Disposable wearable absorbent articles with anchoring systems
Embodiments of the present disclosure include disposable wearable absorbent articles with anchoring systems. In an embodiment, a disposable wearable absorbent article includes an absorbent core and an anchoring system configured to anchor the absorbent core to a wearer. The article is configured to experience an average sag of less than a particular distance after a certain number of drops in a mannequin drop test
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/599,851, filed on Nov. 15, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/811,580, filed Jun. 7, 2006, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/811,580, filed Jun. 7, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONIn general, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to disposable wearable absorbent articles. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to disposable wearable absorbent articles with anchoring systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDisposable wearable absorbent articles include disposable diapers and disposable incontinence undergarments. A disposable wearable absorbent article can receive and contain bodily waste while being worn by a wearer. Such articles can be made with various materials in a number of configurations. For example, a disposable wearable absorbent article can be made with a stretchable waistband and a non-stretchable outer cover. The design of a disposable wearable absorbent article can affect the way that the article fits on a wearer. Unfortunately, some disposable wearable absorbent articles fit wearers poorly.
As an example, some disposable wearable absorbent articles with stretchable waistbands and non-stretchable outers cover can have a bulky form on a wearer. A disposable wearable absorbent article that has a bulky form can feel uncomfortable and look unattractive. Also as an example, some disposable wearable absorbent articles with stretchable waistbands and non-stretchable outer covers can resist conforming to a wearer's body as the wearer moves. A disposable wearable absorbent article that resists conforming to a wearer's body can feel uncomfortable and look unattractive. As a further example, some disposable wearable absorbent articles with a stretchable waistband and a non-stretchable outer cover can sag or slip down on a wearer. A disposable wearable absorbent article that sags or slips down on a wearer can feel uncomfortable, look unattractive, and perform poorly as the article tends to leak.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present disclosure include disposable wearable absorbent articles with anchoring systems that fit wearers well. In some embodiments, these articles can include stretchable outer covers. The designs of these disposable wearable absorbent articles allow the articles to have an underwear-like appearance that conforms to a wearer's body as the wearer moves. The designs of these articles also help prevent the articles from sagging or slipping down on a wearer. As a result, the disposable wearable absorbent articles of the present disclosure can feel comfortable, look attractive, and perform well as the articles tend to fit snugly, stay in place, and not leak.
Embodiments of the present disclosure include disposable wearable absorbent articles. Throughout the present disclosure, the term “disposable wearable absorbent article” refers to an article, configured to be worn on a lower torso of a human body of a wearer, configured to receive and contain bodily exudates (e.g., urine and feces) from the body, and configured to be disposed of after a single use by the wearer. Thus, a disposable wearable absorbent article is configured such that the soiled article, or a soiled portion of the article, is not intended to be restored and reused (e.g., not intended to be laundered). Examples of disposable wearable absorbent articles include disposable diapers, disposable incontinence undergarments, etc. A disposable wearable absorbent article can be configured in various ways, such a pant-type configuration with a pre-formed waist opening and leg openings and a fastenable configuration with means for a consumer to fasten the article around a body of a wearer.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, a disposable wearable absorbent article can include an absorbent core. Throughout the present disclosure, the term “absorbent core” refers to a part of a disposable wearable absorbent article configured to absorb bodily exudates received into the article from a body of a wearer. An absorbent core can be configured in various ways, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Examples of absorbent cores include absorbent core assemblies (with one or more optional core structures), bucket-shaped absorbent cores, removable and/or replaceable absorbent cores, etc.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, a disposable wearable absorbent article with an anchoring system, as described herein, can include a stretchable outer cover. For example, the outer cover can be a uniaxially stretchable outer cover, configured to stretch in one direction. Also as an example, the outer cover can be a biaxially stretchable outer cover, configured to stretch in two directions. In various embodiments, the outer cover can be configured as described in U.S. non-provisional patent application entitled “Biaxially Stretchable Outer Cover for an Absorbent Article,” filed on Nov. 15, 2006 with Express Mail No. EV916939625 and further identified by attorney docket number 10643, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, a disposable wearable absorbent article with an anchoring system, as described herein, can include an outer cover configured in various ways, including configurations of part or all of the outer cover as stretchable, non-stretchable, with an elastic nonwoven, with an elastic film and extensible nonwoven, with an extensible film and an elastic nonwoven, pre-stretched with elastic strands allowed to contract, mechanically activated, with zero strain laminate, and/or combinations of these and any other outer cover configurations. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a disposable wearable absorbent article with an anchoring system, as described herein, can include a printed outer cover forming one or more elements of an anchoring system separately or in combination with various basis weights, chemistries, and/or mechanical activations, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, a disposable wearable absorbent article with an anchoring system, as described herein, can be configured with various structures and/or functions as described in U.S. non-provisional patent application entitled “Absorbent Article Having an Anchored Core Assembly,” filed on Nov. 15, 2006 with Express Mail No. EV916939634 and further identified by attorney docket number 10432MQ, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Also, in embodiments of the present disclosure, a disposable wearable absorbent article with an anchoring system, as described herein, can have a wrap and tuck configuration as described in U.S. non-provisional patent application entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article Having a Wrap and Tuck Configuration,” filed on Nov. 15, 2006 with Express Mail No. EV916939617 and further identified by attorney docket number 10644, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Throughout the present disclosure, various figures illustrate human bodies. As a whole, these figures are intended to illustrate the presence of various external human anatomical features and general relationships between these features. For ease of reference, the present disclosure refers to many of these features using simple and informal terminology. These human anatomical features can relate to disposable wearable absorbent articles with anchoring systems, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Some figures are intended to illustrate how such articles can fit on human bodies.
In the present disclosure, figures that illustrate human bodies are not intended to illustrate all human anatomical features. These figures are also not intended to teach precise details or exact proportions of the human anatomical features that are illustrated. Further, these figures are not intended to limit embodiments of the present disclosure to any particular size, shape, or type of human body.
When a disposable wearable absorbent article is placed on a wearer, the article is placed in an initial position with respect to the wearer. The location of this initial position can depend on a number of factors, such as the size of the article, the shape of the wearer's body, and the manner in which the article is placed on the wearer. For example, an initial position of a fastenable diaper can depend in part on a location at which the diaper is fastened around a wearer. However, as a disposable wearable absorbent article is worn by a wearer, a number of forces can act upon the article.
Some of these forces can tend to move the article on the wearer. Throughout the present disclosure, the term “load” refers to a force that tends to move an article out of place on a wearer. First, a disposable wearable absorbent article can-experience various loads from placement of the article on a wearer. As an example, some pretension forces from fastening the article can drive the article downward. Second, a disposable wearable absorbent article can experience various loads from the article's environment. A wearer's clothes can pull on the article, for example. Third, a disposable wearable absorbent article can experience various loads from a wearer's movements. For example, as a wearer changes positions or moves about the wearer's body can push against parts of the article or create dynamic forces in the article. Fourth, the force of gravity can move a disposable wearable absorbent article down on a wearer. The article can experience a significant load from the force of gravity, due to a mass of the article as well as a mass of any bodily waste contained in the article. These loads, can act upon a disposable wearable absorbent article, tending to move the article on a wearer.
However, other forces acting upon a disposable wearable absorbent article can tend to hold the article in place on a wearer. First, a disposable wearable absorbent article can experience various holding forces from placement of the article on a wearer. As an example, other pretension forces from fastening the article can drive the article upward. Second, parts of a disposable wearable absorbent article can experience friction forces from contact with a wearer's skin. For example, the article can experience a friction force where a waistband of the article wraps around and against the wearer's waist. Third, parts of a disposable wearable absorbent article can experience reaction forces from contact with various external anatomical features on a wearer's body. As an example, the article can experience reaction forces where the article contacts protruding portions of the wearer's hips. In this example, the reaction forces react against the force of gravity by pushing up on the article. These holding forces can act upon a disposable wearable absorbent article, tending to hold the article in place on a wearer.
As some forces tend to move a disposable wearable absorbent article down on a wearer and other forces tend to hold the article up on the wearer, part or all of the article may or may not move, depending on whether or not such forces are balanced. If the forces tending to hold the article up can equal the forces tending to move the article down, then the article can hold in place on the wearer. If the forces tending to move the article down are greater than the forces tending to hold the article up, then part or all of the article can move down on the wearer. Sometimes, forces can move down part or all of disposable wearable absorbent article, resulting in sagging and/or slipping.
However, embodiments of the present disclosure can help prevent disposable wearable absorbent articles from sagging or slipping down on a wearer. A disposable wearable absorbent article can include an anchoring system. In various embodiments, an anchoring system can be configured to collect at least some of the loads acting upon the article. The anchoring system can also be configured to anchor itself to a body of a wearer. In this way, the anchoring system can balance the collected loads with holding forces obtained from the anchoring. By balancing the collected loads with the obtained holding forces, the anchoring system can at least assist in holding the disposable wearable absorbent article in place on a wearer.
