TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a belted disposable absorbent article, such as an incontinence article or a diaper, having a longitudinal and a transverse extension and having an open position and a closed position, the article comprising: a liquid permeable top sheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet and an absorbent body enclosed there between, and a front portion, a rear portion and a crotch portion there between, and a first and a second belt member attached to the front or rear portion of the article and extending in the transverse direction of the article, wherein said belt members, when in said closed position, are provided in an overlapping relationship to each other such that at least a part of the first belt member is placed over a part of second belt member, and the article further comprises a fastening means for fastening said belt members in the closed position.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a belted disposable absorbent article. In a third aspect, the invention relates to a product as obtained by such a method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Belted absorbent articles for use as a diaper or an incontinence article are intended to be joined together around the waist of the wearer. One particular type of belted absorbent article comprises two belt members attached to the rear portion of the article, each extending in a transverse direction from the articles. When in a closed position around the waist of the wearer, the two belt members will be fastened in an overlapping relationship to each other, via fastening means

For efficient packaging and delivery of such belted articles, the articles may be folded to a closed position, where the belt members overlap each other. When a folded, closed article is to be used, the user must first open the article by opening the fastening means. Generally, for opening the article, the end of the outermost belt member must be identified and pulled. In this situation, it has been observed that it is sometimes difficult to find the outermost belt end, which must be retrieved for opening the belt. The difficulties may be particularly troublesome for a user of the article, who might not be able to visually verify the location of the belt end. Also, the difficulties may be experienced by nursing staff, who might need to open the article e.g. in insufficient light.

Similar problems may arise when the article is to be removed from the wearer, since this situation also involves opening of a closed article.

Hence, there is a need to facilitate the determination of the location of the outermost of the overlapping belt ends, when the belted article is in a closed position. Preferably, the easier determination of the location of the outermost end of the overlapping belt end shall be possible to achieve without complicated equipment or added material, which could increase the cost of the product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

At least one of the above-mentioned needs is met by a belted disposable absorbent article, such as an incontinence article or a diaper, having a longitudinal and a transverse extension and having an open position and a closed position, the article comprising: a front portion, a rear portion and a crotch portion there between, and a first and a second belt member attached to the front or rear portion of the article and extending in the transverse direction of the article, when in said closed position, said belt members are provided in an overlapping relationship to each other such that the first belt member at least partially overlaps the second belt member, and the article further comprises a fastening means for fastening said belt members in the closed position.

In accordance with the invention, the first belt member comprises an end portion which is tactilely distinguishable from the outer surface of at least a main portion of the second belt member, for enhancing tactile identification of said end portion in relation to the underlying main portion of the second belt member when the article is in said closed position.

The inventors of the present invention have realized, that the difficulties of finding the end of the overlaying belt member, when the article is in a closed position, may at least partly be explained by that the end of the overlaying belt member is of similar material as the underlying belt member, which means that there is no way of distinguishing between the two. Moreover, there is no way of distinguishing between the end portion of a belt member and the main portion of the belt member.

Prior art products have been proposed, for example WO 2006/065177 where the inside of the belts of an absorbent article are provided e.g. with an embossment to be distinguishable from e.g. bed linen. However, here, both belts are provided with the same embossed structure, meaning that the problem of distinguishing the belt end is still present.

SE 520 691 describes a product where the belt ends are provided with different geometrical shapes. However, this will not facilitate finding the overlying end when it is attached to the underlying belt member.

However, with the proposed invention, the end portion of a belt member is rendered tactilely distinguishable for being distinguishable from the underlying belt member when in a closed position. As such, the end portion will be useful for aiding a wearer or nursing staff in finding the end of the overlying belt member when a closed, folded product is to be unpacked. Moreover, the end portion may be useful for finding the end of the belt member also when the product is closed and worn around the waist of a user and is to be opened and removed.

