WO2026002361A1

WO2026002361A1 - Cover for absorbent article with additional fasteners

Info

Publication number: WO2026002361A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/067598
Authority: WO
Inventors: Annika HERMENIUS; Lina AUGUSTSSON
Original assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health AB
Current assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health AB
Priority date: 2024-06-24
Filing date: 2024-06-24
Publication date: 2026-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-24

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a reusable outer cover (100) for an adult diaper assembly (1) adapted to detachably receive an absorbent insert (200), the outer cover (100) comprising a chassis (150) having a front portion (Sf) to be directed towards a front of a wearer, a back portion (Sb) to be directed towards a back of a wearer, and a crotch portion (Sc) extending between the front portion (Sf) and the back portion (Sb). The front portion comprises a front waist portion and the back portion comprises a back waist portion each having a left and right engaging array or a left and right receiving patch, whereby the outer cover with an absorbent insert can be positioned around a waist of a user and the left and right engaging arrays can be connected onto the left and right receiving patches respectively, to secure the outer cover around the waist. The engaging arrays each comprise an inner engaging patch attached to an inward facing surface of the outer cover and an outer engaging patch attached at an outward facing surface of the outer cover and extending transversally beyond the outer cover.

Description

COVER FOR ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH ADDITIONAL FASTENERS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a reusable outer cover as part of an absorbent product, in particular an outer cover that can receive an absorbent insert and retain it around the waist of an adult user. The invention relates in particular to fastening arrangements for such covers.

BACKGROUND

Absorbent articles, in the forms of diapers and incontinence pads, are generally used for babies and incontinent adults for the absorption of bodily exudates, such as blood, urine, and faeces. Amongst these are products that are classified as heavy incontinence articles for adults. These articles have a relatively high absorption capacity and are often used by physically and/or mentally impaired persons. Generally, these heavy incontinence products will be handled by a caregiver to put on and remove from the wearer’s body and may be bought by care homes, hospitals and/or care giving relatives.

Such products are generally expected to be leakproof, easy to use and change, comfortable to wear and should not negatively affect the wearer’s skin health or detract from the wearer’s dignity during changing and wearing.

To meet these requirements, currently used incontinence products are still mostly disposable products, with single-use products being the standard for heavy incontinence. Disposable products are easy to use, since they require very limited handling after use. Both the production and disposal of these products, however, result in considerable material waste. After use, the products either end up as land fill, or, in particular for adults who are on one or more heavy medications, the absorbent articles may be incinerated. There is now an increasing need for more sustainable alternatives. Reusable diapers have been available for some time for babies and infants as shown e.g. in W02008/030984. These generally include an absorbent insert contained within a outer cover wherein one or both of the outer cover and the absorbent insert is/are reusable. Acceptance of such products has however been limited due to the additional complexities of their use compared to the convenience of disposable equivalents. For adult use, products have been proposed that attempt to upscale known reusable infant products. In the following, these will be referred to generally as adult diaper assemblies.

For this type of product, it is of importance to ensure correct positioning of the diaper assembly, such that security against leakage and the desired comfort is maintained. Diaper assemblies are often worn be persons that are mentally disabled, either due to age related diseases or otherwise. Such persons may have a tendency to try to remove diapers either purposefully or subconsciously. Fastening arrangements for diaper assemblies should, on the one hand be easy to use for a care-giver but should not allow unintended opening or encourage fiddling, picking and pulling by distracted wearers. Moreover, it is of importance to ensure that the absorbent article comprising the outer cover and the absorbent insert fulfil the wearer’s needs in terms of comfort, fit, and dignity. Infant reusable diaper assemblies often use liquid impermeable outer covers. For adults, especially those who are sound of mind, there may be stigmas attached to the use of such waterproof covers and it is generally preferable to have a diaper assembly that more closely resembles conventional underwear.

Thus, it is an aim to provide a reusable outer cover for an adult diaper assembly, that can be used for wearers with different abilities and disabilities and which overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of existing assemblies.

SUMMARY

Definitions:

With “wearer” is meant a person which may be wearing an absorbent article as described herein.

With “user” is meant a person handling the absorbent article as described herein, i.e. preparing an absorbent article for use and/or applying the absorbent article to the wearer. The user may be a wearer or a caregiver to the wearer.

With “liquid permeable” is meant herein a material being liquid permeable as understood in the sense of the art of absorbent articles. As such, the material is not intended to hinder fluids from leaking through the material to any significant degree. Known liquid permeable materials are for example such as being used as topsheet materials in conventional disposable absorbent products. In another example, conventional textile materials such as woven or knitted materials are generally liquid permeable. A liquid permeable material may for example be a textile material being free from any liquid resistant coatings or treatments. A liquid permeable material may for example be a textile material which does not absorb fluid to any significant degree.

With “breathable” is meant herein a material allowing water vapor to escape through the material.

For example, materials which are breathable while still being liquid-impermeable are commonly used in absorbent articles as backsheet materials. Such backsheet materials may be breathable while still preventing liquids from passing through the backsheet material. Such breathable, liquid impermeable materials may for example be porous polymeric films, and laminates from porous polymeric films and nonwovens.

Textile materials which form apertures, such as knitted or woven textile materials, are generally breathable.

The breathability of a material is normally measured by the water vapor transmission rate. For example, a breathable material suitable for absorbent articles may have a water vapor transmission rate of at least 1000 g/m²/24 h, when measured according to the Inda and EDANA standard test method NWSP 070.5. R1 (22) at 37.7°C With “total absorption capacity” is meant herein the total absorption capacity, as measured according to the Rothwell method, ISO 11948.

With “use cycle” of an absorbent article is meant herein a series of subsequent steps comprising the application of the absorbent article to a wearer, the wearer wearing the article for a limited period of time (for example during one or a few urinary discharges), and the removal of the absorbent article from the wearer.

With “reusable” is meant herein an item which intended to be used for more than one use cycle. Thus, a reusable item is an item which may be used throughout a repeated number of use cycles. If required, the reusable item may be cleaned, for example washed, or otherwise restored between use cycles.

For example, a reusable item may be designed to be used for at least 50 use cycles, such as at least 100 use cycles, or at least 500 use cycles.

With “single-use” is meant herein an item which is intended to be used for only one use cycle, and then discarded. Thus, an item being configured for single-use is typically disposed after being used by a wearer for a limited period of time (for example during one or a few urinary discharges).

By “washable” it is meant that a washable item may be cleaned by laundering. The item may thus be subjected to an aqueous solution containing detergent without losing its structural features. This aqueous solution may be heated as part of the laundering process, e.g. to 40°C or 60°C.

A washable item, such as an outer cover, should be able to be washed at least a predetermined number of times, without significantly deteriorated features. In particular, a washable outer cover should be able to be washed a predetermined number of times without significant impairment of the fastening members, such as any insert fastener members or of fastening members for fastening the outer cover around the waist of the wearer. Also, the washable outer cover should preferably be able to be washed a predetermined number of times without significant impairment of the elasticity of the leg elastics and/or other materials, such as fabrics, of the outer cover. Finally, the washable outer cover should preferably be able to be washed a predetermined number of times without significant impairment of the colour of the outer cover.

For example, it is preferred herein that a washable item, such as the washable outer cover is able to sustain at least 20 washes in 60°C, and yet more preferred that the washable outer cover is able to sustain at least 50 washes in 60°C.

Also, it is preferred that the washable item, such as the washable outer cover is “machine washable”, i.e. that the washes mentioned in the above may take place in a washing machine.

After wash, the washable item, such as the washable outer cover may be dried e.g. by line drying. Optionally, the washable item, such as the washable outer cover may be adapted for tumble drying. In this case, the washable item should be adapted to sustain tumble drying without significant impairments, similar to the requirements in the above for an item to sustain washing. With “stretchable” is meant herein a material which may be stretched from an original measure and is able to recover to essentially the same measure, when subject to forces during normal use of the article.

With “surface fastening material” is meant herein a material which may be substantially uniformly distributed over the surface of an area, so as provide for substantially uniform fastening by the surface fastening material over the area. Thus, any portion of the area being provided with the surface fastening material will be ready for attachment via the surface fastening material.

In some examples, a surface fastening material may provide for continuous fastening over the surface of the area comprising the surface fastening material. Such a surface fastening material may for example be an adhesive, which may be applied over the area.

In some examples, a surface fastening material may provide for fastening in a plurality of discrete fastening elements, the density of the fastening elements being such that substantially uniform fastening is provided over the area comprising the surface fastening material. For example, a density of such discrete fastening elements may be at least 10 discrete fastening elements per cm2, or more preferred at least 50 discrete fastening elements per cm2.

For example, the plurality of discrete fastening elements may provide for mechanical and/or frictional fastening over the area comprising the surface fastening material. Examples of surface fastening materials comprising discrete fastening elements may be hook materials and/or loop materials for forming hook/hook type or hook/loop type connections.

With a “fastener area comprising a surface fastening material” is meant a surface area over which a surface fastening material is distributed, so as to provide for substantially uniform fastening over the fastener area.

With “detachable” fastening is meant herein that the fastener areas may be used to attach and detach to a surface of another area, such as to attach and detach to a corresponding fastener area, multiple times without substantial impairment of their function. For a fastener area on a disposable product, it may be sufficient that the fastener area provides for a few cycles of attachment/detachment, such as at least 5 cycles or at least 2 cycles. For a fastener area on a reusable product, more cycles of attachment/detachment may be required. For example, for any reusable fastener area, the fastener area may provide for at least 50 cycles of attachment/detachment, such as at least 150 times or at least 300 times.

