MX2008007407A - Absorbent article featuring a non-abrasive temperature change member - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an absorbent article including a temperature change member. In addition to the temperature change member, the article may include an outercover, with a liner and/or an absorbent body disposed on the outercover. The temperature change member has a geometric mean of the mean deviation of coefficient of friction that is less than about 0.0275 when tested at the surface intended to face a wearer.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE CHARACTERIZING A NON-ABRASIVE TEMPERATURE CHANGE MEMBER This application is a continuation in part of the patent application of the United States of America serial number 11 / 299,433, filed on December 12, 2005, and entitled "Absorbent Article Characterized by a Non-Abrasive Temperature Change Member", which is a continuation in part of the patent application of the United States of America serial number 11 / 143,359, filed on June 1, 2005, and entitled "Absorbent Article Characterized by a Temperature Change Member", which is in turn a continuation in part of a patent application of the United States of America serial number 11/025, 188, filed on December 29, 2004, and entitled "Absorbent Article Characterized by a Temperature Change Member" . All of the patent applications serial numbers 11 / 025,188; 11 / 299,433; and 11 / 143,359 is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an absorbent article that includes a temperature change member. Plus specifically, the invention relates to an absorbent article such as underpants that provide the user with a sensation of noticeable temperature change with urination.

Absorbent articles, such as children's underpants, have been designed with temperature change members to provide a sensation of changing temperature with urination in an attempt to improve the child's recognition when urination occurs. As can be seen, such recognition can be an important step in the process of learning to use the toilet. The sensation of the temperature change provided by the temperature change member can often result in that temperature change material being disposed with the temperature change member.

Unfortunately, in certain circumstances, such temperature change members may not be completely satisfactory. For example, the temperature change material included with the temperature change member may, in certain instances, be abrasive to the user. This abrasion can be particularly noticeable where the temperature change member is kept close to the user in use, which is generally a desirable configuration to maximize the sensation of temperature change experienced by the user. In addition, the temperature change member may provide a rapid sensation of temperature change, but may not last as long as desired to assist with the toilet learning process. Therefore there is a need for an absorbent article with a temperature change member that is effective and still provides a pleasant surface for the user.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION An absorbent article is provided which defines a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a Z direction perpendicular to the plane, defined by the lateral and longitudinal directions. The absorbent article includes an outer cover, an absorbent body disposed on the outer cover, and a liner disposed on the absorbent body. A temperature change member is disposed between the liner and the outer cover. The temperature change member has a temperature change material arranged in a non-uniform distribution by weight in the Z direction of the temperature change member. The temperature change member defines a surface of the inner member and a surface of the outer member opposite the surface of the inner member, and has a GMD of less than about 0.0275 on the surface of the inner member, as determined by the friction test described herein.

In another aspect of the invention, an absorbent article includes an outer shell impermeable to liquid, an absorbent body disposed on the outer cover, and a temperature change member disposed within the absorbent body. The temperature change member includes a temperature change material wherein at least 50 percent of the temperature change material defines a particle size of at least 500 microns by weight. The absorbent article has a GMD, as determined by the friction test described herein, of less than 0.0270 when tested on the surface of the inner member.

In yet another aspect of the invention, an absorbent article defines a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a Z direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article includes an outer shell impermeable to liquid that has a surface of view to the garment and a surface of body view and a temperature change member disposed on the surface of view to the body of the outer cover. The temperature change member defines a surface of the inner member and a surface of the outer member opposite the surface of the inner member, and has a temperature changing material disposed in a non-uniform distribution by weight in the Z-direction of the limb member. temperature change. The temperature change member has a GMD of less than about 0.0275 on the surface of the inner member, as determined by the friction test described herein.

The aforementioned and other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent, and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the drawings and the following description of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 representatively illustrates a side view of a pair of training underpants with a mechanical fastening system of the underpants shown fastened on one side of the training pants and unzipped on the other side of the training underpants Figure 2 representatively illustrates a plan view of the training underpants of Figure 1 in a flat, unbuttoned and stretched condition, and showing the surface of the training underpants facing away from the wearer; Figure 3 representatively illustrates a plan view similar to Figure 2, but showing the surface of the training underpants facing the wearer when in use, and with cutouts to show the underlying characteristics; Figure 4 representatively illustrates a sectional view of a particular aspect of the temperature change member of the present invention; Figure 5 representatively illustrates a sectional view of another aspect of the temperature change member of the present invention; Figure 6 representatively illustrates a sectional view of yet another aspect of the temperature change member of the present invention; Figure 7 representatively illustrates a sectional view of yet another aspect of the temperature change member of the present invention; Figure 8 representatively illustrates a sectional view of another aspect of the training underpants with elements removed for clarity; Y Figure 9 representatively illustrates a sectional view of another aspect of the training underpants with elements removed for clarity.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts by all the drawings.

DEFINITIONS Within the context of this specification, each term or phrase below includes the following meaning or meanings: "Coupling" and its derivatives refer to joining, adhering, connecting, joining, sewing together, or the like, two elements. Two elements will be considered coupled together when they are integral with each other or directly coupled to each other or indirectly to one another, such as when each is directly coupled to intermediate elements. "Coupling" and its derivatives include permanent, releasable, or capable of reattaching. In addition, the coupling can be completed either during the manufacturing process or for the final use.

"Unite" and its derivatives refer to joining, adhering, connecting, joining, sewing together, or similar, two elements. Two elements will be considered together when they are integral with each other or directly linked to each other or indirectly to each other, such as when each is directly linked to intermediate elements. "Unite" and its derivatives include permanent, releasable, or capable of reattaching.

"Coform" refers to a mixture of meltblown fibers and absorbent fibers such as cellulose fibers that can be formed by air-forming a meltblown polymer material while simultaneously blowing fibers suspended in the air in a the jet of blown fibers with fusion. The coform material can also include other materials, such as super absorbent materials. The melt blown fibers and the absorbent fibers are collected on a harvesting surface, as provided by a foraminous web. The forming surface may include a gas permeable material that has been placed on the forming surface.

"Connect" and its derivatives refer to joining, adhering, connecting, joining, sewing together, or similar, two elements. Two elements will be considered connected together when they are integral with each other or directly connected to each other or indirectly to each other, such as when each is directly connected to intermediate elements. "Connect" and its derivatives include permanent, releasable, or capable of reattaching. In addition, the joint can be completed either during the manufacturing process or for the final use.

"Disposable" refers to items that are designed to be discarded after a limited use instead of being washed or otherwise restored for reuse.

"Arrange", "arrange over", or "arrange with", "dispose in", "arrange close" and variations thereof are intended to mean that an element may be integral with another element, or that an element may be a separate structure attached to or placed with or placed near another element.

"Elastic", "elasticized", and "elasticity" mean the property of a material by virtue which tends to recover its original size and shape after the removal of a force that causes a deformation. Suitably, an elastic material or composite can be lengthened by at least 50 percent (to 150 percent) of its relaxed length and will recover, with the release of applied force, at least 40 percent of its elongation.

"Extendable" refers to a material or compound that is capable of extension or deformation without breaking, but which substantially does not recover its original size and shape after the removal of a force that causes extension or deformation. Suitably, a material or composite can be elongated by at least 50 percent (to 150 percent) of its relaxed length.

"Fiber" refers to a continuous or discontinuous member that has a high proportion of length at diameter or width. Thus, a fiber can be a filament, a yarn, a strand, or a yarn, or any other member or combination of these members.

"Hydrophilic" describes fibers or surfaces of fibers that are wetted by aqueous liquids in contact with the fibers. The degree of wetting of the materials can, in turn, be described in terms of the contact angles and the surface tensions of the liquids and materials involved. Equipment and techniques suitable for measuring the wettability of particular fiber materials or mixtures of fiber materials may be provided by a Cahn SFA-222 Surface Force Analyzer System, or substantially equivalent equipment. When measured with this system, fibers that have contacted angles of less than 90 degrees are designated "capable of moistening" or hydrophilic, and fibers that have contacted angles greater than 90 degrees are designated "unable to moisten" or hydrophobic.

"Joining" and its derivatives refer to joining, adhering, connecting, joining, sewing together, or the like, two elements. Two elements will be considered together when they are integral with each other or directly joined one to the another or indirectly one to the other, such as when each one is directly linked to intermediate elements. "Joining" and its derivatives include permanent, releasable, or capable of reattaching. In addition, the joining can be completed either during the manufacturing process or by the end user.

"Layer" when used in the singular may have the double meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements.

"Liquid-proof" when used to describe a single-layer or multi-layer laminate means that liquid, such as urine, will not pass through the layer or laminate, under ordinary conditions of use, in a generally perpendicular direction to the plane of the layer or laminate at the point of contact of the liquid.

"Liquid permeable" refers to any material that is not impervious to liquid.