An anchoring system in a disposable wearable absorbent article can be configured in various ways to collect at least some of the loads acting upon the article. In some embodiments, an anchoring system can be configured to carry loads from an absorbent core of the article. For example, an anchoring system can include one or more elements that can be joined to the absorbent core in various ways, as described herein. In order for an anchoring system to collect loads effectively, a disposable wearable absorbent article can be configured so that the anchoring system tends to collect loads and other parts of the article tend to not collect loads. Thus, loads can be directed through the anchoring system, instead of being distributed through other parts of the article, such as the outer cover.
Parts of a disposable wearable absorbent article can be configured in various ways such that the parts tend to not collect loads. Force-decoupling can be used in some of these configurations. Throughout the present disclosure, the term “force-decoupled” refers to a configured relationship between parts of a disposable wearable absorbent article. Where a first part is force-decoupled from a second part, the parts are configured such that neither part tends to transmit a substantial force to the other, while the article is worn by a wearer. A disposable wearable absorbent article can include an absorbent core and an outer cover, wherein the outer cover can be substantially force decoupled from the absorbent core, as described in various embodiments herein.
Force-decoupling does not necessarily preclude the force-decoupled parts from being directly connected, so long as substantial force is not transmitted between the parts through that direct connection, while the article is worn by a wearer. Force transmissions from direct connections in a disposable wearable absorbent article can be substantially reduced in various ways, such as configurations of pathway lengths and/or material extensibilities. As an example embodiment, in a disposable wearable absorbent article with an absorbent core directly connected to an outer cover at a first point and directly connected to an anchoring system at a second point, the article can be configured such that a pathway from the first point through the absorbent core to the second point is shorter than a pathway from the first point through the outer cover to the second point.
The functionality of this example can be explained with the following pathway length illustration. Ends of a first rope are connected to a first point and a second point. Similarly, ends of a second rope are also connected to the first point and the second point. The two ropes are similar except that one rope is quite a bit shorter than the other. The first point and the second point are close enough to each other that the middle of each of the ropes hangs down. If the first point moves away from the second point, then the middles of both of the ropes begin to rise up from their hanging positions. However, the shorter rope will draw taut before the longer rope draws taut. The shorter rope will form a straight line between the first point and the second point while the middle of the longer rope is still hanging down somewhat. Thus, the shorter rope will carry the tension from a force that is moving the points apart. While the longer rope is still connected to the first point and the second point, it will not carry that tension.
This pathway length illustration can be used to explain the prior example embodiment with the disposable wearable absorbent article. The pathway from the first point through the absorbent core to the second point is like the shorter rope in the pathway length illustration. The pathway from the first point through the outer cover to the second point is like the longer rope in the pathway length illustration. As a result, the disposable wearable absorbent article is configured such that a load from the absorbent core causes tension through the absorbent core (shorter pathway) before it causes tension through the outer cover (longer pathway). The tension through the absorbent core can transmit through the second point to the anchoring system. Thus, in the example configuration, a load from the absorbent core can cause tension in the anchoring system before it causes tension in the outer cover.
Force transmissions from direct connections in a disposable wearable absorbent article can also be substantially reduced through configurations of material extensibilities. As an example embodiment, in a disposable wearable absorbent article with an absorbent core joined to an anchoring system and directly connected to an outer cover, the outer cover can be configured to be stretchable while the absorbent core can be configured to be non-stretchable.
The functionality of this example can be explained with the following material extensibilities illustration. Ends of an extension spring are connected to a first point and a second point. Similarly, ends of a rope are also connected to the first point and the second point. The extension spring forms a straight line between the first point and the second point, while the middle of the rope is hanging down somewhat. If the first point moves away from the second point, then the extension spring will begin to extend and the middle of the rope will begin to rise up from its hanging position. However, the rope may draw taut while the extension spring is still extending. Thus, the rope may carry more of the tension from a force that is moving the points apart. While the extension spring is still connected to the first point and the second point and extended between the points, it may carry less of that tension.
This materials extensibilities illustration can be used to explain the prior example embodiment with the disposable wearable absorbent article. The stretchable outer cover is like the extension spring in the materials extensibilities illustration. The non-stretchable absorbent core is like the rope in the materials extensibilities illustration. As a result, the disposable wearable absorbent article is configured such that a load from the absorbent core causes greater tension in the (non-stretchable) absorbent core and lesser tension in the (stretchable) outer cover. The greater tension through the absorbent core can transmit to the anchoring system. Thus, in the example configuration, a load from the absorbent core can cause greater tension in the anchoring system than in the outer cover.
In various embodiments, a first portion of an element in a disposable wearable absorbent article can be force-decoupled from a second portion of that same element. For example, an interior portion of an outer cover can be force-decoupled from an outer perimeter of that same outer cover. This can be accomplished by configuring differing material extensibilities within the outer cover. As examples, the interior portion of the outer cover can be configured with a lower extensibility and an exterior portion of the outer cover, between the interior portion and the perimeter, can be configured with a higher extensibility, or vice versa. In this way, the higher extensibility configuration in the exterior portion can force-decouple the interior portion of the outer cover from the outer perimeter of the outer cover.
As described above, an anchoring system can be configured to collect loads acting upon a disposable wearable absorbent article, to anchor itself to a body of a wearer, and to balance the collected loads with holding forces obtained from the anchoring. Throughout the present disclosure, the term “anchored” refers to a configured relationship between part or all of an anchoring system in a disposable wearable absorbent article and part or all of a body of a wearer, while the article is worn by the wearer. Where an element of an anchoring system is anchored to a portion of a body of a wearer, at least part of the element is in contact with the portion of the body and the anchoring system is configured to at least reduce and/or prevent relative movement between the element and the portion, while the article is worn by the wearer.
An anchoring system can be anchored to a body of a wearer with one or more elements of the anchoring system configured to contact various parts of a body of a wearer. For example, an anchoring system can be at least partially anchored by wrapping one or more anchoring system elements at least partway around a front, back, and/or side of a body of a wearer, thus creating friction and/or reaction forces. A part of the body with a relatively smaller radius of curvature can, in some embodiments, provide greater friction forces, since an element can tend to wrap around such parts more tightly. Also as an example, an anchoring system can be at least partially anchored by setting one or more anchoring system elements on, around, and/or above protruding portions of a body of a wearer, thus creating friction and/or reaction forces. A part of the body with a relatively larger horizontal protrusion can, in some embodiments, provide greater reaction forces, since an element can tend to hang and/or ride on such parts more securely. In various embodiments, parts of a body of wearer to which an anchoring system can be anchored, can be referred to as anchoring zones.
In order to collect loads, anchor itself to a body of a wearer, and balance various forces, an anchoring system can be configured to include a number of anchoring system elements. In some embodiments, an anchoring system element can be an elongated element configured to carry tension. Anchoring system elements can follow various pathways on external surfaces of a body of a wearer of the disposable wearable absorbent article in which the anchoring system is included. The shapes of these external surfaces can affect the shapes of the pathways. The shapes of the pathways can, in turn, affect configurations of anchoring system elements. Many external surfaces on human bodies include curved shapes, such as a curve around a hip of a human body. In some embodiments, an anchoring system element that follows a curved pathway can be a geodesic.
The term geodesic relates to a theoretical element with mathematical properties described by curved geometries. In this theoretical context, a geodesic is a curved line on a curved surface, wherein the curved line appears to travel straight, without turning to the left or to the right, when viewed from that curved surface. In other words, a geodesic can be thought of as a line pulled taut on a frictionless curved surface. On a flat surface, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. On a curved surface, the shortest distance between two points is a geodesic. More information on geodesics and their mathematical properties can be found in texts on differential geometry and the theory of general relativity, for example Barrett O'Neill, Elementary Differential Geometry Ch. 7 (Academic Press 2006); and James Foster & David J. Nightingale, A Short Course in General Relativity Ch. 2.1 (Springer Science and Business Media 2006). Throughout the present disclosure a geodesic with two endpoints that does not intersect itself is referred to as an “open geodesic.” Throughout the present disclosure a geodesic that intersects itself is referred to as a “closed” geodesic and the point of intersection is referred to as a “corner.”
