MXPA99003680A - Combination absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention described herein is acombination absorbent article having at least a first absorbent article and a second absorbent article releasably secured together only by mechanical securement means. The first and second absorbent articles are preferably secured together about their longitudinal edges. If the articles include flaps, then they will be releasably secured together by mechanical securement means located on the flaps.

Description

COMBINATION OF ABSORBENT ARTICLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a combination of absorbent article comprising at least a first absorbent article and a second absorbent article that are releasably secured together only by mechanical securing means. Adhesive is not used or required to secure together the two or more absorbent articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are several absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins and devices for light to medium incontinence, which absorb exudates from the body such as menstruation, urine and fecal matera. Disposable products of this type generally comprise a fluid pervious top sheet, a fluid absorbent core and a fluid impermeable backsheet. Various shapes, sizes and thicknesses of these items have been explored in an attempt to make their use more comfortable and convenient. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,389,094 issued to Lavash et al. On February 14, 1995, U.S. Patent No. 5,383,869, issued to Osborn III on January 24, 1995, the patent of the United States No. 5,382,245 issued to Thompson et al. On January 17, 1995 and United States Patent No. 5,346,486 issued to Osborn III et al. On September 13, 1994, show numerous shapes, sizes, thicknesses and other alternative variations. Additionally, the combination of multiple absorbent articles has been explored in an attempt to provide one or more readily available fresh absorbent articles clean to be used once the previous article has been fully utilized and requires disposal. In some embodiments, a plurality of absorbent articles have been stacked on top of one another and placed in an undergarment of a wearer in an attempt to provide additional, readily available absorbent articles. Also, these items have generally been sealed to each other in a number of ways. One method includes stacking the absorbent articles and then sealing them around each other around their peripheries with an adhesive. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,429,631, issued to Grenier on July 4, 1995, discloses a combination of absorbent article that uses an adhesive to secure an absorbent article to another absorbent article. U.S. Patent No. 4,505,707 issued to Feeney on March 19, 1985, discloses a multiple absorbent article having each pad that is attached to an underlying pad by spot adhesives or heat compression. There are certain disadvantages associated with the use of adhesives to secure together multiple absorbent articles. Adhesives, because of their adherent qualities, can be contaminated by foreign materials from numerous sources that include air or a garment of the user or can themselves be a source of irritation if they come into contact with the user's skin, especially near of the user's pudendal region. By not using adhesives, one can avoid the possibility of having a contaminated and non-sanitary absorbent article due to the adhesion present on the surface that makes contact with the body of an absorbent article. Therefore, it would be desirable to construct an absorbent article combination that does not use any adhesive to secure together several articles within the article combination. For these purposes, the applicants have provided a combination of absorbent article that joins a plurality of absorbent articles by mechanical securing means located along the peripheral edges of the articles. In this way, a user can have the convenience of a combination of absorbent article that is free from the problems associated with the adhesives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a combination of absorbent article, comprising a first absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet attached to the topsheet and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, a surface of body and a garment surface and a periphery comprising a pair of first longitudinal edges and a pair of first end edges. Also the absorbent article combination comprises a second absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet attached to the topsheet, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, a surface that is in contact with the body or with the article and a garment surface and a periphery comprising a pair of second longitudinal edges and a pair of edges of second end edges. The first longitudinal edges of the first absorbent article and the second longitudinal edges of the second absorbent article are secured together releasably only by mechanical securing means, preferably comprising folds / embossments along the first and second longitudinal edges; in this way, a combination of absorbent article is formed from the securing of the first and second absorbent articles along their first and second longitudinal edges. To facilitate increased cohesion between the mechanically secured or pressure-fixed portions of the first and second absorbent articles, at least the periphery of the second absorbent article comprises a non-woven layer bonded to the surface that contacts the article thereof. In this state, when the peripheries and / or the fins of the first and second absorbent articles are pressure-bonded together, ie, secured together in a mechanically releasable manner, their cohesion strength may be greater than if they were fixed by pressure together without a non-woven layer. This non-woven layer will also preferably be bonded to the surface that contacts the article of the fins when they are present. In a further embodiment of the present invention the absorbent article combination comprises a pair of fins attached to the first absorbent article and a pair of fins attached to the second absorbent article. The fins are disposed adjacent to and extending laterally outwards from each of the first and second longitudinal edges, that is, there is at least one fin adjacent to and attached to each longitudinal edge. Preferably, each fin will comprise mechanical securing means by which the fins on the first and second absorbent articles are secured together releasably. In this example, the portions of the longitudinal edges are attached to the fins may or may not comprise any mechanical securing means whereby they are secured together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the description concludes with the claims pointing out in a particular way and claiming differently to the matter that is considered as formant of the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following