Highly flexible absorbent laminate and method for the production thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the continuous production of a flexible liquid-absorbing web material having two outer layers, at least one of which is formed by a textile material, between which are inserted at least two stretchable-elastic intermediate layers that are pre-stressed with respect to said layers and comprise filaments or bands arranged running in opposite directions to each other and obliquely with respect to the production direction. The intermediate layers shorten and gather the web material substantially transversely to the production direction thereof when the intermediate layers are relieved of stress. Powder-form or fibre-form inserts, which have absorbent properties for liquids, such as urine, blood, water or sweat, or resorbing properties, such as release of medicinal substances, cosmetic ingredients or for generating heat/cold, are introduced into the free spaces of the elastic intermediate layer.

1 . A method for producing a flexible, absorbent sheeting material consisting of two outer textile layers wherebetween are incorporated two pre-tensioned elastic interplies and sections of superabsorbent granulate, produced by a textile outer layer being folded over an elongate core to form a tube, this tube being reduced in size by tapering the cross section of the core and being wrapped with groups of untensioned elastic threads or bands in a contrarotating manner in the form of a tube reinforcement, pressure-sensitive adhesive being applied to these groups of elastic elements and these elements being brought into contact with the tube of the first outer layer by spreading over the core under tension, both together being brought into a flat shape in the further course of the forward feed movement of the tube on the core, and by intermittent or continuous supply of individual tracks of superabsorbent being bonded to two lengths of a second outer layer and being longitudinally cut open to form transversely elastic individual lengths. 
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that one of the two outer layers is a self-supporting film. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that this self-supporting film is water vapor permeable. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that instead of the superabsorber, another functional granulate is introduced. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that instead of the granulate, a functional material is introduced in flake, paste or fiber form. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one of the outer layers is water impermeable, but is rendered permeable in combination with the pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one of the outer layers is water impermeable, being rendered punctiformly permeable by mechanical pressure or aperturing while the two outer layers are being bonded together. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the first layer of material is relaxed and shortened in its transverse direction before the bonding to the second outer layer by exploiting the pre-tensioning of the applied elastic plies such that, in combination with the second outer length of material, the resulting sheeting material exhibits enhanced shirring on the sheeting side formed by the first outer layer. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the super absorbent-facing side of the second outer layer has an additional pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to it in the dry state for fixing the superabsorbent in a sheetlike manner. 
     
     
         10 . An elastic, flexible and absorbent or resorbent sheeting material produced as claimed in  claim 1 .