15 embodiment of the invention, the parts which are similar also bear the same reference numbers.

In this embodiment, the nappy-pants comprise an outer sheet 1 which is impermeable to liquids produced, for example, from polyethylene, of general rectangular 20 shape and whose longitudinal edges have been folded up into a Z along the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad 2 which has, for example, a general rectangular shape. The folding-up into a Z has a first part la substantially in the same plane as the outer face of the 25 absorbent pad 2, a folded-up part lb and a part lc located substantially in the same plane as the inner face of the absorbent pad or slightly above the said face, as illustrated in Figure 11. The folded-up portion lb is fixed to the edge of the absorbent pad 2 on the permeable 30 inner sheet 3.

Crotch longitudinal elastic members 5 have been fixed in the stretched state and parallel to each other onto the longitudinal edges of the permeable outer sheet 1 and are thus located, after the latter has been folded 35 up into a Z, on the folded-up portion lc which is substantially in the same plane as the inner face of the absorbent pad, as may be seen in Figure 11.

N.Z. PAT~- v 243940 The nappy-pants also comprise lateral leaktight barriers 9 equipped, as previously, with elastic elements 10 produced in the form of strips, for example in hydrophilic or hydrophobic nonwoven. These strips are 5 fixed at least via their end longitudinal edge opposite the longitudinal axis of the nappy-pants onto the portion lc of the Z-fold. The elastic element 10 is arranged opposite towards the longitudinal axis of the nappy-pants above, that is to say towards the inside of, the 10 absorbent pad 2 so as to cause the opening and the recovery of the leaktight barriers 9 thus forming leaktight pockets when the nappy-pants are worn by the wearer.

It is appropriate to note that the fixing of the 15 leaktight barriers 9 onto the folded-up portions lc of the impermeable outer sheet 1 makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the leaktight pockets by improving the contact of these elements with the thighs of the wearer of the nappy-pants. 20 The nappy-pants of this embodiment are also provided with elasticated transverse leaktight barriers 17 placed in the waistband zones of the nappy-pants, that is to say on its front and rear end parts. As in the preceding embodiment, the barriers 17 have dimensions 25 greater in terms of length than the transverse width of the impermeable outer sheet 1 after the folding-up into a Z of its longitudinal edges. The width, in the longitudinal direction of the nappy-pants, of the barriers 17 is sufficient to cover the transverse edges 30 of the absorbent pad 2. As may be seen in Figure 9, the barriers 17 are fixed on the inner sheet 3 which is permeable to liquids as well as on the longitudinal ends of the lateral leaktight barriers 9 by means of adhesive bonding or any other appropriate means. 35 The leaktight barriers 17 may consist of a rectangular strip of a composite material which is impermeable to liquids and elasticated over at least a part of its surface in the transverse direction—of—the N. ■' r 28 AUG 1992 r. • ' 243940 nappy-pants. As may be seen in Figure 9, in the example illustrated the leaktight barrier 17 comprises successively from the inside towards the outside a strip 18 of nonwoven which is permeable to liquids, a film 19 5 of polyethylene and a strip-type elastic element 20. The leaktight barrier 17, located on the rear portion of the nappy-pants, is also equipped with adhesive fasteners 7 for closure of the nappy-pants.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 12 to 10 15, in which similar elements bear the same reference numbers, the nappy-pants consist of an envelope formed by an outer sheet 1 which is impermeable to liquids, for example mads from polyethylene, whose longitudinal edges have been folded up into a Z, as in the embodiment in 15 Figures 8 to 11, having, as before the parts la, lb and lc. The folding-up into a Z in this case forms a bowl adapted in order to receive an insert composed, for example, of an absorbent pad 2 of rectangular shape enclosed in a web 3 which is permeable to liquids, 20 produced, for example, from nonwoven. Longitudinal elastic members 5 have been fixed in the stretched state parallel to each other onto the edges of the impermeable outer sheet 1, on the folded-up part lc, located substantially in the same plane as the inner face of the 25 absorbent pad 2, as may be seen in Figure 15. The lateral leaktight barriers 9 have the same structure and are arranged in the same manner as in the embodiment in Figures 8 to 11, the elastic element 10 causing the opening and the recovery of the barriers 9 so as to form 30 leaktight pockets.

