WO1993003698A1

WO1993003698A1 - Diaper provided liquid-tight side pockets and liquid-tight waist pockets

Info

Publication number: WO1993003698A1
Application number: PCT/FR1992/000789
Authority: WO
Inventors: André Leroy; Bernard Deleu; Alain Naze
Original assignee: Peaudouce
Priority date: 1991-08-14
Filing date: 1992-08-12
Publication date: 1993-03-04
Also published as: MX9204629A; FI940654A0; FR2680316A1; FI940654A; HUT68063A; ZA926027B; HU9400385D0; NZ243940A; TNSN92075A1; AU669855B2; EP0598820A1; CZ31394A3; NO940439L; NO940439D0; CA2115356A1; SK17394A3; AU2474792A; JPH07501718A

Abstract

Diaper comprising an external sheet (1) impervious to liquids having a general elongate shape and provided with a front part and a back part, an absorbing mattress (2) having also a generally elongate shape, and an internal sheet (3) permeable to liquids. The external sheet (1) has substantially the same width throughout the length of the diaper. Two sealing side barriers formed by bands (9) of material permeable or impervious to liquids, provided with an elastic element (10) at the vicinity of their edge directed towards the axes of the diaper are provided on either side on the length of the diaper while forming liquid-tight side pockets. Two transverse liquid-repellent bands (12) are fixed to the internal sheet (3) in the front part and in the back part so as to form liquid-repellent waist pockets, said bands having dimensions in the transverse direction which are larger than the width of the external impervious sheet and carrying adhesive fastening devices (7).

Description

Culotte diaper with side sealing pockets and sealing belt pockets.

The present invention relates to a diaper for infants or incontinent people, of the type comprising an outer sheet impermeable to liquids, capable of receiving an absorbent mattress, the assembly being shaped so as to leave on each lateral side of the diaper a leg cutout. Diapers of this type are already known which are mass produced continuously, from a continuous film of synthetic material, for example of thin polyethylene, which is unwound from a reel and coated with lines or strips of glue of the hot-melt type (called "holt melt" in the usual technique). Individual absorbent pads are deposited at intervals on the continuous film. Then a continuous strip of permeable material, for example nonwoven, is applied to the film of waterproof synthetic material and to the absorbent mattresses so as to adhere to said waterproof sheet at least along its longitudinal edges. Longitudinal elastic elements are deposited and fixed in the stretched state on the continuous film of waterproof synthetic material or on the strip of permeable nonwoven material on each side of the longitudinal edges of the absorbent mattress in the crotch area. . Cut-outs are then made in the assembly thus formed in the crotch area in order to give an anatomical shape to the diaper, while however retaining in the front and rear parts thereof a width much greater than that of the corresponding front and rear parts of the absorbent mattress. In certain cases, it is also possible not to fix the individual absorbent mattresses permanently by bonding to the continuous film of impermeable synthetic material, but on the contrary to constitute the diaper in the form of a reusable envelope inside. which can then be inserted an insert in the form of a disposable absorbent element after use. In all cases, these known processes and products have the disadvantage of requiring a large and unnecessary consumption of the raw materials constituting the impermeable outer sheet of the diaper as well as possibly the inner permeable sheet due to the losses caused by the cuts made. in the crotch area so as to form leg passages adapted to the anatomy of the user.

In certain diapers of known type as described for example in French patent application 2 231 329 (STTLLE-WERNER) the cuts for the passage of the legs are avoided but this results in poor sealing at the location of these passages.

The object of the invention is therefore to solve the difficulties of the state of the prior art and in particular to allow the creation of lateral passages for the legs which are both suitably indented and made perfectly liquid-tight.

The invention thus makes it possible to considerably reduce the consumption of raw material encountered in most conventional methods of manufacturing diapers, thus reducing the cost price of these products while ensuring excellent sealing, in particular at the location of the lateral passages. for the legs.

The diaper for infants or incontinent persons according to ^the invention is of the type comprising an impermeable outer sheet generally elongate liquid provided with ^a paπie front and a rear part. The waterproof sheet is capable of receiving an absorbent mattress also of generally elongated shape placed on the waterproof sheet, the absorbent mattress can be covered with an interior sheet permeable to liquids. The assembly is shaped so as to leave on each lateral side of the diaper a cutout for leg passage. Adhesive fastening devices may also be provided in the vicinity of the lateral edges of the rear part of the impermeable sheet.

