CZ20004353A3 - Disposable absorbent article having a fecal material control layer - Google Patents

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article (20) has a liquid-permeable topsheet (24), a backsheet (26) attached to the topsheet (24), and a fecal material control member (29) disposed between said topsheet (24) and said backsheet (26). The fecal material control member (29) includes a backing (120) and a layer of fibers (126). The layer of fibers (126) has attachment portions (127) to the backing at spaced apart attachment points (128) and has arcuate portions (130) extending from the backing between said attachment points (128).

Description

A disposable absorbent article having a fecal material control layer

Technical field

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to absorbent and / or contain body exudates, including those containing disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence articles, sanitary napkins and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles having the capacity to retain a low viscosity (viscous) faecal material from the wearer's skin to reduce leakage and facilitate cleansing of the wearer when the soiled disposable absorbent article is removed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable absorbent articles such as, for example, diapers and adult incontinence articles are well known in the art. These disposable absorbent articles collect and contain urine and faecal material excreted therein by the wearer.

To date, most of the prior art attempts to handle urine and faecal material collected and retained in a disposable absorbent article have been directed to urine management. Handling the faecal material collected by the disposable absorbent article is simply more difficult than the urine, due to the complex rheology of the low viscosity material.

An example of a prior art urine treatment technique is several attempts to provide disposable absorbent articles having a first upsheet facing the wearer ' s body and a secondary topsheet underneath the first topsheet that either absorbs urine or transfers it to the underlying storage container until the disposable absorbent article with the wearer will not be removed.

The first topsheet and the secondary topsheet typically have different material properties. The secondary topsheet may have a smaller pore size than the first topsheet to aid urine transfer through the topsheet. The first topsheet may be hydrophobic and (volumetric) more flexible when wetted than the secondary topsheet, in order for fluids to pass through the first topsheet into the secondary topsheet.

In yet another prior art experiment, the disposable absorbent article has a first topsheet, a secondary topsheet, and a core. The secondary topsheet consists essentially of meltblown hydrophilic fibers and has a pore size greater than that of the core. This arrangement allegedly allows the secondary topsheet to rapidly receive multiple doses of urine and distribute the fluid in the X-Y plane before being absorbed by the core. In yet another experiment, it has been reported that an increased capacity of the vertical urine leakage capability was achieved by using densified cellulosic fibers that were uncoated or crosslinked to one another.

In another attempt of the prior art, the absorbent core suitable for receiving and retaining liquids such as urine, in an effective and efficient manner, comprises multiple layers. The first layer closest to the wearer comprises hydrophilic 9 9 9 9 9 and 9 9 9 and 99 999 99 94 «99 99 941 fibrous material and has a reception zone with a relatively lower average density than other parts of this layer, in order to rapidly receive the exuded fluids. Below the first layer is a fluid control layer comprising a low density, high porous volume resilient material that is insensitive to moisture to rapidly receive doses of fluid through the acquisition zone and distribute these fluids through itself into the storage layer. The storage layer comprises a combination of fibrous material and discrete absorbent gelling material particles and allows the fluid-handling layers to drain the fluids it has collected so that the layer has sufficient capacity to receive and distribute further, successive doses of fluids.

Examples of these prior art experiments include US Patents: 4,047,531, issued September 13, 1977 to Karami; No. 4,798,603, issued Jan. 17, 1989 to Meyer et al; 5,037,409, awarded

August 6, 1991, Chen et al; 5,124,197, issued June 23, 1992 to Bernardin et al; and 5,134,007, granted July 28,

1992, Reising et al.

However, absorbent gelling materials are now well known in the prior art for their ability to handle urine. Absorbent gelling materials are polymeric materials capable of absorbing large amounts of fluids such as urine and retaining the absorbed fluids at moderate pressure. The effectiveness of absorbent gelling materials is entirely dependent upon the form, location, and weight percent of the absorbent gelling materials incorporated into the core of the disposable absorbent article.

Attempts have recently been made in the art to provide absorbent gelling materials having the ability to swell against pressure. These theories claim to provide the advantage that absorbent gelling materials absorb fluid under the actual pressures exerted by the body when worn. Still further attempts in this technique provide absorbent gelling materials, which have a particularly high level of swelling and absorption capacity under load. The putative advantages of these gel materials are lower volume and weight, with approximately the same absorption capacity, the ability to rapidly absorb secreted fluid under the pressures typically applied during use, and the ability to retain absorbed fluid under the pressures typically applied during wear.

Examples of these prior art experiments include U.S. Patents 5,147,343, issued September 15, 1992 to Kellenberger, and 5,149,335, issued September 22, 1992 to Kellenberger et al.

However, all of these attempts to control urine do little, if any, to improve the handling of low viscosity faecal material, which may also be present in disposable absorbent articles. Attempts to control fecal material include providing a first topsheet that conforms closely to the wearer and has an aperture. This aperture is woven with an anal aperture so that the fecal material passes through it into the void. The first topsheet may comprise various elastic portions for conforming closely to the wearer's skin and / or may have linear elastic strands. In the prior art, improvements have been made in this regard, such as optimizing the properties of the first topsheet materials, which makes the first topsheet more comfortable to the wearer and allows a single disposable absorbent article to fit a larger range of wearer sizes.

In the prior art, further attempts have been made in this field to provide an absorbent core with an aperture therein for receiving fecal material. The aperture may be crushed to be longer and narrower than the aperture in the first topsheet or may be diamond shaped. Hole in the core • 9 9 ·

9999 99 99 999 99 9 may be located below an opening having elastic strips around its edge.

Improvements of this kind of prior art disposable absorbent articles also include the addition of spacer parts. The spacer portions may be positioned between the first topsheet and the core to provide for the presence of free space to receive fecal material.

Still other attempts of this kind of prior art have been made to provide barriers that limit the movement of fecal material to separate portions of the disposable absorbent article. These barriers limit the contact of the faecal material to a smaller skin size of the wearer than comparable disposable absorbent articles without such barriers.

Still other attempts of the prior art provide barrier leg cuffs extending from the plane of the topsheet. The barrier leg cuffs prevent the faecal material from passing through the perimeter of the disposable absorbent article.

Examples of such attempts to treat fecal material include U.S. Patent 4,892,536, issued January 9, 1990 to DesMarais et al; U.S. Patent 4,909,803, issued March 20, 1990 to Aziz et al; U.S. Patent 4,968,312, issued November 6, 1990 to Khan; commonly assigned U.S. Patent 4,990,147, assigned

February 5, 1991, Freeland; commonly assigned U.S. Patent 5,037,416, issued August 6, 1991 to Allen et al; U.S. Patent 5,062,840, issued November 5, 1991 to Holt et al .; commonly assigned U.S. Patent 5,171,236, issued December 15, 1992 to Dreier et al; and European Patent Application 0 355 740 A2, published February 28, 1990, Enloe.

