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ZONED DISPOSABLE ABSORBE1~1T ARTICLE
FOR URINE AND
LOw-VISCOSITY FECAL MwT~:
FIELD OF THE D~1VENTION
This invurtion rli:tes to disposable absorbent articles, Such as diapers and
adult
incontinence products, end taore particularly to disposable absorbent articles
which have
the ability to cfFectively ~dla boar urine and lowviseosity fecal material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many types of disposable absorbent prodt~ct~. such as diapers, arc available
that
have a high capacity for absorbing urine. Dispos~~ble prodt» of this type
gtuerally
comprix some sort of fluidp~ble tomaterial, an absorbent eon and a tluid-
impeooo~eable baclc.~hent material. Although these types of absorbtttt
structures tnay be
highly efl3iciern for tbc a~orp~tion of fluids, they cannot absorb bowel
move~e~s ( i_e.,
hereinafter referred to as "BM"). Typically, the BM is trapped between the
outer sun~aee
of the fluid-permeable topsh~eet atnd tine skin of the wrarcr, mtteh of it
wing to the
W1~6 SIC1D.
To prevent BM fibm >dluriag to tb~e weater'S skin. the can-giver' omen applies
plOteotiV! 0r "trp111mt~ p~oduCtt SUCK Ss VaSCIIaC Or ml~dl Oil t0 the
buttOCkS ~d ~
region befoze placing fete absorbent attire! on the wearer. This procedure
usually
involves the caregiver's pouring of the oil or lotion, for example, in otLe
of, their hods,
rubbing both hmtds toge~tbGC to distsibut! the substance tl~eon and then
wiping the same
on the skin of the in~aat. To eliminate the need for this wast~ul, messy, and
easily
forgotten procedure, there have been nusaerous previous attempts to pt~epare
absorbent
articles which cont$in a prvtectivc or tba~cutic skin cart substance on th!
topshee~c
One substance that has been applied as a lotion to absorbent pzoahsrts to
impart s
soothing. pave coating is mineral oil_ Mineral oil (also lapowa as liquid
petrolatum)
is a mvcna~e of various liquid hydrocarbons obtained by distilling the high-
boiling (i.e.,
300°-390°f~ fractions in petroleum. Mineral oil is liquid 8t
ambient temperatures, e.g. 20
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°-25°C. As a result, mineral oil is relatively fluid and mobile,
even when applied to
article topsheets.
Because mineral oil is fluid and mobile at ambient temperatures, it tends not
to
remain localized on the surface of the topsheet, but instead migrates through
the topsheet
into the interior of the diaper. Accordingly, relatively high levels of
mineral oil need to be
applied to the topsheet to provide the desired therapeutic or protective
coating lotion
benefits. This leads not only to increased costs for these lotioned products,
but other
detrimental effects as well.
One of these detrimental effects is a decrease in the fluid handling
properties as
high levels of mineral oiI tend to block the topsheet openings. Also, as
mineral oil
migrates to the interior of the article, it tends to act as a hydrophobic
additive, thus
decreasing the absorbency of the underlying absorbent core, if one is used.
This decrease
in absorbency becomes more pronounced as the level of mineral oil applied is
increased.
Past attempts to solve the problems associated with BM compromised the urine
handling properties of the article. Therefore, it is an object of an aspect of
the present
invention to provide a disposable absorbent article having superior urine and
BM
handling properties.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a disposable absorbent article, such as a diaper. The
disposable
absorbent article has a first region juxtaposed with the front of the wearer
and a second
region juxtaposed with the back of the wearer. The disposable absorbent
article comprises
a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the
topsheet, and an
absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. Since the
first region is
juxtaposed with the front of the wearer it should be superior in the handling
of urine while
the second region which is juxtaposed with the back of the wearer should be
superior in
the handling of low-viscosity fecal material. The First region has a PACORM
value of
less than 120 mg and the second region has a trans-topsheet capacity of at
least 0.2 grams
per square inch.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided
a
disposable absorbent article having a first region and a second region, a pair
of opposing
end edges, a pair of opposing side edges extending between the pair of end
edges and a
lateral centerline disposed between the pair of opposing end edges, the
disposable
absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet having an outer
surface and an
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inner surface, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, an
absorbent core
positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a fecal management
member
which is present only in the second region, formed of a separate layer and
positioned
immediately adjacent the inner surface of the topsheet, wherein the first
region is defined
by one of the pair of opposing end edges and the lateral centerline and the
second region
is defined by the other one of the pair of opposing end edges and the lateral
centerline,
and the inner surface of the topsheet within the first region being joined
directly to the
absorbent core by an adhesive having a hydrophilicity greater than that of the
topsheet,
and the first region having a PACORM value of less than 120 mg and the second
region
having a trans-topsheet capacity of at least 0.2 grams per square inch.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a disposable absorbent article having a first region and a second
regiun, a pair of
opposing end edges, a pair of opposing side edges extending between the pair
of end
edges and a lateral centerline disposed between the pair of opposing end
edges, the
disposable absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet having an
outer surface
and an inner surface, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, an
absorbent
core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a fecal management
member
which is present only in the second region, formed of a separate layer and
positioned
immediately adjacent the inner surface of the topsheet, wherein the first
region is defined
by one of the pair of opposing end edges and the lateral centerline and the
second region
is defined by the other one of the pair of opposing end edges and the lateral
centerline,
wherein the topsheet within the second region has a plurality of apertures
with an
effective size greater than 0.1 square millimeters and an effective open area
of at least
about 12 percent, and wherein the outer surface of the topsheet within the
second region
comprises an effective amount of a skin care composition which is semi-solid
or solid at
20°C and which is partially transferable to a wearer's skin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims pointing out and distinctly
claiming
the present invention, it is believed the same will be better understood by
the following
drawings taken in conjunction with the accompanying specification wherein like
components are given the same reference number and:
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Figure 1 is a top plan view, shown paztially in cutaway, of a disposable
absorbent
article according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic side elevational view of an apparatus which may be
used to
measure: the traas-topshe;ec penatrstion.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fecal snatssgetaent member.
Figure 4 is an illustration of the test set up for the Acquisition Test.
Figure 5 is an illu~~ation of the test set up for the Post Acquisition
Callagcn lzewet
Method.
DETAILED DESCItIPTiON OF THE INVEN?ION
As used herein, the tam "absorbent ardcle;" tzftrs to devices which absorb sod
contaip body exudates, and, more specifically, refers tv devices which arc
placed against
or in proxi:aity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the versions
c~ntdates
discharged from the body. The term "disposable" is used herein to describe
~bsocbent
articles which ate trot intended to be lsundated or otherwise restored or
ICUSed as an
absorbent article (i.e., they are: intended to be discarded aftsr a single ux
and, preferably,
to be recycled, composted or otherwis~ dieposad of is as enviro~teratally
comp~atiblc
mauncr). A ~unitaty" absorbetrt article to absorbent a~eles which are formed
of
separate pz~ united together to form a coordinated e~atiry so that they do not
require
separate manipulative parts like a separate bolder and liner. A prefexttd
exnbodimemt of
as absoxbe~on article: of the prexut invention is the tttritary disposable
absorbent article,
diaper 20, shown in Figenre 1. Aa used hctria, the term "diaper" refe:rr to an
absorb~t
article generally wor~a by Infants and adult incoatirient peaoa~ and is worn
about the
Lower torso of the waara. 'lbe: presort invention is also applicable; to other
absorbent
articles such as incoritittenee briefs, incontinence undcrgarmmts, absorbent
insects,
diapers holders and limas, fea~,iaiae hygiaoue gat~e~ts. and the likt.
Figure 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invccttion in its flea-
out,
uacoatractad state; (i.e., with elastic induced coadraction pulled out) with
portions of the
strucNre being ctrl-away to more clerarly show the consrZUCtioa of the diaper
20 and with
the portion of the diapez 20 which faces or contacts the vve~, the inner
srztfacx, oriented
towards the viewer. As s6ovva in Figure 1, the diaper 30 p~ferably comprises a
liquid
pervious topsheet 24: a liquid impervious backshext 26 joined with the
t~opsisoet 24; an
absorixnt core 28 intermediate the topsbeet 24 and the backsheet 26; and a
fuaJ
managesaent member 30 positioned between the topstu~t 24 and the; abs~beat
core Z8.
The diaper 20 may ftinher comprise etas:iciud side panels (not shown);
elasticized leg
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cuffs (not shown); 2m elastic waist feature (Trot shown); sad a fasuning
systerrt with tape
tabs generally multiply designated a 3b.
The diaptr 20 is shown in Figure 1 to have a first rcg'ron 31 juxtaposed with
the
5ront of the wearer while the diaper 20 is being worn ami a second region 32
opposed to
the first region 31 and juxtaposed with the back of tine wearer while the
diaper 20 is being
worn, and a perighery which is defmsd by the oeiter edges of tire diapac 20 in
which the
loagitudirral edges are designatai 33 and the end edges ate desigostxd 33. In
Figure 1 the
first ngiota 31 is shown as extending fzom oas end edge 35 to the lateral
cetfterliNe 21 and
the ~cond region 32 is shown as cxteruiiag from the oppociag end edge 35 to
the lateral
centerline ii. For purposes of discussion, the lateral ceatal>as 2I is shown
as the
bots~dary between the first region 31 sad tht second region 3Z is Figure 1.
However, the
boundary between the first rcgiao 31 and the sc~.rorrd repay 32 may be
positioned at otba
locations, for example closer t4 one of the respective end edges 35. The first
region 31
being juxtaposed with the front of tkie wearer should,be superior in tlu
handling of urine.
The second region being juxtaposed with the back of the wearer Should be
superio! in the
handling of fecal malarial, in particular low viscosity ffxal maoerial.
The irsaer staface of the diaper 2o comprises that pordan of the dispa 20
which is
adjac~t to tine wtare:'s body during use (i.e., the inner surPa~x ge~atly is
formed by at
least s portion of the topsbeet 24 $rrd other eomponents joined to the topsi»t
24). The
outs surface comprises that portion of the diaper ZO which is positioned away
isoza the
w~'s body (i.e., the outer surFace generally is farmed by at lout a pordoD of
the
backshcet 26 and otba comps joined to the backsheet 2t7 during use.
Figuro 1 ahvwrs en embodiment of the diapers 20 in which tbs toptheet 24 and
the
backsheet 26 have length and width dimensions g~aaaLlY Iat~et . than thox of
the
absorbent core 2a. The topaheac 24 and the backsheet 26 extend beyond the edgy
of tbs
absorbe~at core 2s to thereby form thr ptsiphety of tbc diaper 20. While the
topsheet 24,
the baeYsheet 26, and tba co~te Za msy be uscmblal is a va:;ety of weU lo~own
config~tioas, psefeatd diaper configtustions are descr~'bed ge:tetslly in U.S.
Pf~it
3,860,003 entitled "Conaacsable Side Portions for Disposable Diapd' which
issued to
Kenneth B. Buell on January 14, 1975; sad U~. Patent 5,151,092, "Absorbau
Article
With Dynamic Elasdo Waa't Feature Having A P:cdisposed R.euliafl2 Flextnal ",
iasuod to Kenaetla B. BueU at al. SeptembQ 29, 1992.
'Tttc absorbcra care Z8 may be any absorbent mans which a generally
compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the weasa's side, sad capable of
absotbis~g
and retaining liquids such as urine sad other cermi:t body exudates. As shows
irr Figure
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1, the absorbent core Z8 has a garment surface, a body surface, side cdg~, and
waist
edges. The absorbent core Z8 aiay be manufactiseed in a wide variety of siZres
acrd ~sbap~s
(e.g., rectangular, hourglass, "'T"-shaped, $syolmetr3e, etc.) nerd from a
widewariecy of
liquid-absorbent materials cotrunody used. in disposable diapers and other
absorbecu
articles such as commiauted wood pulp which it generally referred to as
airfelt.
Examples of other suitable absorbent atataisv include . ,crsped cellulose
wadding;
meltblowa polymers including coform; chemically stiffened, modified or cross-
lfnked
cellulosie fibets; tissue including tissue wraps and tisstu laaniaases;
abtorba:at foams;
absorbent sponges; superabsorbent poly>ners; absorbent gelling avateriaia; or
any
equivalent matesisl or combinations of materials.