descriptions which are taken in combination with the accompanying drawings, in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of an absorbent article of the present invention having portions cut away to reveal the underlying structure; Figure 2 is a plan view of an absorbent article having fins and mechanical securing means comprised on the fins; Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the folds that are separate per se; Figure 3A is a side sectional view of the folds or corrugations of Figure 3 where the folds are in operable relationship with each other; and Figure 4 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of an SELF frame having a tensionable network of the present invention with rib-shaped elements facing the viewer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and contain exudates from the body, and more specifically, refers to devices that are placed against or close to the user's body to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. The terms "mechanical securing means", or "mechanically detachable securing means", are used herein to describe a means whereby two or more articles are secured together releasably by the mechanical coupling of the articles with one another. The terms "mechanical assurance", "mechanical coupling", "mechanically secured" or "mechanically coupled", are used herein to refer to two or more articles that are attached (i.e., mechanically secured releasably), one to another without the use of adhesive. By the terms "crease" or "emboss", is meant herein to refer to folds or pleats along the longitudinal edges and / or end edges of the first and second absorbent articles herein. The term "disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles that are not intended to be washed, or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article (i.e., they are intended to be discarded after a single use, and preferably, to be recycled, composted, or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). As used herein, the term "sanitary napkin," or "towel," refers to devices that absorb and contain body exudates, and more specifically refers to an absorbent article that is worn by women adjacent to the pudendal region. , generally external to the genitourinary region, and which is intended to absorb and contain menstrual fluids, and other vaginal discharges from the wearer's body (eg, blood, menstruation, and urine). As used herein, the term "pudendal" refers to the externally visible female genital organs. However, it should be understood that the present invention is also applicable to other catamenial garments or pads for feminine hygiene such as pantiliners or other absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinence pads and the like. Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a combination of absorbent article 10 of the present invention. The combination of absorbent article 10 comprises a first absorbent article 10. The combination of absorbent article 10 of the present invention. The combination of absorbent article 10 of the present invention. The combination of absorbent article 10 comprises a first absorbent article 20 and a second absorbent article 100. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first absorbent article 20 and the second absorbent article 100 have the same width and length dimensions. The first absorbent article 20 is shown in Figure 1 with portions of the structure that are cut away to more clearly show the construction of the first absorbent article 20. The first absorbent article 20 preferably comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 24, a waterproof backsheet to the liquid 26, joined with the upper sheet 24, and an absorbent core 28 positioned between the upper sheet 24 and the back sheet 26. The first absorbent article 20 has two surfaces, a contacting surface or "body surface 25" and a garment surface 27 (not shown). The body surface 25 is intended to be used adjacent the wearer's body while the garment surface 27 is on the opposite side and is intended to be placed adjacent the second absorbent article 100. Figure 1 also shows that the first absorbent article 20 has a periphery 40 which comprises the longitudinal edges 30 and the end edges 35. Although the top sheet, the backsheet and the absorbent core can be assembled in a variety of well-known absorbent article configurations (including so-called "tube products", or side flap products), the preferred absorbent article configurations are generally described in FIG. U.S. Patent 4,950,264, "Thin, flexible sanitary towel" issued to Osborn on August 21, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,321,924"Bordered Disposable Absorbent Article", issued to Ahr on March 30, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,589,876, "Sanitary towel formed with fins", issued to Van Tilburg on August 8, 1987. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the first absorbent article 20, in which the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 have length and width dimensions generally greater than those of the absorbent core 28. The topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 are they extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 28 to form part of the periphery 40. The absorbent core 28 can be any absorbent means that is capable of absorbing or retaining liquids. For example, menstruation and / or urine). As shown in Figure 1, the absorbent core 28 has a body surface, a garment surface, side edges, and end edges. The absorbent core 28 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, oval, hourglass, dog bone, asymmetric, etc.), and from a wide variety of liquid absorbing materials commonly used in sanitary napkins and other absorbent articles such as crushed wood pulp, which is generally referred to as an air filter. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include accreted cellulose wadding; melt blown polymers including coform; chemically hardened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers such as pleated polyester fibers, peat moss; tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers; gelling absorbent materials or any equivalent material or combination of materials, or mixtures thereof. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 28 may also be varied (eg, the absorbent core 28 may have varying gauge zones (eg, profiled to be thicker in the center), hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbent gradients, or acquisition zones. lower density and lower average basis weight, or may comprise one or more layers or structures). The total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 must, however, be compatible with the design load and intended use of the first absorbent article 20. In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 may be varied to suit different uses. such as incontinence pads, pantiliners, regular sanitary napkins, or night sanitary napkins. Exemplary absorbent structures for use, the absorbent core 28 of the present invention, are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,950,264 entitled "Sanitary, thin, flexible towel", issued to Osborn on August 21, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,610,678 entitled "High Density Absorbent Structure", issued to Weisman et al. on September 9, 1986; U.S. Patent 4,834,735 entitled "High density absorbent members having acquisition zones of lower density and lower basis weight", issued to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989; and in European Patent Application No. 0 198 683, The Procter & Gamble Company, published on October 22, 1986 in the name of Duenk and others. Each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. The backsheet 26 and the topsheet 24 are positioned adjacent the garment surface and the body surface, respectively, of the absorbent core 28 and are preferably bonded thereto and to each other by attachment means (not shown), such as those well known in the art. For example, the backsheet 26 and / or the topsheet 24 can be secured to the absorbent core 28 or to each other by a uniform adhesive layer, continuous, a layer of patterned adhesive, or an array of lines, shapes, spirals or dots of separate adhesives. The adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota under the designations HL-1258 or H-2031. The attachment means will preferably comprise a network of open-pattern adhesive filaments as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986, entitled "Garment Disposal of Disposable Waste", which was issued to Minetola et al. On March 4. of 1986, and which is incorporated herein by reference. An exemplary joining means of an open-pattern filament network comprises several lines of adhesive filaments twisted in a spiral pattern as illustrated in an apparatus comprising several lines of adhesive filaments twisted in a spiral pattern as illustrated by the invention. apparatus and the method shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,911,173 issued October 7, 1975; patent of the States United No. 4,785,996, issued to Zieker et al. On November 22, 1978; and U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the joining means may comprise heat bonds, pressure joints, ultrasonic joints, mechanical dynamic joints or any other suitable joining means or combination of these joining means as are known in the art. The backsheet is impervious 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. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to materials that are docile and that will readily conform to the contour and general shape of the human body. The backsheet 26 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained within the absorbent core 28 from wetting articles that come into contact with the absorbent articles described herein such as underpants, pajamas and undergarments. The backsheet 26 may thus comprise a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or composite materials such as a nonwoven film-coated material. Preferably, the backsheet is a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about up to about 0.012 to about 0.051 mm. Exemplary polyethylene films are manufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation P18-0401 and by Ethyl Corporation, Visque in a Division of Terre Haute, Indiana, under the designation XP-39385. The backsheet is preferably embossed and / or finished without gloss to provide a more fabric-like appearance. In addition, the backsheet 26 can allow the vapors of the absorbent core 28 (ie, breathable) to escape, while still preventing the exudates from passing through the backsheet 26. The topsheet 24 is docile to feel smooth, and Non-irritating to the user's skin. The topsheet 24 is permeable to liquid, allowing liquids (eg, menstruation and / or urine), to easily penetrate through its thickness, a suitable top sheet 24 can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials such as materials tissues and nonwovens; polymeric materials such as thermoplastic films formed with openings, plastic films with openings, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; cross-linked foams; crosslinked thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic canvases. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials may be composed of natural fibers (eg, wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polymer fibers such as polyester, polypropylene or polyetheylene fibers), or a combination thereof. natural and synthetic fibers. A preferred top sheet comprises a film formed with openings. Films formed with openings are preferred for the topsheet, because they are permeable to body exudates and not yet absorbent and have a reduced tendency to allow liquids to pass back through and moisten the wearer's skin. In this way, the surface of the formed film that is in contact with the body remains dry, thus reducing the staining of the body and creating a more comfortable feeling for the user. Suitable formed films are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,135 entitled "Absorbent Structures Having Tapered Capillaries", which was issued to Thomspon on December 30, 1975; United States Patent No. 4,324,246 entitled "Disposable absorbent article having a stain-resistant top sheet", which was issued to Mullane et al. On April 13, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,342,314 entitled "Resilient plastic screen exhibiting properties in the form of fiber", which was issued to Radel et al. on August 3, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,463,045 entitled "Macroscopically expanded three-dimensional plastic weft exhibiting a non-glossy visible surface and a fabric-like fingerprint", which was issued to Ahr et al. on July 31, 1984; and U.S. Patent No. 5,006,394"Multilayer Polymer Film", which was issued to Baird on April 9, 1991. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference. The preferred top sheet for the present invention is the formed film described in one or more of the above patents, and sanitary napkins are marketed by The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, as "DRI-WEAVE". In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body surface of the formed upper film sheet is hydrophilic to help transfer liquids through the upper sheet faster than if the body surface were not hydrophilic, to decrease the likelihood that the menstrual fluid flows 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, "Absorbent article having a non-woven material. and a film cover material with apertures ", filed November 19, 1991 by Aziz et al. which is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the body surface of the topsheet can be made hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactant such as described in the above-referenced U.S. Patent No. 4,950,254 issued to Osborn incorporated herein by reference.

