BR112020014655B1 - BODY AND ABSORBENT ARTICLE INCLUDING A LONGITUDINAL AXIS AND A LATERAL AXIS - Google Patents

Abstract

Absorbent bodies including a reduced absorbent section are disclosed. The reduced absorbent section may have less absorbent material than an adjacent section of the absorbent body. The reduced absorbent section may include a rear divergent section including a first arm and a second arm. The reduced absorbent section may include a front divergent section with a third arm and a fourth arm. The reduced absorbent section may also include an intermediate section disposed between the rear diverging section and the front diverging section.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to absorbent bodies used in absorbent articles.

FUNDAMENTALS OF DISCLOSURE

[002] The primary function of absorbent personal care articles is to absorb and retain bodily exudates such as urine, fecal matter, blood and menstruation, with additional desired attributes including low leakage of exudates from the absorbent article and a feeling of being dry. felt by the user of the absorbent article. By preventing leakage of exudate from the absorbent article, the absorbent article is intended to prevent bodily exudates from soiling or contaminating the user's or caregiver's clothing or other articles, such as bedding, that may come into contact with the user.

[003] However, the volume of wet and dry absorbent articles can be a problem for a user. Babies, children and adults may experience discomfort when standing, sitting and moving with an absorbent article, especially for an absorbent article with a swollen absorbent body due to the retention of body exudates. This is particularly true for babies and older children wearing diapers and pant-type diapers with absorbent bodies that may exceed their natural crotch width (~3cm).

[004] Efforts to reduce this crotch volume include narrower, thinner and more flexible linings. All three of these designs, however, have limitations, including possible leaks and other negative effects on overall absorption capacity. Narrowing the absorbent body too close to the natural crotch width can greatly reduce the absorbent capacity of the absorbent body. Additionally, thinner and/or more flexible liners may also reduce absorbent capacity or increase material and/or manufacturing costs due to the use of advanced technological materials to compensate for the reduction in material used. Rising costs like these can set limitations on marketing.

[005] Thus, there is a desire for improvements in absorbent bodies that allow greater flexibility and/or movement.

DISCLOSURE SUMMARY

[006] In one embodiment, an absorbent body may include a lateral axis and a longitudinal axis. The absorbent body may include absorbent material. The absorbent body may also include a front edge and a back edge. The rear end may be opposite the front end. The longitudinal axis can extend through the front edge and the rear edge. The absorbent body may also include a pair of longitudinal side edges. The absorbent body may further include a reduced absorbent section with less absorbent material than an adjacent section of the absorbent body. The reduced absorbent section may include a rear divergent section including a first arm and a second arm. The first arm may include a first proximal end and a first distal end. The second arm may include a second proximal end and a second distal end. The first arm may be on a first side of the longitudinal axis and the second arm may be on a second side of the longitudinal axis. The first arm and the second arm may be configured such that a lateral distance between the first proximal end of the first arm and the second proximal end of the second arm is less than a lateral distance between the first distal end of the first arm and the second end distal part of the second arm. The reduced absorbent section may also include a front divergent section including a third arm and a fourth arm. The third arm may include a third proximal end and a third distal end. The fourth arm may include a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end. The third arm may be on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth arm may be on the second side of the longitudinal axis. The third arm and the fourth arm may be configured so that a lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third arm and the fourth proximal end of the fourth arm is less than a lateral distance between the third distal end of the third arm and the fourth end distal of the fourth arm. The reduced absorbent section may additionally include an intermediate section disposed between the rear diverging section and the front diverging section. The middle section can connect the rear diverging section to the front diverging section.

[007] In another embodiment, an absorbent body may include a lateral axis and a longitudinal axis. The absorbent body may include absorbent material. The absorbent body may also include a front edge and a back edge. The rear end may be opposite the front end. The longitudinal axis can extend through the front edge and the rear edge. The absorbent body may also include a pair of longitudinal side edges. The absorbent body may further include a reduced absorbent section with less absorbent material than an adjacent section of the absorbent body. The reduced absorbent section may include a rear divergent section including a first arm and a second arm. The first arm may include a first proximal end and a first distal end. The second arm may include a second proximal end and a second distal end. The first arm may be on a first side of the longitudinal axis and the second arm may be on a second side of the longitudinal axis. The first arm and the second arm may be configured such that a lateral distance between the first proximal end of the first arm and the second proximal end of the second arm is less than a lateral distance between the first distal end of the first arm and the second end distal part of the second arm. The reduced absorbent section may also include a front divergent section including a third arm and a fourth arm. The third arm may include a third proximal end and a third distal end. The fourth arm may include a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end. The third arm may be on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth arm may be on the second side of the longitudinal axis. The third arm and the fourth arm may be configured so that a lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third arm and the fourth proximal end of the fourth arm is less than a lateral distance between the third distal end of the third arm and the fourth end distal of the fourth arm. The rear diverging section and the front diverging section can be connected.

[008] In yet another embodiment, an absorbent article may have a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis. The absorbent article may also include a body side covering, an outer cover and an absorbent body. The absorbent body may include absorbent material and may be disposed between the body side lining and the outer cover. The absorbent body may include a front edge and a back edge. The rear end may be opposite the front end. The longitudinal axis can extend through the front edge and the rear edge. The absorbent body may also include a pair of longitudinal side edges. The absorbent body may further include a reduced absorbent section with less absorbent material than an adjacent section of the absorbent body. The reduced absorbent section may include a rear divergent section including a first arm and a second arm. The first arm may include a first proximal end and a first distal end. The second arm may include a second proximal end and a second distal end. The first arm may be on a first side of the longitudinal axis and the second arm may be on a second side of the longitudinal axis. The first arm and the second arm may be configured such that a lateral distance between the first proximal end of the first arm and the second proximal end of the second arm is less than a lateral distance between the first distal end of the first arm and the second end distal part of the second arm. The reduced absorbent section may also include a front divergent section including a third arm and a fourth arm. The third arm may include a third proximal end and a third distal end. The fourth arm may include a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end. The third arm may be on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth arm may be on the second side of the longitudinal axis. The third arm and the fourth arm may be configured so that a lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third arm and the fourth proximal end of the fourth arm is less than a lateral distance between the third distal end of the third arm and the fourth end distal of the fourth arm. The reduced absorbent section may be configured so that the lateral axis of the absorbent article extends through at least a portion of the reduced absorbent section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[009] A complete and enlightening disclosure on the subject, addressed to one skilled in the art, is presented more particularly in the remainder of the specification, which makes reference to the attached figures in which: FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent article, such as a diaper, in an affixed condition.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the absorbent article of FIG. 1 in a stretched, unattached and laid-flat condition.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the absorbent body of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0012] FIG. 3A is a detailed view of a portion of the reduced absorbent section in the absorbent body of FIG. 3.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. two.

[0014] FIG. 4A is a cross section similar to FIG. 4, but includes an alternative embodiment of an absorbent body including two layers.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an alternative absorbent body.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another alternative absorbent body.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of yet another alternative absorbent body.

[0018] The repeated use of reference characters in this specification and in the figures is intended to represent the same or analogous characteristics or elements of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0019] In one embodiment, the present disclosure is generally directed to an absorbent article 10 having an absorbent body 34, including a reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370. The reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 may provide greater flexibility and/or movement for the absorbent body 34 when the user moves in the absorbent article 10 and therefore a more flexible and comfortable absorbent article 10. All examples are provided by way of explanation, not limitation. For example, features illustrated or described as a portion of one embodiment or figure may be used in another embodiment or figure to generate yet a new embodiment. It is therefore intended that this disclosure addresses these modifications and variations. Furthermore, the features described below in relation to the reduced absorbent section 70 in FIGS. 1-4A also applies to alternative embodiments of the reduced absorbent sections 170, 270, 370 of FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, respectively, unless otherwise noted here.

[0020] When introducing the elements of the present disclosure or the preferred modality(s) thereof, the articles “a/one”, “a/o” and “said” are intended to indicate that there is one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the elements listed. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments described above should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

Definitions:

[0021] The term “absorbent article” herein refers to an article that can be placed against or near the body (i.e., contiguous to the body) of the user to absorb and contain various liquid, solid and semisolid exudates released by the body. Such absorbent articles, as described herein, are intended to be discarded after a limited period of use rather than being washed or otherwise restored for reuse. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is applicable to various disposable absorbent articles, including, but not limited to diapers, diaper pants, training pants, youth pants, swimming pants, feminine hygiene products, including, but not limited to to menstrual pads, incontinence products, medical clothing, surgical pads and dressings, other personal care or healthcare garments and the like, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0022] The term “capture layer” herein refers to a layer capable of accepting and temporarily retaining liquid body exudates in order to slow and disperse a surge or gush of liquid body exudates and subsequently release the liquid body exudates to another layer, or layers, of the absorbent article.

