CZ20004716A3 - Absorption article including ionic complexing agent for feces - Google Patents

Abstract

An absorbent article (20) adapted to receive faecal matter a material having a first waist region (36), a second waist region (36) an area (38) opposite the first waist region (36), the crotch region (37) arranged between the first waistband area (36) and second waist region (38). An absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet (24) through fluids an impermeable backsheet (26) attached to at least a portion an upper layer (24), and an absorbent core (28) disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet (24) and topsheet (26), and effective the amount of ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent arranged in the article, that this ionic complexing fecal agent is useful to contact at least a portion of the faeces stored in the product.

Description

An absorbent article comprising an ionic, complex-forming composition for treating fecal material

Technical field

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to absorbent and / or contain body exudates, including disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence articles, sanitary napkins and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles comprising one or more ionic, complex compound-forming compositions, the action of which modifies the physical properties of fecal material or other body exudates that may be stored in the article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An important function of absorbent articles such as incontinence diapers and panties is to prevent body exudates from staining, wetting or otherwise contaminating clothing or other articles such as bed linen coming into contact with the wearer. In recent years, disposable diapers have become very popular as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell et al. And have generally replaced durable, fabric absorbent articles with their comfort and reliability. However, irrespective of the efficacy of these disposable absorbent articles, body exudates still frequently leak or are retained in the diaper to contaminate and / or irritate the wearer's skin. In addition, body exudates often adhere aggressively to the skin and increase the difficulty of cleansing and the likelihood of chronic, residual contamination. The underlying cause of these and other key problems of absorbent articles of this technique is the faecal mobility under shear loading and adhesion.

Adverse effects of leakage and / or undue retention, difficulty of cleansing and / or residual skin contamination are particularly evident with respect to fecal material deposited in the diaper. The diapers retained by the diaper can cause damage to the wearer's skin over time, and the faeces leaking from the diaper almost always present an unpleasant and delicate cleansing. Thus, several attempts have been made to provide diapers such as baffles, pockets, spacers, transverse barriers, apertured topsheets and the like to limit the movement of fecal material across the topsheet and / or to better limit the material in the diaper. However, these attempts were generally unsuccessful because they failed to address the root causes of these problems (i.e., faecal properties) and because of their manufacturing costs and complexity. Furthermore, many means for isolating or retaining faeces are related to fecal material with certain physical properties (for example, viscosity, free water content and particle size) and are not effective for exudates having physical properties falling outside a very small range of these properties.

Chemical particles are used in the superabsorbent polymer particles in an effort to increase the osmotic potential of the polymer for the purpose of increasing the effective capacity of the superabsorbent for urine. For example, EP 0 420 048 A1 describes the use of osmotic materials which are encapsulated in cells within superabsorbent polymer particles. to increase their absorption capacity. In such cases, however, the osmotic material is not usable to contact the surrounding fecal material and, therefore, does not function as a fecal treatment agent as described herein.

U.S. Patent No. 4,556,560 discloses the use of certain metal salts as lipase inhibitors. These compositions are attached to the topsheet by deposition using a volatile solvent. As said, urine excretion is required to wet the topsheet and release lipase-retarding agents. Lipase inhibitors may also be flushed into the absorbent core as part of the urine output. These factors clearly limit the availability of the composition to the faecal material.

U.S. Patent No. 4,790,836 discloses a diaper comprising a medicated powder layer disposed between an absorbent core and a water-soluble thin film. Medicinal powder is used to promote drying of the baby's skin after the wearer has moistened the diaper. However, as shown in Table II below, the diaper embodiments described by this patent do not function to provide benefit from the treatment of fecal material as the present invention does.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide the absorbent article with improved faecal control properties. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to provide an economical disposable absorbent article with the ability to minimize the negative effects of faeces or other viscous body exudates on the wearer or carer. It would also be advantageous to provide an article made to chemically or physically interact with the fecal material and alter its properties to improve its uptake into and / or restraint within the article and / or reduce soiling of the wearer's skin. It is also desirable to provide an absorbent article that has throughout the expected performance of the absorbent article. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Wear the capability of keeping it safe and clean, away from the wearer's skin and / or clothing, containing physically or chemically treated faeces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to help solve at least some of the above described and otherwise detected problems in absorbent articles of the prior art, the present invention provides an article comprising an ionic complexing (i.e., complexing compound or collection) means for treating fecal material that is useful in effective concentration to physical or chemical treatment of some or all of the faecal material or other body exudates deposited in the product. This treatment of fecal material may improve the uptake and / or retention of exudates within the article and reduce the spread of fecal matter within the diaper and / or reduce the tendency of the fecal material to adhere to the wearer's skin. The invention may also provide an absorbent article capable of receiving, storing and / or immobilizing the exudates in their modified form to reduce the likelihood that the exudates will move back toward the wearer's skin once soaked by the article. Accordingly, the absorbent article of the invention can reduce the likelihood of skin damage to the wearer and / or caregiver discomfort normally associated with excretion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the description in question ends with the claims, specifically referring to and clearly claiming the subject matter,

which is considered to be the present invention, it is believed that its characteristics will be more readily understood from the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same designations are used to designate substantially identical parts, and in which:

Giant. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention having cut away portions to illustrate the underlying structure, with the diaper surface facing the viewer.

Giant. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention having cut away portions to illustrate the underlying structure, with the diaper surface facing the viewer.

Giant. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention taken along section lines 3-3.

Giant. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention.

Giant. 5 is a plan view of an embodiment of a sanitary napkin of the present invention having cut off portions to inspect the underlying structure.

Giant. 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Giant. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Giant. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention having cut away portions to illustrate the underlying structure with the diaper surface facing the viewer.

Giant. 9 is a schematic front view of a device that can be used to measure pressure acquisition characteristics of certain structures.

• · · · · · · ·

···································

Giant. 10 is a plan view of part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term absorbent article refers to devices that absorb and retain body exudates and, more particularly, devices positioned at or near the wearer's body to absorb and retain various exudates excreted by the body. The term disposable is used herein to describe absorbent articles which are generally not expected to be laundered or otherwise recovered or reused (ie, expected to be discarded after their single use and preferably recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of). will be stripped in a manner compatible with the protection of the external environment). (As used herein, the term ordered means that a portion (i) of a diaper is formed (joined and positioned) at a particular location or position as a unitary structure with other portions of the diaper or as a separate portion attached to yet another portion of the diaper. as used herein, the term associated includes arrangements by which a portion is directly attached to another portion by attaching the portion directly to the other portion, and arrangements by which the portion is indirectly attached to another portion by attachment to the intermediate member (s) that is again attached (s) to the second part (s) concerned. A unitary absorbent article refers to absorbent articles formed from separate parts joined together to form a coordinated entity so that they do not require separate manipulative parts such as a separate holder.

A preferred embodiment of the absorbent article of the invention is the unitary disposable absorbent article, diaper 20 shown in FIG. 1. (As used in this material, • ··· • ·

the term diaper refers to an absorbent article generally worn by infants and incontinent persons around the lower torso.) However, the invention is also applicable to other absorbent articles such as, for example, incontinence pants and incontinence garments, absorbent pads, holders and diaper covers, feminine hygiene garments, wipes, mops, bandages and the like. The present invention is also applicable to absorbent or non-absorbent faecal collecting devices that can be separately applied to the perianal region of the wearer.

Giant. 1 is a plan view of the diaper 20 of the present invention in a balanced and uncontracted condition, with portions of the structure cut away to better illustrate the assembly of the diaper 20. The diaper portion 20 facing the wearer is facing the viewer. As shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 20 preferably includes a liquid pervious topsheet 24; a liquid impermeable backsheet 26; an absorbent core 28 preferably positioned between at least a portion of the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26; side panels 30; elasticized leg cuffs 32; an elastic waist feature 34; and the fastening system generally designated 40. The diaper 20 shown in FIG. 1 has a first waist region 36, a second waist region 38, an opposed first waist region 36, and a crotch region 37 positioned between the first waist region 36 and the second waist region

38. The periphery of the diaper 20 is defined by the outer edges of the diaper 20, wherein the longitudinal edges 50 extend generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline 100 of the diaper 20 and the end edges 52 extend between the longitudinal edges 50 generally parallel to the lateral centerline 110 of the diaper 20.

Chassis.

The diaper 20 comprises a diaper main body 20.

The containment assembly 22 comprises at least a portion of the absorbent core. Φ φ φ · · · · · · · φ · · · · · · · ·

And preferably an outer cover layer comprising a topsheet 24 and a backsheet 26. When the absorbent article comprises a separate holder and cover, the containment assembly 22 generally includes the holder and cover. (For example, the holder may comprise one or more layers of material forming the outer cover of the article, and the cover may include an absorbent assembly comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core. In such cases, the holder and / or cover may comprise a fastener that is used to keep the cover in place during the entire period of use). In unitary absorbent articles, the containment assembly 22 comprises a main structure of the diaper with other added features that form a composite diaper structure.

Although the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, and the absorbent core 28 may be assembled in a variety of well known arrangements, preferred diaper arrangements are generally described in U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 to Kenneth B. Buell, entitled

Compression side panels for disposable diapers, issued January 14, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092 to Buell, issued September 9, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274 to Buell, issued June 22, 1993; and U.S. Patent No. 5,554,145 to Roe et al

On September 10, 1996, entitled Absorbent article with an extensible waist feature having a multi-zone structural, elastic film-like structure; in U.S. Patent No. 5,569,234 entitled Disposable Pants, issued to Buell et al. on Oct. 29, 1996; U.S. Patent No. 5,580,411 entitled Waste-Free Method for Making Side Parts for Absorbent Articles, granted to Nease et al. on December 3, 1996; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The backsheet 26 is generally that portion of the diaper 20 that is disposed adjacent the garment facing surface 45 of the absorbent core 28 and prevents the exudates absorbed therein and prevents the exudates from being absorbed therein from the diaper 20. The detainees did not stain products that may touch the diaper 20, such as bed sheets and underwear items. In preferred embodiments, the backsheet 26 is impervious to liquids (e.g., urine) and includes a thin plastic film such as a thermoplastic film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm to about 0.051 mm. Suitable films for use as backsheet 26 include those produced by Tredegar Industries, Inc. of Terre Haute, Indiana, IN, and sold under the trade names X15306, X10962 and X10964. Other suitable backsheet materials may include breathable materials that permit vapor escape from the diaper 20 but still prevent the exudates from passing through the backsheet 26. Exemplary breathable materials may include materials such as woven or nonwoven structures, composite materials such as film ) coated nonwovens and microporous films such as those manufactured by Mitsui Taotsu Co. of Japan under the designation ESPOIR NO and EXXON Chemical Co. of Bay City, TX under the designation EXXAIRE. Suitable breathable composite materials containing polymer blends are available from Clopay Corporation, Cincinnati, OH under the name P18-3097 HYTREL. Several breathable composite materials are described in more detail in PCT Application No. WO 95/16746, published June 22, 1995, in the name of E.I. DuPont, and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 744,487, filed Nov. 6, 1996, in the name of Curro. Other breathable backsheets comprising nonwoven webs and apertured formed films are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,571,096 to Dobrin et al. on November 5, 1996. Each of these references is hereby incorporated by reference.

The backsheet 26, or any portion thereof, may be elastically extensible in one or more directions. In one embodiment, the backsheet 26 may comprise a structural material,

000000 00 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 000 000 0 000 000 00 elastic-like film (SELF) as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,518,801 entitled "Structured (or ribbed) materials having elastic-like the behavior given to Chappell et al. On May 21, 1996, incorporated herein by reference. In alternative embodiments, the backsheet 26 may comprise elastomeric films, foams, strands, or combinations of these or other suitable materials with nonwoven materials or artificial films.

