WO2010039068A1

WO2010039068A1 - Incontinence article for men comprising a forming element

Info

Publication number: WO2010039068A1
Application number: PCT/SE2008/051102
Authority: WO
Inventors: Åsa LINDSTRÖM
Original assignee: Sca Hygiene Products Ab
Priority date: 2008-09-30
Filing date: 2008-09-30
Publication date: 2010-04-08

Abstract

The invention relates to a male incontinence absorbent article (1) comprising a bowl shaped collecting portion (7) comprising an absorbent core (17). The invention is characterized in that the absorbent article (1) comprises a forming element (9) that can be modelled by hand for forming the bowl shaped collecting portion (7) before and/or during use after individual needs.

Description

Incontinence article for men comprising a forming element

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a male incontinence absorbent article comprising an absorbent core that can be formed.

BACKGROUND ART

In the field of male urinal incontinence absorbent articles, it is known that the absorbent article comprises an absorbent core arranged to receive and store urine from a male user. An incontinence product for men is essentially different from a female incontinence product since the male genital area is completely different from the female genital area. The male incontinence article must be arranged to allow movement of both penis and scrotum when the male user is sitting, lying down, walks or runs. In prior art, for example, WO 96/05786 the absorbent article is formed into a cup-shape arranged to house the penis and scrotum. The entire article is creased or folded for allowing the user to bring the absorbent article from a relatively flat state to a cup-shaped state. However, the cup-shaped state is fixed and the cup- shaped article then has the same drawbacks as other cup-shaped male incontinence articles, namely the risk for side leakage for some users when the cup-shaped article is too small, too large, too ground, too wide etc. In order to meet the different needs for different people a number of differently sized and shaped articles must be manufactured and offered to the potential users. However, it is hard for a user to choose and a manufacturer cannot offer too many varieties, so a number of potential users have to choose an article that is not perfect, but that is, for example, too small or too large.

There is thus a need for an improved male incontinence article.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The invention refers to a male incontinence absorbent article comprising an absorbent core that remedies the above identified problems. The invention is characterized in that the absorbent article comprises a forming element that can be modelled by hand for forming a part of the absorbent article into a bowl shaped collecting portion before and/or during use of the absorbent article. Here "by hand" refers to the process of a human being altering the shape of the forming element by hand power.

One advantage of the invention is that the absorbent article can be individually adapted from the same basic form in order to achieve the best fit of the absorbent article based on individual needs for each individual male.

When the forming element is subject to stress that exceeds a critical value the material will undergo plastic, or irreversible, deformation. This critical stress can be tensile or compressive.

Ductility is a mechanical property used to describe the extent to which materials can be deformed plastically without fracture.

In physics and materials science, plasticity describes the deformation of a material undergoing non-reversible changes of shape in response to applied forces. For example, a solid piece of metal or plastic being bent or pounded into a new shape displays plasticity as permanent changes occur within the material itself. By contrast, re-shaping of wet clay is due to a rearrangement of separate fibers or particles. In engineering, the transition from elastic behavior to plastic behavior is called yield.

When describing the forming element according to the invention, ductility and yield will be used with the above definitions and the wording "rearranging" will be defined as a deformation by rearrangement of separate fibers or particles according to the above. The wording "modeling" will be used as a collective word for all the above mentioned definitions regarding the formation of the forming element.

The forming element may be comprised in a separate device arranged to be attached to the absorbent article. The separate device may comprise a pouch in which the forming element is arranged to be positioned and the separate device may comprise a fastening means for attachment to the absorbent article.

The separate device may alternatively constitute the forming element and the separate device may comprise a fastening means for attachment to the absorbent article.

The absorbent article may comprise a pouch in which the forming element can be positioned and the forming element may be a separate device that can be releasably attached to the absorbent article. According to the invention the fastening means is detachable from the absorbent article for repeated use. Hence, the forming element is a separate entity from the absorbent article and is either comprised in a separate device arranged to be attached to the absorbent article, or is arranged to be attached to the absorbent article, or is arranged to be inserted into a pouch arranged in the absorbent article.