"Blown with melting" refers to the fibers formed by the extrusion of a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of thin and usually circular capillary matrix vessels with strands or fused filaments to inside gas jets heated at high speed (for example, air) and converging that attenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce its diameter, which can be to a micro-fiber diameter. After this, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high speed gas jet and are deposited on a collecting surface to form a randomly dispersed meltblown fabric. Such a process is described in US Pat. No. 3,849,241 issued to Butin et al. The meltblown fibers can be continuous or discontinuous and are generally self-attached when deposited on a collecting surface.

"Member" when used in the singular may have the double meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements.

"Non-woven" and "non-woven fabric" generally refer to a polymeric fabric having a structure of individual fibers or strands that are between placed, but not in an identifiable manner, repeatedly. Examples of suitable non-woven fabrics or fabrics include, but are not limited to, meltblowing, hydroentanglement processes, placed by air, processes joined with spinning and carded and bonded tissue processes.

"Particle" and its derivatives refers to discrete parts of a material and may include crystals, particle agglomerates and the like.

"Able to stretch" means that a material can be stretched, without breaking, by at least 50 percent (at 150 percent of its initial length (without stretching)) in at least one direction. The elastic materials and the extensible materials are each materials capable of stretching.

"Super absorbent material" refers to an organic or inorganic material, insoluble in water, capable of swelling in water, and capable under the most favorable conditions, of absorbing at least about ten times its weight and, more desirably, at least about thirty times its weight in an aqueous solution containing about 0.9 percent by weight of sodium chloride.

These terms can be defined with additional language in the remaining parts of the specification.

Detailed description Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Figure 1, an absorbent article of the present invention is representatively illustrated in the form of children's underpants and is indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 20. Underpants 20 include a member of temperature change 70 which is adapted to create a distinct feeling of temperature change to the user with urination, which may highlight the user's ability to recognize when urination has occurred.

The underpants 20 may or may not be discarded, which refers to articles that are intended to be discarded after a limited period of use, instead of being washed or otherwise conditioned for reuse. It should also be understood that the present invention is suitable for use with various other absorbent articles intended for personal use, including but not limited to diapers, feminine hygiene products, incontinence products, medical garments, surgical pads and bandages, other garments for personal care or health care, and the like without departing from the scope of the present invention.

By way of illustration only, various materials and methods for constructing training underpants such as underpants 20 of the various aspects of the present invention are described in PCT patent application 00/37009, published on June 29, 2000 by A Fletcher and others; U.S. Patent No. 4,940,464 issued July 10, 1990 to Van Gompel et al .; U.S. Patent No. 5,766,389 issued June 16, 1998 to Brandon et al .; and U.S. Patent No. 6,645,190 issued November 11, 2003 to Olson et al., which are hereby incorporated by reference to the extent they are consistent (eg, not in conflict) here. In addition, absorbent articles including a temperature change member are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,681,298 issued to Brunner et al., U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/143, 359 filed. on June 1, 2005 in the name of Jackson and others; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11 / 246,414, filed October 7, 2005, in the name of Olson, and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11 / 245,870, filed on October 7, 2005, on behalf of Olson, the descriptions of which are incorporated here by reference to the extent that you are consistent here (for example, not in conflict).

The training underpants 20 are illustrated in Figure 1 in a partially fastened condition. The underpants 20 define a longitudinal direction 46 and a lateral direction 48 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The underpants 20 define a z-direction 49 that is perpendicular to a plane 47 defined by the lateral direction 48. and the longitudinal direction 46. Underpants 20 further define a pair of longitudinal end regions, otherwise referred to herein as front waist region 22 and rear waist region 24, and a central region, otherwise referred to herein as a region of crotch 26, which extends longitudinally between and interconnecting the front and rear waist regions 22, 24. The front and rear waist regions 22, 24 include those portions of the underpants 20, which when worn, completely or partially cover or They surround the user's waist or lower torso. The crotch region 26 is generally that part of the underpants 20 which, when worn, is placed between the user's legs and covers the lower torso and crotch of the wearer. Underpants 20 also define a surface internal 28 adapted in use to be disposed towards the user, and an outer surface 30 opposite the inner surface. With additional reference to Figures 2 and 3, the pair of training underpants 20 has a pair of laterally opposite side edges 36 and a pair of longitudinally opposed waist edges 38 (broadly, longitudinal ends).

The illustrated underpants 20 may include an absorbent assembly, generally indicated as 32. For example, in the aspect of Figures 1-3, the training pants 20 may include a generally rectangular absorbent assembly 32 and side panels 34, 134 formed separately from each other. and secured to the central absorbent assembly. The side panels 34, 134 may be joined along seams 66 to the absorbent assembly 32 in the respective front and back waist regions 22 and 24 of the underpants 20. More particularly, the front side panels 34 may be permanently attached to and extended laterally. outwardly from the absorbent assembly 32 in the front waist region 22, and the rear side panels 134 may permanently join and extend laterally from the absorbent assembly 32 in the rear waist region 24. The side panels 34 and 134 may be attached to the assembly absorbent 32 using bonding means known to those skilled in the art such as bonding by adhesive, thermal or ultrasonic.

The front and rear side panels 34 and 134, with the use of the underpants 20, therefore include the portions of the training underpants 20 that are placed on the wearer's hips. The front and rear side panels 34 and 134 can be permanently joined together to form the three-dimensional configuration of the briefs 20, or can be releasably connected to one another, such as by a fastening system 60.

Suitable elastic materials, as well as processes for incorporating elastic side panels into the training underpants, are described in the following United States patents Nos. 4,940,464 issued July 10, 1990 to Van Gompel et al .; 5,224,405 granted on July 6, 1993 to Pohjola; 5,104,116 granted on April 14, 1992 to Pohjola; and 5, 046, 272 granted on September 10, 1991 to Vogt et al .; all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the extent that they are consistent here (eg, not in conflict). In particular aspects, the elastic material may include a thermal bonded laminate (STL), a bonded laminate (NBL), a reversible tapered laminate, or a stretch bonded laminate (SBL). The methods for making such materials are well known to those skilled in the art and described in U.S. Patent No. 4,663,220 issued May 5, 1987 to Isneski et al .; U.S. Patent No. 5,226,992 issued July 13, 1993 to Morman; European Patent Application number EP 0 217 032 published April 8, 1987 in the name of Taylor et al .; and PCT patent application number WO 01/88245 in the name of Welch et al .; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent they are consistent here (eg, not in conflict). As is known in the art, the side panels 34, 134 may include elastic material or materials capable of stretching but inelastic.

The absorbent assembly 32 is illustrated in Figures 2-3 as having a rectangular shape. However, it is contemplated that the absorbent assembly 32 may have other shapes (eg, hourglass, T-shaped, I-shaped, and the like) without departing from the scope of this invention. It is also understood that the side panels 34, 134 can alternatively be integrally formed with the assembly absorbent 32 without departing from the scope of this invention. In such a configuration, the side panels 34, and 134 and the absorbent assembly can include at least some common materials, such as side-to-body liner 42, outer cover 40, other materials and / or combinations thereof.

The absorbent assembly 32 includes an outer cover 40 and a body-side liner 42 (Figures 3, 8) in a lay-on relationship. The liner 42 can suitably be attached to the outer cover 40 along at least a portion of the absorbent assembly 32. The liner 42 can be suitably adapted, e.g., placed relative to the other components of the underpants 20, to contact the user's skin during the use of the underpants. The absorbent assembly 32 also includes an absorbent body 44 for absorbing the liquid exudates from the body disposed on the outer cover 40 (Figures 3, 8). In a particular aspect, the absorbent body 44 can be sandwiched between the outer cover 40 and the side-to-body liner 42. The body-side liner 42 and the outer cover 40 can suitably be joined to each other by bonding by adhesive, ultrasonic or thermal or by any other suitable bonding techniques known in the art. In addition, at least one part of the absorbent body 44 can optionally be attached to the liner side to body 42 and / or outer cover 40 using the methods described above.

As mentioned above, the front and rear side panels 34 and 134 can be releasably connected to each other as per the fastening system 60 of the illustrated aspect. With the training underpants 20 in the position held as partially illustrated in Figure 1, the front and rear waist regions are connected together to define the configuration of the three-dimensional underpants having a waist opening 50 and a pair of underpants. leg openings 52. The waist edges 38 of the training underpants 20 are configured to surround the wearer's waist to define the waist opening 50 (Figure 1) of the underpants.

The fastening system 60 may include any suitable resastenable fasteners for the absorbent articles, such as adhesive fasteners, cohesive fasteners, mechanical fasteners, or the like. In one aspect of the invention, the fastening system includes mechanical fastening elements for improved performance. Suitable mechanical fastening elements can be provided by materials of geometrical shape between closure, such as hooks, curls, bulbs, mushrooms, arrowheads, balls on stems, male and female equalizing components, buckles, snap fasteners, or the like. For example, fastening systems are also described in the previously incorporated PCT patent application number WO 00/37009 published June 29, 2000 by A. Fletcher et al., And the previously incorporated United States of America patent number 6,645,190. granted on November 11, 2003 to Olson and others.