The configut$tioa and consauction of tine absorbent core 28 tnsy also be
untied
(e.g., the absorbent core Z8 may have varying caliper zones, s hydrophilic
gradient, a
superabsorbettt gradient; or lower average density and lower averaec basis
weight
acquisition aoaes; or may comprise one or more layers oc stavcttutas). The
total absorbent
capacity of the absorbtcu. core 28 should, however, be compatible with tbr
design loading
and the intended use of the diaper 20. Ftutha, the size and absorbent capacity
of tiyt
abaorbem tort 28 may be varied to aocoazmodate wearers ranging 8bm i~ott~
through
adults.
Exemplary absorbent stsuctsa~cs fez use as the absosbent sore 28 are d~a'bcd
in
U.S. Patent 4.610.68 entitled "High-Density Absorbent Sbntcdms" isstrod to
Weistneo et
al. on September 9. 1986; U.S. Patent 4,673,402 catided "Absorbent Asticles
with
Dual-Layered Cores" issued tv Wdsman et al. on Jvae 16, 1987; U.S. Patent
4,888,231
entitled "Absorbe~ac Cole Having A Dusdztgt Lays" issued to Aagstadt oa
December 19,
1989; arid U_S. Pattflct 4,834,735, entitled "High De~iry Absorbent M~nbers
Having
Lower Deasiry and Lower Basis Weight Acquisition Zones". issued bo Alemaay et
al. on
May 30, 1989.
The backsheet Z6 is posit adjacent the garmetat staface of the sbsorbeni core
ZS and is preferably joined tbareco by attachment means (not shoWm) such as
those well
known is the art. As used lureia, the term "joined" encompesxs toafigur~oas
whereby
as element ie directly secured to the other element by af~ag the element
directly to the
otver clot, arrd configurations whereby rise element is ,indirectly sacnsed to
the other
clement by a~tittg the elegy to iatcrmediate taeatber(s) which in turn m
affxed to
the other elemea~.
For ~ple, the backshoot 26 may be aactttnd to the absorbent ours Z8 by a
uniform cotctinuoets layer of adh~ivt, a pauaned lays of adhesive, or as array
of
scperate lines, spirals, or ergots of adlusive: Adlxsives which have been
fote<rd to be
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satisfactory are manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minnesota
and
marketed as HL-1258. The attachment means will preferably comprise an open
pattern
network of filaments of adhesive as is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,573,986
entitled
"Disposable Waste-Containment Garment", which issued to Minetola et al. on
March 4,
1986, more preferably several lines of adhesive filaments swirled into a
spiral pattern
such as is illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Patent
3,911,173 issued
to Sprague, Jr. on October 7, 1975; U.S. Patent 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker,
et al. on
November 22, 1978; and U.S. Patent 4,842,666 issued to Werenicz on June 27,
1989.
Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise heat bonds, pressure bonds,
ultrasonic
bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment means or
combinations of these attachment means as are known in the art.
The backshcet 26 is impervious to liquids (e.g., wine) and is preferably
manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid
impervious materials
may also be used. As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to materials
which are
compliant and will readily conform to the general shape and contours of the
human body.
The baekshcct 26 prevents the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent
core 28 from wetting articles which contact the diaper 20 such as bedsheets
and
undergarments. The backsheet 26 may thus comprise a woven or nonwoven
material,
polymeuic flints such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene or polypropylene,
or
composite materials such as a film-coated nonwoven material. Preferably, the
backsheet
26 is a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to
about 0.051
mm (2.0 mils). Particularly preferred materials for the backsheet 26 include
RR8220
blown films and RR5475 cast films as manufactured by Tredegar Industries, Inc.
of Terre
Haute, Indiana. The backsheet 26 is preferably embossed and/or matte finished
to provide
a more clothlike appearance. Further, the backsheet 26 may permit vapors to
escape from
the absorbent core 28 (i.e., be breathable) while still preventing exudates
from passing
through the backsheet 26.
The topsbeet 24 has a first or inner surface oriented toward the interior of
the
disposable diaper and an opposed second or outer surface oriented toward the
skin of the
wearer when the diaper is worn. The topsheet 24 is preferably joined to the
backsheet 26
by means such as those well known in the art. Suitable attachment means are
described
above with respect to joining the backsheet 26 to the absorbent core 28. In a
preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 are
joined
directly to each other in the diaper periphery.
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'lbere are a number of marsufacturing techniques which may be used to
manufacture the topsheet 24. For example, the topsheet 24 may be a nonwoven
web of
fibers spunbonded, carded, wet-laid, sncltblown, hydroentangled,
eosnbiaatiosss or
composite latnltwates of the above, yr the like. Preferred topshoet9 24
include a
carded/carded composite, hydroentangled over a wire forming screen and
ti~amally
air-through bonded by mesas well known to those skilled. in the nonwovons art
and
hydroezitaaglement of fibrous webs. Alternatively, apenured formed films,
vroven
aettiag, and woven apertured netting stray bs suitable.
As asetstioaed above, the second region 32 of the diaper 20 should be designed
to
be superior in the hatsdling of low-viscosity fecal material as compared to
the first region
31 which should be superior in the haadliag of urine. The traps-toprheet
capacity reflects
the diapers ability to handle low-vixosity fecal asatetial. Tlu second region
32 of the
diaper 20, the region designed to handle low viscosity fecal material, should
have a
relatively high ttaas-topsheet capacity. Preferably, the xcond region 32 of
the diaper 20
should have a relatively higher traps-topsheet capacity than the first region
31.
There is an inverse relationship between the minimum nags topsbect capacity
necessary m baaadle lowvi,scosity fecal ma~ial sad the smfacc arcs of the
diaper 20
having this mivim~um capsciry. As a larger percentage of the diaper 20 surface
arcs has a
tracts-toy capacity s~u~cient to beadle low-viscosity fecal matei~al, the
~sery
traps-topsheet capacity diminishes.
In say case, the second region 32 of the diaper 20 should have a tnas~s-
topsheet
capacity of at least about 0.20 grams per square inch provided tut least 30
sqtsate inches of
the dupes 20 Gas suols s tracts-topclzeet capacity send preferably si least 45
square iniches of
the diaper 20 has such a tracts-topshxt capacity. It is believed that a
rniniaatun of 4
square inches of the diaper 20, which are closely registered with the anal
opening, are
necessary to handle low-viscosity fecal maxrial. If such a relatively small
region of the
diaper 20 is provided, this region of tlx diaper 20 should have a traps-
topsheet capacity of
at least about 0.50 and preferably at least about 0.60 grams per square inch.
The trade-off between trm>s-topai~eet deity and miaimimn surfioe area for a
diaper 20 according to the present invention which is necessary to baadlc law
vixosity
fecal material a ovd the prefer~ted surface at~ca for a diaper 20 accooding to
the present
inven;don is ivusaated in Table I below:
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Minimum Diaper Surface Preferred Diaper
Traps-sopsheet Area Havfuo,8 This ~ ~ Surface Ar'aa Having This
City Trans~-topshoet Capacity Trauras-topsheet Capacity
( ~ms/s inchl ( auan~ ~~~~ ~ches~
0.20 30 45
0.30 15 25
0.40 12 20
0.50 4 10
O.fiO 4 4
T~sops~et ~spacity is meastnad by the following flat. The apparatus 39 used
for this measuremetst is ii>vustrated in Figure 2.
A hollow sksialats steel cylinder d0 naountcd on a piste 42 is provided. The
stainless ated cylinder 40 has s height of 7.5 e~fmeze~a (2.95 inches), an
inside diameter
of 5.08 ccntitaeters (2.00 inchas) and as outside diameter of 6.3 deters (2.48
inchcS).
The bottom of the cyliltdet 40 extends below the plate a distance of 3.5
millimeoea, ~d
has a lip with au annular thichaeas of 3.5 millimeters. The lip 43 prcvcat~
the fecal
material aualvg, diacusscd below, from leaking outside the deaignated test
aria of the
sample.
Also provided is a weight 44 of 100.6 grams. The weight 44 is also
cylindrically
shaped sod baS a diameter of 5.08 centimeters (2.0 iacixs~ so thu the weight
44 fits
tightly with4n the cylinder 40 but can freely slide tlttougltout the bole in
the cylinder 40.
This a:rangemmt provides a prasut~t of 49.57 kilograms par square meter (0-071
pounds
per sguare iaah) and a test area of 3.142 square inches. If dasi~. ~ ~B>n '~
~y
have a 1>aadle 45 to allow it to be easily inserted into and temovod from ~
°)'40.
A sampl~ 46 to be tested is provndr~- The sample 46 is preferably cut from the
~coad region 32 of an eacisbag diaper 20, but puraph~eticaUy may be suppliod
in raw
material form as a laminate of the various components of the disps~r 20. The
sample 46 is
cut to a 10.1 d by 10.16 centimeters (4 by 4 inch) squnte sire. 'Iho sample 46
is taken
from any area of the diaper 20 having the abeorbeat core 28 itaside the square
which
deflnCS the S~1C 46.
If the sample 46 is Gut fi~om a dupes 20, tlss sample should include all
layers ertd
components of the diaper 20 fronn the topsheet 24 through and including the
bn~ckshccs
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26. Care must be taken when removing the sample 46 from the diaper 20 not to
destroy
the sample 46 or cause unintended gross deformation of the topsheet 24. The
topsheet Z4,
or its equivalent in the diaper 20, is removed from the balaace of the sample
46. The
sample 46 (without the first topsheet 24) is weighed to the rrcarest 0.01
gr~ttts. The
topsbeet 24 is then carefully returned to its original position in the sample
46, without
being joined thereto. If dif$cttlty is encouatered in removing the sample 46
from the
diaper 20, or in removing the topsheet 24 froth the sample 4b, the sample 46
and the
smrvunding portion of the diaper 20 may be frozea prior to or aver cutting.
Freezing
may be accomplished using PH100~15 circuit refrigerant .made by Philips ECG,
Ine. of
Waltham, lvlsssachusetts.
The cyliader 40 is cantered on the sample 46. A sytiage havir~g an opeaing of
5 to
6 trtillimeters dispenses 10 cubic centimeters of fast fluid through the lsole
in the eyliada~
40 onto the top of the sample 46, The test fluid is as aaslog formulated as
described
below_ the 1 o0_6 gram weight 44 is in3erted through the hole in the cylinder
40 and
gently placed on the test fluid for a period of 2 minutes.
After Z minutes the weight 44 aad cylinder 40 errs removed from the sample 46.
The topsheet 24 is removed from the sample d6 by dragging the top5hcct 24
parallel to
the sample 46 aad discarded. The remainder of the samples 46 is thcu
nwvcighcd. The
traps-topsheet capacity is the increase is weight of aD 1$yers of the sample
46 underlying
the topshcet 24 divided by the sample 46 test area of 3.142 square .
The tcsc fluid is as analog made by :aixiag 3 p~ceot by weight Csbopol 94
available from the B. F. Goodrich Corpoistioa of Brrcksville, Ohio, err an
equivalent
acrylic polysncr, is distilled water for five tniautes using a hand held
electric mixe~t. The
mixture is allowed to equilibrate for at least 12 hours atld used for the tram-
topsheet
capacity test within n hours. .
The second rsgioa 32 diapar 20 according to the present invention prreferably
provides a tracts-topsiust capacity, as mcas~a~od by the foregoing teat, of at
least 0.20
grams per square ranch, more preferably at least 0.30 dams per square inch,
eves more
preferably at least 0.40 grams per square inch, still more prefe'ZabIy at
least 0.50 grams
per square inch, sail most preferably at least 0.60 grasps per square inch.
The topahest 24 may allow p~enezt~tion of the fecal n~te~rittl to achieve the
trnas-topsheet capacities set forth in Table I, by baying apatmzs with an
effective
aperture size of at least 0.2 square rnillimetas, aaa~ preferably at lease 0.3
squavre
millitactcrs. Effective apertures are those which have a gray Level of 18 or
leas on a
standard gray Icvel scale of 0-255, under the iatage acquisition parameters
described
below.