With “complementary” surface fastening materials is meant herein that two respective surface fastening materials are matching, allowing a detachable fastening, i.e. a detachable bond to be formed therebetween. For example, mechanical and/or frictional detachable attachment may be provided between complementary surface fastening materials. An example of complementary surface fastening materials is a first surface fastening material comprising hooks, e.g. being a hook material and a second surface fastening material comprising loops, e.g. being a loop material. “Knitting” is a method of constructing a fabric by interlocking a series of loops of one or more yarns. There are two major classes of knitting namely warp and weft knitting.

“Weaving” is a method or process of interlacing two yarns of similar materials so that they cross each other at right angles to produce woven fabric. The warp yarns run lengthwise in the fabric and the filling threads or picks, run from side to side.

Jacquard is a system of weaving or knitting that utilizes a versatile pattern mechanism to produce intricate designs by using punch cards controlling the patterns produced. Jacquard knit may be valid for circular, flatbed, warp or weft knit.

In the context of the present disclosure, a “nonwoven” is a manufactured sheet, web or batt of directionally or randomly orientated fibers, bonded by friction, and/or cohesion and/or adhesion, excluding paper and products which are woven, knitted, tufted, stitch-bonded incorporating binding yarns or filaments, or felted by wet-milling, whether or not additionally needled. The fibers may be of natural or man-made origin and may be staple or continuous filaments or be formed in situ. Commercially available fibers have diameters ranging from less than about 0.001 mm to more than about 0.2 mm and they come in several different forms: short fibers, continuous single fibers, untwisted bundles of continuous filaments, and twisted bundles of continuous filaments. Nonwoven fabrics can be formed by many processes such as meltblowing, spunbonding, solvent spinning, electrospinning, and carding.

The term "nonwoven", mentioned in relation to the different parts of the insert, which in term of their properties are located between the groups of paper and cardboard on the one hand and textiles on the other hand. As regards nonwovens, a large number of extremely varied production processes are used, such as airlaid, wetlaid, spunlaced, spunbond, meltblown techniques etc. The fibres may be in the form of endless fibres or fibres prefabricated with an endless length, as synthetic fibres produced in situ or in the form of staple fibres. Alternatively, they may be made from natural fibres or from blends of synthetic fibres and natural fibres.

In the context of the present disclosure, a longitudinal length is, unless otherwise defined, to be understood as the longest length of a specified part or sub part along a longitudinal axis. Analogously, a transversal width is, unless otherwise defined, to be understood as the widest width of a specified part or sub part along a transversal axis.

When referring to the length of a set comprising one or more items (i.e. a length spanned by a set comprising one or more items), it is referred to the maximum longitudinal length including all of the items in the set, i.e. regardless of whether the items are transversally aligned or not.

Similarly, when referring to the width of a set comprising one or more items (i.e. a width spanned by a set comprising one or more items), it is referred to the maximum transversal width including all of the items in the set, i.e. regardless of whether the items are longitudinally aligned or not. By the term “entirely contained within” is meant herein that an item being “entirely contained within” e.g. a part or portion does not extend beyond, e.g. does not protrude from, the part or portion.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, and unless otherwise explicitly mentioned, lengths, widths and other dimensions of an absorbent hygiene product, an outer cover, or an insert are measured with the item in a flattened-out state on a flat surface with any contracting elastics being deactivated. With “deactivated” is meant that the elastics are not active to contract any parts to which it is attached. To deactivate the elastics, the elastics may for example be cut at one or more locations, or the elastics may be removed.

When the length of an active part of an elastic element along another portion is to be determined, the start and end point of the active part of the elastic element may initially be marked on the relevant portion. Then, the elastic elements may be deactivated, and the distance between the marked start and end point may be measured on the relevant portion when in a flattened-out state.

The active part of the elastic element is the part which, in use, may be active to contract any part to which it is attached. As such, using the procedure in the above, parts of an elastic element which cannot be activated, such as glued down end sections of elastic threads, are disregarded.

As used herein, the term “area” of a portion of a product corresponds to the surface area of a flat surface covered by the portion when the product is placed on the flat surface in a flattened-out state with any elastics removed or deactivated.

To determine the flat area of an item such as the outer cover, which may comprise several joined panels or sections, it may be necessary to cut the item into several flat pieces to determine the area of each piece.

Brief Description of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to an outer cover in accordance with appended claim 1 .

Accordingly, there is provided a reusable outer cover for an adult diaper assembly adapted to detachably receive an absorbent insert. The outer cover comprises a chassis and has a front portion to be directed towards a front of a wearer, a back portion to be directed towards a back of a wearer, and a crotch portion extending between the front portion and the back portion. The outer cover further has a longitudinal central axis and a transversal central axis, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis, the transversal central axis dividing the outer cover into a front half and a back half. The front portion comprises a front waist portion and the back portion comprises a back waist portion each having a left and right engaging array or a left and right receiving patch. The outer cover with an absorbent insert can thus be positioned around a waist of a wearer and the left and right engaging arrays can be connected onto the left and right receiving patches respectively, to secure the outer cover around the waist. According to the present disclosure, the engaging arrays each comprise an inner engaging patch attached to an inward facing surface of the outer cover and an outer engaging patch attached at an outward facing surface of the outer cover and extending transversally beyond the outer cover. By providing such an array of patches at the left and right sides of the cover, various advantages may be achieved as will be further described below. In particular, the inner and outer engaging patches may increase the total area of engagement with the receiving patches, while the outer engaging patches may protect the lateral edges of the outer cover from being exposed to a wearer. Furthermore, a direction of feree alignment of the inner engaging patches with the receiving patches may also be different from a direction of feree alignment of the outer engaging patches with the receiving patches. In this context, the direction of feree alignment refers to the angle or offset of the forces encountered by the respective receiving and engaging patches, when connected together in their position of use. The inner engaging patch may be aligned with the receiving patch, while the outer engaging patch may be offset from the receiving patch perpendicular to the plane of engagement of the patches. This offset will result in forces applied to the outer engaging patch being at an angle to the receiving patch.

The inner engaging patches extend transversally to a lesser extent than the outer engaging patches. In this manner, the outer engaging patches will wrap further around the waist of a wearer than the inner engaging patches. In this sense, it will be understood that the outer engaging patches are located both on an outward facing surface and transversally outwards of the inner engaging patches. In an embodiment, the inner engaging patches will be fully located on the inward facing surface of the outer cover i.e. they will not extend transversally beyond the boundary of the outer cover. The outer engaging patches may extend outwards beyond the inner engaging patches and beyond the outer cover by an exposed width Wex. The exposed width may be at least 1 cm or at least 1 .5 cm or more than 2 cm but not more than 4 cm. This exposed width represents the width of material of the outer engaging patch that is available for connection to the respective receiving patch.

In certain embodiments, the outer engaging patches and the inner engaging patches may have an overlapping region i.e. a region in which the outer engaging patches overlie the inner engaging patches. It will be understood that in such a region, the overall thickness of the engaging array will be greater due to the combined thickness of the patches. The outer engaging patches may fully overlap the inner engaging patches i.e. the inner engaging patches may be smaller than the outer engaging patches and completely covered by them, at least in the transversal direction. Alternatively, the inner engaging patches may extend laterally inwards further than the outer engaging patches.

If the outer engaging patches overlap with the inner engaging patches, the patches may be attached to the outer cover in this overlapping region. This may be convenient in terms of the manufacturing process, since the same attachment technique may be applied to both the outer engaging patches and the inner engaging patches, which may also be mutually joined together with the material of the outer cover sandwiched therebetween. In the longitudinal direction of the outer cover, the outer engaging patches may extend to an equal or to a greater extent than the inner engaging patches, at least at the transversally outermost or distal end of the inner engaging patch. It will be understood that for ease of manufacture, the patches may be generally rectangular, in particular of constant dimension in the longitudinal direction. Nevertheless, it is not excluded that they may be tapered, curved or otherwise have varying dimensions. It is nevertheless desirable that the outer engaging patch should fully cover the inner engaging patch to prevent the fingers of a wearer lifting the inner engaging patch without first having removed the outer engaging patch. In this manner it may be assured that the inner engaging patches are inaccessible beneath the outer engaging patches, when the outer cover is secured around the waist of a wearer. It is also not excluded that more than one outer engaging patch is provided on the left and right sides. There could for instance be two or more outer engaging patches of which one being closer to the waist and the other being closer to the leg opening.

The sizes of the engaging patches may depend on the intended use of the article and the relative strengths of the connection between engaging patches and receiving patches. In embodiments, each of the engaging patches may have an engaging area of between 3 cm2 and 30 cm2, preferably between 10 cm2 and 25 cm2, in particular between 15 cm2 and 20 cm2. In this context, the engaging area of the outer engaging patches is the area that extends beyond the outer cover that is available for connection to the receiving patches. In general, the outer engaging patches and the inner engaging patches may have approximately the same engaging area. Nevertheless, it will be understood that the outer engaging patches may have a greater engaging area than the inner engaging patches or vice versa.

