ABSORBENT ARTICLE HAVING A NONWOVEN TOPSHEET WITH FLUID IMPERVIOUS AREAS

Abstract: A fluid pervious web comprised of a nonwoven material for use as a topsheet (28) on an absorbent article (20) is disclosed. The nonwoven web has a patterned network of pigmented fluid impervious areas (36) thereon. Fluid deposited on the wearer-contacting surface (28A) of the web is moved laterally away from the pigmented fluid impervious areas (36) and transported through the fluid pervious portions of the web. Thus leaving the pigmented fluid impervious areas of the web clean and dry. This structure provides a topsheet (28) that is tactilely perceived as soft prior to the discharge of bodily fluids thereon and also clean and dry after bodily fluids have been deposited thereon.

Description: ABSORBENT ARTICLE HAVING A NONWOVEN TOPSHEET WITH FLUID IMPERVIOUS AREAS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to absorbent articles such a sanitary napkins, diapers, and incontinent articles, and the like and more particularly, to such absorbent articles having a nonwove topsheet with fluid impervious areas thereon. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION All manner and variety of absorbent articles configured for th absorption of bodily fluids are, of course, well known. Curren types of absorbent articles include sanitary napkins, diapers, an incontinent articles. A topsheet is the portion of an absorbent article which cover one face of the absorbent article which typically contacts the ski of the person using the absorptive devise. It has long been known i the disposable absorbent article art that it is extremely desirabl to construct absorptive devices, such as disposable sanitary napkins diapers, incontinent articles, and the like, with a topshee providing a tactilely soft feel to the user prior to the discharge o bodily fluids thereon and also provide a clean and dry surface afte the discharge of bodily fluids thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,951 issued to Sanford on August 16, 1977 an hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses a preferre disposable diaper structure comprising a substantially planar moisture absorbent layer disposed between a soft topsheet and moisture-resistant backing sheet. The nonwoven fibrous topshee preferably comprises an integral structure containing a multiplicit of depressed areas which intimately contact the uppermost surface o a substantially planar, moisture absorbent layer. The nondepresse areas of the topsheet contact the wearer's skin in-use. Thi nonwoven fibrous topsheet is particularly well suited for the use who prefers the soft feel of a nonwoven topsheet prior to th discharge of bodily fluids thereon. However, this nonwoven fibrou topsheet does not provide a visually clean and dry surface after bodily fluids, e.g., menses or blood, have been discharged thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,608 issued to Meyer et al. on January 17, 1989 and hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses an absorbent article having a hydrophobic transport layer. A nonwoven topsheet is superposed in facing relation with the absorbent body, and has an effective average pore size therein. A transport layer is located between the absorbent body and the topsheet which has an effective average pore size which is smaller than the pore size of the topsheet. This nonwoven structure will provide the user with a topsheet having a soft feel prior to the discharge of bodily fluids thereon. However, the nonwoven topsheet will not provide a visually clean and dry surface after bodily fluids have been discharged thereon. U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,352 issued to Pa umbo on October 25, 1988 and hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses a perforated covering structure for absorbent hygienic-sanitary products. The perforated covering structure has an upper layer of nonwoven hydrophobic fibers, an intermediate layer of hydrophobic film and a lower layer of nonwoven hydrophobic fibers. This structure will be well suited for the user who prefers the soft feel of the nonwoven prior to the discharge of bodily fluids thereon. However, bodily fluids deposited on the covering structure will remain in the upper layer creating a visually unclean and wet surface for the user. U.S. Pat. No.4,342,314 issued to Radel et al. on August 3, 1982 and hereby incorporated herein by reference, discloses a resilient plastic web exhibiting a fiber-like appearance and tactile impression. The web exhibits a fine scale three-dimensional microstructure comprising a regulated continuum of capillary networks, preferably of steadily decreasing size, originating in and extending from a first surface of the web and terminating in the form of apertures in a second surface of the web to promote rapid fluid transport from the first surface to the second surface. This apertured three-dimensional plastic web topsheet is particularly well suited for the user who prefers a clean and dry surface after the discharge of bodily fluids thereon. Although effective in the transfer of bodily fluids away from the wearer's skin, it has been learned that some users find it psychologically and/or physicall undesirable to employ a material which is plastic in direct contac with their skin. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains, in a preferred embodiment, to fluid pervious web comprised of a nonwoven material and having first surface. The first surface of the web has a patterned networ of pigmented fluid impervious areas thereon. The first surface o the web is adapted to move fluid deposited thereon laterally awa from the pigmented fluid impervious areas and to transport the flui through the fluid pervious portions of the web, such that th pigmented fluid impervious areas of the web remain clean and dry eve after contact with bodily fluids deposited thereon. Preferably, the above structure includes an apertured nonwove material. More preferably, the above aperture also includes a firs surface having from about 10 percent to about 70 percent of its are covered by the pigmented fluid impervious areas. In another embodiment of the present invention there is provide an absorbent bandage, such as a sanitary napkin, diaper, o incontinent device, comprising a wearer-contacting topsheet and a absorbent element for absorbing bodily fluids. The topshee comprises a fluid pervious web comprised of a nonwoven material an having a first surface for contacting the wearer and a second surfac for contacting the absorbent element. The first surface of the w has a patterned network of pigmented fluid impervious areas thereo The first surface of the web is adapted to move fluids deposit thereon laterally away from the pigmented fluid impervious areas a to transport the fluid through the fluid pervious portions of t web, such that the pigmented fluid impervious areas of the web remai clean and dry even after contact with bodily fluids deposit thereon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims particularl pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of t present invention, it is believed that the present invention will better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify identical elements and wherein; Figure 1 is a simplified illustration of an absorbent article of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a topsheet of the present invention depicting the pigmented areas as raised zones; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a topsheet of the present invention depicting the pigmented areas as depressed zones; and Figure 6 is a simplified illustration of an absorbent article of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION I. INTRODUCTION While the present invention will be described in the context of providing a nonwoven web of material having pigmented fluid impervious areas thereon for use as a topsheet on a sanitary napkin, the present invention is in no way limited to such application. To the contrary, the present invention may be applied to great advantage in many absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinent articles, and the like. The term "absorbent article", as used herein, refers to articles which absorb and contain body exudates. More specifically, the term refers to articles which are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. The term "absorbent article" is intended to include sanitary napkins, diapers, incontinent articles, pantiliners, and other articles used to absorb body exudates. The term "disposable" refers to articles which are intended to be discarded after a single use and preferably recycled, composted, or otherwise disposed of in an environmental y compatible matter. (That is, they are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored o reused as an absorbent article.) In the preferred embodimen illustrated, the absorbent article is a sanitary napkin designate 20. The term "sanitary napkin", as used herein, refers to an articl which is worn by females adjacent to the pudendal region that i intended to absorb and contain the various exudates which ar discharged from the body (e.g., blood, menses, and urine). Th present invention, however, is not limited to the particular types o configurations of absorbent articles shown in the drawings. The sanitary napkin 20 has two surfaces, a first or wearer contacting surface 20a and a second or garment contacting surfac 20b. The sanitary napkin 20 is shown in Figure 1 as viewed from it first or wearer-contacting surface 20a. The first or wearer contacting surface 20a is intended to be worn adjacent to the body o the wearer. The second or garment contacting surface 20b of th sanitary napkin 20 (shown in Figure 2) is on the opposite side and i intended to be placed adjacent to the wearer's undergarments when th sanitary napkin 20 is worn. The sanitary napkin 20 has two centerlines, a longitudina centerline "1" and a transverse centerline M t". The ter "longitudinal", as used herein, refers to a line, axis or directio in the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 that is generally aligned wit (e.g., approximately parallel to) a vertical plane which bisects standing wearer into left and right body halves when the sanitar napkin 20 is worn. The terms "transverse" or "lateral", as use herein, are interchangeable, and refer to a line, axis or directio which lies within the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 that i generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Figure shows that the sanitary napkin 20 also has two spaced apar longitudinal or side edges 22 and two spaced apart transverse or en edges (or "ends") 24, which together form the periphery 26 of th sanitary napkin 20. The sanitary napkin 20 can be of any thickness, includin relatively thick or relatively thin. The embodiment of sanitar napkin 20 shown in Figures 1-3 of the drawings is intended to be a example of a relatively thin sanitary napkin. It should b understood, however, when viewing these Figures the number of layers of material shown causes the sanitary napkin 20 to appear much thicker than it actually is. A "thin" sanitary napkin 20 preferably has a caliper of less than about 3 millimeters. The thin sanitary napkin 20 shown should also be preferably relatively flexible, so that it is