However, none of these attempts to regulate faecal material solves the problem of faecal material of low viscosity, which is prevalent in younger children, especially infants. Low viscosity fecal material moves easily within one-time φ φ φ φ ♦ φ · · ·

9 99 9 absorbent article due to the gravity and movement or pressure of the wearer.

Movement of faeces is often pushed toward the periphery of the disposable absorbent article, thereby increasing the likelihood of leakage. The movement of fecal material also blurs it against the wearer's skin, making it more difficult to clean. To facilitate cleaning of the wearer, the caregiver must wipe the entire area of the skin that has contacted the faecal material and usually has to do with a relatively large soiled area.

One attempt in the art to control low-viscosity fecal material is found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 077,713, filed Jun. 11, 1993, Roe. The present invention is a disposable absorbent article having a first high transverse penetration topsheet overlapping a lower transverse penetration secondary topsheet.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable absorbent article limiting leakage of faeces from the absorbent article and minimizing the amount of low viscosity fecal material remaining on the wearer's skin after the disposable absorbent article is removed. Another object of the invention is to provide a disposable absorbent article that divides the faecal material into components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article. The disposable absorbent article comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a backsheet attached to the topsheet, and a faecal material control component positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The faecal material control component includes a substrate and a layer of fibers. This layer of fibers has a part of the attachment in the base from od φ • · · φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ · · · · · · · φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φφφ has spaced joints and has arcuate portions of this layer that protrude from the substrate between these joints.

The disposable absorbent article preferably comprises an absorbent core that is disposed between the faecal material control component and the backsheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the description ends with the claims emphasizing and clearly claiming the subject matter considered to be the present invention, it is believed that it will be better understood from the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying accompanying drawings in which the same designations are used to designate like parts and illustrate :

Giant. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the absorbent article of the invention, with portions cut to show the backing structure, and with the surface of the garment diaper facing the viewer.

Giant. 2 is a perspective view of a faecal control component of the invention.

Giant. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the faecal control component of the present invention.

Giant. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the faecal control component of the present invention.

Giant. 5 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the faecal control component of the present invention.

Giant. 6 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the faecal control component of the present invention.

Giant. 7 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the faecal control component of the present invention.

Giant. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the faecal control component of the present invention.

• · »·

Giant. 9 is a schematic illustration of a method and apparatus for manufacturing a faecal control component of the present invention.

Giant. 10 is a schematic illustration of yet another method and apparatus for manufacturing a faecal control component of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term absorbent article refers to devices that absorb and contain body exudates and, more particularly, devices located directly at or near the wearer's body to absorb and retain various body exuded exudates. The term disposable is used herein to describe absorbent articles which are not expected to be laundered or otherwise recovered or reused (ie that are expected to be discarded after a single use and preferably recycled, composted, or otherwise disposed of will be stripped in a manner compatible with the protection of the external environment). (As used herein, the term ordered means that some diaper part (s) is formed (joined and positioned) at a particular location or position as a unitary structure with other diaper parts or as a separate part attached to another diaper part. as used herein, the term joined includes those arrangements by which an element is directly attached to the other element by attaching the element directly to the other element, and a configuration by which the element is indirectly attached to the other element by connecting the element to the intermediate portion (em). A unitary absorbent article refers to articles formed from separate parts joined together to form a coordinated entity, so that they do not require separate manipulative parts such as φ · φ φ φ φ «« «· · «Φφ« φφφ φφ «φφφ · · β φφ separate holder or liner. A preferred embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention is the unitary disposable absorbent article, diaper 20, shown in Fig. 1. As used herein, the term diaper refers to an absorbent article generally worn by infants and incontinent persons around the lower part of their torso. The present invention is also applicable to other absorbent articles such as incontinence underwear and undergarments, absorbent pads, diaper holders and covers, feminine hygiene garments and the like.

Giant. 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention, in alignment thereof, with portions of the structure that are cut to show more clearly its respective assembly. The portion of the diaper 20 that faces the wearer is facing the viewer. As shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 20 preferably comprises a liquid pervious topsheet 24; a liquid impermeable backsheet 26; an absorbent core 28 preferably positioned between at least a portion of the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26; a faecal control member 29 positioned between the topsheet 24 and the absorbent core 28; side panels 30; elasticized leg cuffs 32; an elastic waist feature 34; and the fastening system generally designated 40. The diaper 20 shown in FIG. 1 has a front waist region 36, a rear waist region 38 opposite the front waist region 36, and a crotch region 37 located between the front and rear waist regions. The periphery of the diaper 20 is delimited by the outer edges of the diaper 20, wherein the longitudinal edges 50 extend generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline 100 of the diaper 20 and the end edges 52 extend between the longitudinal edges 50 generally parallel to the lateral centerline 110 of the diaper 20.

The containment assembly 22 of the diaper 20 comprises a diaper main body 20. The containment assembly 22 comprises at least a portion of the absorbent core 28 and preferably an outer shell layer.

The topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. If the absorbent article will comprise a separate holder and cover, the assembly 22 generally includes the holder and cover. (For example, the holder may comprise one or more layers of material forming the outer cover of the article, and the cover may include an absorbent assembly comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core. In such cases, the holder and / or cover may include a fastener that is used to cover in place during the entire period of use). In unitary absorbent articles, the assembly 22 comprises the main structure of the diaper, with other adjustments added, to form a composite diaper assembly. Although the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, and the chassis 22 may be assembled in a variety of well known configurations, preferred diaper configurations are generally described in US Patent 3,860,003 to Kenneth B. Buell, entitled Tightening Side Parts for Disposable Diapers, granted January 14, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 to K. B. Buell, issued September 9, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274 to KB Buell, issued June 22, 1993. Another suitable embodiment of a diaper assembly is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,569,232 to Roe et al., entitled Absorbent waistband absorbent article, with U.S. Pat. a multi-zone structural, elastic film-like structure, granted October 29, 1996; U.S. Patent No. 5,554,144, Roe et al., entitled Absorbent article with an extensible waist feature, with a multi-zone structural, elastic film-like structure, issued September 10, 1996; in U.S. Patent No. 5,554,143 to Roe et al., entitled Absorbent article with an extensible waist feature, with a multi-zone structural, elastic film-like structure

September 10, 1996; U.S. Patent No. 5,554,145, Roe et al., entitled Absorbent article with an extensible waist feature, with a multi-zone structural, elastic film-like structure, issued September 10, 1996; in U.S. Pat

No. 5,569

394, Roe et al., Entitled Absorbent waist-stretch absorbent article, with a multi-zone structural, elastic film-like structure, issued September 17, 1996. Each of these references are incorporated herein by reference.

