HYGIENIC ARTICLE WITH BACKSHEET ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A hygienic article including a topsheet, a backsheet having first and second end edges extending in a lateral direction of the article and first and second side edges extending in a longitudinal direction of the article, and first and second leg elastic members extending along the first and second side edges of the backsheet. The backsheet includes first and second leg elastic anchoring portions extending along the side edges of the backsheet, the first and second leg elastic anchoring portions including two layers of backsheet material, with the first and second leg elastic members being arranged between the two layers of backsheet material, the first and second leg elastic members terminating at a distance from the first end edge of the backsheet, first leg elastic free portions are arranged at the first end edge of the hygienic article.

Claims

1. A hygienic article having first and second end edges and first and second side edges and comprising a topsheet, a backsheet arrangement having first and second end edges extending in a lateral direction of the article and first and second side edges extending in a longitudinal direction of the article, first and second side flaps extending laterally from the first and second side edges of the hygienic article, respectively, and first and second leg elastic members extending along the first and second side edges of the backsheet arrangement, wherein the backsheet arrangement comprises first and second leg elastic anchoring portions extending along the side edges of the backsheet arrangement, the first and second leg elastic anchoring portions comprising two layers of backsheet material, with the first and second leg elastic members being arranged between the two layers of backsheet material, the first and second leg elastic members terminating at a distance from the first end edge of the backsheet arrangement, whereby first leg elastic free portions are arranged at the first end edge of the hygienic article.

2. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein an absorbent member is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet arrangement.

3. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the first and second end edges of the hygienic article are waist edges and wherein first and second leg edges are formed by the first and second side edges of the hygienic article.

4. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the backsheet arrangement comprises an inner layer and an outer layer.

5. The hygienic article according to claim 4, wherein the inner layer of the backsheet arrangement is a barrier layer and the outer layer of the backsheet arrangement is a nonwoven layer.

6. The hygienic article according to claim 4, wherein the outer layer has a flat non-folded width in the lateral direction of the hygienic article which is greater than a flat non-folded width of the inner layer in the lateral direction of the hygienic article.

7. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the backsheet arrangement is non-extensible in the lateral direction of the hygienic article.

8. The hygienic article according to claim 4, wherein the first and second leg elastic anchoring portions are formed solely from the outer layer.

9. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the elastic members include multiple elastic strings.

10. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the first and second elastic members are attached inside the leg elastic anchoring portions in a tensioned state.

11. The hygienic article according to claim 9, wherein the first leg elastic free portions are formed by the first and second leg elastic members being retracted from the first end edge.

12. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the two layers of backsheet material forming the leg elastic anchoring portions are attached to each other with a first bonding pattern within the leg elastic anchoring portions and with a second bonding pattern within the leg elastic free portions, the first bonding pattern being an elastic anchoring pattern and the second bonding pattern being an elastic release pattern.

13. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the first and second leg elastic members terminate at a distance from the second end edge of the backsheet arrangement, whereby second leg elastic free portions are arranged at the second end edge of the backsheet arrangement.

14. The hygienic article according to claim 13, wherein the second leg elastic free portions are formed by the first and second leg elastic members being retracted from the second end edge.

15. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the two layers of backsheet material forming the leg elastic anchoring portions are attached to each other by means of adhesive.

16. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the two layers of backsheet material forming the leg elastic anchoring portions are attached to each other by means of ultrasonic welding.

17. The hygienic article according to claim 4, wherein the outer layer of the backsheet arrangement includes a spunbond material and optionally a meltblown material.

18. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the leg elastic anchoring portions 4 are formed by folded-in edge portions of the backsheet arrangement.

19. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the leg elastic anchoring portions are formed by laminating a first sheet of backsheet material with a second sheet of backsheet material or by laminating a first sheet of backsheet material with first and second strips of backsheet material.

20. The hygienic article according to claim 4, wherein the outer layer and/or the inner layer of the backsheet arrangement comprises a breathable polymeric film.

21. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the side panels are attached to the backsheet arrangement along the side edges of the hygienic article at the first end edge and/or at the second end edge of the hygienic article or wherein the hygienic article is a panel-type diaper, a front end edge of the backsheet arrangement being joined to a front body panel and a rear end edge of the backsheet arrangement being joined to a rear body panel.

22. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the hygienic article comprises fastening elements for fastening the article in a pant-like configuration on a wearer.

23. A method for producing a hygienic article the method including the steps of: producing a continuous backsheet web by continuously feeding first and second leg elastic members between first and second layers of backsheet material and securing the first and second leg elastic members between the first and second layers of backsheet material in first and second leg elastic anchoring portions arranged intermittently along corresponding first and second longitudinal edges of the continuous backsheet web and being separated by leg elastic release portions, the first and second leg elastic members being secured to the continuous backsheet web in the leg elastic anchoring portions while being held in a stretched state; forming a continuous article web of interconnected hygienic articles, the continuous article web incorporating the continuous backsheet web; severing individual hygienic articles from the continuous article web and simultaneously severing the first and second leg elastic members in the leg elastic release portions between the intermittently arranged leg elastic anchoring portions, causing the severed leg elastic elements to relax and retract within the leg elastic release portions.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein forming the continuous article web includes joining one or more of the following components to the continuous backsheet web: a topsheet; an absorbent member; a waistband component; side panels; an acquisition web; fastener elements; barrier cuffs; a wetness indicator.

25. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein the first and second side flaps are attachment flaps and are secured to the hygienic article between the topsheet and the backsheet arrangement in respective flap anchoring areas.

26. The hygienic article according to claim 25, wherein a portion of the backsheet extends between the leg elastic members and the top sheet.

27. The hygienic article according to claim 25, wherein the leg elastic anchoring portions and the leg elastic members are arranged laterally completely outward of inner edges of the flap anchoring areas.

28. The method according to claim 23, wherein the first and second side flaps are attachment flaps and are secured to the hygienic article between the topsheet and the backsheet arrangement in respective flap anchoring areas.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein a portion of the backsheet extends between the leg elastic members and the top sheet.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the leg elastic anchoring portions and the leg elastic members are arranged laterally completely outward of inner edges of the flap anchoring areas.

31. The hygienic article according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the backsheet arrangement extends between the leg elastic members and the top sheet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] The hygienic articles as disclosed herein will be further explained hereinafter with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

[0067] FIG. 1 shows a planar view of a hygienic article in the form of a diaper, from the side which is intended to be facing a wearer during use of the diaper;

[0068] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through the diaper in FIG. 1, taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1;

[0069] FIG. 3 shows a corner portion of the hygienic article in FIG. 1 as indicated at Ill in FIG. 1;

[0070] FIG. 4 shows the hygienic article in FIG. 1 during application to a wearer;

[0071] FIGS. 5a-5j show cross-sections of different backsheet arrangements; and

[0072] FIG. 6 shows a detail of a backsheet arrangement comprising an elastic anchoring portion and an elastic free portion with different bonding patterns; and

[0073] FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a method as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] Different aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the enclosed drawings. The embodiments disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forth herein.

[0075] It is to be understood that the drawings are schematic and that individual components, such as layers of material are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0076] With initial reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, there is shown a hygienic article 1 in the form of a diaper. As set out herein, the backsheet arrangement as disclosed herein may equally well be applied to any type of externally worn hygienic article, such as self-containing garments or inserts which are worn together with an outer panty or holder.

[0077] The hygienic article 1 has a first end edge 2 and a second end edge 4 and first and second side edges 6, 8. The first end edge 2 of the hygienic article 1 which is shown in FIG. 1 is a rear waist edge and the second end edge 4 of the hygienic article 1 is a front waist edge. The first and second end edges 2, 4 extend in a lateral direction T of the hygienic article 1 and the side edges 6,8 extend in a longitudinal direction L of the hygienic article 1.

