ABSORBENT ARTICLE HAVING IMPROVED ADHESIVE SYSTEM TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY AND BREATHABILITY

• US 20020058919A1
• Filed: 08/06/1999
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: POLLARD, RICKY ALAN, HAMILTON, PETER W., BERG, CHARLES J. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 6,443,936 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/385.05
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5611 using fastening strips, e.g. adhesive, on the undergarment-facing side
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/5616 using flaps, e.g. adhesive, for attachment to the undergarment leakage prevention means encirculing the crotch portion A61F13/476

Abstract

An absorbent article, such as a diaper, a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, an adult incontinence device, a bandage, or the like is provided which has: (a) a liquid pervious topsheet defining a body-facing side of the absorbent article; (b) a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet and defining a garment-facing side of the absorbent article; (c) an absorbent layer being positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; and (d) an adhesive system located on the backsheet. The adhesive system comprises a plurality of three-dimensional protrusions which are deformable into a substantially two-dimensional configuration and an interconnected network of adhesive surrounding the protrusions which is protected from inadvertent contact with external surfaces until the three-dimensional protrusions are deformed into a substantially two-dimensional configuration. The absorbent article preferably includes a plurality of flaps which may themselves preferably include an adhesive system, and the backsheet of the absorbent article is preferably breathable.

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a body-facing side and a garment-facing side, said absorbent article comprising:

(a) a liquid pervious topsheet defining said body-facing side of said absorbent article;

(b) a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet and defining said garment-facing side of said absorbent article;

(c) an absorbent layer being positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet; and

(d) an adhesive system located on said backsheet, said adhesive system comprising a plurality of three-dimensional protrusions which are deformable into a substantially two-dimensional configuration and an interconnected network of adhesive surrounding said protrusions which is protected from inadvertent contact with external surfaces until said three-dimensional protrusions are deformed into said substantially two-dimensional configuration, said adhesive system having a number density of protrusions greater than about 75.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said adhesive system is unitarily formed with said backsheet.

3. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said adhesive system has a flexibility factor of at least about 15,000.

4. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said absorbent article further includes a pair of flaps.

5. The absorbent article of claim 4, wherein said flaps include said adhesive system.

6. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said backsheet is formed from a breathable material.

7. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said backsheet is formed from a microporous breathable material.

8. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said backsheet is formed from a monolithic breathable material.

9. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said adhesive system forms a plurality of separate zones on said backsheet.

10. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

11. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said absorbent article is selected from the group consisting of sanitary napkins, panty liners, incontinence devices, diapers, and bandages.

12. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said adhesive system has a number density greater than about 100.

13. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said adhesive system has a flexibility factor greater than about 75,000.

14. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said adhesive system has a number density greater than about 200.

15. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said adhesive system has a flexibility factor greater than about 100,000.

16. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said protrusions are conical.

17. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said adhesive system is linerless.

18. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said absorbent article is foldable.

19. An absorbent article having a body-facing side and a garment-facing side, said absorbent article comprising:

(a) a liquid pervious topsheet defining said body-facing side of said absorbent article;

(b) a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet and defining said garment-facing side of said absorbent article;

(c) an absorbent layer being positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet;

(d) a plurality of flaps extending outwardly from said backsheet; and

(e) an adhesive system located on said flaps, said adhesive system comprising a plurality of three-dimensional protrusions which are deformable into a substantially two-dimensional configuration and an interconnected network of adhesive surrounding said protrusions which is protected from inadvertent contact with external surfaces until said three-dimensional protrusions are deformed into said substantially two-dimensional configuration, said adhesive system having a number density of protrusions greater than about 75.

20. An absorbent article having a body-facing side and a garment-facing side, said absorbent article comprising:

(a) a liquid pervious topsheet defining said body-facing side of said absorbent article;

(b) a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet and defining said garment-facing side of said absorbent article;

(c) an absorbent layer being positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet;

(d) a plurality of flaps extending outwardly from said backsheet; and

(e) an adhesive system located on at least one of said backsheet and said plurality of flaps, said adhesive system comprising a plurality of three-dimensional protrusions which are deformable into a substantially two-dimensional configuration and an interconnected network of adhesive surrounding said protrusions which is protected from inadvertent contact with external surfaces until said three-dimensional protrusions are deformed into said substantially two-dimensional configuration, said adhesive system having a number density of protrusions greater than about 75 and a flexibility factor greater than about 15,000.