The backsheet 26 is generally that portion of the diaper 20 that is disposed adjacent to the garment facing surface 45 of the absorbent core 28 and prevents the exudates absorbed and contained therein from staining articles that may contact the diaper 20, such as sheets and lowersheet components. laundry. In preferred embodiments, the backsheet 26 is impervious to liquids (e.g., urine) and comprises a thin plastic film such as a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 m. Suitable backsheet films include those manufactured by Tredegar Industries, Inc. of Terre Haute, Indiana, IN, under the designations X15306, X10962 and X10964. Other suitable backsheet materials may include breathable materials that allow vapor escape from the diaper 20 while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet 26. Exemplary breathable materials may include materials such as woven and nonwoven structures, composite structures such as thin film coated nonwoven materials, and microporous films such as those manufactured by Mitsui Taotsu Co. of Japan under the designation ESPOIR NO, and EXXON Chemical Co. of Bay City, TX under the designation EXXAIRE. Suitable breathable composite materials containing polymer blends are available from Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, OH, under the name HYTREL, blend P18-3097. These breathable composite materials are described in more detail in PCT Application No. WO 95/16746, published June 22, 1995, on behalf of E.I. DuPont, and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 744,487, filed Nov. 6, 1996, on behalf of Curra. Other breathable backsheets comprising nonwoven webs and apertured formed films are described.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,096 to Dobrin et al. on November 5, 1996, each of these references being incorporated herein by reference.

The backsheet 26, or any portion thereof, may be elastically extensible in one or more directions. In one embodiment, the backsheet 26 may comprise a structural elastic-like film (SELF web). The structure of the structural elastic-like film is an extensible material that exhibits elastic-like behavior in the direction of elongation without the use of added elastic materials. The SELF structure comprises a strainable network of at least two associated, distinct and dissimilar regions. One of these areas is preferably arranged to exert a resistive force in response to the applied axial elongation in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis before a significant portion of the other region begins to exert significant resistive forces against the applied elongation. At least one of these regions has a surface path length that is greater than the other region as measured substantially parallel to the predetermined axis while the material is in the non-tensioned state. The region exhibiting a longer surface path length includes one or more deformations that extend beyond the plane of the second region. The SELF web develops at least two, significantly different phases of controlled resistance force to elongation along at least one predetermined axis when subjected to the applied elongation in a direction parallel to the predetermined axis. The SELF web exhibits first resistive forces to the applied elongation until its elongation is sufficient to cause a substantial portion of the area having a longer surface path length to enter the plane of applied elongation, after which the SELF web generates second resistive forces to the next elongation. The total elongation resistance forces are higher than the first elongation resistance forces provided by the first region. SELF webs suitable for the present invention are more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801 entitled "Ribbed (or Structured) Materials exhibiting Elastic-like Behavior, granted to Chappell et al. on May 21, 1996, incorporated herein by reference. In alternative embodiments, the backsheet 26 may comprise elastomeric films, foams, strands, or combinations of these or other suitable materials with nonwoven materials or artificial films.

The backsheet 26 may be attached to the topsheet 24, the absorbent core 28, or any other portion of the diaper 20 by any suitable fastening means known in the art. For example, the attachment means may comprise a uniform, continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an arrangement of separate lines, spirals, or points of adhesive. One preferred fastener comprises an open pattern of adhesive filaments as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986 entitled Disposable Body Exudate Underwear Disposable, issued to Minetol et al. on March 4, 1986. Another suitable fastener comprises a plurality of lines of adhesive fibers twisted into a spiral pattern as illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague ml. on October 7, 1975; in U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker et al. on November 22, 1978; and U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666, issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989; each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Adhesives found to be satisfactory are manufactured by Η. B. Fuller Company Paul, Minnesota, and sold under the designation HL-1258. Alternatively, the fastening means may include heat, pressure, ultrasonic, dynamic mechanical connections, or < 999.

9

99 9 99

any other suitable attachment means or combinations thereof as known in the art.

The topsheet 24 is preferably positioned adjacent the body-facing surface 47 of the absorbent core 28 and may be joined thereto and / or to the backsheet 26 by any attachment means known in the art. Suitable fasteners are described above with respect to the attachment of the backsheet 26 to other portions of the diaper 20. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26 are attached directly at some locations and joined together indirectly at other locations by their direct by attaching to other diaper elements 20.

The topsheet 24 is preferably conformable, soft feeling and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of the topsheet 24 is liquid pervious, allowing it to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable topsheet 24 may be made of a wide variety of materials such as porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, woven or nonwoven structures of natural fibers (eg, wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (eg, polyester or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and man-made fibers, or an apertured nonwoven web. When absorbent assemblies comprise fibers, the fibers may be nonwoven fibers, carded, wet laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed as known in the art. One preferred topsheet 24, comprising staple length polypropylene fiber structure, is manufactured by Veratec, Inc., Division of the International Paper Company of Walpole, Massachusetts, under the designation P-8.

Suitable topsheets of molded foils are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,135, issued to Thompson on May 30, 2001.

December 1975, entitled Absorbent structures having tapered capillaries; in U.S. Patent No. 4,324,246, to Mullane et al. on April 13, 1982, entitled A Disposable Absorbent Article Having a Spatter Resistant Topsheet; in U.S. Patent No. 4,342,314 to Radel et al. on August 3, 1982, entitled Resilient Plastic Structure exhibiting substance-like properties; in U.S. Patent No. 4,463,045, issued to Ahr et al. on July 31, 1984, entitled Macroscopically Expanded, Three-Dimensional Plastic Structure, showing a Glossy Visible Surface and a Tactile-like Appearance; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,006,394, issued to Baird on April 9, 1991, entitled Multi-Polymer Film. Other suitable topsheets 30 are manufactured in accordance with U.S. Patent Nos. 4,609,518 and 4,629,643 issued to Curro et al. on 2 September 1986 and 16 December 1986; both are incorporated herein by reference. Such molded films are available from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio under the trademark &quot; DRIWEAVE &quot; and from Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana under the trademark CLIFF-T.