[0023] The term “linked” or “coupled” here refers to joining, adhering, connecting, fixing, or similar, two elements. Two elements will be considered linked or coupled when they are joined, adhered, connected, fixed, or similar, directly or indirectly to each other, for example, when each is directly linked to intermediate elements. The connection or coupling of one element to another can occur through continuous or intermittent connections.

[0024] The term “carded web” refers, in this document, to a blanket containing natural or synthetic fibers of discontinuous length normally with fiber lengths of less than about 100 mm. Bales of staple fibers can be subjected to the opening process to separate the fibers, which are then sent to a carding process that separates and combs the fibers in order to align them in the machine direction after being deposited on a wire in movement for further processing. These blankets are usually subjected to some type of bonding process, such as thermal bonding, using heat and/or pressure. Additionally, or instead, the fibers may be subjected to adhesive processes to bond the fibers together, such as by the use of powdered adhesives. The carded web may be subjected to fluid entanglement, such as hydroentanglement, to further intertwine the fibers and thereby improve the integrity of the carded web. Carded batts, due to the alignment of the fibers in the machine direction, when they are bonded, will generally have more strength in the machine direction than strength in the transverse machine direction.

[0025] The term “film” refers herein to a thermoplastic film made using an extrusion and/or forming process, such as the melt film or blown film extrusion process. The term includes apertured films, slit films and other porous films, which constitute liquid transfer films, as well as films that do not transfer fluids, such as, but not limited to, barrier films, filled films, breathable films and films. oriented.

[0026] The term “g/m2” refers in this document to grams per cubic meter.

[0027] The term “hydrophilic” refers in this document to fibers or fiber surfaces that are wetted by aqueous liquids in contact with the fibers. The degree of wetting of materials can, in turn, be described in terms of contact angles and surface tensions of the liquids and materials involved. Equipment and techniques suitable for measuring the wettability of specific fibrous materials or mixtures of fibrous materials may be provided by the Cahn SFA-222 Surface Force Analyzer System or a substantially equivalent system. When measured with this system, fibers that have contact angles less than 90 are designated as “wettable” or hydrophilic, and fibers with contact angles greater than 90 are designated “non-wettable” or hydrophobic.

[0028] The term “liquid impermeable” refers herein to a single-layer or multi-layer laminate in which liquid bodily exudates, such as urine, will not pass through the layer or laminate, under normal conditions of use, in a sense generally perpendicular to the plane of the layer or laminate at the point of contact with the liquid.

[0029] The term “liquid permeable” refers in this document to any material that is not impermeable to liquids.

[0030] The term “meltblown” herein refers to fibers formed by extrusion of a molten thermoplastic material, through a plurality of thin, generally circular, capillary molds, such as molten threads or filaments, into convergent heated gas flows. high velocity (e.g. air), which attenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic material in order to reduce their diameter, which may be a microfiber diameter. Therefore, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high-velocity gas flow and are deposited on a collection surface so as to form a blanket of randomly dispersed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,849,241 to Butin, et al., incorporated herein by reference. Meltblown fibers are microfibers that can be continuous or discontinuous, are typically smaller than 0.6 denier and can be sticky and self-adherent when deposited on a collecting surface.

[0031] The term “non-woven” refers in this document to materials and blankets of materials formed without the aid of a textile weaving or knitting process. Materials and mats of materials may have a structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threads (collectively referred to as “fibers”) that may be interspersed, but not in an identifiable manner, as in a knitted fabric. Wefts or non-woven materials can be formed from many processes, for example, but not limited to meltblown processes, spunbond processes, carded web processes, etc.

[0032] The term “flexible” refers in this document to materials that are malleable and that easily adapt to the general shape and contours of the user's body.

[0033] The term "spunbond" herein refers to small diameter fibers formed by extrusion of molten thermoplastic material as filaments from a plurality of fine capillaries of a spinneret, having a circular or other configuration, and the diameter of the extruded filament is rapidly reduced by means of a conventional process, e.g., pull extrusion, and processes described in U.S. Patent No. 4,340,563 to Appel et al., U.S. Patent No. 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al. ., US Patent No. 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., US Patent Nos. 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney, US Patent No. 3,502,763 to Hartmann, US Patent No. 3,502,538 to Peterson and U.S. Patent No. 3,542,615 to Dobo et al., each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and often have an average denier length greater than 0.3, and in one embodiment, between about 0.6, 5 and 10 and about 15, 20 and 40. Typically, spunbond fibers are not sticky when deposited on a collection surface.

[0034] The term “superabsorbent” herein refers to a water-insoluble, water-expandable organic or inorganic material capable of absorbing, under the most favorable conditions, at least about 15 times its weight, and in one embodiment, at least about 30 times its weight, in an aqueous solution containing about 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride. Superabsorbent materials can be polymers and natural, synthetic and modified natural materials. Furthermore, superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials such as silica gels or organic compounds such as cross-linked polymers.

[0035] The term “thermoplastic” refers herein to a material that softens and can be molded when exposed to heat and that substantially returns to an unsoftened condition when cooled.

[0036] The term “user” or “caregiver” refers herein to a person wearing an absorbent article, such as, but not limited to, a diaper, diaper-pants, training diaper, children's pants, incontinent product. or other absorbent article around the wearer of one of those absorbent articles. A user and a user can be the same person.

Absorbent Article:

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a non-limiting illustration of an absorbent article 10, e.g., a diaper, is illustrated. Other embodiments of the absorbent article may include training diapers, children's pants, adult incontinence garments, and feminine hygiene articles. Although the embodiments and illustrations described herein may generally be applied to absorbent articles manufactured in the longitudinal direction of the product, which is hereinafter referred to as manufacturing a product in the “machine direction,” it should be noted that one skilled in the art could apply the information contained in this document to absorbent articles manufactured in the latitudinal direction of a product, which is hereinafter referred to as manufacturing a product in the “transverse machine manufacturing direction”, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0038] The absorbent article 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may include a chassis 11. The absorbent article 10 may include a front waist region 12, a rear waist region 14 and a crotch region 16 disposed between the front waist region 12 and the rear waist region 14 and interconnecting the front and back waist regions 12, 14, respectively. The front waist region 12 may be referred to as the front end region, the rear waist region 14 may be referred to as the rear end region, and the crotch region 16 may be referred to as the middle region.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the absorbent article 10 may have a pair of longitudinal side edges 18, 20 and a pair of opposing waist edges, respectively designated waist front edge 22 and waist rear edge 24. The front waist region 12 may be contiguous to the front waist edge 22 and the back waist region 14 may be contiguous to the back waist edge 24. The longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may extend from the front waist edge 22 to the back waist edge 24. The longitudinal side edges 18 , 20 may extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 30 throughout its entire length, such as for the absorbent article 10 illustrated in FIG. 2. In other embodiments, the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may be curved between the front waist edge 22 and the rear waist edge 24.

[0040] The front waist region 12 may include that portion of the absorbent article 10 that, when worn, is positioned at least partially in the front of the wearer, while the rear waist region 14 may include portion of the absorbent article 10 that , when worn, is positioned, at least partially, on the back of the wearer. The crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10 may include that portion of the absorbent article 10, which, when worn, is positioned between the user's legs and may partially cover the user's lower torso. The waist edges, 22 and 24, of the absorbent article 10 are configured to surround the user's waist and together define a central waist opening 23 (as labeled in FIG. 1) for the user's waist. Portions of the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 in the crotch region 16 may generally define leg openings for the user's legs when the absorbent article 10 is worn.

[0041] The absorbent article 10 may include an outer cover 26 and a body-side liner 28. The outer cover 26 and the body-side liner 28 may form a portion of the structure 11. In one embodiment, the body-side liner 28 may form a portion of the structure 11. of the body 28 may be joined to the outer cover 26 in an overlapping relationship by any suitable means, for example, but not limited to adhesives, ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, pressure bonding, or other conventional techniques. The outer cover 26 may define a length in a longitudinal direction 30 and a width in a lateral direction 32, which, in the illustrated embodiment, may coincide with the length and width of the absorbent article 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the absorbent article 10 may have a longitudinal axis 29 extending in the longitudinal direction 30 and a lateral axis 31 extending in the lateral direction 32.

[0042] The structure 11 may include an absorbent body 34. An absorbent body 34 may be disposed between the outer cover 26 and the body side liner 28. The absorbent body 34 may have a pair of longitudinal side edges, 36 and 38 , which, in one embodiment, may form portions of the longitudinal side edges, 18 and 20, respectively, of the absorbent article 10. The absorbent body 34 may have a first end edge 40 that is opposite a second end edge 42, respectively. , which, in one embodiment, may form portions of the waist edges, 22 and 24, respectively, of the absorbent article 10. In some embodiments, the first end edge 40 may be in the front waist region 12 and may be referred to as a front end edge 40 of the absorbent body 34. In some embodiments, the second end edge 42 may be in the rear region of the waist 14 and may be referred to as a rear end edge 42 of the absorbent body 34. In one embodiment, the body absorbent article 34 may have a length and width equal to or less than the length and width of the absorbent article 10. The body side liner 28, the outer cover 26 and the absorbent body 34 may form part of an absorbent assembly 44. The assembly absorbent 44 may also include a fluid transfer layer 46 (shown in FIG. 4) and a fluid pickup layer 48 (shown in FIG. 4) between the body side liner 28 and the absorbent body 34. In some embodiments, if a fluid transfer layer 46 is present, the pickup layer 48 may be between the body side liner 28 and the fluid transfer layer 46, as is known in the art. The absorbent assembly 44 may also include a spacer layer (not shown) disposed between the absorbent body 34 and the outer cover 26, as is known in the art. The absorbent assembly 44 may include other components in some embodiments. It is also contemplated that some embodiments may not include a fluid transfer layer 46 and/or a pickup layer 48 and/or a spacer layer.