With end portion is meant a portion of the belt member extending from the outer edge thereof, said end portion being gripped when opening or closing the article. In the context of the invention, the end portion is defined as being the portion extending from the outer edge of the belt and which is tactilely distinguishable. With a main portion of the belt member is meant the majority of the length of the belt member. When the article is in a closed position, the first belt member will generally be attached to at least a portion of the main portion of the second belt member. In some cases, one of the belt members could comprise only a main portion being made out of one and the same material. However, a belt member could also comprise an end portion being tactilely different from the remaining main portion. In this context, it may be mentioned that the overlying belt member may generally be provided with a fastening means for fastening the belt member to the underlying belt member. The fastening means per se might or might not be tactilely distinguishable from the belt members. However, even if the fastening means is in the form of e.g. a the fastening tab extending from the belt member, the tab would in many embodiments not extend along the full width of the belt member, in which case it may be missed if the user searches for the belt end e.g. along the edge of the belt. Also, it is generally desired to provide the fastening tab in a size which is not excessively big, as that could cause difficulties when fastening and releasing the tab, and moreover would mean a waste of material. Hence, also in the case where the fastening means per se is distinguishable, there may be a need for further facilitating determination of the location of the overlying belt end.

However, the need for facilitating determination of the location of the overlying belt end is more pronounced in embodiments where the fastening means is not tactilely distinguishable from the belt member, when the article is in a closed position. In such embodiments, the fastening means may be provided on the inside of the first belt member, and may even be confined within the boundaries thereof.

Preferably, the fastening means may be of a type which may be fastened steplessly on the underlying belt member material itself. Such a fastening means could be e.g. a tape or a hook (hook and loop) material. Most preferred, the fastening means may be a hook material which may fasten directly on e.g. a nonwoven material surface of the belt member.

Advantageously, the outer surface of the end portion of at least the first member is tactilely distinguishable also from the outer surface of the main portion of the first belt member. This further facilitates finding the end portion when the article is in a closed position. Moreover, the main portions of both the first and the second belt member need not be made tactilely distinguishable, but can be optimized for other functions. Moreover, application of a tactilely distinguishable end portion to existing articles may be made without seriously affecting other properties of the belt members.

Preferably, the belt members are made of similar materials, or the same materials. Advantageously, the belt members are both made of non-woven materials. Advantageously, said outer surface of the end portion is provided with a surface texture being tactilely distinguishable from the texture of the main portion of the second belt member. 5

Preferably, the outer surface of the end portion is rendered tactilely distinguishable by modifying the belt material in said end portion. This is advantageous since in this case no additional material is needed for creating the tactilely distinguishable end portion. Generally, when modifying the belt material in the end portion, the modification will extend

10 all the way through the material, that is from the outer surface to the inner surface of the end portion. Advantageous modifications could be to provide a perforation being different than a perforation in the main portion of the belt, embossing or pressing the material in the end portion, providing bonding regions in the material being different in the end portion than in the main portion of the belt, ultrasonic welding of the end portion, or heat

15 calendering of the end portion.

Heat calendering is particularly preferred. Heat calendering is advantageous in that it provides an increased stiffness to the belt end portion, which may be distinguishable by a user. Although the stiffness may be increased so as to be distinguishable, the end portion 20 may still be made sufficiently soft not to cause discomfort to the wearer. Moreover, the heat calendering does not add any thickness to the belt end portion, which could potentially also cause slight discomfort. Further, heat calendering is easy to perform and to include in existing manufacturing facilities for belted articles.

25 Advantageously, the end portion has an extension along said belt member of <20% of the length of said first belt member, preferably of <10% and most preferably of <5% of the length of said belt member.

Advantageously, the end portion has an extension along said belt member being less than 30 10 cm, preferably between 0.5 and 5 cm, most preferred between 1 and 3 cm. Generally, the end portion could have an extension being greater than 0.3 cm, preferably greater than 0.5 cm, most preferred greater than 1 cm.