Preferably, the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material or is treated to be hydrophobic to isolate the wearer's skin from the fluids contained in the absorbent core 28. If the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, preferably at least its top surface is treated to be hydrophilic so fluids will be transferred more rapidly through this topsheet. This reduces the likelihood that body exudates will flow from the topsheet 24 rather than being drawn and absorbed in the absorbent core 28. The topsheet 24 can be rendered hydrophilic by treating it with or incorporating it into the active surfactant. Suitable methods for treating the topsheet 24 with a surfactant include spraying its material with the surfactant in January 1991. a method for and immersing the material therein. More specifically, this treatment and hydrophilicity is discussed in U.S. Patent No. 4,988,344, entitled

Absorbent articles with multiple absorbent layers, awarded to Reising et al. on Jan. 29, 1991; and U.S. Patent No. 4,988,345 entitled Absorbent Articles With Quick-Accepted Absorbent Cores, granted to Reising on May 29, 2003.

A more detailed discussion of some suitable incorporation of the surfactant in the topsheet can be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. H1670, published July 1, 1997, by Aziz et al. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference.

Any portion of the topsheet 24 may be covered with some lotion (or skin care composition) as known in the art. Suitable examples thereof include those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,607,760, entitled A Disposable Product Having A Skin-Treated Topsheet, comprising a plasticizer and a polyolpolyester restraint, issued to Roe on March 4, 1997; U.S. Patent No. 5,609,587, entitled Plena having a topcoat treated with a lotion containing a liquid polyolpolyester plasticizer and an immobilizer, granted to Roe on

March 11, 1997; U.S. Patent No. 5,635,191, entitled Plena, having a lotion treated topsheet containing a polysiloxane emollient, issued to Roe et al. on June 3, 1997; and U.S. Patent No. 5,643,588, entitled Plena with a Lotion Treated Topsheet, issued to Roe et al. on July 1, 1997. The topsheet may also contain or be treated with antibacterial agents, some of which are described in PCT Publication No. WO 95/24173 entitled Absorbent Articles Containing Antibacterial Topsheets for Odor Control that has been published September 14, 1995, on behalf of Johnson. Furthermore, the top layer may be φ φ φ 9 9 9> ΦΦΦ

24, the backsheet 26, or any portion of the topsheet and backsheet, is embossed and / or matte finished to provide a more fabric appearance.

The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material that is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer &apos; s skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine and certain other body exudates. The absorbent core 28 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (eg, rectangular, hourglass, T-shaped, asymmetric, etc.) and a wide variety of liquid-absorbing materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles, such as pulverized wood pulp, commonly referred to as airborne pulp. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include crepe cellulose wadding, meltblown polymers including blended form, chemically stiffened, modified or crosslinked cellulose fibers, tissue paper including tissue webs and laminates thereof, absorbent foams and absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials or any other known absorbent material or combination of materials.

The configuration and assembly of the absorbent core 28 may also vary (for example, the absorbent core (s) or other absorbent structure (s) may have varying tactile or thickness zones, hydrophilic gradient, superabsorbent gradient, or lower average density and lower average density acquisition zones). or may include one or more layers or structures). However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 should be compatible with the design loading and intended use of the diaper 20.

Exemplary absorbent structures for use as absorbent assemblies are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,610,678 entitled

99 99

9 9 9 9 9

9

99999 9

9 9 9

The high density absorbent structures of Weisman et al. on September 9, 1986; in U.S. Patent No. 4,673,402 entitled Absorbent Articles with Dual-Layered Cores, issued to Weisman et al. on June 16, 1987; in U.S. Patent No. 4,834,735 entitled High Density Absorbent Components having lower density and lower basis weight acquisition zones granted to Alemany et al. on June 30, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,888,231 entitled Dust Layer Absorbent Core, issued to Angstadt on December 19, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,537 entitled Absorbent Structure Containing Polycarboxylic Acid Crosslinked Cellulose Fibers of Wood Pulp, issued to Herron et al. on Aug. 11, 1992; are further described in U.S. Patent 5,147,345 entitled High Efficiency Incontinence Absorbent Articles of Young et al. on September 15, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,342,338 entitled Disposable Absorbent Product for Low Viscosity Faecal Material, granted to Roe on Aug. 30, 1994. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference.

Giant. 2 depicts a first embodiment of a fecal material control component according to the present material, generally designated by reference numeral 29. Overall, the fecal control component 29 is a layer of loop material 118 having a substrate 120 preferably comprising a thermoplastic backing layer 122 (e.g. polypropylene) having front and rear main a surface 123 and 124 and a plurality of longitudinally oriented fibers in a specially formed fiber layer 126 having gripping, generally undeformed fastening portions 127 that are joined by gripping in the backing layer 122 at spaced, elongated, generally parallel points of connection 128 that are continuous in one direction along the front surface 123, with arcuate fiber layer portions 130 protruding from the front surface 123 of the backing layer 122 between locations

Φ Φ · · · φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ «« φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ

The filaments 130 of the fiber layer 126 have a generally equal height from the backing layer 122 greater than about 0.5 mm, and preferably greater than about 1.0 millimeter, the height of the formed layer The fibers 126 are at least one-third and preferably one-half to one-and-a-half times the distance between the bonding locations 128, the individual fibers in the fiber layer 126 have a value of less than 25 denier (preferably within 1 to 10 denier). 120 has a basis weight in the range of 5 to 300 grams per square meter (and preferably in the range of 15 to 100 grams per square meter), measured along the first surface 123, to provide sufficient open area between the fibers in the fiber layer 126 along the arcuate portions 130 (ie, between about 10 and 90 percent open area) to allow easily penetrating the fecal material into individual fibers along the arcuate portions 130.

Suitable materials for use as the backing 120 include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic films, porous films, apertured films, apertured formed films, non-apertured formed films, nonwoven structures, breathable materials such as breathable films including, but not limited to microporous films, apertured nonwoven materials and alike. The substrate 120 is preferably a relatively thin layer having a thickness ranging from about 0.00125 to 0.025 cm.

The fibers in the fiber layer 126 may be arranged in different directions with respect to the parallel connection sites 128 and may or may not be bonded together at intersection points in the arcuate portions 130; may be arranged in different directions with respect to the parallel location of the connection 128 with most of the fibers in the fiber layer 126 (i.e., over 80 or 90 percent) extending in directions at approximately right angles to the connection sites 128; or all of the individual fibers in the fiber layer 126 can extend in directions generally at right angles to the spaced, generally parallel attachment points 128 of the fasteners.