In general, the receiving patches will be relatively larger than the engaging patches. Depending on the girth of a wearer, an engaging array can be placed at different positions on the respective receiving patch. It may be desirable to adapt the placement both in the transverse direction and in the longitudinal direction. In embodiments, a transverse width of each of the receiving patches is greater than a transverse width of each of the engaging arrays, preferably more than two times greater or more than three times greater. This provides for the circumference of the outer cover when closed around the waist of the wearer to be adjusted to fit the individual wearer.

Although reference has been given above to left and right receiving patches, it is not intended to exclude that these patches may meet e.g. at the longitudinal axis and may even be embodied as a single integral receiving patch, subject to it being able to receive the left and right engaging arrays. In particular, because the outer engaging patch extends transversally beyond the inner engaging patch, the receiving patches should also extend inwards towards the longitudinal axis a sufficient distance. It will also be understood that in normal use and when correctly positioned, the engaging patches should not engage the receiving patch beyond the longitudinal axis or otherwise cross-over each other. In embodiments, the inner engaging patches and the outer engaging patches both have surface fastening material on their inward facing surfaces. For the inner engaging patch, it will be understood that this is the surface that it directed away from the inward facing surface of the outer cover. For the outer engaging patch, this is the surface that is attached at the outward facing surface of the outer cover. In embodiments, the portion of the outer engaging patch that is attached at the outward facing surface of the outer cover may be devoid of surface fastening material and the surface fastening material may only be present in the part that extends transversally beyond the outer cover. Alternatively, the outer engaging patch may be provided over its full surface with surface fastening material, which may be partially covered by the outer cover in the regions where these are attached together.

In embodiments, the inner engaging patches and the outer engaging patches both have a surface fastening material that engages with a complementary surface fastening material of the receiving patches. It is not excluded that the inner and outer engaging patches have different fastening mechanisms and even different receiving regions on the receiving patches. Nevertheless, it is preferable that the inner engaging patches and the outer engaging patches both have a surface fastening material that is complementary to the receiving patch such that they can connect at any position. The inner and outer engaging patches may have identical surface fastening material. In certain embodiments, the receiving patches comprise loop material and the engaging patches all comprise hook material although the skilled person will be well aware of other alternative complementary surface fastening materials that could be used. In general, the inner and outer engaging patches will not be complementary to one another as it is not the intention that they should engage to one another. It is not however excluded that some hook like materials may be able to connect to itself. In an embodiment, the inner and outer engaging patches comprise materials that do not mutually connect to one another.

In conventional embodiments the engaging arrays will be provided on the back waist portion and the receiving patches will be provided on the front waist portion. It is however not excluded that the reverse may be possible e.g. where it is preferred that wearers cannot easily reach the engaging patches or where a care-giver wishes to close the diaper assembly at the rear. In the conventional embodiment a width of the front waist portion may correspond to a width of the chassis i.e. at its widest point.

From a constructional perspective, it may be desired that the chassis is shaped to provide a good fit and comfort to the wearer. The chassis may have , a slight tapering or narrowing in the crotch portion. In order to provide adequate width in the transverse direction to envelop the waist of a wearer, the outer cover may comprise left and right side portions extending transversally on either side of the chassis. The engaging arrays may be carried on the respective distal ends of the left and right side portions, which in conventional embodiments would connect to the chassis at the back waist portion. The left and right side portions may each have a transverse dimension that is at least 20% or at least 30% or at least 40% of the width of the chassis. In embodiments, the left and right side portions may extend from a proximal edge attached to the chassis to a distal edge. The engaging arrays may be carried at or adjacent to the distal edge. The left and right side portions may be trapezoidal, with the proximal edge being longer than the distal edge. They may each also have a transversally extending waist edge and an angled leg edge. In this context, the term trapezoidal is intended to include the case that the leg edge is slightly curved in shape.

The distal edge may have a longitudinal extent that corresponds to that of the engaging array, in particular to the outer engaging patches. In this way, the distal edge is fully covered and protected from the fingers of a wearer. Nevertheless, in certain embodiments a finger-lift edge may be desired to facilitate opening by a user e.g. a care-giver. To this end the distal edge may be marginally longer than the longitudinal extent of the outer engaging patches such that a finger-lift edge is formed between the outer engaging patch and the distal short edge. Preferably, the finger-lift edge is provided beneath the side portion adjacent to the leg edge. The finger-lift edge may extend at least 3mm, or at least 5 mm and optionally less than 20 mm in the longitudinal direction. For example it may extend from 3 mm to 20 mm in the longitudinal direction, optionally from 5 mm to 20 mm or from 5 mm to 15 mm.

In an embodiment, the left and right side portions comprise folded panels, with the fold extending transversally along the waist edge. The inner engaging patches and the outer engaging patches may then all be attached at an outside of the folded panel. This has been found a convenient manner of manufacturing the side panels and joining the engaging patches. As will be discussed below, the engaging patches may be connected to the side panel prior to folding or after folding.

In preferred embodiments, the receiving patches will be provided on an outward facing side of the chassis. The engaging patches may then all face inwards. An inward facing side of the outer cover may further be provided with fasteners for detachably receiving an absorbent insert. Additionally or alternatively, a pocket may be formed at an inward facing side of the chassis for at least partially receiving the absorbent insert.

In order to further ensure good fitting and security against leakage, the chassis portion may comprise a first elastic edge element and a second elastic edge element extending along the crotch portion. The elastic edge elements will engage at least partially around the legs of a wearer.

The outer cover according to the present disclosure preferably comprises textile material. This has been found particularly important in providing a diaper assembly that is well received by users as it more closely resembles underwear. The cover is also preferably suitable for being machine washable. Most preferably the washable outer cover is able to sustain at least 20 washes at 60°C, and yet more preferred that the washable outer cover is able to sustain at least 50 washes at 60°C.

A primary purpose of the outer cover is to secure the insert in position on the wearer. It is the purpose of the insert to absorb urine and retain other body exudates. To this end, the absorbent insert may be provided to be liquid-impermeable. As such, the outer cover need not itself be impermeable and may be partially or mainly liquid permeable.

In this context, the outer cover being mainly liquid permeable is intended to mean that the outer cover is substantially permeable to liquids, such as urine. At least 50% of a total area of the outer cover may be liquid permeable. For example, at least 70%, or at least 90%, of a total area of the outer cover may be liquid permeable.

That the outer cover may be mainly liquid permeable implies that suitable materials for the outer cover may be selected among liquid permeable materials. Thus, the outer cover may be made from liquid permeable materials, such as textile fabrics. The diaper assembly may thus have a more underwear-like look and feeling.

The outer cover may also be mainly breathable. This may be beneficial for the skin health of the wearer. As such, at least 50% of a total area of the outer cover may be breathable. For example, at least 70% or at least 90 % of a total area of the outer cover may be breathable.

Preferably, the outer cover may be both mainly liquid permeable and mainly breathable. As such, the outer cover may be made from liquid permeable and breathable materials.

The outer cover may comprise one or more fabric panels forming the front portion, the back portion and the crotch portion of the chassis and also the left and right side portions. The one or more fabric panels may be selected from materials being liquid permeable, breathable, and/or washable and may be the same or different to each other. The one or more fabric panels may comprise a knitted or woven textile fabric. A knitted textile fabric may provide elasticity to the outer cover. Suitable materials include weft knit textile fabric material, for example a weft knit single jersey.

In embodiments, the outer cover may comprise a textile fabric, having a basis weight in the range between 150 and 300 gsm, such as between 200 and 250 gsm. For example, the one or more fabric panels may comprise a textile fabric having a basis weight in the range between 150 and 300 gsm, such as between 200 and 250 gsm. Such a fabric could be a knitted textile fabric, such as a weft knit textile fabric, e.g. a weft knit single jersey as set out in the above.

The outer cover may comprise a material that is elastic in at least one direction, preferably in two directions. For example, the one or more fabric panels may comprise a material that is elastic in at least one direction, preferably in two directions. Such properties could again be achieved e.g. by a knitted fabric as set out in the above.

In terms of materials, the outer cover may comprise any suitable textile fabric that is of a suitable price and meets the requirements for washability and durability. One family of preferred materials are polyesters. As such, the textile material of the chassis may comprise polyester. For example, a majority of the area of the outer cover may comprise polyester, such as at least 60% of the area, or at least 80 % or at least 90 % or the area. Other materials may also be used e.g. combined with polyester. The one or more fabric panels may comprise a mixture of polyester and elastane. For example, the one or more fabric panels may comprise no less than 70% polyester, such as no less than 80 % polyester. For example, one or more fabric panels may comprise 70 to 90 % polyester, and 30 to 10 % elastane. For example, the one or more fabric panels may comprise 80 % polyester and 20 % elastane.

Polyester materials have been found to have advantageous properties throughout use and washing cycles, for example in relation to shrinking, and to retaining its shape and stretch.

Additionally, the outer cover may comprise a textile fabric comprising recycled material. As such, one or more of the fabric panel or panels of the garment portion may comprise a textile fabric comprising recycled material. For example, a majority of the area of the outer cover may comprise a textile fabric comprising recycled material, such as at least 60% of the area, or at least 80 % or at least 90 % or the area. The amount of recycled material in the textile fabric may be at least 20%, such as at least 50%, or at least 70%.