[0078] The hygienic article 1 which is shown in FIGS. 1-4 comprises a topsheet 9 and a backsheet arrangement 10. An absorbent member 11 is disposed between the topsheet 9 and the backsheet arrangement 10. The hygienic article 1 may be divided in the longitudinal direction into a front portion 3, a rear portion 5 and a crotch portion 7 located between the front portion 3 and the rear portion 5.

[0079] A first side flap 12 is arranged extending from the first side edge 6 in the lateral direction T of the hygienic article 1 and a second side flap 13 extends from the second side edge 8 in the lateral direction of the hygienic article. The first and second side flaps 12, 13 are attachment flaps and are provided with fasteners 14, 15 for securing the hygienic article 1 in a pant-like configuration as shown in FIG. 4.

[0080] First and second leg elastic members 18, 19 extend in the longitudinal direction L of the hygienic article along first and second side edges 20, 21 of the backsheet arrangement 10. In the hygienic article 1 which is shown in FIGS. 1-4, the side edges of the backsheet arrangement 20, 21 coincide with the side edges 6, 8 of the hygienic article 1 and the end edges 2,4 of the backsheet arrangement 10 coincide with the end edges 2,4 of the hygienic article 1. It is not a prerequisite of the hygienic articles as disclosed herein that the end and side edges of the backsheet arrangement coincide with the end and side edges of the hygienic article.

[0081] The first and second side flaps 12, 13 each has an inner end portion 12′, 13′ which is secured between the topsheet 9 and the backsheet arrangement 10 within first and second flap anchoring areas 22, 23. The first and second flap anchoring areas 22, 23 are arranged at the first end edge 2. Each flap anchoring area 22, 23 has a lateral extension in the lateral direction T of the hygienic article 1 between an inner edge 25 and an outer edge 26 of the flap anchoring area 22, 23 and has a longitudinal extension in the longitudinal direction L of the hygienic article 1 between a waist edge 27 of the side flap 12, 13 and a corresponding leg edge 28 of the side flap 12, 13. In the hygienic article 1 which is shown in FIGS. 1-4, the waist edges 27 of the first and second side flaps 12, 13 coincide with the first end edge 2, i.e. the rear waist edge of the hygienic article 1.

[0082] The backsheet arrangement 10 comprises first and second leg elastic anchoring portions 30, 31 extending along the side edges 6, 8 of the hygienic article. The first and second leg elastic anchoring portions 30, 31 each comprise two layers of backsheet material 32, 33, the first and second leg elastic members 18, 19 being arranged between the two layers of backsheet material 32, 33. In FIGS. 1 and 3, the leg elastic anchoring portions 30, 31 and the leg elastic members 18, 19 are shown arranged laterally completely outward of the inner edges 25 of the flap anchoring areas 22, 23. The first and second leg elastic members 18, 19 terminate at a distance from the first end edge 2, whereby first leg elastic free portions 35, 36 are arranged at the first end edge 2. The first leg elastic free portions 35, 36 are arranged between the two layers of backsheet material 32, 33 and are placed at the ends of the leg elastic members 18, 19 within the areas of the first and second flap anchoring areas 22, 23.

[0083] The first and second leg elastic members 18, 19 are attached in the first and second leg elastic anchoring portions 30, 31 in a tensioned state. During production of the hygienic article 1, the leg elastic members 18, 19 have been bonded to the backsheet arrangement 10 such that they stay bonded within the leg elastic anchoring portions 30, 31 also after severing of the leg elastic members 18, 19. The portions of the leg elastic members 18, 19 which during production extend outside the leg elastic anchoring portions 30, 31 remain non-bonded or only weakly bonded during production and will snap-back from the first end edge 2 when the hygienic article 1 is finally severed from a production web. Accordingly, the first leg elastic free portions 35, 36 are formed by means of snap-back channels which are formed at the end edges 2, 4 of the hygienic article 1.

[0084] After retraction, the first and second leg elastic members 18, 19 have a length in the longitudinal direction L of the hygienic article 1 which is less than a total length of the hygienic article 1.