The fiber layers 126 preferably have a hydrophilicity that is less than the hydrophilicity of the substrate 120. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber layer itself has a hydrophilicity gradient, wherein the arcuate portions 130 have a hydrophilicity that is less than the hydrophilicity of the bonded sites 128. 128 of the fiber layer 126 had a hydrophilicity less than that of the substrate 120.

The faecal control component 29 is preferably attached to the topsheet 24 to a very minimum extent to maintain openness of the faecal control component 29 for easy penetration of faecal material. More preferably, the faeces control component 29 is not attached to the topsheet 24 at all, maintaining the openness of the faeces control component 29 and also allowing the topsheet 24 to separate from the faeces control component 29, thereby creating additional void space within the disposable absorbent article. However, it is recognized that the faecal control component 29 should be mounted within the diaper 20 to prevent it from moving freely. To this end, it is preferred that the faecal control component 29 is attached directly to the underlying absorbent core 28. The faecal control component 29 may be attached to the absorbent core 28 by any suitable fastening means known in the art. For example, the attachment means may comprise a uniform, continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an arrangement of separate lines, spirals, or points of adhesive. One preferred fastening means comprises an open pattern of adhesive filaments which is a filament of an adhesive which is Described in U.S. Patent No. 4,573,986, entitled Disposable Body Exudate Underwear, issued to Minetol et al. on March 4, 1986. Another suitable fastener comprises a plurality of lines of adhesive fibers twisted into a spiral pattern as illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague ml. on October 7, 1975; in U.S. Patent No. 4,785,996 issued to Ziecker et al. on November 22, 1978; and U.S. Patent No. 4,842,666, issued to Werenicz on June 27, 1989; each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Adhesives found to be satisfactory are manufactured by Η. B. Fuller Company Paul, Minnesota, and sold under the designation HL-1258. Alternatively, the fastening means may include heat-sealed connections, pressure bonds, ultrasound, dynamic mechanical connections, or any other suitable fastening means or combinations thereof as known in the art. A particularly preferred fastener is an adhesive having a hydrophilicity that is greater than the hydrophilicity of the fiber layer 126, more preferably a hydrophilicity that is also greater than the hydrophilicity of the substrate 120.

The faecal control component 29 is shown in FIG. 1 as positioned in the rear waist region 38 of the diaper 20. By positioning the faecal control component 29 at least in the rear waist region 38, the faecal control component 29 is aligned with the wearer's rectum where it may be most effective in controlling the faecal material deposited in the diaper 20. The faecal control component 29 may extend into the crotch region 37. The faecal control component 29 may also extend into the front waist region 36 of the diaper 20. In some embodiments, it may also be desirable to have a control component • 0 00 0 0 0 · 0 0 0 faeces 29 extending along the entire longitudinal dimension of the diaper 20.

In addition to positioning the faeces 29 at least in the back waist region 38, it is also desirable that the portion of the topsheet 24 located within the back waist region 38 have a sufficient open area to control the low viscosity faecal material.

In order to be most effective in handling low-viscosity faeces, the faecal control component 29 must have a raised (airy) open structure. One key component of this equation is the height of the arcuate fiber layer portions 130 from the substrate 120. As mentioned above, the arcuate fiber layer portions 130 have an overall uniform height from the substrate 120 of greater than about 0.5 millimeters, and preferably greater than about 1.0 millimeter. . Although excellent handling of low viscosity faecal material would give even greater heights, for example, 5.0 centimeters, such heights would create an unwanted volume in the diaper that would cause discomfort to the wearer.

The second key component is the flexibility of the faeces control component 29, more particularly the elasticity of the fiber layer 126. To remain open, the fiber layer 126 must have sufficient elasticity to withstand the package forces and those applied by the wearer. The fiber layer 126 preferably has an elasticity of at least about 50% after 30 seconds at a applied force of 100 g / cm ² , more preferably the fiber layer 126 has an elasticity of at least about 75% after 30 seconds at a applied force of 100 g / cm ² . at least about 85% after 30 seconds at a applied force of 100 g / cm ² .

The gripping parts 127 preferably have a dimension such that a surface circle having a diameter of about 0.2 millimeter to about 20 millimeters can be inscribed on them, and the gripping parts 127 have a dimension that is more preferably such that a surface circle can be inscribed on them. with a diameter of from about 0.4 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, and most preferably, the gripping members 127 are sized such that a surface circle having a diameter of from about 0.8 millimeters to about 5 millimeters can be inscribed thereon.

Giant. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of a fecal material control component 29 of the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral 140. This fecal control component 140 has the same configuration as the fecal control component 29 (the same reference numerals are used with respect to the corresponding parts), with except that the loop material layer substrate 145 includes a second substrate material layer 147. The second substrate material layer 147 is adhered on the side 121 of the substrate layer 122 against the fiber layer 126. The second layer of substrate material 147 in the loop material substrate substrate 145 may be polymer foil. Other suitable materials for use as the second layer of substrate material 147 include, but are not limited to, porous films, apertured films, apertured formed films, non-apertured formed films, nonwoven structures, breathable materials such as breathable films, including, but not limited to microporous films, apertured nonwoven. structures and the like. The second layer of substrate material 147 is preferably a relatively thin film having a thickness ranging between about 0.00125 to 0.025 centimeters.

Giant. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of a faecal control component according to the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral 150. This faecal control component 150 has the same configuration as the faecal control component 29 (the same reference numerals are used with respect to the corresponding parts) except that the backing layer 155 of the loop material 118 comprises a plurality of fibers 157. The fibers are of the type &quot; yarn &quot; · · ·

157 of the substrate 155 may be arranged in different directions with respect to the parallel sites of connection 128 and may or may not be joined together; they can be arranged in different directions with respect to the parallel bonding points 128 with most of the fibers in the substrate 155 (i.e., over 80 or 90 percent) extending in directions at approximately right angles to the bonding locations 128; or all of the individual fibers 157 in the substrate 155 can extend in directions generally at right angles to spaced, generally parallel bonding locations 128. Preferably, the individual fibers 157 are not bonded together and spaced from each other at about 0.01 mm to about 10.0 mm. The fibers 157 have a denier (size value) within a range of about 0-50.

