Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
' ~ CA 02475091 2004-08-16
zoNFD DtsPOSASZ,E Assox~Fl~r AR.TICL~
FOR URINE AND
LOw.Vi5Ci7S1TY FECAi. MATS:'
FIFLL7 OF THE D~IVI~"I'ION
This invention relates to disposable absorbent articles, Such a5 di8peT5 Rttd
adt~tlt
incontinence products, and more particularly w disposable absorbeern articles
which have
the ability to efieetively beadle both utyne and toawviseosity fecal material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INUI:.'NTION
Many types of disposable absorbent prodttets, such as~ diapers, arc available
that
have a high capacity for absorbing urine. Disposable ,products of this type
generally
COIl1pT15C SQInC sort of fluidpcraieabte topsheet material, a~n. absorbent
core, atad a fluid-
impenmesble backsheet material. Altbougb these types of absorbent xiruchues
may be
highly efficient for the absorption of fluids; they catmot absorb bowel
movements ( i_e.,
hereiaaRtr referred to as "BM"). Typically, the BM is trapped between the
outer suarfacx
of the fluid-pe~razeable topsheet and the skin of the ~, muah of is ac~ering
to the
waster's skin.
To prevent 8M from at~iag to the weata's skirt, the caregiver ofb~ applies
proteotive or nrepelleat" products such as vaseline or mnneral oil to the
buttocks and seal
region before placing the absorbent article on the weax~c. 'Ibis procedsw-~
usually
involves the caregiver's pouring of the oil or lotion, for example, in one of
!bait hands,
rubbing both hands together to distribute the substance thercoa and then
wiping the setae
on -the skin of tbc infant To eliminate the need for this wasteful, messyr,
and c$.tily
forgotten prucedu~, there bare bees numerous previous attempts m prepare
absorbetzt
articles which contain a protective or thaapcutic skis cae~e substance on the
topsheet.
due substance that bas been applied as a lotion to absorbent products to
impart a
soothing, prateetive coating is minertl o!!. Mineral oil (ai.~o lo~own as
IiQuid petrolatuana
is a mixna~e of various lzquid hydrocarbons obtained by distilling the high-
boiling ('Le.,
300°-390°C) fiactioas is petroleum. Mineral oil is liquid ai
ambient tempetattnns, e.g. 20
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
2
°-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 nvt
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 oil 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 INVENTIOl~TT
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
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
2a
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 wheirein
like
components are given the same reference number and:
a n CA 02475091 2004-08-16
3
Figure 1 is a tcp plan view, Shawn paztially in cuta~ray, of a disposable
absorbent
article according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic side elevational view of an apparatus which may tx
used to
measure the trams-topsheet penetration.
Figure 3 is a perspective vycw of a fecal aranagexrieat member.
Figure 4 is an illustration of the test set up for the Acquisition Test.
Figure 5 is an illt:strarion of the test set trp for the Pest Acquisition
Callagen Rcwct
Method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTrON
As used herein, the term e'absorbent article" rtfera to devicts which absorb
and
contain body exudates, and, more specifically, refers to devices which arc
placed against
or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contrsiu the various
exudates
discharged from the body. The term "disposable" is cued he~rsia: to describe
absorbent
articles which are not intended to be lsundesed or otheruvise restored or
teased as an
absorbent article (i.e., tbry are intended to be discarded after a sfnglr~ use
and, preferably,
to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of is sa environtzzenrally
conapatiblc
manner). A ~uuitary" absorbent article refers to absorbent articles which gre
fonaed of
separate its united together to form a coa~linated eatiry so that they do not
xequir~e
separate manipulative parts like a separate bolder and liner. A preferred
embodiment of
an. absorbent article of the pr~ut invention is the unit~r disposable
absorbent article,
diaper 20, shown in figure 1. As used herein, the tern "diaper" refers to an
absorbent
atticie generally worxt by infants and adult iucontiaent persons and is worn
about the
lower torso of the wearer. The present invention is also applicable to other
absorbent
articles such as incontinence briefs, incontinence ur~d~crgarmcats, absorbe'at
inserts,
diapers holders and liners, feminine hygiene ganoQeutR, and the lz'ke.
Figure 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present iavcsuion is its flat-
out,
uacon::r~ted state (i.e., with elastic induced co~ction pulled out) With
portions of fuze
sirucr>re being cut-away to more clearly show the consauctioa of the diaper 20
acid with
the portion of the diaper 20 which faces or carttaats the , the inner staferx,
otidnted
towards the viewer. As shows is Figure 1, the diaper a0 preferably comprises a
liquid
pervious topshcct Z4: a liquid impctvious backstteet 26 joined with the
topsheet 24; an
absorbent cone 28 intermediate the topsheet 24 and the backsheet Z6; end a
fecal
management member 30 positioned between the topsheet 24 asd tbo absorbent core
28.
The diaper 20 may further comprise eiasticiud side panels (not showtz);
alasticiZed leg
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
cuffs (net shown); an elastic waist feature (not shown); and a fastening
system with tape
tabs generally multiply designated as 36.
The diaper 20 is shown in Figure 1 to have a first region 3 i juxtaposed with
the
front of the wearer while the diaper 20 is being worn and a second region 32
opposed to
the first region 31 and juxtaposed with the back of tbie wearer while the
diaper 20 is beiue
wom, acrd a periphery which is defined by the outer edges of the diapdc' 20 in
which the
longitudinal edges are designated 33 and the end edges are designated 35. In
Figure 1 the
first region 31 is shown as exteadiag from one end edge 35 to the lateral
cencetline 21 and
tlne second region 32 is shown as extending from the opposing cad edge 35 to
the lateral
centerline 21. For purports of discussion, the lateral centerline 21 is shows
as the
boundary between the first region 31 sad the sccoad region 32 is Figure 1.
However, the
boundary between the first region 31 and the second region 32 may be
positioned at other
loeatioraS, for ~Y~~~ple closer to one of the respective end edges 35. The
first region 31
beis~.g juxtaposed with the front of tkie wearer should,be superior in the
handling of urine.
The second region being juxtaposed with the back of the wearer should be
superior in the
handling of fecal material, in pacticnlar low-viscosity tbcsl macerisl.
The inner surface of the diaper 2~ comprises that portion of the diaper 20
which is
adjacent to the wearer's body during use (i.e., the 'inner stn~e ge.~ally as
formed by at
least a portion of the topsheet 24 Brad other eomponeats joined to the
topsheet 24). The
outer surface comprises that portion of the diaper 2o which is positioned away
from the
wearer's body {i.e., the outer surface generally is farmed by at least a
pordon of the
backsheet 26 and other components joined to the backsbeet 2b'~ during use_
Figtuz 1 shows an cmbodimcat of the drapes 20 in which the topsheet 24 and the
backsheet 26 have length and width dimensions genaatly larger , than those of
the
absorbent tort 28_ The topshect 24 and the backshcet 26 extend beyond the
edges of the
absorbent core 28 to themby form the pcraphery of the diaper 20. Whsle the
topsheet 24,
the ist~~eksheet 2b, and the cone 28 may be assemblod in s vauri~y tsf well
known
configurations, prefen~ed diaper configurarinns are described generally 'sit
U.S. Patent
3,860,003 entitled "Conttactable Side Portions for Disposable Diaper" which
issuod to
Kenneth B. Buell on January 14, 1975; and U.S. Patent 5,1151,092, "A6sorbertt
Article
With Dynamic Elastic Waist Feature Having A Predisposed R~iliem Flaniral
Hinige~,
issued to Kenneth, B. Buell et al. September 29, 1992.
The absorbent core 28 may be say absorbent mesas which as geneislly
compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the v~esser's skin, sad capable
of absotbittg
and retaining liquids such as urine and other certRin body exW. As shown in
Figure
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
1, the absorbent core 28 has a gattnGnt surface, a body surface, side cdga,
and waist
edges. The absorbent pore 28 may be cnarsufactured is a wide variety of Sizes
and ~sbapes
(e.g., rectangular, hourglass, '°T"-shaped, asymmettie, etc.j nerd goat
a vYide warievy of
liquid-absorbent taatcrisls co:~toaly used is disposable diapers and other
absorbent
articles such as comminutcd wood pulp which is generally referred to as
airfelt.
Examples of othtr suitable absorbent materials include . .creped cellulose
waddlrtg;
meltblown polymers including coform; chemically stiffened, modi~i~ed or dross-
linked
cellulosie fibers; tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates;
absorbent foams;
absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials; or
any
equivalent material or combinations of materials.
The configuration and consnvction of the absorbent core 28 may also be Varied
(e.g., the absorbent core 28 may have untying caliper zones, a ltydrophilic
gradient, a
superabsorbent gradient; or lower average density and lower averagt basis
weight
acquisition zones; or raay comprise ot~e or more layers oa~ savcntres). The
total absvrbeot
capacity of the absorbttit core 28 should, hog, be compatible with the desig4
loeditlg
and the intended use of the dispel 20. Further, the sire and absorbent
capacity of the
absorbent core 28 may be ~raried to accommodate wes:,ers ranging 8~om through
adults.
Exeno~plary absorbent strurtlmcs f~ tine as the absosbent com 28 ase described
is
U..S. patent 4.~ 1 .678 Ctltttled "HI ~ AbS01'bent ftlllCttll"C5°
1SS11ed t0 WelS~B~! et
al. on September 9. 1986: U.S. Patent 4,673,402 mud~:d "Absorbent Articles
With
Dual-Layered Cores" issued to Wciscnazs et al. om Jume x 6, 1987; U.S. Patent
a,g88,Z31
eetitled "Ahsorbeac Cole I~sving A Dusting I,arycr" issue to Angstsdt on
Deoe~be= 19,
1989; and U~. Pat~t 4,834,735, entitled '~~Iigh Density Absorbent Members
having
Lower Density and Lower Basle Weight Acquisition ~oncs", issued ho Alemany et
al. oa
May 30, 1989. ,
:tee backsheet 26 is positioned adjacent the gamaent surface of t~ absorbent
~c
28 and is preferably joined thereto by attachment means (not such as those
well
known in the art. As used herein, the term "joined" encompasses
coafigtttarioas whereby
an element is disectly scorned to the other element by a~xiag the element
directly to the'
other clencrent, and configurations whereby the element is ;indirectly
seettrad to the other
element by a~xiag the element to intermediate members) which is tear are axed
to
For example, the backshcct 26 may be s<curad to the absorbent oore 28 by a
uniform continuous Dyer of adhesive. a pauerned layer of adhesive, or sa array
of
separate lines,, spirals, or spots of adl~sive: Adhesives ~whicb have bxn
found to be
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
6
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,
polymeric 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 a.nd the backsheet 26 are
joined
directly to each other in the diaper periphery.
