MXPA00000051A - Use of a handling aid for a body applied disposable absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a use of a means for holding and applying directly to a user's body a disposable absorbent article having a body facing surface and a garment facing surface, a longitudinal symmetry plane, a front end edge and a rear end edge, and comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a backsheet joined to said topsheet and an absorbent core intermediate the backsheet and the topsheet. The means are located on the garment facing surface of the absorbent article, and are oriented transversely. The means are used by inserting at least one finger in the means, by manipulating the article into a position directly on the body, and by preferably forming the article into a tridimensional shape while applying it to the body.

Description

USE OF A HANDLING HELP FOR A DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLE APPLIED TO THE BODY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles. Disposable absorbent articles are considered as absorbent devices designed to be used externally of the body by a user and to receive fluids discharged from the body. In particular, the present invention relates to disposable absorbent sanitary napkins, menstruation pads, incontinence inserts, and panty liners intended for direct application to the wearer's body, and provided with means for such application and, preferably, for a successive removal of the article, and for the use of said means for said application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In its basic form, the disposable absorbent articles comprise an absorbent core interposed between a permeable element that contacts the body (alternatively referred to as a top sheet or an envelope) and an impermeable protective barrier (alternatively referred to as a back sheet). Since then, the absorbent element must receive and contain the fluids discharged from the body. The element that connects with the body must provide comfortable contact and feel with the surfaces of the body, at the same time allowing the passage of fl uids in the absorbent element. The lining barrier must provide that the fl uids, which are extruded or that escape from the absorbent element, bind the user's garment. Most of the known absorbent articles are intended to be applied to the panty, and typically fixed to it by means of an adhesive, before using the panty with the absorbent article applied, and this does not facilitate a good fit with anatomy of the body and that the absorbent article has to adapt first to the surface of the garment, and also due to the differences in the habits of use and in the styles of the panties. The main disadvantages of the known disposable absorbent articles intended to be carried externally to the body after being previously applied to the panty, for example, leakage, wet / dirty feeling, discomfort, are in fact related to the adjustment to the poor body achieved. for these items. It has therefore been recognized that the direct application of a disposable absorbent article to the user's body can greatly improve the operation of the product, since the product itself, and hence the absorbent material comprised therein, is placed directly adjacent to the source of the fluid that has to be absorbed, without adhering to the less exact placement achieved by wearing a panty garment having a disposable absorbent article already applied thereon.

The application of a disposable absorbent article directly to the wearer's body may be particularly advantageous in the case of the absorbent articles formed, in order to have an even better fit to the body by more accurate placement of the article capable of being achieved with direct application to the body. body. Disposable absorbent articles intended to be applied directly to the body normally do not need traditional systems that are firm enough to hold the article of the garment after application to the body, particularly those items that are formed to achieve a better fit to the body, due to its increased capacity to stay in place without the need for preference for a panty restraint system. A problem with body applied disposable absorbent articles is that the handling / manipulation of the article during at least the first application to the body, and possibly, for the articles without the restraint system of the panty, during subsequent removals and re applications, until the final removal to discard it, it has to be made directly on the article itself, while the traditional disposable absorbent articles can be manipulated more easily by means of the pantyhose to which they are initially placed and adhered, for which reason the pant is actually used as an auxiliary driving. This disadvantage is particularly evident when the article has to be removed from the body when it is dirty, which is almost always the case when the article has to be discarded, and also for a temporary removal for example in the case of toilet use, or by an intermediate verification. The disposable absorbent article applied possibly dirty body has in fact to be touched by the user with his hands, for example along the edges where it is presumably still clean, in order to remove it and possibly put it back on, and on the other hand to be maintained anywhere while for example the user uses the toilet. This naturally involves an uncomfortable and unreliable handling of the absorbent article. The handling aids for the disposable absorbent articles intended to be directly applied to the wearer's body, such as for example the cord in a tampon, have been described in the prior art. However, the cord in a tampon simply provides a link between the user and the product and is typically used only as an aid to removal of the product, since it does not give any help for the application of the product, nor a guide to control its proper placement. U.S. Patent No. 5,618,282 discloses a sanitary napkin adapted to be secured to the wearer's body by means of an adhesive, which also comprises a removal aid for detaching the absorbent article from the body when removal is desired.; The removal aid comprises a strip of material longitudinally oriented and secured at its ends to, for example, the surface that gives the garment of the sanitary napkin, with its removable middle portion. Therefore the aunt can be grabbed in her middle portion for the hygienic removal of the sanitary napkin. Although this device provides the sanitary towel applied to the body with a device for removing it from the body, this does not constitute any operating aid to apply and / or to properly position the sanitary napkin. In our application entitled "handling assistant for an applied body absorbent article", presented on the same day as the present application, a disposable absorbent article intended for direct application to a user's body, particularly a sanitary towel, is described with an auxiliary of handling to handle and apply the absorbent article on the user's body, and preferably for its successive removal. More specifically, the disposable absorbent article is provided with a handling aid adapted for insertion of at least one finger of the user to hold and apply the absorbent article. The operating aid is intended to facilitate the correct positioning of the article on the user's body, thus ensuring a better fit and comfort, particularly in the case of disposable absorbent articles having a three-dimensional shape intended to equalize the surface and the contour of the body of the user in the pudendal region. The articles described in the application may also be provided with a three-dimensional shape, wherein the handling device contributes to maintaining said three-dimensional shape. It has now been surprisingly discovered that the handling aid of the type described in the aforementioned application not only makes it easier to handle the application, and preferably the removal, of the disposable absorbent articles intended for direct application to the user's body, In addition, it helps to find the correct positioning of the article using the sensitivity to the touch of the fingers, but also the use of this auxiliary handle allows a better formation of the disposable absorbent article in contact with the anatomy of the user. More specifically, the use of the handling aid is able to achieve a better shape both in combination with the disposable absorbent articles which are already formed before use, and with the disposable absorbent articles which may be substantially flat before use, but which may be be formed in a three-dimensional form by the use of said handling assistant for the application of the article to the body. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a use of a handling aid to hold and apply directly to the wearer's body a disposable absorbent article, which allows the handling of the disposable absorbent article in an improved form when Applies to a position directly on body. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a use of said operating aid that allows the formation of the disposable absorbent article in a three-dimensional form during application to the body, with the disposable absorbent article possibly being planar before being used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a use of a means for holding a disposable absorbent article and for applying directly to the wearer's body, the disposable absorbent article having a body-facing surface and a garment-giving surface, longitudinal symmetry plane, and comprising a liquid permeable top sheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet attached to the top sheet, and an intermediate absorbent element to the top sheet and the back sheet. The medium is located on the surface that gives the garment and is transversely oriented for the insertion of at least one finger of a user, or of a person taking care of the user, to hold and apply the absorbent article. The use comprises the steps of: a) inserting at least one finger in the means for applying the article; b) manipulate the article with the means towards a position directly on body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the specification is based on claims that are specifically signaled and claim the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood as of the following description. with the following inscriptions: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modality of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention, seen from the side thereof that faces the user during use; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin of Figure 1 on line 2-2; Figure 3 is a top view of the sanitary napkin of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a curve taken from an anatomical section of the body of a user, schematically representing the central non-linear groove of the female anatomy as seen in the lateral direction; Figures 5a, 5b and 5c are cross-sectional views of the sanitary napkin of Figure 1 on lines 5a-5a, 5b-5b and 5c-5c, respectively; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin of Figure 1, seen from the side that is away from the user during use; Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention, seen from the side that is away from the user in use; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of a sanitary napkin according to the present invention, seen from the side that is away from the user in use; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the sanitary napkin of Figure 8 after forming in a three-dimensional form by means of the operating aid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to disposable bumper absorbers for direct application to the user's body, which exhibit absorption for body fluids, protection of the user's garments from soiling, and improved physical comfort for the user, which are also easy of producing and packaging and which are provided with means for maintaining the absorbent article and applying it to the wearer's body, and preferably to remove it successively. The invention relates particularly to the use of said means for holding and applying the article to achieve a better form of the article while it is applied to the body. Disposable absorbent articles are described below with reference to a sanitary napkin or menstruation pad. The term "sanitary napkin", as used herein, refers to an article that women use externally of the body and adjacent to the pudendal region and that must absorb and contain various body fluids that are discharged from the body (eg, example, vaginal discharges, menstruation and / or urine) and that should be discarded after a single use. However, it should be understood that the present invention is also applicable to other feminine hygiene or menstruation products such as panty liners., or other absorbent articles such as incontinence pads, and the like. The term "use", as used herein, refers to the period that begins when the absorbent article actually comes into contact with the user's anatomy. The terms "attached" or "fixed", as used herein, encompass configurations by which a first member is directly connected to a second member and configurations by which a first member indirectly connects to a second member by connecting the first member to intermediate members who in turn connect to the second member. As used herein, the term "pudendo (a)" refers to the externally visible female genitalia and is limited to the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and vestibule. According to the present invention, the means for holding and applying the disposable absorbent articles can be incorporated substantially into any known type of disposable absorbent articles intended to be applied directly to the wearer's body and carried externally. Therefore, said means may be comprised in the disposable absorbent articles which are, for example, thin or thick, rectangular or anatomically formed in the plan view, flat or three-dimensionally formed before use, or also intended to be provided with the means to hold and apply it, or furthermore to achieve a three-dimensional shape during use, for example, under the forces acting on the article during use. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which will be described hereinafter, the means for holding and applying the disposable absorbent articles are comprised in a thin disposable absorbent article, more specifically in a sanitary napkin, which is intended for direct application to the body of the user, and having also a three-dimensional structure before use capable of shaping the various complex body shapes of the female anatomy comprising non-linear grooves and non-planar surfaces, in order to provide increased body fit and comfort, and reduced leakage or runoff. The use of the means for holding and applying the disposable absorbent article in combination with said disposable absorbent article having a three-dimensional structure before use may result in a better formed article achieved during the handling and placement of the article itself in the user's body by the means themselves. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the use of the means for holding and applying the disposable absorbent article will result in the actual three-dimensional shape of an initially flat article. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention with its three-dimensional structure before use, with most of the portion of the sanitary napkin 20 facing or contacting the user, facing towards the observer. By saying "before use", it is meant that the preferred sanitary napkin of the present invention is provided with a three-dimensional structure before it is actually used. However, the sanitary napkin can be packaged in a folded planar configuration, subsequently unfolded to obtain the three-dimensional shape just before use. As best shown in Figure 2, the sanitary napkin 20 comprises a liquid permeable upper sheet 22, a liquid impermeable back sheet 23 bonded to the upper sheet 22, and an absorbent core 24 positioned between the upper sheet 22 and the sheet rear 23. The sanitary napkin 20 has two surfaces, a surface that faces or makes contact with the body 20a and a surface that faces or makes contact with the garment 20b. The surface contacting the body 20a should be used adjacent to the user's body, while the garment surface 20b is on the opposite side and should be directed towards the underwear when the sanitary napkin 20 is used., for example, against it. Corresponding body and garment facing surfaces can also be identified in each individual layer constituting the sanitary napkin 20, for example, in the absorbent core 24. The sanitary napkin 20 has a plane of longitudinal symmetry S. The term "longitudinal", as used herein, it refers to a line, axis or direction in the sanitary napkin 20 that is generally aligned with (eg, approximately parallel to) a vertical plane that divides a user standing in halves of the left body and right when using the sanitary napkin 20. The plane of symmetry S of the sanitary napkin 20 substantially corresponds to this vertical plane that divides the user standing up. Although it is preferred that the sanitary napkin 20 be divided exactly by the plane of longitudinal symmetry S into two symmetrically equal halves, it is not excluded that the two halves are not specular. The term "transverse", as used herein, refers to a direction that is generally perpendicular to the plane of longitudinal symmetry S. the term "longitudinally oriented" refers to a direction, as seen in Plan view, included within ± 45 degrees, of the plane of longitudinal symmetry S; the term "transversely oriented" refers similarly to any other direction, as seen in plan view. The terms "front" and "rear", as used herein, refer to portions that face the front and back of the user's body, respectively, when the sanitary napkin 20 is used. The sanitary napkin 20 has a periphery 30, which is defined by the outer edges of the sanitary napkin 20. The longitudinal edges 31 of the sanitary napkin 20 are aligned with the longitudinal symmetry plane S, and the end edges of the sanitary napkin 20 comprise a front end edge 32a and a rear end edge 32b. The absorbent core 24 of the sanitary napkin has a front portion 40, a central portion 42 and a rear portion 44, each preferably corresponding to approximately one third of the total length of the absorbent core 24. Also the front, middle and rear portions , corresponding, can be respectively identified in the sanitary napkin 20. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the sanitary napkin 20 is three-dimensional, since it is provided before being used with a three-dimensional structure that must match the complex shapes of the body of the anatomy feminine The three-dimensional structure preferably has a structural three-dimensionality, by "structural three-dimensionality" it is meant that the structure can not be completely flattened on a flat surface while maintaining its integrity, that is, without crushing or crushing in any case. In other words, the three-dimensional structure can not be achieved by simply folding or folding an initially flat article, but it is inherently due to the absorbent article in accordance with the present invention. The three-dimensional sanitary towel 20 of the present invention preferably has a substantially constant thickness, which is more preferably less than 5 mm; therefore, the sanitary napkin can be considered the thin type. While the topsheet, backsheet and absorbent core can be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations (including so-called "tube" products or side flap products), Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the sanitary napkin. wherein the topsheet 22 and the backsheet 23 have dimensions of length and width generally larger than those of the absorbent core 24. The topsheet 22 and the backsheet 23 extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 24 to thus forming the periphery 30 of the sanitary napkin 20. The upper sheet 22 is comfortable, soft and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. In addition, the topsheet 22 is permeable to liquid, which allows the liquid (eg, menstruation and / or urine) to penetrate through its thickness. A suitable top sheet 22 can be manufactured from a wide scale of materials such as woven and nonwoven materials; polymeric materials such as open formed thermoplastic films, open plastic films, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; cross-linked foams; crosslinked thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic fabrics. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials may be comprised of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polymer fibers such as polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene fibers); or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. A preferred top sheet comprises an open formed film. Open-formed films for the topsheet are preferred as they are permeable to body fluids and not yet absorbent and have a reduced tendency to allow liquids to re-pass and re-wet the wearer's skin. In this way, the surface of the formed film that is in contact with the body, remains dry, thus reducing dirt from the body and creating a more comfortable feeling for the user. Suitable formed films are described in the U.S. Patent. No. 3,929,135, issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975; Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,324,246, issued to Mullane et al. On April 13, 1982; Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,342,314, issued to Radel et al. On August 3, 1982; Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,463,045, issued to Ahr et al. On July 31, 1984; and Patent of E.U.A. No. 5,006,394, issued to Baird on April 9, 1991. A preferred top sheet for the absorbent article of the present invention is a formed film described in one or more of the above patents and marketed in sanitary napkins by The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as "DRI-WEAVE". In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the exposed body or surface of the formed top sheet of film is hydrophilic in order to aid in liquid transfer through the upper sheet faster than if the body surface were not hydrophilic, for thus decreasing the likelihood that the menstrual fluid will flow out of the upper sheet instead of flowing in and absorbed by the absorbent core. In a preferred embodiment, surfactant is incorporated into the polymeric materials of the formed film topsheet as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07 / 794,745, Aziz et al., Filed November 19, 1991. Alternatively, the body surface of the top sheet can be made hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactant such as described in the US Patent. 4,950,254. The absorbent core 24 may be any absorbent means that is capable of absorbing and retaining liquids (e.g., menstruation and / or urine). The absorbent core 24 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, oval, hourglass, asymmetric, etc.) and a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials commonly used in sanitary napkins and other articles. absorbers such as wood pulp which is generally referred to as air felt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include cellulose filler, modified intertwined cellulose fibers (such as those described in US Patent No. 5,217,445, issued to Young et al. On June 8, 1993), capillary channel fibers (ie. , fibers having intrafiber capillary channels such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,200,248, issued to Thompson et al. on April 6, 1993), absorbent foams (such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,260,345, issued to DesMarais et al. on November 9, 1993 and U.S. Patent No. 5,268,244, issued to DesMarais et al. on December 7, 1993), thermally bonded air-laid materials (such as those described in the US Patent Application). United States Serial Number 08 / 141,156, entitled "Catamenial Absorbent Structures Having Thermally Bonded Layers for Improved Handling of Menstrual Fluids and Their Use in Catamenial Pads Having I mproved Fit and Comfort "presented on behalf of Richards and others, October 21, 1993), absorbent sponges, synthetic fibers, polymeric fibers, polymer gel solidifying agents that form hydrogel, swamp moss, tissue including wraps and sheets of fabric, or any equivalent material or combinations of materials. Suitable absorbent cores comprising foams are described in European applications 0 598 833, 0 598 823 and 0 598 834. Suitable absorbent cores comprising sheets of tissue with particles of solidifying agents in a hydrogel-forming polymer gel comprised therein, describe in international patent applications WO 94/01069 and WO 95/17868.