The invention includes the combination of the following features: The waterproof outer sheet has substantially the same width over the entire length of the diaper. Two lateral sealing barriers formed from strips of material permeable or impermeable to liquids, provided with at least one elastic element in the vicinity of their edge directed towards the axis of the diaper, are provided on each side along the length of the diaper so as to be located inside the marginal areas of the absorbent mattress by forming lateral sealing pockets. Two transverse bands impermeable to liquids are fixed to the outer liquid-impermeable sheet and / or to the inner liquid-permeable sheet in the areas respectively of the front part and of the rear part of said impermeable outer sheet. The two transverse bands have transverse dimensions 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 bands of greater width, constitutes lateral passages for the legs, suitably indented. The lateral sealing is perfectly ensured by the two lateral sealing barriers forming sealing pockets.

The liquid impermeable transverse bands preferably comprise at least one elasticized transverse portion. They thus constitute waterproof front and rear transverse barriers and elastic waistband portions for the diaper.

The longitudinal edges of the waterproof sheet can in an advantageous embodiment be folded in a Z on each side of the absorbent mattress along the length of the diaper. The two lateral sealing barriers can then be fixed to the longitudinal edges of the impermeable sheet on the folded portion lying substantially in the same plane as the inner face of the ^" absorbent ^" mattress. Such fixing of the lateral sealing barriers makes it possible to significantly increase their effectiveness by improving the contact of said sealing barriers with the thighs of the user of the diaper. Preferably, one or more longitudinal elastic elements are fixed in the stretched state on the longitudinal edges of the waterproof sheet, at least in the area of the lateral passages for the legs, on each side of the absorbent mattress so as to improve the conformation of the diaper to the anatomy of the user while participating in lateral tightness.

In certain embodiments, the absorbent mattress can be fixed permanently to the internal face of the impermeable outer sheet by being sandwiched between the latter and a permeable inner sheet. Barriers ^of lateral seal can be fixed preferably on the inner face of the permeable sheet adjacent the longitudinal edges of the absorbent pad.

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

In other embodiments, the absorbent mattress can simply be removably inserted inside a reusable envelope constituted by the impermeable outer sheet, the two lateral sealing barriers and the two waterproof transverse strips. For the realization of such an envelope, it is preferable that the longitudinal edges of the impermeable sheet are folded in Z as it was indicated previously.

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

The invention will be better understood from the study of some embodiments taken by way ^of nonlimiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view with some parts broken away of a first embodiment of production of a diaper according to the invention; Figures 2, 3 and 4 are sectional views taken respectively according to the section lines II-II, III-III and IV-IV of FIG. 1; Figure 5 is a plan view with parts broken away of an alternative embodiment; Figures 6 and 7 are sectional views respectively along the section lines VI-VI and VII-VII of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a plan view with partial cutaway of a second embodiment of a diaper according to the invention; Figures 9, 10 and 11 are sectional views along the section lines along IX-IX, XX and XI-XI of Figure 8; FIG. 12 is a plan view with partial cutaway of a third embodiment of a diaper according to the invention comprising a reusable waterproof cover and an absorbent mattress inserted inside said cover; and FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 are sectional views along the section lines XIII-XIII, XIV-XIV and XV-XV of FIG. 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the diaper according to the invention comprises an outer liquid-impermeable sheet 1 made, for example, of polyethylene which has been obtained from a continuous film of synthetic material d 'a width less than the width of the finished diaper, the difference in ^" width being equal to 2Δ 1. The width of the sheet 1 is however sufficient to slightly exceed the transverse dimensions of the front and rear end edges of the mattress absorbent 2, the front edge 2a being in the lower part of FIG. 1 while the rear edge 2b is in the upper part of FIG. 1. A continuous strip of permeable material 3 of width equal to or slightly less than that of the film 1 is bonded to the inside of said film after a succession of absorbent pads 2 arranged at regular intervals have been fixed by bonding to said film 1. Under these conditions, it is understood that the bonding of the strip of permeable material 3 takes place all around the various absorbent mattresses 2 in the zones 6 of the film 1.

