IE41773B1 - Diapers - Google Patents

Abstract

1483951 Diapers COLGATE-PALMOLIVE CO 29 Jan 1975 [4 Feb 1974] 3933/75 Heading A5R A disposable diaper comprises a water-impervious backing 12 and an absorbent fibrous body 15 having a multiplicity of openings 24 extending therethrough so that liquid can flow from the inner surface to the outer surface of the body for flow along the backing sheet to other portions of the absorbent body. Waterpervious sheets 17 may be located on each surface of the body 15. Preferably the openings are uniformly distributed over the full extent of the body 15 and are cylindrical with a diameter of “ in. - 1 in. Adhesive tapes 18 may be provided for securing the diaper on an infant and the diaper may have a box pleat configuration at least in the crotch region thereof.

Description

This invention relates to disposable diapers.

.....An object of the present invention is to provide a disposable diaper which has improved ability to accept a surge of fluid, which is less bulky in the diaper crotch . region and which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

According to the present invention a disposable diaper comprises an absorbent body and a flexible waterimpervious backing sheet, the absorbent body comprising an integral mass of fibres formed into a sheet having an . inner surface and having an outer surface disposed adjacent the backing sheet, and having a multiplicity of openings extending through it from the inner surface to the outer surface and spaced laterally across the diaper in a fluidreceiving region thereof, the openings being surrounded by . fibres in the mass, whereby fluid can flow through the openings from the inner surface to the outer surface in a first portion of the absorbent body for flow along the backing sheet to other portions of the absorbent body.

In.preferred embodiments of the invention the . openings are distributed substantially uniformly over the full extent of the absorbent body, and are cylindrical having a diameter of from i inch to 1 inch.

This simplifies -the manufacture of the absorbent body' and means that less raw material .is-necessary for . its manufacture. Also, the absorbent body may include water-pervious inner and outer sheets which encase the actual absorbent mass which is provided with the openings.

The invention may be performed in various ways, 50. and an embodiment will now be described by way of 2. 417 7 3 example with reference to the o,ccomp'iny.i,3i(: dxcwiiyc.

In the drawings :Figurc 1 is a partially broken away perspective view of a disposable diaper embodying tho .invention; . and Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a diaper 10 comprising a water-impervious, flexible, . plastics backing sheet 12, an inner liner 14 (typically a thin non-woven material), and an absorbent body 16 sandwiched between the, backing chest 12 and the liner 14. Adhesive tape units 18 may be provided for securing the diaper in place on an infant. Preferably . the diaper has a box pleat configuration, at least in the crotch region. This is indicated in Figure 1 where the absorbent body 16 is doubled over upon itself along fold lines 20 and 22. She absorbent body 16 comprises an integral mass of . fibres 15 having a substantial thickness, and inner and outer water pervious sheets 17 secured thereto.

Tho fibrous mass 15 of the absorbent body 16 is provided with a multiplicity of openings 24 which extend from the inner surface of the mass 15 to the . outer surface thereof. The openings are cylindrical in shape and have a diameter of between 1/4 inch and 1 inch.

In operation, the provision of the openings 24 in the absorbent fibrous mass 15, as well as the 50. location of the water-impervious backing sheet 12 3. 417 7 3 adjacent the outer surface of the absorbent body 16, provide a structure in which fluid can pass directly through the opening 24 /Prom the inner surface of the absorbent body 16 to its outer surface in a portion of the diaper (the . fluid being substantially unimpeded by the sheets 17) and then, flowing along the inner surface of the backing sheet 12, can be absorbed by other portions of the absorbent body 16, thereby more fully utilising the absorbent capacity of the entirety . of the absorbent body 16. Furthermore, the provision. at least of the openings reduces the bulk of the diaper/in the crotch region without rendering the absorbent body so flimsy as to lose its structural integrity upon wetting. The bulk reduction in the crotch region 1!5. also improves the fit and comfort of the diaper.

The provision of the openings 24 reduces the amount of raw materials required for the absorbent body 16 and, thus, the manufacturing cost.

Claims (5)

1. WHAT WE Claim is:1. A disposable diaper comprising an absorbent body and a flexible water-impervious backing sheet, the absorbent body comprising an integral mass of fibres formed into a sheet having an inner surface and having an outer surface disposed adjacent the backing sheet, and having a multiplicity of openings extending through it from the inner surface to the outer surface and spaced laterally across the diaper in a fluid-receiving region thereof, the openings being surrounded by fibres in the mass, whereby fluid can flow through the openings from the inner surface to the outer surface in a first portion of the absorbent body for flow along the backing sheet to other portions of the absorbent body.

2. A diaper as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the openings are distributed substantially uniformly over the full extent of the absorbent body. 5. A diaper as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the openings are cylindrical and have a diameter between J inch and 1 inch.

3. 4. A diaper as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein the absorbent body further comprises a water-pervious sheet on each surface of the mass of fibres.

4.

5. A disposable diaper substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.