As mentioned, the outer cover may comprise a plurality of parts being joined together. Use of more than one part may, as will be described in the below, provide for several options for adapting and determining the shape of the outer cover and/or other properties, such as elasticity, of the outer cover. The different parts may be joined by conventional techniques. For example, the different parts may be joined by adhesive such as adhesive tape, stiches, seams or welds. Preferably, the different parts are permanently joined, i.e. intended to be joined throughout the life cycle of the outer cover.

Optionally, different parts of the outer cover may be made from different fabrics. As such, different properties of different fabrics may be used to impart different functions and/or aesthetics to the outer cover. Alternatively, different parts of the outer cover may be made from the same fabric. As such, the different parts will have similar properties, i.e. liquid permeability and/or breathability, and similar behaviour when subject to use, such as washing and wearing. This may be advantageous for the durability of the reusable outer cover. Moreover, using the same fabric material for the different portions may provide for efficient use of fabric material during manufacture, reducing fabric material waste.

As mentioned in the above, the absorbency of the diaper assembly is primarily to be provided by the absorbent insert alone. The crotch portion of the outer cover may be essentially nonabsorbing, implying that the crotch portion is not intended to absorb any bodily discharges to any significant degree. In general, the entire outer cover may be essentially non-absorbing i.e. consisting of materials that are essentially non-absorbing.

The present disclosure also relates to an absorbent assembly comprising an outer cover as herein described in combination with an absorbent insert detachably attached to the outer cover. The absorbent insert may comprise a backsheet that is liquid-impermeable and is preferably disposable. In the following, an exemplary embodiment of the outer cover of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are schematic and that the items depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Variants of an outer cover, an insert, and an absorbent article will be described by way of example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figs 1a - 1d shows an adult diaper assembly comprising an outer cover and an absorbent insert and its use cycle;

Fig. 2 shows the outer cover of the present invention, in a flat laid-out state seen from an outside of the outer cover;

Fig. 3 shows the outer cover of Fig. 2 in a position of use;

Fig. 3A shows a detail of the outer cover of Fig. 3 illustrating the left engaging array;

Fig. 3B shows a partial view onto the left engaging array and left receiving patch of Fig. 3 in the connected state;

Figure 3C shows a manufacturing detail of the left engaging array and left side portion;

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of an absorbent insert for detachable insertion into the outer cover of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 shows a diaper assembly comprising the outer cover of Fig. 2 and the absorbent insert of Fig. 4 detachably attached together.

In the drawings, the same reference numbers generally denote the same features.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

Figs. 1A, 1 B, 1C and 1 D depict an adult diaper assembly 1 according to the present disclosure and its use cycle, respectively showing a package 300 containing at least an insert 200, the attachment of an insert 200 into an outer cover 100, the assembly 1 being worn by a wearer and the removal and disposal of an insert 200 and cleaning of the outer cover 100.

The package in Fig. 1A may be available containing a predetermined number of inserts 200 and/or one or more outer covers 100. In Fig. 1 B is shown that an insert 200 is detachably attached inside an outer cover 100. Next, the absorbent article is placed on a wearer, as depicted in Fig. 1C, whereby a left engaging patch 116 is connected onto a left receiving patch 118 at the outward facing surface of the outer cover 100.

After use, the entire diaper assembly 1 is removed from the wearer by detaching the engaging patch 116 from the receiving patch 118 . Thereafter, the insert 200 may be separated from the outer cover 100 as depicted in Fig. 1 D. The insert 200 may be thrown away after use and the outer cover 100 is washed.

In a following use-cycle, the same outer cover 100 is used with a new, clean insert 200. It will be understood that the described use-cycle may be varied and that in cases where the insert is reusable, the insert may also be washed prior to being re-used in the following use-cycle, rather than discarded. It may also be preferred that the outer cover is only cleaned when deemed necessary, i.e. when, after one or more use cycles, the outer cover is deemed to be soiled so as to require cleaning

Fig. 2 shows the outer cover 100 of Figs 1a-1d in a flat laid-out state showing an outward facing side of the outer cover 100. The outer cover 100 extends along a central longitudinal axis Y and further has a central transversal axis X, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y.

The outer cover 100 has a chassis 150 with a front portion Sf to be directed towards a front of a wearer when the outer cover 100 is in use, a back portion Sb to be directed towards a back of a wearer, and a crotch portion Sc extending between the front portion St and the back portion Sb. The chassis 150 is a knitted polyester material of 200 gsm weight and comprises a front waist portion 101 , a back waist portion102, a first side edge 103 and a second side edge 104.

The outer cover 100 comprises a right side portion 110 and a left side portion 111 attached on either side of the back portion Sb of the chassis 150 and extending transversally on each side of the chassis 150. The left and right side portions 110, 111 are also formed of the same polyester textile as the chassis 150. The right side portion 110 is connected to the chassis 150 at a first longitudinal joint 181 and carries a right outer engaging patch 115a at its right distal short edge 184. The left side portion 111 is connected to the chassis 150 at a second longitudinal joint 182 and carries a left outer engaging patch 116a at its left distal short edge 183. The right side portion 110 also has a transversally extending right waist edge 171 and an angled right leg edge 161 . The left side portion 111 also has a transversally extending left waist edge 172 and an angled left leg edge 162.

The front portion Sf of the chassis 150, has a right receiving patch 117 and a left receiving patch 118 located at the front waist portion 101 . The receiving patches 117, 118 in the illustrated embodiment comprise loop type engaging material of knitted polyamide material, available under the Velcro® brand, with the knit direction oriented transversally. The receiving patches 117, 118 are connected to the chassis 150 by stitching using a polyester thread.

In the crotch portion Sc the first side edge 103 is provided with a first elastic edge element 151 that aligns with the right leg edge 161 and the second side edge 104 is provided with a second elastic edge element 152 that aligns with the left leg edge 162. Figure 3 shows the outer cover 100 in the position at which it may be fastened around the waist of a wearer, viewing the front portion Sf from an outward facing side and showing an inward facing side of the back portion Sb. An insert 200 is omitted for the sake of clarity.

In this view, the right side portion 110 extends transversally towards the left and the left side portion 111 is to the right of the chassis 150, since the cover is seen from the opposite side to that of Figure 2. A pocket 140 is shown extending across the chassis 150, into which part of the insert 200 can be received. A left back insert fastener 141 and a right back insert fastener 142 are provided on an inside surface of the pocket 140 for attachment to a complementary fastener on a topsheet side of the insert 200.

In this view, the right and left side portions 110, 111 can be seen to carry right and left engaging arrays 115, 116 respectively. The right engaging array 115 comprises the right outer engaging patch 115a, previously seen from the outward facing side in Figure 2 and a right inner engaging patch 115b attached onto the inward facing surface of the right side portion 110. Similarly, the left engaging array 116 comprises the left outer engaging patch 116a, previously seen from the outward facing side in Figure 2 and a left inner engaging patch 116b attached onto the inward facing surface of the left side portion 111 . All of the patches 115a,b, 116a,b of the left and right engaging arrays 115, 116 comprise hook material available under the Velcro® brand, comprising polyamide low profile hooks, laminated with a polyester scrim. They have a weight of around 300 g/m2 and a thickness of 0.75mm and are compatible with the loop material of the receiving patches 117, 118.

Figure 3A shows in enlarged view, part of the left side portion 111 of Figure 3, illustrating the left engaging array 116 in greater detail. The left engaging array 116 has an overall engaging width in the transverse direction War. The left outer engaging patch 116a has a length in the longitudinal direction Lop. The left inner engaging patch 116b has a width in the transverse direction Wip and a length in the longitudinal direction Lip.

In the illustrated embodiment, the left inner engaging patch 116b has a width that is half of the width of the left engaging array 116 and War = 2Wip. Furthermore, the left outer engaging patch 116a and the left inner engaging patch 116b both are equal in in length and Lop=Lip. At this point, the left distal short edge 183 has a length Lse which is slightly greater than the length Lop of the outer engaging patch 116a. This leads to a finger lift edge 190 beneath the outer engaging patch 116a adjacent to the leg edge 162, where a user may insert a finger to assist in raising and releasing the hook and loop attachment.

The finger lift edge 190 has a length Lfl, that may be equivalent to the difference between Lse and Lop if the outer engaging patch 116a extends to the left waist edge 172.

Figure 3B shows a partial view onto the left engaging array 116 and left receiving patch 118 in the connected state. From inside to outside can be seen the chassis 150, the left receiving patch 118, the left inner engaging patch 116b, the left side portion 111 and the left outer engaging patch 116a. In this view, it may be appreciated that the outer engaging patch 116a extends transversally outwards beyond the left side portion 111 and deflects inwards at an angle towards the left receiving patch 118. The inward deflection d of the outer engaging patch 116a depends on the combined thicknesses of the hook material of the patches and the thickness of the left side portion 111. This inward deflection d creates a different alignment of the forces between the outer engaging patch 116a and the left receiving patch 118 to that between the inner engaging patch 116b and the left receiving patch 118. Without wishing to be bound by theory, this variation in the direction of force alignment is believed to provide additional stability to the connection.

Figure 3C shows a manufacturing detail of the left engaging array 116 and left side portion 111 . In an initial state, the left side portion 111 comprises a panel 192 having a first face 193. The left inner engaging patch 116b and the left outer engaging patch 116a are both attached by stitched seams to the first face 193 of the panel 192 on either side of a folding line 194. The panel 192 is subsequently folded about the folding line 194, with the first face 193 outwards. The folding line 194 thus becomes the left waist edge 172 and the left outer engaging patch 116a overlies the left inner engaging patch 116b to form the left engaging array 116. The skilled person will recognise that other methods of attachment including adhesive and welded seams may be employed. Furthermore, that the patches 116a,b can be attached after folding of the left side portion 111 e.g. by stitching through all layers.