The second absorbent article 100 preferably comprises a liquid permeable top sheet 124, a liquid impermeable back sheet 126 secured to the top sheet 124, and an absorbent core 128 positioned between the top sheet 124 and the back sheet 126. The second absorbent article 100 has two surfaces, a surface that contacts the absorbent article 125, which becomes a "body surface" upon removal of the first absorbent article 20 and a garment surface 127 (not shown). The second absorbent article 100 is shown in Figure 1 with portions of the structure that are cut away to more clearly show the construction of the second absorbent article 100. The surface that is in contact with the absorbent article 125 is intended to be placed adjacent to the surface of garment 27 or to the backsheet 26 of the first absorbent article 20. Upon removal of the first absorbent article 20 from the wearer's undergarment, the surface that is in contact with the absorbent article 125 of the second absorbent article 100 will be the surface that is in contact with the body 125 and in this way will be used adjacent to the body of the user. Figure 1 also shows that the second absorbent article 6 has a periphery 140, which comprises the longitudinal edges 130 and the end edges 135. Although the topsheet, the backsheet and the absorbent core can be assembled in a variety of configurations of well-known absorbent article (including so-called "tube products", or side flap products), the preferred absorbent article configurations are generally described in U.S. Patent 4,950,264, "Thin, flexible sanitary towel" issued to Osborn on August 21, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,321,924"Bordered Disposable Absorbent Article", issued to Ahr on March 30, 1982; U.S. Patent No. 4,589,876, "Towel Sanitary Towel", issued to Van Tilburg on August 18, 1987. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the second. absorbent article 100, in which the topsheet 124 and the backsheet 126 have length and width dimensions generally greater than those of the absorbent core 128. The topsheet 124 and the backsheet 126 extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core. 128 to form part of the periphery 140. The absorbent core 128 may be any absorbent means that is capable of absorbing or retaining liquids. For example, menstruation and / or urine). As shown in Figure 1, the absorbent core 128 has a body surface, a garment surface, side edges, and end edges. The absorbent core 128 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, oval, hourglass, dog bone, asymmetric, etc.), and from a wide variety of liquid absorbing materials commonly used in various absorbent articles such as crushed wood pulp, which is generally referred to as an air filter. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include accreted cellulose wadding; melt blown polymers including coform; chemically hardened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers such as pleated polyester fibers, peat moss; tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams; absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers; gelling absorbent materials or any equivalent material or combination of materials, or mixtures thereof. The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 128 may also be varied (e.g., the absorbent core 128 may have varying gauge zones (e.g., profiled to be thicker in the center), hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbent gradients, or acquisition zones. lower density and lower average basis weight; or may comprise one or more layers or structures). The total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 128 must, however, be compatible with the design load and intended use of the second absorbent article 100. In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 128 may be varied to accommodate different uses. such as incontinence pads, pantiliners, regular sanitary napkins, or night sanitary napkins. The absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 128 can be the same as, greater than, or less than the absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 of the first absorbent article 20. The exemplary absorbent structures for use, the absorbent core 128 of the present invention, are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,950,264 entitled "Sanitary, thin, flexible towel", issued to Osborn on August 21, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,610,678 entitled "High Density Absorbent Structure", issued to Weisman et al. on September 9, 986; U.S. Patent 4,834,735 entitled "High density absorbent members having acquisition zones of lower density and lower basis weight", issued to Alemany et al. on May 30, 1989; and in European Patent Application No. 0 198 683, The Procter & gamble Company, published on October 22, 1986 in the name of Duenk and others. Each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. The backsheet 126 and the topsheet 124 are positioned adjacent the garment surface and the body surface, respectively, of the absorbent core 128 and are preferably bonded thereto and to each other by attachment means (not shown), such as those well known in the art. For example, the backsheet 126 and / or the top sheet 124 can be secured to the absorbent core 128 or to each other by a uniform, continuous adhesive layer, a patterned adhesive layer, or an array of lines, shapes, coils, or spirals. points of separate adhesives. The adhesives that have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota under the designations HL-1258 or H-2031. The joining means will preferably comprise a network of filaments of open-pattern adhesive as described in the patent of the United States No. 4,573,986, entitled "Disposable Garment Containment Disposable," which was issued to Minetola et al. On March 4, 1986, and which is incorporated herein by reference. An exemplary joining means of an open-pattern filament network comprises several lines of adhesive filaments twisted in a spiral pattern as illustrated in an apparatus comprising several lines of adhesive filaments twisted in a spiral pattern as illustrated by the apparatus and the method shown in the patent of the United States No. 3,911, 173 issued October 7, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996, issued to Zieker et al. on November 22, 1978; and U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the joining means may comprise heat bonds, pressure joints, ultrasonic joints, mechanical dynamic joints or any other suitable joining means or combination of these joining means as are known in the art. The backsheet 126 is impervious 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. The backsheet 126 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained within the absorbent core 128 from wetting the articles that come into contact with the second absorbent article. 