The forming element may be in the form of one part or a number of parts being parallel and/or crossing each other. The forming element may be in the form of a strip or a round bar. Here "strip" refers to a piece of material being thinner than wide and essentially longer than wide. Here "round bar" refers to a piece of material having an essentially round or oval cross-section. The forming element may also be in the form of one or several layers covering parts of or the entire bowl shaped collecting portion. The forming element may have different width, thickness, material and properties along its length extension. The forming element may be arranged straight or curvilinear in the absorbent article.

The forming element may comprise a material that is activated by energy, for example electromagnetic energy, i.e. microwaves UV-light, etc; convective heat and conductive heat. Here "activated" refers to the material changing properties after having received energy above a threshold level in such away that the forming element can be shaped/modelled into a desired shape and that the forming element remains its shape when the energy source is removed and the forming element cools down to an energy level below the threshold level.

Furthermore, the absorbent article could be used as an insert for a male user in a larger absorbent article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will below be described further in connection to a number of drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a top view of a male incontinence absorbent article according to the invention;

Fig. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of a first example of a male incontinence absorbent article according to the invention;

Fig. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of a second example of a male incontinence absorbent article according to the invention;

Fig. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of a third example of a male incontinence absorbent article according to the invention;

Figs. 5a schematically shows a perspective view of a forming element according to a first example of the invention;

Figs. 5b schematically shows a perspective view of a forming element according to a second example of to the invention;

Figs. 5c schematically shows a perspective view of a forming element according to a third example of the invention, and in which;

Fig. 6 schematically shows a perspective view of a fourth example of a male incontinence absorbent article according to the invention. EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 schematically shows a top view of a male incontinence absorbent article 1 according to the invention. The absorbent article 1 has a front portion 2 and a rear portion 3 extending essentially in a lateral direction Y and two side portions 4 extending essentially in a longitudinal direction X. The absorbent article may be flat before use and then shaped into a three dimensional form that can be described by the longitudinal direction X, the lateral direction Y and a thickness direction Z. The rear portion 3 is narrower than the front portion 2 since the rear portion 3 should fit between the thighs in the groin area of a user and the front portion is intended to lie against the lower abdomen of the user. Figure 1 shows that the projection of a three dimensionally shaped absorbent article 1 in a plane gives the absorbent article an essentially triangular shape in the plane, but any shape is possible as long as a male user comfortably can cover the penis and scrotum during use.

The absorbent article 1 comprises an edge 5 delimiting an opening 6 and a bowl shaped collecting portion 7 extending essentially in the Z-direction. The bowl shaped collecting portion 7 and the opening 6 delimits an inner cavity 8 in which the penis and scrotum should be housed during use. The form of the opening depends on the shape of the edge. When the absorbent article is shaped for use the edge is normally curvilinear which renders the opening curved. The bowl shaped collecting portion 7 could be made by bending a flat absorbent article 1 over a folding line until a suitable angle is reached for fitting the article around the lower abdomen and the groin area between the thighs. Here, the opening has an extension in all three dimensions X, Y, Z, i.e. from one side portion 4 over the front and rear portions 2, 3 and to the other side portion 4.

The bowl shaped collecting portion 7 could also be made by bending a flat absorbent article 1 over a laterally extending folding line until a suitable angle is reached for fitting the article around the lower abdomen and the groin area between the thighs and by bending the absorbent article over one more essentially longitudinally extending folding lines for creating a cup shape or bowl shape that can be fitted over the penis and scrotum of the user. Here, the opening has an extension in all three dimensions X, Y, Z, i.e. from one side portion 4 over the front and rear portions 2, 3 and to the other side portion 4.

Figure 1 shows that the absorbent article 1 comprises a forming element 9 extending along the bowl shaped collecting portion 7. The forming element 9 may extend over an outer surface 10, over an inner surface 11 or within the bowl shaped collecting portion 7, i.e. e.g. between different layers. The outer surface refers to that part of the absorbent article that faces away from a user during use and the inner surface refers to that part of the absorbent article that faces towards a user during use. The forming element 9 is a separate entity from the absorbent article 1 for allowing the user to choose between using it and not using it and then also how to use it. Hence, the forming element 9 can be attached to the absorbent article 1 and also detached. Here, "attached" means all alternatives that allows the forming element 9 to be a part of the absorbent article 1 for modelling the absorbent article 1. For example, the absorbent article 1 may comprise a pouch into which the forming element 9 can be inserted and retracted, or the forming element 9 may be comprised in a separate part that can be attached to the absorbent article 1 , or the forming element 9 may itself comprise fastening means for attachment to the absorbent article 1.