The configuration and construction of the absorbent core can also vary (for example, the absorbent core may have gauge zones that vary, for example, that are thicker in the center), hydrophilic gradients, superabsorbent gradients, or base weight acquisition zones of lower density and lower average; or may comprise one or more layers or structures. However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core must be compatible with the leading design and the intended use of the sanitary napkin. In addition, the size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent core can be varied to accommodate different uses such as incontinence pads, pant liners, regular sanitary napkins, or sanitary napkins for the night. Preferably, the absorbent articles of the present invention are sanitary napkins that are uniform in thickness. The backsheet 23 and the topsheet 22 are positioned adjacent to the garment facing surfaces 20b and the body facing surface 20a, respectively, of the absorbent core 24 and are preferably attached thereto and to each other by means of fixation (not shown) such as those well known in the art. For example, the backsheet 23 and / or the topsheet 22 can be secured to the absorbent core 24 or to each other by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned adhesive layer, or an array of separate lines, spirals or patches of adhesive. adhesive. The adhesives that have been discovered are satisfactory, they are manufactured by H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota under the designation HL-1258 or H-2031. The attachment means will preferably comprise an open-pattern network of filaments of adhesive as described in US Pat. No. 4,573,986, entitled "Disposable Waste-Containment Garment", which was issued to Minetola et al. On March 4, 1986. A fixing means as an example of an open-pattern network of adhesive filaments comprises several lines of adhesive filaments wound in a spiral pattern as illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in the US Patent 3,911,173, issued to Sprague, Jr., on October 7, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996, issued to Zieker et al. on November 22, 1978; and the U.S. Patent. 4,842,666, issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989. Alternatively, the fixing means may comprise heat links, pressure links, ultrasonic links, dynamic mechanical links, or any other suitable means of attachment or combinations of these fixing means as they are known in the art. The backsheet 23 is impervious to liquids (e.g., menstruation and / or urine) and is preferably fabricated from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. In use, the backsheet 23 is interposed between the absorbent core 24 and the wearer's underwear. The function of the backsheet 23 is to prevent exudates that can be expelled from or inadvertently passing the absorbent core 24, contacting or soiling the wearer's underwear. In this manner, the backsheet 23 may comprise a woven or non-woven material, polymeric films such as polyethylene or polypropylene thermoplastic films, or mixed-body materials such as a film-coated nonwoven material. Preferably, the backsheet is a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.015 mm. Exemplary polyethylene films are manufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation P18-0401 and by Ethyl Corporation, Visqueen Division, of Terre Haute, Indiana, under the designation XP-39385. The backsheet 23 is preferably embossed and / or mat finished to provide an appearance more to the type of clothing. In addition, the backsheet 23 can allow vapors from the absorbent core 24 to escape (i.e., can breathe) even preventing the exudates from passing through the backsheet 23. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sanitary napkin 20 in its preferred embodiment has prior to use a three-dimensional structure with a longitudinally oriented seam 50 in the central and rear portions 42, 44 of the absorbent core 24, so that the intersection line 46 of the longitudinal symmetry plane S with the body facing surface 20a has a slope that slopes backward, ie, towards the extreme edge rear 32b, in the central portion 42 and in the rear portion 44 of the absorbent core 24. This can be seen more clearly in Figure 2, where the longitudinal sectional view of the sanitary napkin 20 shows the intersection line 46 with its declining slope in the central and rear end portions 42, 44. The declining slope of said intersection line 46 can be expressed mathematically if said intersecting line 4 6 is considered in a Cartesian system x and in the plane of symmetry S, where the x-axis is defined by the two points of intersection of the longitudinal symmetry plane S with the front end edge 32a and the rear end edge 32b of the sanitary napkin 20, which corresponds substantially to the points indicated by numerals 32a and 32b in the cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin 20 illustrated in Figure 2, and wherein the body-facing surface 20a faces positive values y. With respect to this system of axes, one can form the first derivative of the line of intersection 46. According to the present invention, the first derivative of this line 46 in the longitudinal direction has at least one value which is larger in the central portion 42 of the absorbent core 24 having at least one value at the rear portion 44 of the absorbent core 24. This includes the preferred case, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the intersection line 46 is always inclined towards the rear end edge 32b with two different slopes in the central portion 42 and in the rear portion 44, and also alternative embodiments wherein, for example, the intersection line 46 slopes upward in the central portion 42 and downward in the portion rear 44. Consecutive values of the first derivative of the intersecting line 46 can fall continuously towards the trailing end edge 32b, which implies that the line of interest Ection 46 has a curved profile with a continuously declining slope, or, alternatively, the first derivative may assume different discrete values over the length of the intersecting line 46. For example, it may be constant in the case of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the line of intersection 46 is formed by two substantially rectilinear portions having constant slopes, with a change in slope at a point 48 of the intersection line 46 placed where the central portion 42 of the absorbent core 24 fuses the back portion 44. An intersecting line 46 with the profile described above, provides the sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention with a longitudinally oriented seam 50 in the central and rear portions 42, 44 of the absorbent core 24 having a non-linear longitudinal profile that must match in use the central non-linear groove of the female anatomy extending from the lips ores to the perineum and in the gluteal groove, and with approximately the shape schematically indicated in the corresponding central and rear portions 42 ', 44' of the curve G illustrated in figure 4, where the equalization profile of a intersecting line 46 in a sanitary napkin illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. The profile of the longitudinally oriented seam 50 as defined by the intersecting line 46 with its slope going down backwards, can provide the sanitary napkin 20 with an adjustment to the improved user's body. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 1, when going from front to back, the front portion of the seam 50, with a substantially constant slope, should adjust the groove between the labia majora. The subsequent portion of the seam 50 that fills the central and rear portions 42, 44 of the absorbent core 24, with its change in slope, has a profile that is capable of equalizing in use the concave portion downwardly of the central nonlinear slot of the female anatomy in the region that goes from the back of the labia to the perineum, in order to achieve continuous contact with the body. This provides a better comfort and a more effective interception of the fluids as the body releases them. Finally, the rear portion of the longitudinally oriented seam 50, still belonging to the rear portion 44 of the absorbent core 24 and with a constant slope in the embodiment of FIG. 1, should extend between the buttocks, but due to its slope lighter, in comparison with the front portion of the seam, is able to make contact with the body without causing any tension between the anatomy and this portion of the sanitary napkin, which in turn would cause discomfort, and / or prevent the substantially desired continuous contact between the seam 50 and the user's anatomy over the entire length of the non-linear groove extending from the labia majora to the gluteal groove. In other words, a seam 50 with a profile having a slope that slopes backwards, can obtain more in its non-linear groove, as indicated schematically in Figure 4. The seam 50 with the profile indicated by the line 46 in fact it is able to follow the profile of the groove, indicated by the curve G, by extending beyond the line, indicated by the dotted line in figure 4, which connects two points on the central groove of the surface of the body where the Sanitary towel makes contact with the anatomy, for example, the two points where the sanitary napkin makes contact with the body in correspondence of the front and rear portions of the seam. A seam formed with a linear profile as those known in the art can not extend beyond this line, since said seam corresponds substantially to this line, and thus can not provide continuous contact with the body over the entire length of the line. sewing In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the three-dimensional sanitary towel 20 preferably has a low constant thickness that is less than 5 mm, wherein the three-dimensional structure is provided without the use of humps or regions of different thickness, and is an inherent aspect of the sanitary napkin 20, rather than an aggregate aspect, achieved, for example, by bending or joining an initially planar structure. As shown in the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front portion 40 of the absorbent core 24 is preferably concave upward, in order to better conform to the user's anatomy in the pubic region.