[0085] As disclosed herein, the leg elastic members 18, 19 are shielded in the leg elastic anchoring portions 30, 31 of the backsheet arrangement and are not in direct contact with the topsheet 9. Hence, the leg elastic members 18, 19 are not directly bonded to the topsheet 9. Attachment of the leg elastic members 18, 19 is made in a different plane from the attachment plane between the topsheet 9 and the backsheet arrangement 10 and does not interfere with the attachment of the side flaps 12, 13 as the bond-free or substantially bond-free snap-back channels provided in the elastic free areas are arranged in a different plane from the plane of the first and second flap anchoring areas 22, 23. In a hygienic article as disclosed herein, the need for snap-back channels between the topsheet and the backsheet has been completely eliminated. In the hygienic articles as disclosed herein, all areas of the topsheet which are in direct contact with the backsheet arrangement may be bonded to each other such that no weakened areas are created in the laminate which is formed by the topsheet and the backsheet arrangement. It may be preferred that the backsheet is attached to the topsheet in all overlapping portions at least outside the periphery of the absorbent member. Preferably, there is no bond-free area between the end edges of the absorbent member and the waist edges of the hygienic article. Furthermore, there are no bond-free channels which may constitute weakened portions acting as tear indications when putting on the hygienic article.

[0086] In the hygienic article 1 which is shown in FIGS. 1-4, the leg elastic anchoring portions 30, 31 are formed by folded-in edge portions of the backsheet arrangement 10, as is seen in FIG. 2. The leg elastic anchoring portions may be formed in the backsheet arrangement 10 in any other way as disclosed herein as long as the leg elastic elements are attached between two layers of the backsheet arrangement. Some alternative configurations of the leg elastic anchoring portions are those shown in FIGS. 5a-5j.

[0087] The first and second side flaps 12, 13 are attachment flaps which are tensioned when putting on the hygienic article and need to be firmly anchored between the topsheet 9 and the backsheet 10 to ascertain that they do not come off the article when exposed to laterally applied pulling forces. The first and second side flaps 12, 13 may be made from any suitable material as known in the art, such as fibrous nonwoven material. The first and second side flaps 12, 13 may be elastic or may be elastically stretchable, at least in the lateral direction of the hygienic article 1. The first and second side flaps 12, 13 may be breathable and are preferably soft and pliable for providing good body conformance and comfort.

[0088] The first and second side flaps 12, 13 which are shown in FIGS. 1-4 are provided with fastener elements 14, 15 which may be of any suitable kind such as adhesive or mechanical fasteners. A common type of mechanical fastener is hook-and-loop fasteners. In the hygienic article 1 in FIGS. 1-4, the fastener elements 14, 15 may be seen as hook-type fasteners, i.e. fasteners having multiple protruding elements which may engage with a corresponding loop-type fastener such as a loop-type nonwoven material. The receiving area 40 is shown in FIG. 4 to be located on the outside of the front portion 3 of the hygienic article 1, which in this case is an outer nonwoven layer of the backsheet arrangement 10.

[0089] Alternatively, the fastener elements 14, 15 may be seen as adhesive fastener tapes which are arranged to be attached on a receiving area arranged on the front portion 3 of the hygienic article 1. As disclosed herein, the first and second side flaps 12, 13 may alternatively be arranged to be attached to third and fourth side flaps arranged at the opposite waist edge. Accordingly, the first and second side flaps 12, 13 which are arranged at the rear waist edge 2, may be configured to be attached to the third and fourth side flaps 43, 44 which are located at the front waist edge 4. Furthermore, the first and second side flaps 12, 13 may have a lateral extension which is large enough such that the first and second side flaps 12, 13 can be fastened to each other in the manner of a belt. It is to be understood that in a hook-and-loop type fastener arrangement, the hook-type fastener elements may be arranged on a receiving surface while the loop type fastener elements are arranged on a first and/or a second side flap.