Giant. 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a faecal control component according to the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral 160. This faecal control component 160 has the same configuration as the faecal control component 29 (the same reference numerals are used with respect to the corresponding parts) except that This second layer of loop material 162 is adhered on the side 121 of the backing layer 122 against the fiber layer 126. The second layer of loop material 162 comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented fibers in a specially formed fiber layer 176 having a generally undeformed portion 177, joined by an engagement in the backing layer 122 in spaced, elongated, generally parallel locations of connections 178 that are continuous in one direction along the surface 124 with an arcuate The portions 180 of the fiber layer 176 protrude from the surface 124 of the backing layer 122 between the bonding points 178 in continuous rows also extending transversely over the layer of loop material 162. Arched Parts 9 9

099 ·

9099 90

The 180 layers of fibers 17 have an overall uniform height from &gt;

substrate layers 122 greater than about 0.5 millimeters and preferably greater than about 1.0 millimeters, the height of the formed fiber layer 16 being at least one-third and preferably one-half to one-and-a-half times the distance between bonding points 178, individual fibers in the fiber layer 176 have a size value of less than 25 denier (preferably in the range of 1 to 10 denier) and the fiber layer 176 without underlayer 120 has a basis weight in the range of 5 to 300 grams per square meter (and preferably in the range of 15 to 100 grams per meter square), measured along the first surface 124.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the connection points 128 and 178 are aligned with each other, i.e., the connection point 128 is located directly above the connection point 178, causing the arcuate portions 130 and 180 to be in one phase (common section). The connection points 128 and 178 may also be positioned along the substrate 120 so that they are not aligned with each other, causing the arcuate portions 130 and 180 not to be in one phase.

Giant. 6 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a faecal control component according to the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral 190. This faecal control component 190 has the same configuration as the faecal control component 29 (the same reference numerals are used with respect to the corresponding parts) except that The loop material layer 196 comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented fibers in a specially formed fiber layer having a generally undeformed grip portion 197 attached by a thermal connection to the loop material. of the material 118 in spaced, elongated, generally parallel locations; and &quot; and &quot; and &quot; &quot; and &quot; &quot;

The connection 178, with the arcuate portions 200 of the fiber layer 196 extending from the gripping portions 197 in continuous rows also extending transversely across the layer of loop material 196.

with a series of arcuate parts of the invention.

In the embodiment of FIG. the layers of loop material 118 and 196 extend parallel to each other in the transverse direction. Alternatively, the rows of arcuate portions of the loop material layer 118 and 196 may be non-parallel. For example, the rows of arcuate portions of the loop material layer 118 may extend in the transverse direction, while the rows of arcuate portions of the loop material layer 196 extend at an angle to the transverse direction.

Giant. 7 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the faecal control component 202 of the present faecal control component 202 showing one of the many possible arrangements of rows of arcuate portions 203.

Giant. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the faecal control component 204 of the present invention. The faecal control component 204 provides one of a number of possible arrangements of rows of arcuate portions 205.

In addition to the arrangements shown in FIG. 7 and 8, other possible arrangements may also be used with respect to the arrangement of the rows of arcuate portions.

Giant. 9 schematically illustrates a method and apparatus for forming a fecal material operating portion 29. The method shown in FIG. 9 generally comprises forming longitudinally oriented polymeric fibers into a fiber layer 126 forming a fiber layer 126 such that it has arcuate portions 130 protruding in the same direction from the spaced apart generally parallel gripping members 127 of the fiber layer 126, and connecting the generally parallel gripping members 127 of the layer. fibers 126 protruding from the front surface 123 of the substrate 120. This φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ • • • φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ provided by providing first and second heated crimping members or rollers 226 and 227, each having an axis and containing a plurality of circumferentially spaced, generally extending axially extending ridges 228 and defining its circumference, with ridges 228 having outer surfaces and defining gaps between ridges 228 adapted to receive portions of the ridges 228 of the second crimping member 226 or 227 in a tooth-engaging relationship with the fiber layer 126 between the interlocking ridges 228, to allow rotational engagement between the ridges 228 and the gaps of the crimping members in the manner of the gear teeth. The crimping members 226 and 227 are fixed in axial parallel relationship with the portions of the ridges 228 of the crimping members 226 and 227 generally interlocking in a gear type manner; at least one crimping member 226 or 227 is rotated; and a fiber layer 126 is provided between the interlocking portions of the ridges 228 of the crimping members 226 and 227 to overall accommodate the fiber layer 126 of the periphery of the first crimping member 226 and form the arcuate portions 130 of the fiber layer 126 in the gaps between the crests 228 parallel fiber layer holding members 127 along the outer surfaces of the ridges 228 on the first crimping member 226. The formed fiber layer 126 is retained along the periphery of the first crimping member 226 after it has passed through the interlocking crest parts 228. A thermoplastic backing layer 120 is formed and attached to the gripping members. the fiber layer portions 127 on the end surfaces of the ridges 228 on the first crimping member 226, by extruding the thermoplastic backing layer 120 (e.g., polypropylene) in the molten state from the die 240 into the nip between the layer 127 gripping members lobes 126 on the periphery of the first crimping member 226 and the cooling roller 250, after which the faecal component 29 is separated from the first crimping member 226 and supported partially around the cooling roller 250 and through the nip line between the cooling roller and the drag roller 260, to completely cool and solidify the thermoplastic backing 120.

The fiber layer 126 supplied between the interlocking portions of the crests 228 of the crimping members 226 and 227 may be spun in the form of yarns so that the fibers in the fiber layer 126 supplied between the interlocking ridges 228 of the crimping members 226 and 227 are uniformly distributed. across the width of the fiber layer 126 and all extend generally perpendicular to the axes of the crimping members 226 and 227, or the fibers in the fiber layer 126 may be arranged in a random orientation, such as in a nonwoven web. Such a randomly oriented fiber nonwoven layer 126 with no internal junctions, except friction between fibers, can be formed from loose fibers using a carding device 270 as shown, which nonwoven layer of randomly oriented fibers 126 has sufficient integrity to be supplied from the carding a machine 270 into a nip line between the crimping member 226 and 227 (if desired, a conveyor, not shown, could be provided to assist in supporting and guide the nonwoven layer of randomly oriented fibers 126, preferably the first crimping member 226 has a rough finish (e.g. the second crimping member 227 has a smooth, polished finish, and the first crimping member 226 is heated to a temperature slightly higher than the temperature of the second crimping member 227 so that the nonwoven layer of fibers 126 will preferably remain along the surface of the first crimping member and will be carried into the grip line between the first crimping member 226 and the cooling roller 250 after it passes the grip line between the crimping components 226 and 227.

The crimping members 226 and 227, adapted to have such a layer of fibers 126 supplied thereto, may have their crimping filaments 126.