Underpants 20 may also include a pair of containment fins 56 to inhibit lateral flow of exudates from the body. As illustrated in Figure 3, the containment fins 56 can operatively be attached to the briefs 20 in any suitable manner as is well known in the art. In particular, suitable constructions and arrangements for the containment fins 56 are generally well known to those skilled in the art and are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,770,116 issued November 3, 1987 to Enloe, which is incorporated herein by reference to the extent that it is consistent here (eg, not in conflict).

For further improvement of the containment and / or absorption of the body exudates, the training underpants 20 may include elastic waist members 54 in the front and / or back waist regions 22 and 24 of the underpants 20. Likewise, underpants 20 may include elastic leg members 58, as are known to those skilled in the art. The elastic waist members 54 and the leg elastic members 58 can be formed of any suitable elastic material that is well known to those skilled in the art. For example, suitable elastic materials include sheets, threads or ribbons of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomeric polymers. In one aspect of the invention, the waist elastics and / or the leg elastics can include a plurality of elastomeric elastomeric threads of dry filamented melted multiple filaments sold under the name of LYCRA and available from Invista of Wilmington, Delaware, USA. United of America.

The outer cover 40 can suitably include a material that is substantially impermeable to liquid. The outer cover 40 may be provided by a single layer of liquid impervious material, or more suitably includes a multi-laminated structure layers in which at least one of the layers is impermeable to the liquid. In particular aspects, the outer layer can suitably provide a relatively fabric-like texture to the wearer. A suitable film impervious to liquid to use as an inner layer impervious to liquid, or an outer shell impermeable to the single layer liquid 40 is a 0.025 millimeter (1.0 mil) polyethylene film commercially available from Edison Plastics Company, of South Plainfield, New Jersey. Alternatively, the outer cover 40 may include a non woven or woven fibrous fabric layer that has been totally or partially constructed or treated to impart the desired levels of liquid impermeability to selected regions that are adjacent to or close to the absorbent body.

The outer cover 40 may also be capable of stretching, and in some aspects may be elastomeric. For example, such an outer jacket material may include a polypropylene yarn bond of 0.3 oz per square yard (osy), which is 60% constricted in the lateral direction 40 and creped 60 percent in the longitudinal direction 48, laminated with 3 grams per square meter with styrene-isoprene-styrene-based adhesive from Bostik-Findley H2525A to a film of 8 grams per square meter of PEBAX 2533 with . a concentrate of 20 percent titanium hydroxide. Reference is made to U.S. Patent No. 5,883,028, issued to Morman et al .; U.S. Patent No. 5,116,662 issued to Morman; and U.S. Patent No. 5,114,781 issued to Morman, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference, for additional information regarding suitable materials for the outer shell.

The side-to-body liner 42 is suitably compliant, soft to the touch, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. The body side liner 42 is also sufficiently liquid permeable to allow liquid exudates from the body to readily penetrate through its thickness to the absorbent body 44. A suitable liquid-permeable body side liner 42 is a non-component fabric not woven of polyethylene / polypropylene having a basis weight of about 27 grams per square meter, the fabric can be a fabric bonded with spinning or carded and bonded. Optionally, the body side liner 42 can be treated with a surfactant to increase the wettability of the liner material.

Alternatively, the side-to-body liner 42 may also be able to stretch, and in some aspects It can be elastomeric. For example, the liner 42 can be a non-woven polypropylene fabric bonded with yarn composed of about 2 to 3 denier fibers formed in a fabric having a basis weight of about 12 grams per square meter which is narrowed to about 60 per centimeter. hundred. Threads of around 9 grams per square meter of KRATON G2760 elastomer material place eight threads per inch (2.54 centimeters) to be adhered to the material bonded with narrow yarn to impart elasticity to the spunbonded fabric. The fabric can be surface treated with an operative amount of surfactant, such as about 0.6 percent surfactant AHCOVEL Base N62, available from ICI Americas, a business with offices in Wilmington, Delaware, United States of America. Other suitable materials may be biaxially extendable materials capable of stretching, such as a stiff / creped tapered yarn. Reference is made to U.S. Patent No. 6,552,245, issued April 22, 2003, to Roessler et al., Which is incorporated by reference herein to the extent that it is consistent herein (e.g., not in conflict). .

An absorbent body 44 can be disposed on the outer cover 40, for example, between the outer cover 40 and the body side liner 42. The outer cover 40 and the side-to-body liner 42 can be joined together by any suitable means such as adhesives, ultrasonic joints, thermal bonds, or the like. The absorbent body 44 can be in a variety of shapes and configurations as are known in the art, such as rectangular, hourglass-shaped, I-shaped, and the like. In addition, at least a part of the absorbent body 44 can optionally be attached to the side liner 42 and / or the outer cover 40 using the methods described above.

The absorbent body 44 is suitably compressible, capable of being shaped and capable of absorbing and retaining the liquid exudates from the body released by the user. For example, the absorbent assembly may include a matrix of absorbent fibers, and more adequately of cellulose fluff, such as wood pulp fluff, and super absorbent particles. A suitable pulp fluff is identified with the trademark designation of CR1654, commercially available from Bowater, Inc., of Greenville, South Carolina, United States of America. As an alternative, wood pulp fluff, synthetic fibers, polymer fibers, meltblown fibers, synthetic fibers bicomponentes homo-filamento de corte short, or other natural fibers can be used. Suitable super absorbent materials can be selected from polymers and natural, synthetic, and modified natural materials. Super absorbent materials may be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds, such as crosslinked polymers, for example, neutralized sodium polyacrylic acid. Suitable super-absorbent materials are available from various commercial vendors, such as, Dow Chemical Company, of Midland, Michigan, United States of America, and Stockhausen, Inc., of Greensboro, North Carolina, United States of America.

In one aspect, the absorbent body 44 may be capable of stretching so as not to inhibit the stretch ability of other components to which the absorbent body may adhere, such as the outer cover 40 and / or the side-to-body liner 42. For example, the absorbent body may include materials described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,964,743; 5,645,542; 6,231,557; 6,362,389, and international patent application number WO 03/051254, the descriptions of which are incorporated by reference herein.

In some aspects, an emergence administration layer (not shown) can be included in the underpants 20. The emergence administration layer can be placed in the underpants 20 in a variety of locations as is known in the art. For example, the emergence administration layer may be proximate to the absorbent body 44, for example between the absorbent body 44 and the side-to-body liner 22, and attached to one or more of the components of the underpants 20 by methods known in the art. the art, such as by adhesive, ultrasonic or thermal bonding. In addition, the emergence administration layer can be placed in the underpants 20 relative to the temperature change member 70 in a variety of ways. For example, the emergence administration layer may be disposed towards the liner 22 relative to the temperature change member 70, or the emergence administration layer may be disposed towards the absorbent body 44 relative to the temperature change member 70.

The emergence administration layer helps to slow and diffuse outpourings or liquid spills that can quickly enter the absorbent body 44. Desirably, the emergence administration layer can quickly accept and temporarily sustain the liquid before releasing the liquid in the storage or retention portions of the absorbent body 44. Examples of suitable emergence administration layers are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,486,166 and the U.S. Patent No. 5,490,846, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference to the extent that they are consistent with the present (eg, not in conflict).

As mentioned above, in the various aspects of the absorbent article of the present invention, underpants 20 may also include a temperature change member 70 (Figures 3-8). The temperature change member 70 can define the surface of the inner member 87 intended to be disposed toward the user in use and a surface of the outer member 88 intended to be disposed away from the user in use, opposite the surface of the inner member (FIGS. -8). In addition, as representatively illustrated in Figures 4-8, the temperature change member 70 may suitably include a temperature change compound 72.

In addition, the temperature change member 70 may include a first transport layer 74 in a ratio overlaid with the temperature change compound 72 (Figures 5 and 6). The temperature change member 70 may also optionally include a second transport layer 76 where the first transport layer 74 and the second transport layer 76 intercalate the temperature change compound 72 (Figures 5-6). As such, in aspects where the temperature change member 70 does not include transport layers 74 or 75, the composite 72 can provide the surfaces 87 and 88 of the temperature change member 70. Alternatively, when present, the transport layers 74 and 76 can provide one or both surfaces of the temperature change member 87 and 88.

The temperature change member 70 can suitably include the temperature change material 80 (Figures 4-7). For example, the temperature change compound 72 can include the temperature change material 80 disposed in the temperature change compound 72. As can be appreciated, the temperature change member 70 can define a total amount of the change material of temperature 80, by weight. For example, in one aspect, the temperature change member 70 may include from 1 to 30 grams of material 80, and in particular, from 1 to 20 grams of material 80. In yet another alternative, the temperature change member 70 may include from 1 to 10 grams of material 80.