Absorbent Insert

In use, an absorbent insert is to be detachably attached to the outer cover for forming an absorbent article. The outer cover as described herein may be adapted to be used with different absorbent insert providing for example different absorption capacities so as to adapt to the wearer’s needs, and/or optionally intended for different usage such for use under daytime or night time.

The absorbent insert may in some variants be reusable, such that the insert may be cleaned or otherwise restored after having been used to absorb bodily liquids.

The absorbent insert may in some variants be disposable, such that the insert is thrown away after having been used to absorb bodily liquids. When the absorbent insert is disposable, it may in some variants be e.g. composable or partly or fully recyclable.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of an absorbent insert being detachably attachable to the outer cover of Figure 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates a variant of an insert 200, the insert being in a flat laid-out state and as seen from an inside direction of the insert It will occur to the skilled person that, since the outer cover 100 is reusable, it may be teamed with various different inserts, that may have features that look or are different from the ones depicted in Fig. 4. Some non-limiting, possible variations are already indicated in this description. According to examples, and as in the insert of Fig. 4, the insert 200 has a liquid-permeable topsheet 205, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 206, an absorbent assembly 230. The insert 200 may, as the depicted variant, comprise inner side leakage barriers 220, 221 . The insert 200 may, as the depicted variant, comprise insert leg elastic members 210, 211. The insert 200 comprises a front set of cover fastener areas 221 , 222 arranged in the front portion iSf of the insert, and a back set of cover fastener areas 241 , 242 arranged in the back portion iSb of the insert.

General Construction of Absorbent Insert

Topsheet

As stated in the above, the insert comprises a liquid impermeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet, and an absorbent assembly provided between the topsheet and the back sheet.

Materials suitable for topsheets are commonly known in the art of disposable absorbent hygiene products, and for the purposes of the present disclosure any material commonly known for use as a topsheet material may be used, including, but not limited to non-woven materials and perforated polymeric films.

The topsheet is suitably sufficiently liquid permeable to allow discharged body fluids such as urine to penetrate through the thickness of the topsheet. Also, the topsheet is suitably manufactured from a material which is compliant and soft feeling to the skin of the wearer.

The topsheet may be manufactured from various web materials such as woven and nonwoven webs, perforated films, open cell foams, or combinations or laminates of the above-mentioned materials.

A nonwoven material suitable as a topsheet can be manufactured from synthetic fibres such as polyester or polypropylene, or natural fibres such as cotton fibres. A mix of synthetic and natural fibres may also be used.

The nonwoven materials to be used for the topsheet may for example be made of a spunbond, a spunbond/spunbond composite or a spunbond/meltblown composite, such as a SMS, SSMS, SSMMS, SMMS, nonwoven material of polypropylene or bicomponent fibers of polypropylene and polyethylene, or of a combination of such materials. The topsheet may also have elastic properties.

The topsheet may be hydrophilized in order to improve the tendency for urine to penetrate the topsheet into the underlying structures. Methods for hydrophilizing nonwovens are known and include coating the nonwoven material with a hydrophilic coating, such as by applying a surfactant coating; by applying a hydrophilic monomer composition and a radical polymerization initiator onto the nonwoven followed by initiating a polymerization reaction on the nonwoven; by applying a coating of hydrophilic nanoparticles; or by treating the nonwoven surface with a high energy treatment. A surfactant coating may be obtained for example by applying a surfactant composition to the non-woven material by any suitable means including spraying, slot coating, kiss roll coating and/or soaking the material in a bath containing the surfactant. The hydrophilization treatment may be performed in-line during assembly of the absorbent hygiene product, or may performed separately and the topsheet may then delivered as ready-to-use rolls to the absorbent hygiene product manufacturing plant.

The topsheet material may have a basis weight of from 8 to 20 g/m2, such as from 12 to 17 g/m2. However, the disclosure is not limited to topsheet materials having this basis weight only.

Backsheet

Materials suitable as backsheets are commonly known in the art of absorbent hygiene products. The backsheet may be substantially impermeable to liquids, such as urine.

The backsheet may be breathable. A breathable back sheet is beneficial for the comfort and skin health of the wearer. As the insert disclosed herein is intended for use with an outer cover as disclosed herein to form an absorbent assembly, use of a breathable backsheet may enable an absorbent assembly to be formed, which assembly exhibits satisfactory breathability.

The backsheet may be substantially liquid impermeable and breathable, implying that air and other gases may pass through the backsheet while being substantially impermeable to liquids.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, any material commonly known for use as a backsheet material may be included in the backsheet, including but not limited to polymeric films, for example films of polyethylene, polypropylene or copolymers of polyethylene or polypropylene, hydrophobized nonwoven materials, fluid impermeable foams and fluid impermeable laminates.

The backsheet may comprise one or more layers of material. For example, the backsheet may be a laminate of a liquid impermeably polymeric film towards the absorbent assembly and nonwoven towards the garment side, to provide a textile, soft feeling to the outward facing surface of the absorbent hygiene product.

It is also contemplated that the backsheet may be made or otherwise include an entirely or partially elastic material in order to give the product a better fit when in use.

However, with the present insert, it is believed to be advantageous if the backsheet comprises a nonwoven, for example that the backsheet is a laminate of a porous polymeric film and a nonwoven.

Absorbent core

The absorbent assembly can comprise one or more absorbent cores. The cores can be constructed from one or more layers of cellulose fluff pulp. The cellulose fluff pulp can be mixed with fibres or particles of a highly absorbent polymer material, so-called superabsorbent polymers, of the type that chemically binds large quantities of fluid on absorption with the formation of a fluid-holding gel. The absorbent core can also comprise highly absorbent polymer material arranged in a layer inside the absorbent core or connected to the surface or surfaces of the absorbent core. The absorbent core can further include further components for improving the properties of the absorbent core. Examples of such components are binding fibres, various types of fluid-dispersing layers or fibres, dimensionally stabilising components, reinforcing fibres or the like.

Superabsorbent polymers are well-known in the field of absorbent products and are used to help improve the absorbent properties of such products. Superabsorbent polymers are constituted by water-swellable and water-insoluble polymers that are capable of absorbing large quantities of fluid upon formation of a hydrogel, such as capable of absorbing at least 5 times their weight of an aqueous 0.9 % saline solution as measured according to the method NSWP 241 .0.R2. The superabsorbent polymer polymers for use in accordance with the present disclosure may be inorganic or organic crosslinked hydrophilic polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohols, polyethylene oxides, crosslinked starches, guar gum, xanthan gum, crosslinked polyacrylates, and the like. The polymers may be in the form of powders, granules, microparticles, films, foams and fibers, for example. Upon contact with fluids, such super absorbent polymers swell by absorbing the fluids into their structures. In general, super absorbent polymers can quickly absorb fluids insulted into such products, and can retain such fluids to prevent leakage and help provide a dry feel even after fluid insult.

The type of super absorbent polymer used in an absorbent assembly of the embodiments discussed herein may be the same or may vary within the assembly. For example, a super absorbent polymer with a first set of characteristics may be used in the front and back regions of the absorbent assembly, or in a first absorbent core, and a super absorbent polymer with a second set of characteristics may be used in the central region of the absorbent assembly, or in a second absorbent core. The characteristics referred to in this section is for example the centrifuge retention capacity, absorption under load and/or the gel layer permeability.

Thus, the absorbent assembly of the insert as proposed herein may advantageously comprise super absorbent polymers. For example, the absorbent assembly may comprise super absorbent polymers and cellulosic fibers.

For example, the absorbent assembly may comprise a super absorbent polymer concentration of at least 15 weight %, based on the total weight of cellulosic fibers and super absorbent polymer.

The absorbent assembly may comprise a first absorbent layer and a second absorbent layer, the first and second absorbent layers being stacked in between the backsheet and the topsheet.

As such, super absorbent polymers may be present in one or both of the first and second absorbent layers. Acquisition layer

Further, the insert may include an acquisition layer applied between the topsheet and the absorbent assembly. Materials suitable as acquisition layers, also referred to in the art as transfer layer, or ADL, are commonly known in the art of absorbent hygiene products, and for the purposes of the present disclosure, any material known to the person skilled in the art as being useful as an acquisition layer may be used. An acquisition layer may for example be in the form of an airlaid layer, a spunlace layer, a high-loft, foam or any other type of material layer which may be used in an absorbent hygiene product to act as a liquid acquisition and absorption layer. The acquisition layer is suitably adapted to quickly receive and temporarily store discharged liquid before it is absorbed by the absorbent core. Such acquisition layer may be composed of for example airlaid nonwoven, spunlace nonwoven, high loft nonwoven or foam materials. An airlaid nonwoven may be produced with fluff, wood pulp, and here the fluff fibres are dispersed into a fast-moving air stream and condensed onto a moving screen by means of pressure and vacuum. The acquisition layer may preferably be of an air-through bonded nonwoven of polyester fibers.

Further Properties of the Insert relating to the Absorbent Assembly

The absorbent assembly may be mainly positioned in the crotch portion of the insert and have an absorbent assembly length that spans no more than 70% of the longitudinal length of the insert, such as no more than 85% of the longitudinal length of the insert.

