Single-use absorbent sanitary article

Abstract

The invention relates to a single-use absorbent sanitary article, especially diapers, sanitary napkins, and incontinence articles. The inventive sanitary article comprises an absorbent body ( 30 ) that consists of at least two layers, one layer ( 32 ) for absorbing, distributing and temporarily storing liquid and facing the body when used, and one storage layer ( 34 ) on the side facing away from the body which has a content of at least 50% of superabsorbent polymer material. The inventive layer ( 32 ) for absorbing, distributing and temporarily storing liquid is extruded from a thermoplastic polymer to which a blowing agent is added.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Absorbent sanitary article for one-time use, specifically diaper, feminine napkin, incontinence pad, having an at least two-ply absorbent body ( 30 ) which comprises a layer for absorbing, distributing and temporarily storing fluid ( 32 ) contacting the body when the article is used and a storage layer ( 34 ) furnished on the side away from the body having a content of at least 50% by weight of superabsorbent polymer materials, characterized in that the layer for absorbing, distributing and temporarily storing fluid ( 32 ) is extruded from a thermoplastic polymer with the addition of a blowing agent.  
     
     
         2 . Sanitary article from  claim 1 , wherein the layer for absorbing, distributing and temporarily storing fluid ( 32 ) has a total pore volume of at least 30 ml.  
     
     
         3 . Sanitary article from one of the preceding claims, wherein the layer for absorbing, distributing and temporarily storing fluid ( 32 ) is essentially free from superabsorbent polymer materials.  
     
     
         4 . Sanitary article from one of the claims  1 ,  2  or  3 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises a polyolefin, specifically polypropylene and/or polyethylene.  
     
     
         5 . Sanitary article from one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the degree of foaming is greater than 50%.  
     
     
         6 . Sanitary article from one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the degree of foaming is greater than 100%.  
     
     
         7 . Sanitary article from one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the layer for absorbing, distributing and temporarily storing fluid ( 32 ) comprises 3%-30% by weight, specifically 10%-20% by weight fibers as additive materials.  
     
     
         8 . Sanitary article from  claim 7 , wherein the fibers are formed from polyester fibers.  
     
     
         9 . Sanitary article from one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the unit weight of the layer for absorbing, distributing and temporarily storing fluid ( 32 ) varies in the longitudinal and/or perpendicular direction.  
     
     
         10 . Sanitary article from one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the layer for absorbing, distributing and temporarily storing fluid ( 32 ) varies over its longitudinal direction.  
     
     
         11 . Sanitary article from one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a storage layer ( 34 ) is furnished on the side of the layer for absorbing, distributing and temporarily storing fluid ( 32 ) facing away from the body when in use and is extruded with said layer.  
     
     
         12 . Process for producing a layer for absorbing, distributing and temporarily storing fluid ( 32 ) as part of producing a sanitary article from one or more of the preceding claims  1 - 11 , comprising the following steps: 
 introduction of a thermoplastic polymer into an extrusion apparatus,    melting the thermoplastic polymer material,    introduction of a blowing agent under positive pressure,    extrusion of the mixture, where the blowing agent results in foaming of the thermoplastic polymer when pressure is reduced.    
     
     
         13 . Process from  claim 12 , wherein CO 2  is used as the blowing agent.  
     
     
         14 . Process from  claim 12  or  13 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is melted at temperatures of 80-200 degrees C.  
     
     
         15 . Process from  claim 12 ,  13  or  14 , wherein fibers are introduced into the extrusion apparatus as an additive.  
     
     
         16 . Process from one of the claims  12 - 16 , wherein a surfactant substance is introduced into the extrusion apparatus as an additive.  
     
     
         17 . Process from one of the claims  12 - 16 , wherein an extrusion cross-section is changed during extrusion.  
     
     
         18 . Process from  claim 17 , wherein the extrusion cross-section is changed in an oscillating manner.  
     
     
         19 . Process from claim  12 - 18 , wherein the process is integrated into a production process for sanitary articles and thereby the layer for absorbing, distributing and temporarily storing fluid ( 32 ) is extruded directly inside high-speed production machinery for sanitary articles.  
     
     
         20 . Process from  claim 19 , wherein the layer for absorbing, distributing and temporarily storing fluid ( 32 ) and the storage layer are formed inside the high-production machinery by co-extrusion of the layers.