The envelope is also provided with transverse leaktight barriers 17 on its front and rear end parts. These barriers 17 have the same structure and are arranged in the same manner as in the embodiment in 35 Figures 8 to 11. They are also fixed at the periphery of the envelope by means of adhesive bonding, heat sealing or any other appropriate means. The leaktight barriers 17 may consist of a composite material comprising, for N.Z. PATfT ' 28 AUG 1992 24394 0 example, successively from the inside towards the outside, a strip 18 of nonwoven which is permeable to liquids and an impermeable film 19 of polyethylene.

In the example illustrated, no waistband elastic element is provided, although this could be added.

Nappy-pants are thus obtained in the form of a reusable envelope which may easily be provided with a disposable absorbent element. The latter may also be provided with fixing elements of the self-adhesive type, not illustrated in the figure, in order to reinforce its holding inside the envelope.

As in the preceding embodiments, both excellent transverse leaktightness, particularly in the crotch zone, as well as good longitudinal leaktightness, in the waistband zone are obtained, while still permitting a considerable reduction in manufacturing costs by virtue of the substantial savings in raw materials, particularly polyethylene and nonwoven, which are produced in the crotch zone when compared with a manufacturing method of conventional type.

N.Z. PATENT Or—' 7 28 AUG 1992 I < 24594

Claims (11)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Nappy-pants for small children or incontinent adults, of the type comprising an outer sheet which is impermeable to liquids, of elongated shape, equipped with a front part and with a rear part, capable of receiving an absorbent pad, also of elongated shape, placed on the impermeable outer sheet, the absorbent pad being covered with an inner sheet which is permeable to liquids, the assembly being shaped so as to leave, on each lateral side of the nappy-pants, an indentation for the passage of the legs, and adhesive fastening devices being provided in the vicinity of the lateral edges of the rear part of the impermeable outer sheet, characterised in that the impermeable outer sheet has substantially the same width over the entire length of the nappy-pants; two lateral leaktight barriers formed from strips of material which is permeable or impermeable to liquids, equipped with at least one elastic element fixed in a stretched state in the vicinity of their edge directed towards the longitudinal axis of the nappy-pants, are provided on each side over the length of the nappy-pants so as to be located inside the marginal zones of the absorbent pad, forming lateral leaktight pockets; two transverse strips which are impermeable to liquids are fixed to the impermeable outer sheet which is impermeable to liquids and/or to the inner sheet which is permeable to liquids, in the zones, respectively, of the front part and of the rear part of the said impermeable outer sheet, so as to form waistband leaktight pockets, the said strips having transverse dimensions greater than the width of the impermeable outer sheet; the assembly constituting lateral passages for the legs suitably indented and made leaktight.

2. Nappy-pants according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the transverse strips which are impermeable to liquids comprise at least one elasticated transverse portion.

3. Nappy-pants according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the longitudinal edges of the impermeable outer sheet are folded up into a Z on each side of the absorbent pad and over the length of the nappy-pants, the two lateral leaktight barriers being fixed to the longitudinal edges of the impermeable outer sheet on the folded-up portion located substantially in the same plane as the inner face of the absorbent pad.

4. Nappy-pants according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one or more longitudinal elastic elements is/are fixed in the stretched state on the longitudinal edges of the impermeable outer sheet, at least in the zone of the lateral passages for the legs, on each side of the absorbent pad.

5. Nappy-pants according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the absorbent pad is fixed permanently on the internal face of the impermeable outer sheet, being enclosed between the latter and the permeable inner sheet.

6. Nappy-pants according to Claim 5, characterised in that the two lateral leaktight barriers are fixed on the inner face of the permeable inner sheet in the vicinity of the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad.

7. Nappy-pants according to Claim 6, characterised in that the two lateral leaktight barriers are fixed in their central zone, each of their free edges having an elastic element so as to form two double leaktight pockets in the vicinity of each longitudinal edge of the absorbent pad.

8. Nappy-pants according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the longitudinal edges of the impermeable sheet have cutouts in the zone of the lateral passages for the legs in order to improve the fit with respect to the body.

9. Nappy-pants according to Claim 3, characterised in that the absorbent pad may be inserted in a removable manner inside a usable envelope constituted by the impermeable outer sheet, two lateral leaktight barriers and the two impermeable verse strips.

10. Nappy-pants according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the adhesive fastening devices are fixed on the transverse strip located in the zone of the rear part of the impermeable outer sheet.

11. Nappy-pants substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed in the accompanying drawings.