When the absorbent article 1 is to be worn, the user forms the bowl shaped collecting portion 7 by hand by changing/modelling the form of the forming element 9 after being attached to the absorbent article 1. The absorbent article 1 is then brought over the penis and scrotum in such a way that the penis and scrotum passes the opening 6 and enters into the inner cavity 8.

The form of the bowl shaped collecting portion 7 may be further changed by the user by changing form of the forming element 9 during use. The forming element 9 is arranged to be able to be formed by the hand(s) of a user and the forming element 9 can have different characteristics dependent on the intended user since some people, for example handicapped or older persons, can be weaker than an ordinary middle aged man. The different characteristics mainly refer to the stress/force threshold that needs to be overcome in order for the forming element 9 to be modelled.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of a first example of a male incontinence absorbent article according to the invention. Figure 2 shows that the forming element 9 is inserted into a pouch 12 extending from one part of the edge 5 to another part of the edge 5. In figure 2, the pouch 12 extends in the lateral direction Y and on the outer surface 10 of the bowl shaped collecting portion 7. The pouch 12 may extend various directions and may comprise several parts extending in different directions. For example, the forming element 9 may comprise several parts as in figure 3, or one part extending in the longitudinal direction X as shown in figure 4. Furthermore, the pouch 12 may be a part of the absorbent article 1 or a separate device attachable to the absorbent article 1.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of a second example of a male incontinence absorbent article 1 according to the invention. In figure 3 the forming element 9 comprises two parts 9a, 9b extending diagonally from one side 4 of the absorbent article 1 to another, and crossing each other in the apex 13 of the bowl shaped collecting portion 7. In case the forming element 9 is arranged in a pouch according to figure 2, the forming elements 9a, 9b may cross each other within a common pouch intersection; or one or both pouches may have an opening or may be interrupted at the intersection of the forming elements. If the forming device 9 is a separate device or part of a separate device being attached to the absorbent article 9, the separate devices may cross each other after attachment so that one separate device crosses over or under the other. The absorbent article may comprise more than two forming elements and the above discussion regarding the crossing of the forming elements is valid for one or more intersections accordingly.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of a third example of a male incontinence absorbent article 1 according to the invention. Figure 4 shows that the forming element 9 extends from the front portion 2 to the back portion 3 over the outer surface 10 of the bowl shaped collecting portion 7. As been stated before, the forming element 9 may extend on the inner surface 11 or within the material forming the bowl shaped collecting portion 7.

Figures 2-4 show that the forming element 9 extends from the edge 5 of one side 4 of the absorbent article 1 to the edge 5 of the opposite side 4 of the absorbent article 1 or from the edge 5 of the front portion 2 of the absorbent article 1 to the edge 5 of the rear portion 3. The invention is not limited to such extensions, but the forming element 9 can start and/or stop at a distance from the edges 5 in the longitudinal direction X and/or lateral direction Y.

Fig. 5a-5c schematically show perspective views of a forming element 9 according the invention. The forming element 9 in figures 5a-5c is much longer than it is wide and thick and has an essentially rectangular cross- sections, but any shape is possible, for example a cross-section being triangular, round, oval, quadratic, polygonal. The forming element 9 may have different width and thickness along its length extension.

The forming element 9 could be formed from one or several materials and may be homogenous, heterogeneous, and may be layered or may comprise different materials in different sections for different modelling capabilities.

Figure 5a schematically shows a single forming element 9 suitable for use with a pouch (12, fig. 2) as described in connection to figure 2.

Figs. 5b schematically shows a perspective view of a forming element 9 according to a second example of to the invention. In figure 5b, the forming element 9 is fitted into a cover 14; i.e. is fully covered by a material 14 which can be loosely or tightly fit around the forming element 9; that can be attached to the absorbent article by fastening means (not shown). The forming element 9 in figure 5b is suitable for any one of the examples described in connection to figures 2-4.