[0043] The absorbent article 10 can be configured to contain and/or absorb liquid, solid and semisolid bodily exudates released by the user. In some embodiments, a pair of containment flaps 50, 52 may be configured to provide a barrier to the lateral flow of exudates from the body. In some embodiments, the absorbent article 10 may include a waist containment element 54. The waist containment element 54 may be disposed in the rear waist region 14 of the absorbent article 10. Although not shown here, it is contemplated that the absorbent article 10 waist restraint 54 may be additionally or alternatively arranged in the front waist region 12 of the absorbent article 10.

[0044] The absorbent article 10 may further include elastic leg elements 60, 62, as are known to those skilled in the art. The elastic leg elements 60, 62 may be attached to the outer cover 26 and/or the body side liner 28 along the opposing longitudinal side edges 18 and 20 and positioned in the crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10. The elastic elements of the leg 60, 62 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 29, as shown in FIG. 2, or may be curved as is known in the art. The elastic leg elements 60, 62 can provide elastic leg hems.

[0045] Additional details can be found about each of these elements of the absorbent article 10 described in this document below and with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

External coverage:

[0046] The outer covering 26 and/or portions thereof may be breathable and/or impermeable to liquids. The outer cover 26 and/or portions thereof may be elastic, extensible or non-extensible. The outer cover 26 may be made of a single layer, multiple layers, laminates, spunbond fabrics, films, meltblown fabrics, elastic nets, microporous batts, carded batts or foams provided by elastomeric or polymeric materials. In one embodiment, for example, the outer covering 26 may be constructed of a microporous polymeric film, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0047] In one embodiment, the outer covering 26 may be a single layer of a liquid impermeable material, such as a polymeric film. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be suitably extensible and more suitably elastic, at least in the lateral direction 32 of the absorbent article 10, 410. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be extensible, and more suitably elastic in both directions. lateral 32 and longitudinal 30. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be a multi-layer laminate in which at least one of the layers is impermeable to liquids. In some embodiments, the outer cover 26 may be a two-layer construction, including an outer layer 26a and an inner layer 26b (each shown in FIG. 4) that may be bonded together, such as by an adhesive laminate. Suitable laminate adhesives may be applied continuously or intermittently as granules, a spray, parallel swirls or the like, but it should be understood that the inner layer may be bonded to the outer layer by other bonding methods, including, but not limited to, ultrasonic bonds. thermal bonds, pressure bonds, or similar.

[0048] The outer layer 26a of the outer cover 26 may be any suitable material and may be one that provides a generally fabric-like texture or appearance to the user. An example of such a material may be a 100% polypropylene carded-bonded batt with a diamond bond pattern available from Sandler A.G., Germany, such as 30 g/m2 Sawabond 4185® or equivalent. Another example of a suitable material for use as an outer layer 26a of an outer covering 26 may be a 20 g/m2 polypropylene spunbond non-woven blanket. The outer layer 26a may also be constructed of the same materials from which the body side liner 28 may be constructed as described herein.

[0049] The liquid-impermeable inner layer 26b of the outer cover 26 (or the liquid-impermeable outer cover 26, where the outer cover 26 is of a single-layer construction) may be vapor permeable (i.e., "breathable") or impermeable to vapor. The liquid-impervious inner layer 26b (or the liquid-impervious outer cover 26, where the outer cover 26 is of single-layer construction) may be manufactured from a thin plastic film. The liquid-impermeable inner layer 26b (or the liquid-impermeable outer covering 26 where the outer covering 26 has a single-layer construction) can inhibit liquid bodily exudates from leaking from the absorbent article 10 and wetting articles such as bed sheets and clothing, as well as the user and the caregiver.

[0050] In some embodiments, when the outer covering 26 is a single-layer construction, it may be embossed and/or have a matte finish to provide a fabric-like texture or appearance. The outer cover 26 may allow vapors to escape from the absorbent article 10 while preventing liquids from passing through the article. A suitable liquid impermeable, vapor permeable material may be comprised of a microporous polymeric film or a non-woven material that has been coated or treated to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability.

Absorbent body:

[0051] The absorbent body 34 can be suitably produced to be generally compressible, adjustable, flexible, non-irritating to the user's skin and capable of absorbing and retaining liquid body exudates. The absorbent body 34 can be manufactured in various sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, trapezoidal, T-shaped, I-shaped, hourglass-shaped, etc.) and from a variety of materials. The size and absorbent capacity of the absorbent body 34 must be compatible with the size of the intended user (children or adults) and the liquid load provided by the intended use of the absorbent article 10. The absorbent body 34 may have a length and a width which may be less than or equal to the length and width of the absorbent article 10. The absorbent body 34 may have a longitudinal axis 35 and a lateral axis 37. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent body 34 may be collinear with the axis longitudinal 29 of the absorbent article 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent body 34 may be collinear with the lateral axis 31 of the absorbent article 10, as also illustrated in FIG. 2. However, it is contemplated that the longitudinal axis 35 and/or the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent body 34 need not be collinear (or even parallel) with the respective longitudinal axis 29 and/or lateral axis 31 of the absorbent article 10. longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent body 34 may extend through the front end edge 40 of the absorbent body 34 and the rear end edge 42 of the absorbent body 34.

[0052] The absorbent body 34 includes absorbent material. In one embodiment, the absorbent body 34 may be composed of a web material of hydrophilic fibers, cellulosic fibers (e.g., cellulose pulp fibers), natural fibers, synthetic fibers, woven or non-woven sheets, open-web fabric or other stabilizing structures, superabsorbent material, binder materials, surfactants, selected hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials, pigments, lotions, odor control agents or the like, as well as combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the absorbent body 34 may be a matrix of cellulosic fluff and superabsorbent material. In one embodiment, the absorbent body 34 may be constructed of a single layer of materials or, alternatively, may be constructed of two or more layers of materials (as will be described in relation to FIG. 4A, below).

[0053] Various types of wettable hydrophilic fibers can be used in the absorbent body 34. Examples of suitable fibers include natural fibers, cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers composed of cellulose or cellulose derivatives, such as rayon fibers; inorganic fibers consisting of an inherently wettable material, such as glass fibers; synthetic fibers made from inherently wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as particular polyester or polyamide fibers, or composed of non-wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as polyolefin fibers, which have been hydrophilized by appropriate means. Fibers can be hydrophilized, for example, by treatment with a surfactant, treatment with silica, treatment with a material that has a suitable hydrophilic portion and is not easily removed from the fiber, or by lining the non-wettable hydrophobic fiber with a hydrophilic polymer for a period of time. or after fiber formation. Suitable superabsorbent materials can be selected from natural, synthetic and modified natural materials and polymers. Superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds, such as cross-linked polymers. In one embodiment, the absorbent body 34 may be free of superabsorbent material.

[0054] If a spacer layer is present, the absorbent body 34 can be disposed on the spacer layer and superimposed on the outer cover 26. The spacer layer can be bonded to the outer cover 26, for example, by adhesive. In some embodiments, a spacer layer may not be present and the absorbent body 34 may directly contact the outer cover 26 and may be directly attached to the outer cover 26. However, it is necessary to understand that the absorbent body 34 may be in contact with, not adhere to, the outer covering 26 and remain within the scope of this disclosure. In one embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be formed from a single layer and the absorbent body 34 may be in contact with the single layer of the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, at least a portion of a layer, such as, without limitation, a fluid transfer layer 46 and/or a spacer layer may be positioned between the absorbent body 34 and the outer cover 26. The absorbent body 34 may be connected to the fluid transfer layer 46 and/or the spacer layer.

[0055] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the absorbent body 34 may include a reduced absorbent section 70. The reduced absorbent section 70 may include less absorbent material than an adjacent section 71 of the absorbent body 34. In some embodiments, the reduced absorbent section 70 may include a rear divergent section 72 and a front divergent section 74. In preferred embodiments, the reduced absorbent section 70 may also include an intermediate section 76. The intermediate section 76 may be disposed between the rear divergent section 72 and the front divergent section 74. In some embodiments , the reduced absorbent section 70 may generally be configured in an “X shape”, as will be evident in a further discussion below.