~=Trade-mark
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The topsheet 24 within the second region 32 preferably has an effective open
arcs
of at least 15 percent, more preferably the topsheet has ao effective open
arcs of at lease
z0 percent, even snore preferably, the topshect has an eff~tive open area of
at feast 25
percent, and most preferably the topsheet hiss $rs efi;ective open area of at
least 30 percent.
The effective aperture size anal effective open arcs arc dettrmined by tho
following
procedure using the image analysis described below. The proc~durt has three
principal
steps: image acquisitio0. i.e., obtaiaiag tepnsentative images of areas on the
surface of
the topsbeet 24; iatage measue~nent, i.o., measuring the pac~eentaSe open arcs
of an image
sad of individual apetctms and their perimetsn; and data analysis, i.e.,
oxporting the
perccattag~c open aroa, individual apa'ntre area, sad Perimeter meestrrernents
to a
spreadshcct where fr~cquanoy distributions, seta of area distributions, and
b'ydcaulic radius
computations arc made. '
An. image analysis system having a frame grsbbsc board, microscope, camera and
image analysis softwue is utilised. A model DT28S5 flame grabber board
available from
Data Trsaslxtion o~ Marlboro. Mass. is provided. A VH5900 monitor microscope,
a
video eamets, having sVH50 lens with a contact type illumination hsod
available from
the Keyeace Company of Fair Lawn, N.J. are also provided and used to acquire
an image
to be saved to ~ computer ffle. The Keyence microscope acquims the image sad
the frame
grabber board converts the analog sigasl of this it'nagc into comptuet
readable digital
format The image is saved to computer tile and meas~d using suitable soflwase
such
as the Opt,>mas Imago Analysis software, version 3.1, available fiom the
BioSoan
Corrrpsety of Edmsoas, Wash. In ordez to use the Optimas hm~e Analysis
software, the
computes should have Windows software, version 3.0 or later, available f~c~om
the
Microsoft Corpot:rion of Redtnond, Wash. And also have a CPU at least
equivaicnt to
the Intel 80386. Any suitable desk top PC may be used, with a 486 DX33 type PC
bavxag
boon 8ouad to be~ perticulirly suitable. Imagos being saved to and recalled
from file west
displayod on a Soqy Triaitto~n atonitor model PVM-1343M0 with a anal display
magnification of about 50X.
The image acquisition stop, m~ above requires 10 different regions 8nm a
representative topsheec 24 sample of a particular typo of diaper 20 or from
satrnple
~tCrllll L0 be . X11 rCglOn IS lGCiiD~lllBr, IIICiaLlt'mg about, 5.8 ~dt~!'S
by 4.2
millimeters. T6s sasaple is placdd on a black Gnat board to increase tho
caat:ast between
the apantres and the portion of the sample which defines the aperwrcs. The
mean gray
level and standard dematson of ties black mat board were 16 sad 4,
rt~pecttvely.
Ituaga are acquirsd with mom lights off using the Keyence tponitor microscope
mounsad on s oopystaad directly above the sample. The ZCeyence light source
CA 02315425 2003-12-04
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illuminating the sataple is adjusted and tnonitorcd with the Optimal
software~to taeasure
the mesa gray Ievel and standard deviation of a 0.3 density wedge on a Kodak
Gray Scale
available from Eastman Kodak Company of Rochcskr, New York. The control of
Keyenee light source is adjusted so that the mean gray level of the
illuminated wedge is
1 I 1 -j- 1 and the standard deviation is 1 O ~ i _ All images were acquitnd
during a single
base period, sad the Keyence Iight source is monitored by measuring the mean
gray Iev~l
and standard deviation of the wedge throughout the image acquisition process.
In mcastuing as individual aperture, only the e~eetive aperture size is of
interest.
Measuring the effective aperture size qusatif es the apaiure size intended to
eo~ibute to
the porosity of the tvpsbeet 24, and account for eontributlons of fibers and
fiber bundles
which trtwerse an area intended to be an apeshae. An effective aperture is any
hole
through the topsheet 24 having a gray level less than or equal tv t 8 using
renege
acduisition parameters as described herein. Thus, an intended aperture rosy be
divided
into plural effective apertures by traverse $bers.
The image analysis software is calibrated in millimeters by a ruler image
acquired
from the sample images. A 3 by 3 pixel averaging filter found is the Optimas
3.1 Image
menu is applied to each saved image to reduce noise. The apertures are
detected is the
gray level range of 0 through 18. Aa apemne which is not fully contained
within the 5.8
by 4.2 viewing area is net considered is the individual area and pelime'ta'
measurements.
The efore, saes and perimeter averages and distribudoas are not affectsd by
spat
which are not wholly ooataiaed within the field of view.
1-Iowever, iadnridual apertures which could not be lutly vfiewed in the image
arc
included in the percentage open area calculstioa. This difference occurs
bee8tue the
percent open area is situply the image of pixel ratios from 0 through 18 to
the total
mzmber of pixels is the image. Areas having a gray level 19 or were not
counted
in the open aura calculation.
The pescerstage open area for the average of 10 images for each topsheet 2d is
meegutrd using the Optimal Image Analysis software. The percentage open arcs
is
defined as the raiiv of the nurnbcr of pixels having a gray level from 0
through 18 to the
total number of pixels for the image. The plc open asea is measu<ed for each
image representing one parricular region from a topsheet sample. The
percentage open
arcs frown each of the 10 individual images is then aver$gcd to yield a
percentage open
area for the entire sample.
The data analysis is conducted by an Excel spreadsheet, also available from
the
Mieroso$ Corpoatioa of Redmond, Washington. The Faceel spreadsb~eet organized
the
percentage open area, aperruzra area, and aperture petimtter measttremettts
obtained from
s=Trade-mark
CA 02315425 2000-07-12
wo~sizsia-r . rc~r~s9~nosm
~z
the Optimal software, Saiaple avsrages and standard deviations. size and
fscquency
distributions of individual aperture areas and hydraulic radius comtputation5
(area divided
by perimeter) for individual apernuces are obtained using the spreadsheet,
Distributions of individual apemwe area are also computed using the Excel
sprcadshect, The ape:ttacs ase sorted into bias of certain size ranges. 'Ib~e
number of
aperture areas falling into certain size ranges of interest is determined as
well as the sum
of the areas within each range. The ranges are set in increments of 0.05
square
millimeters. These areas are ~ acpresscd as a percentage of the total open
area of the
sataple_ The Frequency and smoo of the area distributions are obtained by
combining
individual aperture is $om all 10 imagts for each scruple.
'I he fecal management member 30 no~ay either be absorbent os nonabsorbent. A
material suitable for an absorbent fecal management member 30 is a ccllulosic
fibrous
structure, each as paper. The eellulosie fibrous structure may be made 67
baviryg c
continuous high basis weight nacwork with disaete regions of low basis wdght,
or avea
disc:zte apaturea having a z~r~o basis weight. Ia a diaper 20 braving such a
fecal
management member 30, the low-viscosity fecal material paler through the
topsiuet 24
cad resides on the focal rnanagemeat meatber 30. The low basis weight discrete
regiorLs
or apertures form cells which imtnobiliYr the low-viseoaity fecal matetial_
Once the low-viscosity fecal material is iamaobilized is this position, it
does not
return to soil or irritate the skis of the wearer. Furthermore, the low
viscosity fecal
rr~erial cast be dewatcred into separate componart~ by the capillary action of
the more
fluid components of the low viseosit3r fecal material into the cellulosic
fibrous material of
the fecal msnagemeat membQ 30.
In another embodiment, a ~aluorbent fecal management. number 30 may be
provided. If a nonabsorbent fecal management membor 30 is selected., it aoay
be provided
in the form of as apa~aa~ed formed ~ meeting t6c caliper rc4uiromea~ described
above. A suitable ~ormad filler is available ~o~m Tredegar Cotporation of
Terra Hauoc,
Indiana under the designation 305790.
Of cotuse, if the fecal mansgeme~ member 30 is noaabsvrbaot, it must be
associated with a core 28 which has adequate capacity to absorb and rersin the
fluids
deposited thereon.
Figure 3 is anothcz'cmbodimcnt of a fecal maaage~t member 30. Ge~'ally the
fecal ma>tsgemeat taember 30 is a sheet of loop matezial 118 having a backing
120
having trout and czar major s 123 and 124, cad a multiplicity of
loagitudiaally
oriented fibers in a specially formed sheet of $bers 126 having anchor
generally aon-
deformed .anchor portions 127 boadod by being emb~ddod is the backing layer
120 at
CA 02315425 2000-07-12
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spaced elongate genanlly parallel bonding locstiom 128 that are continuous in
ono
direction along the front surface 123 with arcuate portions 130 of the sheet
of fibers 126
projecting from the front surface 123 of the backing layer 120 between the
bonding
locations I28 in continuous rows also extending o~aasverssly across the sheet
of loop
material 118_ The arcuate portions 130 of the sheet of fibers 126 have a
gesierilly uaifonn
height from the backing layer 120 of greater rhea about 0.5.rnillimeters and
preferably
greater than about 1.0 millimeters, the height of the formed sheet of fibers
126 is at least
one thsrd, and preferably one half to one and one half times the distance
between the
bonding locations 128, the individual fibers in the sheet of $b~ 126 are less
than 25
denier (prsfe:ably is the range of 1 to 10 denier) in size, and the sheet of
fibers 12b
without the backing 120 less a basis weight is the tarfge of 5 to 300 grins
per square
mcttr (and preferably in the range of 15 to 100 gi~ams per sdua~re meter)
measured along
the Fast surface 123 to provide su~cisat open asses benv~ the fibers in the
sheet of
fibers 126 along the ascuate portions 130 (i.e., between about 10 and 90
ptrce~at open
area) to afford ready penetration of fecal material into the individual 5bets
along the
arcuane portions 130.
Suitable materials for tire as the backing 120 include but arse not limised to
thermoplastic films, porous $lms, ape~ed $lms, ~eriuted formed films,
uaape:iurod
formod films, aonwoven webs, breathable materials, such as br~thable films,
including
but not limited to taicroporous films, spacund norJwoven webs and the like.
The
baekctng 120 is preferably a relatively thin layer h$ving a thickness is the
tango of about
0.00125 to 0.025 cearimeoers.
?he fibers ins the sbaa:t of (hers 126 can be disposed is various directions
with
respect to the parallel bondlag loca~uons 128 and may os may not be bondod
tosetfer at
crossover point: is the stctlaxe pordoos 130; can be disposed iu vaaioi~
directions with
respect to the para11e1 bonding loeataons 128 with the majority of the fibers
in the sheet of
ftbees 126 (i.e., over 80 oe 90 pezcern) extmdiag in directions at about a
right angle to the
bonding locations 128; o: all of the individual fibers in the sheet of fibers
126 can eactcnd
is directions generally st right angles to the spied ~naallY parallel bonding
locations
128.
To be the most c~activo in the handling of low viscos~r fecal mstaisl the
fecal
management member artist hnva a lol~cd open strucatre, One key component of
this
equation is the height of the arcuatc portions 130 of the sheet of Sbas 136
from the
backing 120. As mentioned above the arcvate portions 130 of the sleet of abets
126
have a generally uniform height from the backing 120 of greater than about o.s
millimeters and preferably greater than about 1.0 millirmeters. While even
gi~eatrr heights
CA 02315425 2003-12-04
Z ~!
would provide excellent taaadling of low-viscosity fecal material, e.g.,
heights of 5.0
centimeters, such heights would create unwanted bulk in the diaper which may
cage
discomfort for the wearer.
Another key compooeat is the resiliency of the fecal rnsaagemeat metrtber 30,
more particularly the resiliency of the sheet of fibers I26. In order to
remain open, the
sheet of fibers 126 must have a sufhcieat resiliency to withstand the forces
of packaging
and those applied by the wearer. Preferably, the sheet of fibers 126 has a
resiliency of at
least 50°ib after 30 xcoads under as applied force of 100g/cm2. more
preforably, the
sheet of fibers 126 has a resiliency of at least 75% aflter 30 seconds under
an applied fork
of 100g/cm2, most pnfasbly, the sheet of fibers 126 has a resiliency of at
least 85% alder
30 seconds tinder an applied force of 100glcra2.