Thus, the absorbent assembly does not extend all the way to the front and back edge of the insert, preventing liquid from being stored close to the edges which are positioned inside the flap members of the outer cover. This reduces the risk of soiling of the outer cover, allowing the outer cover being reused without the need of being cleaned.

For example, the cover fastener areas of the front set and of the back set may be confined to the portions of the insert extending longitudinally beyond the absorbent core towards the front edge or back edge, respectively. As such, the attachment of the insert to the outer cover is constant, regardless of whether the insert has absorbed any amount of liquid or not.

The absorbent core may be hour-glass shaped, having a narrowest width in the transverse direction in a longitudinal central position of the crotch portion of the insert.

With hour-glass shaped is meant herein that the absorbent core has a narrowest width in the crotch portion of the insert, and that a width of the absorbent core towards the front portion and towards the back portion, respectively, is greater than the narrowest width. In other alternatives, the absorbent core may have other shapes, such as a rectangular or oval shape.

Optionally, the longitudinal edges of the insert are partially corresponding to the hour-glass shape of the absorbent assembly.

As such, the insert may have a shape with a narrowest width in the transverse direction in the crotch portion of the insert.

In other alternatives, the insert may have a rectangular shape.

The insert may have a length along the longitudinal axis being greater than a width along the transversal axis.

For example, the insert may have total absorption capacity of at least 1000 ml, such as from 1000 to 4000 ml. As such, the insert is an insert suitable for use as in an absorbent article being an incontinence article suitable for adult wearers.

In some variants, the absorbent assembly is arranged to be symmetric in view of a central transversal axis of the insert. As such, regardless of the front/back orientation of the insert visavi a wearer, the insert will provide similar absorbent functions.

In some variants, the absorbent assembly is arranged to be non-symmetric in view of a central transversal axis of the insert. As such, depending on the front/back orientation of the insert visavi a wearer, the insert may display different absorbent functions. For example, the absorbent assembly may provide for more absorption capacity in a region between the central transversal axis and the back edge of the insert than in a region between the central transversal axis and the front edge of the insert.

The insert 200 extends along a longitudinal direction Y and a transverse direction X. The topsheet 205 forms part of the innermost surface of the insert 200 facing in an inward direction Zi and which is intended to be directed towards the wearer when the absorbent article is worn. The backsheet 206 is forming at least part of the outermost surface of the insert 200, facing in an outward direction Zo. The absorbent assembly 230 is enclosed between the topsheet 205 and the backsheet 206. The backsheet may cover the entire surface area of the insert 200, that is, the backsheet forms the outermost surface of the insert 200. Thus, the width iW and the length iL of the insert 200 maybe equal to the width and length of the backsheet.

The liquid-permeable topsheet 205 can consist of any material that is suitable for the purpose. Examples of commonly encountered liquid-permeable topsheet materials are nonwoven materials, perforated plastic films, meshes made of plastic or textile, and liquid-permeable foam layers. Liquid-permeable covering materials which consist of continuous thin fibers that extend predominantly in the longitudinal or transverse direction of the article are also encountered. Laminates consisting of two or more of the above-mentioned possible covering materials are also commonly encountered, as are coverings consisting of different materials in different parts of the surface. The liquid-impermeable backsheet 206 may extend beyond the absorbent assembly 230 around the periphery of the entire absorbent assembly 230. The backsheet can consist of a range of different materials. The backsheet may consist of a thin and liquid-impermeable plastic film, although it is also possible to use other types of liquid-impermeable material such as nonwoven materials that have been made liquid-impermeable, for example by means of plastic coating, liquid-tight foam layers, liquid-tight adhesive or similar. The backsheet can also consist of a liquid- impermeable, vapor-permeable material, i.e. a liquid impermeable and breathable material.

The innermost layer of the insert 200 comprising the liquid-permeable topsheet 205 is attached to the backsheet 206 outside the absorbent assembly 230 along the entire periphery of the absorbent assembly 230. The innermost layer comprising the liquid-permeable topsheet 205 and the backsheet may be attached to one another by a number of different means. Examples of means of attachment include gluing, thermal fusion, ultrasonic welding or the like.

The absorbent assembly 230 may, as depicted, have a length and width that are smaller than the innermost layer comprising the topsheet 205 and the backsheet 206, thus being present in a central region of the insert 200 where liquid and feces exit the body of the wearer. This results in a less bulky, more comfortable design, thereby being preferred. However, it will occur to the skilled person that alternative sizes, shapes and configurations of the absorbent assembly 230 may also be suitable for use in an absorbent article as presented herein. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the absorbent assembly 230 may have a longitudinal length iLc.

For example, and as illustrated in the drawings, the absorbent assembly 230 may have an hourglass-shape, which is intended to be situated at the narrowest area between the wearer’s thighs when being worn. The longitudinal side edges 203, 204 of the innermost layer comprising the topsheet 205 and of the backsheet 206 also correspond to this hour-glass shape. This results in the insert being more formfitting and thus more comfortable to wear than if it were to have a rectangular shape.

The absorbent assembly 230 may, as in Fig 4 comprise a first layer 231 and a second layer 232. Further, the absorbent assembly may comprise a receiving layer 233. The receiving layer 233 is positioned directly below the topsheet 205 and is adapted to rapidly receive quite large quantities of liquid and to retain this liquid temporarily, in order subsequently to release the temporarily stored liquid to other parts of the absorbent assembly 230. Alternative configurations of the absorbent assembly 230 may be envisaged and both the second layer 232 and the receiving layer 233 may be considered optional, independent from one another. The absorbent assembly as such may be constructed similarly to known absorbent assemblies and as such can be constructed from one or more layers of cellulose fluff pulp. The cellulose fluff pulp can be mixed for this purpose with fibers or particles of a high-absorbency polymer material, known as superabsorbents, of the kind which, in conjunction with absorption, chemically bonds large quantities of liquid to form a liquid-containing gel. The absorbent assembly 230 can also contain high-absorbency polymer material arranged in a layer inside the absorption body or in conjunction with the surface or surfaces of the absorption body. Additional components to improve the characteristics of the absorbent assembly 230 can also be present in the absorbent assembly 230. Examples of such components include binding fibers, different types of liquid-distributing layers or fibers, form-stabilizing components, reinforcing fibers or the like. The absorbent assembly 230 can naturally also consist of other types of absorption material, such as absorbent nonwoven material, absorbent foam, textile materials, peat or mixtures of different kinds of absorption material.

As central transversal axis X as illustrated in Fig. 4 divides the insert 200 into a front half and a back half.

In some variants, the insert 200 may be symmetric as seen over the central transversal axis X. Thus, the absorbent assembly 230 may be symmetric as seen over the central transversal axis X of the insert 200. In this case, the insert 200 may provide for essentially the same absorbing function in the front half and in the back half of the insert 200.

In some variants, the insert 200 may be asymmetric as seen over the central transversal axis X. Thus, the absorbent assembly 230 may be asymmetric as seen over the central transversal axis X of the insert 200. In this case, the insert 200 may provide for different absorbing function in the front half and in the back half of the insert 200.

Insert leg elastic members

As depicted in Fig. 4, the insert 200 may comprise insert leg elastic members 210, 211. The insert leg elastic members 210, 211 are arranged in between the longitudinal outer edges of the absorbent assembly 230 and the longitudinal outer edges 203, 204 of the insert 200 on both sides of the insert 200, running essentially in the longitudinal direction of the insert 200. As depicted in Fig. 2a, the insert leg elastic members 210, 211 may be partially curved. For example, the insert leg elastic members may be partially curved so as to follow the shape of the absorbent assembly 230, when the absorbent assembly is hour-glass shaped. A maximum transversal width over the insert leg elastic members 210, 211 is defined as the leg elastics width iWI. As illustrated in the Figures, the transversal width over the insert leg elastic members 210, 211 is the width measured in a transversal direction including both insert leg elastic members 210, 211 in the pair of insert leg elastic members 210, 211. The transversal width over the insert leg elastic members 210, 211 may, as in the illustrated embodiment, vary along the length of the insert leg elastic members 210, 211 . The maximum transversal width over the leg elastic members 210, 211 in each of the front portion iSf or back portion iSb of the insert is the maximum transversal width which may be found along the length of the insert leg elastic members 210, 211 in the front or back portion iSf, iSb, respectively.

The insert leg elastic members 210, 211 are included in the insert 200 for preventing liquid and faeces from leaking out past the longitudinal edges of the insert, ensuring a close fit around the legs of a wearer. Thus, the inner leg elastic members 210, 211 contribute to the insert 200 being leakproof when used to form the absorbent article 1 , which allows the entire outer cover 100 to be made of liquid-permeable material. Each of the insert leg elastic members 210, 211 may consist of one or more elastic elements, such as elastic threads, that have been applied in their stretched state between the innermost layer comprising the liquid-permeable topsheet 205 and the backsheet. The pair of insert leg elastics members 210, 211 have a longitudinal leg elastics length iLI, which may extend along at least 60% of the length of the insert. For example, the leg elastics length may be approximately coinciding with the length iLc of the absorbent assembly 230. The elastic members 210, 211 may be attached to the backsheet and the topsheet 205 by gluing, ultrasonic welding or the like.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, in each of the front portion iSf and the back portion iSb of the insert 100, the insert 100 has a maximum width iW, and the leg elastics width iWI being the maximum transversal width between the leg elastic members 210, 211 is smaller than the maximum width Wi of the insert and larger than a transversal maximum width of the absorbent assembly 230.