Preferably, the end portion could be rendered tactilely distinguishable e.g. by a surface 35 texture extending continuously over the extension of the end portion along the belt member. This might be advantageous in view of achieving increased stiffness of the end portion as discussed above.

Alternatively, the end portion could be rendered tactilely distinguishable by e.g. a surface texture being applied intermittently over the extension of the end portion along the belt member.

Advantageously, the end portions of both belt members are rendered tactilely distinguishable from the main portion of the other belt member. This is particularly advantageous for embodiments where fastening means are arranged on both belt members in such a way that either of the belt members may be provided over the other when closing the diaper. Most preferred, the end portions of both belt members are also rendered tactilely distinguishable from the main portion of the corresponding belt member.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a belted disposable article having a longitudinal and a transverse direction, comprising: a liquid permeable top sheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet and an absorbent body enclosed there between, and a front portion, a rear portion and a crotch portion there between, and a first and a second belt member being attached to the front or rear portion of the article and extending in the transverse direction of the article, said belt members are intended to be fastened together around the waist of the wearer, and a fastening means for fastening said belt members in the closed position

wherein the method comprises: rendering the outer surface of an end portion the first belt member tactilely distinguishable in relation to the second belt member.

Preferably, the method further comprises:

- rendering the outer surface of the end portion of the first belt member tactilely distinguishable from the main portion of the first belt member. Advantageously, the method comprises rendering the outer surface of the end portion of the first belt member tactilely distinguishable from the second belt member before attachment of the belt members to the article.

Preferably, the method comprises:

- folding the belt members to an overlapping position in relation to each other; such that the first belt member is provided outside of the second belt member such that the end portion of the first belt member is tactilely distinguishable from the main portion of the second belt member. Thereby tactile identification of said end in relation to the rest of said belt member and the underlying belt member enabled.

By the latter method, a folded article is provided, said article having the benefit of being particularly easy to unfold, as the determination of the position of the outermost belt member is facilitated by the presence of the tactilely distinguishable end portion.

Advantageously, said step of rendering the end portion of the first belt member tactilely distinguishable is performed prior said step of folding the belt members to an overlapping position.

Preferably, the outer surface of the end portion is provided with a surface texture being tactilely distinguishable from the texture of the main portion of said first belt member.

Advantageously, said step of rendering the end portion of the first belt member tactilely distinguishable is achieved by modifying the belt material in said first belt member, preferably by heat calendering said first belt member.

The modification of the belt material could be performed already on a material web which is later cut into sections for forming individual belt members.

Preferably, <20% of the length of said belt member, preferably <10% and most preferably <5% of the length of said belt member is provided with tactilely distinguishable means.

It shall be understood that other options and advantages as explained above in relation to the article are equally applicable to the method. In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a folded belted disposable article as obtained by the method as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention will be described with reference to non-limiting examples, with reference to the enclosed schematic drawings wherein: Fig. 1 illustrates an article in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 2 illustrates the belt members of the embodiment of Fig. 1 when in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will, in the following, be exemplified by embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the embodiments are included in order to explain principles of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Figure 1 illustrates schematically an absorbent article 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The article extends in a transverse direction x and in a longitudinal direction y. The illustrated absorbent article 1 comprises a liquid permeable top sheet 2, a liquid impermeable back sheet 3 and an absorbent body 4 enclosed between the top sheet 2 and the back sheet 3, although not all absorbent articles 1 have such a structure. The article may be a baby diaper or an incontinence guard.

The liquid permeable topsheet 2 can consist of a nonwoven material, e.g., a spunbond material of continuous filaments, a meltblown material, a bonded carded fibrous web or a perforated plastic film. The liquid impermeable backsheet 3 may consist of a plastic film, a nonwoven material coated with a liquid impervious material or a hydrophobic nonwoven material which resists liquid penetration. The topsheet 2 and the backsheet 3 have a somewhat greater extension in the plane than the absorbent body 4 and extend outside the edges thereof. The topsheet 2 and the backsheet 3 are connected to each other within the projecting portions thereof, e.g., by gluing or welding by heat or ultrasonic.