As mcnti0ned above, the traru-topsheet capacity sefleets the diapetF abitiry
to
t~dle low.viscosity feel :~te~rial. Similarly, the Post acquisition collagen
rewet
method (PACORlvi) reflects the diapers ability to handle attar. The $rtt
region 31 of the
diaper 20, the region designed to handle urine, should hare a relatively low
PACORM,
Preferably, the first region 31 of the diaper 20 should have a relatively
lower PACORM
rhea the second region 32.
The first region Z 1 of the diaper 20 preferably has a PACORM value of less
that,
120 mg, more preferably, a PACORM value of less than 100 mg, and most
preferably, a
PACORM value of Less than 80 mg.
,~c_3uisition Test
This test should be carried out at about 22 +/- Z°C and at 35+/- 15%
relative
humidity. The synthetic urine used in these test methods is commonly imowa as
layco
SynUriac aid is available from layco Pbarmaceuticstts Company of Camp Hill.
Pennsylvania The formula for tlHC syathetie urine is: 2.0 g/1 of KCI; 2.0 g/l
of NaZS04:
o.as gl o~ ~x,4~xapo~: oar gn (1~~~04; o.i9 en of cacl~; ad oz3 grl of
Mgel2_ All of the chemicals arc of reagent grade. The pH of the synthetic
urine is in the
range of 6.0 to 6.4.
Refe:ring to Figure 4, as absorbent structiue (410) is loaded with a 75 ml
gush of
synthetic ua~iae at a rate of 15 mils usnag a pump (Model 7520-00, supplied by
Cole
Parmar Instzumenta., Chicago, U.S.A.), from a height of 5 cm above the
sa::sple surFaca.
The time to absorb the urine is recorded by a timer. The gush is repeated at
precisely 5
mirmtc gush intervals until tire article is suffresently loaded_ Cmreat test
data are
8by loading four bates.
°=Trade-mark
CA 02315425 2003-12-04
The test sample, v~rhich can be a complete absorbent artids or as absorbent
sweture cotnpzising as absorbent core, a topshect, and a backsheet, is
arranged to tie flat
on a foam platform 411 within a perspex box (only base 412 of which is shown).
A
perspex plate d 13 having a 5 cm diametzr opening in its tuiddlz is placed an
top of the
sample on the loading zone of cb~e structure. Synthetic urine .is introduced
to the sample
through a cylinder 414 fitted, and glued. ntxto the opening. Electrodes 415
are located on
the lowest surface of the plate, in contact with tht surface of the absorbent
swcturc 410.
The electrodes are connected to the tuner. Loads d16 are pl8u~d on top of the
plate to
simulate, for example a baby's weight. A pressure of about 50g cm.2 (0_7psi)
is achieved
by positioaiug weights 4I6, e.g. for the commonly available M~A~sizt 20 kg_
As test fluid is introduced into the cylinder it typically builds up on top of
the
absorbent swcture thereby eotnpleting an electrical circuit bet~ea the
dacitodes. The
test fluid is tiaasported firoa~ the purmp to the test assembly by mesas of a
tubing of about
8 mm diameter, which is kept filled with test fletid. Thus the fluid starts to
leave the
tubing csseutially at the same time the pump starts oper~g. At this time, also
the timer
is started, and the titnec is stopped when the absorbent structure has
absorbed the gush of
urine. and the electrical contact bt2vveen the elc~oda is broken.
'Ihe acquisition rate is defined as the gush volumo absorbed (ml) per unit
tims(s).
The acquisition rate is calculated for each gush irltrodu~d into the sataplc.
Of particular
interest in view of the current invention are the first and tha last of the
four gushes.
This test is pta~ona~ly designed to evaluate products generally rcfcrr~cd to
as MAXI
size produci4 for a design capacity of about 300 ml, and having a resp~ectivc
Ultimate
Storage Capacity of about 300 m1 to 400 ml. If products with significaittlY
different
capacities should be evaluated (such as can be envisaged for aduh incontinence
products
or foe smaller babies), tha settags is particular of the fluid volume per gush
should be
adjusted appropriately to about 209~G of the total article design capacity,
and the 'deviation
from the standard test Faotocol ahauld be srcosdad.
Post Acquisition Collagen R~~uiethod (rcfc~to Fig~~
Before exocucdag the test, the collagen film as purchased froth NATLJR~t GmbH,
Weiahein, Germany, under the designation of COFFI~and at s basis weight of
about
28g/tn2 is ,preparad by being cut into sheets of 90 mm diamctGr e.g. by using
a sample
cutter dcvica, and by equilibrating the fitut in the cottrolled caviroamectt
of the. test room
(ace above) for at Ieast 12 hours (tweezers are to be used for all handling of
the collagen
film).
~=TradeT mark
CA 02315425 2000-07-12
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At least 5 minutes, but not snore than 6 minutes after the last gush of the
above
acquisition test is absorbed, the covet plate and weights ate removed, aTld
the test sample
(520) is carefully placed flat on a lab bench.
4 sheets of the precut and equilibrated collagen material (510) are weighed
with at
least one milligraiu accuracy, and rhea positioned centred onto the loading
point of the
article. and covered by paspeac plate (530) of 90 ram diameter, and about 20
mom
thncla~ess. A weight (540) of 15 kg is carefully added (also centred). After
30 +/- 2
seconds the weight and persprx plate arc carefully reaaoved again, and the
collagen films
are reweighed.
The Posx Acquisition Collagen Rewct Mood resin! is the asoistura pick up of
the
collagen film, expressed fin mg. .
It should be noted further, stint this ustiag protocol can be adjusted easily
according to specific product types, such as different Isaby diaper siacs, or
adult
iacontineace articles, or cataassniai articles, or by the variation in the
typo sad amo~tmt of
loading fluid, the amount and sire of the absorbent material, or by variatiOaS
in the
applicable pressure. Having once defured these relevant paramete:a, such
modifications
will be obvious to one skilled in the art. When considering the results $vm
the adjuatcd
test protocol the products oaa easily bs optimising these identified relevant
parameter
such as is n desigaod atptrimeat according to standard rtatistical methods
with f~i~stic
in use boundary conditions.
In one embodiment, only t6c portion of the topsheet 24 within the second
region
32 comprises a slue care composition. While t~ spoCif a composition is not the
esitieal
factor in achieving improved skin condition, it is apparent that the
eompoaiti0r must
provide either a protective, nonocclusive function (e.g., a relatively liquid
impervious but
vapor pervious battier) to avoid skis hypcrhydtatzon and skin exposure to
mrtarialc
comrained im body or it must ~ntain agents that deliver, either directly or
indirecdy, sld~a care benefits. For example, indirect benefits include
improved ranovel of
skis irritants such as feces er urine. 'The composition may be in a variety of
forms,
including, but not limitod to, emulsions, la2ions, creams, ointmems, salves,
powders,
suspeasiorrs, encapsulmtions, gels, and the like.
As used herein, the tam "effective amount of s skin care composition" t~ to an
amount of a particu>a composition which, when applied or migaited to one or
more of
the wcamr-contacting sutface(s) of an absorbent artiele(s), will be. e~'ective
in providing a
protoctive barrier and/or dclivniag a skis cart benefit when delivered via
absorbent
articles over limo. pf course, the e$ectivc amount of composition applied to
the article
vrill depend, to a large extent, on the particular composition used.
Nonetheless, the
CA 02315425 2000-07-12
WO 99/iSI87 . YGT/C1~97l~Oid1
17
quantlry of the composition orr at least a portion of the v~roarsr-cootactiag
surface of tlx
sbsorbesit article will preferably range from about 0.05 tng/in2 (0.0078
mg/cm2) to about
80 mg/in2 ( 12.4 mglcm2), tnorc preferably from about 1 mp/inZ (0.16 mg/cm2)
to about
40 tag/in2 (6.20 mglcra2), still more preferably from about 4 mglinz (0.62
mglcm2) to
about Z6 mg/ia~ (d_03mglem2). These ranges arc by way of illustration only and
the
skilled setisaa will reeo~ni2e that the narux~ of tkae composition will
dictate the level that
must be applied to achieve the desired skin benefits, and that such levels are
axcrcainable
by routine experimeatatioa in light of the praa~t dixlosure.
While the Ievel of skin care oomposition applied to the absorbent article is
an
impormnt aspect of the pseseat methods, more important is the siaouat of
composition
tr~nsfaned to the wearer's skin dta:iag use of one or mon treated articles.
Though the
requisite level delivcmd to the skin to provide the desired , skin benefits
will depend to
sono~e degree on the nature of the composition employed, Applicants have found
that
relatively low levels may be delivered while still providing the desired skin
effects. 'This
is pardculady true fox preferred compositions.
Another bene5t of the pr~s~t method is the controlled application of the skis
care
composition to deliver the low but e~ectwve levels of c~ositioa requirtd This
is in
eo~,ast to typically sporadic manual applleation of skin cart agents, where
the
caregiver/user often applies significantly greater levels of msteiial than are
n~oeded.
Excessive materials added manually may adversely impact the fluid handling
properties
of the absorbem article, as s result of transfer from the skin to the article.
Indeed, for
certain materials, such as petrolatum, the levels appliod maauallyr may
actually result in
sn occlusive e$oct, thereby compromising the skin. A benefit of the prexnt
methods is
providing a barrier to stnface moistut~e while avoiding occlusion of the skin
(i.e.,
maintaining skis breathsbility). Thus, the present methods, which allow
controlled
composition delivery throushout the wear period, allow transfer of optimal
levels of the
composition to the skin to improve skis conditio~a.
With regard to the level of skin cart composition that is transferred to the
wrarer
eluting tree of oue abav~rbcnt article worn for a period of about 3 horns (a
typical
daytime wear time), preferred is where as least about 0.01 mg/ia2 (0.0016
mg/cm2), mote
pmferably at least about 0_05 mg/in2 (0_0078 rtag/cm2). still more prcfaably
st least abotrt
0.1 mg/'mZ (0.016 mg/cm2), of the composition is transferred to the skin over
a t>'ucc hour
wrar period. Typically, the amount of composition delivered by one treated
article will
be from about 0.01 m~ (0.0016 mglem2) to about 5 mg/in2 (0,78 mg/cm2). more
preferably from shout 0.05 mgfus2 (0.0078 mg/cm2) to about 3 mglin2 (0.47
mg/cmZ).
CA 02315425 2000-07-12
WO-991 PCTNS97IS0841
ie
still more preferably from about O.1 mg/iaZ (0_016, mg/cma) to about Z mghm2
(0.31
mg/cm2), over a three hour wear ps:iod.
For continual ux of treated articles (in other words, changes occur is
accordance
v~,j~ ~~] use patterns, which typically include changes every 3 to 4 hours
durigg the
day and a fresh article before oversiight slesp) such as for a period of 24
hours, it will be
preferred that at lease about 0.03 mglia2 (0.0047 mg/cm2), more preferably at
least about
0.1 ru$Ji~ (0_016 ioaglcmZ). still more preferably at least about 0.3 mg/ia2
(0.047
mg/C::12), of the compositfon is transferred to the wearer's skin over the 24
hour period.
Typically, the amount of composition delivered after a period of 24 hours
whese treated
articles are applied at each chattQe, wall be from about 0.03 mg/i~ (0.0047
mg/cm2) to
about 18 m~lit>2 (2.79 tng/cm2), more typically from about 0.1 mg/in2 (0.016
mglcm2) to
about 10 mgfm2 (1.55 mg,/em2), still more typically fivm about 0.3 mglin2
(0.047
mg/cm2) to about 6 mpfia2 (0.93 mglctu~)-
It will be ra:o~d that of the ataaetous materials useful in the skin cue
cotnpvsitivns delivered to skier is accordance with the p:esent ~ooethods.
those that have
bcctt deemed safe and e$eetive skin care agents are logical materials for use
herein. Such
materials include Category I actives as defined by the U_S_ Fede~cal Food ~d
Drug
Administration's (FDA) T~ve Final Mosbograph oa Skin Protectunt Drug Products
for
Over-the-Coumcr Human Use, which pmseatly include: alvatoia, alut~annum
hydrOXide
gel, calamine, cocoa butter, dimethicone, cod liver oil (in combination),
glycerine, lcsolin,
petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil, shark liver oil, white petrolatum, talc,
topical starch, anc
acttatc~ anc carbonate, zlac oxide. and the like. Other' potentially useful
materials are
Category III actives as deSned by the U.S. Fodual Food sad .Drug
Administration's
Tensstive Final Mon~o~raph on Skier Protest Drug Products for Over-the-Cvuntet
Human Use tet>t~ve final monograph on stir proixtant drug products for over-
the-
counter human use, which presently iuaclude: liyc yeast call derivatives,
aldioxa,
alumiat~ acetate, microporous~ cellulose, cholecaiciferol. colloidal oattacsl,
cys~n6
hydrochloride, dexpaothanol, P~mviaa balsam oil, protein hydrolysatcs,
race~methionine,
sodium bicarboflste, Vitamin A, and the line.