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
7
There are a number of marsufacturing techniques which tray be ' used to
manufacture the topsheet 24. For example, the topsheet 24 may be a nonwoven
web of
fibers spunbonded, carded, wet-laid, meltblowa, hydxoentauglcd, eombinatioas
or
composite la~ooii~aces of the alcove, yr the like. Preferred topsheeta 2~4
include a
cardedlcarded composite, hydroentantgled over a wire forming screen and
thcr~lly
air-tbtough bonded by mesas well known to those. skilled. in the nonwovens art
and
hydroeataaglement of fibrous webs. Alternatively, apenlued fvrated iilnu,
woven
netting; smd woven aper<urad netting may be suitable.
As messtioned above; the second region 32 of the diaper 20 should .be designed
to
be superior iru the bapdling of low-viscosity fecal rnatetial as compared to
the first region
3I which should be supes;or in the hsadliag of uriao. The traps-topsheet
capacity reflects
the diapct~ ability to boodle Iow-viscosity fecal material. 'Ihe se~eond
region 32 of the
diaper 20, the region dcsagncd to handle tow viscosity fecal tnatesial, should
have a
relatively high traps-topsheet capacity. Prcfcssbly, the ~cond region 32 of
the diaper 20
,.
should have a relatively higher traps-topshcet cap$city than the first region
3 t.
There is an inverse relationship brc~eeu the asinirnvm traps topsbect capacity
necessary to handle lowviscosity fecal trial cad the suurfasc area of the
diaper 20
having this itiinimum eapaeary. A.s a larger perGCptsgt of the diaper 2~
svtfacc area has s
trans~topsheet capacity suffcient to boodle tow-viscosity fecal material, the
necessary
traps-topsheet capacity diminishes.
In aay case, the second region 32 of the diaper 20 should have a traps-
topsheet
capacity of at least about 0.20 grams per square inch previded at least 30
sq~usre inches of
the dupes 20 has scab a tracts-topsheet capacity and prefeaably apt least 45
sqt>a~ inches of
the diaper 20 has such a traps-topsheet capacity. It is believed that a
mi~aiaauma of 4
square inches of the diaper 20, which arse closely registered with the anal
opeeing, are
aecesss:y to handle low-viscosity fecal material. If such a mlatively small
region of the
diaper 20 is provided, this region of the diaper 20 should have a tracts-toy
capacity of
at least r~bottt O.SO sad preferably at least about 0.60 grains per square
inch.
The trade-off tzans~topshcet capaxity a~da nniainzum surface area fur a
diaper 2o according to the present itsvemion which is necessary to handle low-
viscosity
fecal material and the preferred surface arra for s diaper' 20 according to ~o
prat
iuaventlon is illusQated in Table I below:
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
8
Minimum Daaper 5urfaeePreferred Diaper
Trsn9-topsbeet .Area Having 'this ' 'Sivfacc Ases Having
This
Capacity Traris-topsheet Capacity'fra~ovs-tapsbeet
Capacity
(aram~uate inch)(sguste-inch 1 ~"sausre~irrches,)
0.20 30 45
0.30 15 25
0.40 12 20
0.50 4 10
0.60 4 4
Tm~_~~t eapaciry is mrasured by the following lost The apparatus 39 used
for this measurement is illustrated is Figure 2.
A hollow stainless steel cylinder 40 mounted vn a plate 42 is provided: The
stainless steel cylinder 4d has s height of 7.5 centimet~ets (2.95 inclus), as
inside dis~neter
of 5.08 crntimeters (2.00 inches) and as outside diameter of b.3 centimeters
12.48 inches).
The bottom of the cylinder 40 extends below the place a discancc of 3.5
raillirneters, ~ and
has a lip with au annular thiclsaess of 3.5 millimeters. The lip 43 p~cvonts
the fees'
material analog, discussed below, frann leaking outside the desigr~atcd tt st
area of the
sample.
Also provided is a weight 44 of 100.6 grams. The weight 44 is also
~lindricall;
shaped and has a diametar of 5.08 centimeters (2.0 inches), so that ~e weight
44 fit
tightly within the cylinder 40 but can freely slide throughout the bole in the
cylinder 4t
'This arrangement provides a pry of 49.5:' hl~g;~.s per square meter (0.071
pouac
. , per sqvs~re inch) and a test area of 3.142 square inches. If desired,
the,. weigFht 44 t~
have a handle 45 to allow it to be easily inserted izzto and removed from the
cylinder .a0.
A sample 4b to be tested is provided. The sample 46 is preferably cut from t1
second region 32 of as existing diaper 20, but ~rophcoioally tztay be supplied
in to
material forest as a laminate of the various components of the diaper 20. The
sample 46
cut to s 10.16 by 10.16 centimeters (4 by 4 inch) square see. The sample 4b is
tak
from any area of the diaper 20 having the absorbent cone 28 inside the square
wbi
defines the sstupls 46.
If the sample 45 is cut fmm a diaper 20, the øaraple should ixvclude all
layers t
coraponeats of the diaper 20 from the topsheet 24 through and including the
backsh
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
9
26. Care must be taken when removing tine satnplc 46 from the diaper 20 not to
desoroy
the sample 46 or cause unintended gross deforxnaxion of the topsheet 24. The
topsheet 24,
or its equivalent in the diaper 20, is removed from the balance of the sample
46. The
sample 4b (without the firs! topsheet 24) is weighed to the nearest 0.01
grams: The
topsheet 24 is them carefully reed to its original position in the sample 46,
without
being joined thereto. If difficulty is encountered in remov~i,~a;g the sample
46 from the
diaper 24, or in removing the topsheet 24 from the sample 46, the sarrtple 46
and the
surrounding pottion of the diaper 20 may be frozen prior to or after cutting.
Freezing
tztay be accomplishhed using PH100-15 circuit refrigerant made by Philips ECG,
Itte. of
VlTaltham. lVlassachusec~.
The cylinder 40 is eemtered on the sample 46. A syringe having an opening ef 5
to
6 ttnillimeters dispenses 10 cubic centimeters of test fluid through the bole
in she cylinder
40 onto the top of the sample 46. T'he test fluid is au analog formulated as
described
below_ ?he i 00_6 weagiat 4.4 is inserted through the hole in the cylinder 40
and
gently placed on the test fluid far a per~ad of 2 minutes.
ARer Z minutes the weight 44 and cylinder 40 arc removed from the sample 46.
The topsbeet 24 is removed front the sample a6 by dragging the topshact 24
paral)d to
the sample 46 and discarded. The remainder of the sample: 46 is then
icwcighed. The
traps-topsheet capacity is the iac;rease in weight of all layers of the sample
46 underlying
the topsheet 24 divided by the sample 46 test area of 3.142 square ipches.
The test fluid is sa analog made by mixing 3 percent by weight Carbopol 94
available from the B. F. Goodrich Corporation of Breekswille, Ohio, or an
equivalent
acrylic polymer, in dista'iled water for Sue minutes using a band held
electric tnaacer. 1'he
mixture is allowed to equilibrate for at least 12 hours and aged for the traps-
tapshcet
capacity test within 72 boors.
The second rogioa 32 diaper 20 arxordi,ng to the present invention preferably
provides a traps-topsheet capacity, as mcasta~od by the foregoing test, of at
least O.aO
~~ams per square iuxb., more preferably at least 4.30 grams per sqt>are inch,
even more
preferably at least 0.40 grams per squaro inch, still more preferably at least
0.50 g:mns
per square inch, sad most preferably at least 0.60 grams per square inch.
The topsheet 24 racy allow penetrxtiozt of the feral material to achieve the
traps-topsbeet capacities set forth in Tabk I, by hawing apcrhuts with an
effccdvc
aperture size of at least 0.2 square millimeters, and preferably at least 0.3
squats
millimeters. Effective apatures are those which hare a gray level of I8 o~c
less on a
starrdsrd gray level srcsie of 0-255, under the !crags acquisition pararnertrs
described
below.
~=Trade-mark
CA 02475091 2005-05-03
i0
The topshext 24 within tha xcotui neaion 32 preferably has alt effective open
arts
of as least 15 perxat, more preferably tlu tap~heet has as eifective open arcs
of at lease
ZO ~rcent, eves taore prefbrably, the topshcct has an effective open area of
at least Z5
parceat, sod cavst preferably the topsheat has an affective cpect arra of at
least 3Q pa~ceat.
The affoccive apexnue sine sad efve open area ato det~siaad by the fvllowiag
procedure using the image analysis described below. Tlye proc~urt bas three
principal
steps: iras~e acqu~tio0. i.e., obtaining rave images of areas on the tus~aco
of
tha topaboat 24; image a~a~suseeaeat, i.e., tneasudng the petrxtxtagc open
arra of as image
a~ .of individual apama~es sad thsis pacimatsn; sad data atwlysis, i.e..
a~cparzi~g the
pmcentage open area, individual apesatrs area, and paimW aocasura~nLS W a
spresdshat whale froquaocy distributions, snag of saes distaributims, trod
l~ydtaulic radius
cons ace rondo. .
Ana image analysis aysoem braving a fianOe ~abbor boasd., microscope, camera
at~d
image analysis softwara is utilized. A tnodcl DT2853 frame grsbbar boasd
available froth .
Data Translation of Marlboro, Mass. is provided ~ VV3I5900 rnoaitror
taicroscope, a
video eamara, bavittg sVH50 leas with a coarser type itlu~miastia~u head
avaiLble frota
the Keyeaee Company of Fait Lawn, NJ. alt also pwvidod,aud used to aoq»s an
isnsgs
to be saved to ~ compura tile. The Keyonce microscope acav3zes the imago and
tl~ inane
grabber board oounvects the analog signal of this image into computtt readable
digital
format The image is saved to computer tile and ma:sesed using suitable ao~na~e
snob
as the Opti>laas Image Analysis sotiware; version 3.i, available W the BioScaa
Cos»pacty of Edmaons, Wash. 1a or3es to vac the Optimas Ianege Analysis
soflyvarc, the
coatputar abotsid have Windows softwaa, version 3.0 or tats, aveil8ble from
the
ll~crosoft Carporadoa of Rodmood, Wash. And also have a CPLt at lease
equivalont to
the ?stet 80386. Atsy auitablo daslc top PC rosy be eased, with a 486 DX39
drpe PC lraviag
beta found to be~ partioularIy suitable. Images being saved Lo and reatllisd
tlrom $le watt
displayed on a Souy TtsnitronMaaoaito= model PVM-I343M0 with a $nal display
mag~ni$ca:ion of about SIIX.
'I~ imago scdttisitiou step, t~ above requires 10 diffa~t regions 8om a
representative tapshea 24 sample of s particular type of diaper ZO or $nm
sample
matarial to be tefued. Each regio~a is rectaagdar, aaca~ia8 about_S.8
millimeters by 4~
miuimstas. The sample is plaid on : hlacic ~aaat board to ia~ease the r~sst b
the fsad the pardon of the sample which de~CS the apwattes. Tho moan pay
ravel and smndsird deviation of the blade mat board were 16 and ~i,
respectively.