Lateral sealing barriers 9 also visible in FIG. 3 are formed of strips of permeable material, for example of a nonwoven material provided with an elastic element 10 in the vicinity of their edges located towards the longitudinal axis of the diaper. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the elastic element 10 is enclosed in a folded border of the lateral sealing barrier 9 and fixed in the stretched state inside this border and on at least part of its length, for example by means of a hot adhesive coating the elastic element on its periphery. The elastic element can be made in the form of a strand or a thin filament made of rubber or the like or else of an elastic strip. In general, it will be possible to use for the elastic elements 10 the same materials and the same shape as for the lateral elastics 5 described below. The lateral sealing 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 said permeable sheet 3 by means of at least one longitudinal bonding line. continues 1 1 in the vicinity of the longitudinal edges of the absorbent mattress 2. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the bonding line 1 1 is located above, that is to say towards the inside of the absorbent mattress 2 at near its longitudinal edge. The lateral sealing barriers 9 provided with their elastic element 10 are thus capable of forming sealing pockets on the longitudinal edges of the absorbent mattress 2.

In a following manufacturing step, transverse strips 12 are deposited at regular intervals perpendicular to the direction of manufacture of the diapers and over the continuous strip of permeable material 3 and the longitudinal ends of the lateral sealing barriers 9. The transverse strips 12 have dimensions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the diaper 2Δ 1 greater than the width of the film 1 of synthetic material. The transverse strip 12 is arranged symmetrically so as to leave on each side a poπion of width Δ 1 as can be seen in FIG. 1.

The length, in the direction of manufacture, the transverse strip 12 is equal to 2A, A being the distance between the transverse edge of the subsequently manufactured diaper to an area above ^an absorbent mattress 2 near its transverse edge substantially covering the respective front and rear parts 2a. 2b. The transverse bands 12 can be made of a composite material impermeable to liquids and elasticized over at least part of its length. By way of example, there is shown in FIG. 2 an impermeable transverse strip 12 comprising successively from the inside to the outside, a liquid-permeable nonwoven strip 4, an impermeable polyethylene film 13 and an elastic element 8 in a strip intended to constitute a portion of elasticated belt for the diaper after manufacture.

The waterproof transverse strips 12 are fixed to the permeable continuous strip 3 and / or to the waterproof plastic film 1 by any means such as bonding, heat-sealing or the like.

A plurality of elastic elements 5 constituted for example by thin strands or filaments parallel to the number of four in the example illustrated, are fixed in the stretched state parallel to each other on each side of the absorbent mattress 2 in the marginal zones 6 of the impermeable continuous film 1. Such strands or filaments can, for example, be of substantially circular section and preferably have significant elongation characteristics of the order of 300 to 400%. They can be made of rubber or any other suitable material. The fixing is preferably done by coating the strands around their entire periphery with a hot liquid adhesive. These strands can also be replaced by elastic strips placed in parallel and fixed by coating with hot liquid adhesive on one or both sides. Such strips generally have an elongation of 100 to 200%. In all cases, the elastic elements are glued only in the middle zone of the diaper corresponding substantially to the lateral notches for passage of the legs, the portions of the elastic subsequently corresponding to their ends not being glued.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, a cutout 14 has also been made in each of the lateral edges of the assembly thus formed, in the zone intended to subsequently constitute the lateral passages for the legs of the diaper, in order to improve its adaptation anatomical. These cutouts 14 are made in the film 1, the strip 3 and the transverse strips 12. The parts of material removed have been shown in hatched form in FIG. 1. With respect to the manufacture of conventional diapers in which the film continues 1 shows the final width of the diaper, it appears that the method of the invention makes it possible to achieve a substantial saving in raw materials both as regards the impermeable film generally made of polyethylene and the permeable sheet generally made of non woven. The area saved is close to 2Δ 1 x the length of the crotch, for each diaper produced.

The last manufacturing step consists in cutting the continuous composite structure thus obtained transversely, to form a succession of individual diapers. The cut is made in the area between two successive absorbent pads 2 thus separating each transverse strip 12 into two equal parts of length A being located as visible in Figure 1 in the respective areas of the front part 2a and the rear part 2b of the absorbent mattress and of the waterproof outer sheet 1. During this operation, the non-glued ends of the elastic elements 5 are generally retracted inside the elements of the diaper.

The diapers obtained are provided in their front and rear end zones with elasticized transverse sealing barriers constituted by the transverse bands 12 provided with the elasticized zones 8 which in a way form belt sealing pockets. As can be noted in fact in FIG. 2, the free transverse edge of the transverse strip 12 lying above the absorbent mattress 2 effectively forms a belt sealing pocket of width A. It will be noted that the adhesive fasteners 7 are fixed directly to the transverse strip 12 corresponding to the rear part of the diaper.

Furthermore, examination of FIG. 3 shows that the diaper also has lateral sealing pockets formed by the elasticized barriers 9, the free edges of which are also located at above the absorbent mattress 2, that is to say on the side of its inner face.