[0090] The provision of a backsheet arrangement 10 as disclosed herein makes it possible to provide selected leg elastification while avoiding having snap-back channels formed by bond-free areas between the topsheet and the backsheet. Such bond-free snap-back channels constitute weakened areas in the hygienic article 1 which may tear when subjected to tensile forces applied perpendicular to the extension of the bond-free channels as the first and second side flaps 12, 13 are stretched out and brought forward and fastened on the front portion 3 of the hygienic article 1 under tension as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0091] In previously known hygienic articles, bond-free snap-back channels are arranged immediately inward of side flap anchoring areas in the lateral direction of the hygienic article in order to avoid interference with the fastening of the side flaps. When the prior art side flaps are pulled apart and tensioned during application of the hygienic article on a wearer, the weak non-bonded snap-back channels are exposed to tensile stress which may cause the material in the hygienic article to rupture along the snap-back channel.

[0092] The third and fourth side flaps 43, 44 as shown in the figures are optional to the hygienic articles as disclosed herein. The third and fourth side flaps 43, 44, may be made from generally the same materials as the first and second side flaps 12, 13. The third and fourth side flaps 43, 44 may be provided with fastener elements, and may be arranged to contribute to fastening of the hygienic article on a wearer. In a hygienic article such as the hygienic article 1 in FIGS. 1-4 where the third and fourth side flaps 43, 44 are not fastening flaps, they will generally not be exposed to lateral tension and need not be as firmly anchored to the hygienic article as is the case for side flaps which are involved in tensioned fastening of the hygienic article around the waist of a wearer. Hence, in alternative to being attached between the topsheet 9 and the backsheet arrangement 10 in the same manner as the first and second side flaps 12,13, the third and fourth side flaps 43, 44 may be attached on the outer, wearer-facing surface of the topsheet 9 or on the outer, garment-facing surface of the backsheet arrangement 10.

[0093] When the third and fourth side flaps 43, 44 are attached between the topsheet 9 and the backsheet arrangement 10 in the same manner as the first and second side flaps 12,13, the leg elastic members 18, 19 are preferably applied in the same manner as in the rear portion 5 of the hygienic article 1, i.e. with elastic free portions 46, 47 created by arranging snap-back channels in the backsheet arrangement 10 at the front waist edge 4. The snap-back channels are arranged between the two layers of backsheet material 32, 33 between which the leg elastic members 18, 19 are applied.

[0094] The hygienic article 1 in FIGS. 1-4 is further shown to include an optional waist elastic member 45. The waist elastic member 45 is located at the rear waist edge 2 and extends in the lateral direction along only a part of the rear waist edge 2. Any other type of waist elastic may be used, as known in the art.

[0095] The absorbent member 11 is disposed between the topsheet 9 and the backsheet arrangement 10 to absorb liquid, such as urine or other bodily fluids, which has passed through the topsheet 9. The absorbent member 11 may be a single-layer structure or may be a layered structure as shown in FIG. 2. The absorbent member 11 may comprise suitable amounts of superabsorbent material. Such superabsorbent material is well known in the field of hygienic articles, and is constituted by water-swellable and water-insoluble material which is capable of absorbing large quantities of fluid upon formation of a hydrogel. The absorbent component may contain superabsorbent material in the form of fibers or particles of absorbent polymer material. For example, the superabsorbent material may be surface cross-linked, partially neutralized polyacrylates. The superabsorbent material, e.g., the superabsorbent fibers or particles, may be mixed with other absorbent or liquid uptake material or materials, such as cellulose fluff pulp, and/or be arranged in pockets or layers in the absorbent member 11.

[0096] The absorbent member 11 may further comprise components for improving properties of the absorbent member 11, such as integrity and strength. For example, the absorbent member 11 may comprise a binder or binders, such as binder fibers. Resilient fibers, chemically stiffened fibers, etc. may be present in the absorbent member 11 to counteract wet-collapse of cellulosic fibers. Such fibers may also be useful in retaining a fluid transporting capillary network in the absorbent component so that absorbent fluid may be distributed in the absorbent component and be absorbed by superabsorbent material also in parts of the absorbent component outside the initial wetting area of the hygienic article.