The sanitary napkin 20 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 shows a particularly preferred configuration for the front, central and rear regions 40, 42 and 44 of the absorbent core 24. As seen in cross-section, the front, middle and rear regions of the absorbent core 24 respectively have a V-shape, a W-shape, and an inverted V-shape, as best shown in Figures 5a, 5b and 5c, are illustrated in Figure 1 5b-5b and 5c-5c, respectively . These different shapes provide the sanitary napkin 20 with more capacity to conform to the user's anatomy in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of symmetry S already defined. The V shape of the front portion 40 and the inverted V shape of the rear portion 44 are fused together gradually in the central portion 42, where the resulting shape W is predisposed to fit in the area of the labia majora and peri . In use, the longitudinally oriented seam 50 must adjust the longitudinal central groove as described above, while the side portions 52 bent upward may equal the thigh wrinkles, ie, the two grooves that are formed between the body and the body. the legs, typically in the area where the elastic of the panties makes contact with the body. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the sanitary napkin 20 is provided with an increased capacity to conform to the anatomy of the user than that given simply by the known differentiated transverse shape of the different portions of the absorbent core. 24. The three-dimensional structure of the sanitary napkin 20 before being used, is such that the width of the angle? of the inverted V-shaped portion increases towards the trailing end edge 32b of the sanitary napkin 20 starting from a minimum preferred value to a position corresponding to the fusion of the rear portion 44 with the central portion 42 of the absorbent core 24, in where it substantially corresponds to the angle ß of the central inverted V-shaped part of the W-shaped central portion 42, which in turn is substantially constant over the entire length of this portion 42. Therefore, the rear portion of the seam 50, typically placed in use between the buttocks, its inverted V shape can be more easily extended during the use of the product without being restricted, in order to provide the sanitary napkin with a better adaptation to the user's configuration. A similar feature is preferably provided in the V-shaped front portion 40 of the absorbent core 24, wherein the angle A of the V increases its width toward the front end edge 32a of the sanitary napkin 20 from a minimum preferred value in a point corresponding to the fusion of the front portion 40 with the central portion 42. This would allow the portion of the sanitary napkin 20 that is closer to the front end edge 32a to be more easily flattened in the transverse direction during use, in order to accommodate the relatively flat front of the pubis, at the same time providing a global concave shape to effectively follow the surface of the pubis. The angles of the V-shaped central portion 40 and / or the inverted V-shaped rear portion 44 of the absorbent core 24, and consequently of the entire sanitary napkin 20, can therefore increase towards respective end edges 32a and / or 32b to values of around 180X, in order to better accommodate the user's anatomy without inducing any substantial tension in the structure, thereby providing a better fit and comfort. The preferred aspect of the angles increasing toward respective end edges in the inverted V and V-shaped portions is achieved by giving the front portion 40 and / or the rear portion 44 of the absorbent core 24 a bowl-shaped structure with any means known to one skilled in the art. For example, in the sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, this is achieved by cutting a narrow V-shaped portion of material centered on the longitudinal center line of the initially flat front portion 40 and rear portion 44 of the absorbent core 24, and of the topsheet 22 and backsheet 23, and with substantially the same length of the front portion 40 and the rear portion 44, and then joining the cut edges with known means, for example, by thermocouple, over the joint lines identified as 52 and 54 in Figure 3. The structure The final three-dimensional illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is then achieved by appropriately folding the non-planar sanitary napkin 20, for example, over the preferential bending lines formed in the absorbent core 24 by means of, for example, embossments or cuts. partial, such as the enhancements 56 in Figure 3, as can be determined by the person skilled in the art. The presence of this preferred aspect in the sanitary napkin of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, can be ensured by transversally folding the sanitary napkin 20 in order to over impose the front portion 40 or the rear portion 44 of the absorbent core on the central portion 42 on a bent line approximately in the unfolded sanitary napkin corresponds to a line separating, respectively, the front portion 40 or the rear portion 44 of the central portion 42; in both cases, the fold line will show an angle instead of being rectilinear.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a three-dimensional shape similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 to 5c can also be achieved by having in a disposable absorbent article an elastic insert with the desired shape, for example, between the back sheet and the absorbent core. The insert may comprise, for example, only in the central and rear portions of the absorbent core, where the seam with the desired profile must be provided, or it may extend over the entire length of the absorbent article, in order to provide its full shape . The elastic insert can be made of any suitable known material, for example, absorbent or non-absorbent material, and can be produced, for example, by thermofixing to obtain the desired three-dimensional shape, preferably with a constant thickness. The insert can completely provide the three-dimensional structure, or it can alternatively contribute to creating and maintaining said structure in an already formed absorbent article. The sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention having the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5c and described hereinafter is intended to be applied by the user directly to the body, and comprises the means 58 for holding and applying it located on the surface which looks at the garment 20b and which is transversely oriented, as illustrated in Figure 6, which shows a perspective view of the sanitary napkin 20 of Figure 1, seen from the side that is away from the user during use, is say, with the surface facing the garment 20b towards the wearer. The means 58 for holding and applying the sanitary napkin 20 are also referred to as a handling aid. Of course, the means 58 for supporting and applying the sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention should also be used by a person who cares for the user, for example, a nurse, who handles the sanitary napkin 20 and applies it to the user's body. In the preferred alternative embodiment of Figure 6, the means 58 for supporting and applying the sanitary napkin 20 comprises a strip of elongated elastic film material 58, oriented perpendicular to the plane of longitudinal symmetry S and located on the garment facing surface. 20b of the sanitary napkin 20, in correspondence of the central portion 42 of the absorbent core 24, at an approximately intermediate position longitudinally between the front end edge 32a and the rear end edge 32b of the sanitary napkin 20. The strip 58 is fixed to the backsheet 23 at its two separate ends 60 arranged on opposite sides of the plane of symmetry S, with an intermediate portion 62 that is not attached to said garment facing surface 20b and defining a space 64, as best shown in FIG. Figure 5c, intended for the insertion of at least one finger of the user to hold and apply the sanitary napkin 20. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. to 6, wherein the sanitary napkin 20 has the preferred three-dimensional shape before being used, the space 64 is actually comprised between the intermediate portion 62 of the sanitary napkin, which is concave on its garment facing surface 20b, since corresponds to the seam 50 on the surface facing the body 32a.