The backsheet 26 may be attached to the topsheet 24, the absorbent core 28, or any other diaper member 20 by any suitable fastening means known in the art. For example, the fastening means may comprise a uniform, continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an arrangement of separate lines, spirals, or points of adhesive. Alternatively, these fasteners may include heat bonding, pressure bonding, ultrasound, dynamic mechanical bonding, or any other suitable fastening means known to the art.

The topsheet 24 is preferably compliant, soft feeling and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of the topsheet 24 is liquid pervious, allowing it to readily penetrate through its thickness. A suitable topsheet 24 may be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic sheets or woven or nonwoven structures of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), man-made fibers (such as polyester or polypropylene fibers), or from a combination of natural and man-made fibers. If the topsheet comprises fibers, these may be nonwoven fibers, carded, wet laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed, as known in the art. One preferred topsheet 24, comprising the staple length polypropylene fiber structure, is manufactured by the company of st · · vláken strukturu · φ φ φ φ φ φ · · φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ

Veratec, Inc., Division of the International Paper Company of Walpole, Massachusetts, MA, under the designation P-8.

Suitable topsheets of formed film are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,135, issued to Thompson on December 30, 1975, entitled Absorbent Structures Having Tapered Capillaries; in U.S. Patent No. 4,324,246, to Mullane et al. on April 13, 1982, entitled A Disposable Absorbent Article Having a Spatter Resistant Topsheet; in U.S. Patent No. 4,342,314 to Radel et al. on August 3, 1982, entitled Resilient Plastic Structure exhibiting substance-like properties; in U.S. Patent No. 4,463,045, issued to Ahr et al. on July 31, 1984, entitled Macroscopically Expanded, Three-Dimensional Plastic Structure, showing a Glossy Visible Surface and a Tactile-like Appearance; and in U.S. Patent No. 5,006,394, issued to Baird on April 9, 1991, entitled Multi-Polymer Film. Other suitable topsheets 24 are manufactured in accordance with U.S. Patent Nos. 4,609,518 and 4,629,643, respectively, issued September 2, 1986 and December 16, 1986 to Curro et al., Both incorporated herein by reference. . Such molded films are available from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio under the designation "DRI-WEAVE; and Tredegar Corporation of Terre Haute, Indiana, under the designation CLIFF-T.

The topsheet 24 may be made of a hydrophobic material or so treated that it is hydrophobic to isolate the wearer ' s skin from the fluids contained in the absorbent core 28. If the topsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, preferably at least its top surface will be treated to was hydrophilic so that the fluids would pass through the topsheet faster. This reduces the likelihood that the body exudates will flow from the topsheet 24 rather than being drawn and absorbed in the absorbent core 28 by the topsheet. 9 4 4

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ··· · · 9 4 4 4

4 9 4 9 4

9494 49 94 4444 44 949 layer 24 may be rendered hydrophilic by treating it with or incorporating an active surfactant therein. Suitable methods for treating the topsheet 24 with an active surfactant or incorporating it in the topsheet are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,988,344 entitled "Absorbent Articles with Multiple Absorbent Layers" issued to Reising et al. on Jan. 29, 1991; U.S. Patent No. 4,988,345 entitled Absorbent Articles With Quick-Accepted Absorbent Cores, issued to Reising on Jan. 29, 1991; and US Patent No. H1670, published on

1 July 1997 on behalf of Azize et al. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the topsheet 24 may comprise an apertured structure or sheet that is hydrophobic. This can be achieved by eliminating the hydrophilizing treatment step from the manufacturing process and / or by applying to the topsheet 24 a hydrophobic treatment such as a polytetrafluoroethylene compound such as a SCOTCHGUARD or a hydrophobic lotion mixture as described below. In such treatments, it is preferred that the apertures be large enough to permit the penetration of aqueous liquids such as urine without significant resistance.

Any portion of the topsheet 24 may be coated with a lotion (or skin care composition) as known in the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,607,760, entitled "Disposable Product" having a skin care composition treated with a topsheet comprising a plasticizer and a polyolpolyester restraint, issued to Roe et al. on March 4, 1997; U.S. Patent No. 5,609,587, entitled Plena, having a lotion topsheet comprising a liquid polyolpolyester plasticizer and immobilizer, granted to Roe on March 11, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 4444, 4, 4, 44, 44, 4444

4444 4 »·· 4 • 44 444 444

4444 44 44 4444 * 444

No. 5,635,191, entitled Plena having a top skin lotion comprising a polysiloxane emollient, assigned to Roe et al. on June 3, 1997; and U.S. Patent No. 5,643,588, entitled Plena with a Lotion Treated Topsheet, issued to Roe et al. on July 1, 1997. The lotion may function alone or in conjunction with another composition, such as the hydrophobizing treatment described above. The topsheet may also contain or be treated with antibacterial agents, some of which are described in PCT Publication No. WO 95/24173, entitled Absorbent Articles, containing an antibacterial odor control agent in the topsheet, published September 14, 1995, named Theresy Johnson. Further, the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, or any portion of the topsheet and backsheet, may be embossed and / or matte finished to provide a more fabric appearance.

The topsheet 24 is preferably positioned adjacent the body-facing surface 47 of the absorbent core 28 and may be attached thereto and / or the backsheet 26 by any fastening means known in the art. Suitable fasteners are described above with respect to the means of attaching the backsheet 26 to the other portions of the diaper 20.

The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material known in the art. The absorbent core 28 can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass, T-shaped, asymmetric, etc.) and can include a wide variety of liquid-absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and other absorbent articles. products, such as, for example, pulverized wood pulp, generally referred to as airborne pulp. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials include crepe cellulose.

wadding, meltblown polymers including mixed form, chemically stiffened, modified or crosslinked cellulose fibers, tissue paper including tissue paper webs and laminates, absorbent foams, absorbent sponges, superabsorbent polymers, absorbent gelling materials, or any other known absorbent material or combination of materials.

The arrangement and assembly of the absorbent core 28 may also be varied (for example, the absorbent core (s) or other absorbent structure (s) may have varying tactile zones, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or receiving zones of lower average density and lower average basis weight). or may contain one or more layers or structures). However, the total absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 28 should be compatible with the proposed loading and intended use of the diaper 20.

Exemplary absorbent structures useful for absorbent cores are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,610,678 entitled High Density Absorbent Structures, issued to Weisman et al. on September 9, 1986; in U.S. Patent No. 4,673,402 entitled Absorbent Articles with Dual-Layered Cores, issued to Weisman et al. on June 16, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 4,834,735 entitled High Density Absorbent Components having lower density and lower basis weight acquisition zones; granted to Aleman et al. on May 30, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,888,231 entitled Dust Layer Absorbent Core, issued to Angstadt on December 19, 1989; in U.S. Pat.

137 537, An absorbent structure comprising individualized, polycarboxylic acid cross-linked cellulose fibers of wood pulp, issued to Herron et al. on Aug. 11, 1992; are further described in U.S. Patent No. 5,147,345 entitled High Efficiency Incontinence Absorbent Articles of Young et al. on September 15, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,342,338 entitled " "

A disposable absorbent article for low viscosity faecal material, granted to Roe on August 30, 1994; U.S. Patent No. 5,260,345 entitled Absorbent Foam Materials for Aqueous Body Fluids and Absorbent Articles With These Materials, issued to DesMarais et al. on November 9, 1993; U.S. Patent No. 5,387,207 entitled "Until wetted, thin, absorbent, foamed aqueous body fluid materials, and a process for their manufacture," issued to Dyer et al. on Feb. 7, 1995; and U.S. Patent No. 5,625,222, entitled Absorbent Foam Materials for Aqueous Body Fluids, manufactured from high internal phase emulsions having very high water to oil ratios, issued to DesMarais et al. on June 22, 1997. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference.

The diaper 20 may also include one or more waist features 34 to help provide better fit and retention. The elastic waist feature 34 may be assembled in a variety of configurations including those described in U.S. Patent 4,515,595, Kievit et al., Issued May 7, 1985; U.S. Patent No. 4,710,189, issued to Lash on December 1, 1987; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell on

September 9, 1992; and U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274, issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. Other suitable waist arrangements may include waist cover modifications, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,026,364, issued to Robertson on June 25, 1991, and U.S. Pat. U.S. Pat.

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

The diaper 20 may also include a fastening system 40. The fastening system 40 preferably maintains the first waistband 36 and the second waistband region 38 in an overlapping configuration so as to provide lateral tension around the periphery of the diaper 20 to maintain it on the wearer. The fastening system 40 preferably includes tape tabs and / or hook and loop fasteners.

9 9 9 9

9 9 9 9 9

9999 99 99 9999 99 although any other known fastening means are generally acceptable. Some exemplary fastening systems are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,848,594, entitled Disposable Diaper Tape Fastening System, issued to Buell on Nov. 19, 1974; in U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,875, entitled U.S. Pat

The absorbent article of Hirotsu et al. on May 5, 1987; in U.S. Patent No. 4,846,815, entitled U.S. Pat

Disposable diaper having an improved fastening device, granted to Scripps on July 11, 1989; U.S. Patent No. 4,894,060 entitled Disposable Diaper with an Improved Hook Fastener Part, issued to Nestegard on Jan. 16, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,946,527, entitled Self-Adhesive Adhesive Fastener, and a process for its manufacture, issued to Battrell on Aug. 7, 1990; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; and U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274, issued to Buell on June 22, 1993. The respective fastening system may also provide a means for maintaining the article in a degradation configuration as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,963,140 to Robertson et al. on October 16, 1990. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Some exemplary hooks are available from Aplix under the trade names 960E and 960D. Exemplary suitable loop materials are available from 3M under the trade name EBL and from Guilford under the trade name 18904. In alternative embodiments, opposing sides of the garment may be seamed or welded to form the panty so that the article can be used as a stretch type diapers, such as training pants.

The diaper 20 may also include side panels 30 that are assembled and attached to the chassis (restraint assemblies) by any suitable arrangement. Examples of diapers with elasticized side panels are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,857,067, entitled U.S. Pat

"A disposable diaper having a pleated ear, granted to Wood et al. on Aug. 15, 1989; in U.S. Patent No. 4,381,781, to Sciaraff et al. on May 3, 1983; in U.S. Patent No. 4,938,753, to Van Gompel et al. on July 3, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 5,151,092, issued to Buell on September 9, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,221,274, issued to Buell on June 22, 1993; U.S. Patent No. 5,669,897, issued to LaVon on September 23, 1997, entitled Absorbent Articles Providing Sustained Dynamic Fit; and EPO Publication No. WO 95/13775 A1, published May 26, 1995, entitled Absorbent Article with Multidirectional Extensible Side Parts; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Preferably, the diaper 20 further comprises leg cuffs 32 that help provide improved containment of fluids and other body exudates. Foot cuffs may also be referred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier cuffs or elastic cuffs. U.S. Patent No. 3,860,003 discloses a disposable diaper providing a leg flap with a side flap and one or more elastic members for securing the elasticized leg cuff (sealing cuff). U.S. Patent Nos. 4,808,178 and 4,909,803, both assigned to Aziz et al. on Feb. 28, 1989 and Mar. 20, 1990 respectively, disclose disposable diapers with erect elasticized flaps (barrier cuffs) improving the retention of leg regions. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,695,278 and 4,795,454, granted to Lawson on September 22, 1987, and for Dragoo on January 3, 1989, disclose disposable diapers having double cuffs comprising sealing cuffs and barrier cuffs. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to treat all or part of the leg cuffs with a skin care composition (or lotion) as described above.