Images are sequdrsd with tt~ lights off using the Keyence monitor aticroscopc
mouasad on a aopyataad directly about the sample. Tht K~eyeaee light source
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
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illuminating the sample is adjusted and irtonitorcd with the Optimal
software~to measure
tlae mean gray Ievel and standard deviation of a 4.3 density wedge on a Kodak
Gray Scale
available from Eastman Kodak Company of Rochester, N'cw York. "The coatml of
Keyence light source is adjusted so that the mean gray level of the
illuminated wvedge is
111 -!- 1 and the standard deviation is 10 ~ Z . All images werz acquired
during a single
time period, sad the Keyence light source is moaitared by measuring the mean
gray level
and standard deviation of the wedge throughout the image acquisition process.
In measuring as individual apertwe, only the effective apernw~e size' is of
iziterest.
Measuring the effective aperture size qusatif es the aperture size iat~eaded
to contribute to
the porosity of the tvpsheet 24, and account for eontsibutiot~ of fibers and
fiber bundles
which uravttse as area intended to be as aperh~re. An efFective aperture is
any hole
through the topsheet 24 having a~ gray lcvd less than or equal to l 8 using
image
acquisition parameters as described herein. Thus, an intended aperture stay be
dsvided
iat~o plural effective apem~res by traverse fibers.
The image analysis software is calibrated in tniliimeters by a ruler image
acquirrd
frotn the sample images. A 3 by 3 pixel averaging filter found in the Optimas
3. l I:aage
menu is applied to each saved image to ~neduce noise. The aparnrres are
detected in the
gray level range of 0 through 18_ An apanue which is not fully cantaincd
within the 5.8
by 4.2 viewing area is not considered in the individual area and perimeter
measurements.
'Therefore, area and perimeter averages and distributions are avt affected by
a
which arc not wholly contained within the field ofview.
I-Iowever, individual apertures which could not be fully viewed in the image
arc
included is the percentage open ar~aa calculattioa. This difference . nccuts
because the
percent open area is sitaply the image of pixel ratios from 0 through 18 to
the total
number of pixels in the image. having a gray level 1p or great.~r were not
cnuttced
in the open area calculation.
The percentage open area for the average of 1 Q iautges f~r each topshte! 24
is
measured u~ng the Optimas Image Anavlysis software. The percentage open area
is
defined as the ratio of the nutnber of pixels having a gray level fi~om 0
through 18 to the
total number of pixels for the image. The percentage open area is measured for
each
image repr~centiag one particular region from a topsheet sample. The
percentage open
area from each of the 10 individual images is then avcrageci to yield a
pcrcczztage open
area for the entire sample.
The data analysis is conducted by an Excel spreadsheet, also available from
the
Misrosofi Corporation of Redmond, Washington. The Excel spreadsheet o~tgaaized
the
percentage open area, aprrture area, and aperture perimeter measurements
obtained from
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CA 02475091 2004-08-16
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1Z
the Optimal software, Sample averages and standard da~xtiox~, size sad
frequency
distributions of individual aperture areas arid hydraulic radius
corotputationS (area divided
by perimeter) for individual aperntres are obtained using the spreadsheet.
Distributions of individual apesn~,re area are also computed using ehe Excel
sprcadshcc~t. The aperzvres are sorted into bins of certain size ranges, The
n~umbe~r of
aptrutre areas falling into ccrta,in size ranges of interest is determined as
well as the sum
of the areas within each range. The ranges are set is int~cements of 0.05
square
millimeters. These areas are ~ expressscd as a percentage of the total open
area of the
satuple_ The frequency and Smm of the arcs dis-cributious are obtained by
combining
individual aperture measurements $otzl all 10 images for each sample.
The fecal msaagemertt member 30 naay either be absorbent or nonabsorbent. A
material suitable for an absorbent fecal management member 30 is a ccllulosic
fibrous
structure, such as paper. The eellulosie Sbrous stxuctme cnay be made by
having a
continuous high basis weight network with discrete regions of low basis
weight, or even
discrete aperdsres having a zero basis weight. In a diaper 2o braving such a
fecal
managetaent member 30, the low-viscosity fecal material passes tbroug~ the
topsheet 24
sad resides on the fecal management member 3Q. 'The low basis weight disexett
regiot~
or apert~urs form cells which immobilize the low-viscosity fecal maurial_
Once the lovwriscosity fecal nsaterial is i~obiliud is this position, it does
not
return to soil or irritate the skin of the wearer. Ftmthe<more, the low
viscosity fecal
material can be dewateird into scpararce componeiats by the capillary action
of the more
fluid componerrts of the low-viscosity fecal material into tlae cellulosic
fibrous material of
the fecal msaagetneat member 30.
In another embodiment, a nonabsorbent fecal man~ernent member 30 may be
provided. If a nonabsorbent fecal tnanagcmcnt member 30 as selc~etcd, it may
be provided
is the form of an ~arn.~d formed $.lnot caee~ting the caliper rcqttiretaeata
described
above_ A suitable forested. filter is available Trodegar Corporation of 'Tore
Haute,
Indiana under the desi~oation 305790.
Of course, if the fecal management member 30 is nonabsorbent, it must be
associated with a core 28 which has adequate capacity to absorb and retain the
fluids
deposited thereon.
Figure 3 is anathcr ~cmbodimrnt of a fecal maaageeanent t:retaber 30.
Creaeraily the
fecal management member 30 is a sheet of loop material 118 baying a backing
iZ0
having front and rear major ~uffaccs 123 and 124, sad a multiplicity of
longitudinally
oriented fibers in a specially formed sheet of fibers l2ti hawing anchor
generally non-
deformed .anchor portions 127 bonded by being Embedded in the bsclCing layer
120 at
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
13
spaced elongate generally parallel bacsdizzg locations 128 that are
cotxtinuous in one
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 110 between she
bonding
locauoxzs I28 in continuous rows alsa extendiirg trsusversely across the sheet
of loop
material 118_ 'zhe arcuate porti~r~s I30 of the sheet of fibers 126 have a
generally uniform
height from the backing layer 124 of greater thaw about O.S .nyi,[lirrreters
and preferably
greater than sibout 1.0 millimeters, the height of the formed shoot of fibers
126 is at least
one third, and preferably one half to one arid one half times the distance
between the
bonding locations 128, the individual fi'bezs in the sheet of f hers 126 are
less than 25
denier (preferably is the rage of 1 to 10 de~t~uier) tax size, and the sheet
of fibers 126
without the backing I20 has s basis weight in the rautg~ of 5 co 300 grams pct
square
meter (and preferably is the range of 15 to I00 grams per s~gv~are meter)
measured along
the First surface 123 to provide su~Fxeisat open area between the fibers in
the sheet of
fibers 126 along the arcuste portions 130 (i.e., between about 10 and 90
perce~at open
area) to afford ready pe:setration of feel material into the individual fibers
along the -
~arcwate portions 130.
Suitable materials for use as the backing 120 include but are not limited to
thcrzraoplastic films, porous flnns, apettttred films, apertvred foroxed
films, woap~erhu~ed
formed films, nonwoven webs, breatlsable materials, such .as breathable films,
including
but not limited to microporoug 8i~ms, aid aoawovGn webs arid the like. The
baekitxg 120 is preferably a relatively thin layer having a thiclosess is the
range of about
0.00125 to 0.025 centinxeoets.
The fibers iix the sheet of 8btts 126 eaa be dispo~ is various directeons with
respect to the parallel bonding locaaions 128 and may or tray not be bonded
together at
crossover points is the areuare portions 130; can be disposed is various
directions with
respect to the parallel bonding locations X28 with the majority of the fibers
in the sheet of
fibezs 12b (i.e., over 80 or 90 percent) extending in directions at about a
right angle to the
bonding locations 128; Or al! Of the individltal fiber. to ~e sheet ~f fibers
126 can extend
in directions generally at right angles to the spaced generally Parallel
bo~adiuag locations
128.
To be the most effective in the handling of low viscosity fecal material tht
fecal
management member must hare a Iofled open stevcture, tine key component of
this
equation is the height of the arcuate portions 130 of the sheet of sbers 1Z6
fronn the
backing 120. As mentioned above the arauate portions a 30 of the short of
sbers 126
have s generally uniform hcigltt from the backing 120 cf greater that about
0.5
millimeters and preferably gseattr than about 1.0 millimeters. While every
greater heights
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
1,
would provide excellent handling of low~viscosity fecal material, e.g.,
heights of 5.0
centimeters, such heighrs would create unwanted bulk in the diaper which may
cause
discomfort for the waster.
Aaorher key component is the resiliency of the fecal raauagement mennber 30,
more particularly the resiliency of the sheet of fibers 126. In order to
remain open, the
shod of fibers 12f must have a sufFicieat resiliency to withs~d the forces of
psckagiug
and those applied by the wearer. Preferably, the sheet of fibers I2b has a
resiliency of at
least 50°rb ai~er 30 seconds under as applied force of 100g1cm2. more
prcferabiy, the
sheet of fibers 126 has a resiliency of at least ?5°!o after 30
se~~onds under an applied force
of 100g/ctn2, most preferably, the sheet of fibers 126 has a resiliency of at
least 85% after
30 seeoads under an applied force of 100g/cm2.
As mentioned above, the taa~-topshect capacity reflects the diapers ability to
handle low-viscosity fer8l. rnatezial. Similarly, the Post acquisition
collagen rewet
method (PACO~ te~ecis the diapers ability to handle urine. 'The f tat region
31 of the
diaper 20, the region designai to handle twine, should have a relatively low
PACORM.
Preferably, fhe first region 31 of the diaper 20 should have a relatively
lowex PACURM
than the second region 32.
The first region 21 of the diaper 20 ~eferably has a PACORM value of lass than
120 mg, more preferably, a PACO1ZM value of less than 100 mg, and most
preferably, a
PACORM value of less than 80 mg.
~guisition Test
This test should be carried out at about 22 +/~ Z°C and at 3$+J- 15%
telStive
hutaidity. The synthetic urine used in these test methods is commonly lmowu as
3ayco
SynUrinc and is avai;lablc from Jsyco Plta:xnaceuticals Company of Camp Hill.
Pennsylvania. The formula for the synthetic urine is: 2.0 g/1 of KCI; 2.0 ,gel
o~P NaaS04;
.. , 0.85 g/1 of (IV'H4)I3aPO4: 0.15 g/1 (NN~I~)H2P04; 0_19 igll of CsClx; ad
0.23 ,g/1 of
MgCl2,. ,A,11 of the chemicals ate of reagent grade. The pH of the syt:thetic
Lrine is in ; :e
range of 6.0 to b.4.
Referring to Figure 4, azt absorbent structure (410) is loadrd with a 75 ml
gush of
synthetic urine at a rate of IS ml/s using s pump ~lVlodcl ?520-00, supplied
by Cole
Parmer Instruments., Chicago, U.S.A.~, from a height of 5 cm above the sample
sutfaae.
The time to absorb the urine is recorded by a timer. The gush is repeated at
precisely 5
minute gush intervals until the article is su~eieatly loaded_ Cmrcrtt test
data are
8by loading four bares.