A leg edge portion 212, 213 is defined between each insert leg elastic member 210, 211 and the adjacent side edge 203, 204 of the insert 200, in each of the front and back portions iSf, iSb of the insert 200. The leg edge portions 212, 213, may have a maximum width along the respective insert leg elastic member 210, 211 being at least 1 cm, such as at least 2 cm. The leg edge portions 212, 214 provide additional fluid leakage protection as well as increased comfort to the wearer.

Insert inner side leakage barriers

In order further to prevent liquid or faeces from leaking out via the side edges of the insert 200, the insert 200 may be provided with a pair of inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 on the inner surface, as depicted in Figs. 2a and 2b.

One inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 is arranged on either side of the central longitudinal axis Y and the inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 extend essentially in the longitudinal direction of the insert 200. The inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 comprise raisable parts which, when the insert is in use, raise in an inward direction from the topsheet 205, so as to form barriers against side leakage. The raisable parts of the inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 extend at least over a part of the crotch portion iSc of the insert 200.

A maximum transversal barrier width iWg is measured between the attached edges 260b, 261 b of the raisable parts of the pair of inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 . The maximum transversal barrier width iWg may be smaller than a maximum transversal width i WI over the insert leg elastic members 210, 211 , if present. As in the illustrated variant, the maximum transversal barrier width iWg may be larger than a minimum transversal width of the absorbent assembly 230. In some variants, the maximum transversal barrier width iWg may optionally be larger than a maximum transversal width of the absorbent assembly 230. The respective inner side leakage barrier 260; 261 may be executed from a separate material strip, which exhibits two essentially parallel longitudinal edges. The material strip may be double-folded, in conjunction with which the parallel longitudinal edges are arranged adjacent to one another. At least a longitudinal edge of each material strip is attached to the innermost layer comprising the topsheet 205 and constitutes the attached edge 260b, 261 b of the respective inner side leakage barrier 260, 261. As in the illustrated variant, a portion of the material strip may extend over the inside of the insert 200 all the way from the attached edge 260b, 261 to the adjacent longitudinal side edge 203, 204. The folded edge of the material strip constitutes the free edge of the inner side leakage barrier 260; 261. The inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 are folded down over the innermost layer, i.e. over the topsheet 205, during manufacturing and storage, and have a raised configuration during use, in which at least in the crotch portion iSc of the insert, the free edge is lifted up from the innermost layer comprising the topsheet 205.

In the depicted insert 200, the longitudinal front and back ends of the material strips are attached to the innermost layer comprising the topsheet 205 on the front edge 201 and the back edge 202 of the insert 200. Thus, the longitudinal front and back ends are not raisable.

The inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 further comprise elastic elements 260a, 261a attached to the inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 in a pre-tensioned state. The elastic elements 260a, 261a are conveniently arranged adjacent to the free edges of the inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 , for example inside the folds of the material strips as in the illustrated variant. When the pretensioned elastic elements 260a, 261a are released, they contract together with the free edges of the inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 , thereby causing the inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 to be brought into a raised configuration remote from the liquid-permeable topsheet 205. For example, the inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 may be brought into a raised position at least in crotch part of the insert corresponding to at least 60% of the longitudinal length of the insert, the crotch part being spaced from both the front end 201 and the back end 202 of the insert.

The inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 form raisable parts where the inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 may be brought to the raised configuration over a majority of the longitudinal length of the insert 200. The inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 may be attached to the topsheet 205 in attached regions adjacent the front end and the back end, respectively of the insert. In the attached regions, the material strip forming each inner side leakage barrier 260, 261 is attached to the topsheet, e.g. via a weld or an adhesive, such that, in the attached regions, the inner side leakage barriers are not raisable. For example, the inner side leakage barriers 260, 261 may be attached to the inward facing side of the insert 200 in the front edge portion 20T and/or in the rear edge portion 202’ of the insert.

Alternatively, the longitudinal ends of the material strips may be unattached to the innermost layer, such that the free edges of the material strips forming the inner side leakage barriers 220, 221 are free to raise up from the innermost layer upon bending of the insert into the use position, eventually without the help from pre-tensioned elastic elements.

To reliably and comfortably hold the insert 200 in the outer cover 100, forming the absorbent article 1 , the insert 200 and outer cover 100 are detachably attachable to one another.

Cover fastener areas of insert

Hereto, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the insert 200 comprises a back set of cover fastener areas 241 , 242 in the back portion iSb and a front set of cover fastener areas 221 , 222 in the front portion iSf.

Each cover fastener area 221 , 222, 241 , 242 comprises a surface fastening material for providing detachable attachment of the insert to the outer cover. As will be described in more detail in the below, all of the cover fastener areas 221 , 222, 241 , 242 in the same front or back set need not comprise the same surface fastening material. Instead, in accordance with the present disclosure, and as will be described more in the below, the cover fastener areas in the same front or back set comprise different surface fastening materials, i.e. a first surface fastening material and a second surface fastening material.

In the illustrated variant, the back set of cover fastener areas in the back portion iSb and the front set of cover fastener areas in the front portion iSf each comprises two transversally spaced cover fastener areas 241 , 242; 221 , 222. However, other variants are possible, such that at least one of the sets of cover fastener areas comprising more than two cover fastener areas, for example four cover fastener areas.

Regardless of the amount of cover fastener areas comprised in a set, a transversal fastening width iWf may be defined as the transversal width spanned by the set of one or more cover fastener areas.

In the illustrated variant, each one of the cover fastener areas in the front set, and each one of the cover fastener areas in the back set is arranged at the same longitudinal location. Each one of the cover fastener areas moreover have the same length iAI as seen in the longitudinal direction.

However, other variants are possible, wherein for example at least one cover fastener area in a front/back set is arranged at a different longitudinal location than another cover fastener area in the front/back set. Still, the set of one or more cover fastener areas spans a longitudinal length iAI along the longitudinal axis L. However, it may be preferred that each one of the front set and the back set of cover fastener areas is symmetrical as seen over the longitudinal central axis Y.

A front edge portion 20T is defined as the portion of the insert 200 extending from the front edge 201 of the insert 200 and over the longitudinal length iAI spanned by the front set of one or more cover fastener areas 221 , 222 in the front portion iSf, and a back edge portion 202’ is defined as the portion of the insert 200 extending from the back edge 202 of the insert 200 and over the longitudinal length iAI spanned by the back set of one or more cover fastener areas 241 , 242 in the back portion iSb. Each one of the front edge portion 201 ’ and/or the back edge portion 202’ may extend over an edge portion length being for example less than 20% of the longitudinal length of the insert, such as less than 10% of the longitudinal length of the insert.

As such, it may be ensured a large portion of the inward facing surface of the insert 200 remains available for directly contacting the wearer’s genital area and thus limiting the risk of soiling of the outer cover 100. As exemplified in the illustrated embodiment, in the longitudinal direction Y, each of the cover fastener areas 221 , 222, 241 , 242 in the set may be positioned at, i.e. be directly adjacent, the front edge 201 or the back edge 202, respectively. This is an advantage in manufacturing, as one piece of a fastener member material may be arranged over two subsequent inserts when formed on a continuous insert material line. In this instance, one cutting operation will separate the piece of fastener member material into two at the same time as the continuous insert material line is cut into separate inserts. In this case, the longitudinal length iAI spanned by the set of cover fastener areas will correspond to the longitudinal length of the respective edge portion 201 ’, 202’ of the insert 200. For example, each set of one or more cover fastener areas 221 , 222; 241 , 242 may span a longitudinal length iAI being less than 20% of the longitudinal length of the insert, such as less than 10% of the longitudinal length of the insert.

In the transverse direction X, each set of cover fastener areas 221 , 222; 241 , 242 in the front and back portion iSf, iSb, respectively, extends over a transversal fastening width iWf. As exemplified in the drawings, the transversal fastening width iWf may be no less than, and preferably greater than, the leg elastics width iWI.

This particular positioning allows for the insert to be sufficiently tensioned when the absorbent article 1 is put on a wearer, ensuring reliable functioning of the insert leg elastic members 210, 211.

The insert leg elastic members 210, 211 extend along a longitudinal insert leg elastics length iLI. The front edge portion 201 ’ and the back edge portion 202’ may advantageously be arranged so as not to overlap with the longitudinal insert leg elastics length iLI. In other words, each set of one or more cover fastener areas is confined to a front edge portion 201 ’ or a back edge portion 202’ not spanned by the leg elastics length iLI.

The transversal fastening width iWf may, as in the illustrated embodiment, extend over at least part of the leg edge portions 212, 213 of the insert, so as to ensure that the leg portions are automatically folded outward when the insert is attached to an outer cover. For example, the transversal fastening width may span into at least 50% of the transversal width of each leg portion, or at least 80% of the transversal width of each leg portion.

As in the illustrated example, in the back portion iSb, the back set of one or more cover fastener areas comprises a first subset of one or more cover fastener areas 241 being arranged on a first transversal side of the longitudinal axis Y, and a second subset of one or more cover fastener areas 242 being arranged on a second transversal side of the longitudinal axis Y. Similarly, in the front portion iSf, the front set of one or more cover fastener areas comprises a first subset of one or more cover fastener areas 221 being arranged on a first transversal side of the longitudinal axis Y, and a second subset of one or more cover fastener areas 222 being arranged on a second transversal side of the longitudinal axis Y.