The absorbent body 4 can be of any conventional kind. Examples of commonly occurring absorbent materials are cellulosic fluff pulp, tissue layers, highly absorbent polymers (so called superabsorbents), absorbent foam materials, absorbent nonwovens or the like. It is common to combine cellulosic fluff pulp with superabsorbents in an absorbent body. It is also common to have absorbent bodies comprising layers of different material with different properties with respect to liquid acquisition capacity, liquid distribution capacity and storage capacity. It is well-known to the person skilled in the art and does therefore not have to be described in detail. The thin absorbent bodies which are common in for example baby diapers and incontinence guards often comprise a compressed mixed or layered structure of cellulosic fluff pulp and superabsorbent.

The absorbent article is intended to enclose the lower part of the wearer's trunk. It comprises a front portion 5 intended during use to be worn against the front part of the wearer's body, a rear portion 6 intended during use to be worn on the rear part of the wearer's body, and a more narrow crotch portion 7 located between the front and rear portions and which is intended to be worn in the crotch part of the wearer between the legs. The front portion 5 exhibits a pair of tape tabs 8 or another type of fastening means such as hook and loop fasteners.

The pair of belt members 9 and 9' be attached, e. g., glued or ultrasonically welded, to the rear portion 6 of the absorbent article 1.

Alternatively, the belt members 9, 9' may form an integral part with the rear portion 6 as shown in Figure 1. The belt members 9, 9' are with their opposite ends intended to be fastened together by means of a fastening means 11. A portion of a first belt member 9 is then placed on top of a portion of the second belt member 9 ^' in an overlapping manner and the belt members 9, 9' attached to one another for example by means of a hook and loop system 11. The fastening means 11 can be located on the inside of the outer belt member 9 as in Figure 1 and/or the outside of the inner belt member 9 ^' or it may be attached as an extension to the outer belt member 9, as for example a tape tab (not illustrated). The term "inside" refers to the side of the belt member which is directed towards the body of the wearer. Attachment may also be achieved by an adhesive region on the inside of the outer belt member 9 and/or on the inside of the inner belt member 9 ^' .

The length of the belt member 9, 9 ^' is measured from the central longitudinal axis L of the absorbent article to the outermost end of the belt member. The combined length of the two belt members 9, 9 ^' is longer than the circumference of the wearer's trunk, since the portions of the belt members overlap each other when the absorbent article is mounted on the wearer.

The tape tabs 8 of the front portion 5 of the absorbent article 1 are intended to be 5 attached against the outside portions of the belt members 9, 9' in order to fasten together the absorbent article to achieve the desired pant-like shape in the closed position. Other fastening devices, such as the ones described above for the belt fastening means 11 may alternatively be used for the tabs 8.

10 According to an alternative embodiment, the belt members 9, 9 ^' are attached to the front portion 5 of the diaper and are thus intended to be fastened together on the back of the wearer. The tabs 8 are then arranged on the rear portion 6 of the diaper.

For an article for adults, the width of the belt members 9, 9' are normally between 5 and 15 20 cm, and preferably between 7 and 15 cm. For a child diaper, the width may be smaller, for example about 3 cm. The belt members 9, 9' are preferably a laminate of a carrier material, which forms the outside of the belt member, and a soft nonwoven, which forms the inside of the belt member intended to be in direct contact with the skin of the wearer. A suitable nonwoven material can be a spunbond material of e.g., polypropylene-, 20 polyester- or polyethylene fibres. Conjugate fibres may also be used. Another suitable nonwoven material can be a carded thermobonded material of e.g. polypropylene- , polyester- or conjugate fibres. The carrier material should be adapted to function as a reception surface for the tabs 8 and the fastening means 11. If using a hook and loop system, a nonwoven material may be appropriate as carrier material. If using tape, a 25 plastic film may be used. Also elastic laminates are suitable to use as material in the belt members in order to provide good fit and comfort to the wearer.