• ·

Embodiments of the invention may also include pockets for receiving and retaining faeces, spacers providing voids for voids, barriers to restrict movement within the product, a compartment that receives and retains faecal materials stored in the diaper, and the like, or any combinations thereof. Examples of such pockets and spacers for use in absorbent articles are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,514,121, to Roe et al. on

May 7, 1996, entitled Plena Having Extrusion Spacer; U.S. Patent No. 5,171,236 to Dreier et al. on

On December 15, 1992, entitled A Disposable Absorbent Article Having Spacer Core Parts; U.S. Patent No. 5,397,318, issued to Dreier on March 14, 1995, entitled Absorbent Article Having a Pocket Cuff; U.S. Patent No. 5,540,671, issued to Dreier on July 30, 1996, entitled An Absorbent Article Having a Pocket Cuff with a Peak; and PCT Application WO 93/25172, published December 3, 1993, entitled Spacer Parts for Use in Hygiene Absorbent Articles and Disposable Absorbent Articles Having This Part; and U.S. Patent No. 5,306,266, entitled Flexible Spacer Parts for Use in Disposable Absorbent Articles, issued to Freeland on April 26, 1994. Examples of compartments and cavities are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,968,312 entitled Disposable Diaper with Faecal Compartments granted to Khan on November 6, 1990; U.S. Patent No. 4,990

147, entitled Absorbent Product with Elastic Cover for Faecal Material Insulation, granted to Freeland on February 5, 1991; U.S. Patent No. 5,622 (?) 840 entitled Disposable Diapers, issued to Holt et al. on November 5, 1991; and U.S. Patent No. 5,269,755 entitled Tripartite Topsheets for Disposable Absorbent Articles and Disposable Absorbent Articles Having These Tripartite Topsheets, assigned to Freeland et al.

al. on December 14, 1993. Examples of suitable transverse barriers (barriers) are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,554,142 entitled An Absorbent Product Having Multiple Effective Height Transverse Distribution, issued September 10, 1996 to Dreier et al .; PCT Patent WO 94/14395, entitled Absorbent Product With Upwardly Transverse Distribution, published July 7, 1994 by Freeland et al .; and U.S. Patent No. 5,653,703 entitled Absorbent Article Having an Angled Upwardly Transverse Distribution, assigned to Roe et al. on August 5, 1997. All references cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.

The article of manufacture of the invention may also comprise one or more fecal material conditioning agents or agents (or otherwise FMA), viscous body faeces conditioning agent (s), treatment agent (s) or composition (s) at an effective concentration capable of treating chemical or the physical properties of viscous body exudates such as faecal materials and menses. As used herein, the term faecal conditioning agent (or FMA) refers to any chemical composition capable of increasing the hardness of a given faecal analogue (or imitations), or preferably actual faeces, by at least about 100%, by at least about 25% as measured by the hardness measurement method described below. Depending on the particular embodiment of the product and the type of faeces, embodiments increasing or decreasing the effective, viscosity of the faeces, increasing or decreasing the ease of drainage thereof, reducing the tackiness of the faeces or their adhesive characteristics, or any combination thereof are contemplated. Although the faeces treating agents of the invention may be capable of modifying the properties of solid faeces, FMAs are generally most effective in varying the properties of viscous liquid faeces that generally have a viscosity of greater than about 10 cP and less than about 10 ⁷ cP at one unit shear size per sec. about 35 degrees Celsius), and more specifically between about 10 ² cP and 10 ⁷ cP at a shear rate of one unit / sec, in a controlled load rheometry test using parallel plates on a controlled load rheometer (for comparison, at the same shear rate) the water has a value of 1.0 cP at 20 ° C and a peanut butter Jif (available from Procter and Gamble Co., Cincinnati, OH) of approximately 4 x 10 ⁵ cP at 25 ° C). The method for determining the viscosity as used herein is described in more detail below in the Test Methods section.

Regardless of the specific effect of a chemical on faeces, in order to perform its function, the faecal preparation must be usable (or available). As used herein, in the context of FMA, the term usable indicates that a composition is placed within the article or exposed to the article or its component during normal wear of the article so as to directly contact at least a portion of the faeces stored in the article or on the wearer's skin. If the device is placed within a structure (for example, in an absorbent layer below the topsheet), the structure must be substantially permeable to faeces. In such cases, a composition is useful when the structure has a pressure acquisition greater than about 0.50 g / cm ² / J, and preferably greater than about 1.0 g / cm ² / J, as measured by the pressure acquisition measurement , described below in the Test Methods section. If encapsulated, the device should be released by the product at or about the time the faeces reaches the product. For example, FMAs may be retained by a water-soluble thin film (film, foil) that dissolves upon contact with urine or faecal water and releases the FMA into contact with the faeces.

· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

The term effective FMA concentration as used herein means a relative amount of the composition required to have a measurable effect on hardness (as measured by the hardness measurement method described below) of at least a portion of the faeces in the article or on the wearer's skin. Data demonstrating effective concentration are provided below. For the treatment of faeces, preferably a concentration of FMA of at least about 0.01 weight percent of the faeces for processing is desirably, and more typically between about 0.1 and about 50 percent by weight of the faeces is available to the faeces. The diaper (ie, volume processing), at a level of 5 percent by weight, must be available per fecal mass of 1.25 grams of FMA (assuming that the specific gravity of the faeces is 1.0). Thus, the FMA is (are) preferably present in the article at concentrations ranging from about 0.001% to about 50% by weight of the article. Typically, however, the concentration of the composition is between about 0.01 to about 20 percent by weight of the article.

The FMA preferably has the ability to increase the hardness of the fecal material analogue, and preferably the actual faeces, by about 100% (preferably about 200%, more preferably about 400%), at a concentration not greater than about 20 percent by weight of treated faeces at room temperature. temperature (20-25 ° C). More preferably, the FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of the faeces, or faeces, by about 100% (preferably about 200%, more preferably about 400%), at a concentration of no more than about 10 percent by weight of the treated faeces. Even more preferably, the FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of the faeces, or real faeces, by about 100% (preferably about 200%, more preferably about 400%), at a concentration of no more than about 5 percent by weight of the treated faeces. In other preferred embodiments, the FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of the faeces, or faeces, by about 100% (preferably about 200%, more preferably about 400%), at a concentration of no greater than about 1 percent by weight of the treated faeces. In yet other preferred embodiments, the FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of the faeces analogue or actual faeces by about 100% (preferably about 200%, more preferably about 400%), at a concentration of no more than about 0.5 weight percent of the treated faeces. Typically, the FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of the faeces, or faeces, by about 100% (preferably about 200%, more preferably about 400%), at a concentration of between about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of the treated faeces.

Preferably, the defined hardness increase is performed within about 30 minutes, preferably within about 15 minutes, more preferably within about 5 minutes, even more preferably within about 3 minutes, and most preferably within about 1 minute after contact with the faeces. Typically, a desirable hardness change is made in the range of about 1 to about 10 minutes. In more preferred embodiments, the defined hardness increase is performed within a range of about 3 minutes, at an FMA concentration of no greater than about 5% by weight of the faeces to be treated, or within a range of about 3 minutes, at an FMA concentration of about 1.5% by weight of the faeces, to be processed. In other preferred embodiments, the FMA has the ability to increase the hardness of the faeces, or faeces, by about 200% in about 3 minutes, at a concentration of no greater than about 5% by weight of the treated faeces. In yet other preferred embodiments, the FMA is able to increase the hardness of the faeces, or real faeces, by about 400% in about 3 minutes, at a concentration of no more than about 5% by weight of the treated faeces.

· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Table I shows the hardness reference values for two faecal analogue artificial materials. (Hardness was found to exist in close relation to the complex fecal material module). Analogon A represents the water content, hardness and adhesion properties of typical liquid faeces, while analogon B is typically slurry, here only referred to as pasta faeces. Two faecal consistencies are mimicked to better document FMA activity. Methods for preparing Analon A and B are described in the Test Methods section below.

TABLE I

Fecal analogue Hardness of analogue (g)

8.6

620

Fecal material analogs A and B provide robust and repeatable means for evaluating FMA performance. However, real faeces are a very complex material. Due to certain chemical treatments, the effect of FMA may be greater in the actual faeces than in the two analogs described above. In order to demonstrate similarity in the relative responses to a given treatment, data related to the change in hardness of faecal analogs and real faecal material are reported for one of the evaluated means. The actual faeces used in these experiments consisted of both a sample of compound flowing faeces and a sample of compound paste faeces. A sample of compound flowing faeces was collected using several stools (unpolluted with urine), from two American, breastfed breastfed four-month male children. The sample consisting of pasty faeces was collected using several stools (unpolluted urine), from two American infants of four months old, male, artificially fed and a 12 month old baby, male and enjoying a transition diet between breast milk and normal food. Fecal material collection was performed using a Seward Stomacher 400 Lab System from Seward Medical, Ltd., London, UK. For reference, the hardness of the untreated (i.e., as collected) sample of collected liquid faeces was 28 grams, and the hardness of the untreated sample of paste-like faeces was 297 grams.

The effect of mixing several comparative samples with fecal analogs is shown below in Table II. All comparative materials were mixed with a fecal analogone as described below in the sample preparation process. As evident from the data above, the desired changes in hardness were not achieved by the comparative materials.

TABLE

II

Fecal

Analogon

Comparative ingredient

Concentration (% w / w)

Hardness (g) of treated fek, analogue corn starch 1.0 (Dietary Fiber Control, 5.0

Sigma Chemical Co.

St.Louis, MO, S-2388) Baby Powder of Pure 1.0 Cornstarch 5.0 (Johnson & Johnson Co.,

Skillman, NJ)

12, 6 8.6

14.4

7.1 ····································· · ··· ·· ·· ···· ·· ·

AND Talc Powder 1.15 10.2 (B) Johnson & Johnson Co. cornstarch 1.1 643 (Dietary Fiber Control, 4.9 533 (B) Sigma Chemical Co. St. Louis, MO, S-2388) Talc Powder 1.0 854 Johnson & Johnson Co. 5.0 679

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, to increase the viscosity and limit the mobility of the faeces, conditioning agents are used which increase the structure of the faeces by increasing the degree of binding of water by ionic complexing (respectively, formation of complex compounds). This can be achieved by ionic, complexing agents at appropriate concentrations. Certain FMAs may function differently on different types of fecal material due to variability in the structural nature of a particular type of fecal material. One example of this is calcium hydroxide, which acts as a viscosity reducing agent for the flowing faecal analogue, but at the same concentrations as the thickener (by ionic complexing) in the paste faeces.

The ionic complexing compositions may comprise any single component that complexes (i.e., forms complex compounds) by itself or water or other chemical entities in the fecal material and forms within the material a region of increased internal structure and stiffness. The resulting complex acts to stabilize or bind water in the faeces. Exemplary ionic complexing agents include ZnO, MgO, MnO, CaO, calcium hydroxide, Al ₂ O ₃ , aluminum salts, zinc salts such as zinc acetate and zinc glucanate, gelatin, quaternary ammonium salts, ethanolamines, alginic acid , cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and the like). Alternatively, the ionic complexing agent may comprise a two or multi-component system in which the respective complex (i.e., the structure or internal configuration of a larger region or range) is formed by the interaction of two added components (e.g., aluminum, calcium or zinc salts plus alginic acid and / or salts thereof). Alternatively, ionic complexing agents, when complexed with water, may form crystal hydrates. In general, one of the most effective, faecal material conditioning agents are calcium-containing compounds or systems (for example, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide and calcium alginate, etc.).

Table III shows the effect of various ionic complexing agents on faecal analogue or faeces (mixing of faecal analogone and / or faeces was performed as specified in the sample preparation method below).