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CA 02475091 2004-08-16
The test sample, yvhich can be a complete absorbent e~tticle or an absorbent
structure co~onprisiag an absorbent core, a.topsheet, sad a baclksheet, is
arranged to lie flat
an a foam platform 411 within a perspex box (only base 412 of which is shown).
A
perspex plate 413 having a 5 cm diameter opening in its middle is placed on
top of the
sample on the loadlrag zone of the structure. Synthetic urine is introduced to
the staple
through a cylinder 414 fitted, and glued izxto tlae opening. Electrodes 415
are located on
the lowest surface of the plate, in contact with the surfhce of the absorbent
structure 410.
?he eleotrodes ase connected to the timer. Loads 416 a:E placed on top of 'the
plate to
simulate, for example a baby's weight A pressure of about SOg cmd2 (0.7psi) is
achieved
by positioning weights 426, e.g. for the cotazaonly available 31RAX~si~~e 2Q
kg.
As test fluid is introduced into the cylitsder it typically builds up on top
of 'the
absarbcat structure thereby completing an eleetsieal circuit between the
electrodes. The
test fluid is uaasported from the pump to the test assembly by rneaas of a
tubing of about
8 mm diameter, v~hicb: is kept flllc~d with test fluid. ?hus the fluid starts
to leave the
tubing essentially at the same time the pump starts operating. At this time,
also the timer
is started, and the tisnct is stopped when the absorbent structure has
absorbed the gush of
urine, and the electrical correct between the electrodes is broken,
The ai:duisition rate is dcfinod as the gush volume absorbed (ml) per unit
rime(s).
~e acquisition rate is calculated for each gush introduced into the sample. Of
particular
interest in view of the current iawendon are the first cad the last of the
four gushes.
This test is primazily designed to evaluate products generally referred to as
MAXI
size products for a design capacity of about 3~0 ml, and having a respective
Ulriatate
Storage Capacity of about 30Q ml to d00 cal. If products with si~tnifiCa:ltlY
different
capacities should be evaluated (such as can be envisage for adult incantincnce
praducts
or for smaller babies), the srtt;ags in particular of the fluid voturne per
gush should be
adjusted appropriately to about ZO% of the total article design capacity, and
the ~dewiation
from the stand_ std test protocei should be s~ecordtd,
~o~i~,Acquisition Collaaer; ~ewet Method (refe~,to 'flg. 4j
Before cxocutiag the test, the ~,ollagen film as purchased from NA~'LJRIriI
GmbH,
Weiuhein, Germany, under the d~sigrlation of C(3FFI~and at a basis weight of
about
28g1m2 is .prepared by being cut into sheets of 90 nun diamzter e.g. by using
a sample
outs device, and by oquih'brating the ftlm in the contrnllcd environment of
the_test soom
(see above) for at least 12 hours (tweezers are ra be used for all handling of
the collagen
f~oo~)_
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CA 02475091 2004-08-16
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At least 5 minutes, but not more than 6 Qainutes after the last gush of the
above
acquisition zest is absorbed, the cover plate and weights are removed., and
the test sample
(520) is carefully placed flat on a lab beach.
4 sheets of the precut sad equilibrated collagen material (510) are weighed
with at
least one milligr~ua accuracy, and then positioned centred onto the loadi~,g
poi~t~t of the
article. and covered by pa~peac plate (530) of 90 ram diameter, and abort 20
mm
thiclaness. A weight (540) of 1S kg is carefully added (also centred). After
30 t/- 2
SeCOtldS the weight and pcrspex plate arc carefully removed again, sad the
~collagea films
are reweighed.
?he Pose Acqufsidon Collagen Rcwei Method result is the tttoisture pick up of
the
collagen ftlm, expressed in mg.
It should be noted further, that this testing protocol can be adjusted easily
according to specific product types, such as different baby diaper sizes, or
adult
incontinence articles, or catamoa'sal articles, or by the variation in the
type and amount of
loading fluid, the amount and size of the absorbent material, or by
v8t'iatioas in the
applicable pressure. Having ogee defused these relevant parameters; such
modifications
will ix obvious to one skilled in the art. 'When considering the results from
the adjustod
test protocol the products can easily be optimising these identiSed relevant
parameter
such as is a designed experiment according to standasd statistical methods
with realistic
in use boundary conditions.
In one embodiment, only the portion of tine topshert 24 within the second
raglan
32 cvmpcaxs a skin care c~~pOSition. i~Jhile tho specific corrtposition is not
the critical
factor in achieving improved skin condition, it is apparent that the
~compositsott must
provide either a prntactive, nonocolusive function (e.g., a relatively liquid
impervious but
vapor pervious bascicr) to avoid s3~au hypechydration sad skis exposure to
materials
contained in body exudates, or it must corrtaun agents that deliver, either
directly or
indiready, skim cane benefits. For example, in~di~rcct benefits include
improved removal of
skin irritants such as feces mr urine. 1'"~he composition may re it1 a variety
of for~A,s,
including, but not limited to, emulsions, lotions, creams, ointments, salves,
powders,
suspensions, encapsulations, gels, and the like.
As used heren, !he terns "effective amount of a skin cafe compositfon" zed to
an
amount of a patticul~ composition which, when applied or migrated to one or
more of
the wearer-contacting surfaces) of an absorbent article(s), will be. e~'ective
in providing a
pzozcctivc barrier and/or dclivegiag a skim care benefit when delivered via
absorbent
articles over tixue. Of course, the e~'ective amount of coanposition eppfied
to the article
will depend.; to a large extent, on the pattioular carnpositioa used.
Noaetlteless, the
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
17
quantity of the c~mposition on at !cast a portion of the wearer-contacting
surface of the
absorbent article will preferably range from about 0.05 mglinZ (0.0078
mglctrtZ) to about
80 mg/in2 (1Z.4 rng/cm2), more preferably izorra about 1 mglisiZ (0.16 ru~em2)
to about
40 mglin2 (6.Z0 rnglcrn2), still ~oaore preferably from abort 4 mg/inz (0.62
mg/ctn2) to
about 26 .mg/in2 (a_03mg/cm~). 'l~,ese ranges are by way of illustration only
and the
skilled artisan will reeognixe that the nature of tfae composition will
dictate the level that
trust be applied to achieve the desired skin benefits, and that such levels
are eseercainable
by routine experimentation in light of the present disclosure.
Whiic the IeYel of skin care eotnposition applied to the absorbent article is
an
important aspee= of the present methods, more important is the aznouttt of
compositiota
transferred to the wearer's skis during use of one or more treated articles_
Though the
I"stj111s1IC level delivcrzd to the skin to provide the desised skin benefits
will depend to
some degree on the nature of the composition employed, Applicants bave found
that
relauvely low levels may be delivered while still providing size desired skin
effects. This
is particularly true fox preferred compositions.
Another benef t of the present method is the controlled application of the
skin care
cotapositioa to deliver the low but e~'ecuve levels of couspositioa required.
This is in
contrast to typically sparadie manual appllration of skin cart agents, where
the
csregiverluser often applies significantly greater levels t~f al8terisl than
are needed.
Excessive materials added manually may adversely impact the fluid handling
properties
of the absorbent article, as a result of transfer from rbie skin w the
article. Indeed, for
certain materials, such as petrolatum, the levels applied manually may
actually result in
as occlusive elect, ttzereby compromising the skin. A benefit of.the present
methods is
providing a barrier to smcface moisture while avoiding occlusion of the skin
(i.e.,
maintaining shin breatbabiliryj. Thus, the preset rnethads, which allow
controlled
composition delivery throughout the wear period, allow tnunsfer of optimal
levels of the
composition to the skin to improve skin condition.
With rd$ard to the level of skin care imposition that is transferred to the
wearer
dtaing use of one treaty abavrbent article worn far a period of about 3 hours
(a typical
daYt~e wear time), preferred is where at lease about 0.01 ntg/ia2 (0.0016
mg/cm2j, more
preferably at least about o.05 mg/iao2 (0_0078 aoo~glcm2). still more
preferably at least about
0.1 mgl-usZ (0.016 asg/emZ), of the composition is transferred to tree skin
over a throe hour
wear period. Typically, the amount of composition delivered by one treated
article will
be from about 0.01 mg/ia2 (0.0016 ragrem2) to about 5 mg/in~ (0.78 mglcmZ).
more
preferably from about 0.05 rng~'ln2 (0.0078 mg/cttiz) to about 3 mglin2 (0.47
mgJcm2).
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
~.vw~.~...
18
still more preferably from about t).1 mglin2 c0_016, mg~cm~) to about 2 mg/'m2
10.31
mglcm~), over a three hour wear period.
Far continual use of treated articles (in other words, ~charagcs occur in
accordance
with normal use pattrnas, which typically include changes every 3 to 4 hours
during the
day and a fresh articla before overnight sleep) such aus for a period of 24
hours, it will be
preferred that at least ai~out 0.03 uig~ia2 (0.004 mglc.ts2), nwre preferably
at Icast about
0.1 m~in2 (Q.016 amglccrr2). still more preferably at least about 0.3 mg~in2
(0.047
mglcm2), of tht composition is transferred to the wearer's skin over the 24
hour period.
Typically, the sarotntt of composition delivered after- a period of ~4 hours
where treated
articles are applied at each change, with be from about 0.03 rn~g/iuZ (0.0047
rng~cm2) to
about I8 mglin2 (2.74 tng/crn2), more ryplcally from about 0.1 rnglin2 (0.016
mglctaZ) to
about IO mglin2 (1.55 tnglcm2), still more typically 5-om about 0.3 mg/in2
(0.047
mglcm2) to about 6 mp~in2 (0.93 mg/cm2)_
It will be recognized that of the numerous materials us~l iu the skin care
compositions delivered to skin is accordance with the preseztt methods. those
that have
been deemed safe and effective sldu care agents are logical materials for use
herein. Such
materials include Category I actives as defined by the U_S_ Federal Food apd
Drug
Administration's CFDA) Ttazative Final Monograph on Skin Prozoctanz Drug
Products for
C?ver-the-Counter Human Uso, which presently include: alsatoi~ alutxfinum
hydroXlde
gel, calamine, cocoa butter, dirnethicoae, cod liver oil (in combination),
glycerine, kaolin,
petrolatum, lanoliu~, mineral oil, shark liver oil, whirl petroistuai, talc,
topical shuncb~, zinc
acetate, arc carbonate, ziuac o~dde, and the like. Other patemially useful
asaterials are
Category III actives as defined by tbc U.S. Federal Food and Drug
Administration's
Tentative Firrat Monograph on. Skin Protectgtst Drug Products for Cher~Ihe-
Cvuttter
Human Use tentative final monograph oa. span protcctaz~t drug products for
over-the.
cauater human use, which presently include: lire yatst cell der;vratiwes,
aldioxa,
aluminusr acetate, txvicroporous cellulose, cholecalciferol. colloidal
oatmeal, cysteiae
hydroohloride, dexpanthanal, Pertaviaa bglsarn oil, protein hydroly'sat~,
~cemeth3onine,
sodium bicarbonate, Vitamin A, and the Iihe.