A diaper is thus obtained which can not only be produced at a reduced cost but which also has improved sealing characteristics.

The variant illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 differs from that of FIGS. 1 to 4 mainly by the use of lateral sealing barriers 15 fixed in their central zone by a longitudinal bonding zone 16 so as to form on each side of said central zone a sealing pocket 15a, 15b. The sealing pocket

15b is directed towards the longitudinal axis of the diaper while the sealing pocket 15a is directed opposite. Under these conditions, each lateral sealing barrier 15 constitutes a double seal bag provided in each case at least one elastic element 10. The pockets 15a and 15b may have the same width but ^'preferably, the inner bag 15b may be narrower than the outer pocket 15a. Furthermore, by fixing several elastic elements on the free edge of the sealing pocket 15a, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the elastic elements 5 on the waterproof sheet 1. It will further be noted that in the example illustrated, the absorbent mattress 2 is rectangular in shape unlike the hourglass shape illustrated in the variant of FIG. 1.

Of course, any other form of absorbent mattress could be considered. The other elements identical to the previous variant have the same references.

In FIGS. 8 to 11 which illustrate another embodiment of the invention, the similar parts also bear the same references. In this embodiment, the diaper comprises a liquid-impermeable outer sheet 1 made for example of polyethylene, of generally rectangular shape and the longitudinal edges of which have been folded in Z along the longitudinal edges of the absorbent mattress 2 which has example a general rectangular shape. The folds in Z present a first part the substantially in the same plane as the outer face of the absorbent mat 2, a folded portion 1b and a portion le is substantially in the same plane as the inner face of the absorbent mattress 2 or slightly above said face as illustrated in the figure 11. The folded portion 1b is fixed to the edge of the absorbent mattress 2 on the permeable inner sheet 3.

Longitudinal elastic members between the legs 5 have been fixed in the stretched state and parallel to each other on the longitudinal edges of the permeable outer sheet 1 and are therefore located after the Z-fold thereof, on the folded portion which is substantially in the same plane as the inner face of the absorbent mattress, as seen in Figure 1 1.

The diaper further comprises lateral sealing barriers 9 provided, as previously, with elastic elements 10 produced in the form of strips, for example in hydrophilic or hydrophobic nonwoven. These bands are fixed at least by their extreme longitudinal edge opposite the longitudinal axis of the diaper on the portion of the Z-fold. The elastic element 10 is arranged opposite towards the longitudinal axis of the layer -panty above that is to say inwardly of the absorbent mattress 2 so as to cause the opening and straightening of the sealing barriers 5 thus forming sealing pockets when the diaper is worn by the user.

It should be noted that the fixing of the sealing barriers 9 on the folded portions 1c of the impermeable outer sheet 1 makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of the sealing bags by improving the contact of these elements with the thighs of the diaper user.

The diaper of this embodiment is also provided with elasticized transverse sealing barriers 17 placed in the belt areas of the diaper; that is to say, on its ^end portions front and rear. The barriers 17 are, as in the previous embodiment, of dimensions greater in length than the transverse width of the impermeable outer sheet 1 after the Z-folding of its longitudinal edges. The width, in the longitudinal direction of the diaper, barriers 17 is sufficient to cover the transverse edges of the absorbent mattress 2. As can be seen in Figure 9, the barriers 17 are fixed on the inner sheet permeable to liquids 3 as well as on the longitudinal ends of the lateral sealing barriers 9 by gluing or any other suitable means.

The sealing barriers 17 may consist of a rectangular strip of a composite material impermeable to liquids and elasticized on at least part of its surface in the transverse direction of the diaper. As can be seen in the figure