····

T A B U L K A III Ionic Faecal complexing Analogon / faeces / system Concentration (% w / w) The hardness (g) of the treated fec. analogue / faeces AND calcium oxide 1.0 26 Sigma C-2178 5.0 385 AND alginic acid / chloride 5.0 114 Zinc (wt. 50%: 50%) (total mixture) Alginic acid - sodium salt,

kys.

kys.

seaweed, high viscosity Sigma A-7128; zinc chloride Sigma Z-4875) calcium hydroxide 1.0 (ACS reagent, 5.0

Sigma C-5551) zinc oxide 5.1 (ACS reagent,

Sigma Z-1753) sodium chloride 5.2 (ACS reagent,

Sigma C-9888) calcium chloride 4.9 (anhydrous,

Sigma C-4901) alginic, ammonium-lime. 5.0 salt (Sigma A-7253) alginic, ammonium-lime. 5.0 salt (Sigma A-7253)

206

223

192

275

405

513

070 Compound liquid faeces Compound dough faeces Alginic acid, ammonium-lime. 5.0 alginic acid (ammonium-lime) salt (Sigma A-7253). 5.0 salt (Sigma A-7253)

908

0000 • 0 00 00 0 0 0 00 0 0 000 • 0 0 0 0 0 0

0000 0000 • 00 000 00 0000 00 00 0000 00 ·

While in certain embodiments it is desirable to process all of the fecal material within the article (i.e., bulk processing), in some preferred cases only a portion of the fecal material is processed by FMA. In these embodiments, the FMAs can penetrate the faeces only at a relatively small distance, thereby forming a modified outer layer that is relatively stiff and non-sticky. This may be preferred in terms of the use of FMA, or eliminate the need to mix FMA into the faecal matter. The treated outer layer is a region or layer of fecal material on or near the surface of the fecal matter, and already has other physical properties than the rest of the fecal matter. This treated layer is preferably harder (i.e., has a higher slip stress), less tacky and / or has a higher diffusion resistance of the volatile molecules contained in the faeces than the remaining faeces, resulting in reduced scattering / mobility of the faecal matter and / or reduced fecal adhesion to the wearer's skin and / or reduced fecal odor. The region of the treated outer layer preferably has a thickness of between about 1 and about 1000 microns and may cover all or any part of the faecal matter. For example, it may be desirable to treat only the faeces at the skin / faeces interface (for example, by reducing adhesion and / or by promoting cleansing, or by reducing dispersion across the wearer's skin or by promoting absorption or by reducing dispersion within the article). Thus, in order to process a 1 millimeter thick faecal mass on an area of 30 square centimeters of skin or top layer of the product, at a 10 percent weight level, the faecal area in contact with them (assuming a faecal density of 1.0) must be available 0 , 30 grams of FMA.

• ft ···· «

· Ft · ftft

• ftft · ftp · ftft · ftft ftft ftftftft ftft

The FMA may be in various embodiments organic or inorganic, low molecular weight or polymeric in nature, and / or may be liquid, solid (for example, powder, fiber, foil, structure), semi-solid, or a combination thereof. The FMAs may be present in a water / oil or oil / water emulsion, some suspension or mixture. FMAs may be arranged in the article as a single discrete element (for example, as a fibrous web or layer inside, or attached to the article) or may be retained in or on a carrier such as a lotion or skin care composition (described below) ), a structure or may be releasably encapsulated under a foil or in a package, chamber or sheath structure.

In embodiments in which the FMA is delivered through a skin care composition, it may be soluble in the skin care composition or may be retained in a suspension or as a simple composition. Larger FMA particles (for example, preferably larger in their largest dimension than about 250 microns) may be at least partially encapsulated or adhered to by the skin care composition. Some exemplary materials useful in skin care compositions that may be used in embodiments of the present invention include Category 1 active agents as defined in the Provisional Latest Monograph on Skin Protective Products Sold Over the Counter for Human Use, issued to U.S. Pat. Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently present: allantoin, aluminum hydroxide gel, kalamine (zinc carbonate), cocoa butter, dimethicone, cod liver oil (combined), glycerin, kaolin, petrolatum, lanolin, mineral oil, shark liver oil, white petrolatum, talc, topical starch, zinc acetate, zinc carbonate, zinc oxide and the like.

• • •

Other potentially useful materials are Category III active substances, as defined in the Provisional Latest Monograph on Human Skin Products sold over the counter for human use, published by the US Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which currently represent: cellular derivatives of live yeast, aldioxa, aluminum acetate, microporous cellulose, cholcalciferol (vitamin D), colloidal oatmeal, cysteine hydrochloride, dexpantanol, peruvian balsam oil, protein hydrolysates, racemic methionine, sodium bicarbonate, vitamin A, and the like. Many of the ingredients for skin care, listed in the monograph FDA is currently used in commercially available products for skin care, such as: ointment A and D ^R, Vaseline Vaseline ^R ointment against rash from diapers Destin ^R and cream for day care , baby healing powder GOLD BOND ^R , healing ointment AQUAPH0R ^r , baby lotion BABY MAGIC ^R , baby lotion JOHNSON'S ULTRA SENSITIVE ^R , baby lotion Johnson, lip balm and so on. Other suitable skin care compositions are described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,643,588, U.S. Patent No. 5,607,760, U.S. Patent No. 5,609,587, and U.S. Patent No. 6,635,191. Descriptions of each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.

Skin care compositions useful in the invention preferably have a melt profile such that they are relatively stationary and localized at room temperature on the surface of the contacting article of the wearer, are readily transferable to the wearer at body temperature, and are still not completely fluid under extreme storage conditions. . Preferably, these compositions are readily transferable to the wearer's skin by normal contact, movement of the wearer, and / or body heat.

In preferred embodiments, the skin care compositions herein are useful in the form of a solid or, more often, semi-solid at ° C, ie at ambient temperature. By semi-solidity is meant that the mixture in question has a rheology typical of pseudoplastic or plastic fluids. When no shear force is applied, these compositions may have a semi-solid insight, but when the shear size increases, the compositions may flow. This is due to the fact that although these compositions may also contain primarily solid components, they may also contain some minor liquid components. The compositions of the present invention preferably have a zero shear viscosity between about 1.0 x 10 ⁶ cP (centipoise) and about 10 x 10 ⁸ cP. More preferably, the zero shear viscosity is between about 5.0 x 10 ⁶ cP and about 5.0 x 10 ⁷ cP. As used herein, the term "zero shear viscosity" refers to viscosity measured at very low shear sizes or rates (e.g., 1.0 / sec) using a plate and cone viscometer (a suitable instrument is available from TA Instruments of New Castle, DE , as model number CSL 100). The person skilled in the art understands that means other than high melting point components may also be used to provide comparable viscosities. For example, the composition could be provided with a structure having a high zero shear viscosity, but when applied to the shear, such a structure collapses, resulting in a decrease in viscosity (compositions of this type are said to have a yield strength value). Such a structure may be provided by certain clay materials such as bentonite clays or montmorillonite clays and fumed silica which are particularly preferred and available from Cabot Corp. Cab-O-Sil Div. of Tuscola, IL as CABO-SIL. The person skilled in the art also understands that the zero shear viscosity of these compositions can be measured by extrapolating the viscosity size versus shear size versus zero shear plot. These viscosity measurements should be made at a temperature of about 20 ° C.

• · · · ·

The carrier composition of the respective skin care composition may contain a useful active ingredient, such as one or more skin protectants or emollients. As used herein, an emollient refers to a material that protects against moisture or irritation, softens, soothes, softens, covers, lubricates, moisturizes, protects and / or cleanses the skin (it will be understood that several active substances listed above in the monograph are plasticizers as used herein). In a preferred embodiment, the emollients will have either plastic or liquid consistency at ambient temperatures, i.e., 20 ° C. This consistency allows the composition to give a soft, gooey feel like a lotion.

Exemplary emollients useful in the invention include, but are not limited to, those based on petroleum, sucrose ester fatty acids, polyethylene glycol and derivatives thereof, wetting agents, fatty acid ester type, alkyl ethoxylate type, fatty acid ester ethoxylate type, fatty alcohol type polysiloxane type, propylene glycol and derivatives thereof, furthermore glycerin and its derivatives containing glyceride, acetoglycerides and ethoxylated C12-C28 fatty acid glycerides; triethylene glycol and its derivatives; spermacet or other waxes; fatty acids; fatty alcohol ethers, especially those having from 12 to 28 carbon atoms in their fatty chain such as stearic acid; propoxylate fatty alcohols; other fatty esters of polyhydroxy alcohols; lanolin and its derivatives; kaolin and its derivatives; any of the compositions listed in the abovementioned skin care monograph or mixtures of such emollients.

Yet another preferred component of the skin care composition carrier compositions useful in the present invention is a composition capable of immobilizing the composition (comprising a preferred emollient and / or other skin conditioning agents, medical or protective agents, and / or FMA present in a given composition), at a desired location in or on the treated article. The immobilizing agent faces the tendency of the plasticizer to migrate or flow, by maintaining the plasticizer primarily located on the surface or area of the article to which the composition is applied. This is believed to be due, in part, to the fact that the immobilizer increases the melting point and / or viscosity of the composition above the point having the plasticizer. Since the immobilizing agent is preferably miscible with (or dissolved by, or dispersed with, a suitable emulsifier), the immobilizing agent retains the emollient at the surface of the wearer contacting surface or in the area to which it is applied.

It is also advantageous to lock the respective immobilizer on the wearer by contacting the surface or area to which it is applied. This can be accomplished by the use of immobilizing agents which rapidly settle (i.e., solidify) upon application to the article. In addition, external cooling of the treated product by blowers, fans, cold rollers, etc., may accelerate the crystallization of the immobilizing agent.

In addition to being miscible with (or soluble in) the emollient, the immobilizing agent will preferably have a melting profile that will provide a mixture that is solid or semi-solid at ambient temperature. In this regard, preferred immobilizing agents will have a melting point of at least about 35 ° C. This prevents the immobilizer from tending or flowing. Preferred immobilizing agents have melting points of at least about 40 ° C and more typically in the range of about 50 ° C to about 150 ° C.

• • •

The immobilizing agents useful in the present invention may be selected from any number of compositions as long as the preferred properties of the skin care composition provide the skin benefit described herein. Preferred immobilizing agents generally comprise a component selected from the group consisting of C14-C22 fatty alcohols / C12-C22Z fatty acids and C12-C22 fatty alcohol ethoxylates having an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 2 to about 30, and mixtures thereof. Preferred immobilizing agents include fatty alcohols, C ₆ -C _18, preferably crystalline high melting materials selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol and mixtures thereof (preferably a linear structure of these materials can speed up solidification on the treated absorbent article). Other preferred immobilizing agents include fatty acid C ₆ -C _8, preferably selected from the group consisting of palmitic acid, stearic acid and mixtures thereof. Mixtures of palmitic acid and stearic acid are particularly preferred. Still other preferred immobilizing agents include C ₁₆ -C ₁₈ fatty alcohol ethoxylates having an average degree of ethoxylation ranging from about 5 to about 20. The fatty alcohols and fatty acids are preferably linear. Importantly, these preferred immobilizing agents such as fatty alcohols, C ₈ ~ CI6 increase the rate of crystallization of the respective mixture, causing the mixture on the surface of the substrate (substrate) to crystallize rapidly. Still other types of additives suitable as immobilizing agents, either alone or in combination with the aforementioned immobilizing agents, include waxes such as carnauba wax, natural wax, beeswax, candelilla, paraffin, ceresine, esparto, ourikuri, resovax, isoparaffin and other known mined. and mineral waxes.

• · «·

The faecal material conditioning agent may be delivered to the faeces directly, by transferring these FMAs to the faeces, or may initially be transferred to the wearer's skin or other portion of the article prior to transfer to the faeces. The carrier may form or be a component of a separate article to be applied to the wearer (preferably at least over its perianal region) before or instead of the diaper, training pants, underwear or other article.

The means for attaching the FMA to the carrier composition may include any means known in the art, such as adhesives (especially water-soluble adhesives), hydrogen bonding, releasable encapsulation, spraying, coating and the like. Attaching the FMA hydrogen bridge to a substrate may be accomplished by slightly moistening either that FMA or at least a portion of the substrate with water. After drying, the FMA is releasably attached to the substrate (i.e., subsequent contact with water breaks this bond). This effect is enhanced for those FMAs that gel and become sticky (e.g., alginic acid and derivatives thereof, etc.). The wetting can be accomplished by exposing either the FMA, the substrate or both to a high humidity environment (e.g., a relative humidity of 80% or greater) before or at the moment of contact. Alternatively, the water may be sprayed, disappeared or sprayed over at least a portion of either the composition or substrates before or at the time of their contact. In such cases, the structure is preferably dried prior to incorporation.