Eny · cel hřeb hřeb hřeb 228 228 228 228 eny 228 hřeb hřeb hřeb hřeb hřeb hřeb 228 hřeb hřeb hřeb hřeb hřeb 228 hřeb hřeb hřeb hřeb hřeb hřeb hřeb hřeb hřeb 228 228 228 228 to its (or parallel) axes, which simplifies the production of crimping components 226 and 227.

Instead of extruding the rigid thermoplastic layer 120 from the die 240, it may be from the die to form a backing layer, such as the backing layer 155 in FIG. 4, a plurality of fibers are extruded.

Instead of extruding the thermoplastic material from a die such as die 240, a non-molten substrate may be used. The roller 250 is then heated to heat bond the substrate to the fiber layer.

Giant. 10 schematically illustrates yet another method and apparatus of the present invention for forming a fecal material control member 140. The method is generally the same and uses many identical apparatus as shown in FIG. 9 (with the same parts of the device having the same reference numerals), except for adding a means comprising a drag roller 340 for feeding a layer of backing material 147 into the clamp between the first crimping roller 226 and the cooling roller 250 along the surface of the cooling roller 250 resulting in extruded, molten thermoplastic. a substrate sheet 120 of die 240 disposed between the formed fiber layer 126 along the periphery of the first crimping member 226 and the substrate layer 120 along the surface of the cooling roll 250 such that the molten thermoplastic substrate layer 120 surrounds and adheres portions of the fiber layer retainer 127 to the substrate layer 147 after the faecal material control member 140 is separated from the first crimping member 226 and supported partially around the cooling roller 250 with its substrate 145 against the cooling roller 250 to terminate cooling and solidification. The thermoplastic molten thermoplastic backing 120. The molten thermoplastic layer 120. A molten thermoplastic layer 9 and a molten thermoplastic layer. The large backing layer 120 may be extruded into the grip, onto the fiber layer gripping members 127 onto the first crimping member 226 in front of the grip line, or onto the backing layer 147 along the periphery of the cooling roll just prior to the grip, which may be best for any application. The cooling roller 250 may be water-cooled and have a chrome circuit, which is particularly useful for forming a faecal component 140, due to the high degree of heat transfer that such a cooling roller 250 may have from a molten thermoplastic backing 120 through a polymer backing layer. Alternatively, the cooling roller 250 may have an outer rubber layer defining its surface, which may be preferred for forming a faecal control component 140 if the backing material layer is of a material (e.g., paper) that tends to to reduce such heat transfer to the cooling roller 250, wherein the rubber layer provides an alternative advantage of deforming adjacent its clamping line with the first crimping member 226 to ensure a close contact of the molten thermoplastic backing 120 with the gripping members 1 27 of the fiber layer 126 and the backing layer 147.

The backing sheet 147 incorporated in the backing 145 could be woven, knitted, randomly woven, needled, nonwoven or any other solid or porous layer of entangled fibers, or could be a continuous polymeric film. Such a film used for the backing material layer 21 may be a single layer of polymeric material such as polypropylene, polyester or polyamide; or a plurality of layers such as a center layer of relatively high strength material such as polyester may have a layer defining a first surface of the material more readily attached to the layer of thermoplastic material 120, such as. ethylene-vinyl acetate or polyethylene, and a layer defining the outer surface of the substrate 147, adapted to adhere the substrate to a substrate such as polyethylene or a bonding layer of a non-thermosetting thermoplastic material. The backing sheet could also be a pressure sensitive adhesive layer along the release cover, arranged such that the release cover contacts the cooling roller 250, resulting in a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive disposed alone on the back surface of the thermoplastic material layer 120, with the release cover over the pressure adhesive layer and removable such that the pressure-sensitive adhesive could be used to adhere the faecal control component to the substrate.

The drives for the crimping members 226 and 227 and for the cooling roller 250 are preferably controllable separately so that the cooling roller 250 can be rotated at a surface speed that is equal to or different from the surface speed of the first crimping member 226. When the cooling roller 250 and the first crimping member 226 rotated to have the same surface speed, the fiber layer 126 will have approximately the same shape along the substrate 120 as it had previously along the circumference of the first crimping member 226, as shown in FIG. 2 to 5. When the cooling roller 250 and the first crimping member 226 are rotated such that the cooling roller 250 has a surface speed less than the surface speed of the first crimping member 226, the fiber layer gripping portions 126 will be moved closer together in the backing layer 120 in a clamping line between the cooling roller 250 and the first crimping member 226, resulting in a greater density of the loop parts 130 along the substrate 120 than when the cooling roller 250 and the first crimping member 226 are rotated to have the same surface speed. This technique of increasing, by using the same device, the amount of loop parts 130 is useful both for producing faecal control components having different amounts of loop parts 130 at a number of loop parts 130 at the level of the loop parts 130. na φ φ φ φ φ φ φ · · · · · »· φ φ φ

CentΦΦΦΦφφφ centimetrimetrimetrimetrimetrimetrimetrimetrimetrimetrimetrimetrimetrimetr cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent k ridges 228 close together.

The diaper 20 may also include at least one elastic waist feature 34 to help provide improved fit and retention. The elastic waist feature 34 is generally intended to stretch and contract elastically to fit dynamically on the wearer's waist. The elastic waist feature 34 preferably extends at least longitudinally, outwardly, from at least one of the waist edges 62 of the absorbent core 28 and generally forms at least a portion of the end edge 52 of the diaper 20. Disposable diapers are often assembled to have two elastic waist features. one located in the first waist region 36 and one located in the second waist region 38. Further, although the elastic waist feature 34 or any of its constituents may include one or more separate elements attached to the diaper 20, the elastic waist feature 34 may be assembled as extending the other elements of the diaper, such as the backsheet 26, the topsheet 24, preferably both the backsheet 26 and the topsheet 24.

The elastic waist feature 34 may be assembled in a variety of configurations including those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,515,595 to Kievit et al. on May 7, 1985; U.S. Patent No. 4,710,189, issued to Lash on December 1, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 to Buell et al. on September 9, 1992; and U.S. Patent No. 5,221,275, issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. Other suitable waist arrangements may include waist cover modifications, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,026,364, issued to Robertson on June 25, 1991, and in U.S. Pat. U.S. Pat.

9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 999 99

No. 816,025, issued to Foreman on March 28, 1989. All of the above references are incorporated herein by reference.