9, in the example illustrated, the sealing barrier 17 successively comprises from the inside to the outside a strip of liquid-permeable nonwoven 18, a polyethylene film 19 and an elastic band element 20. The barrier sealing 17, located on the rear portion of the diaper, is also provided with adhesive fasteners 7 for closing the diaper.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 15 where the similar elements bear the same references, the diaper consists of an envelope formed by an outer sheet impermeable to liquids 1, for example made of polyethylene, the longitudinal edges of which have been folded in Z as in the embodiment of Figures 8 to 11, having as previously the parts la, lb and the. The Z-fold here forms a bowl suitable for receiving an insert composed for example of an absorbent mattress 2 of rectangular shape wrapped in a liquid-permeable veil 3 made for example of nonwoven. Longitudinal elastic members 5 have been fixed in the stretched state parallel to each other on the edges of the impermeable outer sheet 1, on the folded part 1c, lying substantially in the same plane as the inner face of the absorbent mattress 2, as can be seen in Figure 15. The lateral sealing barriers 9 have the same structure and are arranged in the same way as in the embodiment of Figures 8 to 1 1, the elastic element 10 causing the opening and straightening of the barriers 9 so as to form sealing pockets. The envelope is also provided with transverse barriers seal 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 of FIGS. 8 to 11. They are also fixed to the periphery of the envelope by gluing, heat sealing or any other suitable means. The sealing barriers 17 can be made of a composite material comprising for example successively from the inside to the outside a strip of liquid-permeable nonwoven 18 and a waterproof polyethylene film 19. In the example illustrated, no element belt elastic is provided although it can be added.

A diaper is thus obtained in the form of a reusable envelope which can 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 retention inside the envelope.

As in the previous embodiments, both excellent transverse tightness is obtained in particular in the crotch area as well as good longitudinal tightness in the belt area, while allowing a significant reduction in manufacturing costs, thanks to the substantial savings in raw materials, in particular polyethylene and non-woven fabric, made in the crotch area compared to a conventional manufacturing method.

Claims

1. Diaper for infants or incontinence, of the type comprising an outer sheet (1) impermeable to liquids, of generally elongated shape provided with a front part and a rear part, capable of receiving an absorbent mattress (2) also of generally elongated shape placed on the impermeable sheet; the mattress can be covered with an inner sheet (3) permeable to liquids, the assembly being shaped so as to leave on each lateral side of the diaper a notch for passage of the legs; and adhesive fastening devices (7) being provided in the vicinity of the lateral edges of the rear part of the impermeable sheet, characterized in that the impermeable outer sheet (1) has substantially the same width over the entire length of the layer -cheeky; two lateral sealing barriers formed by strips (9) of material permeable or impermeable to liquids, provided with at least one elastic element (10) fixed in the stretched state in the vicinity of their edge directed towards the axis of the layer -pants, are provided on each side along the length of the diaper so as to be located inside the marginal areas of the absorbent mattress (2) by forming lateral sealing pockets; two transverse bands (12, 17) impermeable to liquids are fixed to the outer sheet (1) impermeable to liquids and / or to the inner sheet (3) permeable to liquids, in the areas of the front part and the rear part respectively of said impermeable outer sheet, so as to form belt sealing pockets, said strips having transverse dimensions greater than the width of the impermeable outer sheet; the assembly constituting lateral passages for the legs suitably scalloped and sealed.

2. Diaper according to claim 1, characterized in that the transverse bands impermeable to liquids comprise at least one elasticized transverse portion (8, 20).

3. Diaper according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the longitudinal edges of the waterproof sheet are folded in Z (la, lb, 1) on each side of the absorbent mattress (2) and s the length of the diaper, the two lateral sealing barriers (9) being fixed to the longitudinal edges of the waterproof film on the folded portion (the) lying substantially da the same plane as the inner face of the absorbent mattress (2).

4. Diaper according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more longitudinal elastic elements (5) are fixed in the stretched state on the longitudinal bor of the waterproof sheet (1) at least in the side passage area for the legs, on each side of the absorbent mat (2).

5. Diaper according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the absorbent mattress (2) are fixed permanently on the inner face of the waterproof outer sheet (1) being sandwiched between the latter and a permeable inner sheet

(3).

6. Diaper according to claim 5, characterized in that the two lateral sealing barriers (9) are fixed on the inside of the permeable sheet in the vicinity of the longitudinal edges of the absorbent mattress (2).

7. Diaper according to claim 6, characterized in that the two lateral sealing barriers (15) are fixed in their central area (16), each of their free edges having an elastic element so as to form two doubles sealing pockets in the vicinity of each longitudinal edge of the absorbent mattress (2).

8. Diaper according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the longitudinal edges of the impermeable sheet have cutouts (14) in the area of the lateral passages for the legs in order to improve the anatomical adaptation.

9. Diaper according to claim 3, characterized in that the absorbent mattress (2) can be removably inserted inside a reusable envelope constituted by the impermeable outer sheet, the two lateral sealing barriers and the two waterproof transverse bands.

10. Diaper according to any one of claims previous characterized in that the adhesive fastening devices (7) are fixed on the transverse strip located in the region of the rear part of the waterproof outer sheet.