comfortable for the wearer. Figure 2 shows the individual components of the sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin 20 of the present invention generally comprises at least three primary components. These include a liquid pervious topsheet 28, a liquid impervious backsheet (or "barrier means") 30, and an absorbent core 32. The absorbent core 32 is positioned between the topsheet 28 and the backsheet 30. The sanitary napkin 20 also has an adhesive fastening means 38 for attaching the sanitary napkin 20 to the undergarment of the wearer. Removable release liners 40 cover the adhesive fastening means 38 to keep the adhesive from sticking to a surface other than the crotch portion of the undergarment prior to use. II. Individual Components of the Absorbent Article The individual components of the sanitary napkin 20 will now be described in greater detail. A. The Topsheet The topsheet 28 is fluid pervious and when the sanitary napkin 20 is in use, the topsheet 28 is in close proximity to the skin o the user. The topsheet 28 is compliant, soft feeling, and non- irritating to the user's skin. The topsheet 28 has two surfaces, including a first or wearer contacting surface 28a, and a second, absorbent element or pa contacting surface 28b. The first or wearer-contacting surface 28 of the topsheet 28 generally forms at least a portion of the wearer contacting surface 20a of the sanitary napkin 20. The topsheet 2 has two longitudinal edges 28c and two end edges 28d. (A simila numbering system will be used for other components of the sanitar napkin. That is, the side of the component facing the wearer's bod will be designated by the number of the component and a referen letter "a". The side facing the wearer's undergarments will designated by the number and the letter "b". The side and edges wi be designated by the number and the component and the referen letters "c" and "d" respectively.) Topsheet 28 may be preferably manufactured of a nonwov material. A suitable nonwoven material may be selected from a wi range of materials such as natural fibers (e.g., wood or cott fiber), synthetic fibers (e.g., polymeric fibers, such as polyeste polypropylene fibers, and polyethylene, or polyvinylalcohol, star base resins, polyurethanes, cellulose esters, nylon and rayon fiber or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. Clearly, there are a number of manufacturing techniques whi may be utilized to manufacture the nonwoven topsheet 28. F example, nonwoven topsheet 28 may be resin-bonded, needle punche air-laid, wet-laid, spunbonded, carded, the latter includin thermally bonded, air-thru bonded, spunlaced, hydroapertured, a other apertured fabrics. A preferred nonwoven topsheet 28 compris a thermally bonded carded polypropylene fabric. One preferred nonwoven fabric comprises a carded thermally d bonded polypropylene web. Another preferred nonwoven is a spunbond thermally bonded polypropylene web. Still another preferred nonwov fabric 28 is a carded polypropylene web which is embossed accordance with the method described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,7 issued to Megison, et al. on November 1, 1988 and hereby incorporat herein by reference. This nonwoven fabric 28 has embossed a thermal bonded areas that are diamond-shaped in plan view. (T embossing need not extend into the underlying core, however.) Figures 1-3 show that the nonwoven topsheet 28 is provided wi a multiplicity of pigmented fluid impervious areas 36. The pigment fluid impervious areas 36 as seen in Figures 1-3 are arranged in discontinuous pattern on topsheet 28. Alternatively, the pigment fluid impervious areas 36 can be arranged in a continuous pattern topsheet 28, as seen in Figure 6. Pigmented fluid impervious are 36 are preferably made of ink. Other suitable materials which can used for the pigmented fluid impervious areas 36 comprise but are n limited to cellulose acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene or a other material compatible with the various processes that can be used. The pigmentation for said fluid impervious areas 36 can be any one of a number of natural or synthetic materials commonly used for this purpose. One material which is well known in the art is titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is normally available as a white powder and is commonly used to pigment polymers and paint. Preferably, the pigmented fluid impervious areas 36 on topsheet 28 cover from about 10 percent to about 70 percent of the area of topsheet 28, and more preferably, the pigmented fluid impervious areas 36 on topsheet 28 cover from about 20 percent to about 40 percent of the area of topsheet 28. Preferably, the ink or other material comprising the pigmented fluid impervious areas 36 is applied to the nonwoven topsheet 28 by using a silk screen printing process. This particular process is well known in the field of printing and involves squeezing a viscous liquid through a patterned screen. Once printed on nonwoven topsheet 28, pigmented fluid impervious areas 36 are dried by placing the topsheet 28 in an oven. Another method of applying pigmented fluid impervious areas 36 to nonwoven topsheet 28 is by using a gravure printing process. The gravure printing process uses a drum having a pattern of depressions located thereon. The depressions on the drum are filled with a material which will eventually form the pigmented fluid impervious areas 36 on the nonwoven topsheet 28. The material is deposited onto the topsheet substrate when the drum is brought into contact with the substrate. This method is more appropriate with materials which are printed at elevated temperatures and then cooled to solidify. In a preferred embodiment seen in Figure 5, pigmented fluid impervious areas 236 are preferably spaced sufficiently apart so that the wearer's skin when placed in contact with the first or wearer contacting surface 228a of sanitary napkin 220 will have sufficient contact with nonwoven fibers 250 of topsheet 228. Furthermore, pigmented fluid impervious areas 236 should be at or below the uppermost plane of the fibers 250 of which the topsheet 228 is comprised, thereby allowing the wearer to experience the soft, tactile feel of the nonwoven material. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 5, prior to use th pigmented fluid impervious areas 236 provide the user with a subtl visually perceived pattern as the pigmented impervious areas 236 onl slightly contrast with the fibers 250 of topsheet 228. Both prior t and during use the absorbent article 220 as depicted in Figure allows the fiber based nonwoven topsheet 228 to be perceive tactilely by the user. After use, the pigmented impervious areas 23 provide the user with a readily perceived visually clean and dr surface as the menses free pigmented impervious areas 236 contras highly with the menses stained fibers 250 of nonwoven topsheet 228. Another preferred embodiment is depicted in Figure 4. In thi embodiment of the present invention the pigmented areas 136 ar raised slightly above the uppermost plane of the fibers 150 of whic the topsheet 128 is comprised. The visually perceived impression b the user of the sanitary napkin 120 is similar if not the same a that of the embodiment of the sanitary napkin 220 as depicted i Figure 5. However, in this embodiment, the user experiences th tactile impression provided by the pigmented areas 136 both prior t and during use. The advantage to the tactile impression provided the pigmented areas 136 is that during use the first or weare contacting surface 120a of the pad 120 feels clean and dry, sinc less menses remains on the pigments areas 136. In addition, in preferred embodiments of the present inventio at least the fluid pervious portion of the topsheet 28 can be treat with a surfactant. This can be accomplished with any of the comm techniques well known to those skilled in the art. Suitable metho for treating the topsheet with a surfactant are described in a numb of references including U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,950,264 issued to Osborne August 21, 1990 and 5,009,563 issued to Osborne on April 23, 1991 a hereby being incorporated herein by reference. If a surfactant treatment is desired, it should be noted th the surfactant should be limited to the nonwoven fibers of topshe 28, 128 or 228. To ensure a clean and dry surface impression t pigmented areas 36, 136 and 236 should remain somewhat mensesphob so that menses does not "wet out" and remain on the pigmented areas Treating the topsheet 28 with a surfactant renders the surfa of the topsheet 28 more hydrofillic. This results in flu penetrating topsheet 28 faster than it would have if the surface were not treated. This diminishes the likelihood that menstrual fluids will flow off topsheet 28, 128, or 228 rather than being absorbed by the absorbent core 32. B. The Absorbent Core The absorbent core 32 is positioned between the topsheet 28 and the backsheet 30. The absorbent core 32 provides the means for absorbing menstrual fluid and other bodily exudates. The absorbent core 32 need not have an absorbent capacity much greater than the total amount of exudates anticipated to be absorbed. The absorbent core 32 is generally compressible, conformable, and non-irritating to the user's skin. The absorbent core 32 can comprise any material used in the art for such purpose. Examples include natural materials such as cotton, comminuted wood pulp which is generally referred to as airfelt, creped cellulose wadding, peat moss, cross-linked cellulose fibers, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, synthetic staple fibers, polymeric fibers, hydrogel-forming polymer gelling agents, or any equivalent material or combinations of materials. Suitable cross-linked cellulose fibers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,093, issued to Cook, et al. on December 19, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,543, issued to Dean, et al. on April 18, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,595, issued to Schoggen, et al . on December 26, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,596, issued to Schoggen, et al. on December 26, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,642, issued to Moore, et al . on February 6, 1990; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,022, issued to Lash, et al . on June 19, 1990, all of said patents being hereby incorporated herein by reference. The characteristics of the absorbent core 32 for particular types of absorbent articles are described in greater detail in the patents and documents incorporated by reference herein, and the patents and other documents incorporated by reference in those documents, the disclosures of which are all incorporated by reference herein. Other suitable absorbent core arrangements are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,988,344 issued to Reising, et al . on January 29, 1991 and 4,988,345 issued to Reising on January 29, 1991, which ar also hereby incorporated herein by reference herein. Other possibl core 32 materials are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,911 issued t Gellert on October 9, 1984 and being hereby incorporated herein b reference. The absorbent article 20 could also include any additional layers or other components such as are described in the patent incorporated