Typically, the separated ends 60 of the strip 58 are fixed by known means, for example, with an adhesive, or by thermobonding, to the garment facing surface 20b of the backsheet 23 at intermediate locations between each bent line corresponding to the highlights 56, and the respective longitudinal edge 31, as can also be seen in Figure 5b. The user may place the sanitary napkin 20 in the palm of his hand with the garment facing surface 20b making contact with the hand and with the front end edge 32a facing the wrist, at the same time typically inserting one of his fingers , for example, the middle finger, in the space 64 between the intermediate portion 62 of the strip 58 and the back sheet 23. Therefore, the user can hold the sanitary napkin 20 in his open hand without exerting any force, also due to the elasticity of the preferred material constituting the strip 58, with substantially the front portion of the sanitary napkin 20 in his palm. The application to the body can then be easily performed by the user with a simple movement of his open hand, which is simple and understandable as putting an empty hand in the body. In addition, the movements of the hand and fingers allow the user to completely control the manipulation of the sanitary napkin 20 during its application to the body, using the sensitivity of the touch of the fingers to find the correct position for the sanitary napkin 20. In In particular, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the finger inserted into the space 64 is substantially aligned with the seam 50 on the surface facing the body 20a of the sanitary napkin 20, and can therefore provide guidance for controlling the placement of the towel 20 in the anatomy of the body, that is, with the seam 50 appropriately registered with the longitudinal non-linear groove of the female anatomy extending from the labia majora to the gluteal groove. The front portion of the seam can be easily identified by the user with his finger inserted in the space 64, and used as a reference for directing the sanitary napkin in an optimal position on the body. The user can manipulate the sanitary napkin 20 by means of the handling aid while placing it directly to the body, in order to achieve a better formation of the sanitary napkin itself when in contact with the body, thus taking advantage of the capacity of adaptation of the preferred three-dimensional structure of the sanitary napkin which can slightly modify its structure to conform to the anatomy of the user constituted by the non-linear slots and the non-planar surfaces already described, for example, by doubling differentially along its lines of multiple bends. This manipulation and adaptation of the sanitary napkin maintained by means of the operating aid is preferably performed by the user while placing the sanitary napkin in a position directly on his body, by means of a combined action of his hand holding the sanitary napkin and manipulating it. actively, and the body surface that is in contact with the sanitary towel itself, to which the sanitary towel is formed and adjusted. The manipulation and adaptation of the sanitary napkin can also be partially initiated by the user by his hands only before actually placing the sanitary napkin directly on the body, taking advantage of the preferred way in which the sanitary napkin can be held with one hand by means of the driving assistant. The operating aid constituted by the strip 58 also allows easy removal of the hand once the sanitary napkin 20 is in place, without impairing or modifying the position of the towel 20. As in the preferred embodiment of the present invention described to date, the three-dimensional sanitary napkin 20 does not comprise a system that is secured to the panty, the operating aid of the present invention illustrated in Figures 5b and 6 also preferably allows easy removal and, possibly, a subsequent reapplication of the sanitary towel 20 of the body in order to use the bath, or to make a product revision, or in any case in order to finally discard the product. In fact, the user can easily grasp the sanitary napkin 20 while using it by placing his hand in substantially the same manner as for the application, with one of his fingers inserted into the space 64 between the unattached portion 62 of the strip 58 and the back sheet 23. Therefore, the sanitary napkin 20 can be removed from the body and safely held by the user; The driving aid can also be used to temporarily store the sanitary towel, for example, when using the bath, in the user's hand, without the need to actually hold it with the fingers, or to exert any force on it.

The operating aid constituted by the strip 58 allows in any case the user to handle / manipulate the sanitary napkin 20 when making contact with its surface facing the garment 20b only, thus protecting the user's hand from a surface facing the body 20a possibly dirty. In preferred absorbent articles having a three-dimensional shape before use, such as the sanitary napkin 20 in the preferred embodiment described above, the operating aid may also preferably contribute to maintaining the three-dimensional shape of the article during use, for example, in case of body movements that can damage the proper fit of the product, or when in general there is a risk of changing the three-dimensional shape that fits the body. Otherwise, the operating aid, for example, constituted by the strip 58 illustrated in FIGS. 5b and 6, remains aligned or bent or loose on the surface facing the garment 20b of the product and does not impair the operation of the product. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the handling aid may be constituted by more than one strip of material, or by one or more threads, while the material may also be non-elastic. The operating aid can also be constituted by a strip arranged as a loop and applied to the surface facing the garment 20b of the article, or by a series of loops, which must allow the insertion of at least one finger of the user.