[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the rear divergent section 72 may include a first arm 78 and a second arm 80. The first arm 78 may include a proximal end 78a and a distal end 78b. The second arm 80 may include a proximal end 80a and a distal end 80b. In a preferred embodiment, the distal end 78b of the first arm 78 and the distal end 80b of the second arm 80 may be rounded, as illustrated in FIG. 3. However, it is contemplated that the distal ends 78b, 80b of the first and second arms 78, 80, respectively, may be configured in other fashions without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The first arm 78 may be on a first side 35a of the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent body 34. The second arm 80 may be on a second side 35b of the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent body 34. The first arm 78 and the second arm 80 may be be configured so that a lateral distance between the proximal end 78a of the first arm 78 and the proximal end 80a of the second arm 80 is less than a lateral distance between the distal end 78b of the first arm 78 and the distal end 80b of the second arm 80 (the lateral distances being measured in a direction parallel to the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent body 34). In other words, the first arm 78 and the second arm 80 may be configured to diverge generally from each other as the arms 78, 80 extend from their respective proximal ends 78a, 80a toward their respective distal ends 78b, 80b.

[0057] The front divergent section 74 may include a third arm 82 and a fourth arm 84. The third arm 82 may include a proximal end 82a and a distal end 82b. The fourth arm 84 may include a proximal end 84a and a distal end 84b. In a preferred embodiment, the distal end 82b of the third arm 82 and the distal end 84b of the fourth arm 84 may be rounded, as illustrated in FIG. 3. It is contemplated, however, that the distal ends 82b, 84b of the third and fourth arms 82, 84, respectively, may be configured in other fashions without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The third arm 82 may be on a first side 35a of the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent body 34. The fourth arm 84 may be on a second side 35b of the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent body 34. The third arm 82 and the fourth arm 84 may be be configured so that a lateral distance between the proximal end 82a of the third arm 82 and the proximal end 84a of the fourth arm 84 is less than a lateral distance between the distal end 82b of the third arm 82 and the distal end 84b of the fourth arm 84 (the lateral distances being measured in a direction parallel to the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent body 34). In other words, the third arm 82 and the fourth arm 84 may be configured to diverge generally from each other as the arms 82, 84 extend from their respective proximal ends 82a, 84a toward their respective distal ends 82b, 84b.

[0058] The reduced absorbent section 70 may include a length L and a width W. As depicted in FIG. 2, the length L may be measured as the largest dimension of the reduced absorbent section 70 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent body 34. The length L may vary depending on the size of the absorbent body 34, but in some embodiments, it may vary from about 50 mm to about 500 mm, and more preferably from about 75 mm to about 400 mm, and even more preferably from about 100 mm to about 350 mm. The width W may be measured as the largest dimension of the reduced absorbent section 70 in a direction parallel to the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent body 34. The width W may vary depending on the size of the absorbent body 34, but in some embodiments, the width W may range from about 20 mm to about 500 mm, and more preferably from about 25 mm to about 100 mm, and even more preferably from about 30 mm to about 75 mm.

[0059] As illustrated in the embodiment represented in FIGS. 2-3, one or more of the first arm 78, the second arm 80, the third arm 82, and the fourth arm 84 may be configured to be configured as linear segments. The first arm 78 and the second arm 80 may diverge from each other, as defined by an angle α formed between the first arm 78 and the second arm 80. In preferred embodiments, the angle α may vary from about 15° to about 90°, more preferably from about 20° to about 75° and most preferably from about 25° to about 60°. In preferred embodiments, angle a is less than 90°. The third arm 80 and the fourth arm 84 may diverge from each other, as defined by an angle β formed between the third arm 80 and the fourth arm 84. In preferred embodiments, the angle β may vary from about 15° to about 90°, more preferably from about 20° to about 75° and most preferably from about 25° to about 60°. In preferred embodiments, the angle β is less than 90°. The rear diverging section 72 may be configured to be a mirror image of the front diverging section 74, such that angle α may be substantially equal to angle β, in some embodiments. However, it is also contemplated that angle α may be different from angle β in some embodiments.

[0060] The arms 78, 80, 82, 84 of the reduced absorbent section 70 may have a thickness T, as measured in the two-dimensional plane defined by the longitudinal axis 35 and the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent body 34 and in a direction normal to a direction in which they extend (a thickness T of the second arm 80 being represented in FIG. 3A). The thickness T may vary from about 2 mm to about 50 mm, and more preferably from about 5 mm to about 25 mm. The thickness T of each arm 78, 80, 82, 84 may be the same as each other, or the thickness T of one or more arms 78, 80, 82, 84 may be different from each other. The thickness T of each arm 78, 80, 82, 84 may be consistent along the length of each respective arm 78, 80, 82, 84 or one or more arms 78, 80, 82, 84 may be configured to have a varying thickness T along its respective length.

[0061] In some embodiments, the rear divergent section 72 and the front divergent section 74 of the reduced absorbent section 70 may be connected to each other. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, some embodiments may include an intermediate section 76. The intermediate section 76 of the reduced absorbent section 70 of the absorbent body 34 may be disposed between the rear divergent section 72 and the front divergent section 74. In some embodiments, the intermediate section 76 may connect the rear diverging section 72 and the front diverging section 74. The intermediate section 76 may vary in length LL, as measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 35 of the absorbent body 34 (as depicted in FIG. 2), from about 5mm to about 200mm. In preferred embodiments where the absorbent body 34 is configured for an absorbent article 10, such as a diaper, the length LL of the intermediate section 76 may vary from about 5 mm to about 50 mm, and more preferably from about 5 mm. to approximately 20 mm. The intermediate section 76 may include a thickness (not labeled for clarity) that may be the same as or different from the thickness T of one or more of the arms 78, 80, 82, 84 of the reduced absorbent section 70.

[0062] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-3A, the rear divergent section 72 may include a rear curved section 73. The rear curved section 73 may connect the first arm 78 to the second arm 80. The rear curved section 73 may be connected to the middle section 76. The front divergent section 74 may include a front curved section 75. The front curved section 75 may connect the third arm 82 to the fourth arm 84. The front curved section 75 may also be connected to the middle section 76. As illustrated in the detail view of FIG. 3A, the rear curved section 73 may be configured to include four inflection points 77 in its curvature. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the four inflection points 77 shown along axis 73x of the rear curved section 73 provide a shape that allows the rear curved section 73 to smoothly connect the first arm 78, the second arm 80, and the middle section 76 along their respective axes 78x, 80x and 76x. The front curved section 75 may be configured in a similar manner to also include four inflection points in its shape.

[0063] The reduced absorbent section 70 can be located within the absorbent body 34 in various positions. For purposes of reference to where the reduced absorbent section 70 is disposed within the absorbent body 34, the reduced absorbent section 70 is shown as having a lateral axis 79 as labeled in FIGS. 3 and 3A. In preferred embodiments, the reduced absorbent section 70 may be located closer to the edge of the front end 44 of the absorbent body 34 than to the edge of the rear end 42 of the absorbent body 34, such that a longitudinal distance between the edge of the front end 44 and the lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 is less than a longitudinal distance between the edge of the rear end 42 and the lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70. The reduced absorbent section 70 may be disposed within the absorbent body 34, so so that a lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 (as marked in FIGS. 3 and 3A) is disposed in front of a lateral axis 37 of the absorbent body 34. In some embodiments, the lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 may be arranged in front of a side axis 31 of the absorbent article 10 so that the side axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 is located closer to the front edge of the waist 22 of the absorbent article 10 than to the rear edge of the waist 24 of the absorbent article 10. Although in some embodiments the lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 may be located in front of the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent body 34 and/or the lateral axis 31 of the absorbent article 10, the reduced absorbent section 70 may still be configured in a so that the lateral axis 31 of the absorbent article 10 extends through at least a portion of the reduced absorbent section 70 of the absorbent body 34.

[0064] Of course, it is also contemplated that the reduced absorbent section 70 may be arranged in the absorbent body 34 such that the lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 is collinear with the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent body 34 and/or the axis side 31 of the absorbent article 10. It is also contemplated that the reduced absorbent section 70 may be arranged within the absorbent body 34 so that the lateral axis 79 of the reduced absorbent section 70 is located behind the lateral axis 37 of the absorbent body 34 and/or or the lateral axis 31 of the absorbent article 10.

[0065] In some embodiments, the reduced absorbent section 70 may be free of absorbent material. In other words, in such embodiments the reduced absorbent section 70 may be a void of the absorbent material forming the adjacent section 71 of the absorbent body 34. As shown in the cross-sectional image of FIG. 4, the reduced absorbent section 70 may be free of absorbent material since the third arm 82 and the fourth arm 84 of the front divergent section 74 do not include any absorbent material.