[0097] With reference to FIG. 5, there is shown a number of cross-sections through a leg elastic snap-back portion 50 of different backsheet arrangements 10 which may be used in any hygienic article as disclosed herein. The snap-back portions are shown as they appear during production of a hygienic article as disclosed herein, before severing of individual articles from the production web of interconnected articles, i.e. before the tensioned elastic members 18 have been cut off and retracted from the snap-back portion 50 to create a leg elastic free portion. The broken lines in all of FIGS. 5a-5j indicate the presence of construction bonding such as construction adhesive, thermo-bonding or ultrasonic bonding. Construction bonding is used to bond the layers and components of the backsheet arrangements 10 together and to bond the backsheet arrangement to other components of the hygienic article such as a topsheet, side flaps, etc. The leg elastic anchoring portions of the backsheet arrangements in FIGS. 5a-5j have the same appearance as the snap-back portions 50 shown in FIGS. 5a-5j, except that construction bonding is present to anchor the leg elastic members 18 in the leg elastic anchoring portions.

[0098] All the backsheet arrangements 10 which are shown in FIGS. 5a-5j comprise a first sheet material 55 and a second sheet material 56. The backsheet arrangements are intended to be incorporated into a hygienic article as disclosed herein with the first sheet material 55 being an inner layer facing toward the topsheet of the hygienic article and with the second sheet material 56 being an outer layer facing away from the topsheet of the hygienic article. The first sheet material 55 may be a liquid barrier material such as a liquid-impermeable plastic film, a nonwoven sheet which has been coated with a liquid barrier material, or some other flexible material sheet which has the ability to withstand liquid penetration. It may be advantageous if the liquid-impervious barrier is breathable, i.e. permits the passage of water vapour through the barrier sheet. The first sheet material 55 may be stretchable, elastically stretchable or non-elastic. The second sheet material 56, may be an outer covering sheet which may have a textile or textile-like appearance and/or at textile or textile-like feel. The second sheet material 56 may be a plastic film material, e.g. an embossed, reduced gloss film or a fibrous nonwoven material. Fibrous nonwoven materials have an excellent textile appearance and feel and low gloss and may be preferred as outer cover layers. However, it is to be understood that a backsheet arrangement as disclosed herein may consist of a single sheet material having the elastic elements arranged in side folds in the sheet material. Such backsheet arrangements would be accomplished e.g. by omitting the first sheet material 55 in FIGS. 5a, 5c and 5d, and by omitting the second sheet material 56 in FIGS. 5e and 5f.

[0099] Furthermore, although the first and second sheets of material are shown as continuous sheets, one of the first and second sheet materials may be a strips of backsheet material with a corresponding strip of backsheet material used in the leg elastic anchoring portion which is arranged along the opposite side edge of the backsheet arrangement.

[0100] In the backsheet arrangement which is shown in FIG. 5a, the elastic members 18 are arranged in an edge fold in the second sheet material 56, the second sheet material 56 forming both a first layer of backsheet material 32 and a second layer of backsheet material 33 between which two layers 32, 33 of backsheet material the leg elastic members 18 are applied. The edge-fold in the second sheet material 56 is made such that the folded-in edge portion 32 of the second sheet material 56 is located between the first sheet material 55 and the second sheet material 56. The first sheet material 55 is attached to the second sheet material 56 and is almost coextensive with the second sheet material in that the first sheet material 55 terminates in the lateral direction only a small distance from side edge 20 of the backsheet arrangement, the side edge 20 being defined by the edge fold in the second sheet material 56. In this manner, the first sheet material 55 extends in over the leg elastic members 18.

[0101] In the backsheet arrangement which is shown in FIG. 5b, the first sheet material 55 and the second sheet material 56 are non-folded and generally coextensive and form the first and second layers of backsheet material 32, 33 between which the leg elastic members 18 are arranged.