The temperature change material 80 can be disposed within the temperature change compound 72 in a variety of configurations. For example, the temperature change material 80 can be distributed in a substantially uniform manner throughout the temperature change compound 72, as all areas or regions of the temperature change compound 72 have substantially equal amounts of the change material of temperature 80, measured by weight. Alternatively, the temperature change material 80 can be suitably disposed within the temperature change compound 72 in a non-uniform distribution, measured by weight. In such an aspect, the temperature change material can be strategically located within the temperature change compound 72 to maximize the effectiveness of the temperature change member 70 in use and to present a more pleasant, smooth surface toward the user.

Thus, in one aspect, the temperature change material 80 can be disposed within the temperature change compound 72 in a non-uniform distribution by weight through the temperature change compound 72 in the Z direction 49. In such an arrangement, the temperature change material 80 may be disposed within the temperature change compound 72 in greater or lesser amounts (measured by weight) in some regions of the temperature change member 70 than in other regions of the temperature change member 70. In particular, in at least one cross section of the temperature change member 70 having some components in the z-direction 49 (for example, the section cross section is not taken exclusively in plane 47), the distribution of the temperature change material 80 may be suitably non-uniform across the cross section. However, in spite of this non-uniformity of the temperature change material 80 in the temperature change, the compound 72, and therefore the temperature change member 70, in the z direction 49, the material of the temperature change 80 it may optionally be substantially uniformly distributed in the temperature change compound 72 in the plane 47 for improved manufacture.

The material of the temperature change 80 may also optionally define a particle size distribution within the temperature change compound 72. For example, the particle size distribution may be from a particle size of the smallest temperature change material 80 to a particle size of the largest temperature change 80 measured from the surface of the inner member to the surface of the outer member 88. As such, the change member of temperature 80 may include relatively larger sized particles of temperature change material 80 that have been found to dissolve more slowly when exposed to the liquid, thereby providing a feeling of temperature change of relatively longer duration to the user in use and / or make the temperature change member 70 more effective for multiple urine discharges. However, the temperature change member 70 may also include the temperature change material 80 relatively sized by smaller sizes that have been found to dissolve more quickly when exposed to the liquid. As such, the temperature change member 70 can also provide more immediate feedback of the temperature change to the user with urination. In addition, depending on the location of the relatively smaller temperature change material 80, the temperature change member 70 can present a nice, relatively smooth surface towards the relatively more conformable user. small materials may be closer to the inner surface of member 87.

Accordingly, at least 10 percent of the temperature change material 80 included in the temperature change member 70 can have a particle size of not more than 200 microns. In addition, at least 10 percent of the temperature change material 80 can have a particle size greater than 500 microns. In another aspect, at least 25 percent of the temperature change material 80 included in the temperature change member 70 can have a particle size of not more than 200 microns. In addition, at least 25 percent of the temperature change material 80 can have a particle size of more than 500 microns. Alternatively, at least 10 percent of the temperature change material 80 included in the temperature change member 70 can have a particle size of not more than 90 microns. In addition, at least 10 percent of the temperature change material 80 can have a particle size of more than 710 microns. In another aspect, at least 25 percent of the temperature change material 80 included in the temperature change member 70 may have a particle size of not more than 90 microns. In addition, at least 25 percent of the material exchange temperature 80 can have a particle size of more than 710 microns.

In a particular aspect, at least 50 percent of the temperature change material 80 by weight can define a particle size of at least 500 microns. That is, if the temperature change member 70 contains a total amount of temperature change material 80 of 20 grams, at least 10 grams of that temperature change material 80 will have a particle size of at least 500 microns. Alternatively, at least 75 percent of the temperature change material 80 by weight can define a particle size of at least 500 microns. In another alternative, between 50 percent and 85 percent of the temperature change material 80 can define a particle size of at least 500 microns by weight. In yet another alternative at least 50 percent of the temperature change material 80 by weight can define a particle size of between 300 and 710 microns. In yet another alternative, between 50 percent and 85 percent of the temperature change material 80 by weight can define a particle size of between 300 and 710 microns. Accordingly, the temperature change member 70 may include a suitable temperature change material sized appropriately 80 for more sustained performance of the change in temperature. temperature. That is, as mentioned above, the relatively higher temperature-changing material 80 can provide a longer-lasting temperature-changing sensation to the user with being exposed to urine than the relatively smaller sized temperature-changing material. .

An appropriate method for determining the particle size of the temperature change material 80 and the size distribution of the temperature change material 80 and the particle size distribution of the temperature change material 80 in the temperature change member 70 is for the analysis of the sifted size. A stack of sieves are used to determine the particle size distribution of a given sample. Therefore, in principle, a particle that is retained on a sieve with 710 microns of opening is considered to have a particle size greater than 710 microns. A particle passing through a sieve having apertures of 710 microns and being retained on the sieve having apertures of 500 microns is considered to have a particle size of between 500 and 710 microns. In addition, a particle passing through the sieve having openings of 500 microns is considered to have a particle size of less than 500 microns.

The screens are placed in order of size of the openings with the largest openings above the stack and the smallest openings at the bottom of the stack. So, all the temperature change material 80 of a temperature change member can be weighed and placed on the screen with the larger openings. Alternatively, if it is desired to determine the particle size or particle size distribution of the temperature change material 80 in only a particular part of the temperature change member, only the temperature change material 80 of that part can weigh yourself and place yourself in the sieve with the largest openings. Standard sieves from the United States of America can be used in the stack of sieves, including 20 mesh (850 microns), 25 mesh (710 microns), 35 mesh (500 microns), 50 mesh (300 microns), and 170 mesh (90 microns).

The screen stack is stirred for 10 minutes with a Ro-Tap mechanical sieve agitator, model RX29, available from W. S. Tyler of Mentor, Ohio, or other similar agitated device at standard test conditions. After the agitation is completed, the temperature change material 80 retained in each screen is removed and the weight is measured and recorded. The percentage of particles retained in each sieve is calculated by dividing the weights of the particles retained in each sieve by the initial weight of the sample.

Further, as mentioned above, the temperature changing material 80 having various sizes of particles may be suitably disposed in certain parts of the temperature changing member 70. In a particular aspect, at least 70 percent of the change material of temperature 80 by weight at 25 percent of the temperature change member 70 extends in the Z direction 49 adjacent to the surface of the inner member 87 which may have a particle size of less than 300 microns. For example, if the temperature change member is 10 millimeters thick, in the Z direction, then at least 70 percent of the temperature change material 80 in the adjacent 2.5 millimeters on the inner surface 87 may have a size of particle of less than 300 microns. Alternatively, at least 70 percent of the temperature change material 80 by weight in the 25 percent of the temperature change member 70 extending in the Z direction 49 adjacent to the surface of the inner member 87 may have a particle size. of less than 200 microns, and still in another alternative, less than 100 microns. In another aspect, at least 70 percent of the temperature change material 80 by weight in the 25 percent of the member of Temperature change 70 extending in the Z direction 49 adjacent to the surface of the inner member 87 can have a particle size of between 200 microns and 500 microns. The temperature change material 80 characterizing the particle sizes near the surface of the inner member 87 as described above are suitably small enough to provide a more pleasant surface towards the user in use, as well as providing a sensation of temperature change relatively fast to the user, as described above.

Similarly, the relatively larger temperature change material 80 may be disposed in certain parts of the temperature change member 70, such as disposed proximate the surface of the outer member 88. Alternatively, the relatively larger temperature change material 80 may be disposed towards a center line of the member in the Z direction, indicated on the arrow marked 90. As such, at least 70 percent of the temperature change material 80 by weight in the 25 percent of the temperature change member 70 that is Extending in the Z direction 49 adjacent to the surface of the outer member 88 may have a particle size of less than 300 microns. Alternatively, at least 70 percent of the exchange material of temperature 80 by weight in 25 percent of the temperature change member 70 extending in the Z direction 49 adjacent to the surface of the outer member 88 can have a particle size of less than 200 microns, and still in another alternative , of less than 100 microns. In another aspect, at least 70 percent of the temperature change material 80 by weight in the 25 percent of the temperature change member 70 extending in the Z direction 49 adjacent the surface of the outer member 88 may have a size of particle between 200 microns and 500 microns. The temperature change material 80 has particle sizes close to the surface of the inner member 87 and the outer surface 88 as described above are suitably small enough to more reliably provide a pleasant surface to the user in use, such as in the event of changing the temperature change member 70 during the manufacture of the underpants 20.

In another alternative, and to further provide an effective temperature change member 70 that still provides a user-friendly surface, less than 10 percent of the total amount of temperature change material 80 in the temperature change member 80 per weight can be located at 10 percent of the thickness of the member of the temperature change extended in the Z direction 49 adjacent to the surface of the inner member 87. Also, less than 10 percent of the total amount of the temperature changing material 80 in the temperature change member 80 by weight can be located at 10 percent of the thickness of the temperature change member extending in the Z direction 49 adjacent to the surface of the outer member 88. As such, in aspects where less than 10 percent of the temperature change material 80 by weight is adjacent to the surfaces of the member 87 and 88, the set of the underpants 20 can be simplified as the member 70 is removed during the assembly of the underpants 20 which negatively impacts the performance of the member 70, and the member 70 can still provide a pleasant surface for the user.

