Absorbent article with low cold flow construction adhesive

Abstract

Absorbent articles comprising a low cold flow construction adhesive suitable for joining at least two absorbent article components together, wherein the adhesive comprises an ethylene-based polyolefin resin and a crystallization enhancer, wherein at least one of the absorbent article components comprises a nonwoven material, and wherein the absorbent articles have an in-bag compression opening force of less than about 0.75N. Also, a method for assembling such articles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A disposable absorbent article comprising:
 a) a topsheet, a backsheet underlying the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and   b) a polyolefin-based construction adhesive suitable for joining an absorbent article component comprising a nonwoven material and another absorbent article component together, wherein the adhesive comprises a linear polyethylene homopolymer;   wherein the absorbent article has an in-bag compression opening force of less than about 0.75N.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is maintained at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 230° C. before application. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive further comprises an atactic polypropylene and polybutene. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening force is less than about 0.6N. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein the construction adhesive joins a core cover to an absorbent article component selected from the group consisting of: the backsheet, an acquisition layer, a distribution layer, and a dusting layer. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein the construction adhesive joins the backsheet to an absorbent article component selected from the group consisting of: a receiving member, a dusting layer, and an elastic material. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein the construction adhesive joins the topsheet to: (a) the backsheet adjacent a longitudinal edge of the absorbent article; (b) an underlying nonwoven layer; or (c) both. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein the construction adhesive joins an elastic material to a nonwoven material to form a barrier cuff. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent article is a diaper. 
     
     
         10 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent article is a training pant. 
     
     
         11 . A method of assembling an absorbent article comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a polyolefin-based construction adhesive wherein the adhesive comprises a linear polyethylene homopolymer;   b) providing an absorbent article component comprising a nonwoven material and a plurality of other absorbent article components; and   c) joining the absorbent article component comprising a nonwoven material to at least one of the other absorbent article components using the polyolefin-based construction adhesive so as to assemble the absorbent article whereby the absorbent article has an in-bag compression opening force of less than about 0.75N.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the adhesive is maintained at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 230° C. before application. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the adhesive further comprises an atactic polypropylene and polybutene. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the opening force is less than about 0.6N. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein step c comprises the step of joining a core cover to an absorbent article component selected from the group consisting of: the backsheet, an acquisition layer, a distribution layer, and a dusting layer. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein step c comprises the step of joining the backsheet to an absorbent article component selected from the group consisting of: a receiving member, a dusting layer, and an elastic material. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein step c comprises the application of the construction adhesive in a spiral spray or slot coating to join a topsheet to an underlying nonwoven layer. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein step c comprises the application of the construction adhesive via slot coating to join an acquisition layer or a distribution layer to a core cover. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein step c comprises the application of beads of the construction adhesive located between the nonwoven material comprising the cuff and the backsheet. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein step c comprises the application of the construction adhesive in a spiral spray or slot coating to join the topsheet to the backsheet so as to seal the longitudinal edges of the absorbent article.