Many of the FDA taono~sldn care iagmdieuts are ctarerrtly utilized is
cvtnmercially available skin care products, such as A and D~ Oitmnem, Vaaeli~~
Petroleum 3elly, Desitin~ Diaper Rash Oitttmcat and Dsily CCam Oin~ometu.,
Gold Bond~
Medicettd Baby Powder Aqttaphvr~ Healing Oi>stment, Baby Magie~ Haby LOLlOtI,
Johnson's Ultra Sensitive~ Baby Cream, Johnsaa's baby lotion, lip balms, etc.
These
coboueo~ereial pnodttcts may be applied to absorbent aniclcs to ~sto tsasted
articles for use
CA 02315425 2000-07-12
W4~~~ . PCTlUS97lZOS41
l9
is the present msthods, either with or without modifrcativn of the product to
facilitate
ddivcry via this novel method.
As will be discussed hereinafter, the skin care compositions useful in the
methods
of the prcxat invention preferably, though not necessarily, have a melting
profile such
that they are relatively immobile and localized on the wearetcontacting
surface of the
article at room tempetattuc, are readily tsansferable to tlse wanner at body
temperance,
aio~d yet are not completely liquid under extreme storage conditions.
Preferably, the
compositions are easily transferable to the skin by way of normal contact,
wearer motion,
and/or body heat. Because the composition preferably is substantially
immobilised on the
article's wearer-contacting surface, relatively low kvcls of composition are
needed to
impart the desired skin cafe benttits. In addition, spctial barrier or
wrapping mat~trials
may be unnecessary in packaging the mated articles useful in the methods of
the prcscat
invention.
In a preferred embodiraatt, the skin care composidons useful hcrciu are solid,
or
snore often semi-solid, st 20°C, i.e. at ambient temperattmes. By
"semisolid" 1S Ztl~tt that
the composition has a theology typical of pceudoplastic os plastic liquids.
When no shear,
is applied, the compositions can have the appearaaoe of a semi-solid but can
be made to
flow as the shear rate is increased. This is due tn the fact that, while the
composition
contains pzimatily solid cotnpoacats, it also includes some a~iaor liquid
comprnae~o~ts.
Preferably, the compositions of the present invention have a zero shear
viscosity between
about 1.0 X 106 ceatipoisc and about 1.0 X 10$. More preferably, the zero
shear
viscosity is between about 5.0 X 106 ~tipoise and about 5.0 X 107 omripoise.
As
used herein the term "~cro viscosity~ refers to a viscosity measured at very
low
shear tatas (e.g., I.0 sec-1) using plate and cone viscometer (a suitable
instrument is
available tom TA In~tv~enu of New Castle, DE as m«icl aueaber CSL 100). One of
skill in the art will raco~ai~e means other than high melting point components
(as
discussed below) can be used to provide comparable viscosities measured for
such
compositions comprising such scans can be mm~tned by extrapolating a plot of
viscosity
vs. shear rate for such compositions to a shear rate of uro at a temperature
of about 20°C. .
Preferred compositions are at least semi-solid at mom trrnpersaa~e to minimi~c
composition mig~Cadon. Ia addition, the compositions preferably have a final
melting
point ( 100°Yo liquid) above potential "stressful" storage conditions
that can be gzrater than
4S°C (e.g., warehouse is Arizona, car trunk in Florida, etc.).
Representative
compositions having these sndt characteristics arc described in detail ire
U.S. Patent No.
5.643.588 (Roe et al.). U.B. Patent No. 5,607,760 (Roe et al.), U.S. Patent
No. 5,609,587,
CA 02315425 2003-12-04
and U.S. Patent No. 5,635,191. Specifically, preferred compositions will have
the following melt
profile:
Characteristic Prefctred RangeMost Preferred
Jo liquid at 2-50 3-25
rO0a1 tCIl1 . (ZOC) . .
% liquid at 25-95 , 30-90
body temp. (37C)
final melting pointX38 s=45
(C)
By being solid or semisolid at ambient temperatures, preferred composidotLS do
not have a tendency to flow and migrate to a siguiScaat degree to undesired
locations of
the article to which they are applied. This means less skin care composition
is ttquired
for imparting desirable therapeutic, protective or coaditivaing benefits.
'fo cnhanae immobility of preferred compositions, the viscosity of the
formulated
compositions should be as high as possible to prevent flow within t6c article
to undesired
location. Unfommately, in some instances. higher viseosities may inhibit
transfer of
composition to the wearer's skin. Thaefa~, a balance should bo achieved so the
viscositaes are high enough to keep the compositions localized on the surface
of the
article, but not so high as to impede txansfer to the wearer's skin. Suitable
viscositiea for
the eompositioas will typically range froze, abo~a 5 co about 580 ccatipoise,
ptoferably
from about 5 to about 300 centipoise, more preferably from about 5 to shoos
100
ceatipoise, measured at 60 C using a rotational viscomemr (a. suitable
viscomatcr is
available from Lab Line Iast~m~eots, Iac. of Maltose Park, IL as Model ~53~_
The
viscometer is operated at 60 rpm using a number a, spindle.
Far compositions designed to provide a skin sraootbaess benefit, a useful
active
ingredient is these compositions is one or more skin protectsats or
emollients. As used
herein, the term "emollient" is a material that protects against wetness or
irritation,
soRCas, suppler, coats, lubricates, moisturizes, protects nad/or olesmses the
akin.
(It wilt be recognizr~l that several of the monographed arrives listed above
are
"cmollient.~', as that turn is used herein.) in a preferred embodiment, thex
emollients
will have either a plastic or liqufd consistency at ambient tempaaturtz" i.e..
20°C. This
particular emollient consistency allows the composition to impart a so$.
lubricious,
lotioa.~e feel.
Representative emollients useful in the prrsern invention include, but are not
limited to, emollients that are petroleum-based; polyol polyesters; sucrose
ester fatty
CA 02315425 2000-07-12
PCTN597/Z0~41
ZZ
acids; polycthylcac glycol and derivatives thereof; humectantt; fatty acid
esur type; alkyl
ethoxylate type; fatty acid ester ethoxylates; fatty alcohol type;
polysiloxane type;
pmpylenc glycol and derivatives thereof; glycerine and derivatives thereof,
inaludirrg
glyceride, acetoglyccridcs, and ethoxylatcd glyccrides of C 12-C2g fatty
acids; triethylene
glycol and derlvadves thereof; spermaceti or othet waxes; fatty acids; fatty
alcohol ethers,
pattieularly those having bona 12 to 28 carbon atoms in their fatty chairs,
such ag stessie
acid; propoxylaied fatty aleohols; other fatty esters of polyhydroxy alcohols;
lanolin and
its derivatives; kaolin and its derivatives; any of the tnonographed skin care
agents listed
above; or mixture= of these emollieats_ Suitable petroleum-based cmolliants
include
those hydsoca~tboas, or raixtttreo of hydrocarbons, having chain l~gths of
from 16 to 32
carbon atoms. Petroleum based hydrocarboQS having these chain lengths include
~oaioeral
oil (also lato~n as ~liquid petrolatum") acrd patralatum (also known as
"mineral wax,~
"petroleum jelly" and "mineral jelly"). Mineral oiI usually refers to less
viscous mixtures
of hydrocarbons having from 16 to 20 carbon atotas. Pemolatuas usually refers
to nose
viscous mixtures of hydrocarbons having from 16 to 32 carbon atoms. Petrola~
and
min~etal oil are pm-ticularly preferred eanollicuti for compositions of the
present
inrcntion.
Suitalslo fany acid ester type eurollients include thox derived from C12-C28
~Y
acids, preferably Cl6 C~ sextsrazsd fat~r acids, and short chain (C1-Cg,
Preferably C1.
C3) monohydric alcohols. R~epreseutativc cxarnples of such ~ include mdthyl
palmitate, taethyl soearate, isopropyl laurate, isopropyl mY~ ~oPr'oDYI P~~.
ethylbexyl palmitau and mixtures thereof. 5euitable fatty acid ester
emollients can also be
derived fi~ora errata of longer chain fatty alcohols (C I2~C2g, preferably C
12'C 16) ~d
shorter chain fatty acids e.g., lacvc acid, such as lautyl lact$te and cetyl
lactate.
Suitable alkyl etlaoxylate type etaollieats include C t Z-C~ fatty alcohol
ethoxyiaus having m average d~egiu of ethoxylazion of Eernoa~ about 2 to about
30.
Preferably, the fatty alcohol ethoxyiate emollient is selected ~m the group
coa~asriuo~g of
lauryl, cetyl, and stearyl ethoxylates, and tnixtuta thereof, having an
average degree of
ethoxylatioa ranging from about 2 to about 23. R,optative s~csasples of atrch
allryl
ethoxylates include laureth-3 (a lauryl ctboxylats baying an av«age degree of
cthoxylativrr of 3), 1a~23 (a lauryl cthoxylatc having an average degrre of
ethoxylation of 23), cetetlz-10 (a cetyl alcohol ethoxylate having acs average
degree of
othoxylarion of 10) and st~eth-10 (a stearyl alcohol cthoxylate having au
average degree
of ethoxylation of I0)_ Whe~o~. employed, these alkyl ethoxylatt emollients
are typically
used in combination with the petroleumbased emollients, such as petrolatum. at
a weight
CA 02315425 2000-07-12
' wa~~ . pcr~ss~riom
22
ratio of alkyl ethoxylate emollient to petroleum-based emollient of from about
1:1 to
about 1:5, preferably from about 1:2 to about 1:4.
Suitable fatty alcohol type emollients include C 12-C~ fatty alcohols,
preferably
C 16'C 18 ~~Y ~oobols. Raprssentative examples include cetyl alcohol and
stearyl
alcohol, and miacturcs thereof. Whsn employed, tivese Entry alcohol
craollients arc
typically used in combination with the petroleum-based emollients, such as
petrolatum, at
a weight ratio of fatty alcohol emollient to petroleum-based emollient of from
about 1:1
to about 1:~, preferably from about 1:1 to about 1:2.
Other suitable typos of emollients for use hcrcisz include polysiloxata:
compounds.
In general, suitable polysiloxane materials for use in the prcse:,t invention
include those
having monottterie siloxane units of the following sb~ucttuc:
R1
--~i-O-
wheran. RI and RZ. for each indepGn~at siloxane mo~omeric utut can each
independently be hydsogen or auy alkyd, aryl, alkeayl, alkaryl, atakyl,
oYolo~Yl.
baloge:tated. hydrocarbon, or ottrer sadicsl. Ar~y of such radicals can be
substituted or
unsubsdtmed RI and R2 radicals of air particular mono~mtric wait may differ
from the
co=respondi:~g fimctionalities of the pact adjoining monotneric twit.
Additionally, the
polysiloxarre c~ be either a straight chain, a braacbed chain or have a cyclic
structure.
the radicals Rl and R2 can additiomlly indepaidcntly be other silaa:ous
fuetctioaslities
such era, but not limited to siloxaaes, polysiloxemes, silatres. and
polysilauxs. Ttse radicals
RI and R2 nosy co:ttrtia nay of s variety of orgataic ftn~tcctionalities
ltiCluding, for eXe~lple,
alcohol, carboxylic acid, phenyl, and amii'e fuactionatities.
~p~Y ~Yl radicals are alethyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, peutyl hexyl. octyl,
decyl, oc~deCyl, and the like. Exemplary alkenyl radicals are vinyl, allyl,
ead~ the liioe.