An anchoring system element can be configured as a geodesic. While, throughout the present disclosure, anchoring system elements are described as geodesics, these descriptions are intended to mean that such anchoring system elements are configured as close approximations to theoretical geodesic elements. Real world elements cannot behave exactly like theoretical geodesic elements since real world elements always experience at least some friction and are always subject to at least some small non-axial outside forces, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
An anchoring system element can be configured as a geodesic as the element follows various convex curved pathways on external surfaces of a body of a wearer. An anchoring system element that is loaded in tension (e.g., axial loading) is configured as a geodesic, since the tension conforms the element to the convex curved pathway. When a point load is added to an anchoring system element that is a geodesic, at an angle other than in-line with the geodesic, that point load deforms the original geodesic, dividing the original geodesic into two new geodesics in the anchoring system element. Similarly, when an anchoring system element, configured in tension as a geodesic, passes over a concave portion of a generally convex external surface of a human body, the element bridges the concave portion, separating the anchoring system element into two geodesics on either convex side of the concave portion. Further, the bridging portion of the anchoring system element is also a geodesic, since it is a straight line in space. When an anchoring system element that is a geodesic is subjected to a load distributed along at least a portion of the length of the element, at an angle other than in-line with the geodesic, the element no longer behaves as a geodesic, and instead begins to act in a manner referred to herein as “geometric anchoring.” An anchoring system can include a number of anchoring system elements, at least some of which can be configured as geodesics.
A circumferential anchoring member (CAM) is an anchoring system element that is a physical tension carrying pathway on part or all of a closed path on a curved surface of a body of a wearer. A CAM pathway at least partially encircles a lower torso of the body of the wearer. In some embodiments, a CAM pathway can substantially or completely encircle the lower torso of the body of the wearer.
In an anchoring system of a disposable wearable absorbent article, on or more CAMs can be configured to contact various parts of a body of a wearer, to at least assist in anchoring the anchoring system to the body. A CAM can receive at least some collected loads by being joined to one or more other elements of the disposable wearable absorbent article, such as a load distribution element (LDE) or the absorbent core. A CAM can also provide holding forces to help balance the collected loads through contact with the body. In balancing these loads and forces, the CAM carries tensions in the anchoring system. This balancing can enable the anchoring system to at least assist in holding a disposable wearable absorbent article in place on a wearer.
A CAM can be configured in various forms. In some embodiments, a CAM can include a number of elements, such as anchoring bands or fasteners. Part or all of a CAM can be straight, curved, angled, segmented, or combinations of these shapes. A CAM also can be a discrete element in a disposable wearable absorbent article. Alternatively, part or all of a CAM can be joined to and/or integrated into an outer cover and/or waist cover of a disposable wearable absorbent article.
A CAM can be made from any material suitable for carrying tensions in an anchoring system. Part or all of a CAM can be elastic, extensible, or non-stretchable. In some embodiments, a CAM can be an elastomeric material, e.g. extruded film, elastic, non-woven, scrim, slot-coated film, sprayed or melt-blown fibers, or printed elastic. In various disposable wearable absorbent articles, a CAM can have a modulus of elasticity that is higher that an overall modulus of elasticity of an outer cover of the article. A CAM can be any suitable width or thickness. For example, a CAM can be from 5 mm to about 75 mm wide or any width within that range. The width or thickness of a CAM can, in some embodiments, vary over the length of the CAM.
An anchoring band is an anchoring system element that is a physical band of material with a length between two ends and a defined width that is less than the length. An anchoring band can be configured to transmit force in tension from one end to the other and to have sufficient strength to carry such tension in an anchoring system. Part or all of an anchoring band can be straight, curved, angled, segmented, or combinations of these shapes. An anchoring band can be a disctete element in a disposable wearable absorbent article. Alternatively, part or all of an anchoring band can be joined to and/or integrated into an outer cover and/or a waist cover of a disposable wearable absorbent article. In some embodiments, a portion of an absorbent core of a disposable wearable absorbent article can form an implied anchoring band, by being configured to carry tension across the portion. In various embodiments, an anchoring band can be a load distribution element.
A load distribution element (LDE) is a type of anchoring band that directs and/or distributes loads between elements in an anchoring system of a disposable wearable absorbent article. An LDE can receive at least some collected loads by being joined to one or more other elements of the disposable wearable absorbent article, such as an absorbent core. Also, an LDE can direct and/or distribute such loads by being joined to one or more anchored elements of the anchoring system, such as a CAM. In various embodiments, LDEs of an anchoring system can be configured to direct and/or distribute substantially all or even all of loads from an absorbent core of a disposable wearable absorbent article. This direction and/or distribution can provide force-decoupling for an outer cover of a disposable wearable absorbent article and can enable the anchoring system to at least assist in holding a disposable wearable absorbent article in place on a wearer.
An LDE can be configured in an anchoring system in various ways. An anchoring system can include any number of LDEs. An LDE can be joined to a garment-facing surface or a wearer-facing surface of an absorbent core. Similarly, an LDE can be joined to a garment-facing surface or a wearer-facing surface of a CAM. An LDE can, in some embodiments, be joined to a CAM via an intermediate element. An LDE can be a discrete element in a disposable wearable absorbent article. Alternatively, part or all of an LDE can be joined to and/or integrated into an outer cover and/or a waist cover of a disposable wearable absorbent article. In some embodiments, an LDE can be integral with a CAM. In various embodiments, an LDE can be integral with a spine element that is configured to support an absorbent core. An LDE can be joined to other elements with adhesive, cohesive, or any other suitable means.
An LDE can be made from any material suitable for directing and/or distributing loads in an anchoring system. Part or all of an LDE can elastic, extensible, stretchable, or non-stretchable. In some embodiments, a CAM can be formed from one or more of nonwovens, films, elastomeric structures, and the like. A stretchable LDE can also be configured to have various characteristics. In some embodiments, a stretchable LDE can have a low strain force limit. For example, a stretchable LDE can stretch to some level of strain, e.g. 50%, and beyond the strain of 50% the slope of the stress strain curve can increase compared to the slope of the stress strain curve from 0% to 50% strain.
Throughout the present disclosure, the term “joined” refers to configurations whereby an element is directly connected to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element and to configurations whereby an element is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.
The embodiments of
The disposable wearable absorbent article 110 includes a front 104 and a back 106. The front 104 is a portion of the disposable wearable absorbent article 110 disposed generally proximate to and/or below the belly 102 of the wearer 100, when the disposable wearable absorbent article 110 is worn by the wearer 100. A general reference to the “front” can mean the front 104, part or all of an element in the front 104, and/or a disposition in the front 104. The back 106 is a portion of the disposable wearable absorbent article 110 disposed generally proximate to and/or below the back 103 of the wearer 100, when the disposable wearable absorbent article 110 is worn by the wearer 100. A general reference to the “back” can mean the back 106, part or all of an element in the back 106, and/or a disposition in the back 106. A lateral centerline of the disposable wearable absorbent article 110 forms a boundary between the front 104 and the back 106, as described in connection with the embodiment of
The anchoring system 120 also includes a second CAM 140 with a third end 141 joined to the back portion 196, a second middle anchoring band 145 disposed across the front 104, and a fourth end joined to the back portion 196. The second CAM 140 includes a third end anchoring band 142 joined to the first side element 120-1 joined to the second middle anchoring band 145 joined to the second side element joined to a fourth end anchoring band. The third end anchoring band 142 includes a third end 141, which is directly connected to the back portion 196 at a third location 198. The third end anchoring band 142 also includes a first-side end 143, which is directly connected to the first side element 120-1 at a first side location 123-1. The second middle anchoring band 145 includes a first-side end 144, which is directly connected to the first side element 120-1 at a first side location 124-1.
The anchoring system 120 also includes the second CAM 140. The second CAM 140 includes a third end anchoring band 142 joined to the first side element 120-1 joined to the second middle anchoring band 145 joined to the second side element 120-2 joined to the fourth end anchoring band 148. The third end anchoring band 142 includes a first-side end 143, which is directly connected to the first side element 120-1 at the first side location 123-1. The second middle anchoring band 145 includes the first-side end 144 directly connected to the first side element 120-1 at the first side location 124-1 and a second-side end 146 directly connected to the second side element 120-2 at the second side location 126-2. The fourth end anchoring band 148 includes a second-side end 147, which is directly connected to the second side element 120-2 at the second side location 127-2.
The pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 110-P also includes a chassis 111, leg bands 112, a waistband with a front portion of the waistband 113-F and a back portion of the waistband 113-B, a longitudinal centerline 114, and a lateral centerline 115. The lateral centerline 115 forms a boundary between the front 104 and the back 106 in the pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 110-P. The longitudinal centerline 114 and the lateral centerline 115 also provide lines of reference for referring to relative locations of parts of the pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 110-P. When a first part is nearer to the longitudinal centerline 114 than a second part, the first part can be considered laterally inboard to the second part. Similarly, the second part can be considered laterally outboard from the first part. When a third part is nearer to the lateral centerline 115 than a fourth part, the third part can be considered longitudinally inboard to the fourth part. Similarly, the fourth part can be considered longitudinally outboard from the third part. This lateral and longitudinal terminology is used for disposable wearable absorbent articles throughout the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated.
The pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 110-P includes the absorbent core 190 with the front portion 194 disposed in the front 104, the crotch region 195 disposed generally around the lateral centerline 115, and the back portion 196 disposed in the back 106. The anchoring system 120 is joined to the absorbent core 190.