Many of the FDA monographed ~skia care i~n fredveats are cumemly utilized in
corbmea~ially available skis care products, such as A and D~ Ointment,
VaselineQ9
Petroleum Jelly, Desitin~r Diaper Rash Oiawneat and Daily Care ~Diamietu, Gold
Bond~
Medicated Baby Powder. Aquaphor~ Healing Ointment, Baby MagicQ4 Haby Lotion,
Johnson's Ultrd Sensitive~ Baby Cream, Johnson's baby lotion, lip balms, etc.
These
coxartaercial products tray be applied to absorbent articles too create
treated articles for use
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
m V r rm~~~
l9
in the present methods, either with or witTnout modification of the product to
facilitate
delivery via this novel method.
As will be discussed hereinafter, the skin care cornpasftions useful in the
methods
of the pscscut invention preferably, though not necessarily,. have a
txxeltiztg profile such
that they are relatively immobile and localized on the wea~rer.cotltacting
surface of the
article at room temperature, are readily transferable to the wearer at body
temperature,
and yet are not completely liquid under extreme storage conditions.
Preferably, the
compositions are easily transferable to the slap by way of normal contact,
wearer motion,
azzdlor body heat. Because the composition preferably is substantially
immabilixed on the
article's wearer-contacting siu'face, relatively love levels of composition
are needed to
impart the desired skin cafe beaefts. In addition, special lbarricr or
wrapping materials
tray be unnecessary in packaging the nested articles useful in the methods of
the present
invention.
In a preferred eraboditnent, the skin care compositions useful herein a~c~e
solid, yr
lucre often set~i-solid, at 20°C, i.e. at sasbie~ tempe~n~res_ ~y
"semisolid" is meant that
the composition has a theology typical ef pseudoplastic or plastic liquids.
Wl~cn no shear,
is applied, the compositions can have the appearance of a semi~solld bui can
be madt to
flow as the shear rate is increased. This is due to the fact that, while the
composition
contains primarily solid compo:icnts, it also includes sores minor liquid
co~mponents_
Preferably, the compositions of the present invention have a zero shear
viscosity between
about 1_0 X 106 ceufiipoisc acrd about 1.0 X IOg. More preferably, the z~
shear
viscosity is about 5.0 ~i 106 centipoise anti about 5.0 X 10~ ceatipoise. . As
used herein the term "uro shear viscosity" refers to a 'viscosity measured avt
very low
slxear rates (e_g., I.0 sec-I) using plate and cone viscometer (a suitable
instrument is
available tom TA Ittsnvments of New Castle, DE as model number CSL 100). One
of
skill is the art wlll recog~oiize means ~ther sham, high melting poant
components (as
discussed below) can be used to proviide comparable viscositics measured for
such
compositions comprising such ar~ans can be mea~-by extrapola#ing a plc: of
viscosity
vs. shear rate for such compositiorss to a shear rate of zero at a temperature
of about 20°C. ~
Preferred compositions are at least sesai-solid at rao~o, tempeiaau~e to
minimize
eotapositioa migration. In additian, the corupositioas preferably have a final
melting
point (100% liquid) above potential "szressful~ storage conditions that can be
greater rhea
4S°C (e.g., warehouse in Arizona, car trunk in Florida, etc.).
Reparesentative
compositions having these tadt chara~cter~stics arc described in detail in
U.S. Patent No.
5.643.588 (Roc et al.), U.B. Patent No. 5,507,760 (Roe et al.), U.S. Patent
No. S,bOg,587,
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
~0
and U.S. Patent No. 5,635,191. Specifically, preferred compositions will have
the following melt
profile:
Characteristic Preferred RangeMost Preferred
% liquid at 2-50 3-25
soom rein . (20~C) . .
liquid at 25-95 . 30-90
body temp. (37C)
final mClung point ?38 X45
('C)
By being solid or semisolid at ambient temperatures" preferred compositions do
not have a tende~acy to flow and migrate to a significant degree to undesired
Locations of
the article to which they are applied. This means less skin care coxnpositioa
is rtquired
for imparting dcsirablo therapeutic, protective or conditioning benefits.
To enhance immobility of preferred compositions, the: viscosity of the
formulated
compositions should be as high as possible to psevcut flow within tlxe article
to undesired
location. Unfomunately, in some instances, higher viseosit~es may inhibit
transfer of
composicioa to the wearer's skin. Therefore, a_ balance should be schieved so
the
vi,scosities ate high enough tn keep the c~mpositions Ioca~Lized on the
surface of the
article, but not so high as to impede transfer tn the wearei s skin. Suitable
viscosities for
the compositions will typically range ~iro~aa about ~ to about 500 ccrmipoise,
preferably
from about 5 to about 300 centipoise, more preferably fi;om about 5 to about
100
centipoise, measured at 50 C using a rptational viscomet~e:r (a suitable
viscometer is
available from Lab Line Instruments, Ine. of Melrose Park, IL as Model 453Tj_
The
viscometer is operated at 60 rpm using a number 2 spindle.
For compositions designed to provide s skin smoothness benefit, a useful
active
ia~~edieat in these compositions is one or more skin protsctaats or
emollients. As used
herein, the term '°emollieat° is a material that protects
against wetness or irritation, ,
softens, soothes, supplcs, coats, lubricates, moisttui2es, protests and/or
oleauses the skis.
(It will be reco~oized that several of the monographed actives listed above
are
"cmollient~t', as that term is used herein.) In a preferred embodiment, these
emollients
wild have either a plastic or liquid consisteztcy at ambient temperatures.
i.e., 20°C. This
particular emollient consistency allows the compositf on to impart a soft.
lubricious,
lotioa.like feel.
Representative emollients useful in the present invention include, but are not
li.mited to, emollients that are petroleumbaaseed~ polyol pol~resters; sucrose
ester fatty
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
Zl
acids; polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof; htitneetants; fatty acid
ester type; atkyi
ethoxylate type; fatty acid ester ethoxylates; fatty alcohol type;
polysiloxane type;
propylene glycol and derivatives thereof; glycerine and derivatives thereof,
includitsg
glyeenide, acetoglyccrides. and ethoxylated glyecrides of C12-C2g fatty aids;
triethylene
glycol and derlvataves thereof spermaceti of other waxes; fatty acids; fatty
alcohol ethers,
particularly those havfuovg from 12 to 28 carbon atoms iia their fatty chain,
such as stearie
acid; propoxylated fatty aieohols; ether fatty esters of polyhydr~xy
alcohols;. lanolin and
its derivatives; kaolin and its derivatives; any of the manographCd slag care
agcats listed
above; or mixtures of these emollients. Suitable petrolemnbased crt:ollients
include
those hydrocarbons, or mixtures of hydrocarbons, having clsain lengths of from
16 to 32
carbon atoms. Petroleum based hydrocarbons having these chain lengths iuaclude
mined
oil (also laso~rn as °liguid petmlatusn") and petrolatum {aYso known as
°'mineral wax,°
"pctmlcum jelly" aund "mineral jolly"). Mineral oil usually refers to less
viscous reixtures
of hydrocarbons having from 16 to ZO carbon atoms. Petrolatum usually refers
to more
viscous mixtures of hydrocarbons having from I6 to 32 carbon atoms. fetrolat~
arid
mineral oil are particularly preferred emollivms for cosnpositinns of the
present
invcntior~.
Suitatsle fatty acid ester type emollients include those derived from C12-,C2$
fatty
acids, preferably C 16-C,~ sattusted fatty acids, and short chain (C 1 fig,
preferably C 1-
C3) monohydric alcohols. Representative cxainples of such esters include
methyl
pala~itate, methyl scearaxe, isopropyl latngte, asoprapyl .utyristate,
isopropyl palatitate,
ethyihe~yl palmitate and miucuna thereof. Suitable ferry acid ewer eutollients
can also tx
derived frosa exoer5 of longer chain fatty alcohols {C 12~C2g, preferably C 1
a-C 16) and
shorter chain fatty acids e.g., lactic acid, such as lautyl lactate acrd cetyl
lactate.
Suitable alkyl ethoxylate type emollients include Cla.C~ fatty alcohol
ethoxyiases having as a~rerage degree of ezhoxylaxion of fzom about 2 to about
30.
Preferably, the fatty alcohol ethoxylate emollient is selected from the gmup
consist~g of
lar~ryt, ceryl, asfd straryl ethoxylates, and mixtures tberoof, having an
average die of
ethoxylatioa ranging from about 2 to about 23. Represen>mive examples of such
alkyl
ethoxylatos iachuie lauretb-3 (a lax~~l etiioxylate having an average degree
of
ethoxylation of 3), lameth 23 (a tauryl ~hoxylate having sn average degree of
cthvxylation of 23), ceteth-10 {a cetyl alcohol ethoxylate lnaviug as average
degree of
ethoxylaooa of IO) and steareth-10 (a stearyl alcohol ethoxylate having an
average degree
oaf ethoxylaxion of 10). When e~tployed, rb~ese alkyl ethaxylate emollients
are typically
used in eombinatian with the petroleumbased emollienrs, such as petrolatum. al
a weight
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
w ..r ~ ~..a~.. .
Z2
ratio of alkyl ethoxylate emollient to peuoleuzn-based emollient of from about
I:1 to
about 1:5, preferably from about 1:2 to about 1.4.
Suitable fatty alcohol type emollients include C12-C~~ Entry alcohols,
preferably
016-018 fanY ~cobols. Representative examples include eetyl alcohol and
stearyl
alcohol, and mixtures thereof. When employed, these fatty alcohol emollients
arc
typically used in combination with the petroleuan-based emollients, such as
petrolatum, at
a weight ratio of fatty alcohol emollient to petroleum-based emollient of from
about 1:1
to abort 1:~, prefezabIy from about 1:1 to about 1:2.
Other suitable types of emollierns for use herein include polysiloxane
compounds.
In general, suitable polysiloxane materials for u~c in the precept invention
include .those
having monomerie siioxatte units of the following structure:
RI
--~i--O--
~2
wherein, R 1 and R2, for each independent siloxane monotnerxc unit can each
imdep~endently be hydrogen or any alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, sikaryl, arakyl,
cycloalkyi,
halogenated hydrocarbo~a, or other radical. Any of such radicals can be
substituted or
uusubstituted. RI and R2 radicals of any particular txtoaomeric unit may
differ from tI~
corresponding functionalities of the next adjoining monom~esic tmii.
Additionally, the
polysiloxane can be either a ssraigbx chain, a branched chain or have a cyclic
structure.
The radicals Rl and R2 can additionally independcntiy be other silaceouS
functionalities
such as, but not limited to siloxaaes, polysfl;axrmes, silanes, and
polysilanes. 'Ihe radicals
RI arid R2 may cosnai,a any of a variety of osgaudc fnrrctinnalities
including, for example,
alcohol, carboxylic acid, phenyl, and amine fuactionalfties.