Exemplary aryl radicals arc phenyl, diPheayl, aaphthyl, sad tlse like_
Exemplary alkaryl
radicals are toy4 xylyl, ethylpbenyl, and the like. Exemplary aralkyl radicals
are benzyl,
~P~P~Y~YI. ~~b~'l~Yl. ~P~P~Y1~Y1~ and the L"ske. Exemplary
cycloalkyl radicals are cyclobutyl. cyclopcatyl, cyclohcxyl, and the like.
Exemplary
halogenated hydrocautbon radicals arc chlorozt~yl, bromoethyl,
tetrafluorethyl,
flt~ore~thyt, triftttoretbyl, trifluorotloyl, be:cafluoroxylyl. and the like.
Viscosity of polySiloXaneS t~3C~11 may vary as widely as the viscosity of
polysiloxanas itt general vary, so long a: the poiysiloxane is flowable or can
be made to
be flowable for application to the article. This includes, but is noc limited
to, viscosity as
CA 02315425 2003-12-04
23
low as 5 centistokes (at 37 C as measured by a glass viscometer) to about
20,000,000
centistokes. Preferably the polysiloxanes have a viscosity at 37°C
ranging from about S to
about 5,000 centistokes, more preferably from about 5 to about 2,000
centistokes, most
preferably from about 100 to about 1000 centistokes. High viscosity
polysiloxanes which
themselves are resistant to flowing can be effectively deposited upon the
article by such
methods as, for example, emulsifying the polysiloxane in. surfactant or
providing the
polysiloxane in solution with the aid of a solvent, such as hexane, listed for
exemplary
purposes only. Particular methods for applying polysiloxane emollients to
absorbent
articles are discussed in more detail hereinafter.
Preferred polysiloxanes compounds for use in the present invention are
disclosed
in U.S. Patent 5,059,282 (Arnpulski et al), issued October 22, 1991.
Particularly preferred
polysiloxane compounds for use as emollients in the compositions of the
present
invention include phenyl-.functional polymethylsiloxane compounds (e.g., Dow
Coming*
556 Cosmetic-Grade Fluid: polyphenylmethylsiloxane) and cetyl or stearyl
functionalized
dimethicones such as Dow* 2502 and Dow 2503 polysiloxane liquids,
respectively. In
addition to such substitution with phenyl-functional or alkyl groups,
effective substitution
may be made with amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl, ether, polyether, aldehyde.
ketone, amide,
ester, and thiol groups. Of these effective substitttent groups, the family of
groups
comprising phenyl, amino, alkyl, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups are more
preferred than
the others; and phenyl-functional groups are most preferred.
Suitable humectants include glycerine, propylene glycol, sorbitol trihydroxy
stearin, and the like.
When present, the amount of emollient that can be included in the composition
will depend on a variety of factors, including the particular emollient
involved, the lotion-
like benefits desired, the other components in the composition and like
factors. The
composition will comprise from 0 to about 100%, by total weight, of the
emollient.
Preferably, the composition will comprise from about 10 to about 95%, more
preferably
from about 20 to about 80%, and most preferably from about 40 to about 75%, by
weight,
of the emollient.
Another optional, preferred component of the therapeuticiskin protectiveiskin
conditioning compositions useful in the methods of the present invention is an
agent
capable of immobilizing the composition (including the preferred emollient
and/or other
skin conditioning/therapeutic/protective agents) in the desired location in or
on the treated
article. Because certain of the preferred emollients in the composition have a
plastic or
liquid consistency at 20°C, they tend to flow or migrate, even when
subjected to modest
*=Trade-mark
CA 02315425 2000-07-12
wa~rais~ . pcrnss~rr~oss~
24
shear. W'hcn applied to a wsaser-eoneacting surface ox other location of an
absorbent
article, especially in a melted or mohen state, the emollient will not remain
primarily in or
o~n the treated region. Instead, the emollient will tend to migrate and flow
to undesired
regions of the article.
Specifically, if the emollient migrates ixito the interior of the article, it
can caux
undesired effects on the absorbency of the article core . due to the
hydrophobic
characteristics of many of the emollients and other skin conditioning agents
used in the
compositions useful in the methods of the present invention. It also mesas
that much
nose emollient has to be applied to the article to get the desired skin
smoothness .benefits.
Increasing the level of emollient not only increases the cost, but also
exacerbates the
undesirable effect on the abrorbeacy of the article's core and undesired of
composition during processing/eonverting of the treated articles.
The iausobilizing agent counteracts this tendency of the emollient to migrate
or
flow by keeping the emollient primaeily locali~~d on the surface or nn the
region of the
article to which the composition is applied. This is believed to be dine, iua
part, to the fact
that the immobili~ agent :wises the melting point and/or viscosity of the
composition
about that of the emollient. Since the ia~obiliz3ag agent is preferably
miscible with the
emolliem (or solubilizod in the emollient with the aid of sa appropriate
emulsifier or
dltharein~ it entraps the emollient on the surfax of the article's wearer
contacting
surFaa or in the region to which it is applied.
It is also advantageous to "lock" the immobilian$ agent oa the wanret'
eoatuting
sur~x or the region of the article to which it is appticd. This can be
accompliabed by
using iraasobili2ing agents which quickly set up (i.e., solidify) upcm
application to the
article. In sdditson, outside cooling of the article via blowers, fans, cold
rolls, ere.
can speed up crystall»tion of the itnmobili~ng agent.
la addition to being miscible witb (or solubili~d in) the eatolliem, the
immobilising agent will preferably have a melting prof Ile that will provide a
composition
that is solid or semisolid at ambient temperature. In this regard, preferred
itttmobilizing
agents will have a melting point of at least about 35°C. This is so the
immobiliang agent
itself will not have a tendency to migrate or flow. Preferred immobilizl~g
agents will
have melting poi~s of at least about 40 C. Typically, the immobiiiang agent
will have a
melting point in the range of from about 50_ to about 150 C.
When utilnzed, immobilizitlg useful herein can be selected from say of a
ember of agents, so long as the preferred properties of the skin care
coacsposition provide
the skin beaeSns described b~ereiua. Prefer~d immobilizing aacot~ will
ootnpese a
member selected from the group consisting of C 14-C~ fatty aloobols, C I Z-~CU
f8tty
CA 02315425 2000-07-12 ~ ~-
wa~~ PCT/U'S97/s0Sd1
zs
acids, acrd C 12-C2~ fatty alcohol ethoxylates having as average degree of
ethoxylation
ranging from 2 to about 30, and mixtures thereof. Preferred immobilising
agents include
C 16-C 1 g fatty alcohols, most preferably crystalline high melring rnaserials
selecud fzom
the group consisting of ceeyl alcohol, stosryl alcohol, behenyl alcohol. and
mixtures
thereof. (The linear saructurc of thess materials can speed up solidl?ication
vn the treated
absorbent article.) Mixtures of ceryl alcohol and cuaryl alcohol are
particularly preferred.
Other preferred immobilizing agents include C 16-C 18 ~y xi~, most preferably
selected from the group consisting of palmitic acid, arenas acid, and mbcnu~s
che~reof.
Mimties of palmltic acid and stearic acid are particularly prefe:rd. Still
other preferred
immobiliang agents include G 16-C 18 ~Y alcohol ctboxylates having as average
degree
of ethoxylstioa ranging from about S to shout 20. Prcfersbly, the fatty
alcohols, fatty
acids and folly alcohols are linear. Importantly, these prefcmcd irnmobiliaag
agents such
as the C 16 - C 1 g fatty alcohols incrrase the rate of ctystallization of the
composition
causing the composition to erystalli2e rapidly onto the surface of the
snbstratc.
otlsac types of ingredients that can be used as immobiliana agents, either
alone,
or in combination with the above~t»entloned fimmobfli~ng sg~s, includo waxes
such as
csad~elilla, pssatfin, eeresin, esparto. ouricuti, re~owax,
carnauba, ozokerite, be~sw$x,
i~~ ~ mined aid mintral wsxes. The high melt point of those
materials can help immobilise the composition on the desired stn~faee or
locati0a oa the
article. Additionally microQystalline waxes are eifoctivc immobilizing agents.
Microaystallirne waxen sea aid is "locking" up low molecular weight
hydrocarbons
within the side care composition. Preferably the wax is s para~sa wax. .A,a
ex~ple of a
particularly preferred alternate imttrobiliaag ag~nt is s papa wa~c such as
Parnaftn S.P.
434 from Strahl and Pitsch Irrc. P.O. Box 1098 West Babylon, NY 11'704.
Suitsble polyhydroxy fatty acid esters for use its the pee~nt invention wfll
have
the ~Oaiula:
O
II
(~ C Y
n
wherein R is a CS-C31 hydro~byl group, preferably straight chain CY.Cig alkyl
or
allocnyl, snore preferably straight chain Cp-C 17 alleys or atkanyl, aaost
preferably suaight
chain C 11-C 17 alkyl or aikeciyl, or mi~nvre thereof; Y is a
polyhydroxyhYduroearbYl
CA 02315425 2003-12-04
Z6
moiety having a hydzocarbyl chain with at least 2 free hydroxyts directly
connected to the
chain; and a is at Ieasc 1. Suitable Y grmups can be derived from polyols such
as glycerol,
peutaerythritol; sugars such as raffuwsc, maltodextrox, galaetose, sucrose,
glucose,
xylose, fivetose, maltose, lactose, tnanaosc at~d erythroac; sugar alcohols
such aS
erythritoi, xylitol, malitol, mannitol and sorbitol; and anhydrides of sugar
alcohols such
as sorbitan. . .
One class of suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid esters for use in the present
irwention
compiiscs certain sorbitsa esters, preferably the sorbitan estets of C 16-CaZ
saturated fatty
acids, Because of the manner is which they are typically matnufacnaed. these
sorbitan
esters usuahy comprise miactu<res of motto-, di-, tri-, etc. esters.
R~preseatative eX2tnples
of sui~,ble svrbitaa esters include sorbitsn paliaitates (e.g:, SPAN 40),
sorbita:a stearatos
(e.g., SPAN 60), and sorbitaa behenates, that compress one or more of the mono-
, di- and
tri~esrer versions of these so~rbit~ esters, e.g., sorbitan mono-, di~ and tri-
palnairate.
sorbltan naorao-, di- and tri-stcarate, sorbitan mono-, di and tri-behenate,
as well as mixed
tallow fatty acid sorbitaa mono-, di- and tri-esters. Mixnuus of different
sorbitan esters
can also be used, such as sorbitan palmitates with sourbitaa sresrates.
Particularly
preferred sorbitan esters are the sarbitan stearaces, typically as a mixture
of mono-, di-
aad tri-estec~ (plus some tetra~escet) such as SPAN 60, and sorbitsa sttsrstes
sold under
the rinds name GLYCOMLTL.S~by Long, Inc. Although thex sorbitsn esters
typically
contain miactures of mono-, di- and trf-esters, plus same tetraestcr, the mono-
sad di-ostsrc
are usually the predominant species in these mi~cauts.
Another class of suitable polyhydmry fatty acid esters for ux is the present
imeadon comprises certain glyceryl uionoesters, prefasbly glyeeryl monoesttrs
of C 16-
C~ sahuated fatty acids such as glycayl monostearate, glyceryl monvpshaitate,
and
glyccryl monolxheaat~e. Again, likt the sosbitsa esters, glycayl monoes~r
mixZuns will
typically contain some di- and triester. How, such mixtttt~es should cvrJmin
predominantly the glyceryl rnorioester species to be useful in the pxseat
invezrtion.
Another class of suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid esters for use in the prarnt
invention comprise ceitaiu sucrose fatty acid esters, preferably the G 12.C~
sanaated .
fang acid esters of s~crosc. Sucro~ mouocsccrs grad diesters are particularly
preferred
and include sucrose mono. acrd di-site and sucrox mono. and di- lataate.
Suitable polyhydmxy fatty acid arcades for use in the present invention will
have
the formula:
O R~
R~-N-Z
~=Trade-mark
CA 02315425 2003-12-04
29 '
wherein R1 is Ii; C1-C4 hydrocasbyl, Z-hydmxyethyt, ~-hY~xYP~PYI. m~xYechYl.
mechoxypropyl o: a mixnue thereof, preferably Cl-C4 alkyl, methoxyethyl or
methoxypropyl, more preferably C 1 or CZ alkyl or methoxypropyl , usoet
preferably C 1
alkyl (i.e., methyl) of methoxypropyl; and R2 is a Cs-C31 hYYI pup, prefttably
snaight chain C7-C 1 g allQrl or alkenyl, mote preferably straight cisaio Cg-C
17 alkyl or
alkenyl, most preferably saaigbt chain C11-C17 alkyl or allceayl, or mixture
the:eo~ and
Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl moiety having a linear bydrocarbyl chain with at
least 3
hydroxyls directly connected to the chain. See U.S. paoeut 5.17, 927 (Hoasa),
issued
December 29, 1992 which discloses these polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, as well
~as their
preparation.