An appropriate method for determining the distribution of the temperature change material 80 within the temperature change member 70 is in the form of a photomicrograph, electron micrograph, or similar reflecting techniques. For example, an electron scanning microscope (JSM-840 of J.E.O.L., of Peabody, Massachusetts) can be used. The cross sections can be taken in the direction at Z 49 when cutting with a straight full edge knife, taking care is taken to avoid dragging the temperature change material 80 from one area of the temperature change member 70 to another area of the member 70. Accordingly, an enlarged image of the cross section in the Z direction of the temperature change member 70 It can be taken. From this image, the dimensions of the temperature change member 70 can be determined, and the distribution of the temperature change material 80 in the Z direction can also be observed. In addition, the size of the temperature change material 80 in various relative locations of the temperature change member 70 can also be determined on the computer screen using software (SEMICAPS Genie, version 1.0, desktop mirroring system manufactured by SEMICAPS, Inc., of Santa Clara, California) in conjunction with the electron scanning micrograph.

Furthermore, in particular aspects, at least .5 millimeters, alternatively at least 1 millimeter, and in yet another alternative at least 2 millimeters of the temperature change member 70 adjacent the surface of the inner member 97 may optionally be substantially free of the material of temperature change 80 to define a member of the first isolating zone 92. In yet another alternative, between .5 millimeters to 2 millimeters of the exchange member of temperature 70 adjacent to the surface of the inner member 87 may optionally be substantially free of the temperature changing material 80 to define the member of the first isolating zone 92. Likewise, at least 5 millimeters, and alternatively at least 1 millimeter, and in yet another alternative at least 2 millimeters of the temperature change member 70 adjacent to the surface of the outer member 88 may be free of the temperature changing material to define a member of the second insulating zone 94. In yet another alternative, between .5 millimeters to 2.0 millimeters of the temperature changing member 70 adjacent to the surface of the outer member 88. it may optionally be substantially free of the temperature changing material 80 to define a member of the second isolating zone 9. The first isolating zone 92 may be provided by separate layer attached to the temperature change compound 72, such as the second transport layer 76. Alternatively, the first isolating zone 92 can be provided by a part of the temperature change compound 72 which is substantially free of the temperature change material 80. Likewise, the second isolating zone 94 can be provided by a separate layer attached to the change compound. of temperature 72, such as the first transport layer 74. Alternatively, the second isolation zone 94 may be provided by a part of the exchange compound of temperature 72 which is free of temperature change material 80.

As mentioned above, an adequate method for determining the distribution of the temperature change material 80 within the temperature change member 70 is by way of photo-micrography, electron micrograph, or similar reflex techniques. Accordingly, an enlarged image of the cross section in the Z direction of the temperature change member 70 can be taken. From the image, the dimensions of the isolating zones 92 and 94 can be measured.

The non-uniform distribution of the temperature change material 80 in the temperature change member 70 as described above can provide a number of benefits. For example, the temperature change member can remain effective by providing a feeling of temperature change to the user in use while being less likely to cause irritation of a rough surface due to the temperature changing material being located close to the user.

As mentioned above, the temperature change compound 72 includes the temperature change material 80 and optionally, it can further include a fiber matrix 78 where the temperature change material 80 is intermixed within the fiber matrix 78. The The matrix of the fibers 78 may be substantially continuous or discrete and discontinuous. In addition, the fiber matrix 78 of the temperature change compound 72 can be provided by a variety of different fibers as are known in the art. For example, fiber matrix 78 may include adhesive fibers, absorbent fibers, binders (including binder fibers), polymer fibers, and the like, or combinations thereof. As such, the temperature changing material 80 can suitably be trapped within the matrix 78 to limit agitation of the material or loss during manufacture and / or use of the underpants 20. Suitable temperature change compounds 72 are described in FIG. U.S. Patent No. 5,681,298 and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11 / 143,359, each of which have previously been incorporated herein.

In particular, in aspects where the fiber matrix 78 includes adhesive fibers, the fibers can provided by a hot melt adhesive. Such an adhesive generally comprises one or more polymers to provide cohesive strength, a resin or analogous material, possibly waxes, plasticizers or other materials to modify viscosity, and / or other additives including, but not limited to, antioxidants or other stabilizers. It is also contemplated that alternative adhesives can be used without departing from the scope of this invention.

The temperature changing material 80 can be intermixed with the adhesive fibers by providing the matrix of the fibers 78 being supplied and entrained in a jet of adhesive to form a combined blend of adhesive fibers and temperature change material 80. In such aspect , the fiber matrix can optionally be applied to a substrate, such as to the first transport layer 74. In addition, the second transport layer 76 can, but not necessarily, overlap the temperature change compound 72 and be secured thereto by the adhesive in the fiber matrix 78.

The temperature changing material 80 can be intermixed with the adhesive in an alternating, layered manner, as is known in the art in order to arrive at the various configurations described above. In addition, the temperature change material of different size can be intermixed in several locations by the separate prepart of various temperature changing materials 80 sorted by size (e.g., by screening the temperature change material 80) or by purchasing the material from changing the temperature in the desired particle sizes and dragging the material 80 with the adhesive fibers to reach the various distribution sizes described above. The jet of temperature changing material 80 may be provided pneumatically or supplied by gravity by means of agitation.

An example of a suitable adhesive for use in providing the fiber matrix 78 are hot melt adhesives available from H.B. Fuller Adhesives of Saint Paul, Minnesota under the designation HL8151-XZP. In particular, this adhesive is a hydrophilic adhesive that promotes rapid wettability of the temperature change member 70 resulting in a faster temperature change. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the adhesive may be a hydrophobic adhesive without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Alternatively, the fiber matrix 78 of the temperature change compound 72 may include absorbent fibers. In such an aspect, the fiber matrix 78 can be provided by absorbent fibers by forming the matrix on a forming surface of a conventional air-forming device. Suitable absorbent fibers may include natural absorbent fibers such as cellulose fibers (eg, wood pulp fibers) or cotton fibers, synthetic absorbent fibers such as rayon, or cellulose acetate or combinations thereof. In particular, the absorbent fibers may be a blend of bleached south soft wood and hardwood Kraft pulp designated CR1654, available from Bowater Inc., of Greenville, South Carolina, United States of America. Other suitable absorbent fibers may include bleached softwood Kraft pulp NB 416, available from Weyerhaeuser, Co. , of Federal Way, Washington, United States of America; a pulp of softwood kraft from bleached south CR 1654, available from Bowater, Inc. of Greenville, South Carolina; a chemically modified hardwood pulp, SULPHATATE HJ available from Rayonier Inc., of Jessup, Georgia, United States of America, and a chemically treated bleached south softwood kraft pulp NF 405, available from Weyerhaeuser, Co.

Optionally, in such an aspect, the fiber matrix 78 may further include a binder material. For example, the binder material can suitably be a thermoplastic binder material. Such binder materials can be softened when exposed to heat and can substantially return to their original condition when cooled to room temperature. Such thermoplastic binder materials, when in the softened state, constrict or trap the fibers and other materials near the binder to stabilize the temperature change compound 72. Binder materials may be provided in powder or fiber form. Examples of suitable binder materials for use with the present invention may be those having melting temperatures such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or paraffin wax, both of which are available from Alrich of Saint Louis, Missouri.

The temperature changing material 80 can be intermixed with the absorbent fibers in an alternate, layered fashion as is known in the art in order to arrive at the various configurations described above. In addition, the material of temperature change of different sizes can be intermixed in several locations by the separate prior of various sizes of the temperature change material 80 (for example by sieving the temperature change material 80) or the purchase of the temperature change material in desired particle sizes and entraining the material 80 with the adhesive fibers to reach the Various distribution sizes described above. The jet of temperature changing material 80 may be provided pneumatically or supplied by gravity as a stirring.

In yet another alternative, the matrix of the fibers 78 can be provided by a coform compound that includes polymer fibers and absorbent fibers. Coform materials and coform processes are well known in the art and as exemplary mode are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,100,324 issued to Anderson et al .; 5,284,703 granted to Everhart and others; and 5,350,624 issued to Georger and others; each of which is incorporated herein by reference to the extent that they are consistent with the present (e.g., not in conflict).