100 such as underpants, pajamas and undergarments. The backsheet 126 may thus comprise a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or composite materials such as a nonwoven film-coated material. Preferably, the backsheet is a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about up to about 0.012 to about 0.051 mm. Exemplary polyethylene films are manufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation P18-0401 and by Ethyl Corporation, Visque in a Division of Terre Haute, Indiana, under the designation XP-39385. The backsheet is preferably embossed and / or finished without gloss to provide a more fabric-like appearance. In addition, the backsheet 126 can allow the vapors of the absorbent core 128 (ie, breathable) to escape, while still preventing the exudates from passing through the backsheet 126. The topsheet 124 is docile to feel smooth, and Non-irritating to the user's skin. The topsheet 124 is permeable to liquid, allowing liquids (eg, menstruation and / or urine), to easily penetrate through its thickness, a suitable top sheet 124 can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials such as materials tissues and nonwovens; polymeric materials such as thermoplastic films formed with openings, plastic films with openings, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; cross-linked foams; reticulated thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic canvases. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials may be composed of natural fibers (eg, wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polymer fibers such as polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene fibers), or a combination thereof. natural and synthetic fibers. A preferred top sheet comprises a film formed with openings. Films formed with openings are preferred for the topsheet, because they are permeable to body exudates and not yet absorbent and have a reduced tendency to allow liquids to pass back through and moisten the wearer's skin. In this way, the surface of the formed film that is in contact with the body remains dry, thus reducing the staining of the body and creating a more comfortable feeling for the user. Suitable formed films are the same as those described herein for top sheet 24, and each of the patents discussed for top sheet 24 are hereby incorporated by reference for top sheet 124. Top sheet 124 preferred for The present invention is the formed film described in one or more of the patents described for top sheet 24, and sanitary napkins are marketed by The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, as "DRI-WEAVE". In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body surface of the formed upper film sheet is hydrophilic to help transfer liquids through the upper sheet faster than if the body surface were not hydrophilic, to decrease the probability that the menstrual fluid flows 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, "Absorbent article having a non-woven material. and a film cover material with apertures ", filed November 19, 1991 by Aziz et al. which is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the body surface of the topsheet can be made hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactant such as described in the above-referenced U.S. Patent No. 4,950,254 issued to Osborn incorporated herein by reference. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an acquisition layer or layers may be placed between the upper sheets and the absorbent cores of the first absorbent article 20 and the second absorbent article 100, respectively. An acquisition layer can serve several functions and includes improving the capillary action of the exudates on and towards the absorbent core. There are several reasons why the improved capillary action of the exudates is important, including providing a more even distribution of the exudates throughout the absorbent core and allowing the absorbent article described herein to be made relatively thin. (The capillary action referred to herein may encompass the transportation of liquids in one, two or all directions (ie, in the xy plane and / or in the Z direction.) The acquisition layer may be composed of several different materials including non-woven or woven webs of synthetic fibers including polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene, natural fibers including cotton or cellulose, mixtures of these fibers or any equivalent materials or combinations of materials Examples of absorbent articles disclosed herein that have an acquisition layer and an upper sheet are more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 4,950, 264 issued to Osborn and in U.S. Patent Application No. 07 / 944,764"Absorbent article having cast coats, filed on October 7, 1992 in the name of Cree et al. Each of these references is incorporated herein. By reference, in a preferred embodiment, the acquisition layer may be joined to the top sheet by any conventional means for joining frames together, more preferably by melt links as described more fully in the above-referenced Cree application. the absorbent article combination 10 of the present invention, the first absorbent article 20 and the second absorbent article 100 are together releasably secured only by mechanical securing, thus providing a mechanical coupling between the first absorbent article 20 and the second absorbent 100, the precise nature of the means of mechanical assurance and without material while The mechanical securing means serves to releasably secure the absorbent articles to one another by the mechanical coupling, furthermore the absorbent articles are secured to one another until they are separated by the user. As shown in Figure 1, the first and second absorbent articles 20 and 100 are removably secured together by the mechanical securing means 38. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the longitudinal edges 30 and 130, and the edges at end 35 and 135 of the first and second absorbent articles 20 and 100 are removably secured together by the mechanical securing means 38. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical securing means comprises folds or corrugations. In a preferred process of this preferred embodiment, a first absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet attached to the topsheet and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet is formed.