The anchoring system 120 includes the first CAM 130 and the second CAM 140. The first CAM 130 includes the first end anchoring band 132 joined to the second side element 120-2, through the second side interface, joined to the first middle anchoring band 135 joined to the first side element 120-1, through the first side interface, joined to the second end anchoring band 138. The first CAM 130 is directly connected to the front portion 194 at the first location 191 and the second location 192. The second CAM 140 includes the third end anchoring band 142 joined to the first side element 120-1, through the first side interface, joined to the second middle anchoring band 145 joined to the second side element 120-2, through the second side interface, joined to the fourth end anchoring band 148. The second CAM 140 is directly connected to the back portion 196 at the third location 198 and the fourth location 199.
In the embodiment of
The fastenable disposable wearable absorbent article 110-F also includes a chassis 111, leg bands 112, a waistband with a front portion of the waistband 113-F and a back portion of the waistband 113-B, a longitudinal centerline 114, and a lateral centerline 115. The lateral centerline 115 forms a boundary between the front 104 and the back 106 in the fastenable disposable wearable absorbent article 110-F. The fastenable disposable wearable absorbent article 110-F includes the absorbent core 190 with the front portion 194 disposed in the front 104, the crotch region 195 disposed generally around the lateral centerline 115, and the back portion 196 disposed in the back 106. The anchoring system 120 is joined to the absorbent core 190.
The anchoring system 120 includes the first CAM 130 and the second CAM 140. In the embodiment of
The first CAM 130 includes the first end anchoring band 132 joined to the front portion of the second side element 120-2 fastened to the second side ear 107-2 joined to the back portion of the second side element 120-2 joined to the first middle anchoring band 135 joined to the back portion of the first side element 120-1 joined to the first side ear 107-1 joined to the front portion of the first side element 120-1 joined to the second end anchoring band 138. The first CAM 130 is directly connected to the front portion 194 at the first location 191 and the second location 192.
The second CAM 140 includes the third end anchoring band 142 joined to the back portion of the first side element 120-1 joined to the first side ear 107-1 fastened to the front portion of the first side element 120-1 joined to second first middle anchoring band 145 joined to the front portion of the second side element 120-2 joined to the second side ear 107-2 joined to the back portion of the second side element 120-2 joined to the fourth end anchoring band 148. The second CAM 140 is directly connected to the back portion 196 at the third location 198 and the fourth location 199.
In the embodiment of
In some embodiments, the first CAM 330 and the second CAM 340 of the anchoring system 320 can each be configured as closed geodesics. The first CAM 330 can be considered a closed geodesic as it wraps around a portion of a body of the wearer 300 and intersects itself at a corner formed by the first location 391 and the second location 392. The second CAM 340 can also be considered a closed geodesic as it wraps around a portion of a body of the wearer 300 and intersects itself at a corner in the back, in a manner similar to the first CAM 330. As a result, the anchoring system 320 can be configured to geodesically anchor the absorbent core 390 to the wearer 300. Similarly, CAMs in the anchoring system embodiments of
The pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 310-P also includes a chassis 311, leg bands 312, a waistband with a front portion of the waistband 313-F and a back portion of the waistband 313-B, a longitudinal centerline 314, and a lateral centerline 315. The lateral centerline 315 forms a boundary between the front 304 and the back 306 in the pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 310-P. The pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 310-P includes the absorbent core 390 with the front portion 394 disposed in the front 304, the crotch region 395 disposed generally around the lateral centerline 315, and the back portion 396 disposed in the back 306. The anchoring system 320 is joined to the absorbent core 390.
The anchoring system 320 includes the first CAM 330 with the first end joined to the front portion 394, the first middle 335 disposed through the second side interface across the back 306 and through the first side interface, and the second end joined to the front portion 394. The first end is directly connected to the front portion 394 at the first location 391 and the second end is directly connected to the front portion 394 at the second location 392 that at least partially overlaps the first location 391. The anchoring system 320 also includes the second CAM 340 with the third end joined to the back portion 396, the second middle 345 through disposed the first side interface across the front 304 and through the second side interface, and the fourth end joined to the back portion 396. The third end is directly connected to the back portion 396 at the third location 398 and the fourth end is directly connected to the back portion 396 at the fourth location 399 that at least partially overlaps the third location 398.
The anchoring system 420 also includes a second CAM 440 with a third end joined to the back portion 496, a second middle 445 disposed across the front, and a fourth end joined to the back portion 496. The anchoring system 420 also includes a back LDE. The third end and the fourth end are each joined to the back LDE and the back LDE is directly connected to the back portion 496. In various embodiments of the anchoring system 420, more or fewer LDEs can be used. In various embodiments, the anchoring system 420 can alternatively include a second CAM configured with the back portion 496 as described in connection with the second CAM 340 of the embodiment of
The anchoring system 520 also includes a second CAM 540 with a third end 541 joined to the back portion 596, a second middle 545 disposed across the front, and a fourth end joined to the back portion 596. The third end 541 is directly connected to the back portion 596 at a third location 598. The fourth end is directly connected to the back portion 596 at a fourth location that is laterally spaced apart from the third location 598. In various embodiments, the anchoring system 520 can alternatively include a second CAM configured with the back portion 596 as described in connection with the second CAM 340 of the embodiment of
The anchoring system 620 includes a front anchoring band 622 with front anchoring band ends 621 and 623. The anchoring system 620 also includes a first LDE 672 with first LDE ends 671 and 673 and a second LDE 678 with second LDE ends 677 and 679. The first end 631 is joined to the front anchoring band 622 at the front anchoring band end 621 and also joined to the first LDE 672 at the first LDE end 671. The second end 639 is joined to the front anchoring band 622 at the front anchoring band end 623 and also joined to the second LDE 678 at the second LDE end 677. The first LDE end 673 of the first LDE 672 is directly connected to the front portion 694 at a first LDE location 691 and the second LDE end 679 of the second LDE 678 is directly connected to the front portion 694 at a second LDE location 692 that is laterally spaced apart from the first LDE location 691.
The anchoring system 620 includes a second CAM 640 with a third end 641 joined to the back portion 696, a second middle 645 disposed across the front, and a fourth end joined to the back portion 696. The anchoring system 620 includes a back anchoring band 628 with a back anchoring band end 627. The anchoring system 620 further includes a third LDE 682 with third LDE ends 681 and 683 and a fourth LDE with fourth LDE ends. The third end 641 is joined to the back anchoring band 628 at the back anchoring band end 627 and also joined to the fourth LDE 682 at the fourth LDE end 681. The fourth end is joined to the back anchoring band 628 and also joined to the fourth LDE at a fourth LDE end. The third LDE end 683 of the third LDE 682 is directly connected to the back portion 696 at a third LDE location 698 and a fourth LDE end of the fourth LDE is directly connected to the back portion 696 at a fourth LDE location that is laterally spaced apart from the third LDE location. In various embodiments of the anchoring system 620, more or fewer LDEs can be used. In various embodiments, the anchoring system 620 can alternatively include a second CAM configured with the back portion 696 as described in connection with the second CAM 340 of the embodiment of
The first end 751 is directly connected to the front portion 794 at a first location 791. The second end 761 is directly connected to the front portion 794 at a second location 792 that at least partially overlaps the first location 791. The third end is directly connected to the back portion 796 at a third location. The fourth end is directly connected to the back portion 796 at a fourth location that at least partially overlaps the third location. In various embodiments, the anchoring system 720 can alternatively include a first CAM and a second CAM configured with the back portion 796 as described in connection with a first CAM 850 and a second CAM 860 of the embodiment of
The pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 710-P also includes a chassis 711, leg bands 712, a waistband with a front portion of the waistband 713-F and a back portion of the waistband 713-B, a longitudinal centerline 714, and a lateral centerline 715. The lateral centerline 715 forms a boundary between the front 704 and the back 706 in the pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 710-P. The pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 710-P includes the absorbent core 790 with the front portion 794 disposed in the front 704, the crotch region 795 disposed generally around the lateral centerline 715, and the back portion 796 disposed in the back 706. The anchoring system 720 is joined to the absorbent core 790.
The anchoring system 720 includes the first CAM 750 with the first end joined to the front portion 794, the first middle 755 disposed through the second side interface, and the fourth end joined to the back portion 796. The first end is directly connected to the front portion 794 at the first location 791 and the fourth end is directly connected to the back portion 796 at the fourth location 799. The anchoring system 720 also includes the second CAM 760 with the second end joined to the front portion 794, the second middle 765 disposed through the first side interface, and the third end joined to the back portion 796. The second end is directly connected to the front portion 794 at the second location 792 and the third end is directly connected to the back portion 796 at the third location 799. The first location 791 at least partially overlaps the second location 792 and the third location 798 at least partially overlaps the fourth location 799.