[0066] However, in other embodiments it is contemplated that the reduced absorbent section 70 may include some absorbent material, but less absorbent material than an adjacent section 71 of the absorbent body 34. As an example, the absorbent body 34 may be formed of a single layer of absorbent material, but having less absorbent material in the reduced absorbent section 70 than in an adjacent 71 of the absorbent body 34. In some embodiments, such as the alternative embodiment depicted in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4A, the absorbent body 34 may include more than one layer (e.g., layers 34a, 34b) and the reduced absorbent section 70 may be formed by removing the absorbent material at the location of the reduced absorbent section 70 of a layer 34a (or initial formation of that layer 34a without absorbent material in the reduced absorbent section 70), but such that the absorbent material exists above and/or below the reduced absorbent section 70 in one or more adjacent layers (e.g. layer 34b below layer 34a) of the absorbent body 34.

[0067] Various alternative embodiments in the configurations of the reduced absorbent sections 170, 270, 370 are illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. Unless otherwise indicated, the reduced absorbent sections 170, 270, 370 in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, respectively, are the same as those described above for the embodiments represented in FIGS. 1-4A. Returning to FIG. 5 first, the reduced absorbent section 170 may be configured such that the rear diverging section 72 does not include a rear curved section 73 and the front diverging section 74 does not include a front curved section 75. In this embodiment, the first arm 78 and the second arm 80 of the rear divergent section connects to each other and the middle section 76. Likewise, the third arm 82 and the fourth arm 84 connect to each other and the middle section 76.

[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the reduced absorbent section 270 of the absorbent body 34 is configured so that the first arm 78, the second arm 80, the third arm 82 and the fourth arm 84 are in the form of arcuate segments. This provides an alternative configuration compared to the reduced absorbent sections 70, 170 described above, where the first arm 78, second arm 80, third arm 82 and fourth arm 84 are configured as linear segments.

[0069] The reduced absorbent section 370 of the absorbent body 34 of FIG. 7 shows that the reduced absorbent section 370 may include an intermediate section 76 that is separate from the rear divergent section 72 and the front divergent section 74. In other words, the rear divergent section 72, the front divergent section 74 and the intermediate section 76 are all separate components of the reduced absorbent section 70 of the absorbent body 34 of FIG. 7.

[0070] The absorbent article 10 may include features that help to accentuate the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 and/or provide the user and/or wearer with an indication that a reduced absorbent section 70 is present in the absorbent body 34 For example, the absorbent article 10 may include graphics 86 visible on the outside of the absorbent article 10 that are recorded in the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370. As illustrated in FIG. 1, these graphics 86 may include graphics printed on the outer cover 26 that are visible on the outside of the absorbent article 10. The graphics 86 that may be recorded on the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 may include shapes such as line segments , lines, stars and/or other shapes, alphanumeric characters or images to help inform the user and/or a wearer of the presence of the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370. These graphics 86 may also be configured so that they are visible when viewing from the inside of the absorbent article 10 (or when viewing the body-facing surface 55 of the body-side liner 28). Additionally or alternatively, the absorbent article 10 may be configured so that the body side lining 28 is printed, embossed or otherwise marked to indicate the presence and shape of the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 of the body. absorbent 34. In another aspect, a portion of the absorbent material in the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 or another layer of material between the absorbent body 34 and the outer cover 26 in the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 may be colored to help indicate to a user or wearer the presence and shape of the absorbent section reduced 70, 170, 270, 370 from the interior of the absorbent article 10.

[0071] The reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 can provide additional flexibility of the absorbent body 34, allowing for more easily creasing or bending the absorbent body 34 into a shape that matches a user's natural movement patterns. This benefit is present when the absorbent body 34 is dry, but is especially noticeable when the absorbent body 34 captures an insult of body exudates and the absorbent materials of the absorbent body 34 expand to absorb the body exudates. The reduced absorbent section components 70, 170, 270, 370 provide creases or guides in the absorbent body 34, wherein the absorbent body 34 can naturally curve with the user's movement, corresponding to the pivot points of the user's movement patterns. , such as running, walking and/or crawling.

[0072] The reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 of the absorbent body 34 may provide the additional benefit of improved transmission of body exudate throughout the absorbent body 34, thereby providing improved efficiency of the absorbent body 34.

[0073] The reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 can be formed in various ways. For example, the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 may be formed by forming the absorbent body 34 with absorbent materials only in the adjacent section 71 of the absorbent body 34. Alternatively, the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 may be formed by pressure bonding or ultrasonic bonding to the absorbent body 34 to reduce the absorbent material in the area of the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370. Another method for forming the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 may be remove the absorbent material in the area of the reduced absorbent section 70, 170, 270, 370 after forming the absorbent body 34. For example, the absorbent material may be mechanically cut from the absorbent body 34 or a cutting process may be used to remove the absorbent material after forming the absorbent body 34.

Body side lining:

[0074] The body side liner 28 of the absorbent article 10 may overlap the absorbent body 34 and the outer covering 26 and may be configured to receive exudate insults from the user and may isolate the user's skin from liquid waste retained by the absorbent body 34. The body side lining 28 may be at least part of the body-facing surface 19 of the chassis 11.

[0075] In various embodiments, a fluid transfer layer 46 may be positioned between the body side liner 28 and the absorbent body 34 (as shown in FIG. 4). In various embodiments, a capture layer 48 may be positioned between the body side liner 28 and the absorbent body 34 or a fluid transfer layer 46, if present (as shown in FIG. 4). In various embodiments, the body side liner 28 may be bonded to the pickup layer 48 or to the fluid transfer layer 46 if no pickup layer 48 is present, via adhesive and/or by a point fusion bond. Spot fusion bonding can be selected from ultrasonic, thermal, pressure bonding and their combinations.

[0076] In one embodiment, the body side liner 28 may extend beyond the absorbent body 34 and/or a fluid transfer layer 46, if present, and/or a capture layer 48, if present, and/or or a spacer layer, if present, for overlying a portion of the outer covering 26 and may be attached thereto by any method deemed suitable, such as, for example, by being attached thereto by adhesive, to substantially enclose the absorbent body 34 between the outer cover 26 and the body side liner 28. In some embodiments, the body side liner 28 and the outer cover 26 may have the same dimensions in width and length. In some embodiments, however, the body side liner 28 may be narrower than the outer cover 26 and/or shorter than the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, the length of the body side liner 28 may vary from 50% to 100% of the length of the absorbent article 10, as measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 29. In some embodiments, the body side lining 28 may have a greater width than the outer covering 26. It is also possible that the body-side liner 28 does not extend beyond the absorbent body 34 and/or may not be secured to the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, the body-side liner 28 may wrap around at least a portion of the absorbent body 34, including wrapping around both longitudinal edges 36, 38 of the absorbent body 34 and/or one or more of the end edges 40, 42. It is further contemplated that the liner side liner 28 may be composed of more than one segment of material .

[0077] The body side lining 28 can be of different shapes, including rectangular, hourglass, or any other shape. The body side liner 28 may be suitably compatible, gentle and non-irritating to the user's skin and may be the same as or less hydrophilic as the absorbent body 34, to allow body exudates to readily penetrate through the absorbent body 34 and provide a relatively dry surface for the user.

[0078] The body side lining 28 may be manufactured from a wide variety of materials, such as synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers). ), a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, porous foams, cross-linked foams, perforated plastic films, or the like. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to rayon, wood, cotton, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, or other heat-bonded fibers, polyolefins, such as, but not limited to copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, linear polyethylene of low density and aliphatic esters such as polylactic acid, finely perforated film blankets, mesh materials and the like, as well as combinations thereof.

[0079] Various fabrics and non-woven fabrics may be used for the body side lining 28. The body side lining 28 may include a fabric, a non-woven fabric, a polymeric film, a fabric and film laminate or the like, as well as their combinations. Examples of a non-woven fabric may include spunbond fabric, meltblown fabric, co-formed fabric, carded web, carded and bonded web, two-component spunbond fabric, spunlace or the like, as well as combinations thereof. The body side liner 28 need not be a unitary layer structure and thus may include more than one layer of fabrics, films and/or batts, as well as combinations thereof. For example, the body side liner 28 may include a support layer and a hydroentangleable projection layer. The projection layer may include hollow projections, such as those disclosed in US Patent No. 9,474,660, invented by Kirby, Scott SC et al., and as depicted in FIG. 8.

[0080] For example, the body side lining 28 may be composed of a meltblown or spunbond blanket of polyolefin fibers. Alternatively, the body side lining 28 may be a carded and bonded batt composed of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The body side liner 28 may be composed of a highly hydrophobic material, which may optionally be treated with a surfactant, or processed to impart a desired level of water absorption capacity and hydrophilicity. The surfactant can be applied by any conventional means, such as spraying, printing, brush lining or the like. The surfactant may be applied to the entire body side liner 28 or may be selectively applied to particular sections of the body side liner 28.