PAY ~Yl radicals are methyl, ethyl, psopyt, bW y1, peniyL hexyl, ochl,
dccyl, o~a~yyl, and the ldce. Exemplary alkenyl :adicals are vinyl, allyl, and
the like.
lxcmplary aryl radicals are phenyl, Biphenyl, ssaphthyl, azrci tile like_
Exemplary ailfratyl
radicals are toyl, xylyl, ethylphenyl, and the like. Exemplary aralkyl
radicals are benzyl,
alphaphertylethyl, beta-phearylethyl, Alpo phenylbtayl, and the like.
E,~cam~plary
cycloalkyl radicals are cyclobutyl, cyclopcutyl, cycloltcxyl, and the like.
Exemplary
ltaioge~red hydrocarbon radicals are Chloromcthyl, bromoethyl,
tettafluorethyl,
flnorethyl, uifluo:ethyl, trifluorodoyl, hexafluoroxylyl, and the like.
Viscosity of polysiloxaees useful may vary as widely as the viscosity of
polysiloxasses its gesseTat vary, so long as the polysiloxane is flowable or
eau be triads to
be flowable for application to the article. This includes, but is not limited
to, viscosity as
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
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 comuositions of the
present
invention include phenyl-.functional polymethylsiloxane compounds (e.g., Dow
Coming*
556 Cosmetic-Grade Fluid: polyphenylmethylsiloxane) and cetyl or steaxyl
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 substituent groups, the family of
groups
comprising phenyl, amino, alkyl, carboxyl, and hydrox;~l groups are more
preferred than
the others; and phenyl-functional groups are most preferred.
Suitable humectants include glycerine, propylene glycol, sorbitoI trihydroxy
stearin, and the like.
When present, the amount of emollient that can be included in the composition
wiii depend on a variety of factors, including the particular ~mollier~c
i~molved, the loiiori-
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 therapeuticlskin protective/skin
conditioning compositions useful in the methods of the present invention is an
agent
capable of immobilizing the composition (including t:he 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
F
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
WlY9yJl.~ia ~
24
shear. When applied to a wearer contacting surface ox other location of an
absorbent
article, especially irt a melted or molten stale, the emollient will not
remain primarily in or
on the treated region. Instead, the emollient will tend to migrate and flow to
undesired
regions of the article.
Specit~tcally, if the emohierrt migrates into the irrteriot of ttte article,
it can cause
undesired effects on the absorbency of the article corn . 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 means
that much
more emollient has w be applied lo the article to gee the desired skin
smoothness benefits.
Increasing the level of emollient not only inks tile cost, but also
exacerbates the
undesirable effect an the absorbency of the accicle's corn and undesired
transfer of
composition during proeessiag/eanverting of the treated articles.
'fhe immobilizing agent couatera~ts this tendency of the emollient to migzatc
or
flow by keeping the emollient primarily localized on the surface or in the
region of the
article tin which the composition is applied. This is believed to be due, in
part, to the fact
that the immobilia~g agent raises the arelting point aadlor viscosity of the
composition
above that of the emollient. Since the iaunobili~ag agent is preferably
aisci~ble with the
emollient (or solubiliaed in the carollieat with the aid of an appropriate
emulsi~fner or
dispersed therein), it entraps the emollient on the surface of the
article°s wearer contacting
surface arr in the z~egion to which it is applied.
It is also advantageous to °'Iock" the immobilizing evgent nn the
wearer contacting
surface or the region of the article to which it is applied. This csa be
accompIishrd by
using irn;nobili2ing agents which quickly set up (i.e., solidify) upon
application to the
article. In addition, outside cooling of the treated article via blowers,
fans, cold rolls, tte.
can speed up crystalli~tion of the immobilizing agent.
In addition to being miscible witch (or svlubiiiz~ed la) the emollient, thn .
immobilizing agent will preferably have a melting profile that will pravidc a
composition
that is solid or semisolid at ambient tramperature. In this xegaxd, preferred
immobili7~g
agents will have a melting point of at least about 35°C. This is so the
immobili~iag agent
itself will not have a tendency to migrate or flow. Preferred itmxtobilizlng
ages will
have melting points of at least about 40 C. 'Fypieslly, t~ imaaobiliang agent
will have a
melting palm in the range of fin~m about 50 to about 150 C.
When utilized, immobilizing agents useful herein ,can be selected from any of
a
number of agents, so long as the preferred pz7aperties of the slain Bare
coaiposiboa provide
the skis benefits described b~erein_ Prefertad immobilizing agents wZll
ootnpriss a
member selected from the group consisting of C 1 ~-C~ fatty alcohols, C 12~G~
fatty
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
VIV'77~i~.,arv .
acids, and C 1 Z-C22 fatty alcohol ethnxylates having an average degree of
ethoxylation
ranging fmm 2 to about 30, aad mixtures thereof- Preferred immobilizing ageats
include
C 16-C 1 g fatty alcohols, most preferably crystalline high melting materials
selected from
tire group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl aleohal, beheQyl alcohol. and
mixtlwes
thereof. f'hhe linear structure of these materials era speed up solidification
on the treated
absvrbczrt articlr.) Mixtures of cetyl alcohol and stearyi atcohol are
patticutarly preferred.
Other preferred immobili.2aireg agents include C 1 ~~C 1 g fatty acids, most
preferably
selected from the gmup consisting of palmitic acid, stearic acid, sad mixttu~s
thereof.
Mixtiues of palmitic acid aad stearic acid ate particularly preferred. Still
other pr~eferr~
immobili2ing agents include C 16-C 18 ~y alcohol rthoxyIates havitfg as
average degree
of ethoxylation raagiag from, abaut 5 to about 20. Preferably, the fatty
alcohols, fatty
acids cad fatty alcohols are linear. Iaapottantly, these prefcrtrd
itamobiliang agents such
as the C 1 s - C 1 g fatty alcohals incmase the rate of ctysiallizatioa of the
composition
causing the composition to cryxtalli2e rapidly natn the surd of the substrate.
Other types of iEagredieat~s that cam be used as i~nmobilit~g sgeZits,
ei'tlleY' alone,
or in combination with the above~mentioned fmtnobilizing agents, include waxes
such es
c~rttaxtba, ozakerite, beeswax, candelflla, para~n,, ec~, espartfl, ouricuri,
rexowax,
isopataf~n, sad other known mined attd mineral wakes. 7~'be high melt point of
these
materials can help immobilize the composition en the desired su~aee or
lOCatiQll on the
article. Additionally micmcrystalline waxes are effective immobilizing agents.
Microcrystxllixsc waxes can aid ~ "locking° up low Molecular weitght
hydrocarbons
within the side cars oomposition. Preferably the wax is s pasas~:a wsac. ,A,~
exataple of a
particularly preferred altW rite iosmobili~ng agent is a psra~ia wax such as
Parrafin S.P.
434 from Strahl and Pitach Iac. P.~. Box 1098 West 8abylot~, NY 11704.
Suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid esters for use is the present invention will
have
The ~~ula_
O
II
R-G Y
_ a
wherein R is a Cg-C31 hydro~rbyl group, preferably straight chain C~.C 19
alkyl or
~nxl, rnorc prcfrrably straight cbaia Cp-C 1 ~y alkyl or alkenyl, :anal
preferably susight
c~ C11~%l7 ~kYl or alketsyl, or a»,xture thereof; Y is a polyhydmxyhydrocarbyl
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
as "
moiety having a hydxocarbyl chain with at least 2 free hydroxyls directly
connected to the
chain; and n is at Ieast I _ Suitable Y groups can be derived from polyols
such as glycerol,
pentaerythritol; sugars such as raffinose, maltodexztase, g,alactose, sucrose,
glucose,
xylose, fructose, mahose, lactose* marsnose and crythrose; sugar alcohols such
as
erythrital, xylitol, raalitol, niannitol and sorbitol; and anhydrides of sugar
alcohols such
as sorbitan. . .
One class of suitable palyhydroxy fatty acid estcrs for use in the present
invention
compziscs certain sorbitan esters, preferably the sorbitan esters of C 16-C2a
saturated fatty
acids. Because of the rasrlacr is which they are typically mayufacnu~ed. these
sorbitan
esters usually comprise aiiactures of mono-, dl-, tri-, ere. estas_
Representative eX3tpples
of suitable sorbitan esters include sorbitsa pelmitstes (e.g:; SPAN ~t0),
sorbitan stearates
(e.g., SPAN 6D), and Sorbitaa bchenates, that comprise one or more of the mono-
, dl- and
tt'i-ester versions of these svrbitan esters, e.g., sarbitan ruouo-., dl- and
tri-palmitate.
sorbhan mono-, dl. and tri-stearate, sorbitart n~trno-; dl mad tai~behenate,
ss wen as mixed
tallow fatty acid sorbitaa mono-, dl- and tri-esters. Mixtures of different
sorbitsn esters
can also be used, such as sorbiraa paimitates with sorbitan ste$sates.
Particularly
preferred sorbitaa esters are the sorbitan stearaces, typically as a naixt~u~e
of mono-, di-
and tri~esters (plus some tetraester) such as SPAN 60, end sorbitan ssearates
sold under
the trade name GLYCOMiJL~S~by Lonza, Inc. Although these sorbitsa esters
typically
contain mixtures of mono-, dl- and tri-es~ers, plus some tctraes~cr, the mono-
sad di-es'teers
ate usually the predomiasiat species in these miuctures.
Another el~ss of suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid ~st~crs fur use is the
present
invention snmprises certain giyceryl moaoesters, preferably glyceayl
monoesitrs of C16-
C~ saturated fatty acids such as g3yceryl monosteatau, glyceryl mvaopalmitabe,
and
glyccryl mflnobelxaste. Again, like the sorbitaa esters, glyceryl rnonoester
mixtimes will
typically contain some di~ and trsester. However, such miscnures should
contain
predominantly the glyceryl monoester species to be useful is the proem
invention.
Another class of suitable polyhydmxy fa~y acid esters foY use its the present
invention coruprise certain sucrose fatty acid esters, preferably the CIZ.C~
sanaated,
ferry acid esters of sucrose. Sucrose tnonocstcrs and diestrrs are
particularly preferred
and include sucrose mono. and di-sce~ate and sucrose mono- and &- lawrate.
Suitable polyhydmxy fatty acid aides for use in the prescat invention will
have
the formats:
O R'
R~-N-Z
~=Trade-mark
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
29 . _
wherein R1 is H; C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, Z-hydroxypropyl,
methoxytthyl;
meehoxypropyl or a mixtiue thereof, preferably C1-C4 alkyl, mtthoxyethyl or
methoxypropyl, more prcfcrably C 1 or Cz alkyl or metboxyprupyl , xnoct
preferably C 1
alkyl (i.e.. methyl) or meihoxypropyl; and R2 is a CS-C3 g hydrocarbyl group,
preferably
straight chain Cy-C l g alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably straight chain C~-C
17 ~Yl or
alkenyl, most preferably straight chain Cl1-CI7 alkyl or allceayl, or mixture
~teo~ arrd
Z is a polyhydroxyhydr~oesrbyl moiety having a linear hydro~carbyI chain with
at least 3
hydroxyls directly canneeted to the chain. See U.S. patatt 5.174, 927 (Honsa),
issued
December 29, 1992 which discloses these polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, as well
~as their
preparation.