In some embodiments, the first CAM 750 and the second CAM 760 of the anchoring system 720 can each be configured as open geodesics. The first CAM 750 can be considered an open geodesic as has two endpoints and does not intersect itself it wraps around a portion of a body of the wearer 700. The second CAM 740 can also be considered an open geodesic as it also has two endpoints and does not intersect itself it wraps around a portion of a body of the wearer 700. As a result, the anchoring system 720 can be configured to geodesically anchor the absorbent core 790 to the wearer 700. Similarly, CAMs in the anchoring system embodiments of
The anchoring system 820 includes a front LDE 875 with front LDE ends 874 and 876. The first end 851 and the second end 861 are each joined to the front LDE 875 at the front LDE end 874. The front LDE end 876 of the front LDE 875 is directly connected to the front portion 894 at a front LDE location 893. The anchoring system 820 also includes a back LDE. The third end and the fourth end are each joined to the back LDE and the back LDE is directly connected to the back portion 896. In various embodiments of the anchoring system 820, more or fewer LDEs can be used. In various embodiments, the anchoring system 820 can alternatively include a first CAM and a second CAM configured with the back portion 896 as described in connection with the first CAM 750 and the second CAM 760 of the embodiment of
The first end 951 is directly connected to the front portion 994 at a first location 991. The second end 961 is directly connected to the front portion 994 at a second location 992 that is laterally spaced apart from the first location 991. The third end is directly connected to the back portion 996 at a third location. The fourth end is directly connected to the back portion 996 at a fourth location that is laterally spaced apart from the third location. In various embodiments, the anchoring system 920 can alternatively include a first CAM and a second CAM configured with the back portion 996 as described in connection with the first CAM 750 and the second CAM 760 of the embodiment of
The anchoring system 1020 includes a front anchoring band 1022 with front anchoring band ends 1021 and 1023. The anchoring system 1020 also includes a first LDE 1072 with first LDE ends 1071 and 1073 and a second LDE 1078 with second LDE ends 1077 and 1079. The first end 1051 is joined to the front anchoring band 1022 at the front anchoring band end 1021 and also joined to the first LDE 1072 at the first LDE end 1071. The second end 1061 is joined to the front anchoring band 1022 at the front anchoring band end 1023 and also joined to the second LDE 1078 at the second LDE end 1077. The first LDE end 1073 of the first LDE 1072 is directly connected to the front portion 1094 at a first LDE location 1091 and the second LDE end 1079 of the second LDE 1078 is directly connected to the front portion 1094 at a second LDE location 1092 that is laterally spaced apart from the first LDE location 1091.
The anchoring system 1020 includes a back anchoring band 1028 with a back anchoring band end 1027. The anchoring system 1020 further includes a third LDE 1082 with third LDE ends 1081 and 1083 and a fourth LDE with fourth LDE ends. The third end 1069 is joined to the back anchoring band 1028 at the back anchoring band end 1027 and also joined to the third LDE 1082 at the third LDE end 1081. The fourth end is joined to the back anchoring band 1028 and also joined to the fourth LDE at a fourth LDE end. The third LDE end 1083 of the third LDE 1082 is directly connected to the back portion 1096 at a third LDE location 1098 and a fourth LDE end of the fourth LDE is directly connected to the back portion 1096 at a fourth LDE location and that is laterally spaced apart from the third LDE location 1098. In various embodiments of the anchoring system 1020, more or fewer LDEs can be used. In various embodiments, the anchoring system 1020 can alternatively include a first CAM and a second CAM configured with the back portion 1096 as described in connection with the first CAM 750 and the second CAM 760 of the embodiment of
The pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 1110-P also includes a chassis 1111, leg bands 1112, a waistband with a front portion of the waistband 1113-F and a back portion of the waistband 1113-B, a longitudinal centerline 1114, and a lateral centerline 1115. The lateral centerline 1115 forms a boundary between the front 1104 and the back 1106 in the pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 1110-P. The pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 1110-P includes the absorbent core 1190 with the front portion 1194 disposed in the front 1104, the crotch region 1195 disposed generally around the lateral centerline 1115, and the back portion 1196 disposed in the back 1106. The anchoring system 1120 is joined to the absorbent core 1190.
The anchoring system 1120 includes the first CAM 1150 with the first end joined to the front portion 1194, the first middle 1155 disposed through the second side interface, and the fourth end joined to the back portion 1196. The first end is directly connected to the front portion 1194 at the first location 1191 and the fourth end is directly connected to the back portion 1196 at the fourth location 1199. The anchoring system 1120 also includes the second CAM 1160 with the second end joined to the front portion 1194, the second middle 1165 disposed through the first side interface, and the third end joined to the back portion 1196. The second end is directly connected to the front portion 1194 at the second location 1192 and the third end is directly connected to the back portion 1196 at the third location 1199. The first location 1191 at least partially overlaps the second location 1192 and the third location 1198 at least partially overlaps the fourth location 1199. The anchoring system 1120 also includes the continuous stabilizing band 1125 disposed continuously across the front 1104 and the back 1106. The first middle 1155 is directly connected to the continuous stabilizing band 1125 on the second side at a second stabilizing band connection location 1125-C1. The second middle 1165 is directly connected to the continuous stabilizing band 1125 on the first side at the first stabilizing band connection location 1125-C1.
The pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 1510-P also includes a chassis 1511 with an outer cover configured to stretch in at least one direction, leg bands 1512, a waistband with a front portion of the waistband 1513-F and a back portion of the waistband 1513-B, a longitudinal centerline 1514, and a lateral centerline 1515. The lateral centerline 1515 forms a boundary between the front 1504 and the back 1506 in the pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 1510-P. The pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 1510-P includes the absorbent core 1590 with the front portion 1594 disposed in the front 1504, the crotch region 1595 disposed generally around the lateral centerline 1515, and the back portion 1596 disposed in the back 1506. The anchoring system 1520 is joined to the absorbent core 1590.
The anchoring system 1520 includes the continuous CAM 1530 joined to the front portion 1594 and the back portion 1596. The continuous CAM 1530 includes the front portion of the continuous CAM 1530-F disposed across the front 1504 and the back portion of the continuous CAM 1530-B disposed across the back 1506. The front portion of the continuous CAM 1530-F is directly connected to the front portion 1594 of the absorbent core 1590 at the first location 1591 and the second location 1592. The back portion of the continuous CAM 1530-B is joined to the back portion 1596 of the absorbent core 1590 at the third location 1598 and the fourth location 1599.
In various embodiments, the anchoring system 1520 can alternatively include a first portion of a continuous CAM configured as described in connection with a front portion of a continuous CAM 1630-F of the embodiment of
The pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 1610-P also includes a chassis 1611 with an outer cover configured to stretch in at least one direction, leg bands 1612, a waistband with a front portion of the waistband 1613-F and a back portion of the waistband 1613-B, a longitudinal centerline 1614, and a lateral centerline 1615. The lateral centerline 1615 forms a boundary between the front 1604 and the back 1606 in the pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 1610-P. The pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article 1610-P includes the absorbent core 1690 with the front portion 1694 disposed in the front 1604, the crotch region 1695 disposed generally around the lateral centerline 1615, and the back portion 1696 disposed in the back 1606. The anchoring system 1620 is joined to the absorbent core 1690.
The anchoring system 1620 includes the continuous CAM 1630 joined to the front portion 1694 and the back portion 1696 of the absorbent core 1690. The continuous CAM 1630 includes the front portion of the continuous CAM 1630-F disposed across the front 1604 and the back portion of the continuous CAM 1630-B disposed across the back 1606. The front portion of the continuous CAM 1630-F is directly connected to the front portion 1694 of the absorbent core 1690 at the first location 1691 and the second location 1692. The back portion of the continuous CAM 1630-B is joined to the back portion 1696 of the absorbent core 1690 at the third location 1698 and the fourth location 1699.
The continuous CAM 1630 crosses the first side interface at a first side crossing location 1630-X1 and crosses the second side interface at a second side crossing location 1630-X2. The continuous CAM 1630 is directly connected to the front portion 1694 of the absorbent core 1690 at the first location 1691 and the second location 1692, each of which is longitudinally inboard to the side crossing locations 1630-X1 and 1630-X2. In the embodiment of
In various embodiments, the anchoring system 1620 can alternatively include a front portion of a continuous CAM configured as described in connection with the front portion of the continuous CAM 1530-F of the embodiment of
The anchoring system 1720 also includes a first LDE 1772 with a first LDE end 1773, a second LDE 1778 with second LDE ends 1777 and 1779, a third LDE 1782 with third LDE ends 1781 and 1783, and a fourth LDE with fourth LDE ends. The first LDE end 1773 of the first LDE 1772 is directly connected to the front portion 1794 of the absorbent core 1790 at a first location 1791 and a first LDE end of the first LDE 1772 is directly connected to the front portion of the continuous CAM 1730-F. The second LDE end 1779 of the second LDE 1778 is directly connected to the front portion 1794 of the absorbent core 1790 at a second location 1792 and the second LDE end 1777 of the second LDE 1778 is directly connected to the front portion of the continuous CAM 1730-F. The third LDE end 1783 of the third LDE 1782 is directly connected to the back portion 1796 of the absorbent core 1790 at a third location 1798 and the third LDE end 1781 of the third LDE 1782 is directly connected to the back portion of the continuous CAM 1730-B. A fourth end of the fourth LDE is directly connected to the back portion 1796 of the absorbent core 1790 and a fourth end of the fourth LDE is directly connected to the back portion of the continuous CAM 1730-B. In various embodiments of the anchoring system 1720, more or fewer LDEs can be used.