The diaper 20 may also include a fastening system 40. This fastening system 40 preferably maintains the first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38 in an overlapping configuration so as to provide lateral tension around the periphery of the diaper 20 to maintain it on the wearer. This fastening system 40 preferably includes tape tabs and / or hook and loop fastening components, although any other known fastening means are generally acceptable. Some exemplary fastening systems are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,848,594, entitled Disposable Diaper Tape Fastening System, issued to Buell on Nov. 19, 1974; U.S. Patent No. 4,662,875, entitled Absorbent Product, issued to Hirotsu et al. on May 5, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 4,846,815, entitled Disposable Diaper, having an improved fastening device, granted to Scripps on July 11, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,894,060 entitled Disposable Diaper with Improved Hook Fastener Part, issued to Nestegard on Jan. 16, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,946,527, entitled Self-Adhesive Adhesive Attachment, and a process for its manufacture, issued to Battrell on Aug. 7, 1990; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274, issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. The fastening system may also provide means for maintaining the article in a degradation arrangement as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,963,140 to Robertson et al. on October 16, 1990. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference.

The diaper 20 may also include side panels 30. The side panels 30 may be elastic or expandable and provide a more comfortable and body fit fit by initially adjusting the fit of the diaper 20 to the wearer and ttt.

maintaining this fit throughout the wear, long enough after the diaper has been filled with body exudates, since the elasticized side panels 30 allow the sides of the diaper 20 to expand and contract. Furthermore, the side panels 30 may also provide more efficient fit of the diaper 20 because if the diaper fitter pulls one elasticized side panel 30 further than the other (asymmetrically) during insertion, the diaper 20 will &quot; self-adjust during wear.

Although the diaper 20 of the present invention preferably has side portions 30 disposed in the second waist region 38, the diaper 20 may be provided with side portions 30 disposed in the first waist region 36, or both in the first waist region 36 and the second waist region 38. they may be assembled in any suitable arrangement. Examples of diapers with elasticized side panels are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,857,067 entitled "Disposable Diaper Having Draped Handles", issued to Wood et al. on Aug. 15, 1989; in U.S. Patent No. 4,381,781, to Sciaraff et al. on May 3, 1983; in U.S. Patent No. 4,938,753, to Van Gompel et al. on

July 3, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,221,275 issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; U.S. Patent No. 5,669,897, issued to LaVon on September 23, 1997, entitled Absorbent Articles Providing Constant Dynamic Positioning; in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 155,048 entitled An Absorbent Product with Multi-Directional Extensible Side Parts, filed November 19, 1993, on behalf of Robles et al .; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Preferably, the diaper 20 further comprises leg cuffs 32 that provide improved containment of fluids and other body exudates. The leg cuffs may also be referred to as leg zones, side flaps, barrier flaps or elastic cuffs.

V .9 · · 9 9 «* * * * * * * * * * * * *

U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 discloses a disposable diaper that provides a leg flap with a side flap and one or more elastic members to secure the elasticized leg cuff (sealing cuff). U.S. Patent Nos. 4,808,178 and 4,909,803, issued to Aziz et al. on February 28, 1989, respectively; On March 20, 1990, they disclose a disposable diaper having erect elasticized flaps (barrier cuffs) that improve retention in the leg regions. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,695,278 and 4,795,454, issued to Lawson on September 22, 1987, and to Dragoo on January 3, 1989, respectively, disclose disposable diapers having dual cuffs comprising sealing cuffs and barrier cuffs.

The embodiment of the diaper 20 of the present invention may be worn by a wearer by placing one of the waist regions, preferably the back waist region 38, under the wearer's back and extending the remainder of the diaper 20 between its legs. The second waist region, preferably the front waist region 36, is positioned over the front of the wearer. Then, the diaper fitter wraps the side panels 30 around the wearer such that the front waist region 36 and the rear waist region 38 are in an overlapping configuration. During this operation, the side panels 30 will typically be stretched and stretched to accommodate the size and shape of the wearer. A fastening system 40 is fastened and lateral closure is performed.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, it is intended in the appended claims to cover all those changes and modifications which are within the scope of the invention.

Claims (21)

PATENT CLAIMS A disposable absorbent article (20) comprising: - liquid-permeable topsheet (24), a backsheet (26) attached to the topsheet (24), and - a fecal material control component (29) positioned between said topsheet and backsheet; characterized in that the topsheet (24) has a sufficient open area to control the faecal material of low viscosity, and the faecal material control component (29) has a pattern of arcuate portions (130). A disposable absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the arcuate portions are formed by a layer of fibers (126) attached to the substrate (120) at spaced apart joints (128) such that the fiber layer protrudes from the substrate between these bonding points in an arcuate manner. 3. The disposable absorbent article of Claim 1 further comprising an absorbent core (28) disposed between said faecal material control member and said backsheet. 4. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the substrate (120) comprises a plurality of fibers. 5. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 2 wherein the backing comprises a porous sheet. • · t · * · · · · · · · 9 9 9 · 9 9 99 9 9900 99 99 9 6. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 2 wherein the backing comprises a breathable material. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein the backing (120) comprises a breathable sheet. 8. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 2 wherein the backing comprises a nonwoven web. The disposable absorbent article of claim 8, wherein the substrate (120) comprises a apertured nonwoven web. 10. The disposable absorbent article of Claim 2 wherein said arcuate portions have a height of said substrate of at least 0.5 mm. 11. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 2 wherein said arcuate portions have a height from said substrate of at least 1.0 mm. 12. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 1 wherein the faecal material control component (29) has an elasticity of at least about 85% after 30 seconds at an applied load of 100 g / cm &lt; ² &gt;. 13. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 2, further comprising a second backing attached to said backing against the fiber layer. 14. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the fiber layer (126) has a hydrophilicity greater than that of said substrate. 15. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 2 wherein said attachment portions (127) have a dimension such that a flat circle having a diameter of from about 0.2 mm to about 20 mm can be inscribed thereon. 16. The disposable absorbent article of claim 2 wherein the fecal material control component is attached to the absorbent core by an adhesive having a hydrophilicity greater than the hydrophilicity of said fiber layer. 17. The disposable absorbent article of Claim 1 wherein said faecal material control member (29) is not affixed to said topsheet (24). 18. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 2 wherein the fibers are oriented in the longitudinal direction. 19. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1 wherein said diaper has a rear waist region (38) and a front waist region (36), the fecal material control component being disposed in at least said rear waist region of the article. »··· ·· 20. The disposable absorbent article of claim 2 further comprising a second layer of fibers (176), said second layer of fibers having portions of attachment in said substrate against said layer of fibers at spaced apart bonding locations and having arcuate portions projecting from the substrate between these fastening points. A disposable absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the topsheet (24) comprises a apertured nonwoven web.