[0081] In one embodiment, a body side liner 28 may be composed of a bicomponent non-woven blanket. The two-component non-woven batt can be a two-component spunbonded batt or a carded and bonded two-component batt. An example of a bicomponent staple fiber includes a polyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent fiber. In this particular bicomponent fiber, polypropylene forms the core and polyethylene forms the lining of the fiber. Fibers with other orientations, such as multilobal, side-by-side, end-to-end, may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, a body side liner 28 may be a spunbond substrate with a basis weight of about 10 or 12 to about 15 or 20 g/m2. In one embodiment, a body side liner 28 may be a 12 g/m2 spunbond-meltblown-spunbond substrate having a 10% meltblown content applied between the two spunbond layers.

[0082] Although the outer cover 26 and the body side liner 28 may include elastomeric materials, it is possible that the outer cover 26 and the body side liner 28 may be composed of materials that are generally non-elastomeric. In one embodiment, the body side liner 28 may be stretchable and, more suitably, elastic. In one embodiment, the body side liner 28 may be suitably extensible and more suitably elastic, at least in the lateral or circumferential direction of the absorbent article 10. In one embodiment, the body side liner 28 may be extensible and more suitably elastic. , in both lateral and longitudinal directions 32, 30, respectively.

Containment Tabs:

[0083] In one embodiment, the absorbent article 10 may include a pair of containment flaps 50, 52. The containment flaps 50, 52 may be formed separately from the absorbent structure 11 and attached to the structure 11 or may be formed integrally with the structure 11. In some embodiments, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be attached to the chassis 11 of the absorbent article 10 in a spaced relationship generally parallel to each other laterally into the leg openings to provide a barrier against the flow of exudates from the body. One containment flap 50 may be a first side of the longitudinal axis 29 and the other containment flap 52 may be a second side of the longitudinal axis, 29. In one embodiment, the containment flaps 50, 52 may extend generally in a direction longitudinal 30 from the front waist region 12 of the absorbent article 10, through the crotch region 16 to the back waist region 14 of the absorbent article 10. In some embodiments, the containment flaps 50, 52 may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10, however, in other embodiments, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be curved, as is known in the art.

[0084] In embodiments in which the containment flaps 50, 52 are coupled to the chassis 11, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be attached to the body side liner 28, the outer cover 26, or another layer, such as a spacer, if present, with a barrier adhesive, as is known in the art. Naturally, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be attached to other components of the chassis 11 and may be bonded with other suitable means other than a barrier adhesive. For example, containment flaps 50, 52 may be attached to the body side liner 28, outer cover 26, or other layer with pressure bonding, thermal bonding, or ultrasonic bonding. The containment flaps 50, 52 may be made of a fibrous material, which may be similar to the material that forms the body side lining 28. Other conventional materials, such as polymeric films, may also be used.

[0085] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the containment flaps 50, 52 may each include a base portion 64 and a projection portion 66. The base portion 64 may be attached to the chassis 11, for example, to the body side liner 28 or the cover external 26 as mentioned above. The base portion 64 may be connected to other components of the chassis 11. The projection portion 66 may be configured to extend away from the body-facing surface 19 of the chassis 11 (such as the body-facing surface 55 of the chassis liner). side of the body 28) at least in the crotch region 16 when the absorbent article 10 is in a relaxed configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0086] It is contemplated that the containment flaps 50, 52 may be of various shapes and configurations and may be constructed by various methods. For example, containment flaps 50, 52 of FIGS. 2 and 4 depict a vertical containment flap 50, 52 that can be locked downwardly at the front and rear regions of the waist 12, 14, wherein the projecting portion 66 of each retention flap 50, 52 is secured to the side lining. of the body 28 toward the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10. However, it is contemplated that the containment flaps 50, 52 may be locked downwardly, where the projection portion 66 of each of the containment flaps 50, 52 is folded upon itself and coupled to itself and the covering of body zone 28 in a “C-shaped” configuration, as is known in the art and described in U.S. Patent No. 5,895,382, to Robert L. Popp et al. al. As another alternative, it is envisioned that the containment flaps 50, 52 could be constructed in a “T-shaped” configuration, as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/900,134 by Robert L. Popp et al. , which published with US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0350504. This configuration may also include the projection portions 66 being locked downwardly at one or both of the front and rear waist regions 12, 14, respectively. Of course, other configurations of containment tabs 50, 52 may be used in absorbent article 10 and still remain within the scope of this disclosure.

[0087] Containment flaps 50, 52 may include one or more elastic flap elements 68, such as the two elastic flap strands depicted in FIG. 4. Suitable elastic materials for the flap elastic members 68 may include sheets, strips or tapes of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastomeric materials. Of course, while two elastic elements 68 are shown on each containment flap 50, 52, it is anticipated that the containment flaps 50, 52 may be configured with one or three or more elastic elements 68. Alternatively or additionally, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be composed of a material exhibiting elastic properties itself.

[0088] The elastic elements of the flap 68, as illustrated in FIG. 2, may have two strands of elastomeric material extending longitudinally in the projection portion 66 of the containment flaps 50, 52, in a spaced relationship generally parallel to each other. The elastic flap elements 68 may be within the containment flaps 50, 52 while in an elastically contractible condition such that contraction of the threads brings together and shortens the projecting portions 66 of the containment flaps 50, 52 in the longitudinal direction 30. As a result, the elastic elements 68 can influence the projecting portions 66 of the containment flaps 50, 52 to extend in the opposite direction from the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 in a generally vertical orientation of the containment flaps 50, 52 , especially in the crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10, when the absorbent article 10 is in a relaxed configuration. Such vertical orientation of the projection portion 66 of the containment flap 50 and the projection portion 66 of the containment flap 52 is illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the absorbent article 10 is in a relaxed configuration.

[0089] During the manufacture of the containment flaps 50, 52, at least a portion of the elastic elements 68 can be connected to the containment flaps 50, 52 while the elastic elements 68 are elongated. The percentage of elongation of the elastic elements 68 may be, for example, about 110% to about 350%. In one embodiment, the elastic members 68 may be coated with adhesive while stretched to a specified length before attaching the elastic members 68 to the containment flaps 50, 52. In this example method of attaching the elastic elements 68 to the containment flaps 50 52, the portion of the elastic elements 68 not coated with adhesive will retract after the elastic elements 68 and the absorbent article 10 are cut in manufacturing to form an individual absorbent article 10. As noted above, relaxation of the elastic elements 68 when the absorbent article 10 is in a relaxed condition may cause each retention tab 50, 52 to accumulate and cause the projecting portion 66 of each retention tab 50, 52 to extend away from the body and the facing surface 19 of the chassis. 11 (e.g., the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44 or the body-facing surface 55 of the body shell 28), as depicted in FIG. 4.

Leg elastics:

[0090] The elastic leg elements 60, 62 can be secured to the outer cover 26, such as by attaching them by laminated adhesive, generally to the sides and inside of the longitudinal edges, 18 and 20, of the absorbent article 10. The elements leg elastics 60, 62 can form elastic leg cuffs respectively that help contain exudate from the body. In one embodiment, the elastic leg elements 60, 62 may be disposed between the inner and outer layers (not shown) of the outer cover 26 or between other layers of the absorbent article 10, for example, between the base portion 64 of each flap. of containment flap 50, 52 and the body side liner 28, between the base portion 64 of each containment flap 50, 52 and the outer cover 26, or between the body side liner 28 and the outer cover 26. elastic leg elements 60, 62 may be one or more elastic components proximate each longitudinal side edge 18, 20. For example, the elastic leg elements 60, 62, as illustrated herein in FIG. 2 each includes two elastic threads. A wide variety of elastic materials can be used for the leg elastic elements, 60, 62. Suitable elastic materials may include sheets, threads or tapes of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastomeric materials. Elastic materials can be stretched and attached to a substrate, attached to a assembled substrate, or attached to a substrate and then stretched or shrunk, for example, by applying heat, such that elastic recoil forces are transmitted to the substrate. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the elastic leg elements 60, 62 may be formed with the containment flaps 50, 52 and then attached to the frame 11 in some embodiments. Of course, the elastic leg elements 60, 62 may be omitted from the absorbent article 10 without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Waist Containment Element:

[0091] In one embodiment, the absorbent article 10 may have one or more waist containment elements 54. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a waist containment element 54 in an absorbent article 10, such as a diaper where the waist containment element 54 may be disposed in the rear region of the waist 14. In some embodiments, the waist containment element 54 may be disposed in the rear region of the waist 14. Waist restraint 54 may be disposed in the front region of the waist 12. The waist restraint member 54 may be disposed on the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44. In some embodiments, such as the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the waist containment member 54 may be disposed on the body-facing surface 55 of the body-side liner 28. Furthermore, in the absorbent article 410 in FIGS. 9 and 10, the waist restraint member 54 may be disposed on the rear waist panel 15. The waist restraint member 54 may be coupled to the chassis 11 such that a portion of the waist restraint member 54 is free to detach. move in relation to the chassis 11 and can form a pocket to help contain body exudates.