In a particular aspect, the fiber matrix 78 can be provided by a coform compound which can be a blend of meltblown polymer fibers and cellulose fibers. Several suitable materials can be used to provide meltblown fibers such as polyolefin material. Alternatively, the polymer fibers can be stretched polymer fibers, such as those provided by a copolymer resin. For example, a Vistamaxx® elastic olefin copolymer resin, available from ExxonMobil Corporation, of Houston, Texas, or KRATON G-2755, available from Kraton Polymers, of Houston, Texas, can be used to provide polymer fibers capable of stretching for fiber matrix 78. Other suitable polymeric materials or combinations thereof may alternatively be used as are known in the art.

In addition, various absorbent fibers can be used such as NF 405, a chemically treated bleached south softwood kraft pulp, available from Weyerhaeuser Co. , of Federal Way, Washington, United States of America; a bleached south softwood Kraft pulp available from Weyerhaeuser, Co.; CR 0056, a softwood pulp from the unbundled south available from Bowater, Inc. From Greenville, South Carolina, soft-bleached wood pulp Golden Isles 4822 available from Koch Cellulose of Brunswick, Georgia, United States of America; and SULPHATATE HJ, a chemically modified hardwood pulp, available from Rayonier, Inc., of Jessup, Georgia, United States of America.

The polymer fibers and absorbent fibers can be co-formed to provide the fiber matrix 78 by providing a jet of absorbent fibers and a jet of extruded molten polymer fibers. In addition, to provide the temperature change compound 72, a jet of temperature change material 80 can also be provided. These jets can be mixed in a single stream and collected on a forming surface such as a forming band or forming drum to form the temperature change compound 72, of the temperature changing member 70. Optionally, a forming layer , such as a first transport layer 74 can be placed on the forming surface and used to collect the materials included in the temperature change compound 72.

The jet of absorbent fibers may be provided by supplying a pulp sheet in a fibrillator, hammer mill, or similar device as are known in the art. Suitable fibrilators are available from Hollingsworth of Greenville, South Carolina and are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,375,448 issued March 1, 1983 to Appel et al. The jet of Polymer fibers can be provided by blowing with melting a copolymer resin or other polymer. In particular, the melt temperature for a copolymer resin such as the Vista axx® can be from 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius) to 540 degrees Fahrenheit (282 degrees Celsius) to improve the drag of the temperature change material in the matrix. As mentioned above, suitable techniques for producing non-woven fibrous webs, including meltblown fibers, are described in the previously incorporated U.S. Patent Nos. 4,100,324 and 5,350,624. The meltblowing techniques can be readily adjusted in accordance with conventional knowledge to provide turbulent flows that can operatively intermix the fibers and the temperature change material 80. For example, the main air pressure can be set at 5 pounds per inch square (psi) and meltblowing nozzles can be 0.020 inch nozzles per spinner hole. The techniques can also be readily adjusted in accordance with conventional knowledge to provide the desired percentage by weight of the various materials in the temperature change compound 72.

The jet of temperature changing material 80 can be provided pneumatically or supplied by gravity as a stirring. A suitable method and apparatus for supplying material in an air jet is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,604,313 issued August 5, 1986 to McFarland et al .; the description of which is incorporated by reference herein to the extent that is consistent with the present (eg, not in conflict). The coform material may also include other materials, such as super absorbent materials.

The temperature changing material 80 can be intermixed with the absorbent fibers in an alternate, layered fashion as is known in the art in order to arrive at the various configurations described above. In addition, the temperature change material of different sizes can be intermixed in several locations by the separate pre-cut of various sizes of the temperature change material 80 (for example by screening the temperature change material 80) or by purchasing the change of temperature in desired particle sizes and entrainment of the material 80 with the adhesive fibers to arrive at the various distribution sizes described above. The jet of change material of temperature 80 may be provided pneumatically or supplied by gravity as a stirring method.

In one aspect, the temperature change compound 72 provided by a coform compound as described above can be from 5 to 15 weight percent meltblown polymer fibers, from 10 to 50 weight percent absorbent fibers and from 40 to 80 percent by weight of the temperature change material. In a particular aspect, the temperature change compound 72 can be 8 percent by weight of meltblown polymer fibers, 14 percent by weight of absorbent fibers, 78 percent by weight of temperature change material and define a base weight of 1340 grams per square meter.

As mentioned above, the temperature change member 70 can optionally include a first transport layer 74 (Figures 4 and 5) in superposed relation with the temperature change compound 72. In addition, the temperature change member 70 can optionally including a first transport layer 74 and a second transport layer 76 (Figure 5) where the first transport layer and the second transport layer 76 interleaves the temperature change compound 72. The first and second transport layers 74 and 76 may be provided by separate fabrics of material, or alternatively may be provided by a single fabric of material that is folded in half around the temperature change compound 72. The first and second transport layers 74 and 76 may be provided by separate fabrics of material, or alternatively can be provided by a single fabric of material that is folded in half around the temperature change compound 72. With reference to Figure 9, the liner 42 can also serve as the second transport layer 76.

In certain aspects, the carrier layers 74 and 76 may be liquid permeable or liquid impervious. For example, a carrier layer, such as the first carrier layer 74 may be at least partially impermeable to the liquid, and optionally may be essentially or completely impermeable to the liquid and the other carrier layer (for example the second carrier layer 76 may be at least partially liquid permeable and optionally can be essentially or completely liquid permeable In one aspect, the first carrier layer 74 can be placed towards the outer surface 32 and the second carrier layer 76 can be placed towards the inner surface 30. As such, liquid discharges can pass through the second carrier layer 76 for activating the temperature change material, and the first carrier layer 74 can decelerate the flow of the liquid discharge from leaving the temperature change member 70 thereby maximizing the temperature change that can be felt by the user. Alternatively, the first carrier layer 74 may be liquid permeable, and in aspects with a second carrier layer 76, both carrier layers 74 and 76 may be permeable to the liquid. In yet another alternative, the carrier layers 74 and 76 can each include parts that are liquid permeable and liquid impervious. The carrier layers 74 and 76 as described above can further improve the integrity of the temperature change member 70 thereby improving processing, and can also help retain the temperature change material within the member 70.

The liquid permeable materials suitable for the carrier layers 74 and 76 include tissue layers, nonwoven layers or combinations thereof. In particular, the materials described as suitable for use as the body-side liner 42 may also be suitable for a liquid-permeable carrier layer 74 and 76. Therefore, a carrier layer permeable to the liquid may also be stretched. liquid 74 and 76. Similarly the materials described as suitable for use as the outer cover 40 may be suitable for use as a carrier layer impervious to liquid 74 and 76. Thus, a carrier layer impermeable to liquid 74 and 76 may also be stretched.

The temperature changing material 80 of the various aspects of the present invention may include a substance that provides a temperature change when placed close to the user and brought into contact with the urine. The change in temperature can be either an absorption or release of heat that is noticeable by the user. The absorption of heat by the temperature changing material 80 will provide the user with a cold sensation, while the release of heat by the substrate will provide the user with a feeling of heat. Reference is made to the publication of United States of America patent application No. 2004/0254549, published on December 16, 2004 in the name of Olson et al., And incorporated by reference herein, for additional information regarding the mechanism by which the sensation of temperature change is achieved. Suitably, the temperature changing material 80 can be provided in the form of particles for ease of processing in the aspects described.

The temperature change material 80 responds to contact with an aqueous solution such as urine to either absorb or release the heat. The mechanism by which this is achieved is the dissolution of the substance in the aqueous solution, the swelling of the substance in the aqueous solution, or the reaction of the substance and the aqueous solution. For example, the temperature changing material may include particles having a substantial energy difference between a dissolved state and a crystalline state so that the energy in the form of heat is absorbed or released into the environment upon contact with the urine, or The temperature change material can release or absorb the energy during swelling or react in an aqueous solution.

Even when a wide range of substances can result in a temperature change when they are brought into contact with an aqueous solution, the selection of a particular temperature change material 80, the determination of the amount to be used and the location of the substance they should be based in part on the desired temperature change. Specifically, the temperature changing member 70 can suitably provide the learning pants 10 with a temperature change (e.g., colder or warmer) when it is wet of at least about 5 ° C, more suitably about 10 ° C, still more appropriately about 15 ° C. Alternatively, the temperature changing member 70 can provide the pant 20 with a change of surface temperature when wet from 5 ° C to 15 ° C. Changes in surface temperature within this range are believed to be identified to some extent by children of a toilet-learning age. More suitably the temperature changing member 70 can provide the pants 20 with a change in surface temperature when wetting from 5 ° C to 10 ° C.

Therefore, in a particular aspect, wherein the temperature changing material is endothermic, a drop in product temperature when discharging can be from about 37 ° C to about 25 ° C, and in addition to about 22 ° C for improved effectiveness, particularly with a concerned user (for example a child who plays). The temperature change can suitably last for at least 10 minutes, and more adequately for approximately 15 minutes.