The outer surface of the end portion 10 of the first belt member 9 is provided with a tactilely distinguishable surface. The term "outer" refers to that the surface is directed

30 away from the body of the wearer. The outer surface of the end region 10 is thus different from the rest of the outer surface of the second belt member 9'. This difference can be felt by feeling for example with the fingers over the surface. It is therefore possible to feel the difference without being able to see, for example in a dark room or by visually impaired persons. The outer surface of the end portion 10 of the first belt member 9 may also be

35 tactilely different from the outer surface of the main portion of the first belt member 9. The tactile difference may be achieved by providing the outer surface of the end portion 10 with a different surface texture, e.g. by locally heat calendering the material of the belt member. The heat may then at least partly melt the surface material and thereby change its surface properties. Depending on the pressure when calendering, the material of the end portion is more or less flattened out. Alternatively, the surface material may be embossed, either by cold embossing or heat embossing.

It would also be possible to apply another material to the surface, e.g. in the form of a surface coating.

Other alternatives for creating the tactile difference are mentioned above in the summary of the invention.

In addition to the tactilely distinguishable means, the belt end may optionally be designed to provide a visual impression, for example by using another colour for the end portion 10 than for the rest of the belt member, e.g. a signal colour or a fluorescent colour.

Normally the absorbent articles are distributed and stored in a folded position, wherein the belt members 9, 9' are folded so that they overlap each other. When the absorbent article 1 is to be used, it is unfolded from its folded position and the belt members 9, 9' are unfolded. Since the end portion 10 of the first belt member 9 is tactilely distinguishable, the wearer/nursing staff person wanting to mount the absorbent article on the wearer is helped to find the end of the belt member in order to more easily grasp the end and unfold the article before mounting. The absorbent article 1 is therefore preferably folded in its folded position, so that the belt member 9 having the tactilely distinguishable end portion 10 is located on top of the other belt member 9'.

As an alternative the end portions of both belt members 9, 9 ^' may be provided with tactilely distinguishable end portions 10. In that way, it does not matter which belt member 9, 9' is folded to be on top of the other in the folded position. Moreover, it does not matter which belt member 9, 9 ^' is outwards in the overlapping zone in the closed position on the wearer. Figure 2 illustrates the belt members 9, 9 ¹ in an overlapping position when the absorbent article is in the closed position mounted on the wearer. A portion of the first belt member 9 is placed on top of a portion of the second belt member 9' in an overlapping manner. The length of the overlap region is adapted, such that the total length of the absorbent article portion surrounding the trunk of the wearer is adapted to the circumference of the wearer's waist region. The overlap region may be made longer in the transverse direction x than the length of the tactilely distinguishable end portion 10. This is preferred if the treatment to achieve tactile difference also have affected the inner surface of the belt member and thus otherwise might cause discomfort to the wearer if in direct contact to the skin.

After use the absorbent article has to be removed from the wearer. It is then desirable to easily find the end portion 10 of the belt member 9 in order to open the belt again. The end portion 10 being tactilely distinguishable makes it easy to find, for example in a dark room or by visually impaired persons.

The article as described above may advantageously be manufactured in accordance with an embodiment of the method of the present invention. During the manufacture, the end portion 10 of one of the belt members 9 may then be modified, e.g. by heat calendering. Advantageously, the heat calendering is made prior to application of the belt members to the article. Moreover, it is particularly useful to perform the heat calendering before application of the fastening means 11 to the inside of the end portion 10. Preferably, the heat calendering may take place on a continuous belt member material web, before said web is cut and formed into individual belt members.

Once the article is formed, it may be folded to a position where the belt members overlap each other. The article may conveniently be delivered in such a folded position. Due to the tactilely distinguishable overlying belt end 10, the article will be particularly easy to unfold from said folded position before use.

The invention has been described above by way of examples only and the skilled person will appreciate that many modifications of the above-described embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the appended claims.