In other preferred embodiments, the FMA may be associated with a sealing cuff, such as a leg cuff, waist barrier, waist, faeces pocket, or faeces material spacer portion. In forms in which the FMA is associated with a sealing element such as a leg cuff, waist barrier or fecal material pocket, it is preferred that it be •

The FMA is associated with a portion of the sealing cuff arranged closest to the starting point of the wearer's exudates (for example, the fecal rectum). In certain preferred embodiments, the FMA is releasably attached to the surface of the sealing material to promote processing of the faeces contacting the sealing material. The FMA may be releasably attached to the surface of the gasket by any of the means described above, or by any other means known in the art. In other embodiments, the FMA is releasably encapsulated on or at least a portion of the surface of the sealing material. In embodiments comprising spacers for fecal material, any portion of the spacers may include one or more FMAs. The spacer element may be releasably coated with the composition as described above, or may include chambers, packages or pouches of the coated composition at least in part of the water or faeces soluble film (as described above).

FMAs may contact the faecal material on or near the surface of the article (for example, at the topsheet / faeces interface), within the product (as in the faecal control portion 120 as described below) or on the body-facing surface of the faecal matter (ie first transferred to the skin) or other surface above the plane of the product). The FMA will typically contact fecal material in the article area associated with the wearer's rectum (for example, in the diaper context, in the crotch area). Alternatively, the faeces may contact the FMA when passing through an aperture, flange, dam, or the like at or near the wearer's rectum. In such cases, the FMAs may be extruded or drawn from a given aperture or dam (e.g., containers) by pushing the faeces through the faeces as they are expelled from the body. The respective aperture may include a longitudinal slit, intersection or perforation in a layer, sheath, package or other structure containing FMA or a composition comprising FMA arranged proximal to the fecal outlet point of the body. The opening may be initially closed by a soluble film that is dissolved by contacting the faeces, then releasing the composition or mixture. Alternatively, the opening may be opened when the structure is deformed by the passage or pressure of the faeces. Fecal pressure, in addition to body pressure and movements, can assist in pushing the FMA through this fecal opening.

The FMA can be delivered passively (for example, the faeces flow and contact it during normal wear conditions), actively (for example, a portion in the product responds to some signal and delivers / releases the FMA to the faeces), or through a secondary carrier (for example, powder or other) skin care compositions, initially transferred to the skin of the wearer). Delivery of FMA to the faeces may occur as a result of faeces pressure, weight, temperature, enzyme activity, water content and / or pH; the presence of urine (for example, urine triggers the release of an agent in response to or in anticipation of defecation); body movements, pressure or heat; or any other trigger or event during the product wear cycle.

The FMA may be initially housed within or on the article or any part thereof and subsequently released by any of the trigger events described herein. In certain preferred embodiments, the FMA is releasably encapsulated under a foil, chambers, shells, packets, and the like so as to prevent its movement and / or loss of the device before the faeces fall on the product and / or to assist the location of the FMA for contact with fecal matter during use. The film coatings, chambers, packets or other containers for the composition may comprise a water-soluble film over at least the faeces contacting the surface area of the container. Water from urine, faeces and other exudates dissolves this film, which releases the formulation (i.e., triggers release) into contact and processing of the faeces. An example of a water-soluble film useful in the invention is a polyvinyl alcohol film, available as MONOSOL M7031, from Chris Craft Industrial Products of South Holland, IL or HL1636 from firmy. B. Fuller Co. of St. Paul, MN. Alternatively, the film may be soluble only in the presence of certain fecal enzymes (such as trypsin) or within certain pH ranges.

The release of the composition may be rapid (for example, with the explosive release of gas generated by contacting the urine or fecal material with the gas generating composition) to encapsulate or coat the fecal material with the composition. The gas generating mixture may include particles, spheres, etc. of one or more substances that evolve the gas when mixed with or together in water (for example, sodium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate and citric acid). The particles may be attached to a water-soluble matrix (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol, PVA). The FMA may be arranged on or attached to the surface of the exudate-contacting film, or encapsulated in a water-soluble film between the gas generating composition and the faecal contacting surface. Thus, for example, when the water present in the fecal material dissolves the water-soluble film, the gas generating mixture is activated (i.e. the component (s) are mixed with water) and gas evolves rapidly, forcing the mixing of the FMA and the faeces. The particles may include combinations such as citric acid and sodium bicarbonate, which, when mixed with water, rapidly release carbon dioxide gas. Alternatively, the gas generating composition may comprise water-soluble capsules containing compressed gas and FMA. The faecal water contacting these capsules can cause the foil to dissolve and release the gas explosively, again requiring gas mixing / attachment in the gas.

faeces. Other mixtures and gas generating or releasing systems are envisaged within the scope of the present invention.

The article of the present invention may also include a reaction system 65 comprising a sensor 66, trigger portion 67, and stored energy used to transfer FMA to the faeces, mixing the composition with the faeces, or causing the device to be expelled into contact with the faeces. One preferred embodiment includes a molded, compressed, macroporous foam 68 held under compression by a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol film as shown in FIG. 8. The foam 68 additionally comprises an FMA 75. Contact with faecal water results in the dissolution of at least a portion of the PVA sheet, which releases the stored mechanical energy in the foam 68 and mechanically transfers the composition towards and into the faecal matter. In certain embodiments, mixing may occur through a mechanism incorporated in the article as described above (e.g., a reaction system), mechanical action from the weight of the wearer and / or movements, and / or fecal flow during or after the defecation act (particularly low viscosity fecal) to facilitate processing of most of the faecal matter. Other reaction systems suitable for use with the present invention are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 1, a disposable article having a discontinuous reaction system (Procter and Gamble Case No. 7197), filed in the name of Donald C. Roe et. al. on June 29, 1998; which is incorporated herein by reference.

In alternative embodiments, the FMAs may be arranged on or associated with three dimensional structures attached or separated from other elements of the absorbent article. For example, the absorbent article may include a portion with protrusions, bumps, loops, or the like to help keep the FMA available for contact with the fecal material. In one ·· ·· ♦ ·

In a preferred embodiment, fibers or strands of heat-melt resin containing faecal conditioning agent may be printed on the substrate 82 (an example of a substrate comprising fibers comprising FMA is shown in Figure 7). The composition may be incorporated into the resin so that it moves to the surface of the fibers and is applicable to the faeces. Alternatively, the composition may be releasably attached to said fibers by any of the techniques described above. Examples of suitable fibers and hooks are described in more detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,058,247 to Thomas et al. on Oct. 22, 1991; further described in U.S. Patent No. 5,116,563 to Thomas et al. on May 26, 1992; U.S. Patent No. 5,326,415, to Thomas et al. on July 5, 1994; and U.S. Patent No. 5,762,634, to Peck et al. on June 9, 1998. Each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference.

In yet another embodiment, the FMA may be fed to the faeces through a brush structure 60, one example of which is shown in FIG. 6. The brush arrangement may comprise a plurality of substantially aligned strands, fibers, twisted fibers, yarns, or other fibrous materials attached to the substrate. The substrate may be flat, curved, ribbed, or have a curvature and may be porous or non-porous. The brush fibers 62 are preferably bendable at pressures exerted by the faeces by excretion so that the faeces allow easy passage through or between the fibers 62. The brush fibers 62 may be permanently or releasably attached to the substrate. The fibers 62 may be of vegetable or animal origin (for example, cotton, etc.), cellulose-based or artificial, and may be of different or similar lengths. The FMA is preferably bonded to the fibers 62 of the brush structure 60 such that when the faeces is pushed around the brush fibers 62, the composition is released and mixed with the faeces. The brush structure 60 may be integral with the article or separately applied to the perianal region of the wearer and may optionally include an adhesive or other fastener to adhere it to the wearer or article. The brush structure 60 may be secured over some spacer element (as described above) having a hollow space below the fibers 62 and thus provide space for engagement with the faeces to be treated.

FMAs can also be delivered through the use of smart gels that undergo a phase transition or a geometric or volume change in response to certain changes in pH, water content and / or some other trigger. Shape memory materials (ie, metal alloys or plastics that return to a predetermined geometry or shape when the temperature reaches a predetermined limit) may also be used to move the device into a position to contact or mix with the faeces. appropriate temperature changes. In addition, blowing materials such as superabsorbent polymers or foams may be used to promote faecal contact with the FMA compositions. A structure comprising such blowing materials soaks up water, whether from faecal material or urine, and may move the FMA associated with the body contacting surface of the structure towards the faecal mass and / or promote its mixing with the faeces. Foam forming materials can also displace FMA and promote contact with faeces in the product. In this case, the foam-forming material comprises FMA (or is associated with the composition) and covers the fecal mass as the foam develops and increases in volume.

Fecal material conditioning means (FMA) may also be retained on or within the macro-particle elements 170, as described below. These microparticle elements 170 may be comprised in the exudate control portion 120 attached to the topsheet, cuff, or other treatment of the article (releasable).

... ·····························.

Or not) or loose in a separate article attached independently to the body (some exemplary macro-particle structures are shown in Figure 2-4). Further, any of the structures that retain, supply, or mix the FMA may include protrusions or other three-dimensional geometries designed to increase the area of contact of the FMA and fecal material and / or to promote mixing.

In preferred embodiments, the FMAs are associated with the topsheet of the absorbent structure. However, these FMAs may be associated with a layer lying under the topsheet, such as a acquisition layer. In embodiments in which the FMA is disposed in a sublayer below the topsheet in the exudate control portion 120, the fecal material must readily penetrate the topsheet, the subsheet underneath, and any other overlapping structure in order for the composition to be available in an effective amount. Thus, it is preferred that such structures have an uptake at a pressure of at least about 0.50 g / cm ² / J, and preferably at least about 1.0 g / cm ² / J, as described in the Test Methods section below. In any case, the device is preferably located near that area of the article that is generally associated with the perianal area of the wearer.

As shown in FIG. 2, the invention may include a portion for controlling the exudates 120 or fecal material 120. The portion of the faeces 120 is designed and constructed to help control the reception, storage and / or immobilization of viscous, liquid body exudates. The faecal control portion 120 may be located anywhere within the article, including the crotch region or both waist regions, or may be associated with or contained within any structure or element such as the core 28, leg cuff and the like. In preferred embodiments, a portion of the faecal control 120 is located in the article area that is close to the perianal area when worn.

9 9 <

···

the wearer. This helps to ensure that any exuded exudate is deposited on or at the faecal control portion 120.

Although the structures receiving, storing and immobilizing the viscous, liquid body feces, preferably, in certain embodiments of the invention, the fecal control portion 120 may comprise only the receiving portion, the storage portion, or the immobilization portion, or may include a combination of two, but not a third. In some embodiments, one portion may also perform more than one function (for example, the storage portion may perform both the storage and immobilization functions). For example, the absorbent article of the present invention may comprise, for the management of viscous, liquid body feces, a receiving and storage element, without separate immobilizing element as such.

The receiving element or portion 150 may be any material or structure capable of receiving body exudates. (As used herein, the term receive or receive refers to the penetration of a structure by deposited materials therein. The penetration is defined by passing materials through the surface of the structure on which a particular material is deposited.) The receiving element 150 may comprise a single material or quantity. materials functionally bonded together. Further, the receiving member 150 may be integral with the other member of the diaper 20 or may be one or more separate portions connected directly or indirectly to one or more members of the diaper 20. Further, if desired, any portion or the entire receiving member 150 may be removable. an absorbent article for self-depreciation.