The operating aid can also be activated by the user, for example, by applying to the garment facing surface of the absorbent article just before use; alternatively, a handling aid, for example, constituted by a strip 58 can be detached, for example, at one of its ends from the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article and then replaced in a different place, in order of, for example, controlling or partially adapting a three-dimensional shape already provided in the absorbent article, or to modify the available space 64 for the insertion of at least one finger of the user. Therefore, a handling aid preferably constituted by a strip 58 can be attached to the garment facing surface 20b of the absorbent article, either at one or both ends 62, for example, by means of a releasable adhesive, or of a hook or loop type mechanical insurance, such as that manufactured under the trade name VELCRO. A handling aid in the form of a loop can be modified by the user in order to change the diameter of the loop, and thus the space available for the insertion of the finger. In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the disposable absorbent article may comprise a release cover releasably attached to the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article, wherein the handling aid is located on the cover of the absorbent article. detachment In use, after the application of the absorbent article to the body by means of the operating aid, the release cover can be detached from the surface that it gives to the item of clothing of the article, leaving the adhesive exposed, This can be done in this way as an adhesive for fastening the screen as is known in the art. The successive removal of the absorbent article would be carried out, for example, by a conventional method, using the screen, with the absorbent article now fixed, as well as with the operating method. Alternatively, in a less preferred embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent article may also be provided with a panty fastening means, which provides the means to secure the article to the undergarment after it has been applied to the body. This would later allow the removal of the article of the body in a traditional way instead, that is to say by means of the panties to which the article adheres. The fastening means of the panty can be located on a limited part of the surface that gives the garment of the absorbent article, in order to avoid the risk of sticking to the user's hand during the handling and application of the absorbent article, or, alternatively, this can be activated by the user after the absorbent article has been actually applied to the body, by example removing a release paper. In any case, the fastening means of the pant may comprise a mechanical fastener such as the hook and curl fasteners as sold under the trade name VELCRO, snaps or fasteners, which would have the advantage that they do not stick to the fastener. user's hand. Alternatively, the absorbent article can be attached to the undergarment by means of the panty fastening adhesive on the backsheet 23. The panty fastening adhesive would provide a means for securing the absorbent article to the pantyhose and preferably a means for securing the absorbent article when staining for the fold and wrapping of the package for convenient disposal. Any adhesive or glue used in the art for these purposes can be used for the fastening adhesive of the pantyhose herein. Pressure sensitive adhesives are more preferred. Suitable adhesives include Centrury A-305-IV manufactured by Century Adhesives Corporation of Columbus, Ohio, and Instant LOK 34-2823 manufactured by National Starch and Chemical Company of Bridgewater, New Jersey, 3 Sigma 3153, manufactured by 3 Sigma and Fuller H -2238ZP manufactured by H: B. Fuller Co. The panty fastening adhesive can typically be applied to the backsheet by slot coating or sprinkling in various distribution patterns, such as for example continuous or discontinuous strips, intermittent dots, spirals with random patterns. The panty fastening adhesive should typically be protected with a removable release paper or film in order to prevent the adhesive from drying or adhering to a different surface of the panty. Any commercially available release paper or film can be used. Suitable examples include BL 30MG-A SILOX El / O and BL 30 MG-A SILOX 4 PlO available from Akrosil Corporation. In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the driving aid may also be comprised in an initially flat absorbent article, as illustrated in Figure 7, wherein a type of alternate handling assistant is also shown, which is constituted by a transversely oriented cut 66 on the garment facing surface 20b of a flat sanitary napkin 20, defining a space 64 for the insertion of at least one finger of the user to hold and apply, and preferably remove, the absorbent article 20, in a manner substantially equivalent to that described for the preferred three-dimensional absorbent article. A handling aid according to the present invention is particularly advantageous in combination with a flat absorbent article intended for direct application to the body, that operating aid only makes the handling / application easier and preferably the removal of the article, but rather it also provides the user with an indication on how to hold the article and how to place it on the body, which is otherwise typically lacking in a flat absorbent article. In this case, the use of the operating aid can also form the initially flat sanitary napkin 20 in a three-dimensional shape that adjusts to the anatomy of the body while the towel is applied to the body, by manipulating the sanitary napkin 20 and making it adapt to the body by middle of the driving assistant. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the use of the means for holding and applying the absorbent article can be considered in combination with, for example, an initially flat disposable absorbent article comprising preferential bending lines intended to aid the formation of the article in a preferred three-dimensional form during handling and application of the article to the user's body by means of the operating aid. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate schematically a sanitary towel 20 similar to that described in the international patent application No. WO 9602217, comprising the means 58 for holding and applying the towel to the user's body. In Figure 8, a perspective view of a sanitary napkin 20 is shown in its flat state before use, with the garment facing surface 20b facing the viewer. The sanitary napkin 20 comprises fold lines to assist in the formation of a preferred three-dimensional structure by the use of the means 58 for holding and applying the sanitary napkin to the wearer's body. In the embodiment of Figure 8, a main front bend line 68 starts at the front end edge 32a and extends to approximately the beginning of a rear main bend line 70, both front and rear bending lines being substantially aligned with the plane S symmetry of sanitary napkin 20; also two backward diverging double lines 72 begin at approximately the starting point of the main rear fold line 70, each extending towards the rear end edge 32b to the respective longitudinal edge 31. The means 58 for holding and applying the sanitary napkin 20 comprises an elongated strip 58 of a thin film material oriented perpendicularly to the plane of longitudinal symmetry S and located on the garment facing surface 20b, in an approximately intermediate position longitudinally between the front end edge 32a and the rear end edge 32b. Strip 58 is fixed to backsheet 23 at its two separate apart ends 60 disposed on opposite sides of plane of symmetry S, with an intermediate portion 62 not attached to the garment facing surface 20b and defining a space 64 intended for the insertion of at least one finger of the user to hold and apply the sanitary napkin 20. In order to use the support and application means 58 to apply the sanitary napkin 20 to the wearer's body, and to form at the same time the sanitary napkin 20 in a preferred three-dimensional shape intended to conform and adjust to the user's anatomy, the user places the flat sanitary napkin 20 on the palm of his hand with the garment facing surface 20b in contact with his hand and with the front end edge 32a towards your wrist, at the same time inserting for example your middle finger into the space 64 where the strip 58 is not fixed to the back sheet 23. The user can now hold the towel sani 20 in its open hand, and with a simple movement of the hand can manipulate it towards a position directly on the body, as already explained with respect to the modality illustrated in figures 1 to 6, at the same time forming the sanitary towel 20 in a preferred three-dimensional form illustrated in Figure 9, while being applied to the body. This formation is aided by the fold lines 68, 70, 72 comprised in the structure of the sanitary napkin, which is intended to fold preferentially up and down to form the three-dimensional shape of Figure 9, wherein the auxiliary handle 58 is shown to be slightly loose in its intermediate portion 62. The user can, in fact, use his middle finger, substantially aligned with the plane of symmetry S to create the convex upward shape of the back portion of the sanitary napkin 20 throughout of the main back fold line 70, and the entire hand to form the concave upward shape of the front portion of the sanitary napkin 20. The terms "front portion" and "back portion" have a meaning that is similar to that related to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The three-dimensional shape shown in Figure 9 is in fact somewhat similar to that of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1 to 6, but without the preferred non-linear convex profile of the rear portion of the towel, and without the front portion particularly shaped as a bowl. Although it may be less preferred than the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6 from the point of view of body fit and conformability to anatomy, this embodiment shows a preferred use of the means for holding and applying an absorbent article in accordance with the present invention and intended for both the application and the forming of the article. The preferred formation of the initially flat sanitary napkin 20 in the three-dimensional structure is preferably formed during the application of the sanitary napkin 20 by means of the operating aid, by manipulating the sanitary napkin 20 with the hand against the anatomy of the wearer's body.