Figs. 5c schematically shows a perspective view of a forming element 9 according to a third example of the invention. Figure 5c shows that the forming element 9 is partly covered with a material 15 intended to be attached to the absorbent article. The material 15 could comprise a fastening means 16 for attachment to the absorbent article. The forming element 9 in figure 5c is suitable for any one of the examples described in connection to figures 2-4.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a perspective view of a fourth example of a male incontinence absorbent article according to the invention. Figure 6 is identical to figure 2 with the exception that a longitudinally extending pouch 12 is arranged in the absorbent article on either side of the absorbent article. Figure 6 shows that a forming element 9 is arranged in each longitudinally extending pouch 12. The laterally extending forming element 9 allows for forming the absorbent article 1 in the lateral direction and the longitudinally extending forming elements 9 allow for forming the absorbent article 1 in the longitudinal direction.

Any combinations of the examples in figures 1-6 are possible. For example, combining the teaching of figures 2 and 4 gives two parts of the forming element forming a cross; or a combination of the teaching in figures 2 and 3 or 3 and 4 gives a forming element with three parts crossing each other; or combining the teaching of figures 2-4 gives a forming element with four parts crossing each other. Furthermore, the forming element may comprise more parts and the arrangement of the forming element is not restricted to what is shown in figures 2-4, but various alternatives are possible. With reference to all figures, one example of a forming element is a stainless metal piece having a width of 5-1 Omm, preferably 7-8mm, a thickness of 0.7mm and being of suitable length to fit the absorbent article. Advantageously, the length of the forming element is somewhat shorter than the length of the pouch or cover material. The forming element is advantageously covered in a material that protects the absorbent article and the user from sharp edges and points, for example plastic, rubber, cloth, or the like, and any combination thereof.

It should be mentioned that the fastening means discussed above can be part of the absorbent article and/or the forming element and/or separate device.

The absorbent article 1 discussed in connection to figures 1-4 and 6 comprises an absorbent core 17 for absorbing urine. The absorbent core is mainly positioned within, and/or mainly constitute, the bowl shaped collecting portion. The absorbent article 1 may comprise different layers of materials, for example a liquid permeable surface layer on the inner surface bowl shaped collecting portion, a liquid impermeable backsheet on the outer surface of the bowl shaped collecting portion and an absorbent core there between. The absorbent core may comprise layers of absorbent materials with the same or different absorbent properties. The absorbent core may also be made from one material. The absorbent article may also comprise additional layers with different properties, for example a layer of material between the user and the absorbent core that spreads the urine along the main extension of the layer for optimal absorption of the absorbent core. The absorbent core may also comprise super-absorbents and /or fluff pulp for absorbing the urine. The absorbent article may have different properties in different parts or zones of the bowl shaped collecting portion. For example, the striking zone, i.e. where the major discharge is anticipated, may have a larger spreading and absorbing properties than in a surrounding environment. The male incontinence absorbent article may comprise a liquid-permeable topsheet, a backsheet which preferably is liquid-impermeable, and the absorbent core located therebetween. The absorbent article may furthermore comprise a fluid acquisition layer located between said topsheet and said absorbent core .

The absorbent article has a body-facing surface, which is the surface that makes contact with the user when the absorbent article is being worn. The absorbent article has a garment-facing surface, which is the surface that makes contact with a garment of the user when the absorbent article is being worn.

The topsheet and the backsheet of the absorbent article preferably have a somewhat greater extension in the plane than the absorbent core and the acquisition layer, and extend outside the edges thereof. The topsheet and the backsheet are connected to each other within the projecting portions thereof. Joining can take place by gluing, or by welding by means of ultrasonic device or a laser, or by mechanical joining, for example in the form of embossing or compression, etc. or by some other appropriate method of joining, for example by thermal bonding.