The first absorbent article formed comprises, in addition to a body surface, a garment surface and a periphery comprising a pair of first longitudinal edges and a pair of first end edges. A second absorbent article is formed and comprises a top sheet, a back sheet attached to the top sheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the back sheet, a surface that is in contact with the article, a garment surface and a periphery comprising a pair of second longitudinal edges and a pair of second end edges. After forming the first and second absorbent articles, the first absorbent article is placed on the second absorbent article such that the peripheries of the articles are substantially aligned and / or symmetrically correct. For the term "symmetrically correct," it is hereby implied that the first absorbent article is placed on the second absorbent article, such that when observed in the combination of the absorbent article from the top or directly above, only one is seen. absorbent article, for example, the top view in Figure 2. Next, the first and second absorbent articles together deliver in a symmetrically correct manner to at least one pressure / enhancement fastening means such as the enhancement roller that In a "symmetrically correct" manner, it is to be understood herein that the first and second absorbent articles are delivered one on top of the other in a backward (ie, symmetrically correct) configuration without substantial variation in To finish, the first and second absorbent articles are enhanced / fixed by pressure or folded together along the length or of its longitudinal edges and in an alternative mode, along its end edges. Of course, another embodiment herein is one in which the longitudinal edges 30 and 130 and at least a portion of the end edges 35 and 35 are raised / clamped together to provide mechanical securing. Figure 3 and 3A provide amplified side views and a preferred mechanical securing means 38 in which the folds or embossments 42 in the first absorbent article 20 and the folds 42 in the second absorbent article 100 are shown to be separated from one another for illustrative purposes only. Figure 3A shows the creases and corrugations 40 and 142 that are in operative relation to each other as they would be in the mechanically coupled absorbent article. In practice the corrugations 42 and 142 are present around the periphery and 140 (Figure 1), respectively, can be joined together by one or more contact clamping rollers / contact enhancement. In this connection the folds 42 and 42A are mechanically coupled to one another without the use of any adhesive. In this state, the absorbent articles 20 and 100 will remain mechanically coupled to each other by normal use by the combination of absorbent article 10 (Figure 1). However, when the first absorbent article 20 has been stained and requires its disposal, it can be easily disengaged from the first absorbent article 100 by pulling the first absorbent article 20 by one end edge 35 towards the other end edge 35, completely interrupting it. way the mechanical coupling between the first article and the second absorbent articles 20 and 100, respectively. In a preferred embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, each of the first and second absorbent articles 20 and 100 will comprise a nonwoven web or fabric 50 and 150, respectively, which when added to the first and second absorbent articles, form the surfaces that are in contact with the body 25 and 125 (Figure 1) of each respective article. Distinguish that when the first absorbent article 20 is disengaged from the second absorbent article 100, the surface that is in contact with the article 125 then becomes the surface that is in contact with the body 125.; for all purposes of the present, these two terms are interchangeable for the second absorbent article 100. These layers function to provide increased comfort to the wearer's skin, some absorbency and, importantly, increased cohesion between the undulations or creases 42 and 142 of the first and second absorbent articles 20 and 100 when mechanically secured together around their peripheries 40 and 140 and / or the fins 45 and 145. The non-woven webs 50 and 150 comprise fibrous elements or fibers 55 and 155 projecting outwards in numerous directions from the non-woven webs as shown in Figure 3. However, it is distinguished that the fibrous elements may comprise variable lengths and many directions of projection extending from the non-woven layer. While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the projecting fibrous elements 55 and 155 of the non-woven webs 50 and 150 provide increased cohesion through the frictional forces exerted between the fibrous elements 155 and the backsheet 26 of the first absorbent article 20. In this manner, the fibrous elements 155 in the second absorbent article 100 interact with the polymer backsheet 26 of the first absorbent article 20 in such a manner as to provide a sufficient amount of cohesion strength between the articles when the peripheries and / or the fins are fixed together by pressure. Several problems are solved by using the coupling against the adhesive.

