Sca Hygiene Products Ab

Maria Fernkvist

Thami Chihani

Ingrid Gustafson

Fredrik Gellerstedt

Charlotta Hansson

Maryam Tondkar

An absorbent article includes a breathable backsheet material layer. At least a part of the layer includes a polymeric material exhibiting a discontinuous change in free volume in response to any of the following conditions or variables: liquid contact, the presence of certain ions, temperature and/or pH. One example of such polymeric materials is side chain liquid crystalline polymers which are able to undergo a phase transition between an isotropic phase and a nematic phase. The discontinuous change in free volume involves an abrupt change of the permeability of the breathable material layer.

Absorbent article containing a breathable material layer

A method for manufacturing a laminated structure for use in an absorbent article such as a diaper, a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, an incontinence pad or similar and being defined by a plurality of material layers comprising at least a first layer which is liquid-permeable, a second layer constituting an absorbent core and a third layer, each of the layers being formed of a material having a certain pore radius. The method includes bonding together the material layers by means of at least two ultrasonic welding steps; and providing an ultrasonic welding pattern for each of the welding steps, each of the welding patterns being defined by a plurality of bonding sites. The method includes providing the welding steps for forming generally the entire absorbent article; and selecting the welding patterns in a manner so that at least the entire laminated structure has a multiple pore radius.

Method and arrangement for manufacturing a laminated structure

An absorbent, porous structure ( ), intended for use in an absorbent article, wherein the structure ( ) exhibits a first region ( ), primarily consisting of a first material, which stands in direct connection with a second region ( ), primarily conssisting of a second material. The receding wetting angle &thgr; is larger for the first material than for the second material, whereby liquid transport between the two regions ( ) takes place in a direction from the first region ( ) to the second region ( ), at least when the porous structure ( ) is wet.

Absorbent structure having improved absorption properties

The invention relates to an absorption material ( ) comprising a carrier material exhibiting a coating ( ) of a thermosensitive polymer with a cloud point at a temperature in the vicinity of and somewhat below the body temperature of a healthy human being. The absorption properties of the polymer change at the cloud point, so that the polymer substantially lacks absorption capacity at a first temperature on one side of the cloud point but exhibits good absorption properties at a second temperature on the other side of the cloud point. Furthermore, the invention includes an absorbent article such as a diaper, an incontinence protector, a sanitary napkin, or the like, having an absorption body comprising an absorption material coated with a thermosensitive polymer.

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Mölndal, Sweden

Maria Fernkvist