The Z moiety preferably will be derived fmm a reducing sugar in a xeAUCnvc
amination reaction; most preferably glycityl. Suitable reducing sugars include
glucose,
fivctase, maltose, lactose, geJartose, asannose, and xylose. I-iiph dextrose
core syrup,
high fructose corn syrup, and high maltose corn syrup csa be utilized, as well
as the
individual sugars listed above. These corn sy:ups ten yield mix~t~ucs of sugar
compoaents
for the Z moiety.
The Z moiety preferably will be selected from the gsoup eonsistiag of -CH2.
tCHOH~,-CHaOH, -CH(CH2oH)-(tCHOH~I]-CH2OH, -Chi20H-CH2_
(Cl-IOI~tCHOR3)(CHOffj-CHZOH, where n is an integer Stmt 3 to 5, and R3 is H
or a
cyclic or aliphatic monoaaccharide. Most prcf~cd are the glyeityls where n i5
4,
particularly -CH2-(CHOI~,4-CH20H.
ho the above.fo~rmui~, Rl can be, for exmupls. N-=nctttyl, N-rthyl, N-propyl,
N-
isopropyl, N-butyl, N-2 hydroxyethyi, N-methoxypropyl or N-2-hydro~rpmpyl. R2
can
be selectod to provide, fbr example, cacamides, steararairlrs, oleaiaides,
Isurazaides,
xnyrzi~sscamides, capricannides, p,aam~.~atcLa, taUowataidcs, etc., The Z
moiety cart ba 1-
deoxyglucityl, 2~eoxy5tu~ryl, l~.deoxymaltityl, I-denxylactityl, 1-
deoaygatactityl, 1-
deoxymaanityl, 1-deaxyr~analtotiriotityl, etc.
?he most preferred polyhydrox; fatty acid amides have the general fvrtnuls:
Fix -~N--C ~ --OH
HZ HZ
J4
wherein Rl is methyl or methoxyprop)rl; RZ is a C1l-C17 straight~bain alkyl os
aikeayl
group. ' ?here include N-lauryl-N-methyl glucamide, N-lauryl-N-methoxypropyl
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
1'~ v aaW ..err...
Z8
glucarnide, N-cocoyl-N-methyl glucamidc. N-cocoyt-N-methoxypropyl glucamide, N-
palmicyl-N-methoxypropyl glucamide, N-tallowyl-N-methyl glucamide, or N-
tallowyl-N-
ruethoxypropyl glucamide.
As previously noted, some of the in~obiliziug agtnts may require an emulsifier
for solubili~tioa in the emollient. This is ~ particularly the case for
certain of the
glucamides such ss the N-alkyl-N-methoxypropyl glucaruides having HLB values
of at
least about 7. Suitable emulsifiers will typically include those having HLB
values balow
about 7. I,n this regard, the sorbitan esters previously described, such as
the sorbitan
yes, having HLB values of about 4.9 or less have been found useful in
solubilizing
These glucamide inaxnobili~ing agents in petrolatum. Other suitable
emulsifiers include
sce~eth.2 (polyetlayletn; glycol etha~s of stcaryl alcohol that conform to the
formula
CH3(CH~1~(OCHZCH~OH, wbrne n has an average value of ~), sorbitaQ tremarste,
isosorbide laurate, and glyeexyrl inonostearare. The emulsifier can be
included in an
anaouat suf~eient :o solubili~e the iu~rnobiliang agent us the emollient such
that a
substantially homogeneous z~xture is obtained. For example, an approxim8tely
1:l
mixture of N-cocoyl-N~xnethyl gluc.~amide and petrvlattun that will normally
not melt into
a single phase mixture, wil! welt into a si~agle phase mi~mue upon the
addition of 20°~0 of
a 1:I mixture of Steateth-a and sorbitan trist~earate as the enautsiScc.
Other types of ingredients that can be used as xmmobilizit~g agents, either
alone,
or is combination with the above~mentioaed immobilizing agents, include waxes
such as .
caraauba, beeswax, candrlilla, paraf~,, ceresir~ esparto, ouricsui. re,2owax,
and other
lcrtown waxes. Pscfersbly the wax is a gara~ux wax.. A,z~; exs~ple of a
particularly
preferred psraf~a wax is Psrrafia S.F'. 434 from Strahl and Pftscb ~nc. PØ
Box 1098
West Babylon, NY l I~D4.
The aaaozmt of the optional iaunobiliziag agent that can be~ included i~o, the
cauiposition yvill dtpend on a variety of factors, including the actives (e_g~
emollients)
involved, the particular immobilizistg agent ixivolved, the other components
in the
composition, whether an emulsifier is required to soIubiliae the immobilizing
ag~at is the
other cottlpoaeDL~; and lika factors. When present, the consposition will
typically
comprise from abort 5 to about 90% of the imwnrobili~iag agent. Preferably,
the
composition well comprise from about 5 to about 50%, most preferably frota
about 10 to
about 40'.6, of the inamohilizing agent-
Of course, it is highly desirable that at least a portiow of the article's
topshcst be
made of a hydrophilic material to promote rapid trader of liquids (s.g.,
urine) through
the topsheet Similarly, it may be desirable that the coasposition be su
~ffeciently wettablc
to easu~re that liquids will transfer through the topshcet rapidly.
Alternatively,
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
a9
hydrophobic skin cane composition may be utilized, so long as they are applied
such that
yte fluid handling propetves of the topsheet are adequately maintained. (For
example, as
discussed below, nonuzliform application of the composition to the topsheet is
one means
to accomplish this goal.) This dinninishes the likelihood that body exudates
will flow off
the composition-seated topshctt rather than being drawn through the topsheet
arid being
absorbed by the absorbent core. .
Vt7here a hydrophilic composition is desired, depending upon the particular
components used in the composition, a mydrophilf c surfactant {or a znixtute
of hydrophilic
surfactants) may, ar rosy not, be required to improve wettabiliry, For
example, some
immobili2ing agents, such as N-cocoyl-N.methoxypropyt glucarnide have HLB
vaaues of
at least about 7 and are sufficiently wettable without the addition of
hydrophilic
surfactant. Other immobilizing agents such as the C 16 - C 1 g fatty alcohols
having HLB
values below about 7 may require addition of hydrophilic surfactant to improve
wet~abiliry when the composition is applied to article topsheets. Similarly, a
hydrophobic
etnoilieat such as petrolatum may require 'the addition of a hydrophilic
surfactant if
hydropbzlic composition is desired. Of course, the concern around we~uabiliry
is sot a
factor when the wearer-contacting stufaae under consideration is other thaw
the article's
topshcct or when fluid handling properties Of the topsbeet are adequately
maintained via
other means (e.g., nontnsiform application).
Suitable hydrophilic surfactants will preferably be aaiseible with the other
components of the skin catz connposition so as ~ta form blended mixtures.
Because of
possible skin sensitivity of those us~g disposable absvrbeat products to which
ttsc
composition is applied, these surfacta:zts should also be relatively aaild and
non-itriiattug
to the skin. Typically, these hydrophilic surfactants are nonionic to be~ not
only non-
irritat;ng to the skis, but also to avoid other undesirable e~crs on airy
other saructsuzs
within the rioted arti~clc_ For example, reductions is tissue latniunace
Tensile sflreagth,
adhesive bond su~cieacies, and the like.
Suitable nonionic surfactaa~ may be s~tb,.ctantially~ aonmig~raiory after the
composition is appGad to the article and will typically have HLB values is the
swage of
fi~eta about 4 to about 20, preferably froiu about ~ to about ~0. To be
noniaigratory, these
nonionic surfactants will typically have melt tetape:atures g~Cr than the
temperatures
commonly encouatercd during storage, shipping, mcrchaadising, sad use of
disposable
absorbent ~u~, e.g., at Icasc about 30°C. 1n this regard; these
nonionic surfactants
will preferably have melting points sirnilat- to those of the itamobilaaing
agCnts previously
desaibcd.
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
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-Ci8 fatty acids having an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 2
to about 20,
preferably from about 2 to about 20, such as TVhEEN* 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. Particular?y NrPierre~ 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»-C15 linear alcohols with 9 moles of ethylene
oxide),
marketed by Union Carbide Corporation; KYRO EOB (condensation product of C13-
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
hTEODOL 25-12 (condensation product of C 12-C 15 linear alcohols with 12
rnuies of
ethylene oxide) and NEODOL 23-6.ST (condensation product of C~2-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 CI8 straight
chain
alcohol with 27 moles of ethylene oxide). (Certain of the hydrophilic
surfactants, in
particular ethoxylated alcohols such as NEODOL 2S-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 02475091 2004-08-16
31
.4s~other type of suittable surfactant fvr 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 far use in the composition includes
silicone copolymers such as General Electric ~ SF 1 I $8 (a copolymer of a
polydimethylsiloxatte and a polyoxyalkylene ether) and Gleneral Electric SF
1228 (a
silicone polyether copolymer). These silicone surfactants can be used in
combination
with the other types of hydrophilic surfactants discussed above, such as the
crhoxylated
alcohols. Thtse silicone surfacsaats have been found to be effective at
cottcentrat3vns as
low as O.I %, more preferably from about 0.25 to about 1.0°l°,
by weight of the
co~axposition.
The amount of hydrophilic surfactant required to increase the wettability of
the
composition no a desired level will depend in-part upon the HLB value and,
level of
immobilizing agent, if any, used. the I-iLB waiue of the surf°ac~nt
used cad like factors.
'The compasitioa can comprise from about 0.1 to about 50% of the hydrophilic
surfactant
whe;f peeded tQ increase the wettability pmpcrcics of the composition.
Preferably, the
composition comprises from abort I to about 25%, most preferably from about 10
to
about 20%, of the hydrophilic suQfactatxt when needed to increase wettability.
Compositions can comprise other cux~aponents typically pr eseat in emulsions,
creams, ointment, lotions, powders, sfispensiorts, etc. of this type. These
cormponeats
include water, viscosity raadifiers, perfumes, disinfectant antibacterial
actiwes, antiviral
agents, vitat~ains, phaimaceutieal actives, film fortners, deodorar~,
opacificrs, ,nets ingents,
solvents, preservatives, acrd the like. In addition, stabilizers can be 8dded
to enh2tnct the
shelf life of the composition such as cellulose derivatives, proteins snd
lccithizz. All of
tht.se materials are well known ire the art as ariditives for such
forpnulations and eau be
employed in appropriate sraoutses is the compositions for use herein.
If watcr.based skin cart compositions are used, a preservative will be needed.