By way of example, polyols such as xylitol particles can be selected for provide a cooling sensation since xylitol particles absorb heat when dissolved in an aqueous solution. Alternatively, other polyols such as sorbitol or erythritol may be advantageously selected to provide a cooling sensation. In yet another alternative, various combinations of the above temperature changing materials can be used. Suitable polyols can be obtained from Roquete America, Inc., a company having offices in Keokuk, IA, under the trade name XYLISORB (xylitol) or NEOSORB (sorbitol). Such polyols can generally be obtained from the manufacturer in particular particle sizes, such as 90 microns, 300 microns, 500 microns, and the like by the distribution in the temperature change member 70.

Other suitable heat exchange materials that absorb heat during dissolution include salt hydrates, such as sodium acetates (H20), sodium carbonate (10H2O), sodium sulfate (10H2O), sodium thiosulfate (5H20), and sodium phosphate (10H2O); the anhydrous salts such as ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, ammonium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium nitrate; organic compounds such as urea and the like or combinations thereof.

The temperature changing material 80 may also include those substances that absorb or release heat during swelling. By way of illustration, a suitable temperature changing material that releases heat during swelling is a partially naturalized and slightly crosslinked polyacrylic acid. Another temperature changing material 80 that releases heat during dissolution includes aluminum chloride, aluminum sulfate, potassium aluminum sulfate, and the like or combinations thereof.

The temperature change material 80 may also include the orthoesters or ketals, such as the menthone ketals which result from reacting the methane with the alcohols containing from 1 to 8 carbons or polyols containing from 2 to 8 carbons, and all the structural and optical ones. Particular metona ketals that may be suitable include metona-glycerol-ketal and metona-propylene glycol ketal. Particular ketals are described in U.S. Patents Nos. 5,348,750 to Greenberg, and 5,266,592 to Grub et al.

The temperature change member 70 may optionally be subjected to further processing for improved performance. For example, the temperature change member 70 can be passed through a pressure point defined by the opposing rolls in order to compress and densify the temperature change member 70 or certain regions of the temperature change member 70. Alternatively, other densification methods may be used as are well known to those skilled in the art. As such, the temperature change member 70 can define a density of between .20 grams per cubic centimeter to .55 grams per cubic centimeter, particularly a density of between .25 grams per cubic centimeter to .45 grams per cubic centimeter and yet more particularly, a density of between .35 grams per cubic centimeter in at least a part of the temperature changing member 70. The densities within these ranges are believed to allow to provide a flexible but robust temperature changing member 70 which retains the temperature changing member 80 within the fiber matrix 78 and having desirable integrity. Furthermore, such densities are not so high as to crush or otherwise impair the temperature changing material 80 thereby reducing its effectiveness.

The smoothness or coefficient of friction of the temperature change member 70 may depend on the materials of which the temperature change member 70 is constructed. For example, as previously mentioned, the smaller particles of the temperature change material 80 can result in a smoother temperature change member 70 than one having larger particles of temperature change material 80. In addition, embedding the change material of temperature within a fiber matrix, as described herein, can result in a compound that is relatively smooth.

The smoothness of the temperature change member 70 may also depend on the mechanical treatment and / or the manner in which the temperature change member is constructed. For example, as described herein, the temperature changing materials 80 may be arranged within the temperature change member 70 to positively affect the coefficient of friction. In addition, a mechanical treatment such as calendering can be used to smooth and increase the density of the temperature changing member 70. For example, if the temperature changing material 80 is embedded in a soft coform material as described herein, the calendering can push the larger particles of temperature change material 80 to more deep inside the coform material to create a smoother surface. Alternatively, if the temperature changing member 70 is sandwiched between the carrier layers 74 and 76, the calendering can have the effect of rearranging the particles of a temperature changing material 80, and creating a further surface. smooth of layers 74 and 76.

The calendering process can be carried out by applying pressure to a material with a pair of pressure point rollers (not shown). The pressure point rollers have a fixed spacing so that the material can be flattened to a relatively or substantially uniform thickness. The fixed spacing may be around 0.94 millimeters, or any size as desired to apply sufficient pressure to the material to achieve a smoothing effect. Using the calendering process, a temperature change member 70 can be smoothed to achieve a lower coefficient of friction on one or both of the two surfaces contacted by the pressure point rolls.

Friction test. The surface friction of the temperature change member 70 can be determined with the following test methodology. This test is particularly suitable for sheet materials such as nonwovens, bath tissue, facial tissue, towels, hand sheets, and thick composite materials such as diapers, bandages or pads. The test method uses a Kawabata evaluation system equipment, and will be referred to hereinafter as the KES method.

The surface roughness and surface friction electronic unit KES (model No. KES-SE, available from Kato Tech Company Limited of Japan) is an electronic instrument equipped with a calculation circuit to measure the geometric roughness, the coefficient of friction , and the average deviation of the coefficient of friction. Generally, a specimen is placed on a slide table at a specified speed. The direction and distance of motion are detected by a potentiometer as the displacement output voltage. Surface friction is measured with a friction-force sensor at a predetermined weight. The friction-force sensor is connected to a friction-force transducer with a linear differential transformer. The measured values are closely related to the feel of the hand or a material surface. The sensor used for the test samples described is a 10-wire multiple sensor. wires Each wire has an outside diameter of 0.5 millimeters, and the total area of the wires is around 1 square centimeter.

The laboratory environment is at 23 +/- 2 ° C and 50 +/- relative humidity. Rubber gloves are used when handling specimens, so as not to affect the moisture content of the specimens.

Prepare specimens to a dimension of ten (10) centimeters by ten (10) centimeters and conditions in the laboratory environment for at least 24 hours. It is not possible to prepare specimens of this size, such as when removing a temperature change member 70 from a diaper for the test, then it is acceptable to use a sample having smaller dimensions as long as the test equipment does not have to undergo significant modifications. Significant modifications are defined as a modification that could alter the test results to the extent that a comparison with the previous test results is not significant. Extensions to increase the area of the test specimen can be added for handling and testing by promoting that extension surfaces are not tested or considered when determining the coefficient of friction of the temperature change member. The specimen thickness can vary from the type of material to the type of material. Within a given material, the thickness for each specimen has a relatively low variation.

Place a conditioned specimen on the designated specimen table on the KES device. Align the specimen with the left edge of the specimen table, parallel to the long edge of the specimen table, and centered approximately with the hanging-sensor axis. Avoid touching the test area. Adjust the height of the sensor hanging arrow so that the center of the friction force sensor hanging arrow is approximately aligned with the top of the specimen. Once aligned, tighten the fixing screw.

Apply the initial test placements to the KES device. First, put the KES device to test at a speed of 1 millimeter / second. Second, put the static friction load KES to 25 grams. Third, zero the electronic unit. Fourth, seat the frictional force sensor on the sensor hanging arrow. Fifth, ensure that the digital reading exhibits +/- 00.00 volts. Sixth, put the test sensitivity to "high".

When the test is carried out, record the following: (1) average deviation of coefficient of friction (hereinafter "D", (2) aesthetic load in grams, (3) speed, and (4) sensitivity ( If the tested material has been treated, after removing the frictional force sensor from the hanging arrow, gently clean the part of the sensor that contacts the specimen with the tip of an applicator.

To create a report using the test data, refer to Table 1 for factors to calculate the coefficient of friction at a static load of 25 grams when the sensitivity is set to high.

TABLE 1 Since it is feasible that the different devices for determining the coefficient of friction can give slightly different values, it is therefore expressly understood that the average deviation of the values of coefficient of friction (MD) expressed hereinafter and in the claims should be considered as values derived from the KES method.

Experimental data. According to the KES method described above, the following types of temperature change members 70 were tested to determine MD. The MD data is obtained for the test specimens of the temperature change members 70 in both the transverse direction and the machine direction. A geometric mean of data MD is calculated by taking a square root of the MD values of product in the transverse direction and in the machine direction. The geometric mean MD is referred to hereafter as "GMD".

The tested material was constructed of a homogeneous mixture of about 75% sorbitol, about 9% polymer, and about 16% pulp formed on a carrier layer of about 13.6 grams per square meter of SMS not treated in accordance with the process described in the patent of United States of America No. 5,681,298 and in the patent application of the United States of America series No. 11 / 143,359 (previously incorporated). The surface tested, the inner surface of member 87, was opposite to the carrier layer located on the outer surface of member 88. Sorbitol was a granular material obtained from Roquette Corporation (Keokuk, IA). The polymer was VISTAMAXX VM2370 obtained from ExxonMobil Chemical Company (of Houston, Texas). The wood pulp was pulp NF405 obtained from Weyerhaeuser Company (Federal Way, WA).

The temperature change member specimens 70 used in the experiment had the following physical properties as shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 The GMD data for each specimen were obtained and analyzed using the student's t-test, a statistical inference technique, see Tables 3 and 4 given below. By comparing the value of 2-tails, critical-t with the t-Stat value, it was shown that there is a significant difference in GMD between the calendered temperature change members 70 and the uncalendered temperature change members 70. In Similarly, Tables 5 and 6 show that there is a significant difference in the GMD value between the calendered and uncalendered material and the liner material as described above. There, even though some of the distributions that represent the data may overlap, each of the materials has significantly different coefficients of friction in comparison to others.