[0092] The waist containment element 54 can be comprised of a variety of materials. In a preferred embodiment, the waist containment element 54 may be comprised of a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (“SMS”) material. However, it is contemplated that the waist containment member 54 may be comprised of other materials, including, but not limited to, a spunbond-film-spunbond ("spunbond-film-spunbond - SFS"), a carded bonded batt (" BCW”) or any non-woven material. In some embodiments, the waist containment member 54 may be comprised of a laminate of more than one of these exemplary materials, or other materials. In some embodiments, the waist containment member 54 may be comprised of a liquid impermeable material. In some embodiments, the waist restraint member 54 may be comprised of a material coated with a hydrophobic coating. In some embodiments, the waist containment member 54 may include an elastic material to provide additional fit and containment properties to the absorbent article 10. In such an embodiment, suitable elastic materials may include, but are not limited to, sheets, threads or ribbons. natural rubber, synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastomeric polymers. Elastic materials can be stretched and bonded to a substrate, bonded to an assembled substrate, or bonded to a substrate and then stretched or shrunk, for example, by applying heat, such that elastic recoil forces are transmitted to the substrate. It should be understood, however, that the waist containment element 54 may be omitted from the absorbent article without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Closing System:

[0093] In one embodiment, the absorbent article 10 may include a fastening system. The closure system may include one or more rear fasteners 91 and one or more front fasteners 92. Embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 represent an embodiment with a front fastener 92. Portions of the closure system may be placed in the front waist region 12, rear waist region 14, or both.

[0094] The closure system may be configured to secure the absorbent article 10 around the user's waist in a secured condition, as shown in FIG. 1, and help keep the absorbent article 10 in place during use. In one embodiment, the back fasteners 91 may contain one or more materials joined together to form a composite ear, as is known in the art. For example, the composite closure may be formed of a stretch member 94, a non-woven carrier or hook base 96, and a closure member 98, as labeled in FIG. two.

Modalities

[0095] Embodiment 1: An absorbent body including a lateral axis and a longitudinal axis, the absorbent body comprising: absorbent material; a front edge; a rear end edge, the rear end edge opposite the front end edge, the longitudinal axis extending through the front end edge and the rear end edge; a pair of longitudinal side edges; and a reduced absorbent section having less absorbent material than an adjacent section of the absorbent body, the reduced absorbent section comprising: a rear divergent section including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm including a first proximal end and a first distal end , the second arm including a second proximal end and a second distal end, the first arm being on a first side of the longitudinal axis and the second arm being on a second side of the longitudinal axis, the first arm and the second arm configured as if lateral distance between the first proximal end of the first arm and the second proximal end of the second arm is less than a lateral distance between the first distal end of the first arm and the second distal end of the second arm; a front divergent section including a third arm and a fourth arm, the third arm including a third proximal end and a third distal end, the fourth arm including a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end, the third arm being on the first side of the axis longitudinal arm and the fourth arm being on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the third arm and the fourth arm configured so that a lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third arm and the fourth proximal end of the fourth arm is less than a lateral distance between the third distal end of the third arm and the fourth distal end of the fourth arm; and an intermediate section disposed between the rear diverging section and the front diverging section, the intermediate section connecting the rear diverging section to the front diverging section.

[0096] Modality 2: The absorbent body of modality 1, in which the reduced absorbent section is free of absorbent material.

[0097] Embodiment 3: The absorbent body of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the rear divergent section further includes a rear curved section, the rear curved section connecting the first arm to the second arm and being connected to the intermediate section.

[0098] Embodiment 4: The absorbent body of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the rear curved section comprises an axis including four inflection points.

[0099] Embodiment 5: The absorbent body of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the front divergent section further includes a front curved section, the front curved section connecting the third arm to the fourth arm and being connected to the intermediate section.

[00100] Embodiment 6: The absorbent body of any of the previous embodiments, in which the first arm, the second arm, the third arm and the fourth arm are configured to be modeled as a linear segment.

[00101] Embodiment 7: The absorbent body of embodiment 6, in which an angle formed between the first arm and the second arm of the rear divergent section is between about 20° and about 90°, and in which an angle formed between the The third arm and the fourth arm of the front divergent section are between about 20° and about 90°.

[00102] Embodiment 8: The absorbent body of any of the embodiments, wherein a longitudinal length of the intermediate section is between about 5 mm and about 200 mm.

[00103] Modality 9: The absorbent body of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the absorbent body is part of an absorbent article, the absorbent article comprising a body-side liner and an outer cover, the absorbent body being disposed between the body side lining and outer cover.

[00104] Embodiment 10: The absorbent body of embodiment 9, in which a lateral axis of the reduced absorbent section is disposed in front of a lateral axis of the absorbent article.

[00105] Embodiment 11: The absorbent body of embodiment 9 or 10, wherein the absorbent article includes graphics disposed on the outer cover, at least some of the graphics being recorded with the reduced absorbent section of the absorbent body.

[00106] Embodiment 12: An absorbent body including a lateral axis and a longitudinal axis, the absorbent body comprising: absorbent material; a front edge; a rear end edge, the rear end edge opposite the front edge, the longitudinal axis extends through the front edge and the back edge; a pair of longitudinal side edges; and a reduced absorbent section having less absorbent material than an adjacent section of the absorbent body, the reduced absorbent section comprising: a rear divergent section including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm including a first proximal end and a first distal end , the second arm including a second proximal end and a second distal end, the first arm being on a first side of the longitudinal axis and the second arm being on a second side of the longitudinal axis, the first arm and the second arm configured as if lateral distance between the first proximal end of the first arm and the second proximal end of the second arm is less than a lateral distance between the first distal end of the first arm and the second distal end of the second arm; and a front divergent section including a third arm and a fourth arm, the third arm including a third proximal end and a third distal end, the fourth arm including a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end, the third arm being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth arm being on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the third arm and the fourth arm configured so that a lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third arm and the fourth proximal end of the fourth arm is less than a lateral distance between the third distal end of the third arm and the fourth distal end of the fourth arm; in which the rear diverging section and the front diverging section are connected.

[00107] Embodiment 13: The absorbent body of embodiment 12, wherein the reduced absorbent section further comprises an intermediate section disposed between the rear divergent section and the front divergent section, the intermediate section connecting the rear divergent section to the front divergent section.

[00108] Modality 14: The absorbent body of modality 12 or 13, in which the reduced absorbent section is free of absorbent material.

[00109] Embodiment 15: The absorbent body of embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the rear divergent section further includes a rear curved section, the rear curved section connecting the first arm to the second arm and being connected to the intermediate section.

[00110] Embodiment 16: The absorbent body of any of embodiments 13-15, wherein the front divergent section further includes a front curved section, the front curved section connecting the third arm to the fourth arm and being connected to the intermediate section.

[00111] Embodiment 17: The absorbent body of any of embodiments 12-16, wherein the first arm, the second arm, the third arm and the fourth arm are configured to be modeled as a linear segment.

[00112] Embodiment 18: The absorbent body of any of embodiments 12-17, wherein the absorbent body is part of an absorbent article, the absorbent article comprising a body-side liner and an outer cover, the absorbent body being disposed between the body side lining and the outer cover.

[00113] Embodiment 19: An absorbent article including a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, the absorbent article comprising: a body side lining; an external cover; and an absorbent body, including absorbent material, being disposed between the body side lining and the outer cover, the absorbent body comprising: a front end edge; a back edge, the back edge opposite the front edge; a pair of longitudinal side edges; and a reduced absorbent section having less absorbent material than an adjacent section of the absorbent body, the reduced absorbent section comprising: a rear divergent section including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm including a first proximal end and a first distal end , the second arm including a second proximal end and a second distal end, the first arm being on a first side of the longitudinal axis and the second arm being on a second side of the longitudinal axis, the first arm and the second arm configured so that a lateral distance between the first proximal end of the first arm and the second proximal end of the second arm is less than a lateral distance between the first distal end of the first arm and the second distal end of the second arm; and a front divergent section including a third arm and a fourth arm, the third arm including a third proximal end and a third distal end, the fourth arm including a fourth proximal end and a fourth distal end, the third arm being on the first side of the longitudinal axis and the fourth arm being on the second side of the longitudinal axis, the third arm and the fourth arm configured so that a lateral distance between the third proximal end of the third arm and the fourth proximal end of the fourth arm is less than a lateral distance between the third distal end of the third arm and the fourth distal end of the fourth arm; wherein the reduced absorbent section is configured so that the lateral axis of the absorbent article extends through at least a portion of the reduced absorbent section.

[00114] Embodiment 20: The absorbent article of embodiment 19, wherein the reduced absorbent section further comprises an intermediate section disposed between the rear divergent section and the front divergent section, the intermediate section being separated from at least one of the rear divergent section and the front divergent section.

[00115] All documents cited in the Detailed Description are, in relevant part, incorporated into this document by reference; Citation of any document should not be interpreted as an admission that it is prior art in relation to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of a term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall control.