The receiving element 150 is preferably arranged at least partially in the crotch region 37 of the diaper 20, adjacent the surface facing the body 47 of the core 28, although in some alternative embodiments, the receiving element 150 may comprise at least a portion of the diaper 20. The leg cuffs, waist, pocket of fecal material retention or the like, or may be functionally associated with any such treatment. Preferably, during wearing, at least a portion of the receiving element 150 is located in the region of the diaper 20 at the wearer's rectum and is not hindered by overlapping layers of structures such as the topsheet 24. It may be desirable to cut a portion of the topsheet 24 in the area of the article envisaged, It will be positioned at the wearer's rectum and provide a receiving member 150 as a side cover in this region. Alternatively, any portion or whole of the topsheet 24 may be made to function as a receiving element 150. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the receiving element 150 comprises at least a portion of the topsheet 24. In other embodiments, the receiving element 150 may comprise at least a portion of other diaper portions such as the absorbent core 28 or the storage element (as described below).

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to provide the diaper 20 with a different acquisition capacity in different portions of the diaper. This can be accomplished by providing different receiving elements in different regions of the diaper 20 or by providing a single receiving element 150 that is manufactured or processed to have areas with different receiving characteristics. Further, the receiving element 150 may be elevated above the plane of the body-facing surface of the article to better control the secreted viscous, liquid body feces. In some embodiments, it may even be desirable to have the receiving element 150 in contact with the wearer's skin near the source of these viscous, liquid faeces (for example, in the perianal region).

Suitable materials and structures for use as the receiving element 150 may be absorbent and non-absorbent and may include apertured nonwoven webs, apertured sheets, apertured formed sheets, scrims, woven structures, mesh, macroporous thin foams, and the like. One particularly preferred material is a woven mesh, such as a Toy Tub Bag from Dollar Tree Dist., Of Norfolk, VA. Further, the receiving element 150, or any portion thereof, may be coated with some skin care composition or other known agents for the purpose of adding, improving or altering the performance or other characteristics of the portion. For example, the receiving element 150 may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic, or treated to be both.

As described above, said FMAs may be associated with a receiving element preferably in the perianal region of the wearer. In certain preferred embodiments, the FMAs are releasably coupled to the receiver by the means described above. In alternative embodiments, the device (s) is releasably encapsulated in a structure associated with at least a portion of the receiving member 150. The device may be released into the fecal material upon contact with water, heat, or wearer pressure / movement. The composition may be first transferred to the wearer's skin or other portion of the article (for example, the leg cuff) prior to depositing on the faeces. For example, the urine may release the releasably encapsulated composition or composition. The composition may be transferred to the wearer's skin by body contact and / or pressure. After subsequent contact with the faeces, the composition will be transferred from the skin to the faeces surface.

Once the viscous, liquid body exudates have penetrated the faecal control portion 120, it is desirable to keep or keep them away from the wearer and carer during the remaining wear cycle during product replacement. As used herein, the term harbor refers to the physical separation of material that is embedded in the diaper from the body-facing surface of the article such that

the material stored in the diaper is not immediately in contact with or accessible to the wearer's skin. Adequate storage capacity is essential to reduce the likelihood of leakage and contamination of the skin area with viscous, liquid body feces, as these stored viscous, liquid body feces are less likely to reach the body-facing surface of the structure and leak and move within the article.

The storage member 152 may be located anywhere within the diaper 20. However, it is preferred to be operably connected to the receiving member 150 and / or the topsheet 24, if any, so that the viscous body faeces received by the receiving member 150 may enter the storage member 152. ( Embodiments are contemplated in which the diaper 20 has no topsheet 24 or receiving member 150. In such cases, body exudates may enter the storage member 152 directly, without passing through any underlying structure. In any case, it is preferred that the storage member 152 be positioned. in the region of the diaper 20, which is positioned at the wearer's rectum when the diaper is worn. Accordingly, it is preferred that at least a portion of the storage element 152 is disposed in the crotch region 37 of the absorbent article. However, in some alternative embodiments, the storage element 152 may comprise at least a portion of either the waist region, leg cuff, waist, faecal exudate containment pocket or the like, or may be functionally associated with any such modification. Further, the storage element 152 may be elevated above the plane of the body-facing surface of the article to better control the secreted viscous body feces. In some embodiments, it may even be desirable to have the storage element 152 in contact with the wearer's skin near a source of viscous body feces (e.g., in the perianal region).

The storage capacity of the storage element 152 may be uniform or vary throughout the diaper 20. These variations can be achieved by using multiple storage elements 152 in the diaper 20 or by providing a single storage element 152 with areas but with different storage properties. Further, if desired, any part or all of the storage element 152 may be removable from the absorbent article for self-degradation.

The storage element 152 may be any material or structure that is capable of storing body exudates as described above. Thus, the storage element 152 may comprise a single material or a plurality of materials operatively connected to each other. Further, the storage member 152 may be integral with yet another portion of the diaper 20, or may be one or more discrete portions of the diaper 20 directly or indirectly connected to one or more of the elements of the diaper 20. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the storage element 152 comprises a structure that is separate from the core 28. However, those embodiments are contemplated in which the storage element 152 comprises at least a portion of the core 28.

Suitable materials for use as the storage element 152 may include large cell open foams, macroporous compression resistant and nonwoven, highly expanded materials, large particle size molds of open and closed cellular foams (macro and / or microporous), highly expanded nonwoven materials, polyolefin, polystyrene, polyurethane foams or particles, structures comprising a plurality of vertically oriented loop strands of fibers, the above-described absorbent core structures with punctured holes or recesses, and the like. (As used herein, the term microporous' refers to materials capable of transferring liquids by capillary action. The term macroporous refers to materials having pores too large to perform capillary fluid transfer, generally having pores greater than about

9

0

0.5 mm in diameter, and more particularly, having pores greater than about 1 mm in diameter.) One embodiment comprises a loop-fastening mechanical fastener having an uncompressed thickness of about

1.5 millimeters, available as XPL-7124, from 3M Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Yet another embodiment comprises a crimped, resin-bonded, non-woven, 6-denier, non-woven, highly expanded material having a basis weight of 110 grams per square meter and an uncompressed 7.9 mm thickness available from Glit Company of Wrens, Georgia, USA. The storage element 152, or any portion thereof, may comprise or be coated with some skin care composition or other known agents to add, enhance, or alter the performance or other characteristics of the element.

An alternative embodiment of the storage element 152 comprises a microparticle structure 170, with a plurality of discrete particles 172, of which non-limiting examples are shown in FIG. 2-4. The macroparticles 172 preferably have a nominal size, preferably between about 1.0 mm and about 25.4 mm, and more preferably between about 2 mm and about 16 mm. However, particles as small as 0.5 mm and smaller and particles larger than about are contemplated

25.4 mm. Particles having a nominal size of about 1.0 mm or greater are those generally retained on the surface of a standard (US) No. 18 mesh screen. Particles having a nominal size of less than about 25.4 mm are those that overall pass through a standard (US) 25.4 mm sieve sieve. Particles with a nominal size of 16 mm or larger are those that are generally retained on the surface of a standard (US) No. 16 (mm) sieve sieve. The nominal particle size is measured before incorporating these particles into the storage element 152 for testing or use.

Particles having a nominal size of 8 mm or greater are those

Which are generally retained on the surface of a standard (US) sieve screen with a mesh of 8 mm.

The macroparticle structure 170 may comprise any number of particles 172. Furthermore, the particles 172 may be unconnected and free to move within the structure 170 or may be joined to each other by any known means. Alternatively, the structure 170 may comprise an external support such as a hot melt adhesive, some web, mesh, scrim or fiber, or other adhesive or non-adhesive braided supports. Any particle 172 may also be associated with any other portion of the diaper assembly, such as the topsheet and / or core. The particles 172 can also be confined in patterned, three-dimensional areas such as warehouses, pads and pockets.

The individual particles 172 may be made of any material suitable for use in absorbent articles, including the materials described above with respect to the absorbent core 28 or the storage element 152. The materials used in the particles 172 may be absorbent, non-absorbent, microporous, macroporous, resilient, etc., or may have any other desirable characteristics. Examples of macroporous absorbent materials that are suitable for use in the particles 172 include highly expanded nonwoven materials, open cellular structure foams, fiber bundles, sponges, and the like. Other absorbent materials include cellulose-based webs, capillary channel fibers, osmotic storage materials such as superabsorbent polymers, and so on. Non-absorbent particles 172 may include plastic, metal, ceramic and glass materials, closed cell structure foams, column fillers, synthetic fibers, gels, encapsulated gas, liquids, and the like. In addition, any or all of the particles 172 may include odor absorbers, lotions, means for absorbing the skin

skin care, antimicrobial materials, pH buffering agents, enzyme inhibitors and the like.

The storage element 152 may comprise a single type of particle 172 (size, shape, material, etc.) or a mixture of different particles 172. The mixture may be homogeneous; heterogeneous, such as when particles 172 with different properties are arranged in certain areas of the storage element 152; it may be layered; or any other desired arrangement. In some embodiments, more than one type of blend may be used (eg, the macroporous and non-absorbent particles 172 may be homogeneously mixed in one layer while the other layer contains only absorbent particles.) The different layers of particles may be directly adjacent to each other or separated by one or more. a plurality of materials such as mesh, scrim, nonwoven or woven structure, foam, adhesive, and the like.

The macro-particle structure 170 preferably comprises a continuous, inter-slit hollow gap 174 which is defined by the space between the particles 172. By varying the size and / or shape of the particles 172, this gap 174 can be controlled. The particles may have any known shape and include spheres, flattened spheroids, rectangular and polygonal rigid bodies, and the like.

In addition to its storage function, the storage element 152 may transfer viscous body feces within the absorbent article 20 in directions generally parallel to the plane of the backsheet 26. This transmission may be active such that capillary or other forces lead to movement of the viscous body feces or components thereof. (for example, free waters). In other embodiments, the transfer may be passive by which the viscous, liquid body feces or components thereof move the structure under the influence of externally applied forces such as gravity force, wearer pressure, or movements thereof. In the case of passive transmission, the storage element 152 should have relatively large, non-interconnected

channels or the like, so that viscous body feces can easily move through the structure with minimal energy input.

The FMAs of the present invention may be associated with any part of the storage element 152 comprising the macro-particle structures. In certain preferred embodiments in which the storage element 152 has raised areas, the FMAs are associated with the raised areas of the element. The viscous body feces penetrating the receiving element may contact the FMA means and carry them to the lower regions of the storage element 152, providing improved mixing. For example, the lifted upper portions of the loop type storage elements may be slightly wetted or wetted and subsequently contacted with the FMA, to releasably attach the FMA to these lifted portions, and then dried. The releasable attachment may also be effected by means of water-soluble adhesives. In macro-particle embodiments, the composition may be maintained within the macroporous particle. In alternative embodiments, the composition may be releasably attached to the outer surface of the particulate elements. Contact of the faeces with the FMA preferably releases the composition from the storage element and allows mixing with the faecal materials.

Viscous body exudates that are received or penetrated by the absorbent article are also preferably retained in the diaper away from the wearer. One preferred way to retain body exudates, particularly viscous body feces, is to immobilize the exudates in a location away from the wearer. As used herein, the term immobilization refers to the ability of a particular material or structure to retain stored viscous, body faeces under applied pressure and / or under the influence of gravitational forces.

The immobilizing element 154 can be any material or structure that is capable of reducing the tendency of viscous body feces that have penetrated the immobilizing element 154 not to leave the structure. Thus, the immobilizing element 154 may comprise a single material or a plurality of materials functionally associated with each other. Further, the restraining element 154 may be integral with another portion of the diaper 20 or may be one or more discrete elements connected directly or indirectly to one or more portions of the diaper 20. For example, the restraining element 154 may be an unbonded layer of material disposed below the storage element 152 or it may comprise all or part of the storage element 152 capable of immobilizing and retaining viscous body feces as described above. In any case, it is preferred that the immobilizing element 154 is operatively associated with the storage element 152 and the receiving element 150. This is necessary to ensure that the viscous body faeces that are received and / or retained by the article pass into or come into contact Accordingly, it may be desirable to place the restraining element 154 below the storage element 152 and the receiving element 150, in at least a portion of the crotch region 37 of the article in question. However, as noted above, if the storage element 152 has transmission capability, the immobilizing element 154 may be located anywhere in the diaper 20 such that viscous, liquid body faeces, received and / or retained, may be transferred to the immobilizing element 154. Further As with the receiving and storage elements 150 and 152, the diaper 20 may have uniform or non-uniform characteristics of the immobilization performance. Thus, in an article having areas of varying restraining and / or containment performance, one or more restraining elements 154. may be incorporated further. If desired, any (or any portion) or all restraining element 154 may be removed from the absorbent article for separate depreciation.