[0102] The backsheet arrangement which is shown in FIG. 5c differs from the backsheet arrangement 10 which is shown in FIG. 5a in that the first sheet material 55 extends laterally only slightly in over the folded-in edge portion of the second sheet material 56. Hence, the first sheet material 55 does not extend in over the elastic elements.

[0103] The backsheet arrangement which is shown in FIG. 5d differs from the backsheet arrangement 10 which is shown in FIG. 5c in that the edge-fold in the second sheet material 56 is made such that the folded-in edge portion of the second sheet material 56 is located on the side of the second sheet material 56 which faces away from the first sheet material 55.

[0104] In the backsheet arrangement which is shown in FIG. 5e, the leg elastic members 18 are arranged in an edge fold in the first sheet material 55, the first sheet material 55 forming both a first layer of backsheet material 32 and a second layer of backsheet material 33 between which two layers of backsheet material 32, 33 the leg elastic members 18 are applied. The edge-fold in the first sheet material 55 is made such that the folded-in edge portion 33 of the first sheet material 55 is located between the first sheet material 55 and the second sheet material 56. The second sheet material 56 is attached to the first sheet material 55 and is almost coextensive with the first sheet material in that the second sheet material 56 terminates in the lateral direction only a small distance from the side edge 20 of the backsheet arrangement 10, the side edge 20 being defined by the edge fold in the first sheet material 55. In this manner, the second sheet material 56 extends in over the leg elastic members 18.

[0105] The backsheet arrangement which is shown in FIG. 5f differs from the backsheet arrangement 10 which is shown in FIG. 5e in that the edge-fold in the first sheet material 55 is made such that the folded-in edge portion 32 of the first sheet material 55 is located on the side of the first sheet material 55 which faces away from the second sheet material 56.

[0106] In the backsheet arrangement which is shown in FIG. 5g, the leg elastic members 18 are arranged along a non-folded edge portion 33 of the first sheet material 55 on the surface of the first sheet material 55 which faces away from the second sheet material 56 and are covered by a folded-in edge portion 32 of the second sheet material 56, the folded-in edge portion 32 being folded onto the surface of the first sheet material 55 which faces away from the second sheet material 56.

[0107] The backsheet arrangement which is shown in FIG. 5h, differs from the backsheet arrangement which is shown in FIG. 5g in that the leg elastic members 18 are arranged on the surface of the first sheet material 55 which faces towards the second sheet material 56.

[0108] The backsheet arrangements which are shown in FIGS. 5i and 5j, are upside-down variants of the backsheet arrangements which are shown in FIGS. 5g and 5h. Accordingly, in FIG. 5i the leg elastic members 18 are arranged on the surface of the second sheet material 56 which faces away from the first sheet material 55 and are covered by a folded-over portion 33 of the first sheet material 55. In FIG. 5j, the leg elastic members 18 are arranged between the first and second sheet materials 55, 56.

[0109] With reference to FIG. 6, the two layers of backsheet material 32, 33 forming a leg elastic anchoring portion 30 may be attached to each other with a first bonding pattern 60 within the leg elastic anchoring portion 30 and with a second bonding pattern 61 within the leg elastic free portion 35. The first bonding pattern 60 is an elastic anchoring pattern and the second bonding pattern 61 is an elastic release pattern.

[0110] The elastic anchoring pattern 60 serves to firmly attach the elastic elements 18a-d of the leg elastic member 18 in a stretched functional state in the backsheet arrangement 10. The elastic release pattern 61 joins the layers of backsheet material 32, 33 to each other within the leg elastic free portions 35, but does not prohibit retraction of tensioned leg elastic between the layers of backsheet material. Accordingly, the elastic release pattern allows severed stretched elastic to snap-back within the leg elastic free portion.