For example, there is no possibility of exposure of the adhesive to a user's skin and other sensitive areas of the user's body. This is important because an adhesive can be contaminated with foreign objects and thus becomes non-sanitary. Also, the adhesive can irritate a user by becoming entangled with the user's pubic hair during the use of the absorbent article combination. When adhesive is used that is located between the contact surface with the garment of a first absorbent article and the contact surface with the body of a second absorbent article, there is the possibility of residual adhesive that is on the contact surface with the body of the second absorbent article when pulling the first absorbent article therefrom. The mechanical coupling avoids this possibility and ensures that the contact surface with the body of the second absorbent article remains free of adhesive. In this way, the invention of the applicant avoids the possible irritation and / or infection associated with the use of adhesives. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical securing means 38 comprises the pattern of enhancement of a structural elastic film (SELF) web around the peripheries 40 and 140 and / or the fins if present. The pattern of enhancement in the form of SELF is the primary mechanical securing means for releasably securing the first and second absorbent articles together. Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the SELF enhancement pattern 52 of the present invention. The SELF enhancement pattern is discussed in greater detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,802 issued May 21, 1986, in the name of Chappell et al., And is incorporated herein by reference. In Figure 2, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

The first absorbent article 36 is shown comprising a pair of fins 45, each of which are adjacent to and extend laterally from the longitudinal edges 30 and / or 130 of the absorbent core 28 and / or 128. The second absorbent article 160, comprising fins 145 (not shown), resides under the first absorbent article 60. The two absorbent articles 60 and 160 would be secured not only around their peripheries 40 and 140, but also around their fins 45 and 145. The fins 45 are configured to draping over the edges of the wearer's panties within the crotch region, such that the flaps 45 are disposed between the edges of the wearer's panties and thighs. The fins 45 and 145 serve at least one purpose. For example, the fins 45 and 145 help to avoid the staining of the body and the wearer's panties by the menstrual fluid, preferably forming a double-walled barrier along the edges of the panty. Additionally, the flaps 45 are preferably provided with fastening means, preferably adhesives, on their garment surface so that they can be folded back under the panty and fastened to the side facing the garment of the panty, or fix a Flap to another. The fins 45 and 145 can be constructed of various materials including materials similar to the topsheet, backsheet, tissue, or combination of these materials. In addition, the fins 45 and 145 can be a separate element attached to the main body of the first absorbent article 20 and / or the second absorbent article 100, or they can comprise extensions of their upper sheets and respective backsheets (i.e., a unitary construction) . A number of sanitary napkins having fins 45 suitable or adaptable for use with the sanitary napkins of the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,687,478 entitled "Towel sanitary towel" which was issued to Van.

Tilburg on August 18, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 4,589,876 entitled "Sanitary Towel", which was issued to Van Tilburg on May 20, 986; and U.S. Patent No. 4,608,047 entitled "Sanitary Towel Setting Means", which was issued to Mattingly on August 26, 1986. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference.

Similar to the peripheries 40 and 140 of the prior embodiments disclosed herein, the fins 45 and 145 are preferably embossed together to form the mechanical securing means 138 on the fins 45 and 145. More preferably, the fins 45 and 145 also comprise non-woven webs 50 and 150 that have been extended from the peripheries 40 and 140. It is distinguished that the pressure fastening of the fins 45 and 145 and the peripheries 40 and 140 is preferably the same as described above in FIG. present, and is carried out in one or more simultaneous enhancement processes (e.g., the SELF enhancement process as discussed in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801 issued May 21, 1996, in the name of Chappell and others , and which is incorporated herein by reference). Additionally, other means of mechanical securing can be used as it should be well known by a person skilled in the art. In addition, the mechanical securing means of detachable tangle, such as needle punching, or almost any of several types can be used to enhance with the present invention as is well known to a person skilled in the art. It will be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art that many variations are feasible. For the applicable materials known in the art, the first and second longitudinal edges 30 and 130 can be wetted with a solution. Suitable wetting solutions are disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 5,332,118 issued July 26, 1994 to Muckenfuhs, the patent of which is incorporated herein by reference. While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that wetting will allow edges 30 and 130 made from a suitable material herein to be removably attached to one another through cohesion in the overlap. between the adjacent tissues. The cohesion may not require any other manufacturing step than that which joins the first longitudinal edges 30 with the second longitudinal edges 130. Additionally, this cohesion may not require any type of intermediary, for example, a liquid, to provide mechanical securing to the longitudinal and / or end edges. For example, such cohesion can be observed when one folds a piece of polyvinylidene chloride film (ie, SARANWRAP plastic sold by Dow Chemical Corporation) on itself.