The Z moiety preferably will be derived from a reducfag stt~ in a ~neaucnve
anniaa>ioa reaction; most preferably glycityl. Suitable reducing sugars
include glucose,
iiucsase, maltox, lactose, galactose, maaaosa, and xyloss. High dnctrose coca
syrup,
high fiuctose corn syrup, aad high maltose corn syrup can be utiliZd, as will
at. the
individual sugars listed above. These corn syrups can yield mv~res of sugar
compoaetlts
for the 2 moiety.
The Z moiety preferably will be selected 5~o~a the group coasieti~ of -CHZ.
(CHOH)<,-CHZOH, -CH(CH20Hy-I(CHOH)a,-l~CH20H. -CHZOH-CHZ_
(CI-IOH~(CHOR3)(CI~iOI~-CHZOH, whet~e a is as integer fi~ont 3 to 5, and R3 is
H of a
cyclic or aliphatic tnonosacchaaide. Most preferred are the glyeityls where a
is 4,
particularly .CH2-(CHOH)4-CHZOII.
In the above ~foramlp. Rl can be, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N-
isopropyl, N-butyl, N 2 hydmxyethyl, N-taethoxypmpyl of N-Z-hydroxypt~opyl. R2
can
be selected to provide, fbt example, cocamides, sccararaides, oleamides,
lasaataides,
~aoyoistamides, caprieamides, pal.~ooxtac~o3des, tallowamidu, arc. The Z
moiety cast be I-
d~eoxyglud~rl, 2~leoxy~ucbtyl, 1-deoxymaidtyl, 1-deoxylactiryl, 1-
deo~cygalactityl, 1_
deoxymaaaityl, 1-deoxym~altotriotityl, etc.
The most preferred polyhydroxy fatty acid arttides have the general formula:
R~ OH
R~~ N-C f-to ~ -OH
4
wlterem R1 is tactizyl err methoxypropyl; R2 is a C11-C17 strsigbt~haia alkyl
or aikeayl
group. ' These include N lautyl-N-methyl glucamide, N-lanryl-N-me~thhoxypropyl
CA 02315425 2000-07-12 --
WO ~~~ PCT/US97IZ0841
28
glucamide, N-coeoyl-N~iaethyl glu~amide. N-cocoyl-N-methoxyprepyl glucamidt, N-
palmityl-N-rrrtthoxypropyl glucamide, N-tallowyl-N-cnethYl glucamide, or N-
tallowyl~N-
mcthoxypropyl glucamide.
As previously noted, some of the immobilizing a,~nts may require art
emulsifier
for solubilixation itr the ~ayollient. This is ~ par~icularly the case for
certain of the
glucamidcs such as the N-alkyl-N-assthoxypropyI glucareidcs having HLH values
of at
least about 7. Suitable emulsifiers will typically include arose having HI.B
values lxlow
nbout 7. In this regard, the aosbitan esters previously described, such ~ the
sorbitan
s~earates, having HLB values of about 4.9 or less have heart found useful in
solubiliang
these glucsaodde in~nobilizing agents iu petrolatum. Other suitable
emulsifiers include
steamth~2 (polyethylene glycol ethers of stcaryl alcohol that coaforsn to the
formula
CH3(CH~ 1 ~(OCHZCH~OH, where n has an avcmge value of 2), sorbitan
tristea~ate,
isosorbide laurute, and glyceryl monostearate. 'Ihe cmulsif er can be included
in :tt~
amount sut5~cient to solubllize the immobiliang agent in the emollient auch
that a
subs<aatially homogeneous miunure is obtained. For example, as approximately
1:1
mixture of N-cocoyl-N~methyl gltscamide and pctrolatu~n that will aosnnsllY
not mmlt into
s single phacs mixwre, will melt into a sitwgle phase mixture upon the
addition of 20% of
a 1:1 mixture of St~sstt!-Z and sorbitaa tristeatatt as the emulsifier.
Othez types of ingsadieats that can be used as itamobiliZitlg agents, either
alone,
or in combination with the above-mentioned immobilizltrg agents, include waxes
such as
caraauba, beeswax, ca~adslilla, pasaffin, caesin, esparto, ouricuri. t~owmc,
and other
waits. Preferably the wax is a para~n wax. An example of a particularly
preferred pazafba wax is Parrafia S.P. 434 from Strahl and Pitsela lnc. P.O.
BoX 1098
West Babylon, NY 11704.
The amount of the optiond immobViang agent ti~at can be~ included iua the
composition will depend on a variei5r of factors, including the actives (e_g.,
emollue~ats)
involved, the particular immobilizing agent irrvolved, the other components in
the
composition, whether an emulsifier is required to solubiliu the immobilizing
agent is the
other componeDZS, and like factors. When present, the composition will
typically
comprise tom about 5 to about 90'0 of the immobili~ag agent Psefsrably, the
composition will cor~uise from about 5 to about 50%, most preferably from
about 10 to
about 40'i6, of the immobiliang agent-
Of course, it is highly desirable that at least a portion of the article's
topshcct be
made of a hydrophilic mstrnial to promote rapid t~anrier of liquids (e.g.,
uzint) through
the top,Rhest. Similarly, it may be desirable that the composition be
stifillcimtly wettablc
to eaaure that liquids will trthrough the topsl»t rapic~y. AlternadvelY,
CA 02315425 2000-07-12
W4 99~ PGTNS9'7rtOga 1
hydrophobic skin care composition may be udliud, so long as they are applied
such that
the fluid handling properties of the topsheet are adeduately maintained. (For
example, as
dixussed below, nonuniform application of the composition to the topsheet is
one means
to accomplish this goal.) This diminishes the likelihood that body exudates
will flow off
the comiposition-a~eated topshctt rather than being drawn through the topshcet
sad being
absorbed, by the absorbent core. .
Where a hydrophilic composition is desired, depending upon the particular
components used is the composition, a hydrophilic suzfactant (or a mixture of
hydrophilic
surfaczaau) may, or auy not, be required to improve wCCtatbiliry. For
exa~oaple, some
immobiIizina age:>ts, such as N-cocoyl-N-saet6oxypmpyl glucaaude have HLB
values of
at least about 7 and m su~ciently wetbble without the addition of hydrophilic
surfactant. Other immobilizing agents such a tbo C 16 - C 1 g fatty alcohols
baviug I~B
values below about 7 may require addition of hydrophilic surfxtaat to improve
wettability when the composition is applied to article topsheets. Similarly, a
hydrophobic
ecaollient sucb as petrolatum may require the addition of a hydrophilic
surfactant if
hydrophilic composition is desired. Of cou:ac, the concern around wettability
is not a
factor when the wearsr-contacting Surface under considesacioa is other thaw
the article's
tops>rcct or when fluid handling properties of tbo topsluet are a~dequsuly
maiatsined via
other means (e.g., nonuaiform application).
Suitable hydrophilic sutfa~ts will prcferxbly be miscible with the other
components of the skin cats composition so as to form blended mixtures.
Because of
possible skiua settsitsviry o~ those using disposable absorbent pwduct.~ to
which the
composition is applied, these stufactastts should also be relatively mild and
non-itritatitctg
to the skin. Typically, these hydrophilic surJhetaazs are nonionic to be not
only non-
irritatiag to the skis, but also to avoid other uadesiQable eon air ocher
structures
within the tseazed article. For example, reductions in tissue laeaiQate
tensile strength,
adhesive bond suflzcieacies, sad the like.
Suitable nonionic surfactants may be substa~Ily nonmi~ramry alEet the
compositiorn is sppfisd to the article and will typically have HLB values is
the range of
5,om about ~4 to about 20, preferably tom about 7 to about 20. TO be
nonmigratory, t>tese
nonionic sutfactaats will typically have melt temperatures than the
temperatures
coanmonly enoountercd doting storage, shipping, mcrcbasdising, sad ux of
disposable
absorbent products, c.g., at least about 30°C. In this regard, these
nonionic surfactants
will ptefczZbly bane melting points similar do thox of the immobilizing agents
ptrviously
described.
CA 02315425 2003-12-04
Suitable nonionic surfactants for use in compositions that will be applied to
the
articles, at least in the liquid discharge region of the diaper, include
alkylglycosides;
alkylglycoside ethers as described in U.S. patent 4,011,389 (Langdon, et al.),
issued
March 8, 1977, alkylpolyethoxylated esters such as Pegosperse* 1000MS
(available from
Lonza, Inc., Fair Lawn, New Jersey), ethoxylated sorbitan mono-, di- and/or
tri-esters of
C,Z-C,~ fatty acids having an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 2
to about 20,
preferably from about 2 to about 10, such as TWEEN* 60 (sorbitan esters of
stearic acid
having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 20) and TWEEN 61 (sorbitan
esters of
stearic acid having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 4), and the
condensation
products of aliphatic alcohols with from about 1 to about 54 moles of ethylene
oxide. The
alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol is typically in a straight chain (linear)
configuration
and contains from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred are
the
condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from about
11 to
about 22 carbon atoms with from about 2 to about 30 moles of ethylene oxide
per mole of
alcohol. Examples of such ethoxylated alcohols include the condensation
products of
myristyl alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, the
condensation
products of coconut alcohol (a mixture of fatty alcohols having alkyl chains
varying in
length from 10 to 14 carbon atoms) with about 6 moles of ethylene oxide. A
number of
suitable ethoxylated alcohols are commercially available, including TERGITOL*
1 5-S-9
(the condensation product of C»-C,5 linear alcohols with 9 moles of ethylene
oxide),
marketed by Union Carbide Corporation; KYRO EOB (condensation product of C~3-
C,5
linear alcohols with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), marketed by The Procter &
Gamble Co.,
the NEODOL* brand name surfactants marketed by Shell Chemical Co., in
particular
NEODOL 25-12 (condensation product of C12-C15 linear alcohols with 12 moles of
ethylene oxide) and NEODOL 23-6.5T (condensation product of C,Z-C,3 linear
alcohols
with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide that has been distilled (topped) to remove
certain
impurities), and especially the PLURAPAC* brand name surfactants marketed by
BASF
Corp., in particular PLURAFAC A-38 (a condensation product of a Cps straight
chain
alcohol with 27 moles of ethylene oxide). (Certain of the hydrophilic
surfactants, in
particular ethoxylated alcohols such as NEODOL 25-12, can also function as
alkyl
ethoxylate emollients). Other examples of preferred ethoxylated alcohol
surfactants
include ICI's class of Brij* surfactants and mixtures thereof, with Brij 72
(i.e., Steareth-2)
and Brij 76 (i.e., Steareth-10) being especially preferred. Also, mixtures of
cetyl alcohol
and stearyl alcohol ethoxylated to an average degree of ethoxylation of from
about 10 to
about 20 may also be used as the hydrophilic surfactant.
*=Trade-mark
CA 02315425 2003-12-04
31
Another type of snitxable surfactant for use in the composition includes
Aerosol
OT, a dioctyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinic acid marketed by American Cyanamid
Cornpaay.
Still another type of suitable surfactant for use in the composition includes
silicone copolymers such as General Electric ~ 3F 1188 (a copolymer of a
~rolydimethylsiloxane arid a polyoxyalkylene ether) and Cientral Electric SF
1228 (a
silicone polyether copolymer). These silicone surfactants cxn be used in
cotnbinatioo
with the other types of hydmphilie surfaetaats discussed above, such as the
cthoxylated
alcohols. These silicone surfactants have bees found to be effective at
coneeQaatzons as
low as 0. Z ~/o, more preferably from about 0.25 to about 1.0%, by weight of
the
coaaposition.
The amount of hydrophilic surfactant required to increase the wettabiliry of
the
compositfon to a desired level will depend in~art upon the HLB value and level
of
immobilizing agent, if nay, used, the HLB value of the surfactant used and
Like factors.