[00116] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the attached claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (20)

1. Absorbent body (34) including a lateral axis (37) and a longitudinal axis (35), the absorbent body (34) characterized in that it comprises: absorbent material; a front edge (40); a rear end edge (42), the rear end edge (42) opposite the front end edge (40), the longitudinal axis (35) extending through the front end edge (40) and the front end edge (40) rear (42); a pair of longitudinal side edges (36, 38); and a reduced absorbent section (70) with less absorbent material than an adjacent section (71) of the absorbent body (34), the reduced absorbent section (70) including: a rear divergent section (72) including a first arm (78 ) and a second arm (80), the first arm (78) including a first proximal end (78a) and a first distal end (78b), the second arm (80) including a second proximal end (80a) and a second end distal (80b), the first arm (78) being on a first side (35a) of the longitudinal axis (35) and the second arm (80) being on a second side (35b) of the longitudinal axis (35), the first arm (78) and the second arm (80) configured so that a lateral distance between the first proximal end (78a) of the first arm (78) and the second proximal end (80a) of the second arm (80) is less than a distance lateral between the first distal end (78b) of the first arm (78) and the second distal end (80b) of the second arm (80); a front divergent section (74) including a third arm (82) and a fourth arm (84), the third arm (82) including a third proximal end (82a) and a third distal end (82b), the fourth arm (84 ) including a fourth proximal end (84a) and a fourth distal end (84b), the third arm (82) being on the first side (35a) of the longitudinal axis (35) and the fourth arm (84) being on the second side (35b ) of the longitudinal axis (35), the third arm (82) and the fourth arm (84) configured so that a lateral distance between the third proximal end (82a) of the third arm (82) and the fourth proximal end (84a) of the fourth arm (84) is less than a lateral distance between the third distal end (82b) of the third arm (82) and the fourth distal end (84b) of the fourth arm (84); and an intermediate section (76) disposed between the rear diverging section (72) and the front diverging section (74), the intermediate section (76) connecting the rear diverging section (72) to the front diverging section (74); and wherein the rear diverging section (72), the front diverging section (74) and the middle section (76) are formed in a single layer of the reduced absorbent section (70). 2. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reduced absorbent section (70) is free of absorbent material. 3. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear divergent section (72) further includes a rear curved section (73), the rear curved section (73) connecting the first arm (78) to the second arm (80) and being connected to the intermediate section (76). 4. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 3, characterized in that the rear curved section (73) comprises an axis including four inflection points (77). 5. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 1, characterized in that the front divergent section (74) further includes a front curved section, the front curved section connecting the third arm (82) to the fourth arm (84) and being connected to the middle section (76). 6. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first arm (78), the second arm (80), the third arm (82) and the fourth arm (84) are configured to be modeled as a linear segment. 7. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 6, characterized in that an angle formed between the first arm (78) and the second arm (80) of the rear divergent section (72) is between 20° and 90° , and wherein an angle formed between the third arm (82) and the fourth arm (84) of the front divergent section (74) is between 20° and 90°. 8. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 1, characterized in that a longitudinal length of the intermediate section (76) is between 5 mm and 200 mm. 9. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 1, characterized in that the absorbent body (34) forms part of an absorbent article (10), the absorbent article (10) comprising a body-side liner (28 ) and an outer cover (26), the absorbent body (34) being disposed between the body side lining (28) and the outer cover (26). 10. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 9, characterized in that a lateral axis (79) of the reduced absorbent section (70) is disposed in front of a lateral axis (31) of the absorbent article (10). 11. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 9, characterized in that the absorbent article (10) includes graphics disposed on the outer cover (26), some of the graphics being recorded with the reduced absorbent section (70) of the body absorbent (34). 12. Absorbent body (34) including a lateral axis and a longitudinal axis, the absorbent body (34) characterized in that it comprises: absorbent material; a front edge (40); a rear end edge (42), the rear end edge (42) opposite the front edge (40), the longitudinal axis (35) extends through the front edge (40) and the rear edge (42); a pair of longitudinal side edges (36, 38); and a reduced absorbent section (70) with less absorbent material than an adjacent section (71) of the absorbent body (34), the reduced absorbent section (70) including: a rear divergent section (72) including a first arm (78 ) and a second arm (80), the first arm (78) including a first proximal end (78a) and a first distal end (78b), the second arm (80) including a second proximal end (80a) and a second end distal (80b), the first arm (78) being on a first side (35a) of the longitudinal axis (35) and the second arm (80) being on a second side (35b) of the longitudinal axis (35), the first arm (78) and the second arm (80) configured so that a lateral distance between the first proximal end (78a) of the first arm (78) and the second proximal end (80a) of the second arm (80) is less than a distance lateral between the first distal end (78b) of the first arm (78) and the second distal end (80b) of the second arm (80); and a front divergent section (74) including a third arm (82) and a fourth arm (84), the third arm (82) including a third proximal end (82a) and a third distal end (82b), the fourth arm (82) 84) including a fourth proximal end (84a) and a fourth distal end (84b), the third arm (82) being on the first side (35a) of the longitudinal axis (35) and the fourth arm (84) being on the second side ( 35b) of the longitudinal axis (35), the third arm (82) and the fourth arm (84) configured so that a lateral distance between the third proximal end (82a) of the third arm (82) and the fourth proximal end (84a) ) of the fourth arm (84) is less than a lateral distance between the third distal end (82b) of the third arm (82) and the fourth distal end (84b) of the fourth arm (84); wherein the rear diverging section (72) and the front diverging section (74) are connected; and wherein the rear divergent section (72) and the front divergent section (74) are formed in a single layer of the reduced absorbent section (70). 13. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 12, characterized in that the reduced absorbent section (70) further comprises an intermediate section (76) disposed between the rear divergent section (72) and the front divergent section (74 ), the middle section (76) connecting the rear diverging section (72) to the front diverging section (74). 14. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 12, characterized in that the reduced absorbent section (70) is free of absorbent material. 15. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 13, characterized in that the rear divergent section (72) further includes a rear curved section (73), the rear curved section (73) connecting the first arm (78) to the second arm (80) and being connected to the intermediate section (76). 16. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 13, characterized in that the front divergent section (74) further includes a front curved section, the front curved section connecting the third arm (82) to the fourth arm (84) and being connected to the middle section (76). 17. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 12, characterized in that the first arm (78), the second arm (80), the third arm (82) and the fourth arm (84) are configured to be modeled as a linear segment. 18. Absorbent body (34) according to claim 12, characterized in that the absorbent body (34) forms part of an absorbent article (10), the absorbent article (10) comprising a body-side liner (28 ) and an outer cover (26), the absorbent body (34) being disposed between the body side lining (28) and the outer cover (26). 19. Absorbent article (10) including a longitudinal axis (29) and a lateral axis (31), the absorbent article (10) characterized by the fact that it comprises: a lining on the side of the body (28); an external cover (26); and an absorbent body (34) including absorbent material being disposed between the body side lining (28) and the outer cover (26), the absorbent body (34) including: a front edge (40); a rear edge (42), the rear edge (42) opposite the front edge (40); a pair of longitudinal side edges (36, 38); and a reduced absorbent section (70) with less absorbent material than an adjacent section (71) of the absorbent body (34), the reduced absorbent section (70) including: a rear divergent section (72) including a first arm (78 ) and a second arm (80), the first arm (78) including a first proximal end (78a) and a first distal end (78b), the second arm (80) including a second proximal end (80a) and a second end distal (80b), the first arm (78) being on a first side (35a) of the longitudinal axis (35) and the second arm (80) being on a second side (35b) of the longitudinal axis (35), the first arm (78) and the second arm (80) configured so that a lateral distance between the first proximal end (78a) of the first arm (78) and the second proximal end (80a) of the second arm (80) is less than a distance lateral between the first distal end (78b) of the first arm (78) and the second distal end (80b) of the second arm (80); and a front divergent section (74) including a third arm (82) and a fourth arm (84), the third arm (82) including a third proximal end (82a) and a third distal end (82b), the fourth arm (82) 84) including a fourth proximal end (84a) and a fourth distal end (84b), the third arm (82) being on the first side (35a) of the longitudinal axis (35) and the fourth arm (84) being on the second side ( 35b) of the longitudinal axis (35), the third arm (82) and the fourth arm (84) configured so that a lateral distance between the third proximal end (82a) of the third arm (82) and the fourth proximal end (84a) ) of the fourth arm (84) is less than a lateral distance between the third distal end (82b) of the third arm (82) and the fourth distal end (84b) of the fourth arm (84); wherein the rear divergent section (72) and the front divergent section (74) are formed in a single layer of the reduced absorbent section (70); and wherein the reduced absorbent section (70) is configured so that the lateral axis (31) of the absorbent article (10) extends through a portion of the reduced absorbent section (70). 20. Absorbent article (10) according to claim 19, characterized in that the reduced absorbent section (70) further comprises an intermediate section (76) disposed between the rear divergent section (72) and the front divergent section (74 ), the intermediate section (76) being separated from one of the rear diverging section (72) and the front diverging section (74).