The simple contact of these films, is achieved and instantly maintains a cohesive or adherent union. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention provides an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, which disperses into fragments which are readily dischargeable into a normal toilet. The preferred sanitary napkin of the present invention comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a backsheet impervious to body fluids, an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and means for releasably attaching the sanitary napkins to the user's undergarment. Additionally, the embodiments of the present invention may also comprise fins that extend laterally. The preferred liquid-permeable top sheet of the alternate embodiment present comprises a wet-laid tissue having a temporary moisture resistance resin incorporated therein. Parts of the body surface of the tissue are further provided with a resinous material. PreferablyThe resinous material comprises a resinous water-resistant material which is provided in the form of stamped fibrils on the body surface of the topsheet. Alternatively, the resinous material can provide the top sheet with a gradient of surface energy between its body surface and its garment surface. The preferred top sheet of the present invention acquires bodily fluids at an excellent rate and helps prevent acquired fluids from rewetting the body surface thereof, such that the sanitary napkin of the present invention has a comfortable feel when worn . In an alternate embodiment, each of the first and second backsheets of the present invention comprises a wet-laid fibrous assembly having a temporary wet strength resin incorporated therein. The backsheets are further coated with a resinous water-resistant material which makes the backsheets impervious to body fluids without imparting the spread of the adhesive materials thereon. The backsheets of the type described herein represent an improvement over those described in the art, in which prior art downloadable absorbent articles typically use materials that have a very low critical surface tension to help ensure that the backsheets are impervious to the difficulty resulting in adhesively bonding these backsheets to the remaining components of an absorbent article. The posterior sheets of the present modality do not present these problems of union. The absorbent articles are assembled by arranging each backsheet of the present absorbent article combination, such that the surface thereof which is coated with the resinous water resistant material is oriented towards each core. Each core and top sheet are disposed thereon and the components attached using means known to those skilled in the art. A water soluble adhesive is used to join the components of each sanitary napkin in the combination, in at least one peripheral bonding area such that the components will separate when, either, the first or the second absorbent article is exposed to the water in a toilet. Once the downloadable absorbent articles are formed, the first absorbent article is placed on the second absorbent article in such a way that the peripheries of the articles are substantially aligned and / or symmetrically correct. By the term "symmetrically correct" is meant herein that the first absorbent article will be placed on the second absorbent article such that when the absorbent article combination is viewed from the top, only one absorbent article is seen, for example , the top view in Figure 2. Next, the first and second absorbent articles are given together in a symmetrically correct manner to at least one pressure / enhancement fastening means such as a contact enhancement roller. By "symmetrically correct manner" it is understood herein that the first and second absorbent articles are delivered one on top of the other in a backward (ie, symmetrically correct) configuration with no substantial variation in their positions. To finish, the first and second absorbent articles are raised / fixed by pressure together along their longitudinal edges and in an alternate mode, along their end edges. Absorbent articles capable of being jettisoned are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 561,989, entitled "Water Disposable and Disposable Absorbent Article" filed on November 22. of 1995, by Christon and others, which is incorporated herein by reference. In use, the combination absorbent article can be retained in place by any means of support or fixing means (not shown) well known for these purposes. Preferably, the combination absorbent article is placed on the wearer's undergarments or panties and secured thereto by a fastener such as an adhesive. The adhesive provides a means for securing the combination of absorbent article in the crotch portion of the panty. Therefore, a part or all of the outer surface of the backsheet 126 of the second absorbent article 100 is coated with adhesive. Any adhesive or glue used in the art for such a purpose can be used for the adhesive herein, with pressure sensitive adhesives being preferred. Suitable adhesives are Century A-305-IV manufactured by Century Adhesives Corporation of Columbus, Ohio; and Instant Lock 34-2823 manufactured by the National Starch and Chemical Company of Bridgewater, NJ. Suitable adhesive fasteners are also described in U.S. Patent No. 4,917,697. Before the combination of absorbent article in use is placed, the pressure sensitive adhesive is typically protected with a removable release liner in order to prevent the adhesive from drying or adhering to a different surface than the crotch portion of the panty first. to be used. Suitable release liners are also described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 4,917,697. Any of the commercially available release liners commonly used for these purposes can be used herein. Non-limiting examples of suitable release liners are BL30MG-A SiOx E1 / 0 and BL30MG-A Silox 4P / O, both of which are manufactured by Akrosil Corporation of Menasha, Wl. The absorbent article combination of the present invention is utilized by removing the release liner and subsequently placing the absorbent article combination in a panty, such that the adhesive is in contact with the panty. The adhesive maintains the absorbent article combination in its position within the pant during use. Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, attempts are made in the appended claims to protect all changes and modifications that are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (8)

1. A combination of absorbent article having a first absorbent article comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a periphery comprising a pair of first longitudinal edges and a pair of first end edges, and a second absorbent article comprising a first surface, a second surface and a periphery comprising a pair of second longitudinal edges and a pair of second end edges, characterized in that: said first longitudinal edges of said first absorbent article and said second longitudinal edges of said second absorbent article are secured together removable way only by means of mechanical securing. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein said contact surface with the article of said second absorbent article comprises a non-woven layer. 3. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said mechanical securing means comprises a plurality of folds. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a pair of fins attached to the first absorbent article and a pair of fins attached to said second absorbent article, said fins being disposed adjacent to and extending laterally outward from each of the first and second longitudinal edges, thus extending at least one of said fins joined adjacent to each longitudinal edge. The absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein each fin comprises a mechanical securing means whereby the fins in said first and second absorbent articles are secured together releasably. 6. The absorbent article according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said mechanical securing means comprises folds. The absorbent article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first end edges of said first absorbent article and said second end edges of said second absorbent article are releasably secured together only by the mechanical securing means. . The absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein said mechanical securing means comprises a plurality of folds.