• ·

Suitable materials for use in this immobilizing element 154 include microporous foams, superabsorbent polymer particles or fibers, cellulose fibers, capillary channel fibers, entangled synthetic fiber webs and the like. Some preferred materials include foam absorbent materials, such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,260,345; 5,387,207; and 5,625,222. Other preferred materials include absorbent gelling materials, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,147,345 entitled High Efficiency Incontinence Absorbent Articles of Young et al. on September 15, 1992. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference.

The faecal material treatment means, FMA, may be associated with the restraining element 154. In these embodiments, the respective restraining element may act to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the restraining element 154, by facilitating removal of faecal water and thereby increasing the rate of restraint progress and / or the mobility of the remaining solid fraction of fecal material. Alternatively, FMAs can serve to increase the viscosity of the faeces when immobilized by a direct thickening mechanism. The FMAs may be loosely associated with the immobilizing element or may be releasably attached thereto (i.e., such that their release may be effected by faecal water).

Preferred embodiment

As noted above, the invention is applicable to many types of absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, incontinence pants, incontinence underwear or insoles, absorbent pads, diaper holders and diaper covers, clothing items feminine hygiene, wipes, disposable mops, bandages and the like; and discrete articles attached to the wearer through its perianal region. Thus, the following examples of preferred embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limiting its scope.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is the absorbent article 20 shown in FIG. The absorbent article 20 has a first waist region 36, a second waist region 38, and a crotch region 37 positioned between the first 36 waist region and the second 38 waist region. The diaper 20 comprises a topsheet 24, a backsheet 26, and an absorbent core 28 disposed between the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. The topsheet 24 is disposed in at least a portion of the first waist region 36 adjacent the body-facing surface 47 of the core 28. a receiving portion 150 coupled to the topsheet 24 and extending longitudinally away from the topsheet 24 through at least a portion of the crotch region 37 and at least a portion of the second waist region 38. The receiving element 150 comprises woven mesh, available as a bucket bag Tub Toy Bag by Dollar Tree Dist., of Norfolk, VA.

Preferably, the diaper 20 further comprises a storage member 152 positioned between the receiving member 150 and the backsheet 26. The storage member 152 is disposed in at least a portion of the crotch region 37 and at least a portion of the second waist region 38. In this embodiment, the reservoir element 152 comprises a microparticle structure 170 comprising particles 172. Specifically, the microparticle structure 170 comprises about two grams of brush abrasive layers mixed with about 0.35 grams of foam absorbent strips having a basis weight of 45 grams per square meter, as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,260,345. (These brush particles may be made by cutting an abrasive nonwoven, highly lightweight side (hereinafter referred to as the brush layer) of a scouring pad (e.g. available under the designation Light Duty Scrubbers # 00065 from the Libman Company of Arcola, IL) into particles having dimensions of about 8 mm x about 7 mm x about 5 mm). Said strips have dimensions of about 19 millimeters in length, 6.4 millimeters in width and a thickness of 2 millimeters. The brush particles are dispersed over an area of 103.2 cm ( ² inches) by 16.2 cm ( ² inches) arranged along the longitudinal axis of the product approximately 0.8 mm thick until wetted with a thin foam absorbent material (described herein). No. 5,387,207, incorporated herein by reference), having a basis weight of 126 grams per square meter. These particles are relatively homogeneously mixed with said absorbent foam strips and are not limited to moving within a given area surrounded by a layer until wetting the thin absorbent foam material. These particles and strips are preferably not attached to the top layer of the woven mesh or to any other layer. The FMA is preferably associated with the particulate storage layer elements by any of the means described herein. The receiving element 150 is attached to the underlying layers outside the perimeter of the layer to moisten the thin absorbent foam.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the absorbent article of the present invention may be a sanitary napkin 21 or sanitary napkin that is intended to be placed separately on the wearer or placed in his / her underwear, outer wrap or the like. Thus, this liner 21 is generally not intended to be in the form of panties, but rather to be used in conjunction with a pantie or other structure that keeps the liner 21 in place around the wearer. The absorbent pad 21 has a pair of opposed end regions 135, separated by 9 and 10, respectively.

999, a central region 137, and includes an absorbent assembly 27, which may include an absorbent core 28, a receiving member 150, a storage member 152, and / or an immobilizing member 154. The liner 21 may also include one or more fasteners 41 that keep the liner in use. The fastening element 41 may comprise adhesive, cohesive, hooks, pots, buckles, buttons, laces, magnetic, electronic and / or any other known means of affixing absorbent articles to the undergarment components.

METHODS OF TESTING

Viscosity

Viscosity or viscosity can be determined by a rheometer with controlled load (shear stress). A suitable rheometer is available from T.A. Instruments, Inc. of New Castle, DE, as model number SC2100.

This rheometer uses a parallel plate clamp made of stainless steel. The rheometer has a rigid horizontal first plate on which the sample is placed, and a second plate mounted over the first plate so that the axis of the second plate is perpendicular to the first plate. The second plate has a diameter of 2 or 4 centimeters. A 2 cm parallel plate is used for solid, dough or highly slimy specimens, while a 4 cm parallel plate is used for very liquid or water-like faecal material samples. The first and second plates are spaced apart by up to 2000 microns during the measurement procedure. The second plate is connected to the drive shaft for axial rotation.

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9999

9 9 9

9 9

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A drive motor and a tension sensor are also mounted on this drive shaft.

A suitable sample (typically 2-3 grams) of fecal material for testing is centered on the first plate and generally centered below the axis of the second plate. All large pieces of undigested food material (for example, seeds) are removed before this test. The first plate is raised to the position. Excess amounts of sample shifted off the diameter of the second plate are removed using a lancet. Water is then misted around the edges of the sample to prevent edge effects due to moisture loss during the measurement procedure. Programmed application of shear stress (or shear stress) from 500 ^-5 to 500 000 ⁵ Newtons / cm ² for pasty and solid samples is applied to the specimen. A shear stress range of 50 ~ ⁵ to 50,000 ~ ⁵ newtons / cm ² is used instead for flowing and aqueous samples. The data are put into the function of the energy law, where the apparent viscosity = kj ^(n_1) , k = consistency (units cP times sec ^(n_1) , j = shear size (units 1 / sec), an = shear index (dimensionless). when j = one unit 1 / sec, viscosity = k. (Plates are maintained at 35 ° C throughout the test.)

Hardness measurement method

Hardness is measured using a texture analyzer from Stevens-Farnell, QTS-25, model 7113-5 kg, and associated software based on an Intel-based computer having a class 486 or higher processor. A 1.27 cm thick stainless steel spherical probe and fecal analogue container are provided. A suitable probe is TA18, available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield, England. The container for the analogue material can be made by cutting a 7 ml low density linear polyethylene scintillation vial (having an inner diameter of 13.97 mm +/- 0.127 mm) to a length of about 16 millimeters. Suitable vials are available from the Kimble Glass Company of Vineland, New Jersey as vials as # 58503-7. The container for the analogue of the test material is filled to the upper edge (level) with this material (analogue A or B as described below), or faeces, for testing.

If the faecal treatment agent is to be evaluated, the respective sample will be prepared by the sample preparation method described below. The vial is centered under a spherical probe of 1.27 cm thick stainless steel. The probe is triggered to just contact the surface of the analogon in the vial. The probe 162 is moved downward 7 millimeters at a speed of about 100 mm per minute and then stopped.

The hardness is the maximum recorded resistive force that the probe encountered on its 7 mm orbit. (The room and analogone temperatures should be between about 18.3 to 23.8 ° C during measurement.) As far as verification of the facts is concerned, hardness has been found to be strongly related to the complex modulus of the material, which is a combination of the viscous and material.

Process for the production of faecal analogue

1.5 grams of Ultra Dawn dishwashing liquid (available from Procter and Gamble Co., Cincinnati, OH) is added to an empty, metal mixing bowl. 10 grams of Feclone FPS-2 and Feclone FPS-4 are added to the bowl containing Dawn. (Both of these Feclone materials are available from Siliclone Studios, Valley Forge, PA.) Then 200 milliliters of distilled water, heated to about 93.5 ° C, is added to the mixing bowl.

The resulting mixture is then carefully mixed by hand to avoid introducing air bubbles into the mixture, using a rubber or plastic spatula until homogeneous (usually about 3-5 minutes).

If properly prepared, the faeces analogue A will have a hardness value between about 7 and 10 grams, according to the above hardness measurement method.

Method for producing faecal analogue

5 grams of Feclone FPS-4, Feclone FPS-6 and Feclone FPS-7 are added to an empty, metal mixing bowl. (All of these Feclone materials are available from Siliclone Studios, Valley Forge, PA.) Then 0.67 grams of Carbopol 941 (available from BF Goodrich Corp. of Brecksville, OH) is added to the bowl and the four ingredients are blended. , using a rubber or plastic spatula until homogeneously mixed to ensure adequate dispersion of the powdered materials while mixing in water.

Then 60 milliliters of water heated to about 93.5 ° C are added to the mixing bowl. The resulting mixture is mixed and mixed by hand to avoid introducing air bubbles into the mixture, using a rubber or plastic spatula until it is homogeneous (usually about 3-5 minutes).

If properly prepared, analogue B will have a hardness value between about 600 and 650 grams.

Process for the production of faecal analogue C

Analogon C is a fecal material, prepared by mixing 10 grams of Carbopol 941, available from B.F.

Goodrich Corporation of Brecksville, OH, or equivalent

The acrylic polymer, in 900 ml of distilled water, was added. Carbopol 941 and distilled water are weighed and measured separately.

A propeller-type triple-blade propeller having a paddle of 5.08 cm diameter (available from VWR Scientific Products Corp. of Cincinnati, Ohio), under catalog number BR4553-64, is attached to the stirring shaft No. BR4553 for mixing distilled water. -52 with a diameter of 1 cm The propeller speed during mixing should be constant at 450 rpm The mixer should create a vortex without scattering Carbopol is slowly sifted into the water by being drawn into the vortex and mixed without forming white lumps, or The mixture is mixed until all of the Carbopol is added and then for two minutes. The sides of the bowl containing the mixture should be wiped off and the container should be rotated as necessary to achieve a homogeneous mixture. One hundred grams of 1.0 N volumetric NaOH solution is then slowly metered into the mixture, available from JT Baker Co. , Philipsburg, NJ, and mixed until homogeneous The mixture should become thick and clear and mixed for 2 minutes after addition of the alkaline solution.

The neutralized mixture should be allowed to equilibrate for at least 12 hours and then, up to 96 hours thereafter, be used for the pressure uptake test.

Prior to use, the Carbopol mixture should be stirred in the container for about 1 minute at low speed (about 50 rpm) to ensure homogeneity.

Analogon C should, when properly prepared, have a hardness value between 55 and 65 grams.

Hardness is measured using a texture analyzer from Stevens-Farnell, QTS-25, model 7113-5 kg, and associated software based on an Intel-based computer having a processor series.

486 or higher. A 1.27 cm thick stainless steel spherical probe and fecal analogue container are provided. A suitable probe is TA18, available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield, England. The faecal analogue container can be made by cutting a 7 milliliter low density linear polyethylene scintillation vial (having an inner diameter of 13.97 mm +/- 0.127 mm) to a length of 15 millimeters. Suitable vials are available from the Kimble Glass Company of Vineland, New Jersey as vials designated # 58503-7. The analogue container of the test material is filled up to 2 millimeters from the upper edge of the test material. The vial is centered under a spherical probe of 1.27 cm thick stainless steel. The probe is lowered about 1 millimeter from the surface of the analogon in the vial. The probe 162 is moved downward 7 millimeters at a speed of about 100 mm per minute and then stopped. The hardness is the maximum recorded resistive force that the probe encountered on its 7 mm orbit. (The room and analogon temperatures should be between about 18.3 to 23.8 ° C during the measurement.)