In various embodiments, the anchoring system 1720 can alternatively include a front portion of a continuous CAM configured as described in connection with the front portion of the continuous CAM 1530-F of the embodiment of
Embodiments of the present disclosure include disposable wearable absorbent articles with anchoring systems that fit wearers well. In some embodiments, these articles can include stretchable outer covers. The designs of these disposable wearable absorbent articles allow the articles to have an underwear-like appearance that conforms to a wearer's body as the wearer moves. The designs of these articles also help prevent the articles from sagging or slipping down on a wearer. As a result, the disposable wearable absorbent articles of the present disclosure can feel comfortable, look attractive, and perform well as the articles tend to fit snugly, stay in place, and not leak.
In order to assess the comparative performance of disposable wearable articles of the present disclosure, three disposable wearable absorbent articles were tested. The first disposable wearable absorbent article tested was HUGGIES brand Pull Ups with easy open sides, size 2T-3T, girl (the “HUGGIES test product”), purchased at Kroger in Cincinnati, Ohio in January of 2007. The second disposable wearable absorbent article tested was PAMPERS brand Easy Ups, size 4, (the “PAMPERS test product”) purchased at Kroger in Cincinnati, Ohio in January of 2007.
The third disposable wearable absorbent article tested was a size 4 pant-type disposable wearable absorbent article (the “New test product”), configured according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The New test product included an absorbent core, an outer cover, leg bands, a waistband, and an anchoring system configured to anchor the absorbent core to a wearer. The absorbent core was a bucket-shaped absorbent core assembly including a topsheet, an absorbent core, a backsheet, and barrier leg cuffs. The topsheet was a full-length topsheet, extending past both ends of the absorbent core and directly bonded to the waistband at both ends of the article. The absorbent core assembly was attached to the outer cover with a laterally central bond that extended over substantially all of an overall longitudinal length of the backsheet of the absorbent core assembly. The outer cover was laterally stretchable. The anchoring system included a continuous circumferential anchoring member embedded in the outer cover. A front of the anchoring system was configured according to the embodiment of
The three test products were tested in a mannequin drop test. The mannequin drop test used an infant mannequin 1800 as illustrated in
The infant mannequin 1800 has an overall torso width 1821 of about 17 centimeters, and an overall upper legs width 1829 of about 21.5 centimeters. The infant mannequin 1800 also includes a front navel vertical reference dimension 1831 from an upper edge of the infant mannequin 1800 to the front navel marker 1811, of about 5.5 centimeters. The infant mannequin 1800 also includes a pee point vertical reference dimension 1835 from the front navel marker 1811 to the pee point 1815, of about 12 centimeters. The infant mannequin 1800 has an overall height 1839 of about 25 centimeters. Each of the dimensions 1821, 1829, 1831, 1835, and 1839 are approximate dimensions measured through space, not on a surface of the infant mannequin 1800.
The infant mannequin 1800 also has a navel circumference 1851 of about 48.5 centimeters, a waist circumference 1853 of about 50 centimeters, a crotch crease circumference 1855 of about 34.5 centimeters, a waist hoop circumference 1857 of about 48.5 centimeters, and a hips circumference 1859 of about 50 centimeters. Each of the dimensions 1851, 1853, 1855, 1857, and 1859 are approximate dimensions measured around on a surface of the infant mannequin 1800.
The infant mannequin 1800 was constructed to be as realistic as possible so the results from the mannequin drop test could be compared with diaper sagging in use. Another important criterion for the success of this method was the use of non-metallic materials in the creation of the infant mannequin 1800. This allows the infant mannequin 1800 to be compatible with an MRI magnet. The creation of the infant mannequin 1800 involved several steps. First a suitable model infant was identified. This child weighed approximately 11.8 kilograms and had proportions typical for a median child in the recommended weight range for PAMPERS size 4 Easy Ups (7.3-15.4 kilograms). Then, a photographic surface scan of the child was taken using a 3 dMD 5 pod torso photographic system (available from 3 dMD in Atlanta, Ga.). The surface data from the scan was enhanced electronically in areas with poor polygon coverage (e.g. perineum creases) by Structural Analysis Engineering Corporation/Kinetic Vision in Cincinnati, Ohio. A mannequin master was then created using stereolithographic equipment as a hard polymer shell. A mold was made from this shell and the infant mannequin 1800 with soft, realistic skin, a hard plastic internal support structure and plumbing to deliver saline was created for testing.
The following provides further description of the construction process described above. In order to fabricate an MRI compatible, realistic infant mannequin 1800, the first step is to create a master from which all subsequent working units will be modeled. Typically point cloud data can be used, as the basis for a mannequin, although casts from live models might work equally well. A point cloud can be derived from a variety of sources including: laser scans, visible light scans, or MRIs. This point cloud data captures the surface geometry of the anatomy of interest enabling the subsequent additive fabrication of a master model. The point cloud data can be converted to an stl file for the additive fabrication process. A commonly employed method of additive fabrication for mannequins is Stereolithography or SLA, although Selective Laser Sintering, Fused Deposition Modeling or any of number of common additive methods might be used with similar success. The infant mannequin 1800 was fabricated using the 3D SLA 5000 (available from 3D systems in Valencia, Calif.).
Once a master is created anchoring points for the mannequin's frame and plumbing can be attached. Attaching these anchoring points to the master ensures that all copies will exactly reflect these same datum points, as they will be permanently reproduced in the mold. Anchoring points can also be created digitally in an stl file used to create the master.
The next step is to “lay-up” the mannequin master in a bed of clay, generating a parting line that separates the mannequin master's body into two halves divided front and back to facilitate the molding process. Once appropriately positioned in the clay and flasked, room temperature vulcanized rubber or RTV (available as Rhodia Rubber, V240 from Freeman Manufacturing in Avon, Ohio) is poured over the mannequin and allowed to polymerize to generate the first half of our mold. When the RTV is sufficiently hardened, the clay is removed from the mold and the second and final half of our RTV mold is poured to give a two piece silicone rubber mold of the desired mannequin.
After removing the master from the now completed two piece RTV rubber mold, the two mold cavities are airbrushed/sprayed with a single component polyurethane (e.g. SC-89 available from BJB Enterprises in Tustin, Calif.) or similar material to create a skin-like in-mold coating that preferentially adheres to the underlying urethane gel. A sufficient number of coats are applied to generate a robust skin-like coating ranging in thickness from 0.010″ to 0.030″ in thickness. The coating creates the outermost skin of the infant mannequin 1800.
The well coated mold is then ready for the installation of inner structures of the infant mannequin 1800. The inner structures are made from plastic components including ball end joints and perforated plates assembled and designed to ensure life-like mobility of the infant mannequin 1800 as well as to ensure interior stability and a robust structure. The first and second back disks, 1824 and 1826, are composed of a two part polyurethane with a 75 d hardness, called Ren or RP 6405 (available from Huntsman Chemicals in Salt Lake City, Utah). The remaining inner structures are composed of typical thermoplastic parts e.g., ABS for the hip rod 1823 and the leg disks 1825 (available from Curbell Plastics in Orchard Park, N.Y.), Acrylic for the back tube 1822 (available from Curbell plastics in Orchard Park, N.Y.), and Nylon for the hip rod ends 1827 (available from Grainger in Lake Forest, Ill.). The mannequin was plumbed to “urinate” by placing soft rubber tubing (1022, Tygon R3003 available from VWR in West Chester, Pa.) inside the mannequin, as the urinary tube 1822. The tubing exited at the top of the mannequin and was plumbed to introduce fluid at the anatomically correct opening of the urethra, which is the pee point 1815. The frame was inserted into the anchoring points previously described, fixed in place, all plumbing tubes were inserted and the two mold halves were fastened together. One cm diameter glass spheres filled with magnevist doped saline were installed inside the mannequin as the front navel marker 1811 and the back navel marker 1819 near the surface of the mannequin. The front navel marker 1811 was placed at the anatomically correct position of the navel from the surface scan. The back navel marker 1819 was located by following the circumference of the infant mannequin 1800 at the navel around to the approximate center of the back 1803 of the infant mannequin 1800. The intersection of the center of the back 1803 of the infant mannequin 1800 and the circumference at the navel create the point at which the back navel marker 1819 is located. These markers serve as reference points for alignment of the imaging planes in MRI experiments. The glass spheres were hand made by a glass blower. Small open cylinders were created in the stl file to hold the markers in place.