Considering that the liquid-permeable topsheet is intended to be in direct contact with the user's body, the topsheet is preferably manufactured from a material that exhibits characteristics such as dryness and softness when the absorbent product is being worn. It is also desirable for the topsheet to be non-irritating to the skin and to have a soft and textile-like surface which remains dry, even in the event of repeated wetting. The topsheet could consist of a nonwoven material, e.g. a spunbond nonwoven material, a carded nonwoven material, an air-laid nonwoven material, a spunlace nonwoven (hydroentangled) material, a meltblown nonwoven material, a wetlaid nonwoven material, or a combination of these. Said nonwoven material could be based on either natural fibres such as cellulose or cotton, or alternatively on synthetic fibres such as for example polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) polyester (PET), polyamide (PA), or a combination of these. If a combination is used, this could be a mixture of fibres from different natural and/or synthetic polymers, although each fibre can also contain different polymers (for example PP/PE bi-component fibres or PP/PE copolymers).

The topsheet could also be a perforated, hydrophobic nonwoven material in order to keep the surface which is closest to the user's body dry. Additionally, the holes of said perforated, hydrophobic nonwoven material impart a textile and comfortable feel to the topsheet.

The diameter of the holes of such a perforated, hydrophobic nonwoven material is larger than the distance between the fibres in the material. In this way, liquid can be led down through the holes in the topsheet to the subjacent absorption core. The skilled person will understand how the holes in the perforated, hydrophobic nonwoven material may be adjusted depending on the intake properties and the type of absorbent article which is to be produced.

The liquid-permeable topsheet could also comprise several layers of material, i.e. a laminate. Such a laminate could for example comprise a first and a second layer of material and consist of the same material or a combination of the following materials:perforated film/nonwoven, perforated film/perforated film, nonwoven/nonwoven, perforated nonwoven/nonwoven, and perforated nonwoven/perforated nonwoven. Herein, it is understood that the first layer of material is the layer which is intended to be facing the user, and the second layer of material is subjacent said first layer of material. The laminate could be fully or partially perforated. That is to say holes have been made through both layers or only in the first layer or in the second layer. In addition, the first layer can be of perforated solely in the central zone, or perforated in the full extent of the absorbent article. Similarly, the second layer can be of perforated solely in the central zone, or perforated in the full extent of the absorbent article. The layers of the laminate could be joined together by means of gluing, or welding by ultrasonic bonding or laser, or by mechanical joining, for example in the form of embossing or compression, etc. or by some other appropriate method of joining, for example by thermal bonding.

Reference is made to the entire content of EP 1 066 006 B1 and EP 1 102 678 B1 , both disclosing suitable materials and combinations of materials which are suitable for a laminate, and also disclosing a method for preparing a suitable laminate for use as a topsheet.

The backsheet is preferably liquid-impermeable and could consist of a plastic film, e.g. a polyethylene or polypropylene film, a non-woven material which for example could be treated with a liquid impervious material or a hydrophobic non-woven material which resists liquid penetration, or a laminate comprising plastic films and nonwoven materials. Other types of liquid barrier materials could also be used as liquid-impermeable backsheets, such as e.g. closed-cell plastic foams or various liquid barrier laminates. It is preferred that the backsheet is permeable to air and vapour so as to allow vapour to escape from the absorbent core, while still preventing liquids from passing therethrough. Examples of breathable backsheet materials are porous polymeric films, nonwoven laminates from spunbond and meltblown layers, laminates from porous polymeric films and nonwovens.

The absorbent article may also comprise an absorbent core, which could be of any conventional kind. Examples of commonly-occurring absorbent materials are cellulosic fluff pulp, tissue layers, highly absorbent polymers, so-called super absorbent polymers (SAP), absorbent foam materials, absorbent non-wovens or the like. SAP are water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic materials capable of absorbing at least about 10 times their weight as according to ISO 17190-6 "Gravimetric determination of fluid retention capacity in saline solution after centrifugation". Organic materials suitable for use as a superabsorbent material include natural materials such as polysaccharides, polypeptides and the like, as well as synthetic materials such as synthetic hydrogel polymers. Such hydrogel polymers include, for example, alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acids, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl pyridines, and the like. Other suitable polymers include hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, and isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymers and mixtures thereof. The hydrogel polymers are preferably lightly crosslinked to render the material substantially water insoluble. Preferred superabsorbent materials are further surface crosslinked so that the outer surface or shell of the superabsorbent particle, fiber, flake, sphere, etc. possesses a higher crosslink density than the inner portion of the superabsorbent. The superabsorbent materials may be in any form suitable for use in absorbent composites including particles, fibers, flakes, spheres, and the like.