The composition can coiouprise from about 0.1 to about 50% of the hydrophilic
stufactant
when needed to increase the wettability prvpcrcics of the composition.
Preferably, the
composition comprises from about 1 to about 25%, most preferably from about 10
to
about 20%, of the hydrophilic surfactant when needed to inercase wettabiiity.
Compositions can comprise other co~mponeats typically present its emulsions,
creams, ointment, lotions, powders, suspensions, etc. of this type. These
components
include water, viscosity modifiers, perfumes, disinfectant antibacterial
actives, antiviral
agents, vitamins, pharmaceutical actives, film formers, deodora~, opacificrs,
nstriageats,
solvents, presecystives, and the like. In addition, stabilixtrs can be added
to enhance the
shelf life of the composition such as cellulose derivatives, proteins and
lecithin. All of
thex a~axerials are weD kuowa in the art as additives for such formulations
and can be
employed is appropriate amounts io the coazpositions for use hersin.
If wat~hased skin care compositions a:e used, a presavative will be needed
Suitable preservatives include propyl paraben, methyl paraben, benzyl alcohol,
betuyIkonnitun, tribasic calcium phosphate, HI~'T, of acids such as citric,
tartaric, msleie, .
lacric, malic, benzoic, salicylic. and the Like. Suitable viscosity
inetea,ring agents include
some of the agents described as effective immobilizing mats. Other suitable
viscosity
increasing agents include aUcyl galacxrnmaanan, silica, talc, magnesium
silicate, sorbitot,
colloidal silicone dioxide, magnesitun aluminum silicaac, zinc ste~c, wool wax
alcohol,
sorbiton, sesquioleate, cetyl hydtoxy ethyl cellulose and other modified
celluloses.
Suitable solveat5 include psapyierte glycol, glycerine, eyclomethicone.
polyethylene
~=Trade=park
CA 02315425 2000-07-12
wo ~~ rcrn~s9~aas4t
32
glycols, hcxalcnc glycol, diol and mufti-hydroxy based solvents. Sultabie
vitamins
include A. D3, E, BS and E acetate.
In preparing products according to the present invention, the lotion
sompositivn is
applied to the outer (i.c.. body facing surface) of the topsheet 24 within the
second
region 32. ,A,ny of a variety of application cncthods that distribute
lubricious znatexials
having a molten or liquid consistency can lx uxd. Suitable methods include
spraying,
priatiag (e.g., ilexographic priming). coating (e.Q., gravure coating),
extrusion, or
combinations of these application techniques, c.g. spraying the composition on
a rotating
surface, such as a caleader roll, that then, ttaasfers the compositiop to the
outer surface of
the article topsbeet.
Aa effective amoutst of eomporition needs to be applied to the xcond region 32
of the topshect 24 for reducing the adherence of 8M to the sltin and/or
providing a clan
benefit to the wearer. The composition is preferably applied to the second
region 32 of
the topshcct in ea ataouat ranging from shout o.l mg/in2 to about 35 mg/in2~
Such levels
of composition arc believed to be adequate to impart the desired therapeutic
and/or
protective be~nef is to the topshut
The composition coal be applied to the secostd region '32 of the topsheet 24
at any
point dtuing assembly. For example, the composition can be applied to the
topsheet of
the finished disposabk absorbcat product before it has beoa packaged. The
composition
can also be applied to the topsheet before it is combined with the other raw
muerials to
form a Saighed disposable absorbent product
The cotaposition is typleally applied ~ a melt thereof to the asticle
topsbaet.
Since the composition melts at significantly above atnbieat ttanpetat~u~es, it
is ttsvally
applied as a heated costia$ to the tops. TY'Pi~ly, ~ ~~sitioa is heated to a
tesap~ is the range irOm about 35_ to about 100°C. psafe~ablY from
40° to about
90°C, prior to being applied to the article topsbeei Once the melted
composition hes
bees applial to the article topsheet, it is allowed to cool and solidify to
forte solidified
coating or film oo the st~aCe of the topsheet. Preferably, the application s
is
dcsigacd to aid is tho cooliag/xt up of the composition.
Rcfaring now to Figta~cs 1 and 3, the fecal aumag~att member 30 is prefet$bly
seed to the topsbeet 24 in a very miaiaaal extcat to presatve the ope~tss of
the feral
managamaait ~oaeatber 30 to allow ready pcaeaadon of low-viscosity kcal
material.
More pteferjbly, the fecal management member 30 is cot accrued to the topsbeet
24 at atl
preserving the opemess of the fecal u~agemcnt member 3 o sad also allowing the
topshett 24 to s~epa~ from the fecal management member 30 citing additional
void
CA 02315425 2003-12-04
33
space. However, it is recognized the the fecal maaagsment member 30 should be
secured within the diaper ?0 to prevent it from freely moving about. To this
end, it is
preferred that the fecal man8sement member 30 be secured directly to the
underlying
absorbent cose 28. A particularly preferred attachment mesas is an adhesive
having a
hydrophilieity which is grsate: than tb~e hydrophilicity of the fecal
rnanagentetn member
30. More pr~efersbly, the attsohment means is an adhesive haying a
hydrophilicity which
is greater thaw the sheet of fibers 126, need more preferably a hydrophilicity
which is also
greater than the hydrophiliciey of the backia~ 120.
The nbsorbeat core 28 is preferably seeu~ed directly to the topsheet 24. rr
particularly preferred attachrncat mesas is an adhesive havfng a
btydtnphilicity which is
greater than the hydrophilicity of the topsheet 24. More ptefezably, tbie
attachment
~oaesas is an adhesive having a hydrophilieiry which is greater than the sheet
of libels 126,
more preferably a hydrophilicity which is aJx than the hydrophiliciry of the
backing 120.
wbea constructing the diaper 20, the topsheet is preferably positioned on a
conveyer oz other suitable procg equipment such that its inner surface is
facing
upward. The ,fecal management member 30 is then positioned on the topsheet 24
in the
region corresponding to the second region 32 such that the baokiag 120 of the
fecal
management membac 30 is facing upward. An adhesive is they applied to the
inner
surface of ttie topsheet 2a and the backing I20. The adhesive selected at
least has a
hydrophilicity greater thaw that of the topsheet 24, and preferably, the
adhesive seleotad
has a hydrophilieiry greater than that of both the wpshect 24 cad the fecal
management
member 30. The fecal management member 30 bloclo; the adhesive preventing it
from
contacting the portions of the topsheet lying undenoeath the fecal management
member
30.
Suitable mesas for applying the adhesive intluQe a unifo~nm continuous layer
of
adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or as array of lines, spirals, or
spots of
adhesive. One prcfarcd attachment mesas composes sn open pattern network of
filamrnts of ardhesivc as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,573,986 entitled
~Disposable Wasre-
Containment Clarmeat", vrhich issued to Minctols et al. oa March 4, 1986.
Other suitable
attachaaent means include several Iirtcs of adhesive filaments which are
swirled auto a .
spitsl pattern, as is ~ illus~atod by the apparatus and methods shovva is U.S.
Patent
3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Jr. on October 7, 1975: U.S. Patctit 4,T85,996
issued to
2iecker, et al. on November 22, 1978 and U.S. Patent 4.842,666 isstmd to
VJercaicz on
Juac 27, i 989.
CA 02315425 2003-12-04
3~
'l~he amount of adhesive and application tcthniquc esn be selected to control
the
degee of penetrstioa of the adhesive into the topsheet 24 whiCb iS riot
blOCked by the
fecal managctnent member 30. If the topsheet 24 is relatively hydrophobic, it
may be
desirable to 6avs a greater degree of penetration of adheaiv~t into the
topsheet 24 within
the first region 31. Alternatively, if the topsheet 24 is rciatively
hydrophillic less
penetration of the adhesive nay be needed to obtain the desit~ed urine
handling
characteristics in the first region 31. .
The diaper 20 may fiuther comprise elasticized leg cuffs (not shown) which
provide improved containment of liquids and other body exudates. Each
elasticized leg
cult' ~oo~y cono~pzise several different cmbodirnents for reducing the leakage
of body
exudates in the leg z'tgion~s, ffhc log cuff can Ix and is sometiases also
referred to as leg
bands, side flaps, barer cuffs, or elastic cuffs.) U.S. Patent 3,860,003
describes a
disposable diaper 20 which provides a aonttactiblc log opcniuag having a sid:
flap sad one
or mare elaRric members to provide an elasticized leg cuff (gaslceting cui~. '
Commonly
assignEd ' U.S. Patem 4,909,803 entitled "Disposable AbsoTbcat Article Having
Elasticized Flaps" issued to Aziz et al. on March 20. 1990, describes s
disposable diaper
20 having "staod~up° elasticized flaps (barrio' cuffs) to improve tbt
coataiament of the
leg regions. Commonly assigned U.S_ Patent 4,495,2?8 czrbtled "Absorbent
Article
Havsag Dual Cuffs" issuod to Lawson Oa September 22, 198?, descnb~ s sable
diaper 20 having dual cuffs including a gasketing cuff and a barrier cuff,
~'hc diaper 20 preferably further comprises as elastic waist featutz (not
shown) that
provides improved f t and containment 'Ihe elastic waist feature is that
portion or zone
of the diaper 20 which is intended to elastically expand and coazract to
dynamically 5t the
wearer's waist. The elastic waist fcsaa~c at least extends longitudinally
outwardly from at
least one of the waist edges of the absorbent core 28 and genually forms at
least a pordvn
of the end edge of ihc dia~pa~ 20. Disposable diapers are generally
consbntcted so as to
have two elastic waist feahacs, one positioned is the fast region 31 and one
positioned in
the second region 32, although dia~rs eau be constricted with a single elastic
waist
feature. Further, while the elastic waist f~n~re or any of its constituent
elements can
comprise a separate element afftxed to the diaper 20, the elastic waist f~ is
preferably
constructed as an r~ctension of otba elements of the diaper 20 such as the
backsheet 26 or
the topeheet 24, preferably both the baelcsheet 26 and the topsheet 24. 'T'be
clasticizxd
waistband 34 may be constructed is a number of different configurations
including those
described In U.S. Parent 4,515.595 issued to Kicvit et al. on May 7, 1985 and
the shave
referenced U.S. Patent 5,151,092.
CA 02315425 2003-12-04
3~ ' '
The diaper 20 also comprises a fastening system 36 which forms a side closure
which maintains the first region 31 and the sxond region 32 in as overlapping
configuration such that iataral tensions are maiataissed around the
eircuzztferencx of the
diaper 20 to maisuain the diaper 20 on the wearer. Exemplary fastening systems
are
disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,846,815 entitled "Disposable Diaper Having An
liaproved
Fastening Device" issued to Scripps oa 3uly 11, 1989; U.S. Patent 4,894,060
entitled
"Disposable Diaper With Itupcovcd Hook Fastener Portion" issued to Nestegard
on
January 16, 1994; commonly assigned U.S. Patent 4,946,527 entitled "Pressure-
,Sensitive
Adhesive Fastener And Method of Making Same" issued to Hattrell on August 7,
1990;
commonly assigned U.S. Pate~att 3,848,594 entitled "Tape Fastening Systtttl
for
Disposable Diaper" isswed to Btuell ono, November 19. 1974; commonly assigned
U.S.
Patent B 1 4,662,875 entitled "Absor~t Ardcle" Issued tv Hirotsu et al. on May
5, 1987;
and the hereinbefore trferenced U_S. Patent 5,1 S 1,092. ~.
The diaper 20 is preferably applied to a wearer by positioning one of the
regions,
preferably the seooad region 32, under the wesres's back and drawing the
remainder of the
diaper 20 between the weatrr's legs so that the other segion, preferably the
fizac region 31,
is positioned across the front of the wearer. The tape tabs 36 of the
f8stenlng system are
then released from the release portion. The diapa~er then wraps the
elasticized side panel
around the wearer, while still g the tab portion. The fastasing system is
seetued to
the outer surface of the diaper 20 to effect two side closure.
While particular embodimczxis of the present invention have beat illustrated
and
described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other
changes and
modifications can be ttrsde without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
h is thcrefvn iutcndcd to cover in the appended claiavs all such changes and
modifications that ~ within the scope of this irweation.