The mold was then filled with a soft polyurethane gel, (TC-410 available from BJB Enterprises in Tustin, Calif.) that is a three component thermoset material with a flesh-like feel and compressibility. This thermoset includes a resin, a hardener and a plasticizing agent. Typically, 100 parts of plasticizer is used to 100 parts of the resin and hardener combined. The mold was filled with this material through a predetermined gate and allowed to solidify. After an appropriate period of time for polymerization of the thermoset gel, the mold was opened and the completed infant mannequin 1800 was removed.
The mannequin drop test used a mannequin drop test stand 1000-1 illustrated in
The mannequin drop test stand 1000-1 was purchased as an “alfa frame system” from Kato Tech. Co., Ltd. in Japan and was modified for use with the infant mannequin 1800. The modifications included adding a top plate 1003, rubber stoppers 1004 and long screws 1001. The mannequin drop test stand 1000-1 is made from aluminum although a stand could be made from another suitable metal with sufficient strength to hold the infant mannequin 1800. The mannequin drop test stand 1000-1 includes the top plate 1003, which is 28×15 cm and 1 cm thick with open slots 1011, which are 35 mm long 10 mm wide to allow the infant mannequin 1800 to be held tightly to the top plate 1003 by use of 4 hex head screws 1002, which are 6 mm diameter, 30 mm long. The open slots 1011 also allow the position of the infant mannequin 1800 to be adjusted to allow clearance for the infant mannequin 1800 to drop through the mannequin drop test stand 1000-1 without contacting the mannequin drop test stand 1000-1 during the free fall period. The top plate 1003 is also equipped with two rounded handles 1000, which are 11 cm long to assist in lifting the top plate 1003 and infant mannequin 1800 during the mannequin drop test. The two long screws 1001, which are 6 mm in diameter and 250 mm long pass through holes 1010, which are 11 mm diameter in the corners of the top plate 1003 and act as guides for lifting the top plate 1003 and the infant mannequin 1800 vertically. The screws 1001 were marked with a permanent marker pen at 20 cm above the top of the top plate 1003 as reference points for the height of the drop. The four rubber stoppers 1004, which are 25 mm diameter at their bottom, 35 mm high, and 35 mm at their widest diameter at each corner of the top plate 1003 act to cushion the impact of the top plate 1003. The rubber stoppers 1004 can be replaced if they show signs of wear. The top 1005, which is 19×6 cm, sides 1006, which are 42.5×6 cm, and bottom 1007, which is 30×33×3 cm, of the mannequin drop test stand 1000-1 function to support the weight of the top plate 1003 and the infant mannequin 1800. The circular hole 1012, which is 32 mm in diameter in the center of the top plate 1003 allows for the Tygon tubing used to load a diaper to pass through the top plate 1003.
The “alfa frame system” purchased from Kato Technologies Inc was also modified as shown in
The mannequin drop test stand 1000-1, the infant mannequin 1800, and the disposable wearable absorbent article 2000, as illustrated in
Mannequin Drop Test Procedure
1) Place the infant mannequin 1800 in the mannequin drop test stand 1000-1. The infant mannequin 1800 must be firmly attached to the top plate 1003 to hold it during the drop test. The lower edge of the plate is used as a reference point for the measurements.
2) Put the disposable wearable absorbent article 2000 on the infant mannequin 1800. Adjust the disposable wearable absorbent article 2000 so that the inner cuffs lie in the leg creases, and the center of the disposable wearable absorbent article 2000 is aligned with the front navel marker 1811.
3) Using a permanent marker, mark a measurement point 1031 on the front and back of the disposable wearable absorbent article 2000 that is a reference distance 2101, which is 80 mm, below the top of the disposable wearable absorbent article and centered with respect to the front navel marker 1811 of the infant mannequin 1800.
4) Load the disposable wearable absorbent article 2000 with 75 ml of saline solution through the pee point 1815 in 8 seconds ±2 second using a 100 mL syringe. Repeat this procedure two times with a 5 minute delay ±one second between each loading.
5) Measure the linear distance vertically using a ruler or tape measure from the lower edge of the metal plate above the mannequin to the measurement point 1031 point in front and back. Measure to the nearest 1 mm. In order to avoid parallax errors, the ruler can be attached to the mannequin drop test stand 1000-1 and the measurement taken while looking directly at the point of interest. The measured linear distance is the initial loaded position value. The mannequin drop test stand 1000-1 is placed on a table while making this measurement, and put on the floor during the drop operation.
6) Gently remove the infant mannequin 1800 from the mannequin drop test stand 1000-1 and remove the top plate 1003. The infant mannequin 1800 should be placed face down in a glass tray 1040 (for example a baking dish that is approximately 34 cm long by 24 cm wide by 6 cm high) and propped up at the top and bottom with small cardboard spacers 1041, each approximately 5×5 cm square and supported 1-2 cm high with foam spacers to keep the disposable wearable absorbent article 2000 core from deforming against the table. Then place the infant mannequin 1800 and glass tray 1040 feet first into an MRI machine to measure the sag volume, as described in the MRI Measurement section below. Collect the MSME dataset using the parameters shown below to obtain a 3 d MRI dataset. The field of view (FOV) is centered around the mannequin. The table position is adjusted so the mannequin is centered top to bottom in the FOV. The result of this positioning is that the perineum area of the infant mannequin 1800, from approximately the pee point 1815 to the anus, is captured near the center of the 99 slice MSME sequence. The front and back navel markers 1811 and 1819 along with the pee point 1815 can be used to help align the imaging planes.
7) Reattach the infant mannequin 1800 to the top plate 1003 and place the infant mannequin 1800 back into the mannequin drop test stand 1000-1. Lift the infant mannequin 1800 to the 20 cm height mark on the mannequin drop test stand 1000-1 and release the infant mannequin 1800 so it falls from the 20 cm height freely. The metal plate will contact the rubber stoppers 1004 on the height guides at the end of the free fall period. Then lift the infant mannequin 1800 again and drop it to complete the second drop.
8) Measure the linear distance from the bottom of the metal plate to the measurement point 1031 in front and back using a ruler or tape measure, as described in step 5. The measured linear distance is the second drop value.
9) Repeat step 6, taking care that the infant mannequin 1800 is placed in the magnet as closely as possible to the position used in step 6. Also center the imaging planes as similarly as possible to the alignment used in step 6. These images are used to measure the gap volume after the second drop, which is the sag volume.
10) Calculations: Subtract the results for the second drop value from the initial loaded position value to get a delta value for the change in diaper position on the infant mannequin 1800. The two delta values, one for the front and one for the back, are then averaged to give one value for the change in diaper position on the infant mannequin 1800 between the second drop and the initial position. The average of the two delta values is the average sag.
Average Sag Results from Mannequin Drop Test
Four of the HUGGIES test product, six of the PAMPERS test product, and four of the New test product were tested with the mannequin drop test described above. The average sag results, in millimeters, for those tests were, as shown in Table 1, below:
The average sag data indicate that the design of the New test product, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, helps prevent the disposable wearable absorbent article from sagging or slipping down on a wearer. As a result, the disposable wearable absorbent articles of the present disclosure can feel comfortable, look attractive, and perform well as the articles tend to fit snugly, stay in place, and not leak.
MRI Measurement
The following description describes the MRI measurement used in the mannequin drop test procedure to determine sag volume results.
Description of the MRI Spectrometer
The MRI system used for the sag volume measurements is a Bruker Biospec 4760AS with DBX electronics. The magnet is an actively shielded Magnex Scientific 4.7T 60 cm bore with Magnex SGRAD 380 cm i.d. gradients. The resonator is a Bruker 280 mm i.d. quadrature resonator with active pin diode decoupling. The system is equipped with a manually operated patient table that allows placement of the mannequin in the center of the gradients and resonator.
Reagents
0.9% NaC1 solution with magnevist relaxation agent—add 18 gm of NaCl (reagent grade) to a 2 L volumetric. Add approximately 1 L of deionized water and swirl to dissolve the NaCl. Then added 4 mL of magnevist relaxation agent via syringe. Add deionized water to make 2 L of solution. Magnevist is available in 20 mL bottles from Besse medical, West Chester, Ohio, 45069, part number 17981.
MRI measurement of a Standard MRI Volume Sample
This simple standard allows a check that the collection and processing of the NRI data is being done correctly. The final result for 3 determinations of the volume of this standard should be within +/−10% of 10.0 mL.