by reference. For example, the absorbent article 20 ma comprise an acquisition layer or patch of cross-linked cellulos fibers positioned between the topsheet 28 and the absorbent core 32. C. The Backsheet The backsheet 30 is impervious to liquids and is preferabl manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liqui impervious materials may also be used. The backsheet 30 prevent liquid contained in absorbent core 32 from wetting articles whic contact the absorbent article 20. Polyethylene films having thickness of from about 0.001 to about 0.002 inches (0.0025 to 0.005 cm.) have been used for the backsheet 30 with satisfactory results As used herein, the term "flexible" refers to materials which ar compliant and which will readily conform to the general shape an contours of the human body. The backsheet 30 is superimposed on the garment-facing side 32 of absorbent core 32 and preferably extends beyond the edges thereof The topsheet 28 is superimposed over the body-facing side 32a of th absorbent core 32 and may also extend beyond the edges of the cor 32. The absorbent core 32 is, therefore, positioned between th topsheet 28 and the backsheet 30. The topsheet 28 and backsheet 3 are joined to each other such as around their peripheries. Th topsheet 28 and backsheet 30 can be joined in any suitable manne such as by the use of adhesives, crimping, heat-sealing, o ultrasonic bonding. Figures 2 and 3 also show the fasteners, such as adhesiv fastening means 38, which are adapted to secure the sanitary napki 20 to the crotch region of an undergarment. Suitable adhesiv fasteners are described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,69 issued to De Jonckheere on April 17, 1990 and hereby incorporated herein by reference. The fasteners used with the present invention are not limited to adhesive attachment means. Any type of fastener used in the art can be used for such purpose. For example, the sanitary napkin 20 could be secured to the wearer's undergarment by the fastener described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,527 issued to Battrell on August 7, 1990 and hereby incorporated herein by reference. The adhesive fastening means 38 is covered by removable release liner, designated 40. The pressure-sensitive adhesives should be covered with release liners 40 to keep the adhesives from sticking to extraneous surfaces prior to use. Suitable release liners are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,697. A suitable wrapper that both serves as a package for a sanitary napkin and as a cover for adhesives on the same is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,146 issued to Swanson, et al. on December 3, 1985 and hereby incorporated herein by reference. III. The Absorbent Article The present invention provides an absorbent article having the visual appearance of a fiber based nonwoven topsheet prior to use and the clean and dry appearance of a film based topsheet after use. Thus the present invention satisfies the two major groups of users who prefer both of these important characteristics. The tactile impression may be tailored to fit the needs and/or wants of the users by varying the penetration of the pigmented areas into the fiber based nonwoven topsheet. While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims: Claims : 1. A fluid pervious web comprised of a nonwoven material having a fi surface, said first surface of said web having a patterned network of pigmen fluid impervious areas thereon, said first surface of said web adapted to m fluid deposited thereon laterally away from said pigmented fluid impervi areas and to transport said fluid through said fluid pervious portions of s web, such that said pigmented fluid impervious areas of said web are clean dry. 2. The fluid pervious web of Claim 1, wherein said pigmented fl impervious areas are pigmented with titanium dioxide. 3. The fluid pervious web of Claim 1, wherein said nonwoven material a carded material. 4. The fluid pervious web of Claim 1, wherein said nonwoven material a spunbonded material. 5. The fluid pervious web of Claim 1, wherein said pigmented fl impervious areas are cellulose acetate. 6. The fluid pervious web of Claim 1, wherein said nonwoven material apertured. 7. The fluid pervious web of Claim 6, wherein said pigmented fl impervious areas cover from 10 percent to 70 percent of said first surface. 8. An absorbent bandage comprising a wearer-contacting topsheet and absorbent element for absorbing bodily fluids, said topsheet comprising a fl pervious web comprised of a nonwoven material having a first surface contacting the wearer and a second surface for contacting said absorb element, said first surface of said web having a pattern network of pigmen fluid impervious areas thereon, said first surface of said web adapted to m fluid deposited thereon laterally away from said pigmented fluid impervi areas and to transport said fluid through said fluid pervious portions of s web, such that said pigmented fluid impervious areas of said web are clean dry. 9. The absorbent bandage of Claim 8, including a backsheet resistant t the passage of aqueous fluid therethrough secured to said absorbent bandag adjacent the surface of said absorbent element opposite said topsheet. 10. The structure of either Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein said absorben bandage comprises a disposable sanitary napkin.

Inventors: LAVASH BRUCE WILLIAM, OUELLETTE WILLIAM ROBERT, VOLLMECKE THERESA ANNE, LAVASH, BRUCE, WILLIAM, OUELLETTE, WILLIAM, ROBERT, VOLLMECKE, THERESA, ANNE
Applicants: PROCTER & GAMBLE, THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A61F13
IPC codes: A61F5, A61F13