Method of sample preparation

The pre-cleaned VWR container (VWR No. 15900-196) is placed on the scale and tared. The required amount of chemical is measured into the cup and the exact weight is recorded. After recording the weight of the chemical, the balance is tared again. The desired amount of faeces or faeces analogue is metered into a container containing the chemical composition. The exact amount of faeces or faecal analogue is recorded and the chemical and faeces or analogue thereof are vigorously mixed using a spatula tip of a standard Ayre Worm62 scraper

Scraper (VWR No. 15620-009) until homogeneous (total mixing time is generally about 2 minutes).

For the purposes of this method, the start of the mixing process is defined as t = 0 minutes. After mixing the sample, it is allowed to settle for the remainder of the desired reaction time. With respect to the data presented herein, the reaction time is determined to be t = three minutes elapsed from the start of the mixing process. It is then filled into the 16 millimeter vial described above in the hardness measurement method using a spatula tip of a standard Ayre Cervi-Scraper scraper, and a hardness test is performed (starting at t = 3 minutes from the start of the mixing procedure as described above) .

Receiving at pressure

Pressure reception is measured by the following test using the apparatus 139 shown in FIG. A hollow plexiglass cylinder 140 is attached to a stainless steel plate 142 about 9.5 mm thick. The plate 142 is a square having dimensions of about 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm. The joint of the cylinder 140 and the plate has a height

7.6 cm, inner diameter 5.08 cm and outer diameter 6.3 cm. The bottom of the cylinder 140 extends below the plate 142 by a distance of about

3.5 mm. The nozzle 143 prevents the test fluid 166 from escaping outside the specified test area. Also provided are two weights 156 having 625 grams in weight each having a diameter of 5.08 cm.

A cylindrical plexiglass weight 144 is provided, weighing 24.6 grams. The weight 144 has a diameter of 5.08 cm so that the weight sits tightly inside the cylinder 140, but can slide freely through the opening 141 in the cylinder 140. This arrangement provides a pressure of about 119 Pa and a test area of about 20.27 cm ² . If necessary, the weight 144 may have a handle 145 so that it can be

In such cases, the combined weight of the handle 145 and the cylindrical weight 144 should be equal to 24.6 grams.

A pattern sample 146 is provided to test the uptake properties under pressure. The sample 144 may be cut from an existing diaper, or may be constructed of material that has not been formed into a diaper. Sample 146 includes, for evaluation, the entire structure intended to be used in the product, or the entire structure of the product to be evaluated, including the topsheet 161. (To measure the reception performance at the pressure of the separate receiving elements (parts) as described above in the Receiver Element, the pressure acceptance test is performed using a standard storage element 147, instead of any underlying structure or layers. The standard storage element 147 used herein includes an aluminum plate, a square with a side of 10.16 cm and a thickness of 1.6 mm, having a pattern 153 of regularly spaced apertures 168 with a diameter of 4.3 mm, as shown in Figure 10. The apertures are arranged such that there are about 4 apertures per square centimeter.) The sample 146 should be cut into a square of dimensions 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm.

Five layers of absorbent paper 149 having a high basis weight and having dimensions of 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm are provided.

The topsheet 161 of the sample 146 is removed and the remaining components or layers of the sample 146 (if there are multiple components or layers) and the five sheets of suction paper 149 are weighed to the nearest 0.01 grams. Thus, if a sample 146 is taken from the diaper, the layers of the diaper such as the topsheets, secondary topsheets, acquisition layers, absorbent cores, etc. should be separated before weighing. (In some cases, a single layer may include two or more permanently bonded components.) · · · · · · · · · · · ·

In doing so, care must be taken to ensure that sample 146 is not destroyed or caused by unintended gross deformation. Sample layers 146 may be frozen to help separate them from adjacent layers of sample 146. Freezing may be accomplished using a PH100-15 peripheral freezer manufactured by Philips ECG, Inc. of Waltham, Massachusetts.

Sample 146 should be reassembled as originally arranged on top of five stacked layers of suction material 149, with the side of sample 146 envisaged to be facing the wearer facing up and away from the suction material 149 Suction material 149 is preferably available as Filtration Paper.

of Ahlstrom Pennsylvania with quality, available from Mt. Holly Springs, designated # 632-025, having a basis weight of about 90 grams per square meter.

The combined sample set 146 and the suction material 149 are centered on the work surface 164 of the texture analyzer 160 from Stevens-Farnell, model QTS 7113-5 kg (available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield, England), under probe 162. With a suitable probe 162 is a 100 cm long, flat-ended, cylindrical, QTSM3100 aluminum expansion rod, available from Leonard Farnell Co. of Hatfield, England. The roller 140 is centered on the sample 146. Two weights 156 of 625 grams each are placed on opposite corners (diagonally) of the plate 142 to stabilize it.

At the top of sample 146, a dose of approximately 10 cubic centimeters of the imitation, or analogue 166 (analogue C as described below) of viscous, liquid body feces is dispensed through the aperture 141 in the cylinder 140 through a 4-6mm aperture.

• ·

9 0 9 99

Once the appropriate amount of faecal material 166 (analogue C) is metered into the cylinder 140, a weight 144, weighing 24.6 grams, is slowly inserted into the aperture 141 in the cylinder 140 until it rests on the surface of the analog and then gently rotated therewith. clockwise, followed by a single anti-clockwise rotation, both rotations are performed while carefully avoiding the application of any downward pressure on the weight.

The texture analyzer 160 is activated so that the probe 162 compresses the cylindrical weight 144 at a rate of 10 mm per minute until a resistance force of about 144.6 grams is reached. The texture analyzer 160 is set to stop its downward thrust once the resistive force of 144.6 grams has been reached.

The recording equipment is set to start at a resistive force of 5 grams (a maximum resistive force of 144.6 grams corresponds to an applied pressure of 700 Pa or 0.1 pounds per square inch). Once the resistive force of 144.6 grams is reached, probe 162 is retracted to its initial position.

The weight 144 is removed from the roll 140 and the roll 140 is then removed from the surface of the sample 146, with careful care not to drip any analogue C remaining in the roll 140 onto the sample.

Then, the topsheet 161 of the sample 146 is removed from the underlying layer (s) of the specimen 146 by drawing the topsheet 161 parallel to the surface of the underlying layers and, if possible, with care that no analogue C drips onto the suction paper. In certain structures where it is difficult to remove the topsheet 161 by pulling parallel to the underlying layers, the topsheet 161 may be peeled or pulled out of the underlying layers of sample 146. If sample 146 comprises only a single layer, the standard receiving member 151 described. Below, this is used as the top layer 161 of the sample 146. Underlay the layers of sample 146 and the absorbent material 149 are then weighed.

The amount of test analogue C received by sample 146 is equal to the increase in the combined weight of the substrate layer (ev) of sample 146 and the absorbent material 149 caused by the penetration of test analogue C through the upper surface layer of sample 146 per unit work performed (in millioules) . Curve area under pressure verse.

used to calculate unit work, by integrating the force resisting the probe as it moves down the entire path performed until a maximum force of 144.6 grams is recorded. Unit work is calculated using the following equation:

distance, counts

Jedn. work (mJ) = pressure vs. surface curve Distance (g / mm) (9.81 m / s ² ) / (1000 mm / m)

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

Claims (15)

PATENT CLAIMS A disposable absorbent article (20) adapted for use on a wearer's perianal region to receive fecal material, the article comprising: substrate faecal material conditioning means, means for keeping it in contact with the perianal region of the wearer; The absorbent article is characterized in that an effective amount of an ionic complexing, fecal conditioning agent is arranged therein such that the ionic complexing, fecalizing agent is operable to contact at least a portion of the faeces stored in the article. An absorbent article (20) adapted to receive fecal material having a first waist region (36), a second waist region (38) opposite the first waist region (36), and a crotch region (37) disposed between said first and second waist regions. , the absorbent article comprises: a liquid pervious topsheet (24), a liquid impervious backsheet (26) attached to at least a portion of the topsheet (24), an absorbent core (28) disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet (24) and the backsheet (26); The absorbent article is characterized in that an effective amount of an ionic complexing, fecal material conditioning agent is arranged therein such that the ionic complexing, fecal material is disposed therein. <4 • 9 9 9 9 10 11 12 13 9 9 9 9 99 9 9 9 99 9999 99 * The conditioning agent is useful for contacting at least a portion of the faeces stored in this product. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ionic complexing, faecal conditioning agent is selected from the group consisting of: ZnO, MgO, MnO, CaO, calcium hydroxide, ethanolamines, quaternary ammonium salts, Al ₂ 0 ₃ , alginates, aluminum salts, zinc salts, and combinations thereof. The absorbent article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the ionic complexing, faecal material conditioning agent acts to increase the viscosity of the faecal material. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ionic complexing, faecal treatment agent increases the hardness of the faecal material by at least about 100%, at a concentration of less than about 5 percent by weight of the treated faecal material, preferably less than about 1.5. percent by weight, and preferably less than about 0.5 percent by weight, preferably within no more than 5 minutes and more preferably within no more than 3 minutes. The absorbent article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the ionic complexing, faecal material conditioning agent is disposed on a carrier structure such as a skin care composition, and a ribbed or brush structure. flfl 4 · ♦ · * · • • • 4 · · · 4 4 · < • 4 · · · 4 fl flfl · • 4 4 · «· 95 4 · · 4 flfl « 69 Absorbent product according to claim 6 n a č u j ici by that blend for taking care of skin contains folders selected from the group consisting of: petroleum oils and paraffins, and silicone oils and silicone waxes. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ionic complexing, faecal material conditioning agent is releasably attached to at least a portion of the article, preferably releasably attached to at least a portion thereof by a fastener selected from the group comprising a water-soluble adhesive or hydrogen bonding. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one three-dimensional structure which is attached to or extends from a portion of the absorbent article, the three-dimensional structure, preferably printed fibers, comprising an ionic complexing, faecal material conditioning agent. wherein the three-dimensional structure promotes contact between the ionic complexing, faecal material conditioning agent and faeces. The absorbent article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the ionic complexing, faecal material conditioning agent is disposed adjacent the water-soluble film. An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a gas generating system comprising at least one mixture that produces a gas when mixed with water, the gas generating system. 9 9 9 9 9 9 9. 9 9 9 9 9 Delivers an ionic complexing, faecal material to the faeces; or a gas generating system comprising a water-soluble compressed gas retaining material that develops when mixed with water, wherein the gas generating system delivers an ionic complexing, fecal conditioning agent to the faeces. 12. An absorbent article according to any preceding claim comprising a fecal material control component (120) having an uptake value at a pressure greater than about 0.077 grams of viscous, liquid body feces per centimeter of said component, per millioule of energy input. 13. An absorbent article according to claim 12, wherein the fecal control component (120) has an uptake value at a pressure of greater than about 0.155 grams of viscous, liquid body feces per square centimeter of said component, per milliliter of energy input. 14. The absorbent article of claim 12, wherein the faecal material control component comprises a macroparticle structure comprising a plurality of discrete particles having a nominal size between about 1 mm and about 25.4 mm. 15. An absorbent article according to claim 12, wherein the ionic complexing, faecal material conditioning agent is disposed in at least a portion of the faecal material control component, preferably on at least some of said discrete particles. • · An absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a reaction system (65) comprising a sensor (66) operably coupled thereto and adapted to detect the entry of fecal material, and a trigger portion (67). which is operably coupled to the article and adapted to deliver an effective amount of an ionic complexing, fecal faecal material after the sensor (66) detects their input.