The standard sample was prepared using a 10.0 mL pipette (class A glass pipette with rubber pipette bulb) to place 10.0 mL of polydimethylsiloxane (Thomas silicone fluid SF96/50, 6428R25, Thomas Scientific, Swedesboro, N.J.) into a 20 mL screw top via. The vial was sealed with a cap (non-metallic). The vial was centered in the magnet and a 3 d MSME dataset was collected using the parameters given in Appendix 2.
Measuring Gap Volume Using MRI
SliceOmatic software (version 4.3 r6, Tomovision, Montreal, Canada) was used to measure the volume of the MRI polysiloxane reference standard and the diaper gap volume (DGV) from the MRI data. The diaper gap volume (DGV), also known as the sag volume, was calculated from the MRI data from a specific region of interest (ROI) in the perineum region of the mannequin using SliceOmatic software. After the gap volumes were measured for initial and 2nd drop data, the initial volume was subtracted from the 2nd drop volume to calculate the delta diaper gap volume (DDGV).
Protocol to Measure the Diaper Gap Volume (DGV) using SliceOmatic Software Using Sliceomatic software version 4.3 r6, create a raw header for the 2dseq Bruker raw data file using raw file support (File menu, raw image support). Use the following parameters—99 slices, 256×256 points, 16 bits, geometry—1×1×2 mm with 2 mm slice spacing, coronal slices. Then open the raw file using Sliceomatic (file menu, file open). Select all slices (Tools menu, image info). Scroll through the slices and locate the slice which contains the pee point. This tube used to deliver saline can be followed through the slices to find where it exits from the mannequin (see FIG. M4a). Then use the admin function (Modes menu, admin) to select slices starting with the pee point slice. To adequately sample the perineum region of a size 4 mannequin, 11 slices (2 mm thick) is sufficient. Once the slices are selected, create a group selection. Then select the original file group and close it so you are only working with the 11 slices specified. The number of slices can be adjusted to fit the size mannequin you are using. The goal is to cover at least a couple centimeters of the DGV starting at the pee point and going back toward the posterior. Apply a median filter (Modes menu, filter) with an approximately 50% mix level. Select all 11 slices and apply the filter. Using gray level thresholding (Modes menu, thresholding), select a threshold that separates the two peaks in the histogram (expand the y scale of the histogram if needed). If your threshold doesn't have two peaks, select a threshold which separates the mannequin and wet diaper core objects cleanly from the background. When the pixels in the mannequin and wet diaper core are selected, compute segmentation. Then enter morpho mode (Modes menu, morpho) and compute all segmentation. Select a single slice at one end of the 11 slice block and lock tag 1 (Tools menu, Tag lock). Use tag 2 and a large brush to paint the gap area within a slice. The gap volume (1032, FIG. M4b) is represented by the pixels between the bright diaper core (1033) and the mannequin (1020). The DGV (1032) can be fairly complex depending on how the diaper core is folded, an example is shown in FIG. M4a. If the diaper core drops down below the bottom of the mannequin, only tag voxels that are between the legs (M4c). Once the DGV voxels (pixels in each slice on the screen) are tagged, use the up and down buttons in the morpho mode to propagate the tag 2 to all 11 slices and clean up any obvious gaps or wrongly selected pixels using the brush in edit mode (Modes menu, edit). Select all slices again and use the Tag surface/volume (Tools menu, Tag surface/volume) command to measure the total volume of all gap slices (DGV). Report this value to the nearest 0.1 cm3.
Measurement of the Polysiloxane Standard Using MRI
The volume of the polydimethylsiloxane in the MRI volume reference was calculated using SliceOmatic software and a similar procedure. The raw file header was written appropriately for this data file (20 slices, 256×256 points, 0.49×0.49×1.6 mm voxels, 1.6 mm spacing, coronal slices). The same filtering and thresholding operations as described above for the diaper gap measurement were used for the standard.
Parameters for collecting a 3 d MRI dataset—MRI volume standard—polysiloxane in a vial
Study setup—feet 1st, prone
Protocol name—Bruker PVM method MSME (multislice multiecho)
MSME Parameters:
TX0=9.1, TX1=2.1 (optimized for each day)
RG=1000 (also can be optimized)
FOV=125×125 mm
Matrix=256×256
Spatial resolution: 0.49×0.49×1.6 mm
20 coronal slices
1.6 mm thick slices
Readout=L−R
TE=15 ms
TR=1.0 s
Packing extent 32.02 mm
Excitation slice=sinc3 2 ms
Refocusing slice=sinc3 1.8 ms
SW=101,010 Hz
Experiment time was approximately 4 minutes 16 seconds.
Parameters for collecting a 3 d MRI dataset—Mannequin Diaper Sagging test
Study setup—feet 1st, prone
Protocol name—Bruker PVM method MSME (multislice multiecho)
MSME Parameters:
TX0=10.2, TX1=3.3 (optimized for each day)
RG=25 (also can be optimized)
FOV=256×256 mm
Matrix=256×256
Slice thickness 2 mm
Spatial resolution: 1×1×2 mm
99 coronal slices
Slice orientation coronal
Readout=L−R
TE=15 ms
TR=2.19 s
Excitation slice=sinc3 2 ms
Refocusing slice=sinc3 1.8 ms
SW=101,010 Hz
Packing extent 198 mm
2 ms Sinc3 excitation pulse
1.8 ms sinc3 refocusing pulse
Experiment time was approximately 9 minutes 12 seconds.
Sag Volume Results from Mannequin Drop Test
Four of the HUGGIES test product, four of the PAMPERS test product, and four of the New test product were tested with the mannequin drop test described above. The sag results for those tests, in cubic centimeters, as measured by a magnetic resonance imaging machine, as described herein, were, as shown in Table 2, below:
The sag volume data indicate that the design of the New test product, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, helps prevent the disposable wearable absorbent article from sagging or slipping down on a wearer. As a result, the disposable wearable absorbent articles of the present disclosure can feel comfortable, look attractive, and perform well as the articles tend to fit snugly, stay in place, and not leak.
Sag Results from Infant Testing
The three test products were also tested in use testing with infants. Eleven test infants were chosen for this testing. The test infants were selected on the basis of the fact that they normally wear a size four diaper, were able to run, and were cooperative. Each infant tested each of the three test products, and wearing just the test product, ran for 400 feet. The average sag results, in millimeters, for those tests were, as shown in Table 3, below:
In this data, a value of 100 indicates that the article fell off during testing. Note that test infant four did not complete the testing for the New test product.
The infant testing sag data indicate that the design of the New test product, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, helps prevent the disposable wearable absorbent article from sagging or slipping down on a wearer. This sag data also confirm the results of the other testing.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A disposable wearable absorbent article, comprising
- a front;
- a back;
- a side interface between the front and the back;
- a lateral centerline;
- a longitudinal centerline;
- an absorbent core, including a front portion disposed in the front and a back portion disposed in the back;
- an anchoring system, including a continuous circumferential anchoring member disposed across the front and across the back, and joined to the front portion and the back portion; and
- an outer cover configured to stretch in at least one direction, joined to the anchoring system;
- wherein substantially all of a portion of the continuous circumferential anchoring member that is disposed across the back is substantially parallel to the lateral centerline;
- wherein the continuous circumferential anchoring member crosses the side interface at a side crossing location and the continuous circumferential anchoring member is joined to the front portion at a front location that is longitudinally inboard to the side crossing location; and
- wherein the article is configured to experience an average sag of less than 24 millimeters after two drops in a mannequin drop test.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. A disposable wearable absorbent article, comprising
- a front;
- a back;
- a side interface between the front and the back;
- a lateral centerline;
- a longitudinal centerline;
- an absorbent core, including a front portion disposed in the front and a back portion disposed in the back;
- an anchoring system, including a continuous circumferential anchoring member disposed across the front and across the back, and joined to the front portion and the back portion; and
- an outer cover configured to stretch in at least one direction, joined to the anchoring system;
- wherein substantially all of a portion of the continuous circumferential anchoring member that is disposed across the back is substantially parallel to the lateral centerline;
- wherein the continuous circumferential anchoring member crosses the side interface at a side crossing location and the continuous circumferential anchoring member is joined to the front portion at a front location that is longitudinally inboard to the side crossing location; and
- wherein the article is configured to experience an average sag volume of less than 18 cubic centimeters, as measured by a magnetic resonance imaging machine, after two drops in a mannequin drop test.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 7, 2007
Publication Date: Jan 17, 2008
Inventors: Richard Lodge (Cincinnati, OH), Fred Desai (Fairfield, OH), Donald Roe (West Chester, OH), Bruno Ehrnsperger (Hessen), Anna Macura (Cincinnati, OH), Frederick Langdon (Blue Ash, OH), Luke Magee (Cincinnati, OH)
Application Number: 11/810,901
International Classification: A61F 13/496 (20060101);