Suitable preservatives include propyl paraben, methyl paraben, benxyl
alcoh~.:, .
bet'izylkannium, tribasic calciunn phosphate, $FiT, os acids such as citric,
tartaric, tnaleie, .
lactic, malic, beiozoic, salicylic. and the like. Suitable viscosity
increasing agents include
some of the agents described as effcccive immobilizing agents. Qther suitable
viscosity
increasing agents include alkyl galactontataztap, silica. tale, magnesium
silicate, sorbitol,
colloidal silicone dioxide, magnesieirn aluminum silicate, zinc stcarate, wool
wax alcohol,
sorbitoa, sesquioleate, cetyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose and other modified
cellulosos.
Suitable solvents include propylene glycol, glycerine, cyclotnethicone,
polyethylene
~=Trademark
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
32
gl~ycols, hexalenc glycol, diol sad rnulti-hydroxy based solveztts. Suitable
vitamins
intrude A. D3, E, BS and E acetate.
In preparing products according to the present i»vention, the lotion
composiuon is
applied to the outer surface {i.c., body facing surface) of the eopsheet 24
within the second
region 32. ,A.ny of a variety of application methods that distribute
lubricious zxtaterials
having a molten or liquid consistency can be used. Suitable methods include
spraying,
printing (e.g., flexographic pzinting~, coating (e.g., gravure casting),
exuusion, ar
combinations of these application techniques, e.g. spraying the composition an
s rotating
surface, such as a calender roll, that then, txan~sfers the cotnp~osition
to.the outer surface of
the article topsheet.
An effective amount of composition needs to be applied to the second region 32
of the topsheet Z4 for reducing the adherence of BM to the skin and/or
providing a skin
benefit to the wearer. The composition is preferably applied to the second
region 32 of
the tapshect in as amount ranging from about 0.1 mg~ir~2 tc~ about 35 tng/in2~
Such levels
of composition are believEd to be adequate to impart the desire therapeutic
andlar
protective benefits to the topsheet
The composition can be applied to the second region ,3Z of the tapsbeet 24 at
any
point during asserrsbly. For example, the composition can be applied to tlne
topsheei of
the finished disposable absor6ertt product before it has been packaged. The
compos~irion
can also be applied t4 tho topsheer before it is combined with the other raw
materials to
farm a finished disposable absorbent pact,
'Ihe composition is typically applied fivm a inert thereof to the article
topsheet.
Since the composition melts at significantly above ambient temper~tes, it is
usually
applied as a heated coating to the topsheet. Typically, rha composition is
heated to a
tempaat~e in the range from about 35_ to about 100°C, preferably firm
40° to about
90°C, prior to being applied to the article topsheet_ Once the melted
composition has
been applied to the article topsheet, it is allowed to cool arid solidify to
~Fsolidified
coating or fihm on the surface of the topsheet. Preferably, the applicadan
process is
designed to aid in the cooling/sct up of the composition.
Referring now to Figtms 1 and 3, the fecal managesaent member 30 is preferably
secured to the mpshGCt 24 in a very mis~imat extent to preseree the ope~ess of
the f~eea~l
mana.gexnerat toember 30 to allow ready potion of low-viscosity fecal
material..
Mote pre~exably, the fecal management member 30 is not secured w the topsherct
24 at all
Pig the openness of the fecal rraanagetncnt member 30 aid also allowing the
topsheet 2~l to separate ~axn the fecal management zncrnber 30 ~c~ag
additiotta3 void
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
33
space. However, xt is recognized tlra: the fecal management member 30 should
be
secured withitz the diaper ?0 to prevent it from freely moving about. To this
end, iT 15
preferred that the fecal management member 30 be secured directly to the
underlying
absorbent core 28. A particularly preferred attachment mesas is an adhesive
havang a
hydrophilieity which is greater than tb~e laydrophilicity of the fecal
management member
30. More preferably, the atlachzaetxt mesons is an adhesive haring a
hydrophilicity which
is greater than the sheet of f bets 126, and more preferably a hydrophilicity
which is also
greater than the hydrbphilieity of the backing 120. '
The absorbent core 28 is preferably secemed direccty to the topsbeet 24. A
particularly preferred att~chtaent means is sa adhesive having a
hydtmphilicity which is
greater than the hydmphiiicity of the topslneet 24. More preferably, the
attachment
naeaas is an adhesive having a hydrophilicity which is greazcr than the sheet
of i5bers 126,
more preferably a hydrophiiicity w~rhach is also than the hydrophiliciry of
xhe
backing z2t).
Wb~en constructing the diaper 20, the topsheet is preferably positioned on a
conveyer ox other suitable ptncessitlg equipment such that its raiser surface
is facing
upwsrd_ The ,fecal ~oaanagement member 30 is then positioned on the topsheet
24 in the
region corresponding to the second region 32 such that the backing 120 of the
fecal
management member 30 is Facing upward. An ac~ivc is then applied to tho inner
surface of the t~cpsheet 2a and the backing 120. The adhesive se3ected at
least has a
bydrophilicity greater than that of the topsheet 24, and preferably, the
adhesive selected
has a hydrophilicity greater than that of both the wpsheet 24 and the fecal
management
member 30. The fecal management mepabex 3t? block3 the adhesive prcventxag it
&nrn
contacting the portions of the topsheet lying underneath the fecal rnanagcment
member
30.
Suitable mesas for applying the adhesive include a uni~f'oxxa continuous layer
of
adhesive, a patterned 1$yer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines,
spirals, or spots of
adhesive. One prefrrred attachment mesas co~enp~rises ssr open pattern
networ>c of
filameuLs of adhesive as dixlosed in U.S. Patent 4,573,986 entitled
"Disposable Waste-
Containment C~arme;ut", which issued to Minetols et al. on March 4, 1986.
Other seiitable
attaehn~e~nt means include several lines of adhesive filaments which are
swirled into a .
spis$1 pattern, as is ~ illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown is U.S.
Patent
3,911,1 ?3 issued to Sprague, 3r. on October 9, ~ 19?5: U.S. P~Gcnt 4,785,496
issued to
Ziecker, et al. on Navetnber 22, 1978; and U.S_ Patent 4.842,666 isstncd to
~ercnicz on
June 27, 1919.
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
3 ~1
The amount of adhesive and application technique can be selected to control
the
degee of penetration of the adhesive ixyto the topsheet 24 VWillC~i iS DOt
blOCked by the
fecal management member 30. If the topsheet 24 is relatively hydrophobic, it
may be
desirable to have a greater degree of penetratloxx of adhesive into the
topsheet 24 within
the first region 31. Alt~rnatively, if the topsheet 24 is relatively
hydrophillie less
penetration of the adhesive may be needed to obtain the desired urine haodiing
characteristics in the first region 31. .
The diaper 20 may further comprise elasticized 1e$ cuffs (not shown) which
provide improved contairuncnt of liquids and other body exudates. Each
el2~cticized lag
cuff aasy conapzise several different embodiments for reducing the leakage of
body
exudates ira the leg rtgions. (The 1Gg cuff' can be and is sometimes also
referred to as leg
bands, side flaps, batxier cuffs, or elastic au'ffs.) U.S. Patent 3,860,003
describes a
disposable diaper 20 which providts a coutractiblc leg opening hawing s side
flap and one
or more elastic members to provide as elasticized leg cuff (gasicetang cuff. .
Commonly
asxigned ' U.S. Patent 4,909,803 entitled "Disposable Absorbent Article Having
Elasticized Flaps" issued to Axiz et al: on IVIareh 20. 1990, describes a
disposable diaper
20 having "stated-up" elasticized flaps (barrier cu$s) to improve the
coatalunment of the
leg regions. Commonly assigned U.S_ Patent 4,695,2?8 cutitlcd "Absorbent
Article
Having Dual Cubs" issued to Lawson ca September 22, 198?, describes a
disposable
diaper 20 having dual cuffs including a gasketing cuff and a barrier ettff,
?he diaper 20 preferably further coazprises as elastic waist feature (uot
shovrn) that
provides improved fit and conteiauaeat The elastic waist feature is that
pQrtiou or ~onc
of the diaper ZO which is irtteaded to elastically expand and contract to
dy~nannically fyt the
wearers waist, The elastic waist feature at least extends longitudi~raaUy
outwardly from at
least one of the waist edges of the absorbent core 28 and geraerally forms at
least a portion
of the end edge of the diaper 20. Disposable diapers are generally cons~n~eted
so as to
have two elastic waist f, one posit;os~ed is the first region 31 and one
positioned in
the second region 32, although diapers can be constructed with a single
elastic waist
feature- Further, while the elastic waist feature or any of its -consritafetzt
elements can
comprise a separate element affixed to the diaper 20, the elastic waist
feafiae is preferably
constructed as as extension of other elements of the diaper 2~ such 8s tbc
ba~ck~heet 26 or
the topsheet 24, preferably both the baclcsheet 2fi and the topsheet 24. The
elasticized
waistband 34 may be constructed in a nutaber of different configurations
inc3udiag those
described itn U.S. Patent 4,5x5,595 issued to Kievit et al. on May ?, l9ss and
the above
referenced U.S. Patent 5,151,092.
CA 02475091 2004-08-16
Zhe diaper 20 also comprises a fastening system 36 which forms a side closure
which maintains the first region 3l and the second region 32 in an overlapping
configuratioa such that latrrat tensions are maintxiaed around the
citcuuzuference of the
diaper 20 to mairitaia the diaper 20 on the wearer. Exemplary fastening
systems are
disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,846,81 S entitled "Disposable Diaper Having Ate
Improved
Fastening Device" issued to Scripps on July 11, 1989; U.S. Patent 4,894,060
.entitled
"Disposable Diaper With Improved Hook Fastener Poreioa" issued to Nestegard on
January 1 b, 19901; commonly assigned U.9. Patent 4,946,527 eatitlecl
"Pressure-,Sensitive
Adhesive Fastener And Method of Making Same" issued to Eiattrell on August 7,
1994;
commonly assigned U.S. Patmt 3,848,594 entitled "Tape Fastening System for
Disposable Diaper" island to Buell on, November 19. 1974; commody assigrrod
U.S.
Patent B 1 4,662,875 entitled "Absorbent Aatiele" issued to Piiivtsu et al, on
May S, 1987;
and the hereinbefore referenced U.S_ Patent 5,151,092. ~.
The diaper 20 is preferably applied to a wearer by positioniiasg one of the
regions,
preferably the second region 32, wader the wearer's back and draw ag the
remainder of the
diaper 20 between the wearer's legs so that the other legion, paefexably tbie
$urst region 3 t,
is positioned across the frost of the wearer. The tape tabs 36 of the
fastening system are
then released from the release portion. The diaperer then wraps the
elasticized side panel
around the waearer, while still grasping the tab portion. The fastearsiag
system is secuured to
the outer surface of tha diaper 20 to cffoet two side closure.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated
and
described, it would be obvious to those skilled imm the art that various other
changes and
modifications can he made without departixtg from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
It is therefore iz~tcndcd to cover in the appended claiaus all snob changes
acrd
modifications that an within the scope of this invention.