In the back portion iSb, the first subset of one or more cover fastener areas 241 is spaced from the second subset of one or more cover fastener areas 242 by a transversal spacing width iWs. Similarly, in the front portion iSf, the first subset of one or more cover fastener areas 221 is spaced from the second subset of one or more cover fastener areas 222 by a transversal spacing width iWs. As such, in the front portion iSf as well as in the back portion iSb, the insert 200 is free from cover fastener areas over a spacing width iWs as measured between the subsets in the front or back portion, respectively.

This contributes to the correct shaping of the insert in use, since the insert is to be unattached to the outer cover over the transversal spacing width. Moreover, by providing cover fastener areas substantially only at the locations which are most critical to ensure the correct positioning of the insert in the outer cover, correct assembly of the insert and an outer cover may be facilitated.

The transversal spacing width iWs may for example be at least 70 % of the transversal fastening width iWf. In the illustrated embodiment, each first or second subset of one or more cover fastener areas comprises one single cover fastener area. As such, the first and second subsets of one or more cover fastener areas in each of the front and back set together form a pair comprising two cover fastener areas (one cover fastener area in each subset) being spaced by the spacing width iWs.

As illustrated in the examples of the Figures, the cover fastener areas 221 , 222, 241 , 242 may be provided on the inward facing of the insert 200, each at a respective corner of the insert 200, for detachably attaching the insert 200 to the outer cover 100. The cover fastener areas 221 , 222, 241 , 242 are located outside the crotch portion iSc, thereby preventing any overlap of the attachment to the outer cover 100 with the crotch portion oSc and thus reducing the risk of soiling of the outer cover. The cover fastener areas 221 , 222, 241 , 242 together may cover less than 5% of the total surface area of the innermost layer comprising the topsheet 205. This is found to be sufficient for reliably attaching the insert inside the outer cover 100, thus using more material would result in unnecessary waste. Moreover, this implies that a relatively small portion of the innermost layer of the insert is occupied by the cover fastener areas 221 , 222, 241 , 242, and hence a relatively large portion of the innermost layer of the insert may be available for receiving bodily exudates when the absorbent article 1 is in use.

Absorbent Article

Fig. 5 illustrates an example of a diaper assemblyl , having reusable outer cover 100 and insert

200 being detachably attached to the outer cover 100. In this example, the reusable outer cover 100 is the outer cover of Figs. 2-3, whereas the insert 200 is the insert of Fig. 4.

The absorbent article 1 exhibits a longitudinal direction X and transverse direction Y and has a thickness direction Z, which, when the article is worn, defines an inward direction Zi towards the wearer’s skin and an outward direction Z_o away from the wearer’s skin. According to examples, and as in the depicted embodiment, both the outer cover 100 and the insert 200 are substantially symmetrical around a longitudinal central axis Y.

As depicted, the insert 200 is detachably attached to the outer cover 100, such that the insert 200 at least partially covers the inward facing side of the outer cover 100, and the outward facing side of the outer cover 100 forms an outermost surface of the absorbent article 1 . Thus, an innermost surface of the outer cover 100 faces an outermost surface of the insert 200, such that for the opposite surfaces holds that, during use, an outward facing surface of the outer cover 100 is intended to face away from the wearer and the inward facing surface of the insert 200 contacts the wearer’s skin. In the depicted absorbent article 1 , a substantial part of both the innermost surface of the outer cover 100 and the innermost surface of the insert 200 are visible, together forming the innermost surface of the absorbent article that contacts the wearer’s skin during use.

It will be understood that in the absorbent article 1 , the insert 200 is detachably attached to the outer cover 100 by the cover fastener areas 221 , 222; 241 , 242 of the insert 200 being detachably attached to the insert fastener areas 121 , 122; 141 , 142 of the outer cover 100.

Preferably, the dimensions of the outer cover 100 and the insert 200 are such that, when the insert 200 is detachably attached to the outer cover 100, the front and back flap members 120, 140 do not overlap with the absorbent assembly 230.

For example, each flap member 120, 140 may have a longitudinal flap length being such that, in the use position, when the insert 200 is attached to the outer cover 100, the flap member 120, 140 extend(s) over less than 20% of the insert longitudinal length, preferably over less than 10% of the insert longitudinal length.

For example, the total area of the front and back flap members 120, 140 may cover less than 80 %, preferably less than 85%, of a total insert area. The front and back flap members 120, 140 may be sized such that less than 15% of the total insert area is covered during use, preferably less than 10%.

Further, it is to be understood that the absorbent insert of the absorbent article may comprise any of the features as set out in the above in relation to the description of the absorbent insert 200, and the present disclosure is to encompass all such absorbent articles.

The present invention has been described with reference to a number of explanatory embodiments as shown in the figures. Obvious modifications and alternative implementations of some parts or elements will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the foregoing detailed description. In particular, it will be obvious to the skilled person that various alternatives explicitly mentioned in the detailed description may be implemented independently from other explicitly mentioned alternatives that are not explicitly described as being related thereto. The invention is intended to be construed as encompassing all such modifications and alternative implementations to the extent that they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A reusable outer cover (100) for an adult diaper assembly (1) adapted to detachably receive an absorbent insert, the outer cover (100) comprising a chassis and having a front portion (Sf) to be directed towards a front of a wearer, a back portion (Sb) to be directed towards a back of a wearer, and a crotch portion (Sc) extending between the front portion (Sf) and the back portion (Sb), the outer cover (100) having a longitudinal central axis (Y), and a transversal central axis (X), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Y), the transversal central axis (X) dividing the outer cover (100) into a front half and a back half, wherein the front portion comprises a front waist portion and the back portion comprises a back waist portion each having a left and right engaging array or a left and right receiving patch, whereby the outer cover with an absorbent insert can be positioned around a waist of a wearer and the left and right engaging arrays can be connected onto the left and right receiving patches respectively, to secure the outer cover around the waist, wherein the engaging arrays each comprise an inner engaging patch attached to an inward facing surface of the outer cover and an outer engaging patch attached at an outward facing surface of the outer cover.

2. The outer cover according to claim 1 , wherein the outer engaging patches extend transversally outwards of the inner engaging patches.

3. The outer cover according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the outer engaging patches and the inner engaging patches have an overlapping region, optionally wherein the outer engaging patches fully overlap the inner engaging patches.

4. The outer cover according to claim 3, wherein the inner engaging patches and the outer engaging patches are attached to the outer cover in the overlapping region.

5. The outer cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer engaging patches extend to an equal or greater extent in the longitudinal direction as the inner engaging patches.

6. The outer cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner engaging patches are inaccessible beneath the outer engaging patches, when the outer cover is secured around the waist of a wearer.

7. The outer cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the engaging patches all have an engaging area of between 3 cm2 and 30 cm2, preferably between 10 cm2 and 25 cm2, in particular between 15 cm2 and 20 cm2.

8. The outer cover according to any preceding claim, wherein a transverse width (Wr) of each of the receiving patches is greater than a transverse width (We) of each of the engaging assemblies, preferably more than two times greater or more than three times greater.

9. The outer cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner engaging patches and the outer engaging patches both have surface fastening material on an inward facing surface.

10. The outer cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner engaging patches and the outer engaging patches both have a surface fastening material that engages with a complementary surface fastening material of the receiving patches, preferably wherein the inner engaging patches and the outer engaging patches both have an identical surface fastening material.

11 . The outer cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the receiving patches comprise loop material and the engaging patches all comprise hook material.

12. The outer cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the engaging patches are provided on the back waist portion and the receiving patches are provided on the front waist portion.

13. The outer cover according to claim 12, wherein a width of the front waist portion corresponds to a widest point of the chassis.

14. The outer cover according to any preceding claim, comprising left and right side portions extending transversally on either side of the chassis, each having a proximal edge attached to the chassis and a distal edge and the engaging arrays are carried on the left and right side portions adjacent the distal edge.

15. The outer cover according to claim 14, wherein the left and right side portions are trapezoidal, and the proximal edge attached to the chassis is longer than the distal edge.

16. The outer cover according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the distal edge is marginally longer than a longitudinal extent of the outer engaging patches such that a finger-lift edge is formed between the outer engaging patch and the distal short edge.

17. The outer cover according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the left and right side portions comprise folded panels, with the fold extending transversally, and the inner engaging patches and the outer engaging patches are all attached at an outside of the folded panel.

18. The outer cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving patches are provided on an outward facing surface of the chassis.

19. The outer cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an inward facing surface of the outer cover is provided with fasteners for detachably receiving an absorbent insert.

20. The outer cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a pocket is formed at an inward facing surface of the chassis for at least partially receiving the absorbent insert.

21 . The outer cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chassis portion comprises a first elastic edge element and a second elastic edge element extending along the crotch portion.

22. The outer cover according to any one of the preceding claims, material wherein the chassis comprises textile material.

23. The outer cover according to any one of the preceding claims, being machine washable.

24. An absorbent assembly comprising an outer cover according to any one of the preceding claims, and an absorbent insert detachably attached to the outer cover.

25. An absorbent assembly according to claim 24, wherein the absorbent insert comprises a backsheet being liquid-impermeable.

26. An absorbent assembly according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the absorbent insert is disposable.