[0111] The two layers of backsheet material 32, 33 forming the leg elastic anchoring portion 30 and the elastic release portion 35 may be attached to each other by means of adhesive. The adhesive is then applied with a greater surface coverage and/or which a greater basis weight within the area of the elastic anchoring pattern 60 than within the area of the elastic release pattern 61. Bonding may alternatively be effected by means of heat welding or ultrasonic welding as set out in EP 3 056 176 A1 and US 2016/0058624 A1. A denser boding pattern is then created in the leg elastic anchoring portion 30 than in the elastic release portion 35. The sparsely dispersed bond points or the adhesive in the elastic release pattern 61 are insufficient to counteract the retractive forces acting on the tensioned elastic elements 18a-d when the elastic elements 18a-d are severed. Consequently, the severed elastic elements 18b-d are released from any bonds in the elastic release pattern 61 and snap back from the position illustrated by the elastic element 18a, towards the leg elastic anchoring portion 30, as illustrated by the elastic elements 18b-18d.

[0112] Bonding between the first sheet material 55 and the second sheet material 56 outside the elastic anchoring portion 30 and the elastic release portion 35 may be made with any suitable bond pattern and bonding method.

[0113] The elastic member 18 in FIG. 6 is shown as a multistring elastic member with four elastic elements 18a-18e. it is to be understood that any suitable number of elastic elements may be used, such as 1-30 elastic elements, 2-20 elastic elements or 5 to 15 elastic elements.

[0114] With reference to FIG. 7, a method for producing a hygienic article as disclosed herein includes the following steps and procedures:

A—continuously feeding a first layer of backsheet material, the first layer of backsheet material being a continuous web having first and second side edges. The first layer of backsheet material may be an outer or inner backsheet layer in the hygienic article which is being produced, as set out herein.
B—continuously applying first and second leg elastic members along the first and second side edges of the first layer of backsheet material.
C—intermittently securing the first and second leg elastic members between the first layer of backsheet material and a second layer of backsheet material. The first and second leg elastic members are secured in first and second leg elastic anchoring portions which are arranged intermittently along the first and second longitudinal edges of the continuous first layer of backsheet material and which are separated by leg elastic release portions. The first and second leg elastic members are secured between the first and second layers of backsheet material while being held in a stretched state.

[0115] The second layer of backsheet material may be a second web of material which is continuous both in the machine direction and in the cross machine direction and has a width in the cross machine direction which is sufficient to cover the first and second leg elastic members. Alternatively, as set out herein, the second layer of backsheet material covering the first and second leg elastic members may be first and second continuous bands of material which are applied only along the first and second side edges of the first layer of backsheet material. A further alternative, as set out herein, is that the second layer of backsheet material is provided by folding-in edge portions of the first layer of backsheet material over the first and second leg elastic members.

D—obtaining a continuous backsheet web having leg elastic members arranged therein and being shielded from direct contact with other components of a hygienic article by being applied between two layer of backsheet material.

[0116] The backsheet web which is obtained at D may be further processed into a continuous article web of interconnected hygienic articles by joining one or more additional components to the continuous backsheet web such as:

a) a topsheet;
b) an absorbent member;
c) a waistband component;
d) side panels;
e) an acquisition web;
f) fastener elements;
g) barrier cuffs;
h) a wetness indicator.

[0117] The further processing of the backsheet web obtained at D may be performed directly on the moving continuous backsheet web. Alternatively, the backsheet web may be made as an intermediate article which is rolled up and converted into hygienic articles at a later time and/or at another location.

[0118] When all additional components have been added to the continuous backsheet web, individual hygienic articles are severed from the continuous article web while simultaneously severing the first and second leg elastic members in the leg elastic release portions between the intermittently arranged leg elastic anchoring portions, causing the severed leg elastic elements to relax and retract within the leg elastic release portions.

[0119] The articles 100, 200 and 300 which are shown in FIG. 7 illustrate that different types of hygienic articles may be produced using the continuous backsheet web. The type of hygienic article which is produced is determined by the additional components which are added to the continuous backsheet web, and on additional process steps which are performed, such as forming side seams, applying printed or embossed patterns, etc. The individual articles 100, 200, 300 may finally be folded and packaged, as known in the art.