The absorbent articles of the present invention, particularly sanitary napkin 20, have a length that preferably varies between the typical values commonly used for the different sizes of said sanitary articles intended for the substantially external arrangement adjacent to the wearer's body. Particularly, the central and rear portions 42 and 44 of the absorbent core 24 preferably do not have a length that is less than the total maximum length of the major lips of an average user. The operating aid of the present invention does not necessarily extend over the entire width of the absorbent article, in order to define a suitable space for the insertion of at least one finger of the user, which is capable of achieving a sufficiently firm fit with said user. at least one finger As illustrated in the preferred embodiment of Figure 6, the operating aid does not extend in the longitudinal direction over a major portion of the length of the disposable absorbent article; preferably, it extends over less than 10% of said length, a narrow strip with a width being more preferably extending in said longitudinal direction of approximately 1 cm. The absorbent article of the present invention may further comprise an odor control material for controlling unpleasant odors associated with absorbed body fluids. Any known odor control agent or any combination thereof that may be included in a disposable absorbent article, including other materials such as binders and / or substrates, may be comprised in the absorbent article of the present invention as the control material of the present invention. odor. The odor control material can be incorporated into the absorbent article by methods known in the art, for example, stratified or removed from the absorbent core or mixed with the absorbent core. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent article comprising means for holding and applying the article directly to the wearer's body may have two fins (not shown) each of which is adjacent to and laterally extending from the lateral edge of the article. absorbent core. The flaps are configured to cover the edges of the wearer's panties in the crotch region, so that the flaps are disposed between the edges of the wearer's panties and the wearer's thighs. The fins serve to prevent the body and the user's panties from becoming soiled by menstrual fluid, preferably by forming a double wall barrier on the edges of the panty. The flaps can also be provided with fixing means on its surface that looks at the garment in such a way that the flaps can fold back under the panty and be fixed to the side that looks at the garment of the panty. The fins can be constructed of various materials including materials used for the topsheet 22, backsheet 23, combinations thereof, and can be a sheet with fabric in the center. In addition, the fins can be an element fixed to the main body of the three-dimensional absorbent article or can comprise extensions of the upper sheet 22 and / or back sheet 23. However, it is recommended that the fins have a liquid-impermeable back sheet to prevent bodily fluids that reach the fins dirty the edges of the user's panties. Preferred fins that are suitable or can be adapted to the three-dimensional absorbent article of the present invention are described in the U.S. Patent. No. 4,687,478, issued to Van Tilburg on August 18, 1987; Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,589,876, issued to Van Tilburg on May 20, 1986; and Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,608,047, issued to Mattingly on August 26, 1986. Optionally, but preferably on the aforementioned fins, the three-dimensional absorbent article may comprise components that naturally wrap around the sides of a wearer's pantie. Sanitary napkins having components that naturally surround the sides of a wearer's panties suitable for use with the three-dimensional absorbent article of the present invention are described in the co-pending U.S. Patent application. Serial Number 08/096, 121 entitled "Absorbent Article having Panty Covering Components that Naturally Wrap the Sides of Panties", filed on July 22, 1993, in the name of Lavash et al., And patent application of E.U.A. Serial Number 08 / 277,733 entitled "Absorbent Articles Having Undercover Covering Components with Zones of Extensibility", filed July 20, 1994, in the name of Weinberger and others.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the absorbent article may also comprise additional elements, such as an acquisition layer or a secondary topsheet positioned between the topsheet 22 and the absorbent core 24 or, alternatively, at any other suitable position. Although the disposable absorbent article of the present invention has been described with reference to a sanitary napkin, it can be beneficially used in the context of other disposable absorbent articles such as panty-hose and incontinence articles. The absorbent article disposable in this way can have all those characteristics and parts that are typical for products in the context of their intended use.

Claims (7)

1. RECIPE N DI CAC I O N ES 1 . Use of a means for holding a disposable absorbent article and for applying said disposable absorbent article directly to the wearer's body, said disposable absorbent article having a body-facing surface and a surface that gives the garment a longitudinal symmetry plane , and comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet attached to the topsheet, and an intermediate absorbent element to the topsheet and the backsheet, said means being located on the surface that gives the garment and being transversally oriented for the insertion of at least one finger of a user to hold and apply the absorbent article, said use comprising the steps of: a) inserting at least one finger into the means for applying the article; b) manipulate the article with the means towards a position directly on body.
2. 2. The use according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises the step of forming said article in a three-dimensional form while applying the article to the body.
3. The use according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein said means comprises at least one piece of elongate material joined at two separate ends apart to said garment facing surface and further comprising an intermediate part not attached to the surface that looks at the garment.
4. 4. The use according to any preceding claim, wherein said means comprises a strip of elongated material.
5. The use according to claim 3, wherein said separate spaced ends are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal symmetry plane.
6. 6. The use according to claim 2, wherein the article is substantially flat before handling the article with said means. The use according to claim 2, wherein said article is provided with fold lines to assist in the formation of said article in said three-dimensional form.