It is common to combine cellulosic fluff pulp with superabsorbents in an absorbent core. It is also common to have absorbent cores comprising layers of different materials with different properties with respect to liquid acquisition capacity, liquid distribution capacity and storage capacity. The thin absorbent cores which are common in incontinence absorbent articles often comprise a compressed mixed or layered structure of cellulosic fluff pulp and superabsorbents. For example, the absorbent core material could comprise an upper absorbent core and a lower absorbent core. The term upper as used herein relates to the position of the product intended to be positioned closer to the user when in use, whereas the term lower as used herein relates to the position of the product closer to the garment-facing surface thereof. Furthermore, SAP in the lower absorbent core has the main function of increasing the liquid storing capacity of this layer whereas the main function of SAP in the upper absorbent core is to prevent rewet of liquid absorbed in this layer if the article is compressed by external forces during use. The SAP in the upper absorbent core could be of a different type than the SAP used in the lower absorbent core or be present in another percentage than in the lower absorbent core. The SAP may be applied in localised areas of an absorbent core, e.g. in intake regions, liquid distribution regions and/or liquid retention regions. The person skilled in the art will understand how the concentration of SAP in an absorbent core may be adjusted depending on the absorbent properties and the type of absorbent article which is to be produced, e.g. a high amount of SAP may be used in order to achieve a thin absorbent article, while lower amounts may be used in some hygiene articles intended for light incontinence products.

Optionally, the male absorbent article could also comprise a fluid acquisition layer for a quick transport of body fluids. The fluid acquisition layer has an open porous structure and should be able to quickly receive and temporarily store a certain amount of fluid and transfer it further to the underlying absorbent core. This is important, especially for the thin, compressed absorbent articles of today, which often have a high content of SAP. Absorbent articles of today certainly have high absorption capacity, but on the other hand they sometimes have a receiving speed which is too low to instantaneously cope with receiving large amounts of liquid which could be released upon urination within a few seconds time interval. The fluid acquisition layer is usually a so called high loft material produced by carding and through-air bonding or needling synthetic fibres, such as polyester, polypropylene or mixtures thereof. The absorbent core may also have different density in the different layers.

Claims

1. A male incontinence absorbent article (1 ) comprising a bowl shaped collecting portion (7) comprising an absorbent core (17), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the absorbent article (1 ) comprises a forming element (9) that can be modelled by hand for forming the bowl shaped collecting portion (7) before and/or during use.

2. An absorbent article (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the forming element (9) has ductility and yield properties allowing the user to model the forming element (9) and wherein the forming element (9) has an elasticity that makes the absorbent article (1 ) flexible but shape permanent in the modelled form.

3. An absorbent article (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the forming element (9) is comprised in a separate device arranged to be attached to the absorbent article (1 ).

4. An absorbent article (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the separate device comprises a cover (14) in which the forming element (9) is arranged to be positioned and wherein the separate device comprises a fastening means for attachment to the absorbent article (1 ).

5. An absorbent article (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the separate device constitutes the forming element (9) and wherein the separate device comprises a fastening means (16) for attachment to the absorbent article (1 ).

6. An absorbent article (1 ) according to any one of claim 3-5, wherein the fastening means (9) is detachable from the absorbent article (1 ) for repeated use.

7. An absorbent article (1 ) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent article (1 ) comprises a pouch (12) in which the forming element (9) can be positioned.

8. An absorbent article (1 ) according to claim 1 , 2 or 7, wherein the forming element (9) is a separate device that can be releasably attached to the absorbent article.

9. A forming element (9) for forming a bowl shaped collecting portion (7) in an absorbent article (1 ) according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that the forming element (9) has ductility and yield properties allowing the user to model the forming element (9) and wherein the forming element (9) has an elasticity that makes the absorbent article (1 ) flexible but shape permanent in the modelled form.

10. A forming element (9) according to claim 9, wherein the forming element (9) is a separate entity from the absorbent article (1 ), but is either comprised in a separate device (14) arranged to be attached to the absorbent article (1 ), or is arranged to be attached to the absorbent article (1 ), or is arranged to be inserted into a pouch (12) arranged in the absorbent article (1 ).