TABLE 3: GMD three materials TABLE 4 Uncalendered temperature change member specimens compared to uncalendered temperature change member specimens TABLE 5 Calendered temperature change member specimens compared to liner TABLE 6 Uncalendered temperature change member specimens compared to liner As seen in Table 4, the material exhibiting the highest GMD is the uncalendered temperature change member 70. Consumer studies have shown that the temperature change member 70 with a GMD of around is generally not acceptable to most users even when it is placed under a single lining layer 42 without any other materials in between (eg, emergence). There, it is desired that an absorbent article of the present invention, which incorporates any of the incorporations of the temperature change member 70. described here, have a GMD of less than about 0.0275. It is further desired that the temperature change member 70 have a GMD of less than about 0.0270. It is further desired that the temperature change member 70 have a GMD of less than about 0.0260. It is further desired that the temperature change member 70 have a GMD of less than about 0.0250. It is further desired that the temperature change member 70 have a GMD of less than about 0.0240 Conversely, as noted in Tables 5 and 6, the material exhibiting the lowest coefficient of friction is the lining material. Although the liner 42 GMD is around 0.0153, it is not intended to limit the present invention, it is a number that can represent an acceptable GMD any material that makes contact with the wearer's skin. If the GMD becomes too low, then the material can stick to the user's skin and feel uncomable. example, a GMD similar to that of polished glass would be likely to feel uncomable most users. As such, regardless of where the temperature change member 70 is positioned with respect to the liner 42 or the absorbent body 44, it is desirable that the temperature change member 70 described herein have a GMD of between about 0.0115 and 0.0275. . Also you want the change member of temperature 70 have a GI D of between about 0.0125 and 0. 0275. It is further desired that the temperature change member 70 have a GMD of between about 0.0125 and 0. 0260. In addition it is desired that the temperature change member 70 have a GMD of between about 0.0125 and 0. 0250. It is further desired that the temperature change member 70 have a GMD of between about 0.0125 and 0. 0240. In addition it is desired that the temperature change member 70 have a GMD of between about 0.0140 and 0.0240.

The temperature changing member 70 is placed inside the training pants 20 so that with urination, the liquid makes contact with the temperature changing material 80. example, the temperature changing member 70 can be placed with the absorbent body 44, example in the middle of the outer cover 40 and the liner 42. In particular, the temperature changing member 70 can be attached to the absorbent body 44 and placed towards the inner surface of the underpants 20. Alternatively, the The temperature change member 70 can be attached to the liner 42 on one side of the absorbent body 44. In yet another alternative, the temperature change member 70 can be placed within a spacing between parts of the absorbent body 44 and held by example to the outer cover 40. Such an aspect is described in the patent application of the United States of America No. 10 / 955,534 filed on September 29, 2004 in the name of eber and others, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference in the extent in which it is consistent (for example, not in conflict) with it.

As can be easily appreciated, the temperature change member 70 can be of various shapes and sizes. For example, the temperature changing member 70 may be rectangular and may have a width in the lateral direction 48 of from 2.5 centimeters to 10 centimeters and a length in the longitudinal direction 46 of from 2.5 centimeters to 25 centimeters. In one aspect, the temperature change member 70 can measure about 8 centimeters by about 10 centimeters. Alternatively, the temperature changing member 70 can be oval, circular, triangular or the like. In yet another alternative, the temperature changing member 70 may be generally provided in strips extending on the side 48 or in the longitudinal direction 46 and which may be separated by a gap. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the training underpants 20 of the present invention may include more than one temperature change member 70.

A suitable method for determining the temperature change with wetting of a product containing a temperature change material is described below in the temperature change test as follows. The test must be carried out in an environment having a stable temperature of 21 ° C to 22 ° C and a stable humidity of around 50%. The product to be tested is prepared by removing any elastic side panels and cutting all the elastics to allow the product to lie as flat as possible. The product is placed in a plexiglass cradle to simulate the configuration of the product in real use. The center of the product is placed in the deepest part of the cradle.

A liquid dispenser nozzle operatively connected to a liquid dispenser pump is positioned to supply salt water on the interior surface of the product. The tip of the nozzle should be located 1 centimeter away from the inner surface and 10 centimeters forward of the center of the product along the longitudinal axis of the product. The pump is activated to supply 90 milliliters of 0.9% isotonic salt water stabilized at a rate of 15 ml / sec. The salt water is water salted certified blood bank available from The Baxter Heaithcare Corporation, of Scientific Products Division, of McGraw Parí, Illinois and is at a temperature of 37 ° C.

The surface temperature of the product at the location of the temperature change member is measured using a standard thermometer or temperature sensing thermistors connected to a digital display or recording device. The surface temperature 30 seconds after the salt water is stocked is recorded as the test temperature. A reference temperature is obtained by carrying out this test on a part of the product not including the temperature change material or in a similar product without the temperature change material. The change in surface temperature when wetted by the product is the difference between the test temperature and the reference temperature.

As various changes can be made to the above methods and constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all of the material contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings be construed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 4 When the elements of the invention or the preferred aspects thereof are introduced the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean that there is one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the items listed.

Claims (21)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An absorbent article defining a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, and a z-direction perpendicular to a plane defined by said lateral direction and said longitudinal direction, said absorbent article comprises: an outer cover; an absorbent body positioned on said outer cover; a liner placed on the absorbent body; Y a temperature change member positioned between the liner and the outer cover, the temperature change member defines an inner surface of member and an outer surface of member opposite said inner surface of member, the temperature changing member comprises a material of temperature change placed in a non-uniform distribution by weight in the z-direction of the temperature change member, and having a GMD of less than about 0.0275 on the inner surface of member as determined by the friction test described herein.

2. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the temperature change member further comprises a fiber matrix and wherein the temperature change material is intermixed with said fiber matrix.

3. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that the fiber matrix comprises adhesive fibers.

4. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that the fiber matrix comprises absorbent fibers.

5. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that the fiber matrix comprises polymer fibers.

6. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that the fiber matrix comprises a coform matrix of fibers.

7. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 6, characterized in that the temperature change member has a GMD of less than about 0.0270 when tested on the inner member surface.

8. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the temperature change member has a GMD of less than about 0.0270 when tested on the inner member surface.

9. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the temperature change member has a GMD of less than about 0.0260 when tested on the inner member surface.

10. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the temperature change member has a GMD of less than about 0.0250 when tested on the inner member surface.

11. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the member of Temperature change has a GMD of less than about 0.0240 when tested on the inner surface of member.

12. An absorbent article comprising: an outer cover impervious to liquid; an absorbent body positioned on said outer cover; Y a temperature change member defining an inner surface of member and an outer surface of member opposite said inner surface of member, the temperature changing member comprises temperature changing material wherein at least 50% of said material Temperature change defines a particle size of at least 500 microns by weight, wherein the temperature change member has a GMD, as determined by the friction test described herein, of less than 0.0270 when tested in the interior surface of member.

13. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that the temperature change member further comprises a fiber matrix and wherein the temperature change member is intermixed with said fiber matrix.

14. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that the temperature change member further comprises a fiber matrix and wherein the fiber matrix comprises a hot melt adhesive.

15. An absorbent article defining a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, and a z-direction perpendicular to a plane defined by said lateral direction and said longitudinal direction, said absorbent article comprising: an outer cover impermeable to the liquid having a surface facing the garment and a surface facing the body; Y a temperature change member placed on the surface facing the outer cover body, the temperature changing member defines an inner surface of member and an outer surface of member opposite the inner surface of member, the changing member of The temperature comprises a temperature change material placed in a non-uniform distribution by weight in the z-direction of the temperature change member, the temperature change member having a GMD of less than about 0.0275 on the inner surface of the member, as determined by the friction test described herein.

16. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 14, further characterized in that it comprises a liner, wherein the liner is placed on the inner surface of the member of the temperature change member in direct contact therewith.

17. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 14, further characterized in that it comprises a liner, and wherein the temperature change member further comprises a first carrier layer and a second carrier layer, wherein the second carrier layer consists of the liner and the inner surface of the member.

18. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that the temperature change member has a GMD on the inner surface of the member of between about 0.0275 and 0.0115.

19. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that more than 50% of said temperature change material by weight has a particle size of between 300 microns and 710 microns.

20. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 19, further characterized in that it comprises a liner placed directly on the inner surface of member of the temperature change member.

21. The absorbent article as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that the liner has a GMD of between about 0.0275 and 0.0115. SUMMARY An absorbent article that includes a temperature change member is described. In addition to the temperature change member, the article may include an outer cover, a liner and / or an absorbent body placed on the outer cover. The temperature change member has a geometric mean of the average deviation of the coefficient of friction, which is less than about 0.0275 when tested on the intended surface to face a user.